Twisted and Mysterious

Aileen Wuornos is often labeled America’s first female serial killer—but her story is far more complicated than that.In this episode of Twisted and Mysterious, we follow Aileen’s life from a traumatic childhood to the murders of seven men along Florida’s highways. She claimed self-defense. Prosecutors called it calculated murder.So what really happened?This is a story about survival, violence, and the uncomfortable space where victim and perpetrator collide.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

You’ve heard “love is blind”… but apparently, love is also nose blind.This week on Twisted & Mysterious, Faren introduces us to “Creepy Carl”—also known as Carl Tanzler—a man whose obsession with a young woman didn’t end with her death… and, disturbingly, didn’t even slow down.In Carl’s mind, her funeral wasn’t a goodbye—it was their wedding.From elaborate delusions to full-on conversations with someone who couldn’t respond, this is one of those cases where you keep thinking, “Okay, this has to be where it stops”… and it absolutely does not.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

We’re back! After a brief, unplanned hiatus (unlike some people, we did not abandon ship), we’re setting sail into one of the most chaotic and talked-about maritime disasters in modern history: the Costa Concordia.On January 13, 2012, what should have been a relaxing Mediterranean cruise took a devastating turn when the ship struck rocks off the coast of Italy. What followed was a slow-moving, surreal disaster—dark hallways, delayed orders, and thousands of passengers trying to figure out what was happening as the situation unraveled.And then…there was the captain.In this episode, we break down the timeline, the chain of decisions that somehow just kept getting worse, and the actions of Francesco Schettino—including the now-infamous explanation that he may have, somehow, “fallen” into a lifeboat.Yes. Really.Because sometimes the most shocking part of a disaster…is how the people in charge respond when everything goes wrong.Sources & Documentaries:Costa Concordia: The Whole Story (Free Documentary) https://youtu.be/z17xqYzURXg?si=MiKmK_z5EfIXbcPkSunken Ship Rescue (NOVA / PBS) https://youtu.be/lM3d_m74B18?si=KGgp-L4ezlzNrrfiCosta Concordia: Why She Sank (Prime Video)Another Night to Remember (Vanity Fair) https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/2012/5/another-night-to-rememberThe Costa Concordia Disaster: How Human Error Made It Worse (History) https://www.history.com/articles/costa-concordia-cruise-ship-disaster-sinking-captain

This week on Twisted & Mysterious, we’re heading to Union, Missouri to discuss a house that allegedly did not believe in inside voices.In 2001, single dad Steven LaChance moved into the home with his three kids for a fresh start. They made it 13 days. Thirteen. Days.According to the family, the house didn’t just creak or settle — it screamed. A dark figure reportedly showed up. There were claims of a basement “monster.” An eyeless clown (I beg your finest pardon?). And in the basement, a full butcher’s shower, which is already enough to make us move out on principle.The landlady insisted the home wasn’t haunted — just that some people “aren’t old house people.” Which is one way to describe fleeing from a screaming house.But the story didn’t end when the LaChance family left. Another family reportedly moved in and experienced their own terrifying activity. At one point, the home even operated as a dog kennel — because apparently that’s a totally normal pivot for a house with screaming issues.And then there’s the small detail that the Vatican allegedly compiled a 156-page report about the place. Casual.We break down the timeline, the claims, the skepticism, the interviews, and the lingering questions — while being… admittedly… a little chatty in this one. Think less “polished documentary” and more “come sit with us while we process the existence of eyeless basement clowns.”Also: we are aware the microphone cuts out in a few spots. We are working on it. The house is not interfering with our audio. Probably.If you enjoy haunted house stories that make you question everything — including basements, clowns, and your housing choices — this one’s for you.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

In 1994, recess at Ariel School in Ruwa took a turn from playground chaos to possible alien encounter. Dozens of students reported a strange craft landing nearby — and small beings stepping out to silently watch them.These weren’t your typical smooth “grey” aliens. The children described beings with HAIR(!!!), huge dark eyes, and movements that made no sense — appearing suddenly or running in slow motion like they were stuck in cinematic mode. Several kids said the figures communicated telepathically, warning that humans were destroying the planet with pollution and technology. Nothing says “friendly introduction” quite like cosmic strangers showing up at recess to give a guilt trip about screen time.The story even echoes elements from the famous encounter of Betty Hill and Barney Hill — including aliens with hair and deeply uncomfortable medical procedures. (Yes, including the belly button thing. No, we don’t like it either.)Investigated by Harvard psychiatrist John E. Mack, the children’s accounts remained strikingly consistent.Mass hysteria, misunderstanding…or the most awkward environmental PSA in history?Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

