Autumn's Oddities

In 1992, young sailor Allen Schindler, after a series of events that outed him to his entire ship, was found beaten so severely that he was unrecognizable while returning to the USS Belleau Wood while docked in Japan. What followed was a series of blatant omissions from the US Navy regarding the details of his brutal murder. SOURCES https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/12/magazine/what-the-navy-taught-...

In the 1970’s Doris Bither claimed, among other ghostly happenings, to have been sexually assaulted by three ghosts. Her case inspired a 1978 novel by Frank De Felitta titled The Entity and a film of the same name. The case parallels other popular “based on a true story” horror films of the time—including The Exorcist and The Amityville Horror—blending themes of paranormal investigation, tormented...

Late on the afternoon of October 24, 1961, police were called to a home in Lincoln, Mass. after a neighbor reported seeing a trail of blood leading from the house to the driveway. She discovered the unsettling scene after a young girl living in the house returned from a playdate to find her mother, Joan Risch missing. Several unconfirmed sightings of a disoriented Risch walking on nearby roads lat...

In the conclusion of the Golden State Killer series, the mask is finally lifted using modern DNA technology and the man also known as the Visalia Ransacker, the East Area Rapist, and the Original Night Stalker is brought to justice. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/autumn-s-oddities--5307439/support .

While the moniker for the GSK was the East Area Rapist in Sacramento, he was given a variety of names during the murders in Southern California. The Original Night Stalker was the most commonly used of those names, and seven attacks in Southern California are attributed to him. SOURCES Cited in previous episode Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/autumn-s-oddities-...

The Golden State Killer is one of the most infamous serial killers in United States history. Also known as the Visalia Ransacker, the East Area Rapist, and the Original Night Stalker, the Golden State Killer was active from 1974 to 1986 across California, committing at least 13 murders, 50 rapes, and more than 100 burglaries. In 2013, true crime writer Michelle McNamara coined the Golden State Kil...

When Mary Horton Vail died on Oct. 28, 1962, her husband, Felix Vail, told police she drowned in a freak accident in the Calcasieu River in Louisiana. He wasn’t prosecuted at the time, but more than 50 years later – after two other women he was last seen with went missing – his luck finally ran out. SOURCES STATE of Louisiana V. VAIL; 17–354; 12-28-2017 (appeal) STATE of Louisiana v. William Felix...

For over 3,000 years, certain regions of China have practiced a tradition known as yinhun, or ghost marriage. This ancient ritual marries the souls of a bride and groom in the afterlife to ensure their ghosts won't haunt their respective families. But with everything, there's a dark side to this ritual that includes kidnapping, murder, and bidding wars. SOURCES Lo, T.W. Ghost Brides and Crime Netw...

Red River Gorge is a canyon system located in central eastern Kentucky. It's home to some of the best rock climbing in the country, great camping spots, and plenty of flora and fauna. But the deep woods may contain dangerous creatures (besides bears) and secrets that an unlucky few have encountered. SOURCES cited within episode Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a...

It’s a case that spans hundreds of miles and has had hundreds of suspects nationwide. A killer targeted people when they least expected and executed them mercilessly. The identity of the I-70 Killer remains unknown. SOURCES Dead End: Inside the Hunt for the I-70 Serial Killer; by  Bob Cyphers Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/autumn-s-oddities--5307439/support .

On the morning of February 14, 2013, Nicole Waller left her boyfriend’s home and disappeared, never to be heard from again. Her body was never found, but her car was. SOURCES Cody Johnston v. State of Montana:  https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/mt-supreme-court/2186463.html#:~:text=On%20the%20morning%20of%20February,Her%20body%20was%20never%20found . Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www...

After years of admiring each other from afar, Serena Karlan and Bison Dele decided the time was right to pursue a relationship. After 9/11, they embarked on a sailing adventure in the Pacific. The couple and boat captain disappeared after Bison’s brother showed up unannounced. They have never been found.  SOURCES https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-20-sp-dele20-story.html https://www....

