The Backroom

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On May 5, 1993, three boys went missing in West Memphis, Arkansas. Police, family and friends searched all night for them. The next day, the bodies of the boys were found in a muddy creek. They were all hogtied with their shoelaces and they were stripped. One of the boys had mutilated genitals. During the 7 months, police narrowed down to three teenaged boys who were thought to be into satanism and believed that they killed the young boys as part of a ritual. In early 1994, all three teens were tried and convicted of first and second degree murder. One was sentenced to death and the others got life. Over the next 18 years, more evidence and people came forward. In the end, it was found that the three teens were wrongfully convicted for a crime that they did NOT commit. Police mishandled evidence and the Judge and jury were working with each other to convict the teens. New DNA technology also cleared the three as none of their DNA was found on the victims nor at the crime scene. 

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Jim Jones was a communist who wanted to control the people and gain power. In order to get followers, he created a new religious movement. After attracting suspicion from the government in the mid 1970s, Jones and almost 1,000 of his followers migrated to a 3,800 acre commune called "Jonestown" in the country of Guyana. On November 17, 1978, Congressman Leo Ryan and a party of reporters and cameramen traveled to Jonestown to investigate claims of abuse. Ryan was slipped a note by a member who was asking for help. The next day, November 18th, Ryan and his party, along with several defectors made their way to an air field. Leo Ryan and four others were killed as they were boarding their plane after Jones sent his Temples security to make sure the plane doesn't leave. After this event, Jones forced his followers to drink cyanide laced flavor-aid, with children being the first to drink. Anyone who refused was either injected with poison or shot. In total, 918 Temple members died, including Jones (who shot himself).

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The Manson Family is on of the most notorious cults in history. Founded by Charles Manson in 1967, the Family, who were mostly women, believed that Manson was the second coming of Jesus Christ. Manson, a failed musician, became infatuated with The Beatles after their 1968 album "The White Album" was released. It is believed that The Beatles song "Helter Skelter" was the motivation for Manson's manic thoughts. On August 9, 1969, three members of the Family entered the home of actress Sharon Tate at 10050 Cielo Drive. The three then killed Tate and her house guest along with another who was leaving the property. Charles Manson and his cult of misfits have been held to the highest regards of evil ever since.

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In the Spring of 1946, the citizens of Texarkana, Texas were struck with fear as four couples were attacked between February and May. Of the four couples, a total of five people were killed (two couples and the husband of the last couple attacked). Police patrolled the street of Texarkana. Curfews were set and stores closed up early. All the citizens were on high alert, buying guns and locks just in case. The first couple who was attacked survived. According to their account, their attacker was about 6 feet tall and wore a white cloth mask with eye holes. That is the only known description of the killer, later named "The Phantom". It is believed that he is responsible for the murders that occurred throughout the town. As of 2021, the murders have remained unsolved and no suspect has ever been found.

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On Halloween night 1974, took his two children (Timothy and Elizabeth) and three other kids trick or treating. O'Bryan had gave each of the kids a Pixy Stix, claiming that someone had given it to him from a house that the kids had tried. Later that night, Timothy had eaten the pixy stix, telling his father that it tasted bitter. Timothy then began to vomit before going limp in Ronald's arms. Timothy O'Bryan died less than an hour later. It had been determined that the Pixy Stix was laced with Potassium Cyanide and Timothy had consumed enough to kill two full grown adults. After investigating, Ronald was found to be the one who produced the Cyanide filled Pixy Stix......

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By 1946, Edward Gein lived a lonely life. Gein's mother was extremely religious and didn't allow her children to have any friends. She also claimed that all women (besides herself) were instruments of the devil. Gein's bond with his mother grew stronger and his father and brother both passed away. After his mother's death in 1945, Gein took on many odd jobs. In 1957, the owner of a local hardware store went missing. The last customer to have bought something was Ed Gein. Police went to Gein's house and made a stomach-turning discovery. 

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In the early morning of November 13, 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed his mother, father, two sisters and two brothers in the family home at 112 Ocean Avenue. DeFeo claimed that he heard voices telling him to do it. All the victims were shot in their beds and were found laying face down. In November 1975, DeFeo was found guilty of six counts of second degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years to life for each one. The next month, George Lutz and his family purchased the home for $80,000 and moved in. The Lutz family began to experience paranormal activities that became so severe, the family fled after just 28 days......... The Lutzes story was the inspiration for a book titled "The Amityville Horror", which was later turned into a horror movie in 1979. 

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Gabby Petito and her fiance, Brian Laundrie, embarked on a cross country road trip that started on July 2, 2021. On August 12, while in Utah, the couple engaged in a heated argument where Laundrie hit Petito in the face, which one eye witness reported to police. Another claimed that Petito punched Laundrie in the arm several times. When police arrived, Gabby was clearly upset, wiping tears from her face the entire time the police were there. After questioning the two, police separated them for them for the night. The last time Gabby was seen alive was on August 27 in Wyoming outside of a restaurant. In the following days, witnesses reported a "young white male" who was acting suspicious at the camp ground both Gabby and Brian were staying at. On September 1, Laundrie returned to his parents' home in Florida...... alone. 

If you or anyone you know is/has been a victim of domestic violence, please call 
1(800) 799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788

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From 1929 to 1953, the Soviet Union was ruled by Joseph Stalin. Despite turning the USSR from a peasant state to an industrial superpower, Stalin controlled his citizens through fear. He sent many to the GULAG, purposely caused a famine, eliminated an entire social class, and executed anyone who criticized him. The number is not specific, but Stalin is responsible for the deaths of more than 20 million people. Most of which were his own people. After his death in 1953, the Soviet Union disconnected from Stalinism entirely. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, more and more records were declassified, shedding light on the dark and brutal history of the USSR.

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Boston Police Detective John Mulligan was shot five times in the face while sitting in his car in the parking lot of Walgreens on September 26, 1993. Three days later, cousins Celine Kirk and Tracy Brown were murdered in their apartment. While investigating the scene, Boston Detectives came across a package of diapers and an ID that belonged to Kirk and Brown's cousin, Sean Ellis. While being questioned by police, Ellis explained that he had picked up the diapers at the request of his cousins, just three days prior, at Walgreens......The same Walgreens where John Mulligan's murder took place.