This week on Twisted & Mysterious, we’re diving into the explosive and controversial case of Sally McNeil and Ray McNeil — a bodybuilding power couple whose marriage ended in gunfire on Valentine’s Day.On February 14, 1995, Sally shot and killed her husband, fellow bodybuilder Ray McNeil, inside their Oceanside, California home. She immediately called 911 and claimed self-defense, alleging years of domestic abuse. Prosecutors argued it was intentional murder fueled by jealousy and rage. The jury convicted her of second-degree murder.In a twist that feels almost too on-the-nose, the killing happened on Valentine’s Day. Her trial began on Valentine’s Day. And Sally had even competed in her first bodybuilding competition on Valentine’s Day years earlier. Love, muscle, violence — all colliding on the same date.We break down their volatile relationship, the role of steroids and control in 1990s competitive bodybuilding culture, the courtroom battle over self-defense versus premeditated murder, and the later reexamination of Sally’s conviction decades after the case first made headlines.And because this is Twisted & Mysterious, we also acknowledge the slightly scarring childhood experience of seeing entirely too many flexing, oiled-up bodybuilding photos of relatives — because nothing says Valentine’s Day like unresolved trauma and biceps.This is a story about power, image, domestic violence, and the complicated line between victim and perpetrator.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

In November 1970, a woman was found dead in a remote valley near Bergen, Norway. She had no identification, no known past, and no one ever came forward to claim her. What investigators did find was far stranger: suitcases filled with wigs, labels cut from every piece of clothing, multiple aliases, a notebook written in code—and witnesses who remembered one oddly specific detail.She reportedly smelled strongly of garlic.How much garlic are we talking? Culinary preference? Attempted invisibility? Fear of vampires? We may never know—but it’s only one of many bizarre clues in a case that has baffled investigators for more than fifty years.As authorities traced her movements across Europe, a disturbing picture emerged—constant travel, coded notes, questions about military bases, and behavior that raised serious Cold War suspicions. Was she a spy? Or a woman who went to extraordinary lengths to erase herself from history?In this episode, we break down the evidence, the theories, and the unanswered questions surrounding The Isdal Woman—a mystery involving secrecy, identity, and yes…an unreasonable amount of garlic.

Greg Fleniken lived a quiet, predictable life. During the week, he worked as a landman in Beaumont, Texas, staying at the MCM Elegante hotel. On weekends, he went home to Lafayette, Louisiana, to be with his wife. He didn’t party. He didn’t socialize. His evenings followed the same routine: change into sweats, grab a snack, and watch a movie in bed.On the morning of September 16, 2010, Greg was found dead in Room 348. At first glance, it appeared to be a natural death. No signs of a struggle. No noise. No one had entered the room. And, yes, they checked the room for Acme anvils.In this episode of Twisted & Mysterious, we follow the case that transformed an ordinary, predictable death into a baffling homicide investigation. From the locked hotel room and unexplained injuries to the private investigator who saw what others overlooked, we explore how a quiet life ended in a way that no one could have predicted.What happened to Greg Fleniken inside Room 348?Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected] Body in Room 348, Vanity Fair — [https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2013/05/true-crime-elegante-hotel-texas-murder?srsltid=AfmBOop6i7a27o3jonnqvJTxmGEUR-MjQjSNwQMoU4GK1Gqe8y8lFueJ]RedHanded Podcast, Episode: “The Body, the P.I., and the Hole in the Wall” — [https://redhandedpodcast.com/episodes/waabr5xk2hsdcj5-g626a-gpax5-4tebp-tss8w-hkfcn-lrslk-wht58-ctzhh-65dds-w8zgg-jaahc-ctgg9-fbdk3-zwfmg-8a6c4-yjeyk-xt4zm-hbxp4-xrkle-d5an6?rq=greg%20fleniken]

In 1612 England, you could be accused of witchcraft for being poor, annoying, related to the wrong people—or, in one unfortunate case, simply having a wonky eye. This week on Twisted & Mysterious, Faren tells the story of the Pendle Witches, one of the most infamous and absurd witch trials in English history.What started as a minor encounter quickly spiraled into full-blown hysteria, dragging two rival families into a mess of accusations, superstition, and “evidence” that would not survive even five minutes in a modern courtroom. We break down the trials, the wildly unreliable testimony (including a disturbingly enthusiastic child witness), and how fear, politics, and paranoia combined to sentence ten people to death. Were these accused witches actually practicing dark magic—or were they simply unlucky enough to exist at the wrong time, with the wrong neighbors, and the wrong eye?Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

