Monstrous

In this episode of Monstrous, we meet Nannie Doss — The Giggling Granny — the sweet, grandmotherly figure who baked cookies, giggled through interrogations, and poisoned everyone who got in the way of her idea of “true love.” She looked like everyone’s favorite grandmother: wire‑rimmed glasses, floral dresses, and a plate of freshly baked cookies. However, behind the kitchen door, she was one of A...

Strap in for our wildest ride yet—Carrie takes you behind the scenes to uncover the dark history of amusement park disasters that turned summer fun into tragedy. From the 1930 Big Dipper derailment at Krug Park that killed four and banned coasters in Omaha, to Action Park’s decade-long reign of terror earning it the nickname “Class Action Park,” we dive deep into what went wrong, who paid the pric...

In this episode of Monstrous, we dive into the terrifying and baffling history of encephalitis lethargica, the mysterious sleeping sickness that swept the world in the early 1900s. What began as flu-like symptoms soon turned into a nightmare of extreme sleepiness, paralysis, violent spasms, and a terrifying aftermath that left many survivors trapped in their own bodies for decades. From World War...

In the conclusion of our series on the 1916 Jersey Shore shark attacks, the nightmare moves where no one thought it could go: inland. Last week, we saw the terror unfold on the beaches of Beach Haven and Spring Lake. This week, we travel 11 miles away from the ocean to the quiet, murky waters of Matawan Creek. It’s a place where local "wisdom" said a shark could never survive—until July 12th prove...

Before there was Jaws, there was July 1916. In this episode, Carrie and MawMaw take you back to a sweltering summer on the New Jersey coast. While the country is gripped by a polio epidemic and a record-breaking heatwave, thousands of families flee to the "safety" of the ocean. But a deadly predator is lurking in the shallows—and the "experts" refuse to believe it exists. In Part 1, we cover: • Th...

It starts with a flickering light. A misplaced toy. A child’s laughter echoing from an empty nursery. For Tony and Debra Pickman, the haunting of their Atchison, Kansas, home felt like a tragedy—until the mask began to slip. In this episode of Monstrous, Carrie and MawMaw explore the terrifying evolution of the Sallie House. We dig into the brutal history of Dr. Charles Finney, the legend of the "...

On a quiet Saturday in July 2023, in the Victorian town of Leongatha, an invitation to lunch was extended as an olive branch. Erin Patterson—a former air traffic controller—hosted her estranged in-laws and a local pastor’s family for a homemade Beef Wellington. But what was presented as a gesture of reconciliation, baited by a fake terminal cancer diagnosis, turned into a forensic puzzle that woul...

This bonus episode of Monstrous peels back the layers of green glitter to reveal the 1,600-year cold case at the heart of Saint Patrick’s Day. From the teenage kidnapping of Maewyn Succat to the "Triple Death" of the Irish peat bogs, Carrie and MawMaw explore how a holiday of "parades and pints" began as a story of survival, radical transformation, and cultural erasure. We’re diving into the psych...

"I don’t think you’re coming back." Those were the haunting final words Dawn Drexel said to her daughter before Brittanee slipped out of her New York home for a Spring Break trip she wasn’t supposed to be on. In April 2009, 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel vanished into the neon-lit humid air of Myrtle Beach. For thirteen years, her family lived in a state of suspended animation, fueled by horrific ru...

When a college student goes missing, every second counts—but for too long, a legal "gray zone" has treated 18-year-olds like they have no expectation of being looked for. In this high-stakes update, we dive into the breakthrough of Colorado’s Senate Bill 120, better known as the "Megan Alert." Joined by Mawmaw , we break down the emotional and legislative journey that began on February 9th and has...

In March 1876, the residents of Bath County, Kentucky, stepped outside into a cloudless sky only to find it raining raw, red meat. What began as a quiet Friday morning for farmwife Mary Crouch quickly devolved into a global scientific puzzle and a localized nightmare. In this episode of Monstrous, we peel back the layers of the "Kentucky Meat Shower," a case that sits at the intersection of Appala...

In February 2022, the "village" of Whitehaven in Memphis, Tennessee, was shattered by a crime that defied the natural order. When 27-year-old Danielle Hoyle was found in a roadside ditch next to her idling Chevy Cruze, the city's heart stopped—not just for the loss of a devoted mother, but for the 2-day-old infant, Kennedy, who was missing from the backseat. Join Carrie and MawMaw as they dismantl...

