In this, our second annual Halloween episode, we share our own and our listener’s stories of the unexplained, the weird, the inspiring, and of course, the spooky…

Cover art: Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Two women the same age are murdered on the same day, in the same place, but over 150 years apart…Annie & Johanna share the details of the tragic unsolved murders of Mary Ashford & Barbara Forrest, and discuss the shocking similarity in the two crimes that have perhaps literally haunted Erdington, England for the past two hundred years…

Today Annie & Johanna are talking about some of the lesser known ghost ships! What happened to the crew of the Sea Bird- do you think the fictional story printed in an 1885 newspaper is close to the truth? Do the stories of ships like the Octavius and Gloriana, found with their crew frozen solid, give you chills? Join us as we talk spooky sailing ships, and Johanna convinces Annie to do a dramatic reading of The Flying Dutchman, which she should have probably rehearsed.

The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs is one of the urban legends that scared Annie the most as a kid. And like many urban legends, this one has a true story, a terrible murder, that inspired it, and terrified the people of Columbia Missouri. Annie tells Johanna the legend and the unsolved murders of 20 year old Marylou Jenkins and 13 year old Janett Christman. 

Beware! Spooky Fuckery Season is upon us and we decided to start off the month of October with a light hearted epsiode about Austrian Ghosts. Johanna talks about a White Lady and a Red Ivan, who both live at Burg Bernstein. She also tells the legend of a highway ghost, and about 3 famous ghosts, who still travel to Vienna from time to time….allegedly!

In the second part, Annie talks about the case, that started her research: ther murder of Josie Langmaid. Was her brutal death connected to the murders of the Fountie women and Marietta Ball? Was Joseph LaPage indeed a serial killer?

Outro: Suncook Town Tragedy by Mabel Wilson Tatro

Once more, Annie went down a rabbit hole. What she thought to be a horrible,yet straight forward murder case turned out to be the possible spree of a serial killer. A pre-Jack the Ripper serial killer, on the loose in New England and Canada. This two part case is not for the faint of heart. In part I., Annie tells us about the murders of Minnie Fountie, her mother and Marietta Ball.

This episode is sponsored by http://www.bestfiends.com

This week we are returning to Floreana to tell you the rest of the story surrounding Dr. Friedrich Ritter and Dore Strauch. New settlers come to the island: not only the family Wittmer from Germany, but also a mysterious Austrian Baroness with her two lovers and big plans. How will this tropical soap opera end? 

The roaring 20s brought jazz, the modern woman, flapper fashion and bathtub gin. But one misanthropic German couple decided to leave all material possessions behind and run away to a deserted island in the Galapagos, where they would start a new life, dedicated to the study of Nietzsche. Instead they found a hard unforgiving life that would end in murder, sex scandals and mysteries, join us for part one of this incredible tale.

In this first part we talk about the Galapagos Islands and why Friedrich Ritter and Dore Strauch decided to seek a different life.

Annie & Johanna discuss the weird, wonderful and often macabre history of the Empire State Building, including its record breaking construction, infamous and tragic suicides, the B-25 bomber crash, seances, and more. This episode will have you ready with disturbing facts to delight your friends and family with the next time you visit the Big Apple!

Today Annie and Johanna discuss the many ways you might be tortured to death in medieval times. Meet the Iron Maiden, the Spanish Donkey, the Scavenger’s Daughter and many more

Annie tells Johanna about the tragic, unsolved murder of millionaire championship dog breeder, Cam Lyman. A member of one of the elite Boston Brahmin families, Cam was only 54 when he was killed, likely killed by someone he knew, and trusted.

This episode is sponsored by http://www.podcorn.com

Johanna is back and tells Annie about an Austrian case from 2016. A fight between neighbors gone deadly.

If you have information on the murder of Frauke Liebs, please visit Frauke-liebs.de

Annie discusses the tragic death of Caleb Schwab on Schlitterbahn’s Verrückt Waterslide in Kansas City, Kansas. Also covered is Action Park in Vernon, New Jersey, the water park with so many injuries, they had to buy new ambulances for the local hospital.

