Dawn of Mantis: True Crime, Mysteries and More

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On Thanksgiving weekend in 1950, 47 year old school teacher Beryl Atherton was murdered in her home. No physical evidence was left behind, at least none detectible by 50's forensic technology, and her killer has never been identified. We discuss Beryl's life and the details of her murder, and cover a few theories as to what could have lead to her demise. (Subject Matter Begins @ 9:50)

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In this episode we cover the life of one of the ultimate “OG” thrill seekers- Ken Carter. He enjoyed a successful career that ran over 20 years and included hundreds of insane car jumps-a few that set new records. However his luck eventually ran out, and he died in a horrific crash in front of thousands of spectators. (Subject Matter Begins @ 7:47)

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In part 2, Alan finally ends the affair with Candy and throws himself fully into his marriage to Betty. Candy tries to move on and eventually succeeds- according to her. However, just a few months later she would hack her former lover's wife to death with an axe. Forty one wacks, to be exact..... and Candy claimed it was in self defense. You'll never believe how this one ends, so check out the bloody conclusion of "The Brutal Slaying of Betty Gore". (Subject Matter Begins @ 8:35)

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In part one of this two part series, we introduce you to the players in our story- Betty & Alan Gore, and Candy & Pat Montgomery. The two couples went to church together, and Alan and Candy, who were both unhappy in their marriages,  eventually began having an affair. After just a few months though, Alan grew a conscience and wanted to stop seeing her. Candy, however, was not ready to stop her fling with Alan. Be sure to tune in next week for part two and the bloody conclusion of this fascinating story. (Subject Matter Begins @ 2:50)

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In this episode we talk about Carl Tanzler- an eccentric German born "doctor" who fell in love with one of his patients in 1930. When she died of tuberculosis a year and a half later, Tanzler was distraught. He began to visit her tomb every night, and eventually stole her body and brought it back to his home, where he lived with it for several years. He was eventually caught, though- but you'll be surprised to find out what happened after that.  (Subject Matter Begins @ 5:20)

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Halloween is upon us! To help you celebrate, we here at the Dawn of Mantis podcast are presenting a macabre collection of disturbing Halloween tales. From a haunted hayride decoration that ended up being all too real, to a holiday play that was a real blast (literally), to a masked murderer at a high school party who was never caught, these terrifyingly true stories will make you think twice about leaving the house on Halloween. 

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We get the pleasure of having a conversation with our friend and yours, Scott Seaman! Scott is in the band 90 lb Wrench, and we talk about everything from ghosts to guitars to serial killers and a whole lot more in between. Enjoy! 

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In this episode, we discuss the strange disappearance and eventual return of California mom Sherri Papini. But what at first seemed like a harrowing ordeal she was lucky to survive soon became widely believed to be an elaborate hoax. We also cover a few other cases of people who had apparently kidnapped themselves. 

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Welcome to the final part of our “Murder In the Mountains” series. In this episode we cover the arrests of the Duvall brothers, and the bizarre trial that resulted in their life sentences. 

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In part 4 of our "Murder in the Mountains" series, court proceedings scare up a host of new tips (so many tips!) and even more witnesses step forward. Also, previous witnesses begin to finally tell the entire story, and it doesn't look good for the Duvall's. 

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