Today we take a look at one of the most provocative demon possession stories. The case of Anneliese Michel. While this story was the inspiration for the film “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” - how much of the story is fabricated, and what is real? Is this a real demonic possession? You decide.

Sources:

• Michael Getler, “Cries of a Woman Possessed: German Court Hears Tapes in Exorcism Death Trial,”
• The Washington Post, April 20, 1978. Article Eric T. Hansen, “What in God’s Name?!,”
• The Washington Post, September 4, 2005. Article
• Benjamin Radford, “Seized by the Spirit: Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and the Exorcism of Anneliese Michel,” Skeptical Inquirer, 2021. Article
• Catholic Church, Code of Canon Law, Canon 1172. Canon 1172
• Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, “Letter to Ordinaries Regarding Norms on Exorcism,” September 24, 1985. Vatican document
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, §1673, Vatican. Catechism
• Landgericht Aschaffenburg, Judgment in the Anneliese Michel negligent homicide case, April 21, 1978.
• Ernst Alt, contemporary testimony and accounts concerning Anneliese Michel and the exorcism.
• Arnold Renz, contemporary testimony and accounts concerning the exorcism of Anneliese Michel.
• Josef Michel and Anna Michel, contemporary testimony and statements concerning Anneliese Michel.
• Aschaffenburg District Court, 1978 negligent homicide trial records.
• Contemporary German press coverage of the 1978 Anneliese Michel trial.

In this episode, Annie's mom, Lurine, who lived near the scene of the Jeffrey McDonald murders shares her firsthand experience and insights. She discusses her observations from the night of the crime, the neighborhood atmosphere during the Vietnam era, and her thoughts on the case's controversy. The conversation explores potential evidence, witness accounts, and theories about the guilt or innocence of McDonald. This detailed account offers a unique perspective on one of America's most infamous criminal cases.

Books Mentioned

Fatal Vision — Joe McGinniss https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45758.Fatal_Vision

Fatal Justice — Jerry Allen Potter & Fred Bost https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/666555.Fatal_Justice

Helena Stoeckly Interview

ABC News — Helena Stoeckley / Prosecutorial Misconduct Allegationshttps://abcnews.go.com/GMA/LegalCenter/story?id=1408389

We explore the complex and controversial Jeffrey McDonald case, examining the trial's intricacies, key evidence like the blue pajama top, and the impact of Joe McGuinness's book 'Fatal Vision'. In this episode, we delve into the challenges faced by the defense, the significance of witness testimonies, and the lasting effects of the jury's verdict and subsequent appeals process. We also investigate crucial elements such as Helena Stokely's confession, the role of cults, and the implications of DNA testing and drug trafficking on the case's trajectory. Finally, we present alternative theories regarding the blood evidence to question the reliability of the prosecution's narrative and the overall fairness of the trial.

References:

General Background on Fatal Vision and the MacDonald Case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_Vision

CBS News — Appeals and Ongoing Controversy https://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeal-in-1970-fatal-vision-murder-case/

Office of Justice Programs (OJP) — “Fatal Vision Revisited” https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/fatal-vision-revisited-macdonald-murder-case

Los Angeles Times — DNA / Hair Evidence Coverage https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2012-sep-26-la-na-nn-fatal-vision-murders-evidence-20120926-story.html

Los Angeles Times — McGinniss / MacDonald Lawsuit Coverage https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-09-mn-3103-story.html

Los Angeles Times — Settlement Coverage https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-22-me-1079-story.html

ABC News — Helena Stoeckley / Prosecutorial Misconduct Allegations https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/LegalCenter/story?id=1408389

TIME Magazine — A Wilderness of Error Review https://time.com/5887412/wilderness-of-error-review-fx/

Books Mentioned

Fatal Vision — Joe McGinniss https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45758.Fatal_Vision

Fatal Justice — Jerry Allen Potter & Fred Bost https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/666555.Fatal_Justice

The Journalist and the Murderer — Janet Malcolm https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65564.The_Journalist_and_the_Murderer

A Wilderness of Error — Errol Morris https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52243312-a-wilderness-of-error

Jeffrey MacDonald is one of the most infamous figures in American true crime. Convicted of murdering his pregnant wife, Colette, and their two young daughters in 1970, his case has captivated—and divided—the public for decades. If you've read Fatal Vision or watched the television adaptation, you may already be convinced of his guilt. But what if the story isn't that simple? In this episode, we'll take a deep dive into the crime scene, the forensic evidence, the arguments for and against MacDonald, and the decades of investigations, appeals, and courtroom battles that have kept this case alive for more than half a century.