This week on Twisted & Mysterious, we cover the murder of Brenda Powell—killed by her daughter, Sydney—in a case where nothing outwardly seemed wrong until it was.We walk through Sydney’s quiet descent into unreality, the secrets she kept, and the investigation that revealed just how disconnected her inner world had become from everyone around her.Also… yes. It’s late. Time blindness is undefeated. The case is devastating all the same.Listener discretion advised.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

Buying your dream home usually involves paint swatches and Pinterest boards—not anonymous letters signed “The Watcher.”But that’s exactly what happened to one family in Westfield, New Jersey.In this episode of Twisted & Mysterious, we dive into the bizarre true story of the Watcher House. Before the family ever spent a night in their new home, they began receiving unsettling letters from someone obsessively focused on the house, the renovations, and—most alarmingly—their children.Was it a neighbor with a disturbing fixation? A prank that went way too far? Or, as briefly but earnestly considered, someone who was just socially awkward and somehow thought this was a normal way to say hello?With no arrests, no clear suspect, and a family driven out of their own home, the Watcher was never identified. No break-ins. No violence. Just the lingering fear that someone nearby thought this was normal behavior—and still might.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

On Christmas Eve 1945, a house fire in Fayetteville, West Virginia destroyed the Sodder family home. By morning, five of the ten Sodder children were missing — and no bodies were ever found.Officials ruled that the children died in the fire, but almost nothing about the investigation made sense. No remains were recovered from the ashes. A ladder vanished. The family’s trucks mysteriously wouldn’t start. And in one of the strangest moments of the case, the local fire chief secretly buried a beef liver at the scene and later presented it to the family as the supposed heart of one of their children.As years passed, the Sodders received unsettling sightings, warnings, and even a photograph that suggested at least one child may have survived. Their parents spent more than four decades searching for answers — and never stopped believing their children were alive.In this episode of Twisted & Mysterious, we explore the baffling disappearance of Maurice, Martha, Louis, Jennie, and Betty Sodder, the deeply flawed investigation, and the theories that continue to haunt this case nearly 80 years later.Audio note: This episode contains occasional background noise.Was it a tragic accident… or something far more sinister?Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

This week on Twisted & Mysterious, Faren tells the unforgettable reincarnation story of Shanti Devi, a young girl in 1930s India who insisted she was not a child at all—but a grown, married woman with three children, a past life, and some very strong opinions about how things used to be done in the kitchen.Her claims were so detailed and consistent that they eventually caught the attention of the Indian government, leading to a formal investigation into her alleged past life. While officials took the case seriously, we’re left asking the practical questions: is it fair to criticize your mother’s cooking when you can’t reach the stove, aren’t allowed near knives, and still need to hold someone's hand when crossing the street? And how exactly do you ground a 30-year-old mother of three who is currently eight years old?Add in historical documentation, existential whiplash, and a chaotic cold open featuring a kitten who clearly wants a producer credit, and you’ve got an episode that’s equal parts fascinating and ridiculous.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

In this week’s episode, Sarah tells the heartbreaking story of Molly McLaren—a bright, driven 23-year-old whose life was stolen by a man who refused to take “no” for an answer. What began as an online romance quickly spiraled into obsessive control, violent threats, and stalking so severe that Molly did everything she could to protect herself… yet the system failed to protect her in return.We dive into Molly’s life, her bravery in speaking up, the escalating red flags, and the tragic final moments that should have been prevented. This case has stuck with us for years because it underscores a devastating truth: violence is not always a warning sign before homicide. Stalking itself is violence—and legislation must reflect that reality.We also include resources for listeners who might need help or know someone who does. If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse:U.S.: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) — The National Domestic Violence Hotline.U.K.: Contact Women’s Aid via the freephone 24/7 National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.org.uk to access live chat support.If you or someone you know is in immediate danger: call 999 (UK) or 911 (US).We hope this episode honors Molly’s memory — and maybe helps someone in a dark place find a path to safety.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