Today Johanna tells Annie the tragic and terrifying 1981 case of kidnapped 10 year old, Ursula Herrmann in Bavaria, Germany. What happened to this bright beautiful child on her way home from her cousin’s house, only a 15 minute bike ride? We’ll tell you everything.

Annie tells Johanna about the brutal unsolved murder of 19 year old co-ed Peggy Andrews in Columbus, Ohio

Today Johanna tells Annie the rest of the horrific details of the crimes of (alleged) serial killer, Jack Unterweger, who murdered women in Europe and the United States. Do you think he’s guilty?

This episode is sponsored by http://www.podcorn.com

In the early morning hours of Valentine’s Day, 2000, a bright, beautiful 9 year old girl left her home, and walked out into a storm, never to be seen again. Today Annie tells Johanna about the mysterious disappearance of Asha Jaquilla Degree, who disappeared from her loving family in North Carolina twenty years ago. What do you think happened?

This week Johanna tells Annie everything she needs to know about the beginings of the most notorious Austrian serial killer: Jack Unterweger

The murder of a young, beautiful aspiring stage actress, known as Gay Gibson, shocked post WWII England, and the tabloids were a welcome diversion from the austerity of England in the late 1940s, especially   due to the unusual circumstances of the case. The trial would be more about her past than her stolen future, so today Annie does her best to tell you the story as it should be told.

In 2003 a precious sculpture was stolen from the Museum of Art History in Vienna. Was it a meticulously planned heist or was the thief just lucky? And what even is this world famous Saliera exactly, who was the man behind the master piece and how did it end up in Vienna in the first place?

Johanna tells Annie everything there is no to know about the theft of Cellini’s Salt Cellar

Today Johanna tells Annie about Theresia Kandl, an Austrian murderer, whose story has become almost legend through the years. Did a Theresia carry her dead husband halfway through Vienna? Did she have help? Are her remains really on display at the Kriminalmuseum? Join us as we discuss the life and death of an abused woman, pushed over the edge.

Annie tells Johanna some of the fascinating history of St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States. From the ‘discovery,’ and colonization of Florida by Spain’s famed explorers, Juan Ponce de Leon and Pedro Menendez de Aviles, to the first Underground Railroad, of Native people helping escaped slaves find freedom in Fort Mose…through the second Spanish period, and the construction of the very haunted Saint Augustine Lighthouse. We talk about the USA’s first male and female Hispanic American lighthouse keepers, and discuss some of the tragedies that may have contributed to the haunting. This one has a little bit of everything…

In 2014 the 28 year old German tourist Lars Mittank disappears in Bulgaria and nobody knows what happened to him. What might have started with a fight between soccer fans ended in one of the most mysterious missing person cases. If you have any information about the whereabouts of Lars Mittank, please contact your local authorities , +49 151 61378673,  or visit http://www.findet-lars-mittank.de/

In the wake of the recent, tragic, mass shooting event in Nova Scotia, we thought we’d tell our listeners about one of the many times Nova Scotia, and the people of Canada managed to handle a time of crisis with dignity and great care. Canada was, of course, a safe refuge for countless air travelers on 9/11, but they also had a crucial role in the story of the Titanic. Today we are talking about the people of Nova Scotia, especially in Halifax, coming together to care for Titanic’s dead. We’ll tell you a little about this part of Titanic’s history that many have forgotten, or overlooked, and why this part of the world is at the top of Annie’s “must visit” travel list, as we send a virtual hug to Nova Scotia, and the people of Canada during this most difficult time to grieve. 

In today’s episode, we discuss the terrible tragedy of the Silver Bridge Collapse, and the local legend of the Mothman, the infamous cryptid who called Point Pleasant, West Virginia, home. What exactly was the Mothman? A monster, a mutant, or the most ineffienct harbinger of doom, ever? Let us know what you think!

This week we want to distract you with two stories of people, who had to suffer through months and years of loneliness, despair and isolation, but who never gave up hope and lived through it. Ada Blackjack and Lt. Onoda Hiroo had to adapt to extremely harsh living conditions, but they just kept going!

