In this episode of for Aileen Wuornos, we explore the life of Aileen Wuornos—a woman whose troubled past, personal trauma, and survival struggles culminated in her becoming one of America’s most infamous female serial killers. We delve into her early life marked by abuse and instability, examine the complexity of her motivations, and reflect on how her story speaks to broader issues of trauma, mental health, and systemic neglect.

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Here are reliable, accessible organizations and services supporting survivors of sexual and domestic violence—especially those experiencing or at risk of homelessness:

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) Offers the National Sexual Assault Hotline, providing 24/7 crisis support to survivors and their loved ones.
  

• National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) A confidential, round-the-clock hotline for domestic violence survivors—available in multiple languages (1-800-799-SAFE) and via chat. Also oversees Love is Respect, a youth-focused resource.
  

• National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) A hub offering training, toolkits, advocacy materials, and extensive resource libraries that include content addressing housing and homelessness issues.
  

• 1in6 A nonprofit specifically supporting male survivors of sexual abuse through its partnerships with RAINN, offering a 24/7 helpline and online support groups.
  

• Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC) Provides free legal assistance to sexual assault survivors in the U.S., helping navigate issues involving schools, workplaces, or insurance.
  

• NSVRC’s “Sexual Violence & Housing Resource Collection” Offers research, data, and guidance on the intersection of sexual assault and housing instability, including annotated bibliographies and listening session summaries from 2023–2024.
  

• EndSexualViolence.org Highlights trauma-informed, flexible housing solutions designed to support survivors of sexual assault in securing safe and stable living environments.
  

• PDF Resource – “Housing Needs of Survivors” Discusses how violence, including domestic and sexual assault, contributes to homelessness and outlines housing support strategies, especially for women, families, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities of color.
  

• Crisis Center of Tampa Bay (serving Hillsborough County and the greater Tampa area) Offers a sexual assault “Rape Hotline,” trauma therapy, crisis counseling, and practical assistance (like new clothing) for survivors in crisis.
  

• Hope Villages of America – Abuse Services Provides domestic violence services and emergency housing assistance, with a contact number for immediate support.
  

• Women in Distress (Broward County, FL) A comprehensive domestic violence center offering crisis shelter, counseling, parenting support, and even a pet shelter—important in ensuring survivors don’t have to leave pets behind.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

References:

Books: Holmes, R. M., & Holmes, S. T. (2009). Serial murder (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

King, G. (2004). Aileen Wuornos: The selling of a serial killer. St. Martin’s Press.

Documentaries: Nichols, N. (Director). (2003). Aileen: Life and death of a serial killer [Documentary]. HBO Documentary Films.

Journal Articles: Ramsland, K. (2007). Understanding the mind of Aileen Wuornos. Journal of Forensic Psychology, 12(3), 220–235. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jfp.2007.123

News Articles: Smith, J. (1991, January 15). Woman accused of killing men along highways. The Tampa Tribune, pp. A1, A4.

Websites: FBI. (n.d.). Aileen Wuornos case summary. FBI.gov. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/aileen-wuornos

National & Specialized ResourcesHousing & Homelessness IntersectionLocal & Community-Based Support (Lakeland/Tampa Bay area)

July 15, 1976 — A quiet farming town in California was shattered when a school bus carrying 26 children and their driver vanished without a trace. Hours later, the unimaginable truth emerged: they had been hijacked at gunpoint, driven into the night, and buried alive in a moving van deep underground.

In this chilling episode of Dark Side Diaries, we unravel the harrowing 16-hour ordeal, the courage of bus driver Ed Ray, and the resilience of children who refused to give up hope. We’ll explore the twisted minds behind the plot, the decades-long legal battles, and the lasting scars left on the survivors.

Because some nightmares… you never wake up from.

Email us at [email protected]

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Instagram - @DarkSideDiariesPodcastNational Helplines & Trauma Support

• 988 Lifeline – Available 24/7 for confidential emotional support. Call, text, or chat with a counselor any time.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text HOME to 741-741.