It’s our 1-year podiversary, so naturally we threw a full-on rager… and by “rager,” we mean we raged nonstop about the infuriating disappearance of Bryce Laspisa. In true Twisted & Mysterious fashion, we celebrate twelve months of chaos by diving into a case that feels like it could have — should have — been prevented. Bryce’s strange behavior, the endless red flags, the baffling choices made along the way… we unpack all of it while yelling into our microphones like caffeinated gremlins.If you’ve ever listened to this case and felt your blood pressure rising, congratulations — you’re invited to the podiversary party. We break down the timeline, the theories, and every “ARE YOU SERIOUS?!” moment that still haunts this story.Happy 1 year of being Twisted & Mysterious with us. 💙🖤Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

In this week’s episode, Sarah unpacks the infamous Waukesha, Wisconsin Slender Man stabbing—a case where internet horror, childhood delusion, and the absolute chaos of being 12 all merged into one of the most bizarre true crime stories of the last decade.We break down the origins of Slender Man, how he crawled out of the “spooky noodles” world of creepypasta, and why two middle-schoolers genuinely believed they had to sacrifice their friend and then walk 300 miles to the Nicolet National Forest to live with him. For the record, the only people on Earth who want to walk 300 miles are The Proclaimers.This episode also dives into the impossible task of trying to protect kids from the endless parade of creepy images and viral monsters online. Instead of bubble-wrapping them, we talk about the real solution: helping kids tell the difference between real vs. fake, scary-but-fun vs. scary-and-dangerous, and reassuring them that liking spooky stuff is totally normal. (Sarah has been reading Stephen King since age 10 and somehow watched Cujo at age 3, so clearly some of us turned out mostly fine… mostly.)Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

This week on Twisted and Mysterious, Faren takes us to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for the shocking murder of Grace Jennings — a young woman whose story spirals into chaos the moment her killers start talking. Between the bizarre interviews, unbelievable text messages, and outrageous claims of “multiple personalities,” this case is as frustrating as it is disturbing. Sarah and Faren talk through the evidence, the excuses, and how dangerous it is when people fake Dissociative Identity Disorder to dodge responsibility for their crimes.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

Two Brazilian technicians climb a hill wearing suits, raincoats, and lead eye masks. They carry towels, a cryptic note, and possibly… big cult energy? In this episode of Twisted & Mysterious, Sarah and Faren try to decode one of Brazil’s strangest unsolved cases — the 1966 Lead Masks Mystery — while somehow turning it into a low-budget Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy crossover.Sarah absolutely butchers every Portuguese word she attempts, and together they debate whether these guys were conducting a spiritual experiment, waiting for aliens, or accidentally joining a sci-fi-flavored cult.Grab your towel, remember the answer is 42, and tune in for a bizarre blend of mystery, metaphysics, and mispronunciation.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

This week on Twisted and Mysterious, Faren takes us deep into the eerie woods of Denton, Texas, to uncover the legend of Goatman’s Bridge — where horns meet horror. 👀 Locals say something dark haunts the Old Alton Bridge, but we met a new legend along the way: Steve Goatman. Let’s just say…he’s got anger issues, boundary problems, and possibly hooves.We dig into the tragic backstory of Oscar Washburn, explore paranormal encounters that’ll make your skin crawl, and debate whether Goatman’s Bridge is haunted, cursed, or just a breeding ground for dumb human decisions. Plus, we try to make sense of the mysterious cloaked figures who apparently roam the area, probably carrying comically large copies of The Bell Jar.Grab your EMF meter (and maybe a salt circle)—it’s time for The Steve Goatman Experience.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

Before The Conjuring made us all afraid of antique furniture, the Perron family actually lived that horror movie. Their "dream farmhouse" in Harrisville, Rhode Island, came with creaky floors, creepy ghosts, and (allegedly) a witch named Bathsheba who did not come with the deed.This week, we dig into what really went down at the Perron home, from ghostly pranks and paranormal investigators to the kind of supernatural chaos that'll make you rethink your Zillow alerts. Was the house truly haunted...or just in desperate need of a sage smudge and an exorcism-level deep clean?Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

Step inside one of America’s most haunted asylums — the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia. Once a monument to compassionate mental health care, it became a nightmare of overcrowding, lobotomies, and lives lost within its echoing halls.This week, Sarah uncovers the asylum’s chilling history, the wild “diagnoses” that could get you locked up (spoiler: having opinions was apparently dangerous), and the horrifying reality of how lobotomies were actually performed. From restless spirits like Little Lily to the infamous Creeper said to crawl through the darkness, Trans-Allegheny is equal parts tragedy and terror.Meanwhile, Sam and Colby are out here playing hopscotch with ghosts—and somehow, no one’s invited us.Join Twisted & Mysterious for a haunted deep dive full of history, horror, and hilariously frustrated ghost-hunting envy.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

