Feature film director Brian James O'Connell came across the case of a North Dakota man arrested for the brutal killing of four people in 2019, and became so intrigued that he traveled to North Dakota to attend part of the trial. On this episode of A Study Of Strange, Brian shares details of the bizarre case that shocked the city of Mandan, ND.

The alleged killer, Chad Isaak, professed during his trial that he was not the murderer, but all of the evidence pointed directly to Isaak. Evidence that includes security camera footage of a man with a distinct walk, just like Isaak's, the discovery of the murder weapons, blood on and in his truck, and more. 

What makes this case even more strange is that there appears to be no motive. No connection with the killer to the victims. 

Today we attempt to make sense of the senseless, and share recent news related to Chad Isaak. 

Join Patreon to get access to special content and a free giveaway for the next 50 days! Visit www.astrudyofstrange.com for more show notes, resources, and strange info!

Find our more about Brian O'Connell:

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Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Hosted by Michael May

©2022 Convergent Content, LLC

Links:

https://www.kvrr.com/tag/chad-isaak/

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/28/us/chad-isaak-sentencing-north-dakota.html#:~:text=the%20main%20story-,Killer%20Who%20Stabbed%204%20People%20100%20Times%20Gets%20Life%20Without,'m%20not%20a%20murderer.%E2%80%9D&text=As%20a%20subscriber%2C%20you%20have,articles%20to%20give%20each%20month.

https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2021/12/28/mandan-murders-judge-sentences-man-life-killing-4-2019/9033643002/

https://www.kvrr.com/2022/07/06/isaak-appeals-mandan-murder-convictions/

What do spies have to do with a murder in a small New Hampshire town in 1918? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. Today we conclude the story of the epically strange murder of Dr. William Dean with guests, actor Tara Perry ("The Fresh Beat Band", "12 Hour Shift", "Ghosts of the Ozarks"), and her husband, filmmaker Jordan Wayne Long ("Ghosts of the Ozarks"). 

During World War I, there were reports of strange lights in the mountains of Southern New Hampshire. Paranoia was at an all time high and people believed the strange lights were signals to and from German spies, possibly even communicating with U-boats off the Eastern coast of the US. The government was so concerned that they sent agents to investigate the signal lights, which never stopped during the course of the war.

Caught up in the midst of what seems like the plot of a spy novel, was a resident of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, Dr. William Dean. One quiet night in August of 1918, Dr. Dean ventured towards his barn to milk his cow, but he never made it back inside for his dinner. Dean was later found in six feet of water within his cistern, tied, covered in a bag, and strangled to death. Nothing was stolen. No apparent motive ever discovered. For over 100 years, the murder has transfixed the town and the best theory to date is that Dr. Dean saw something related to the strange lights in the mountains, and it got him killed. 

Join Patreon to get access to special content and a free giveaway for the next 60 days! Visit www.astrudyofstrange.com for more show notes, resources, and strange info!

Theme Music by Matt Glass http://www.glassbrain.com/

Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Hosted by Michael May

©2022 Convergent Content, LLC

Links:

https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/killed-william-dean-tale-spies-swindlers-politicians/

https://www.ledgertranscript.com/Dean-murder-overview-19015646

http://www.jaffreyhistory.org/10dean/margaret.pdf

http://www.jaffreyhistory.org/10dean/MarkBeanPaper.pdf

https://rs41.smugmug.com/Jaffrey/Dean-Murder

News Of Strangeness is normally an exclusive perk for members of A Study Of Strange's patrons. To gain access to more News Of Strangeness episodes, or other additional content, visit www.astudyofstrange.com or https://www.patreon.com/astudyofstrange  Join Patreon in the next few months and receive a free giveaway!

Thank you for listening!

Theme Music by Matt Glass http://www.glassbrain.com/

Join our Patreon for exclusive content! 

Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Hosted by Michael May

©2022 Convergent Content, LLC

What do spies have to do with a murder in a small New Hampshire town in 1918? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. Today we explore the strange murder of Dr. William Dean with guests, actor Tara Perry ("The Fresh Beat Band", "12 Hour Shift", "Ghosts of the Ozarks"), and her husband, filmmaker Jordan Wayne Long ("Ghosts of the Ozarks"). 

During World War I, there were reports of strange lights in the mountains of Southern New Hampshire. Paranoia was at an all time high and people believed the strange lights were signals to and from German spies, possibly even communicating with U-boats off the Eastern coast of the US. The government was so concerned that they sent agents to investigate the signal lights, which never stopped during the course of the war.

