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In June of 1991, 70 year old Dorothy Donovan was brutally murdered inside her farmhouse in Harrington, Delaware. When her son Charles arrived home later that night, he told police a bizarre story about a violent hitchhiker who attempted to steal his vehicle, and also made off with Charles's screwdriver - the very same weapon used to murder his mother. For more than a decade, Dorothy's murder remained unsolved until 2005, when DNA testing led investigators straight to Dorothy's killer - and the results were a shock to the entire community. 

Today's Sources Include:

https://murderosity.wordpress.com/2024/02/16/019-dorothy-donovan/

https://www.delawareonline.com/story/opinion/editorials/2008/12/16/harrington-cold-case-featured-on/63994932007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z1133xxe1133xxv000037&gca-ft=153&gca-ds=sophi

https://www.aetv.com/articles/dna-clears-murdered-widow-son-leads-to-real-killer-arrest

https://medium.com/@courtneyfretwellarreola/the-murder-of-dorothy-donovan-a-hitchhiker-a-family-torn-apart-and-the-forensic-evidence-that-e51aee2d8a4d

https://forensictales.com/dorothy-donovan/

https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Dorothy_Donovan

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Hey, ya'll! The Ghosty Girls are taking a break this week in honor of Labor Day. We will also have some updates regarding the future direction of the podcast coming very soon, so be sure to stay tuned! Rest assured, no matter what happens, the show WILL go on. In the meantime, please enjoy an oldie but goodie from The Ghosty Girls vault. We will see you next Tuesday....but don't be one! - Christina

In today's episode, we dive into one of the most controversial and unsettling chapters in the history of medicine: the lobotomy. This procedure, which involved the surgical severing of brain connections via drilled holes in the head or an icepick to the eye socket, was once hailed as the ultimate cure for any mental illness you could ever imagine - but sadly, it came with a hefty price. We also discuss the infamous botched lobotomy of Rosemary Kennedy, performed at the hands of madman neurologist, Walter Freeman. Buckle up guys, this is a rough one!

Today's Sources Include:

https://people.com/books/why-rosemary-kennedys-siblings-didnt-see-her-after-her-lobotomy/

https://www.npr.org/2005/11/16/5014576/a-lobotomy-timeline

https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55854145.amp

https://www.theindy.org/article/3304

Dark History Podcast - Bailey Sarian: Mind Games - The Dark History of Lobotomy 

The Last Podcast on the Left: Lobotomies (Part I and II)

The Sins of the Father - Ronald Kessler

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Due to overwhelming listener request, we have decided to take a break from true crime this week and give you an episode dedicated to Tennessee's one and only Dolly Rebecca Parton. Country star, philanthropist and humanitarian, Dolly Parton is one of, if not the most well loved human being in America and quite possibly, the world.

From extremely humble beginnings to eventually ruling the world with her huge platinum blonde wigs, dazzling rhinestone gowns, ample bosoms and kind heart, today we examine the life and cultural impact of a true idol and legend. Oh, and we also weave some Smoky Mountains paranormal stories in too! RIP Dolly - you were truly one of a kind and we will always love you, Queen!

Today's Sources Include:

https://imaginationlibrary.com

https://www.dollychildrens.org

https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a73523666/dolly-parton-quotes-inspiration/

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/aug/26/dolly-parton-style-fashion

https://people.com/dolly-parton-revealed-secret-to-58-year-marriage-12068017

https://www.southernthing.com/amp/truvy-steel-magnolias-2646404852

https://people.com/how-dolly-parton-supported-a-black-neighborhood-with-royalties-from-whitney-houstons-take-on-i-will-always-love-you-12068491

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2025/03/17/dolly-parton-businesses-dollywood/82379657007/

https://www.thewrap.com/dolly-parton-drops-dixie-dollywood-theme-park/

https://www.instyle.com/dolly-parton-never-had-children-husband-carl-dean-12068348

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/music/articles/dolly-parton-health-battles-years-195204013.html

https://fortune.com/2026/08/26/dolly-parton-rags-to-riches-philanthropy-one-million-dollars-to-moderna-covid-vaccine-development/

https://news.vumc.org/2026/08/26/vanderbilt-health-mourns-passing-of-global-icon-dolly-parton/

https://www.nine.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/dolly-parton-death-charity-legacy-net-worth-20260826-p60rkt.html