• Crisis Text Line – Confidential support via text, available globally.

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) – Offers hotlines and tools for victims of violent crime, including missing or abduction trauma.

• Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) – Provides a directory of victim compensation, state-specific services, and support programs.

• Team HOPE (NCMEC) – Peer-support volunteers who understand the unique trauma of missing or exploited children, offering heartfelt guidance and connection.

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) – Hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST, as well as resources for families seeking support and guidance.

• Safe Horizon – The largest U.S. organization supporting victims of crime and abuse, offering hotlines and multilingual assistance.

• Crime Victims Treatment Center (CVTC) – In NYC, provides trauma-focused therapy, psychiatric care, and advocacy for violence survivors.

• 988 Lifeline — 24/7 crisis counseling via call, text, chat

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 1-800-273-TALK (8255) / Text HOME to 741-741

• Crisis Text Line — Global text-based emotional support

• NCTSN — Trauma-specific resources and hotlines

• OVC Directory — Crime victim compensation & services

• VictimConnect — Survivor help & safety planning

• Team HOPE (NCMEC) — Peer support for families of missing/exploited kids

• NCMEC Hotline — 1-800-THE-LOST

• Trauma Therapy Platforms — BetterHelp, Talkspace, Inclusive Therapists, Reclamation Collective

• Self-care Guidance — Therapy search tips and alternatives

References:

A&E True Crime. (n.d.). The Chowchilla bus kidnapping: A survivor’s story. A&E. https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/chowchilla-bus-kidnapping

Baron, J. (2022, July 21). Chowchilla kidnapping survivor recounts terrifying 1976 ordeal. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/07/21/1112846925/chowchilla-kidnapping-survivor-1976-ed-ray

CNN. (2022, March 28). The last of 3 men who kidnapped 26 California children in 1976 has been released from prison. https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/28/us/chowchilla-kidnapper-paroled/index.html

History.com Editors. (2010, June 3). 26 children kidnapped in Chowchilla, California. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/26-children-kidnapped-in-chowchilla-california

Los Angeles Times. (2022, March 25). Frederick Woods, last of Chowchilla kidnapping trio, granted parole. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-03-25/chowchilla-kidnapping-last-of-three-men-granted-parole

Montalván, L. (2022, July 20). What happened to the Chowchilla kidnapping survivors? Blurred Bylines. https://blurredbylines.com/articles/chowchilla-kidnapping-survivors/

SFGate. (2022, March 25). Last Chowchilla school bus kidnapper granted parole after 46 years in prison. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/chowchilla-school-bus-kidnapper-freed-17030396.php

In 1993, the world watched as a small religious group in Waco, Texas faced off with the U.S. government—ending in fire, death, and controversy that still burns today. In this episode of Dark Side Diaries, we look into the beliefs, the bullets, and the blame behind one of the most explosive events in American history.

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✉️ Email – [email protected]

Resources:

📰 Survivor Interviews & Coverage

• PBS Frontline – “Waco: The Inside Story” Watch or read interviews with survivors, federal agents, and negotiators.

• A Survivor’s Story: David Thibodeau Interview with one of the few Branch Davidians who escaped the fire.
  

📚 Further Reading & Documentaries

• Waco: A Survivor’s Story by David Thibodeau

• Waco: American Apocalypse (Netflix Documentary Series)

• Waco (Paramount Network Miniseries, 2018)
  

🧠 Mental Health Support & Cult Recovery Resources

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) https://nami.org | Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

• RAINN – National Sexual Assault Hotline https://rainn.org | 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

• International Cultic Studies Association https://icsahome.com – Support and education for those recovering from cultic experiences

• Therapy for Survivors Directory https://therapyforblackgirls.com https://therapyforlatinx.com https://openpathcollective.org – Affordable therapy options

References:

Boyer, P. (1995). When time shall be no more: Prophecy belief in modern American culture. Harvard University Press.