Caught up in the midst of what seems like the plot of a spy novel, was a resident of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, Dr. William Dean. One quiet night in August of 1918, Dr. Dean ventured towards his barn to milk his cow, but he never made it back inside for his dinner. Dean was later found in six feet of water within his cistern, tied, covered in a bag, and strangled to death. Nothing was stolen. No apparent motive ever discovered. For over 100 years, the murder has transfixed the town and the best theory to date is that Dr. Dean saw something related to the strange lights in the mountains, and it got him killed. 

Join Patreon to get access to special content and a free giveaway for the next 60 days! Visit www.astrudyofstrange.com for more show notes, resources, and strange info!

Theme Music by Matt Glass http://www.glassbrain.com/

Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Hosted by Michael May

©2022 Convergent Content, LLC

Links:

https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/killed-william-dean-tale-spies-swindlers-politicians/

https://www.ledgertranscript.com/Dean-murder-overview-19015646

http://www.jaffreyhistory.org/10dean/margaret.pdf

http://www.jaffreyhistory.org/10dean/MarkBeanPaper.pdf

https://rs41.smugmug.com/Jaffrey/Dean-Murder

Tony Swansey shares a personal strange, supernatural experience that happened during a camping trip to Joshua Tree. This interview is an excerpt from a longer interview released exclusively to A Study Of Strange's Patreon members. To learn more or listen to the entire, unedited interview visit www.astudyofstrange.com and click on the Patreon tab. 

Thank you for listening! Visit www.astrudyofstrange.com for more show notes, resources, and strange info!

Theme Music by Matt Glass http://www.glassbrain.com/

Join our Patreon for exclusive content! 

Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Hosted by Michael May

©2022 Convergent Content, LLC

Special guest Yuri Baranovsky, the writer/producer behind the horror film "The Summoned", joins the podcast to learn about the mysteries and folklore surrounding The Bennington Triangle. This Vermont location is the setting for at least five strange disappearances starting in 1945. No known connections exist between the victims except their location and strange details. 

The Bennington Triangle was a name given to the area in 1992 by Vermont author Joseph A Citro. Most accounts briefly mention a history of odd things in Vermont from UFOs, to Bigfoot like cryptids, and curses, but there is never much detail about such legends. Today, on this episode on A Study Of Strange, we attempt to track down those stories and see if they could be connected to the missing persons of The Bennington Triangle. 

Thank you for listening! Visit www.astrudyofstrange.com for more show notes, resources, and strange info!

Check out Yuri's work here: https://www.hlgstudios.com/ 

Theme Music by Matt Glass http://www.glassbrain.com/

Join our Patreon for exclusive content! 

Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Hosted by Michael May

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Links:

Joseph Citro Books:

• https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-A.-Citro/e/B001JSJOOK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

https://www.benningtonbanner.com/local-news/lost-in-glastenbury/article_3e0f679a-9ebf-5ba9-b990-8f8e39ea128d.html

https://obscurevermont.com/the-vanished-town-of-glastenbury-and-the-bennington-triangle/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Seen_Wearing_..._(Hillary_Waugh_novel)

https://www.grunge.com/625795/the-biggest-bennington-triangle-disappearance-theories-what-really-happened/

http://obscurevermont.com/tag/ghost-story/

https://www.vermontpublic.org/programs/2013-10-25/gilbert-vampires-in-vermont#stream/0

https://www.benningtonbanner.com/local-news/lost-in-glastenbury/article_3e0f679a-9ebf-5ba9-b990-8f8e39ea128d.html

https://www.times-news.com/sports/local_sports/black-bears-kill/article_8a49bdd8-6cfa-51d1-b12f-c1c2a1cd539e.html

https://urbanpostmortem.wordpress.com/2015/04/07/the-vanished-town-of-glastenbury-and-the-bennington-triangle/

The co-executive producer and showrunner of Ghost Adventures: House Calls, Michael Dorsey, has made a career out of documenting compelling stories for TV and film. Over the years he's become known for his expertise on the "unsolved" murder of Biggie Smalls having produced multiple projects about the case. On this episode of A Study of Strange, Dorsey shares his insight and opinion about who killed Biggie and why there have been no arrests.

On March 9th, 1997, in Los Angeles CA, superstar music artist Biggie Smalls, aka the Notorious B.I.G., was shot at an after party near the Peterson Automotive Museum. The assailant pulled up along side Biggie in a Chevrolet Impala and attacked. Biggie was rushed to the hospital but passed away shortly after arriving. He was only 24 years old. 