In May 2005, Natalee Holloway vanished during her senior trip to Aruba—a vacation that was supposed to be all beaches, pina coladas, and flip-flops, not one of the most infamous missing persons cases in modern history. What followed was a media circus complete with suspects changing their stories more often than tourists reapply sunscreen, wild theories, and years of unanswered questions.In this episode of Twisted and Mysterious, we dig into the last known hours of Natalee’s life, Joran van der Sloot’s endless lies and confessions-that-weren’t, and the case’s strange place in both true crime history and pop culture. Equal parts tragic and baffling, this is a story that still grips people two decades later.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

This week on Twisted and Mysterious, Faren takes us through the heartbreaking case of Timothy Wiltsey, a 5-year-old boy whose 1991 disappearance and murder devastated his New Jersey community. His mother, Michelle Lodzinski, first claimed he was kidnapped from a carnival, but her shifting stories and suspicious behavior raised more questions than answers. After decades of investigation, Lodzinski was finally convicted of Timothy’s murder—only to later have that conviction overturned. We dive into the tragedy, the tangled web of lies, and the shocking twists in a case that still leaves many wondering what really happened to Timothy.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

This week on Twisted and Mysterious, we sink our teeth into the case of Tony Costa — the so-called “Cape Cod Vampire.” (Spoiler: he wasn’t actually biting necks.) We question where that nickname even came from, Sarah admits she thought Cape Cod was just a town and not an entire geographical feature, and we unpack the bizarre detail that Tony once babysat two little girls and… didn’t hurt them. Medal of honor? Not so much.And then there’s the jaw-dropping loyalty of a mother who once said: “If our Tony chopped up those girls, he must have had a good reason.” Because nothing says mother’s love quite like justifying serial murder.Creepy, twisted, and full of “wait, what?!” moments.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

In this episode of Twisted and Mysterious, Sarah steals the story Faren was researching (no shame, no regrets) and dives headfirst into the bizarre Dyatlov Pass Incident. Nine experienced hikers mysteriously died in the frozen Siberian wilderness in 1959 — and we’re unpacking the weirdest theories about what went wrong. Was it an avalanche, UFOs, secret military experiments…or a rogue wolverine attack? Plus, we ask the real question: why would anyone want to hike through the Siberian wilderness in the dead of winter? Sarah also bravely battles Russian pronunciations, and Faren tries not to hold a grudge.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

Kenyon College may look like your average picturesque liberal arts campus, but behind the ivy-covered walls are ghost stories that’ll make you rethink walking across campus alone at night. In this episode of Twisted and Mysterious, we dig into the legends, tragedies, and hauntings that make Kenyon one of the most famously haunted colleges in America.We cover the Old Kenyon fire of 1949, where tragedy left behind more than just scorch marks, and the chilling story of Stuart Pierson, a student killed by a train during what many believe was a fraternity hazing gone horribly wrong. Then we dive into the mystery of phantom wet footprints in the old pool building—because apparently, even Kenyon’s ghosts like to take a quick swim. And of course, we couldn’t skip Caples Residence Hall, the towering dorm so unsettling, it feels like the ghosts are majoring in “making you nope right out.”And yes… before you ask… we know our fan makes it sound like we recorded this episode in the middle of a windstorm. We promise we weren’t reporting live from a haunted hurricane—we’re just two podcasters battling technology and the heat, one spooky story at a time.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

November 24, 1971: A man in a suit, sunglasses, and a clip-on tie (yes, really) boards a plane, orders a bourbon, and politely tells a flight attendant he has a bomb. Fast-forward a few hours: he’s handed $200,000 in ransom money, straps on a parachute, yeets himself out of a Boeing 727… and completely disappears.Welcome to the mystery of D.B. Cooper—the most legendary unsolved skyjacking in U.S. history. In this episode of Twisted & Mysterious, we’re breaking down exactly what happened that night, the FBI’s decades-long investigation, the stash of ransom cash found in the sand, and the main suspects who’ve kept this case alive for over 50 years.Did Cooper pull off the ultimate getaway… or did his big leap end badly? Did he fake his death and retire somewhere sunny? Was he inspired by a French-Belgian comic book hero? We’ve got the facts, the theories, and all the strange little details that make this one of the wildest true crime cases ever.

