Dark Poutine - True Crime and Dark History

Latest Episodes:

The Quakers and The Killers: The Murder of Peter Lazier Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

Episode 294: On the evening of December 21, 1883, near Bloomfield, Ontario, visitor Peter Lazier was murdered by two intruders at the farmhouse of Quakers Gilbert and Margaret Jones. The community, deeply affected, quickly organized a search. They traced footprints in the snow, leading to Joseph Thomset and the Lowder family's homes near West Lake. By the next day, Joseph Thomset and brothers David and George Lowder were arrested and charged with murder.

The legal process moved rapidly. The coroner's inquest began the next day, followed by formal proceedings within a week. The trial, held at the Prince Edward County Courthouse in Picton just five months later, suggested the motive was robbery, aimed at stealing the $555 Gilbert Jones earned from selling hops. George Lowder and Joseph Thomset were found guilty of murder and hanged in June of 1884. Many felt justice was served, but others believed the law got it wrong, acting hastily without sufficient evidence.

Sources:

Prince Edward County

The Canadian Encyclopedia | Quakers

The Lazier Murder: Prince Edward County, 1884 — Robert J. Sharpe

The Kingston Whig-Standard 24 Dec 1883, page 2

Ottawa Daily Citizen 24 Dec 1883, page 1

Manitoba Weekly Free Press 15 May 1884, page 2

The Lazier murder trial of 1884 – did they get the right men?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cold Case Turned Hot: The Murder of Cathy Pozzobon Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

Episode 293: During the evening of Friday, October 13 and the early hours of October 14, 1978, a group of teens and young adults attended a gathering in a rural area of Maple Ridge, B.C. That night, 16-year-old Catherine Emma Pozzobon went missing from the event. Her partially clothed remains were discovered on the afternoon of October 15, not far from the location of the party. Investigations revealed the presence of seminal fluid in her mouth, throat, and on her clothing, as well as a tuft of human hair grasped in her hand. The case was treated as a homicide by law enforcement, but without adequate evidence to pinpoint a suspect, the inquiry was eventually suspended.

Two decades later, in 1998, the case was reopened with the advancement of DNA profiling as a key tool for forensic investigation. Police tested the DNA profiles of the male party attendees against the evidence found on Cathy’s body, and there was a match. Twenty years after she was murdered, Cathy’s family finally saw justice.

Sources:

2001 BCSC 597 (CanLII) | R. v. Larsen | CanLII

OBITUARY: The Province 18 Oct 1978, page 38

Police Seek Clues: The Vancouver Sun 20 Oct 1978, page 6

No New Leads: Surrey Leader 01 Nov 1978, page 16

10 Suspects: Times Colonist 07 Nov 1978, page 14

Unsolved: The Vancouver Sun 18 Apr 1981, page 10

The Vancouver Sun 01 May 2001, page 11

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101800177/catherine-emma-pozzobon

Maple Ridge — Official Website

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing... Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry | The Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash | 1 Nov 11, 2023

Show notes

The old days of air travel were quite risky…compared to today, the chances of your flight going down were far greater …every airport had kiosks and coin-operating vending machines where you could buy life insurance before you headed to the gate—you know, just in case you thought you weren’t going to make it to your final destination…

1977 was one of the worst years for accidents in aviation history…in addition to several violent hijackings every month—sometimes with fatal results—There were also passenger plane crashes with great loss of life…including the worst aviation disaster of all time when two 747s planes collided on a runway in the Canary Islands, killing 583 people.

Frank Sinatra’s mother, the Prime Minister of Yugoslavia, and all but one member of the University of Evansville basketball team died in crashes…

But then there were the events of October 20, 1977, when a rickety chartered plane went down in a swamp in Mississippi…on board were members of Lynyrd Skynyrd…six of the 24 passengers died, including singer Ronnie Van Zandt, guitarist Steve Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines, and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick…both pilots also died…

What happened?

Have I got a story for you...

Like what you hear? You can find and follow Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry on your favourite podcast app or by clicking here: https://link.chtbl.com/uncharted-rssdrop

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remembrance Day 2023: The One-Eyed Ghost — Leo Major Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

Episode 292: In the annals of military history, few figures stand as singularly remarkable as Léo Major, a French-Canadian soldier whose audacious feats in World War II and the Korean War etched his name in the pantheon of military legends. During World War II, he served with the Régiment de la Chaudière, participating in the D-Day landings and embarking on a series of extraordinary exploits that culminated in the single-handed liberation of the Dutch town of Zwolle from Nazi occupation. Unfazed by injuries and fueled by a relentless drive, he refused to be sidelined, resolutely continuing his service. Major's saga did not conclude with the end of World War II; he reenlisted to serve in the Korean War, where he would once again defy the odds and solidify his legacy. His story is a captivating tale of bravery, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to justice, offering an inspiring testament to the power of individual courage in the face of overwhelming adversity. Some have called him Quebec’s Rambo. He is the only Canadian to have received the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) twice for his actions in two different wars.

