Black Cat Report | UFOs, Cryptids, True Crime & Paranormal

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Cold, dark, and full of hope—that's 2026. Welcome to Episode 138 of the Black Cat Report, where Joey and Gil kick off the new year with their favorite tradition: People Who Fake Their Own Deaths (Part 4)! 🎭
Think we'd run out of folks who ditch their lives and play dead? Think again. This time, we're diving into three wild tales: a poison-happy Alabama housewife who faked her own death TWICE (and somehow convinced her husband she was her own twin), an Indian activist who staged a fiery car crash to escape domestic bliss (with his brother-in-law's very questionable help), and a 14th-century nun who crafted a dummy corpse to escape convent life—described by the Archbishop as having "no shame in procuring its burial in a sacred space."
Perfect for your New Year, New You resolutions—unless your resolution involves faking your death, in which case... maybe don't take notes? 💀
After a little break (we weren't just twiddling our thumbs—Gil's been cooking up something crazy for our Patreon fam), we're back with more bizarre true crime that proves reality is stranger than fiction. Got a story idea? Hit us at contact@blackcat.report.
Love you, mean it. Now press play and let's get weird. 🖤

Sources:
Story 1:
https://maamodt.asp.radford.edu/Psyc%20405/serial%20killers/Hilley,%20Marie%20_2012_.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audrey_Marie_Hilley
https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/crime-news/audrey-marie-hilley-poisons-husband-daughter-escape-prison
Story 2
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-28949959
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandra_Mohan_Sharma
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafia_Raj
Story 3
https://thenorthernway151149306.wordpress.com/joan-of-leeds-her-own-story/
https://www.history.com/articles/runaway-medieval-nun
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Leeds

MUSIC CREDITS:
Outro Music: Lounge Jungle by Curt S D Macdonald
⁠⁠⁠⁠https://download.audiohero.com/track/41504269⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠Music Licensing Agreements: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blackcat.report/music-licensing-agreement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Song on Intro:
Auld Lang Syne - Simon Pettersson https://download.audiohero.com/track/32514257

In this episode, Buck and Stephanie navigate their new life on Palmyra's Atoll after being rescued from a harrowing sea journey. They meet the self-appointed mayor, Jack Wheeler, who introduces them to the island's wildlife and survival skills.
As they adapt to island life, they face challenges, including ethical dilemmas surrounding avicide to clear the runway for planes. The couple's relationship is tested by a dog bite incident, complicating their integration into the local community. In this episode, the conversation delves into the complexities of life on an isolated island, exploring themes of animal behavior, social dynamics, and the challenges of survival.
The hosts discuss the nature of pit bulls, the tensions that arise with new arrivals, and the contrasting perspectives of island life. As resources dwindle, bartering becomes essential, and relationships are tested. A night spent on a luxurious yacht offers a brief escape from the harsh realities of island living, but the looming uncertainties of future conflicts remain palpable.

ALL OUR LINKS: ⁠⁠⁠https://bcr.link/s⁠⁠⁠
PATREON:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/BlackCatReport⁠⁠⁠
Beer, Boos and Boogeymen (B3): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ghost.beer/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT:
Email: contact@blackcat.report
Submit Episode Ideas: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bcr.link/ideas⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/black_cat_report/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Recap of Previous Episodes
02:30 Arrival at Palmyra and Meeting the Neighbors
04:59 Jack Wheeler: The Unofficial Mayor of Palmyra
07:44 Island Life: Challenges and Realities
10:07 The Bird Orgy: A Unique Ecosystem
12:55 Jack's Survival Tips and Culinary Secrets
15:37 The Awkwardness of Jack's Tour
18:35 The Unnecessary Romance in the Narrative
21:35 Jack's Machete and the Coconut Experience
23:37 The Outdoor Bath and Island Hygiene
26:45 The Hermit Crabs and the Island's Ecosystem
30:53 Coconut Chronicles: A Culinary Exploration
37:01 The Ethics of Avicide: A Moral Dilemma
44:31 New Arrivals: The Dynamics of Island Life
51:32 Contrasting Perspectives: Paradise or Prison?
55:03 The Struggle for Survival: Bartering and Tension
57:55 Navigating Tensions on the Island
59:32 Building Connections Through Hospitality
01:00:52 A Night Aboard the Sea Wind
01:05:33 Muff's Letter Home
01:10:45 Foreshadowing Conflict and Tension

MUSIC CREDITS:
Outro Music: Lounge Jungle by Curt S D Macdonald
⁠⁠⁠https://download.audiohero.com/track/41504269⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠Music Licensing Agreements: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blackcat.report/music-licensing-agreement⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Give the Love to Me
Give-the-Love-to-Me-DHT013701
https://download.audiohero.com/track/13441162
⁠Music Licensing Agreements: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blackcat.report/music-licensing-agreement⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

The absurdity of life and death continues as Joey leads us further into our exploration of unusual deaths throughout history, including a series of shark attacks in New Jersey, the bizarre dancing plague of 1518, and the unfortunate demise of a man crushed by cheese.

