Big Easy Spirits

Mary Oneida Toups was known as the High Priestess of the French Quarter, but her life, and her death, remains a mystery to this day, thanks to a natural disaster and the laissez faire attitude of New Orleans.

How did this middle aged former housewife become the most powerful witch in New Orleans? Listen and find out!

December 1989, Vanessa Bodden was last seen getting into a white car in the early hours of the morning. Her mutilated body was found a few weeks later in an abandoned building in her neighborhood. Thirty years later, Vanessa's killer is still unknown and her niece Danielle is now pushing for justice for her aunt. 

The Rosegate House is a staple of the Garden District in New Orleans. It's also home to a few ghosts and writer Anne Rice. Learn more about the history, the ghosts, the settings for famous novels... and Kelly's obsession with "E.R." and more of our feelings on Scientology... in this week's episode. 

Big Easy Spirits listeners know we’re based in the greatest city in the world… New Orleans. And even though the coronavirus pandemic has cancelled this year’s festivities, we’re taking this week off to celebrate Mardi Gras however we can. So, take this time to catch up on episodes you may have missed, stay tuned for an all-new episode next week and Happy Mardi Gras to you wherever you may be listening from! Cheers!

A listener suggestion turned into a story of a trio of haunted hotels in the French Quarter all linked by a mysterious Civil War military hospital that Kelly is trying urgently to find more about. Take this short hotel hop and plan your COVID-free hop visit! 

Doctor John Montanet, a Senegalese prince turned Voodoo master, inspired the transformation of 3rd Ward's own Mac Rebbenack into the colorful Dr. John, psychedelic rock pianist and performer.

Big thanks to the Historic New Orleans Collection. Visit their website for more information on Doctor John Montanet and more.

Edna Muscarello Lester, a 32-year-old mother of three, was pulled from a fire in her home on the morning of Nov. 15, 1982. A closer look uncovered 15 stab wounds found across Edna's body. The case is still unsolved.

What happens when you combine the deep, dark swamps of Louisiana with Bigfoot? And is it possible for a chimpanzee and an alligator to have a baby? All your questions and more, answered. 

This week we dive into the history of one of the most famous haunted houses in the country: The Mortuary. Originally a private home, the site of the now haunted house was a funeral home for over 80 years. In this week's episode. get all the background on the location and the real ghosts that haunts the building's halls.

This week, Ashley and Kelly catch up after a week apart and dive into the ghostly patrons of one of New Orleans' top restaurants. Since 1918, Arnaud's in the French Quarter has been the ultimate in the city's fine dining scene... and it's dinner is served under the watchful eye of its ghostly founders - Count Arnaud and his daughter Germaine.