Do you know who your neighbors are? After the Cold War, the FBI arrested 10 people who’d been spying for Russia for more than a decade. They’d been blending in with Americans, but in reality, they were sleeper spies. Their objective was to disappear into a community and not be recognized for what they were, leaving many questioning who they could trust. SOURCES https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/ope...

When the body of 23-year-old Josh Dufort was found by the side of the road in Henderson, Nevada, it appeared at first to be a random crime. Only after investigators found two life insurance policies taken out in Josh’s name by a new friend did they realize he’d been murdered.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/autumn-s-oddities--5307439/support .

When a group of young Burger Chef employees went missing from their night shift, police initially thought they’d stolen money and run. It was soon apparent that they hadn't gone anywhere willingly.  SOURCES https://www.indystar.com/picture-gallery/news/2023/12/28/from-the-indystar-archives-the-1978-burger-chef-restaurant-murders/72054036007/ https://vault.fbi.gov/speedway-indiana-burger-chef/speed...

Where we left off, Dion Fortune was in the midst of a divorce and living in The Belfry, about to embark on a new leg of her journey. This time I’m getting into the good, the bad, and the ugly the details of one of the most influential people in modern paganism and Wicca. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/autumn-s-oddities--5307439/support .

Dion Fortune was a British occultist, ceremonial magician, novelist, and author. She co-founded the Fraternity of the Inner Light and several other Theosophical organizations. Fortune was a proponent of philosophies that she claimed had been taught to her by spiritual entities known as the Ascended Masters. SOURCES [ T. W. C. Moriarty], Seven Aphorisms of Creation, Seven Cosmic Principles Helena P...

On a cool night in January of 2008, the town of Stephenville, Texas was inundated with unexplained aerial sightings. The incident received widespread media attention at the time and remains among the most notable UAP events in the 21st century. SOURCES https://web.archive.org/web/20080208225743/http://www.ufocasebook.com/2008/sorrellssaga1.html. web.archive.org/web/20080115055543/www.cnn.com/2008/...

For 40 years, one mother worked diligently to ensure that her daughter’s killer would be brought to justice. After decades of chasing would-be suspects, police finally realized that the person who killed Joyce McClain had been hiding in plain sight all along.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/autumn-s-oddities--5307439/support .

When Brittany McGlone was found violently beaten to death in her boyfriend’s bed, the tiny town of Winnsboro, Texas was stunned. Her murder investigation shed light on the men in her life who had motives to kill her and also brought up long-kept secrets that would shock everyone in her life. Her murder remains unsolved, although there is one suspect that stands out above the rest. SOURCES https://...

The women of South Central, LA didn’t realize they were being hunted by a vicious killer in 1988. Police hadn’t yet connected a series of murdered women to the same man, but after an intended victim survived an attempt on her life, they realized that a serial killer was preying on women in the community. It would take decades, but the man known as the Grim Sleeper would eventually face justice. SO...

Tracey Wigginton is infamously known as the Lesbian Vampire Killer by Australians. Wigginton and three friends lured an inebriated Edward Baldock to his death, allegedly to drink his blood. Wigginton stabbed him more than 20 times, almost severing his head. SOURCES The Vampire Killer; by Ron Hicks https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/lesbian-vampire-killer-who-drank-victims-blo...

Retribution came slowly for Skidmore, Missouri’s town scourge, Ken Rex McElroy. After committing a string of heinous crimes and never facing consequences, the townspeople took justice into their own hands. As McElroy sat in his truck in full view of more than 30 people, multiple gunshots rang out and the town bully was gone. SOURCES In Broad Daylight: A murder in Skidmore, Missouri - By Harry N. M...

Cynthia “Cindy” Anderson got ready one morning for her job as a legal secretary. Cindy made it to work and was seen as late as 9:45 am. When her boss arrived at noon, all of the office lights were on and the door was locked from the inside. Cindy’s car was still in the lot, but she was gone. She would never be seen again. SOURCES https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Law-Enforcement/Investigat...

The film industry and martial arts were changed forever by Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee. Not only were they father and son, but they each met a bizarre and untimely end, spawning many conspiracy theories and a possible family curse. SOURCES https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9664576/ https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/06/us/no-charges-filed-in-actor-s-death-during-filming.html https://...