ALL OUR LINKS: ⁠⁠https://bcr.link/s⁠⁠
PATREON:⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/BlackCatReport⁠⁠
Beer, Boos and Boogeymen (B3): ⁠⁠⁠https://ghost.beer/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
CONNECT:
Email: contact@blackcat.report
Submit Episode Ideas: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bcr.link/ideas⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/black_cat_report/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Unusual Deaths
00:01 The Shark Attacks of 1916
02:56 The First Victim: Charles Van Zandt
08:45 The Second Victim: Charles Brooder
11:50 The Creek Incident: Two Lives Lost
15:46 The Aftermath: Public Reaction and Shark Hunts
22:12 The Shark Conspiracy
24:26 The Unusual Death of Aeschylus
31:12 The Plane Crash and the Crocodile
37:32 The Dancing Plague of 1518
42:36 The Dance Plague of Strasbourg
49:09 Mass Hysteria and Historical Context
54:27 Unusual Deaths: A Series of Bizarre Tales
MUSIC CREDITS:
Outro Music: Lounge Jungle by Curt S D Macdonald
⁠⁠https://download.audiohero.com/track/41504269⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠Music Licensing Agreements: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blackcat.report/music-licensing-agreement⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

TAGS:
#OddHistory #Comedy #UnusualDeaths #BizarreHistory #StrangeStories

We're back from our summer hiatus with a bang! Join us as we dive into the world of unusual and bizarre historical deaths. From the infamous Euphort Latrine Disaster to the peculiar Segway fatality, to Gil's favorite, the legendary London Beer Flood.

ALL OUR LINKS: ⁠⁠https://bcr.link/s⁠⁠
PATREON:⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/BlackCatReport⁠⁠

Beer, Boos and Boogeymen (B3): ⁠⁠⁠https://ghost.beer/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT:
Email: contact@blackcat.report
Submit Episode Ideas: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bcr.link/ideas⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/black_cat_report/
SOURCES:
https://allthatsinteresting.com/erfurt-latrine-disaster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erfurt_latrine_disaster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_Vallandigham
https://www.tba.org/?pg=LawBlog&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=13146
https://theskeletonkeychronicles.com/2021/04/20/oh-murder-i-am-shot-the-tragic-death-of-clement-vallandigham/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Heselden
https://thehistorypress.co.uk/article/the-london-beer-flood/
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/The-London-Beer-Flood-of-1814/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Beer_Flood
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Hayes_(jockey)

In part two, "Knuck if you Buck" the zainy misadventure towards murder begins as we cover the chaotic voyage of Buck Walker and Stephanie Stearns as they naively set sail towards the treacherous Palmyra Atoll.
Amidst egotistical moves, nautical disasters, and survival challenges, our unlikely duo faces a myriad of mayhem on the open sea. It's a ridiculous slo-mo trainwreck.

ALL OUR LINKS: ⁠https://bcr.link/s⁠
PATREON:⁠ https://www.patreon.com/BlackCatReport⁠

Beer, Boos and Boogeymen (B3): ⁠⁠https://ghost.beer/⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT:
Email: contact@blackcat.report
Submit Episode Ideas: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bcr.link/ideas⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/black_cat_report/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SOURCES:
And the Sea Will Tell by Vincent Bugliosi: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Will-Tell-Vincent-Bugliosi/dp/0393327965⁠

00:00 Intro
03:19 Life on the Iola: Chaos and Mismanagement
14:47 Dwindling Supplies and Rising Tensions
18:29 Dorito Rage and Gag Reflexes
20:50 Today's Sponsor
21:53 The Chaos of Sailing with Pets
24:40 Survival Challenges at Sea
25:37 The Squall
30:32 Navigating the Storm
34:39 The Struggles of Navigation
45:25 A Revelation in Navigation
47:54 Navigating the Seas: A Journey Begins
49:00 The Thrill of the Catch: Fishing Adventures
50:34 The Pain of a Deep-Sea Hook
51:45 One Buckn Huge Thumbs Up!
54:28 Land Ho! The Approach to Palmyra
58:12 Motor Trouble: A Race Against Time
59:40 Navigating the Channel: A Test of Skill
01:04:58 Drifting Away: A Heartbreaking Moment
01:08:27 Rescue at Sea: A Helping Hand
01:09:32 Next Steps: The Journey Continues

MUSIC CREDITS:
Outro Music: Lounge Jungle by Curt S D Macdonald
⁠https://download.audiohero.com/track/41504269⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠Music Licensing Agreements: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blackcat.report/music-licensing-agreement⁠⁠ ⁠

TAGS:
#PalmyraAtoll #TrueCrime #Murder #SeaWindMurders #comedy #truecrimestories #sailingadventures #NauticalNightmares