Canadian Creepies

DTCP - Mercy Lena Brown's Story: The Last American Vampire


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In 1892, the small town of Exeter, Rhode Island, became home to one of the most infamous vampire cases in American history. Mercy Brown, a young woman who succumbed to tuberculosis, became the center of a desperate and chilling ritual—one designed to stop what her family believed was a supernatural force draining their lives.

But was Mercy truly a vampire? Or was her story a tragic intersection of outdated medical practices and deep-rooted folklore? In this episode, we explore how tuberculosis fueled vampire legends, the shocking exhumation of Mercy’s body, and the lasting impact of her tale on both medical advancements and vampire mythology.

🔍 Topics Covered:

  • Tuberculosis in the 19th century and its misunderstood effects
  • How disease contributed to vampire folklore
  • The ritual performed on Mercy Brown and its significance
  • Connections between Mercy Brown and Dracula
  • The evolution of vampires in mythology and pop culture

Follow the Path Further If this episode left you lingering in the shadows, there’s more to explore. Follow @downthecrookedpath on TikTok and Instagram for haunting visuals, behind-the-scenes lore, and updates on upcoming episodes. Every post is another breadcrumb deeper into the strange, the forgotten, and the beautifully unsettling. Stay curious… and keep walking.

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If you live, work, or benefit from life on stolen land, consider learning more or making a monthly contribution at PayYourRent.ca.

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 Your next creepy obsession starts here. 

🧁 This episode is brought to you by Icing Sugar Photography — capturing the sweet, the spontaneous, and the story behind every smile. Visit icingsugarphotography.com and follow on Instagram at @icingsugarphoto to sprinkle some magic on your memories. 

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🕯️ You can find new episodes of Down the Crooked Path every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.
Canadian content airs right here on the Canadian Creepies feed—so stay tuned, and stay on the path.

Edited by Kyle McDonnell

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Canadian CreepiesBy Canadian Creepies