Sources:

Have you heard of Léo Major, the liberator of Zwolle?

A One-Eyed Québécois ‘Rambo’ Captures Imaginations in Canada (Published 2018)

D-Day-the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division: 6 June 1944

Le Régiment de la Chaudière

Leo Major Liberates Zwolle

Léo Major – A Quebec Military Hero

Pte. Leo Major, 87: Decorated hero

Leo Major Obituary (2008) - Legacy Remembers

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing... Black and Blue: Behind the Badge | Catching Hell Nov 04, 2023

Show notes

It’s 1986 and Michael Morrison is offered the opportunity of a lifetime. A chance to leave his life of poverty in Newark and start afresh. It’s a job offer he can’t afford to refuse. Michael has no idea what this new job has in store. But he soon realizes: he’s just joined ‘the biggest gang in America’. Join Seren Jones to hear Michael’s story and find out what it means to be both Black and Blue.

Want to hear more? You can follow along on your favourite podcast app here: https://link.chtbl.com/blackandblue-rssdrop

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spooktober 5: The Story of Jack Fiddler, Wendigo Killer Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Episode 291: Jack Fiddler was a chief and shaman among the Anishinaabe in northwestern Ontario. Born around 1839, he became renowned for his abilities in white magic, particularly his claimed power to defeat the Wendigo, a cannibalistic spirit. Fiddler asserted that he had vanquished fourteen Wendigos during his lifetime. Some of these were believed to be sent by enemy shamans, while others were individuals from his community who developed an uncontrollable craving for human flesh. Families often asked him to euthanize a gravely ill loved one to prevent them from becoming Wendigo.

In 1907, the North-West Mounted Police arrested Jack and his brother Joseph Fiddler for the alleged murder of a woman believed to have turned Wendigo. The arrest was part of a broader effort to impose Canadian law on Indigenous communities. The story garnered significant media attention, with many newspapers sensationalizing the events. Jack Fiddler died by suicide while in custody, and although Joseph went to trial and was convicted, he passed away in 1909, shortly before an order for his release arrived.

Sources:

Killing the Shamen : Fiddler, Thomas | Internet Archive

Windigo | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Wendigo Lore by Chad Lewis and Kevin Lee Nelson

Canadian Mysteries of the Unexplained by John Marlowe - Ebook

Dangerous Spirits: The Windigo in Myth and History - Ebook

Biography – ZHAUWUNO-GEEZHIGO-GAUBOW – Volume XIII (1901-1910) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography

Biography – PEEMEECHEEKAG – Volume XII (1891-1900) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography

(PDF) Wendigo Psychosis

The Windigo in the Material World on JSTOR

The Power to Punish: Conflicts of Authority in the Case of Jack Fiddler | Deborah Rose Peña | The Hypocrite Reader

Windigo of First Nations oral tradition — fearsome and loathsome creature

Free Press Prairie Farmer 23 Oct 1907, page 8

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spooktober 4: Fact or Fiction? Jacko the Ape-Boy from Yale, BC Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

On July 3, 1884, the Daily Colonist newspaper in Canada reported the capture of "Jacko," described as a human-like creature resembling a gorilla near Yale, British Columbia. Some Bigfoot enthusiasts later cited this story as evidence for Sasquatch's existence. The tale gained prominence and drew much speculation from only a single story reprinted in numerous newspapers. Jacko’s story has been featured in various books, documentaries and television shows. Other articles from 1884 dismiss the story as a probable hoax, yet some continue to believe he did exist.

Sources:

The Daily British Colonist, July 3, 1884

The Mainland Guardian, July 9, 1884

The British Columbian, July 12, 1884

Yale & the Strange Story of Jacko the Ape-boy by Christopher L. Murphy and Barry G. Blount

Abominable Snowmen, Legend Come To Life : Ivan T. Sanderson | Internet Archive

Strange Creatures from Time and Space by John A. Keel | Goodreads

Sasquatch in BC: A Chronology of Incidents… by Christopher L. Murphy | Goodreads

Remembering John Green's indelible footprint

Kilby Historic Site

The Parker Road Phantom | Saltwire

rr_2009_july_protecting_elusive_sasquatch

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spooktober 3: More on Canadian UFOs and The Charlie Red Star Sightings Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

First, we look at a little more about the history of UFO sightings in Canada and elsewhere. These are not a new phenomena.

