Weird Darkness: Paranormal & True Crime Stories

• BEFORE DRACULA: The Ancient Vampire Legends That Started It All

  What if Dracula wasn't inspired by Vlad the Impaler at all, but by an ancient Irish vampire king buried upside-down under a thorn tree? Uncover the disturbing true stories, from Elizabeth Báthory's blood baths to premature burials during plague outbreaks, to ancient demons that stalked babies in their cribs—discover the dark tapestry of true stories, medical mysteries, and folklore that created the world's most famous vampire.Read the full article: https://weirddarkness.com/dracula-origins-real-history/Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE for the ad-free version: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateTake the WEIRD DARKNESS LISTENER SURVEY and help mold the future of the podcast: https://weirddarkness.com/surveyIN THIS EPISODE: Everyone knows about Dracula. Most everyone has seen at least one film starring the undead blood-sucker, or has read the novel by Bram Stoker. But only the real fans of Dracula know about the real people and true stories that inspired Bram Stoker to create the character.SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…BOOK: “Transylvania Superstitions” by Emily Gerard: https://amzn.to/3vsAqrsBOOK: “Carmilla” by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu: https://amzn.to/3cw291IHistory.com, Ranker.com, AtlasObscura.com, InternationalHero.co.uk, HowStuffWorks.com, Universtiy of Iowa’s Victorian Wiki, Google Books, HistoryIreland.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/mnrpdm36,https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/eeypjjz3, https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4et6ysvs,https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5bcstakc, https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/53vbu5dr, https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/bhd6f7yv,https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/y36n7y9v, https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2nc96tjx, https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2848x4mkWeird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library.= = = = =(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.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness.= = = = =Originally aired: March 16, 2021EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/BeforeDraculaABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.#DraculaOrigins #VampireHistory #TrueCrimeHorror #WeirdDarkness #GothicHorror

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• DEATH FOLLOWS THOSE WHO DISTURB THE DEAD: The Origin of the Superstition

  Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE for the ad-free version: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateWhen Lord Cameron's archaeological team pried open the sealed tomb of an ancient Egyptian king, they laughed at the hieroglyphic warnings of death carved above the entrance. Within days, the expedition's laughter turned to screams as one by one, the curse claimed them all, proving that some doors between the living and the dead should never be opened. | #RetroRadio EP0511CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:30.028 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, “A Question of Identity” (November 12, 1976) ***WD00:45:36.505 = Obsession, “Cry Vengeance” (May 05, 1952) ***WD01:15:03.010 = Origin of Superstition, “Don’t Disturb The Dead” (1935)01:29:15.709 = Peril, “Killer” (1953) ***WD01:52:32.584 = Mystery Playhouse, “Cask of Amontillado” (April 24, 1945) ***WD02:21:28.447 = Philip Morris Playhouse, “Lady From The Sea” (1939-1949) ***WD02:49:34.631 = Price of Fear, “Lot 132” (October 06, 1973) ***WD03:16:24.169 = Adventures of Ellery Queen, “Green Gorillas” (February 12, 1947) ***WD03:42:31.672 = Quiet Please, “Anonymous” (September 19, 1948)04:11:58.072 = Radio City Playhouse, “No Shoes” (May 09, 1949) ***WD04:40:26.063 = Hollywood Mystery Time, “Murder By Coincidence” (August 19, 1945) ***WD05:10:21.114 = Show Close(ADU) = Air Date Unknown(LQ) = Low Quality***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing.Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music LibraryABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.= = = = =#ParanormalRadio #ScienceFiction #OldTimeRadio #OTR #OTRHorror #ClassicRadioShows #HorrorRadioShows #VintageRadioDramasCUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0511

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• WHAT THE HECK IS A HUMPTY DOO POLTERGEIST? #WDRadio WEEK OF SEPT 14, 2025

  HOUR ONE: We are all familiar with humans’ desire to fly. There are many legends about flying horses in various parts of the world, and they all have common characteristics that make them difficult to dismiss as only aviation dreams of the ancient people. Do some myths and legends reveal ancient people had sufficient technical knowledge to produce sophisticated flying machines? (Ancient Mechanical Flying Horses) *** A man in China claims to have been abducted by aliens not just once… not just twice… but three times. But will you believe his story after hearing the details? (Flying on an Alien’s Back) *** There’s an odd grave marker at Riverside Cemetery in Wahpeton, North Dakota – and an odd story that goes along with it. I’ll tell you about the strange obelisk draped in rope and chains. (The Wahpeton Circus Grave) *** Those who walk along the wooded Hinds Road in Gadsden, Alabama should be wary, for there is a legend that residing there is a witch who sold her soul to the devil. (The Gadsden Witch of Alabama) *** You may think that a ghost referred to as ‘Humpty Doo’ might be fun-loving and perhaps even a little goofy. However, Humpty Doo is an Australian slang term that means everything is being turned upside down...and, fittingly, it is also the name of the town where some bizarre poltergeist events took place. (The Humpty-Doo Poltergeist) *** Plus, from Paranormality Magazine - “Haunted Rockville, Indiana!”=HOUR TWO: 
We travel to the Antarctic – onto it, over it, and under it… and find some strange, and often terrifying things during the trip. (Antarctic Apparitions And Eerie Enigmas)===SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME: More strangeness from the Antarctic!=SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM TONIGHT’S SHOW:“Haunted Rockville, Indiana” by Kjristi Beth for Paranormality Magazine“Antarctica Strangeness” by Ellen Lloyd for Ancient Pages: https://tinyurl.com/y5unjlwe,https://tinyurl.com/y494goxn, https://tinyurl.com/y4q2w754“Ghostly Shivers in Antarctica” by Erin McCann for Ranker: https://tinyurl.com/y2rxprvw“Antarctic Oddities” from Wayfair Travel: https://tinyurl.com/yxrjd4zv“Ancient Mechanical Flying Horses” by Ellen Lloyd for Ancient Pages: https://tinyurl.com/y5nvjukg,https://tinyurl.com/y6arm4bw“The Humpty-Doo Poltergeist” from Astonishing Legends: https://tinyurl.com/yxgl75la“Flying on an Alien’s Back” by Tristan for Bizarre and Grotesque: https://tinyurl.com/yy4gtajy“The Wahpeton Circus Grave” from Journal of the Bizarre: https://tinyurl.com/y22nax92“The Gadsden Witch of Alabama” by Christina Skelton: https://tinyurl.com/y22u3adk(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.)=========="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.

