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IN THIS EPISODE: Bugs. Spiders. All manner of creepy crawlies raise goosebumps for many. But even those who have no natural fear of insects might run in terror if they see one the size of a human being. And that is exactly what people around the world have been reporting. (Giant Bugs and Mantis Men) *** In 1974, the Smurl family was tormented by supernatural forces so intense, the haunting even withstood intervention by demonologists. Who or what was behind the terrifying oppression of this previously normal Pennsylvania family? (The Demonic Torture of the Smurl Family) *** There are numerous tales of ships simply disappearing without a trace. Some are never heard from again\u2026 others have created legends that terrify sailors to this day. (Ghost Ships Lost at Sea) *** Weirdo family member Jan Daniels relates events that happened to her on a new job \u2013 with odd happenings in the women\u2019s restroom among other things! (Scarecrows and Towel Dispensers) *** In 1992, runners came across a gruesome discovery in a South Wales state park\u2026 a dead body. But it was only the beginning of what quickly became a string of murders by a serial killer. (The Australian Backpacker Murderer) *** Azrael is known by many names in numerous cultures\u2026 but he is most famously, or infamously known as the angel of destruction. And not only are his powers terrifying \u2013 so is his appearance. (Azrael: The Angel of Destruction) *** When you hear the words \u201cLoch Ness\u201d you immediately think of Nessie \u2013 the Loch Ness Monster. But this deep, lengthy body of water in Scotland is known for other strange creatures \u2013 including what some are reporting as a giant bird of prey. (Loch Ness Monster-Sized Owl) *** At just 14 years old, Jesse Pomeroy became the youngest convicted murderer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. What would drive a boy so young to such brutal crimes? (The Fiend of Boston) *** When you sit down to a good ghost story, you expect horrors, terrifying encounters, frightening situations\u2026 but not all ghosts are malevolent. In fact, some appear to take solace from beyond the grave by reaching out to those still living to help them, even rescue someone or save a mortal\u2019s life. (Ghosts To The Rescue)

YOUTUBE CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS\u2026
00:00:00.000 = Title Story Preview and Show Open
00:04:53.470 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, \u201cMind Over Matthew\u201d (October 21, 1974)
00:51:00.631 = Weird Darkness, \u201cGiant Bugs and Mantis Men, Part 1\u201d
01:01:08.061 = The Black Museum, \u201cFrench-English Dictionary\u201d (Air Date Unknown)
01:26:01.687 = Weird Darkness, \u201cGiant Bugs and Mantis Men, Part 2\u201d
01:44:26.794 = The Mysterious Traveler, \u201cHouse of Death\u201d (January 30, 1944)
02:13:39.507 = Weird Darkness, \u201cThe Demonic Torture of the Smurl Family\u201d
02:22:46.648 = Obsession, \u201cCompartment Car 92: Paranoia Death House Express\u201d (Air Date Unknown)
02:48:25.916 = Weird Darkness, \u201cGhost Ships Lost At Sea, Part 1\u201d
02:54:16.131 = Origin of Superstition, \u201cThrowing Salt\u201d (Air Date Unknown)
03:10:18.169 = Weird Darkness, \u201cGhost Ships Lost At Sea, Part 2\u201d
03:20:03.190 = Weird Darkness, \u201cScarecrows and Towel Dispensers\u201d
03:23:13.681 = The Price Of Fear, \u201cFish\u201d (Air Date Unknown)
03:53:36.691 = Weird Darkness, \u201cAustralian Backpacker Murders\u201d
04:02:42.307 = Quiet Please, \u201cSome People Don\u2019t Die\u201d (December 08, 1947) \u2013 poor audio quality
04:28:02.763 = Weird Darkness, \u201cAzrael: The Angel of Destruction\u201d
04:35:29.258 = Weird Darkness, \u201cGhosts To The Rescue\u201d
04:47:17.943 = Weird Darkness, \u201cLoch Ness Monster-Sized Owl\u201d
04:52:08.921 = Weird Darkness, \u201cThe Fiend of Boston\u201d
05:00:02.068 = The Sealed Book, \u201cQueen of Cats\u201d (June 24, 1945)
05:29:35.065 = Show Close

SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE\u2026
\u201cGiant Bugs And Mantis Men\u201d by Brent Swancer: http://bit.ly/32UKawc
\u201cGhost Ships Lost at Sea\u201d by Elizabeth Lundin: http://bit.ly/2K0h0TY
\u201cThe Demonic Torture of the Smurl Family\u201d by Jacob Shelton: http://bit.ly/32PYAhl
\u201cScarecrows and Towel Dispensers\u201d by Weirdo family member Jan Daniels
\u201cAustralian Backpacker Murderer\u201d by Catherine Phalan: http://bit.ly/2YpkYPc
\u201cAzrael: The Angel of Destruction\u201d by Nathan Gibson: http://bit.ly/2JWkIOk
\u201cLoch Ness Monster-Sized Owl\u201d by Nick Redfern: http://bit.ly/2LI4FXJ
\u201cThe Fiend of Boston\u201d by Stephanie Almazan: http://bit.ly/2GwpX6B
\u201cGhosts To The Rescue\u201d by Inigo Gonzalez: http://bit.ly/2K3q36u
Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library
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(Over time links seen above 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.)
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"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." \u2014 John 12:46
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WeirdDarkness\xae is a registered trademark. Copyright \xa92024, Weird Darkness.
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Originally aired: June 23, 2024

RETRO RADIO LANDING PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/giant-bugs-mantis-men-smurl-family-demon/