Department of Justice. (1993). Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the events at Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993. U.S. Government Printing Office. https://www.justice.gov/publications

Doyle, C. (2012). A Journey to Waco: Autobiography of a Branch Davidian. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

ESPN. (2018, January 22). Waco: The Rules of Engagement [Documentary]. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120472/

Gifford, P. (1995). The Branch Davidians of Waco: The history and beliefs of an apocalyptic sect. Oxford University Press.

Hall, J. R. (2000). Apocalypse observed: Religious movements and violence in North America, Europe, and Japan. Routledge.

Levitas, D. (2002). The terrorist next door: The militia movement and the radical right. Thomas Dunne Books.

MacLean, N. (Director). (2023). Waco: American Apocalypse [Netflix Documentary Series]. Netflix.

Newport, K. G. C. (2006). The Branch Davidians of Waco: The history and beliefs of an apocalyptic sect. Oxford University Press.

PBS Frontline. (1995). Waco: The inside story [Television documentary]. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/waco/

Thibodeau, D., & Whiteson, L. (1999). A place called Waco: A survivor’s story. PublicAffairs.

Trevino-Rodriguez, A. (2023, March 22). What really happened in Waco? Inside Netflix’s new docuseries. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/mar/22/netflix-waco-documentary-review

United States Congress. (1996). The federal raid on Ruby Ridge, ID and the siege of the Branch Davidians at Waco, TX: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Crime. U.S. Government Printing Office.

Wright, S. A. (1995). Armageddon in Waco: Critical perspectives on the Branch Davidian conflict. University of Chicago Press.

In this gripping episode, we dive into the harrowing and heroic story of Lisa McVey—a teenage girl who survived abduction by serial killer Bobby Joe Long in 1984. While most would be paralyzed by fear, Lisa chose to fight back with remarkable courage and cunning. She memorized details, left clues, and ultimately helped authorities capture the man responsible for multiple murders across Florida.

We'll explore Lisa's traumatic childhood, her chilling 26 hours in captivity, and how her experience led her to become a law enforcement officer determined to protect others. Her story is one of resilience, bravery, and triumph over darkness.

💡 Warning: This episode contains discussion of violent crimes and may not be suitable for all listeners.

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✉️ Email – [email protected]

📌 Resources for Survivors of Abuse & Assault

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) 🔗 www.rainn.org 📞 24/7 Confidential Support: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and offers free, confidential support for survivors.

National Domestic Violence Hotline 🔗 www.thehotline.org 📞 24/7 Support: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788 Support for individuals experiencing domestic abuse. Services include safety planning and connecting with local shelters and legal help.

Love is Respect (For Teens & Young Adults) 🔗 www.loveisrespect.org 📞 Call: 1-866-331-9474, Text: "LOVEIS" to 22522 Offers education and support for young people navigating dating abuse and relationship violence.

StrongHearts Native Helpline (For Native American/Alaska Native Communities) 🔗 www.strongheartshelpline.org 📞 24/7: 1-844-7NATIVE (1-844-762-8483) Culturally appropriate support and advocacy.

1in6 (For Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse) 🔗 www.1in6.org Resources, online support groups, and articles specifically designed for men who’ve experienced abuse.

National Center for Victims of Crime 🔗 www.victimsofcrime.org Support for all types of crime victims, including sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking.

References:

American Psychological Association. (2023). Understanding trauma and its impact. https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma

Beck, M. (2020, December 1). Lisa McVey talks about outsmarting a serial killer when she was 17. A&E True Crime Blog. https://www.aetv.com/real‑crime/lisa‑mcvey‑interview

Bragg, R. (2019, May 24). Serial killer Bobby Joe Long executed in Florida for 1984 murder. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/23/us/bobby-joe-long-execution/index.html

Dateline NBC. (2019, May 25). A survivor's strength: The Lisa McVey story. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/full-episode-survivor-s-strength-lisa-mcvey-story-n1010016

Florida Department of Corrections. (2019). Execution list: 1976–present. https://fdc.myflorida.com/oth/deathrow/execlist.html

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. (2020). Deputy Lisa McVey Noland: From survivor to protector. https://teamhcso.com/Newsroom/Articles/deputy-lisa-mcvey

Netflix. (2018). Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey [Film]. Cineflix Media.