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• “NIGHTMARE!” | She Woke Up From Murdering Her Husband - Or Did She?

  Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE for the ad-free version: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateA woman experiences a vivid and terrifying nightmare in which she murders her husband. Upon waking, her husband dismisses it as a mere dream, attributing it to everyday stresses like eating hamburgers or their upcoming anniversary. However, the story takes a chilling turn when, after she falls back asleep, the phone rings with ominous news. It’s “NIGHTMARE” from Murder at Midnight!| #RetroRadio EP0510CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:30.028 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, “Strike Force” (November 11, 1976)00:45:51.234 = Isn’t It a Crime, “Speaking of Murder” (December 14, 1945)01:14:43.712 = Mystery In The Air, “Lodger” (August 14, 1947)01:44:18.083 = Molle Mystery Theater, “Four Fatal Jugglers” (November 14, 1947) ***WD (LQ)02:12:17.683 = Rock Fortune, “Museum Murder” (January 19, 1954)02:35:09.480 = Murder at Midnight, “Nightmare” (November 11, 1946) ***WD03:02:23.101 = The Black Museum, “Frosted Glass Shards” (April 22, 1952) ***WD03:25:55.077 = Mysterious Traveler, “Man From Singapore” (April 04, 1950) ***WD03:55:28.490 = Mystery House, “Time To Kill” (June 21, 1946) ***WD04:21:23.013 = CBC Nightfall, “The Thinking Room” (February 19, 1982)04:47:52.174 = Show Close(ADU) = Air Date Unknown(LQ) = Low Quality***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing.Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music LibraryABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.= = = = =#ParanormalRadio #ScienceFiction #OldTimeRadio #OTR #OTRHorror #ClassicRadioShows #HorrorRadioShows #VintageRadioDramasCUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0510

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• THE YUBA COUNTY FIVE: 5 Men Disappeared on a Mountain Road - What Happened Next Makes No Sense

  Five men went to a basketball game in 1978 and somehow ended up on a mountain road 70 miles in the wrong direction, where they abandoned their working car and vanished into the wilderness. When searchers found some of them months later, the evidence made even less sense than their disappearance… including finding the body of one man who died of starvation despite being surrounded by food.Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE for the ad-free version: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateTake the WEIRD DARKNESS LISTENER SURVEY and help mold the future of the podcast: https://weirddarkness.com/surveyIN THIS EPISODE: Five men disappear, and the more closely you look at the case, the more you question what exactly happened to each one of them. It is such a strange case, that a Yuba County, California police officer is quoted as saying, “This case is bizarre as hell.” (The Yuba County Five Disappearance) *** 
An incident of four men choosing to go skinny dipping ends up in court. (It’s a Matter of Honor, Your Honor) *** What started out to be a fun family outing on a pleasant summer day would soon take a horrible turn for an innocent five-year-old girl. (The Tragic Story of Nyleen Kay Marshall) *** Russian pilot Lieutenant Colonel Lev Vyatkin has had encounters with unidentified flying objects twice while in flight. And his second encounter left him shaken – and his plane’s wing glowing in the dark for days afterward. (UFO Shoots Ray at Russian Pilot) *** A pig pen goes up in flames – and you won’t believe what caused it! (Pig Poops Out Pedometer and Sparks Fire)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = A Quick Message From Darren00:00:54.719 = Yuba County Five, Part 100:02:58.541 = Show Open00:04:46.535 = Yuba County Five, Part 200:14:55.657 = It’s a Matter of Honor, Your Honor00:25:30.428 = UFO Shoots Ray at Russian Pilot00:31:12.900 = Tragic Story of Nyleen Kay Marshall00:46:23.395 = Pig Pops Out Pedometer and Sparks Fire00:48:01.237 = Show CloseSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…“The Yuba County Five Disappearance” by Jake Rossen for MentalFloss.com: https://tinyurl.com/y3mt46np“It’s a Matter of Honor, Your Honor” posted at the website London-Overlooked: https://tinyurl.com/y23egyvd“The Tragic Story of Nyleen Kay Marshall” by Crystaldawn for LostNFoundBlogs.com: https://tinyurl.com/yxeantme“UFO Shoots Ray at Russian Pilot” by A. Sutherland for MessageToEagle.com: https://tinyurl.com/yywrvn5p“Pig Poops Out Pedometer and Sparks Fire” by Mindy Weisberger for LiveScience.com: https://tinyurl.com/te2luo6(How to Dispose of Batteries: https://tinyurl.com/y33msrxt)=====(Over time links 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.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: August 26, 2020EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources):https://weirddarkness.com/YubaCountyFiveABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.#YubaCountyFive #UnsolvedMystery #TrueCrime #ColdCase #MissingPersons

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