How can a woman be in two places at once? For four years, Cari Farver was a ghost. To her mother, she was a series of cruel and erratic text messages. To her boyfriend, she was a voyeuristic nightmare watching from the shadows. To the police, she was a "runaway" whose digital footprint suggested she was alive and well. But Cari Farver wasn't running. She had been erased. In this week’s episode, Ca...

Is a "simple, taunting, circle" the signature of a cross-country serial killer cell, or is it just statistical noise? This week on Monstrous, Carrie and MawMaw dive into the chilling and controversial Smiley Face Killers Theory . Since 1997, hundreds of college-aged, athletic men have vanished from bars, only to be found weeks later in frigid rivers. While police often rule these as accidental "La...

In a small town nestled in Ohio, a series of poison pen letters unleashed chaos and fear that would linger for decades. The Circleville letters represent a dark chapter in American history, showcasing the lengths one individual would go to in order to destroy lives and reputations. This week we delve into the harrowing story behind this campaign of terror, the psychological motivations of the writ...

In our final, decisive flight of 2025, Carrie and MawMaw are strapping on detective hats and analyzing technical blueprints to close the year on the most audacious acts of air piracy in American history. We’re stepping away from typical horrors to explore a brief, terrifying era when the sky became a frontier for high-stakes criminals—and one aircraft, the Boeing 727 , became the perfect getaway v...

In the chill of Christmas Eve 1945, a tragedy unfolded in Fayetteville, West Virginia, that would haunt a family and a community for decades. The Sodder family, preparing for a joyful holiday, faced an unimaginable horror when five of their children vanished without a trace in a fire that raised more questions than answers. With theories ranging from kidnapping to political motives, In this episod...

In the frigid winter of 1959, a group of experienced hikers embarked on a challenging expedition in the Ural Mountains of the Soviet Union. Despite their skills and preparation, the group faced an inexplicable tragedy that has led to numerous theories, including natural disasters, human intervention, and even extraterrestrial involvement. What began as an adventure turned into one of the most baff...

The Keddie Cabin Murders, a tragic event that occurred in 1981, involved the brutal killing of a family in a remote California resort. The investigation was marred by errors and a lack of resources, leading to multiple theories about the motive and identity of the killer. Despite overwhelming evidence pointing to key suspects, the case remains unsolved, leaving a lasting impact on the surviving fa...

The holiday season is often filled with joy and togetherness, but sometimes it can also bring to light profound stories of isolation and despair. In this episode, we delve into the haunting mystery of a woman known only as the "Christmas Tree Lady," whose tragic end raises questions about identity, connection, and the symbols we associate with the holidays. You can email us at monstroustcpod@gmail...

Thanksgiving is often a time for family gatherings filled with laughter and joy, but for the Sitton family in 2009, this holiday would become synonymous with horror. In this episode, we will delve into the tragic events that transpired during their Thanksgiving dinner, exploring the underlying issues that led to a horrific act of violence. Grace Notes Music Foundation: https://www.gracenotesmusicf...

In the quiet town of Gridley, California, a tragedy unfolded that would haunt families and communities alike for decades. The story of five friends, known as the Yuba County Five, takes us through the labyrinth of friendship, adventure, and the chilling unknown. Their disappearance remains one of the most perplexing unsolved mysteries in American history, leaving behind more questions than answers...

This week Carrie tells us the story of The Hartford Circus Fire of 1944. A tragic event that claimed 167 lives and injured over 700 people. The fire was a result of negligence. The chaos that ensued during the fire led to a devastating stampede, resulting in many deaths. The aftermath saw a significant legal and societal response, leading to changes across the United States. The legacy of the fire...

This week Carrie and her co-host delves into the chilling case of John List, a man who meticulously planned the murder of his entire family in a bid to save them from what he perceived as disgrace and ruin. They explore the facade of the List family, the psychological turmoil of John List, and the methodical execution of his horrific plan. they go through the aftermath of the murders, the subseque...

In this episode Carrie and MawMaw delve into the chilling legacy of the Candyman, exploring two notorious figures who earned this sinister nickname. They begin with a Halloween special, transitioning into a discussion about the fear that has permeated Halloween traditions due to the actions of Dean Correll, a serial killer who used his charm and a candy factory to lure young boys. They highlight t...