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Weird Darkness is narrated by professional full-time voice actor Darren Marlar. No A.I. voices are ever used in the show. Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version with all artwork created for the YouTube and podcast thumbnails:\xa0https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3a67n5y5

IN THIS EPISODE: Many ghost stories are frightening but leave the person encountering them shaken, but no more worse for wear. Perhaps a light touch on the shoulder, the moving of an object, a whisper in the ear, or a cold chill for the more intense cases. But then there are those hauntings that leave the person hysterical\u2026 or physically hurt\u2026 or even dead. We\u2019ll look at some of the most violent ghosts and hauntings of all time. (History\u2019s Most Violent Ghosts) *** Dixon, Illinois needed a bridge \u2013 Mr. L.E. Truesdell was an expert bridge builder. But people had doubts as to whether what he was being asked to do could be accomplished. The naysayers were ignored \u2013 and tragedy arrived, (The Truesdell Bridge Disaster) *** The witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts were horrid\u2026 the trials in Europe even more so. Now, imagine being a soldier tried as a witch because you returned with supernatural knowledge imparted to you after you were abducted by extraterrestrials. It sounds like the makings of a terrible novel and an even worse movie\u2026 but it\u2019s the true story of Major Thomas Weir. (The True Story of the Alien Abduction Witch Trial) *** He\u2019s believed to have killed over 50 women inside his soundproof torture trailer \u2013 which he called his \u201ctoy box.\u201d We\u2019ll look at the case of serial killer David Parker Ray. (Evils of the Toybox Killer) *** Our criminal justice system tries to be the most fair in the world \u2013 considering the accused \u201cinnocent until proven guilty.\u201d And while our system is not perfect, for the most part it does its job well. But because it is not perfect, once in a while a murderer walks\u2026 or even worse, an innocent defendant goes to prison. And in some cases, that innocent person is convicted and imprisoned based on one thing \u2013 they confessed to the crime that they didn\u2019t commit. Why would someone do that? (Why Do Innocent People Confess?) *** Port St. Lucie, Florida is full of disturbing urban legends \u2013 some true, many false \u2013 as urban legends go. But somehow, most all of these terrifying stories tie back to a single oak tree in a neighborhood park, and Florida\u2019s first serial killer. (The Devil Tree Hauntings)

CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)\u2026
00:00:00.000 = Cold Open and Show Intro
00:04:50.750 = The Devil Tree Hauntings
00:17:28.301 = History\u2019s Most Violent Ghosts
00:40:09.259 = The True Story of the Alien Abduction Witch Trial
00:49:28.485 = Evils of the Toybox Killer
01:02:36.295 = The Truesdell Bridge Disaster
01:13:32.555 = Why Do Innocent People Confess?
01:21:29.451 = Show Close
SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE\u2026
\u201cHistory\u2019s Most Violent Ghosts\u201d by Robert F. Mason for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3x42y575
\u201cThe True Story of the Alien Abduction Witch Trial\u201d by Marcus Lowth for UFO Insight: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/bdhrv3hu
\u201cThe Devil Tree Hauntings\u201d posted at MiamiHaunts.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2sp2wakz
\u201cEvils of the Toybox Killer\u201d by Jaclyn Anglis for All That\u2019s Interesting:\xa0https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/jep7tnxf
\u201cThe Truesdell Bridge Disaster\u201d by Kathi Kresol for HauntedRockford.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4c94hvjy
\u201cWhy Do Innocent People Confess?\u201d by Lea Rose Emery for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/bjtvenfv
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: July 24, 2023

CUSTOM LANDING PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/violentghosts