This came just 6 months after rival rapper, Tupac Shakur, was also shot and killed. Many speculate the murders were connected.

No suspect has ever been arrested for Biggie’s murder despite the fact that many consider the case solved. Therein lies where the case takes a strange turn. The murder of Biggie Smalls is shrouded in conspiracy theories and rumors. Rumors of gang violence, business rivalries, police corruption, and vengeance. The truth may lie somewhere in the middle.

Thank you for listening! Visit www.astrudyofstrange.com for more show notes, resources, and strange info!

Theme Music by Matt Glass http://www.glassbrain.com/

Join our Patreon for exclusive content!

Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Hosted by Michael May

©2022 Convergent Content, LLC

Links to Resources and Michael Dorsey's Biggie Smalls projects:

Murder Rap Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_7kG4SbBdI

Deep Diver Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiUOCK0hsUY

Michael Dorsey Interviews

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzgtqbLm258

Our special guest for this two parter mystery is Timothy Donahue, a filmmaker and former co-host of the tv series “Auto/Biography” along with A Study Strange’s host Michael May. Tim wears his skeptic hat as Michael introduces him to the story of William H. Mumler, the father of spirit photography and a likely conman.

Thank you for listening! Visit www.astrudyofstrange.com for more show notes, resources, and strange info!

Theme Music by Matt Glass http://www.glassbrain.com/

Join our Patreon for exclusive content!

Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Hosted by Michael May

©2022 Convergent Content, LLC

Research Resources:

https://www.amazon.com/Apparitionists-Phantoms-Photography-Captured-Lincolns/dp/0544745973/ref=asc_df_0544745973/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312134266711&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3198501778131025376&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-412257958969&psc=1

https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/person/104VG5

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/meet-mr-mumler-man-who-captured-lincolns-ghost-camera-180965090/

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/photographer-who-claimed-to-capture-abraham-lincoln-ghosthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_of_Abraham_Lincoln_(photograph)

https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/social-relevance/worlds-oldest-photos-543067.html

https://www.britannica.com/technology/wet-collodion-process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii2O6wz0Zxc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsx6xqi0vzU

Part 2 of the mystery of William H. Mumler. Guest Timothy Donahue, filmmaker and tall former co-host of the deep cable show "Auto/Biography",  strangely stuck around for the conclusion. Tim wears his skeptic hat as Michael introduces him to the story of William H. Mumler, the father of spirit photography and a likely conman.

Thank you for listening! Visit www.astrudyofstrange.com for more show notes, resources, and strange info!

Theme Music by Matt Glass http://www.glassbrain.com/

Join our Patreon for exclusive content!

Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Hosted by Michael May

©2022 Convergent Content, LLC

Research Resources:

https://www.amazon.com/Apparitionists-Phantoms-Photography-Captured-Lincolns/dp/0544745973/ref=asc_df_0544745973/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312134266711&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3198501778131025376&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031201&hvtargid=pla-412257958969&psc=1

https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/person/104VG5

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/meet-mr-mumler-man-who-captured-lincolns-ghost-camera-180965090/

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/photographer-who-claimed-to-capture-abraham-lincoln-ghosthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_of_Abraham_Lincoln_(photograph)

https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/social-relevance/worlds-oldest-photos-543067.html

https://www.britannica.com/technology/wet-collodion-process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii2O6wz0Zxc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsx6xqi0vzU

We dive into a real life locked-room murder mystery in the first ever episode of A STUDY OF STRANGE. Who killed Julia Wallace on September 20th, 1931? It is a case that has stumped investigators for nearly a century. Our special guest, writer of mystery & thrillers, Norm Thoeming aka August Norman, joins to help figure it out. 

Read Norm’s work here!

Julia’s body was found by her husband, William Herbert Wallace, after returning home from a bizarre outing. Initially the doors to their home were locked before William gained entry to find the brutal scene. William H. Wallace had alibis, lots of them in fact, but their apparent strangeness lead investigators to presume William committed the act of murder. He was tried and convicted to death before an appeal set him free. If William didn’t do it, who did?

Thank you for listening! Visit www.astrudyofstrange.com for more show notes, resources, and strange info!

Theme Music by Matt GlassPatreon for exclusive content. More info at www.astudyofstrange.com

Instagram: @astudyofstrange

Hosted by Michael May

©2022 Convergent Content, LLC