Perry, M. (2019, May 24). Lisa McVey speaks after watching serial killer Bobby Joe Long's execution. Tampa Bay Times. https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/2019/05/24/lisa-mcvey-speaks-after-watching-serial-killer-bobby-joe-longs-execution/

Rose, S. (2023, January 31). Abduction of Lisa McVey: How the teen survived serial killer Bobby Joe Long. Blurred Bylines. https://blurredbylines.com/articles/lisa‑mcvey‑abduction‑story‑bobby‑joe‑long/

St. Petersburg Times. (1984, November 17). Tampa police arrest suspect in series of killings.

Long before true crime had a genre, the Appalachian hills bore witness to one of the most infamous family feuds in American history. What started with a stolen pig spiraled into decades of bloodshed, betrayal, courtroom drama, and generational vengeance. In this episode of Dark Side Diaries, we unravel the brutal tale of the Hatfields and McCoys — a feud that blurred the line between justice and revenge, and left a permanent scar on the American South.

Follow us on TikTok @thedarksidediaries, Instagram @thedarksidediariespodcast, and Facebook at Dark Side Diaries.

🎙️ Have a creepy story, haunting, true crime twist, or dark local legend? Email us at [email protected] — you can remain anonymous, and your story could be featured in a future episode.

References

Billings, D. B., & Blee, K. M. (2000). The road to poverty: The making of wealth and hardship in Appalachia. Cambridge University Press.

Halbert, H. M. (2007). Roseanna McCoy. Appalachian Journal, 34(4), 362–375.

Hatfield & McCoy Historic Sites. (n.d.). Tourism and trails. Hatfield & McCoy Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved from https://www.hatfieldmccoycvb.com

Hatfield, T. (2013). The Hatfields: The story of the famous feud. University Press of Kentucky.

Kunst, S. (2010). Feud: Hatfields, McCoys, and social history. Journal of American Folklore, 123(489), 401–420.

Rice, O. K. (1982). The Hatfields and the McCoys. The West Virginia Historical Magazine Quarterly, 46(3), 121–139.

Shapiro, H. D. (1978). Appalachia on our mind: The Southern mountains and mountaineers in the American consciousness, 1870–1920. University of North Carolina Press.

Sullivan, R. (1999). The Hatfield-McCoy Feud: The story of America's most famous mountain feud. Penguin Books.

Waller, A. (1988). Feud: Hatfields, McCoys, and social change in Appalachia, 1860–1900. University of North Carolina Press.

On a quiet night in rural Minnesota, 19-year-old Brandon Swanson drove into the darkness—and was never seen again. After crashing his car on a gravel road, Brandon called his parents for help. Calm, coherent, and sure of his location, he set off on foot to meet them. But somewhere along that silent stretch of highway, Brandon vanished.

In this episode of Dark Side Diaries, we retrace Brandon’s final known steps, unpack the chilling 47-minute phone call with his father, and explore the baffling clues—along with the heartbreaking silence that followed. Was it a tragic accident? Foul play? Or something stranger?

Join us as we dig into a case that continues to haunt investigators, fuel theories, and leave a family searching for answers in the dark.

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Brandon Victor Swanson was last seen on May 14 th 2008 in Canby Minnesota. At the time of his disappearance Brandon was 19 years old, 5’6” and 120 lbs. Distinguishing characteristics for Brandon include Caucasian male. Naturally curly Brown hair, blue eyes. Swanson wears black wire-framed eyeglasses. He has pierced ears and a small scar above his left eye. He is legally blind in his left eye. 

