They Never Locked Up Their Home | The Shell Lake Horror

When Victor's hallucinations and violent impulses went untreated, the result was devastating: nine members of the Peterson family murdered in their home, a community's trust shattered, and a national awakening to the dire need for mental health care.IN THIS EPISODE: One October morning in 2018, sixteen-year-old Karlie Gusé walked away from her California home after attending a party the night before – and despite three witnesses who saw her walking with a piece of paper in her hand, she was never seen again. (She Disappeared, Paper In Hand) *** A Sunday drive to an antiques fair becomes an encounter with the impossible when Richard and Helen witness a massive UFO mothership. (Mothership In Gorse Field) *** A suspicious purchase of a freezer chest, a chainsaw, and a wood chipper during a snowstorm seemed strange - but it would lead investigators to one of the most shocking murder cases in Connecticut history, and revolutionize how crimes are solved. (Wood Chipper Murder of Hele Crafts) *** In 18th century England, a wealthy grocer named Henry Trigg was so terrified of grave robbers that he made an unusual request in his will: instead of burial, his body should be stored in a coffin in his barn's rafters for at least 30 years - but his attempt to protect his remains would lead to an ironic and mysterious fate. (Coffin In The Rafters) *** In the quiet farming community of Shell Lake, Saskatchewan, a family's peaceful life was shattered on August 15, 1967, when Victor Hoffman, a troubled young man with untreated mental illness, randomly chose the Peterson home and methodically killed nine members of their family - leaving only two survivors and forever changing how rural Canada approached mental health care. (The Horror That Shook Shell Lake) *** The idea that aliens visited Earth in ancient times has captivated millions through books, documentaries, and TV shows - but what does our willingness to credit extraterrestrials rather than ancient peoples reveal about modern society? (Did Aliens Visit Ancient Earth?)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = The Foreboding00:01:54.561 = Show Open00:04:43.310 = The Horror That Shook Shell Lake00:24:12.172 = Mothership In Gorse Field ***00:29:25.554 = The Wood Chipper Murder of Hele Crafts00:36:46.149 = Did Aliens Visit Ancient Earth Civilizations?00:45:43.373 = She Disappeared, Paper In Hand: The Karlie Guse’ Disappearance ***00:52:10.964 = Coffin In The Rafters00:58:19.130 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakSOURCES and PRINT VERSIONS to READ or SHARE:“The Horror That Shook Shell Lake”: https://weirddarkness.com/the-horror-that-shook-shell-lake/“Coffin In The Rafters”: https://weirddarkness.com/coffin-in-the-rafters-henry-triggs-strange-final-wish/“She Disappeared, Paper In Hand (The Karlie Guse’ Disappearance)”: https://weirddarkness.com/she-disappeared-paper-in-hand-looking-to-the-sky-the-karlie-guse-story/“Mothership In Gorse Field”: https://weirddarkness.com/the-ufo-mothership-in-gorse-field/“Wood Chipper Murder of Hele Crafts”: https://weirddarkness.com/the-true-crime-story-that-inspired-fargo-the-wood-chipper-murder-of-hele-crafts/“Did Aliens Visit Ancient Earth Civilizations” by Orrin Grey for The-Line-Up.com, used with permission:https://weirddarkness.com/did-aliens-visit-ancient-earth-civilizations/Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. =====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: December 18, 2024EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/ShellLakeABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.#WeirdDarkness #TrueCrime #ShellLakeMassacre #CanadianTrueCrime #TrueCrimeDocumentary #DarkHistory #MassMurder #CriminalPsychology #TrueCrimeCommunity #ScaryStories