Outro: Kimigayo/ the Japanese National Anthem

This episode is sponsored by Podcorn: http://www.podcorn.com

This week is the 26th anniversary of the hijacking of Fed Ex flight 705.
What should have been a routine flight from Memphis to San Diego became an unbelievable fight for survival in the sky. Today Annie tells Johanna about the hero pilots of flight 705, and a plane that helped save their lives.

This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: http://www.bestfiends.com

This week we decided to talk about four of the most bizarre moments in history, that hold some humor….dark humor!

The unexpected death of Aeschylus, Tycho Brahe’s unusual pet, the day Napoleon had to retreat from a fluffy army and the chaos that was the first Olympic marathon on US soil, during the Olympic games of 1904.

We share with you a few of our favorite tales and strange deaths, while keeping each other company under quarantine.

This episode is sponsored by Elemis: http://www.elemis.com/us/freshhell

In this episode we are taking you back to the year 1770, when an Austrian farmer’s wife was set on trial for the murder of her husband. They had only been married for a little over a month. Eva Faschaunerin was the last victim of judicial torture in the Habsburg Monarchy.

This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: http://www.bestfiends.com

In 1970 Elmer Crawford spent a lot of time planning the murder of his wife and three children…this Family Annihilator almost got away with his plan to play the grieving husband and father…but even though one mistake made it clear he was the killer, would he ever be brought to justice? Annie tells Johanna all about this horrific Australian crime.

This episode is sponsored by Elemis: http://www.elemis.com/us/freshhell

Vermont is one of the most pastoral picturesque states in America, known for its covered bridges, cheese, stunning fall foliage, delicious maple syrup, winter sports, and a series of mysterious disappearances amd deaths in and around Bennington between 1945 and 1950. The Bennington Triangle is believed to be at the source of the mysterious cases. Join us as we discuss what may have happened to Middie Rivers, Paula Jean Weldon, James Tedford, Paul Jephson and Frieda Langer. 

This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: http://www.bestfiends.com

In 1977, the Enfield Poltergeist tormented a North London family and remains, arguably, the most documented poltergeist case to date. Flying LEGO’s and superheated marbles, levitation, apparitions… this case has everything! You voted for this topic for our 1st anniversary episode, so join us as we discuss our listener choice, The Enfield Poltergeist, the inspiration for the film, The Conjuring 2. Thanks to you, our listeners for a wonderful year! This episode is sponosred by Best Fiends: http://www.bestfiends.com

This week Johanna tells Annie about the life and crimes of the sadistic Austrian spree killer, Werner Kniesek, and the tragic murder of the Altreiter family. Could these murders have been prevented?

This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: https://bestfiends.com/

In this episode we cover the terrible axe murder that put the small town of Villisca, Iowa on the map. We’ll discuss the murder that destroyed both the Moore family and the Stillinger family, and explore the clues left behind by the killer. We’ll talk about the most likely suspects, and try to decide whether we think this savage, gruesome event was part of the work of an unnamed serial killer, or a solo event with lust, greed or revenge as the motive. Was there a copy cat killer who used published details from the cases we covered last week? Join us as we discuss the tragic Villisca Axe Murders of 1912.

In 1911 and 1912 there was a series of murders, all near train tracks, through the Rocky Mountains region to the Midwest. Today we discuss these horrific crimes leading up to the axe murders in Villisca. 
Do you think they are all the same unknown serial killer? 

This episode is sponsored by Podcorn. For more information go to http://www.podcorn.com

In 1991, Isaac Wright Jr. was wongfully convicted and faced a life in prison. But he kept going and fought for justice, not only for himself, but also for fellow inmates. After 7 years his charges were finally dismissed and Isaac Wright Jr. set out to study law and to become an advocate for people in similar situations. In “For Life: The Podcast” he now tells the true stories of inncocent people fighting for justice.

54 hours! That’s how long it took to end the Gladbeck Hostage Crisis, that started as a bank robbery gone wrong and ended in three deaths: Emanuele de Giorgi, Silke Bischoff and Ingo Hagen.
This week Johanna talks about this crime, that took place in August 1988, and about the role the media played in it.

This episode is sponsored by BEST FIENDS: https://bestfiends.com/

We’re headed back to Victorian London as we discuss John Snow and the discoveries he made regarding the spread of cholera.
We discuss horrifically overcrowded cemeteries, body bugs, dancing on the dead at Enon Chapel, and take you on a ride on the London Necropolis Railroad.

This episode is sponsored by Ballsy. Use promo code “FRESH20” for a 20% discount. Go to http://www.ballwash.com

In 1953 Teddington, England, was a town buzzing about the upcoming coronation of Elizabeth II. After the long hard years of World War II, the nation was looking forward to celebrating, and very few people in the charming town on the Thames realized a brutal rapist and murderer was on the loose. This is the story of the murder of 16 year old Barbara Songhurst and her best friend, 18 year old Christine Reed, the victims of the Towpath Murders.

In the second part, Annie and Johanna talk about the murder of Empress Elisabeth I. in Geneva and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Duchess Sophie in Sarajevo, which ultimately started WW I. 

The Habsburg dynasty ruled Austria for 640 years. In this two part episode we focus on the last decades of the dying empire. This week Annie and Johanna talk about the tragic and scandalous deaths of Crown Prince Rudolf and his 17 year old mistress Mary Vetsera.

New year – new promo! Feel free to share…

In 1963 a brutal murder took place in the Viennese Staatsoper. The victim of the crime, that shocked the whole nation, was a 10 year old ballet student. 

On December 24, 1988, Sergeant Al Powell, of the LAPD would face the most difficult day of his long and storied career on the force. Join us, as we reflect on the shocking and tragic hostage situation that turned strangers into friends and terrorists into thieves.

Wait, is spontaneous combustion really a thing? Annie decides to finally look into the subject of people spontaneously bursting into flame and burning to ash, and she’s going to tell Johanna everything. 

Martha Marek survived a deeply troubling childhood, and emerged a beautiful young woman who loved a nice carpet almost as much as she loved rat poison. Johanna tells Annie a twisted tale of greed, quality carpets, sincerely shocking levels of fraud, and of course…murder.

In this episode we do not only talk about the Krampus, we also face our childhood holiday traumas and begin to heal. Join Annie and Johanna in this rather chatty episode, when they laugh in the face of the Krampus! 

On Thanksgiving weekend, after a shocking upset at a Boston Collge vs. Holy Cross football game, the popular night spot, Cocoanut Grove, was the place to see and be seen. What should have been a joyous holiday weekend ended in unimaginable horror. Annie tells the story of one of the most devastating fires in U.S. history, and the medical advances made as a result.

Somewhere along a picturesque highway in the mountains of West Virginia is a sign that reads, “Interred in nearby cemetery is Zona Heaster Shue. Her death in 1897 was presumed natural until her spirit appeared to her mother to describe how she was killed by her husband Edward. Autopsy on the exhumed body verified the apparition’s account. Edward, found guilty of murder, was sentenced to the state prison. Only known case in which testimony from a ghost helped convict a murderer.” This is the story of Zona Heaster Shue, the Greenbrier Ghost.

In 2007 a young man disappeared in Vienna, never to be seen again. Since then his mother is trying to find answers to the question “What happened to Aeryn Gillern?”. 

It was the biggest crime story in New Jersey since the Lindbergh kidnapping.
In 1971, the entire List Family was found murdered, execution style in their sprawling, empty mansion known as Breeze Knoll. The only missing family member was John List, the son, husband and father of the victims. You may have heard this story before, but Annie takes a deep dive, so join us, and we’ll tell you everything…

In this special episode Annie and Johanna talk about their paranormal encounters and read letters sent in by the audience. 

This week Annie tells Johanna the story of the Hammersmith Ghost Murder, a shocking tale of murder and mischief from the early 1800s that may still haunt the area to this day…

Listen to this little teaser episode, where we talk about ourselves, where we are from and how we ended up fascinated by murder, mysteries and the macabre. 

You will also learn why beagles are not dogs, why Annie scares her husband and how we both ended up in prison!