In the show’s second half, we learn about a series of UFO sightings that occurred in the 1970s in Manitoba, particularly around Carman. The sightings garnered significant attention because of their frequency and because many credible individuals, including police officers and other professionals, witnessed them.

The name “Charlie Red Star” was given to the object due to its bright red hue and was often described as a glowing, pulsating, and sometimes changing shape. Sightings of the object frequently mentioned its ability to move at incredible speeds and make sudden maneuvers that seemed beyond the capability of conventional aircraft of that era.

The phenomenon of Charlie Red Star drew many UFO enthusiasts, reporters, and investigators to the area in the hope of witnessing or gaining some understanding of the mysterious object.

While there were numerous speculations and theories regarding the nature of Charlie Red Star, including secret military projects, extraterrestrial craft, or atmospheric phenomena, the true identity and nature of the objects remain unexplained. The events surrounding Charlie Red Star have since become a notable chapter in the annals of UFO lore.

Sources:

The Big Book of UFOs — Chris A. Rutkowski

Search Results: Carman, MB - Canada's UFOs: The Search for the Unknown - Library and Archives Canada

Charlie Red Star: True Reports of One of North America's Biggest UFO Sightings by Grant Cameron

The Canadian UFO Report: The Best Cases Revealed by Chris A. Rutkowski

Canada's UFOs: Declassified by Chris A. Rutkowski

The Calgary Albertan 17 May 1975, page 12

Star-Phoenix 18 Jun 1975, page 17

The Brandon Sun 18 Nov 1975, page Page 1

THE SANDRA LARSON INCIDENT

Schumer, Rounds Introduce New Legislation To Declassify Government Records Related To Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena & UFOs – Modeled After JFK Assassination Records Collection Act – As An Amendment To NDAA | Senate Democratic Leadership

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spooktober 2: More Canadian Ghost Stories Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

Episode 288: In this, the second episode of our five-part Spooktober series, we dive into three ghostly tales from coast to coast or, to coin a phrase, ghost to ghost. First, we’re off to northern New Brunswick to learn about the ghostly Fire Ship of Chaleur Bay, said to sail the waters of the bay intermittently terrifying mariners. Next, we head to Wallaceburg, Ontario, where, in the 1830s, violent poltergeist activity known as the Baldoon Mystery occurred. Last, we come back west to B.C., where in a small museum in Quesnel resides Mandy the haunted doll.

Sources:

City of Bathurst | Bathurst.ca | Heritage & Culture | The Legend of the Phantom Ship

Le Vaisseau de Feu de la Baie des Chaleurs

Lost at Sea: Ghost Ships and Other Mysteries | Goss, Michael | Internet Archive

The Burning Ship of Northumberland Strait: Some Notes on That Apparition on JSTOR

The Baldoon Mystery

Baldoon Mystery | Psi Encyclopedia

The Baldoon Mystery | Skeptoid

Baldoon mystery | Wierd and Startling | McDonald, Neil T | Internet Archive

“A History of Wallaceburg and Vicinity 1804 to the Present.” pp. 20–22

Biography – TROYER, JOHN – Volume VII (1836-1850) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography

Mandy | Quesnel & District Museum and Archives

Calgary Herald 04 Apr 1999, page 31

Quesnel Cariboo Observer 28 Apr 1999, page 12

The Paranormal Road Trippers (@theparanormalroadtrippers) | Instagram

Canada's Most Haunted Doll!! | The Paranormal Road Trippers | YouTube

Meet Mandy the Doll, Canada's Most Evil Antique

Forget Annabelle. Meet Mandy the Haunted Doll

Mandy the Haunted Doll | The Paranormal Guide

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spooktober 1: More Legendary Canadian Creatures Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Episode 287: Canada, the second-largest country in the world, is a vast land of dense forests, expansive tundras, and rugged coastlines. Our diverse landscapes are home to folklore, legends, and tales of mysterious creatures. These elusive beings have captured the imaginations of locals, researchers, and enthusiasts for generations. In this, the first of five spookier-themed episodes for October, let’s explore a few of Canada's most intriguing legendary creatures. We’ll learn about a weird giant frog in Coleman, New Brunswick, a mythical people-eating creature in B.C., grumpy fairies in Quebec, and a few mythical and often terrifying creatures from the indigenous lore of Canada’s north.

Sources:

The Coleman Frog

Jump Into History With the Coleman Frog

It’s Something | Coleman Frog

Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwakiutl)

Book of Creatures | Baxbakwalanuxsiwae

Le bonhomme sept-heures

The Social Organization & Secret Societies of the Kwakiutl by Franz Boas | Internet Archive

Intellectual culture of the Hudson Bay Eskimos : Rasmussen, Knud | Internet Archive

A Book of Creatures | Canada

.: INUIT MYTHOLOGY:. | Mahaha

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices