Weird Darkness: Paranormal & True Crime Stories

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Campers Share the Scariest Things That Ever Happened to Them in the Wilderness Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

From a forest so silent it felt like the trees themselves were hiding, to glowing eyes across the river, to footprints in the snow that started and ended at cliffs no one could climb — these are the camping trips nobody talks about around the fire.
*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*
IN THIS EPISODE: IN THIS EPISODE: With all the nastiness and violence that has taken place around the Tower of London, you’d probably expect to come across a spook or twelve… but would you be surprised to find out that it’s also haunted by a spectral bear? (Ghost Bear of the Tower of London) *** In the winter of 1982, Alan Phillips was lost in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, in temperatures of -22°F (-30°C), in a blinding snowstorm. His survival and rescue was seen as miraculous… and then later it was found out that rescuers had just saved the life of a serial killer. (The Miracle Rescue of a Serial Killer) *** A famous silent-film actress suddenly disappears at sea. Was she the victim of foul play? Did she fall overboard? Or was it all a hoax simply to gain publicity? (The Case of the Vanishing Movie Star) *** Ghosts are almost always scary – but the most terrifying are those that become violent. The poltergeists. We’ll look at five of the most violent poltergeist cases of all time. There are some ghosts you do not want inside your home. (Violent Poltergeists) *** Camping is always fun – getting together with friends or family, pitching a tent, roasting hotdogs on an open fire, telling ghost stories, hearing a snap of a twig in the brush behind you, seeing glowing eyes in the darkness, hearing animal-like growls coming from just outside your tent in the middle of the night… what’s there not to like? Okay, so maybe camping can be a bit creepy, as we’ll find out from a few Redditors who share some of their scariest camping experiences. (Camping Creepies)
CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = Show Open
00:02:37.186 = Camping Creepies
00:20:51.094 = The Ghost Bear of the Tower of London ***
00:35:32.755 = The Case of the Vanishing Movie Star
00:43:59.107 = The Miracle Rescue of a Serial Killer ***
00:48:51.353 = Violent Poltergeists
01:02:30.285 = Show Close
*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break
HELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES…
https://WeirdDarkness.com/ALBUMS = Songs and Videos by our Weird Darkness punk band, #DarkWeirdness
https://WeirdDarkness.com/STORE = Tees, Mugs, Socks, Hoodies, Totes, Hats, Kidswear & More
https://WeirdDarkness.com/HOPE = Hope For Depression or Thoughts of Self-Harm
https://WeirdDarkness.com/NEWSLETTER = In-Depth Articles, Memes, Weird DarkNEWS, Videos & More
https://WeirdDarkness.com/AUDIOBOOKS = FREE Audiobooks Narrated By Darren Marlar
EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/CampfireEncounters
SOURCES and RESOURCES:
“The Case of the Vanishing Movie Star” from Strange Company: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/c4t7hn4a
“Camping Creepies” by Erika Valverde for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/8ccm9h2d
“The Ghost Bear” by Miss Jessel for Haunted Palace Blog: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3zbymxsy
“The Miracle Rescue of a Serial Killer” from Strange Outdoors: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ycn23vwh
“Violent Poltergeists” by Audrey Webster for The Line-Up: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/uanuyyz6
(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: September 14, 2021
ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: #WeirdDarkness 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.

He Robbed Six Banks in Five Days. Three Said No and One Only Gave Him Twenty Bucks Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

The NYPD has asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
Gustavo DeJesus Torres spent a week hitting Chase Bank branches across four New York City boroughs with threatening notes — and his total take wouldn’t cover a month’s rent in any of the four boroughs he visited.
*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*
PRINT VERSION: https://weirddarkness.com/nyc-man-robs-six-banks-five-days-605
WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.
#WeirdDarkness, #WeirdDarkNEWS

She Checked Into the Hospital in October — And Refuses To Leave Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

A Florida hospital issued three separate discharge orders, coordinated with family, arranged transportation, filed a lawsuit, and called in the sheriff — and one patient still hasn’t left.
*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*
PRINT VERSION: https://weirddarkness.com/hospital-patient-wont-leave/
WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.
#WeirdDarkness, #WeirdDarkNEWS

He Led Her Out the Back Door While Her Mother Was Standing Right There Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

A complete stranger walked a 4-year-old girl out the rear exit of a Long Island laundromat in the middle of a Saturday afternoon — with her mother still inside.
*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*
PRINT VERSION: https://weirddarkness.com/patchogue-laundromat-kidnapping
WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.
#WeirdDarkness, #WeirdDarkNEWS

My Brain Keeps Saying NOPE | Now I Finally Have A Name For This Horrible Feeling! Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

For years, I thought I was dealing with migraines… or maybe vertigo. Turns out, it’s neither. It’s something I couldn’t explain — a strange, heavy pressure in my head that shuts everything down without warning. In this video, I think I’ve finally come up with an official name for it.

The Mysterious & Monstrous Melonheads | America's Most Disturbing Backwoods Legend Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Deep in the rural backwoods of Ohio, Connecticut, and Michigan, locals whisper about pale, emaciated creatures with grotesquely oversized heads that prowl lonely roads after dark — and the eyewitnesses who claim to have encountered them say whatever they are, they are anything but legend. | #WDRadio March 29, 2026
HOUR ONE: In parts of Africa it’s not the werewolf you need to look out for, but the were-hyena… and it’s almost always the local blacksmith that is the man behind the monster. (Lesser Known Morphing Monsters: The Shape-Shifter Hyena) *** Does the Vatican have a device that allows them to see in the past and the future? Some believe they do. And if it were to ever fall into the wrong hands, it could then create the “scariest dictatorship the world has ever seen.” (The Vatican’s Chronovisor) *** Some fathers will do whatever it takes to protect the virtue of their daughters. One man’s solution came at the end of an ax blade. (The Linville Murderer) *** A man believes the creature in his nightmares may be trying to speak with him. (Spirit Communicating Through My Dreams) *** A young girl is surprised to find the Easter Bunny visit her in the middle of the night. But many years later she learns it wasn’t either of her parents. (Easter Bunny Creeper) *** The stories range from the being inbred cretins running amok, to government created mutants, to escaped hydrocephalic patients from an insane asylum. What are the strange creatures people are seeing in the deep woods of Ohio? (Strange Encounters With The Bizarre Melonheads) *** Glitch In The Matrix
==========
HOUR TWO: A group of hunters and Bigfoot enthusiasts go out looking for the elusive creature – but what they find is even more bizarre than anyone might have expected. (The Ultimate Monstrous Thought-Form) *** No one really thinks about it, but cops are usually one of the most credible witnesses to paranormal phenomena. Police officers are trained observers and usually will make better witnesses than a civilian. But even our brave men and women in blue can be terrified into a shade of white. (Police and the Paranormal) *** A bizarre phenomenon that manages to teeter where the lines of Bigfoot, Werewolves, the paranormal, and urban legend intersect, takes things deeper into the strange with various reports that suggest these beings utilize the mental power of telepathy as well. We’ll look into some of the creepy encounters with the Dogman. (Bizarre Encounters With Telepathic Dogmen)
==========SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM TONIGHT’S SHOW:“Lesser Known Morphing Monsters: The Shape-Shifter Hyena” by Nick Redfern: http://bit.ly/2lNmfOq“The Vatican’s Chronovisor” by Amando Flavio: http://bit.ly/2mh4Vl3“The Linville Murderer” by Robert Wilhelm: http://bit.ly/2klRUWQ“Spirit Communicating Through My Dreams” by Ari Lancaster: http://bit.ly/2mh4QxL“The Easter Bunny Creeper” posted anonymously at WeirdDarkness.com: http://bit.ly/2lN3Wcb“Strange Encounters With The Bizarre Melonheads” by Brent Swancer: http://bit.ly/2keM2hS“Glitch In The Matrix” from Paranormality Magazine: https://weirddarkness.com/magazine“Bizarre Encounters With Telepathic Dogmen” by Brent Swancer: http://bit.ly/2lQ72fv (Photos mentioned in this story:http://bit.ly/2mbhs9r) “Police and the Paranormal” is a collection of stories gathered from GhostTheory.com and GhostsNGhouls.com: http://bit.ly/2kKyk6K (other link is no longer available)“The Ultimate Monstrous Thought-Form” by Nick Redfern: http://bit.ly/2mhZUZD==========(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for material I use whenever possible. If I have overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it immediately. Some links 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®, WeirdDarkness© 2026==========To become a Weird Darkness Radio Show affiliate, contact Radio America at affiliates@radioamerica.com, or call 800-807-4703 (press 2 or dial ext 250).

Why My Brain Shuts Down Without Warning, What I'm Doing About It, And How It's Affecting My Podcast Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Last week was a lot — computer problems, server issues, a demonetization I still don't fully understand, and a health situation I've been misreading for years. I'm okay, but some things are changing, and I wanted to be straight with you about all of it.
I'll talk about what I've figured out regarding how my brain actually works, why Morning Weird Darkness isn't coming back, what's staying, what's getting simplified, and why all of this is ultimately about making sure Weird Darkness keeps going for the long haul.
Thank you for sticking with me. Truly.

4 Forgotten Sci-Fi Horror Tales | A Dead Man Wakes, A Monster Hunts, a Paradise Becomes a Prison! Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Four stories from the golden age of science fiction — and none of them end where you think they will. A morgue ship drifting through the wreckage of a space war pulls in something extraordinary. A telethink researcher in the Florida Keys gets a warning from the stars — too late. A beer truck driver spends a sleepless weekend with something he accidentally created in his kitchen sink. And on a planet designed to be paradise, a man locked in a back room finishes building something with his hands. Four writers. Four worlds. Four moments when science fiction and horror become the same thing.
*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*
IN THIS EPISODE: A crashed alien lifeboat brings a deadly predator to a remote Florida key, where a stubborn hermit and a stranded scientist face a creature that even the galaxy's most advanced civilizations fear. It’s “Rough Beast” by Roger Dee. *** Winston Marks brings us the story “The Water Eater”. When a weekend cleaning experiment goes strangely right, a curious beer truck driver discovers he’s made something that might not want to stay in the soap bucket. *** Colonists achieve their dream of a perfect world without work or worry, - but is it truly the paradise they had hoped for? James McKimmey brings us the tale “Planet of Dreams.” *** A classic from Ray Bradbury entitled “Lazarus Come Forth” where a morgue ship operator searching for his son's body among the war dead discovers a perfectly preserved scientist from three centuries ago — and the terrible secret he carries. *** It’s an anthology of science fiction tonight – all stories I narrated for the Auditory Anthology podcast where you can hear them fully produced with music and sound effects if you want the full experience. Just visit https://www.AuditoryAnthology.comto start listening.
CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = Show Open
00:02:11.821 = Lazarus Come Forth
00:32:39.228 = Rough Beast ***
00:58:22.806 = The Water Eater ***
01:24:29.147 = Planet of Dreams ***
01:42:00.860 = Show Close
*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break
HELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES…
https://WeirdDarkness.com/ALBUMS = Songs and Videos by our Weird Darkness punk band, #DarkWeirdness
https://WeirdDarkness.com/STORE = Tees, Mugs, Socks, Hoodies, Totes, Hats, Kidswear & More
https://WeirdDarkness.com/HOPE = Hope For Depression or Thoughts of Self-Harm
https://WeirdDarkness.com/NEWSLETTER = In-Depth Articles, Memes, Weird DarkNEWS, Videos & More
https://WeirdDarkness.com/AUDIOBOOKS = FREE Audiobooks Narrated By Darren Marlar
EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/4ForgottenSciFiHorrorTales
SOURCES and RESOURCES:“Lazarus Come Forth” by Ray Bradbury, originally published in Planet Stories, Winter 1944
“The Water Eater” by Winston Marks, originally published in Galaxy Science Fiction, June 1953
“Rough Beast” by Roger Dee, originally published in Analog Science Fiction Magazine, March 1962
“Planet of Dreams” by James McKimmey, Jr., originally published in If Worlds of Science Fiction, September 1953
(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: March 29, 2026
ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: #WeirdDarkness 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.

She Said They Were Coming to Kill Her. She Was Right, But Not How You Think! | I Love a Mystery Mar 29, 2026

Show notes

A terrified young woman is convinced that invisible forces are closing in on her family — and she's right, but not for any reason anyone could have predicted. | #RetroRadio #WeirdDarkness | EP0614
CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = Show Open
00:01:30.028 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (October 31, 1949)
00:13:13.023 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 01, 1949)
00:24:50.231 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 02, 1949)
00:36:56.409 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 03, 1949)
00:48:18.335 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 04, 1949)
01:00:02.152 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 07, 1949)
01:12:48.454 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 08, 1949)
01:24:18.975 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 09, 1949)
01:35:58.404 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 10, 1949)
01:47:42.299 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 11, 1949)
01:58:33.009 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 14, 1949)
02:10:22.312 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 15, 1949)
02:22:12.869 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 16, 1949)
02:32:42.838 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 17, 1949)
02:43:41.254 = I Love a Mystery, “Thing That Cries In The Night” (November 18, 1949)
02:56:21.600 = Show Close
(ADU) = Air Date Unknown
(LQ) = Low Quality
***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing.
ABOUT 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 thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.
"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.
CUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0614

The Hex, the Servant, and the Secret Nobody Saw Coming | She Was Right To Be Afraid Mar 29, 2026

Show notes

“Hexed” | A newlywed American woman in Ceylon becomes convinced she is cursed — but the most dangerous thing on the island may be the secret she's been keeping from her husband. | #RetroRadio #WeirdDarkness | EP0613
CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = Show Open
00:01:30.028 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, “Hexed” (July 05, 1977) ***WD
00:45:45.100 = 5 Minute Mysteries, “A Study In Ornithology” (June 02, 1943)
00:50:43.183 = Future Tense, “With Folded Hands” (May 14, 1974) ***WD
01:19:05.496 = BBC Ghosts From The Past, “Mortmain” (April 22, 1992)
02:03:07.910 = The Adventures of Superman, “Mystery of the Walking Dead” (November 05, 1949)
02:32:56.253 = Hall of Fantasy, “Marquis of Death” (June 22, 1953)
02:56:29.603 = BBC Haunted Tales of the Supernatural, “Which One” (September 20, 1980)
03:23:17.571 = The Haunting Hour, “Assignment Death” (July 20, 1945)
03:47:49.913 = Hermit’s Cave, “The House On Lost Man’s Bluff” (October 26, 1941)
04:12:11.571 = Mystery Is My Hobby, “Death Asks a Question” (November 19, 1947)
04:38:57.553 = Sherlock Holmes, “The Sally Martin” (November 23, 1946) ***WD
05:07:36.932 = Show Close
(ADU) = Air Date Unknown
(LQ) = Low Quality
***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing.
ABOUT 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 thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.
"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.
CUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0613

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