In 1897, Zona Heaster Shue of Greenbrier County, West Virginia, died under “mysterious” circumstances—which is old-timey speak for “her husband’s story didn’t make sense, but everyone was too polite to push it.” That is, until Zona came back as a ghost and told her mama the real tea: she’d been murdered. This supernatural testimony led to one of the weirdest murder trials in U.S. history—because when your key witness is dead, you’d think that’s a bit of a problem… unless you’re in West Virginia in the 1890s. Join us as we dig into the ghostly gossip, Appalachian folklore, and the man who thought he could get away with murder—only to be outwitted by his very dead wife.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

She was Jesus. She was Marilyn Monroe. She was Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, Queen Elizabeth, and—at one point—the queen of Lemuria. Oh, and Donald Trump was her dad in a past life, and Robin Williams was her spirit guide. Welcome to Love Has Won, the New Age cult so bizarre it makes most conspiracy theories look like light reading. This week on Twisted and Mysterious, we unravel the psychedelic doctrine, livestream meltdowns, and dangerous control tactics of Amy Carlson, aka “Mother God.” From crystal healing and 5D ascension to a shocking and glitter-covered ending, this story is a wild ride through delusion, devotion, and what happens when spiritual TikTok energy turns into a full-blown cult. It’s mysticism meets manipulation—with a side of galactic insanity.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

This week on Twisted and Mysterious, Faren takes us into one of the most haunting and heartbreaking cases we've ever covered: the tragic death of Lacey Fletcher. For years, Lacey lived in almost complete isolation inside her parents' home—what investigators would later describe as a scene of unimaginable neglect. In 2022, authorities made a discovery that shocked even the most seasoned professionals.We explore Lacey's background, the chilling circumstances of her death, the role her parents played, and the questions this case raises about mental health, guardianship, and accountability. Please note: this episode contains graphic descriptions and may be distressing to some listeners. Listener discretion is strongly advised.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

In December 1979, 18-year-old Michelle Martinko was found brutally stabbed to death in her family’s Buick, parked outside a shopping mall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The attack was personal, violent — and seemingly without motive. With no robbery, no sexual assault, and no obvious suspects, Michelle’s murder baffled investigators for decades.But while the case went cold, the rumors didn’t. Especially about her ex-boyfriend Andy, who raised eyebrows when he reportedly climbed into her casket at the funeral, sobbing and begging to know who Michelle really loved. Was he a heartbroken teen… or something more sinister?In this episode, we follow the tangled threads of the investigation — from high school gossip and suspicious behavior to the decades-later DNA breakthrough involving a discarded straw that finally brought justice for Michelle.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

If you've ever wanted to hear about a haunting that included a ghost nun, flying bricks, and a rector's wife possibly faking poltergeist activity to cover up an affair, welcome to the Borley Rectory! In this episode of Twisted and Mysterious, we dive into the messiest haunting in England's history. With wall scribbles, self-moving objects, and a psychic researcher who treated ghost hunting like a stage show, Borley has it all. But was it truly haunted...or just a 1930s soap opera with paranormal flair? either way, the drama is very real. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

In this episode of Twisted and Mysterious, we dive into the chilling case of Michael Wayne McGray—a Canadian serial killer whose crimes stretched across provinces and spanned decades. From hitchhiking horror stories to grim confessions behind bars, McGray's case is as disturbing as it is baffling.Along the way, we discovered an unsettling coincidence: one of your hosts (hi, it’s me—Sarah) shares a birthday with McGray—July 11. That doesn’t mean anything… probably. But after recapping murder after murder, it started to feel a bit like he just treated these like regular Saturday night activities.We close the episode with some twisted trivia about zodiac signs and serial killers—and guess what? Cancer and Pisces are two of the top four signs most commonly associated with them. So between Sarah (Cancer) and Faren (Pisces), let’s just say… we’re keeping an eye on each other.It’s dark, it’s weird, and just a little too close to home. Hit play and let’s get into it.