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/dolly-parton-defending-jessica-simpson-130810053.html

https://www.visitmysmokies.com/blog/dining-pigeon-forge/dollywood-cinnamon-bread-recipe/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ParanormalEncounters/comments/1dzoxkr/something_very_wrong_in_the_smoky_mountains/

https://www.pigeonforge.com/smoky-mountain-legends/

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In April of 2009, 17 year old high school student Brittanee Drexel disappeared after sneaking off against her parents wishes to a spring break vacation with friends in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. What followed was 13 years of frantic searching and false leads until the case came to a heartbreaking conclusion in 2022. Today, we talk about the senseless and tragic case of Brittanee Drexel, and a mother's relentless persistence to find justice for her daughter.

Todays Sources Include:

https://www.brittsfoundation.org/our-story

https://storiesoftheunsolved.com/2018/11/22/the-disappearance-of-brittanee-drexel/

https://wpde.com/newsletter-daily/georgetown-county-brittanee-drexel-raymond-moody-missing-remains-body-found-murder-crime-south-carolina-wciv

https://www.live5news.com/2022/11/01/newly-released-documents-show-brittanee-drexels-last-text-before-disappearing/

https://abcnews4.com/news/local/brittanee-drexel-investigation-officials-locate-remains-found-in-georgetown-county-south-carolina-wciv

https://13wham.com/newsletter-daily/angel-vause-pleads-guilty-to-lying-in-brittanee-drexel-murder-case

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/georgetown-woman-sentenced-18-years-lying-fbi-during-brittanee-drexel-investigation

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So guys - we totally planned on releasing a new episode today BUT when Christina went to edit, the file was corrupt. Womp, womp. Since we were both away this weekend and were unable to re-record in time, we are re-visiting an episode from the Ghosty Girls vault. Enjoy, and we will see you next Tuesday with a new episode! (P.S. we are sorry and please don't hate us!)

On Sunday, May 1st, 2005 around 2:45 am, Aetna Hose and Ladder firefighters responded to calls reporting smoke at 81 Thorn Lane, located at The Towne Court Apartments in Newark, Delaware. There, they found the bound and strangled body of University of Delaware college student, Lindsey Bonistall in a bathtub.

Join us to discuss Lindsey's tragic and senseless murder as well as the aftermath of the monster who murdered her.

Today's sources include:

Murderpedia: James Cooke
https://murderpedia.org/male.C/c/cooke-james.htm

Ten years later, remembering Lindsey Bonistall - Jia Din and Cait Simpson
https://udreview.com/ten-years-later-remembering-lindsey-bonistall/

Bite-Sized Crime - Episode 082: Lindsey Bonistall
http://www.bitesizedcrimepod.com/episodes/episode-082-lindsey-bonistall/

PEACE OUTside Campus - The Lindsey M. Bonistall Foundation
http://www.peaceoutsidecampus.org

Defendant in 2005 rape and murder of UD student takes witness stand
https://whyy.org/articles/defendant-in-2005-rape-and-murder-of-ud-student-takes-witness-stand/

Jury Convicts James Cooke of Murder of Lindsey Bonistall
https://news.delaware.gov/2012/04/13/jury-convicts-james-cooke-of-murder-of-lindsey-bonistall-2/

Bonistall family: 'Here we are again' - Sean O'Sullivan
https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2014/05/07/bonistall-family/8821881/

Del. Supreme Court Nixes Ex-Death Row Inmate's Appeal in College Killing
https://www.wboc.com/archive/del-supreme-court-nixes-ex-death-row-inmates-appeal-in-college-killing/article_405683ca-6255-5546-ae2b-9baf996d8815.html

Twice-Sentenced-to-Death College Student Killer, Rapist Appeals Again
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/cooke-bonistall-death-row-appeal/2112263/

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On July 26, 2009, Diane Schuler was driving her children and nieces home from a fun family weekend camping trip. But what should have been a routine drive turned into a devastating nightmare when Diane suddenly began behaving and driving erratically, ultimately entering the wrong side of the Taconic State Parkway and traveling directly into oncoming traffic. Within minutes, Diane struck another car head on at 85 miles per hour, claiming a total of eight lives, including her own.

In this episode, we discuss the events leading up to the crash, the evidence surrounding Diane's final hours, the toxicology findings, and the questions that continue to surround the tragic events of that day. What happened to "Aunt Diane?"

TODAY'S SOURCES INCLUDE:

There’s Something Wrong with Aunt Diane (2011) - Available for streaming on HBO Max.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/wrong-way-taconic-mom-not-an-alcoholic-family-says-autopsy-shows/2119291/

https://www.nylegalblog.com/fatal_crash_on_taconic_crash_r/

https://dig.abclocal.go.com/wabc/PDF/SchulerAutopsy.pdf

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/report-widower-sues-state-after-tragic-wrong-way-crash-on-taconic-parkway/

https://www.hancefamilyfoundation.org

https://www.today.com/video/jackie-hance-baby-daughter-brought-us-back-to-life-26887747733

https://abcnews.com/blogs/health/2011/09/19/grieving-taconic-mother-ready-to-deliver-new-baby

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Inspired by her recent trip to Hawaii, Alicia brings you the lore and the legends of Pele, the powerful goddess of fire, lava and creation. From ancient Hawaiian traditions to unexplainable modern day encounters, today we talk about stories of a mysterious woman walking across lava fields, eerie warnings before eruptions, and the infamous curse said to follow anyone who dares to take lava rocks from the islands. 

Today's Sources Include:

https://www.nps.gov/state/hi/index.htm

https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/volcano-updates

https://guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/hawaiiancommunication

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60279

https://www.nps.gov/articles/holo-mai-pele.htm

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Shark Week has come early this year, ya'll! Today, we are revisiting one straight from the depths of The Ghosty Girls vault! In this fan favorite episode, Alicia tells the story of a tiger shark who, after being acquired by an aquarium in Australia just weeks prior, threw up a perfectly intact human arm. But who did the arm belong to? And why was it so well preserved?

Today's Sources Include:

https://americanhandgunner.com/discover/james-smith-and-the-morbidly-curious-case-of-the-regurgitated-shark-arm/

https://time.com/archive/6896303/australia-shark-mystery/

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When 29 year old truck driver Devin Williams set out on what should have been another routine work trip, no one could have ever imagined that he would soon vanish without a trace. Shortly after his disappearance, bizarre stories began to emerge from witnesses who claimed to have seen Devin wandering around Tonto National Forest where his skull was ultimately found in 1997; two years after he was last seen. But what happened to Devin? Was it a freak accident? A mental break? Foul play? Lets talk about it!

Today's Sources Include:

https://charleyproject.org/case/devin-williams

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/a-truck-drivers-vanishing-act-what-happened-to-devin-williams

https://www.goloudnow.com/podcasts/weird-darkness-paranormal-true-crime-stories-608/truck-drivers-final-route-the-disappearance-of-devin-williams-more-true-scares-weirddarkness-508875

https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/devin-williams-truck-driver-mystery.706343/

https://cdllife.com/2023/video-explores-the-bizarre-disappearance-of-trucker-devin-williams/

https://unsolved.com/gallery/devin-williams/

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You're supposed to trust your medical provider, right? Well....not in this case. Meet Dr. John Schneeberger: Just your normal, average, mustached, friendly neighborhood physician. But as we all know, looks can be deceiving, and sometimes people are so evil that they can really make your blood run cold. In this episode, we explore the disturbing case of Dr. John Schneeberger, the elaborate, MacGyver-type lengths he went to conceal his vile crimes, and the investigation that finally exposed the man behind the trusted doctor's white coat.

Today's Sources Include:

Forensic Files S6:E18 - Bad Blood (Available for streaming on Tubi)

https://forensictales.com/case-of-dr-john-schneeberger/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-endless-nightmare-of-lisa-dillman/article761440/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan-s-sexual-assault-doctor-now-in-south-africa-1.470275

https://www.iflscience.com/a-doctor-cheated-dna-tests-by-implanting-somebody-elses-blood-into-his-arm-59380

https://medium.com/%40behindthecrimes/can-dna-tests-lie-492c7d173f15

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