At the time of his disappearance he was known to be wearing A white t-shirt under a blue striped Polo sweatshirt, baggy blue jeans, a black hooded zip-up jacket with an emblem on the back, a white flat-billed Minnesota Twins baseball cap twisted to the side, white sneakers, a heavy sterling silver necklace and one stud earring in each ear.

Brandon’s disappearance has classified him as an endangered missing person. Dental records and DNA are available for comparison, though fingerprints are not. 

If you have any information, please contact: 

Agency Name: Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office

Agency Phone Number: 507-694-1664

Agency Name: MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

Agency Phone Number: 651-793-7000

References

Day, J. (2022, January 26). Missing in Minnesota: The case of Brandon Swanson. Lost Souls of America. https://lostsoulsofamerica.wordpress.com/2022/01/26/missing-in-minnesota-the-case-of-brandon-swanson/

Day, J. (2022, May 13). Missing in Minnesota: The case of Brandon Swanson. True Crime Journal. https://truecrimejournal.com/2022/05/13/missing-in-minnesota-the-case-of-brandon-swanson/

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2020, July 22). Seeking information: Brandon Swanson. https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/brandon-swanson

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2020). Missing persons: Keeping the community informed. https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/missing-persons

Minnesota State Legislature. (2009). Brandon’s Law (Minn. Stat. § 299C.5655). https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/299C.5655

Missing Persons of America. (2022, March). Brandon Swanson – Missing since 2008 in Minnesota. https://www.missingpersonsofamerica.com

Reddit. (2023). r/UnresolvedMysteries: Brandon Swanson discussion thread. https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/

The Charley Project. (n.d.). Brandon Swanson. https://charleyproject.org/case/brandon-vincent-swanson

Websleuths. (n.d.). Brandon Swanson discussion thread. https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/mn-brandon-swanson-19-marshall-14-may-2008-4

This week on Dark Side Diaries… we’re unlocking the case of one of the most chilling haunted objects in the world: Robert the Doll. Kept behind glass in Key West, his gaze has terrified thousands, his curse has allegedly ruined lives — and if you forget to ask permission before taking his photo, you just might be next. Giggles in the night, footsteps in empty rooms, and a legacy soaked in fear. Dare to listen?

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References

Aahans. (n.d.). The haunted doll of Key West: Robert the Doll’s influence. Medium. Retrieved from [source]

Atlas Obscura. (2021, October). The story behind the world's most terrifying haunted doll. Retrieved from [source]

Convertito, C. (Host). (2024, April 16). Robert the Doll: Key West’s haunted mystery [Audio podcast episode]. In Skeptic Psychic. Retrieved from [source]

Facts.net. (n.d.). 35 facts about Robert the Doll. Retrieved from [source]

Ghost Key West Tours & Paranormal Investigations. (n.d.-a). Robert the Doll: The legend behind Key West’s haunted icon. https://www.ghostkeywest.com/robert-the-doll

Ghosts & Gravestones. (2024, September 10). Robert the Doll. https://www.ghostsandgravestones.com/key-west/robert-the-doll

Haunted Key West. (n.d.). Robert the haunted doll. Retrieved from [source]

Home | Robert the Doll. (n.d.). Robert’s story. https://robertthedoll.org/

MonsterTalk. (n.d.). Demon dolls (Episode 114) [Audio podcast episode]. In MonsterTalk. Retrieved from [source]

Morton, E. (2013, November 18). Robert the haunted doll: Creeping out Floridians since 1904. Retrieved from [source]

POPSUGAR Smart Living. (n.d.). What is the Robert the Doll curse? Retrieved from [source]

Sinclair, E. (2024, December 12). Robert the Doll: Myth or reality? True Ghost Tales. Retrieved from [source]

Turns of Reddit users in r/Paranormal and r/TheMagnusArchives. (n.d.). Retrieved from [source]

Wright, A. (2025, January 14). The story behind the world’s most terrifying haunted doll. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/story-behind-robert-the-doll