In 1874, a group of 21 men set off into Colorado's unforgiving San Juan Mountains in search of gold. On one man, Alfred Packer, stumbled back out, looking suspiciously well-fed. This week on Twisted and Mysterious, we chew over the legendary tale of the so-called Colorado Cannibal: Was he a hapless guide just trying to survive? Or the hungriest tour leader in history?Join us for a tale of snowstorms, shady storytelling, and the only man in U.S. history whose name because both courtroom fodder and a cafeteria punchline.Important reminder: You should only consider cannibalism if you're truly in dire straits...and even then, do not eat the band Dire Straits. Mark Knopfler is off the menu.Warning: This episode includes discussions of cannibalism, death, and survival under extreme conditions. Listener discretion is advised.

In 2010, 24-year-old Phoebe Handsjuk was found dead at the bottom of a garbage chute in a luxury Melbourne apartment building. Authorities quickly ruled her death a tragic accident—but the details of the scene raised far more questions than answers. Who climbs into a garbage chute feet-first? Why were her injuries so inconsistent with the official story? And why didn’t police check for signs of life, collect evidence, or secure the scene like a potential crime?This week, we unravel the haunting and highly debated timeline of Phoebe’s final days and explore the unusual circumstances surrounding her death. Was Phoebe’s death truly a bizarre accident… or something more sinister?Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

Four teenage girls, a strip mall frozen yogurt shop, and one of the most haunting unsolved cases in Texas history. In this episode, we dive deep into the 1991 Austin Yogurt Shop Murders—and the tangled mess of false confessions, unanswered questions, and lingering grief left in their wake.We also take a quick detour into mall nostalgia (raise your hand if you miss Sam Goody) and the surprisingly dramatic lawsuit between TCBY and I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt. But at the heart of it all is a call for change: why police reform must include trained mental health professionals in interrogations—especially when lives and justice are on the line.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

This week Faren takes us deep into the disturbing case of Sean Lannon—a man from New Mexico who confessed to multiple murders, including his own ex-wife. There were bodies in a truck. Multiple states involved. And somehow… no one smelled anything?We also talk about how we retained absolutely nothing from the D.A.R.E. program, how Faren once did smell decomp on Easter Sunday, and how addiction is a serious issue that deserves compassion—not just judgements.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

Point Pleasant, West Virginia. 1966.Something with wings, glowing red eyes, and a flair for the dramatic started terrorizing locals--and just might have predicted a major tragedy. But was Mothman a warning? A menace? A misunderstood cryptid trying to mind his mothy business?This week, we're trading unsolved disappearances for winged weirdness, diving deep(ish) into the legend of Mothman. We'll cover the original sightings, the bridge collapse, the Men in Black (yes, those ones), and the lasting cultural impact of a creature who just might be the world's most ominous influencer.Spoiler alert: there's a Mothman statue (with killer abs), a festival, and possibly a government cover-up.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

Picture this: you're 17, you just finished your shift at work, and your car ends up halfway through a wall of an abandoned farmhouse. Sounds like the start of a horror movie, right? Sadly, it’s the baffling real-life mystery of Brianna Maitland. In this episode, we dive headfirst into one of Vermont’s strangest unsolved disappearances—full of cryptic clues, sketchy acquaintances, and a lot of "Wait... WHAT?" moments.We’ll walk you through the timeline, separate fact from small-town gossip, and yes, make the occasional joke to keep ourselves from spiraling into existential dread. (That’s how we cope. Respectfully, of course.)Because when life gives you unsolved mysteries, we say: investigate... then nervously laugh a little.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and consider subscribing to the show. You can find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us at [email protected].

In 2004, 21-year-old Maura Murray emailed her professors about a "death in the family," packed her car with snacks, booze, and more than a few secrets, and drove off into the snowy woods of New Hampshire...never to be seen again.What followed was not your average missing persons case--it was full-on internet obsession complete with cryptic clues, shady phone calls, and a search party that somehow involved both cadaver dogs and conspiracy theorists with Reddit PhDs.Was Maura running away? Was she abducted? Did she step into a glitch in the Matrix?Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please rate, review, and subscribe. You can also find us on social media @twistedandmysterious or email us at [email protected].

This week, we check into the famously haunted Stanley Hotel—where the views are stunning, the ghosts are active, and the walls have definitely heard things. Built by Freelan Stanley, inventor, entrepreneur, and overachiever with a mustache to match, the hotel was originally a luxurious mountain escape for the well-to-do (and unwell-to-do—Stanley himself came to Estes Park for tuberculosis recovery). Unfortunately, like most great American landmarks, the hotel sits on land forcibly taken from Native American tribes, because history is nothing if not deeply haunted. As we wander the echoing halls, we explore how an actual explosion in 1911 nearly took out a maid (who now reportedly haunts Room 217 while folding towels with passive-aggressive energy), how the hotel inspired Stephen King’s The Shining, a novel that proves isolation and 70s carpet patterns are a deadly combo.Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please rate, review, and subscribe. You can also find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us your personal stories or story suggestions to [email protected].

This week, we dive back into Iowa’s most infamous fixer-upper: the Villisca Axe Murder House. In 1912, a horrific and unsolved murder left eight people dead—and ever since, the ghosts have apparently been auditioning for their own reality show. Join us as we discuss the legends, the cold case, and the number of times ghosts have slammed the door in Zak Bagans' face. We’ll examine all the burning questions: Is it haunted? Who did it? Why is there always one guy who thinks challenging the ghost to a fight is a good idea?Spoiler alert: It never is.Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please rate, review, and subscribe. You can also find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us your personal stories or story suggestions to [email protected].

Welcome to Villisca, Iowa—home to friendly neighbors, charming farms, and one of the most brutal unsolved axe murders in American history. This week, we take a cheerful little stroll into utter horror with the Villisca Axe Murders—because nothing says “Midwestern hospitality” like eight people bludgeoned in their sleep by a mystery guest. In 1912, someone crept into the Moore family’s home, committed a full-blown massacre, and then… stuck around? Covered mirrors, made a plate of food, maybe did a little redecorating? Eight people. One axe. No motive. No sense of urgency from investigators who were like, “Let’s invite the whole town to trample the crime scene—what could go wrong?”Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please rate, review, and subscribe. You can also find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us your personal stories or story suggestions to [email protected].

"THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU!" -Dr. EvilThis week we explore the totally chill, not-at-all disturbing case of Roland Doe--a teenager in the 1940s who allegedly got possessed after dabbling with a Ouija board, because apparently Hasbro was out here ruining lives decades before Monopoly fights. Spoiler: this is the real-life case that inspired The Exorcist, which means things get wildly dramatic and suspiciously cinematic. Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please rate, review, and subscribe. You can also find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us your personal stories or story suggestions to [email protected].

Faren's telling us a story (!!!)--a weird story about the time the Cirigliano Family went missing and went on a Mr. Dursley-went-crazy-running-from-Hogwarts-letters adventure. Don't forget to call 9-1-1 and let them know everything is just fine tonight and not to worry about anything.Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please rate, review, and subscribe. You can also find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us your personal stories or story suggestions to [email protected].

Get ready for a big fat bummer. This week we delve into the horrifically brutal murder of Jayna Murray. Spoiler alert: if you think you're smart enough to get away with murder, you aren't. Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please rate, review, and subscribe. You can also find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us your personal stories or story suggestions to [email protected].

Today we take a little trip to upstate NY, where a little guy known as Champ (Champy, to his friends) resides in Lake Champlain. Is he an everlasting dinosaur or a really big goldfish? Is he a he? Should he and Nessie have little dinosaur babies? So many questions, so few answers.Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please rate, review, and subscribe. You can also find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us your personal stories or story suggestions to [email protected].

As chronic Excedrin users, this week was a doozy. We're talking about the Excedrin poisonings of Washington State in 1986 (when Faren was but a wee babe). This episode has it all: murder, mayhem, fish, and headaches.Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please rate, review, and subscribe. You can also find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and emails us your personal stories or story suggestions to [email protected].

On this week's episode, Faren tells us the story of the tragic disappearance of Skye Budnick who went missing after flying to Japan and left behind a trail of unanswered questions and no clear leads. Was it a voluntary disappearance or something far darker? If you have any information about the whereabouts of Skye Budnick, you can email [email protected] or visit www.survivingskye.com. You can also find more information on this case from Skye's sister, Megan LeBron via her TikTok @meganlebron or her podcast, Surviving Skye.Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please rate, review, and subscribe. You can also find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us your personal stories or story suggestions to [email protected]

Get ready for some creepy, quirky fun as we dive into the bizarre world of Robert the Doll. In this episode, we’ll talk ghostly mischief, haunted happenings, and why you might just want to think twice before taking a selfie with him. Tune in for some laughs, chills, and maybe a few new doll-related fears, and let's hope we don’t end up cursed by the end of this one!Thanks for listening! If you have a minute, please rate, review, and subscribe. Find us on social media @twistedandmysterious and email us [email protected].