References:

General Background on Fatal Vision and the MacDonald Case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_Vision

CBS News — Appeals and Ongoing Controversy https://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeal-in-1970-fatal-vision-murder-case/

Office of Justice Programs (OJP) — “Fatal Vision Revisited” https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/fatal-vision-revisited-macdonald-murder-case

Los Angeles Times — DNA / Hair Evidence Coverage https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2012-sep-26-la-na-nn-fatal-vision-murders-evidence-20120926-story.html

Los Angeles Times — McGinniss / MacDonald Lawsuit Coverage https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-09-mn-3103-story.html

Los Angeles Times — Settlement Coverage https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-22-me-1079-story.html

ABC News — Helena Stoeckley / Prosecutorial Misconduct Allegations https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/LegalCenter/story?id=1408389

TIME Magazine — A Wilderness of Error Review https://time.com/5887412/wilderness-of-error-review-fx/

Books Mentioned

Fatal Vision — Joe McGinniss https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45758.Fatal_Vision

Fatal Justice — Jerry Allen Potter & Fred Bost https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/666555.Fatal_Justice

The Journalist and the Murderer — Janet Malcolm https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65564.The_Journalist_and_the_Murderer

A Wilderness of Error — Errol Morris https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52243312-a-wilderness-of-error

Explore the rich and haunted history of Edinburgh, from ancient origins to modern ghost stories, uncovering the city's dark past and its spectral inhabitants.

resources

Edinburgh Castle - https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/

Greyfriar's Kirkyard - https://www.edinburgh.org/see-and-do/attractions/greyfriars-kirkyard/

Mary King's Close - https://www.realmuseum.com/visit/edinburgh-museum/marys-close/

Scottish Paranormal Society - https://scottishparanormal.co.uk/

Stone Tape Theory - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_tape_theory

In this episode, we explore the chilling legend of the Bell Witch, one of America’s most famous haunts. It began in 1817 on the farm of John Bell Sr. in Adams, Tennessee. What started as strange noises and unexplained disturbances soon escalated into violent encounters, disembodied voices, and a spirit known as “Kate” that allegedly targeted the Bell family — especially Betsy Bell. We examine the most famous claims, including physical attacks, the death of John Bell, and even a rumored visit from Andrew Jackson, all while looking at what is documented and what might be legend.

References:

1. Wikipedia – Bell Witch
2. Tennessee Encyclopedia – “Bell Witch”
3. The Bell Witch Site – “Story of a Classic American Haunting”
4. Tennessee State Library & Archives – “Tennessee Myths and Legends (Bell Witch)”
5. Bell Witch: The Truth Exposed by Camille Moffitt
6. The Bell Witch - Brett Monahan

This conversation delves into the tragic case of Paris Bennett, who at the age of 13 murdered his four-year-old sister, Ella. The discussion explores the complexities of family dynamics, the psychological factors at play, and the warning signs that were overlooked. It also examines the impact of childhood trauma, the role of genetics, and the mother's struggles with addiction. The episode emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness and the need for early intervention in cases of troubling behavior in children.

References:

• Film: The Family I Had
• https://nypost.com/2020/01/13/why-my-monster-son-murdered-and-molested-my-daughter/
• https://medium.com/@tonyakpan45/13-year-old-assaults-4-year-old-sister-stabs-her-17-times-b2a5442bf51b

Today, we’re going to explore a case that merges true crime and the paranormal. It's the ONLY case that legitimately does both of those things at the same time, because it’s the one and only time a ghost’s testimony was used as evidence in a court of law. We’re talking about Zona Heaster Shue, also known as the Greenbriar Ghost.

References: -https://www.gothichorrorstories.com/gothic-travel/the-death-resurrection-and-retribution-of-zona-heaster-shue-the-greenbrier-ghost/

• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-a-ghosts-evidence-con_b_9252062

“Haunted Appalachia” covers an entire body of folklore, ghost traditions, cryptids and superstitions that stretch across the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Alabama. Today, we’re going to discuss the Indigenous origins of many of these tales, how their stories blended with Pioneer interpretations, and where these stories stand today. And remember, if you’re in the mountains and you hear someone call your name… no you didn’t.

References:

• Mooney, J. (1900). Myths of the Cherokee. Government Printing Office. Retrieved from https://sacred-texts.com/nam/cher/motc/index.htm
• World History Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Uʻtlûñ′tă, the Spear‑Finger. Retrieved November 17, 2025, from https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2585/utlunta-the-spear-finger/
• https://fiveable.me/hs-appalachian-studies/unit-6/appalachian-folklore-legends/study-guide/zJts7RHk6HECwgdY?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Renée L. Bergland, in The National Uncanny: Indian Ghosts and American Subjects
• https://seattlewire.com/haunting-legends-and-ghost-stories-from-appalachia/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Today’s case is one of the most bizarre cases you’ll ever hear. It’s called the “Pizza Bombing” case and is about the suspected murder of Brian Wells. This case includes a bomb attached to a man’s neck, an abduction, a body in a freezer, a crack dealer, a cancer diagnosis, and a scavenger hunt, just to name a few particulars. And at the center of this entire thing is one of the most diabolical women we’ve ever heard of.

References

“Pizza Bomber.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2024.

Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist. Netflix, 2018.

Wired Magazine, “The Collar Bomb Heist,” 2010.

CBS News Archives, “Charges in Pizza Deliveryman Bomb Case,” 2007.

UPI News, “Woman Gets Life in Pizza Bomber Case,” 2011.

FBI Press Release, “Erie Bank Robbery Investigation Summary,” 2005.

Clark, Jerry, and Ed Palattella. Pizza Bomber: The Untold Story of America’s Most Shocking Bank Robbery. Berkley, 2018.

The Infamous Pizza Bomber: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtKwyTebCD0&t=16s