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… 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 – with odd happenings in the women’s restroom among other things! (Scarecrows and Towel Dispensers) *** In 1992, runners came across a gruesome discovery in a South Wales state park… 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… but he is most famously, or infamously known as the angel of destruction. And not only are his powers terrifying – so is his appearance. (Azrael: The Angel of Destruction) *** When you hear the words “Loch Ness” you immediately think of Nessie – the Loch Ness Monster. But this deep, lengthy body of water in Scotland is known for other strange creatures – 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… 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’s life. (Ghosts To The Rescue)

YOUTUBE CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS…
00:00:00.000 = Title Story Preview and Show Open
00:04:53.470 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, “Mind Over Matthew” (October 21, 1974)
00:51:00.631 = Weird Darkness, “Giant Bugs and Mantis Men, Part 1”
01:01:08.061 = The Black Museum, “French-English Dictionary” (Air Date Unknown)
01:26:01.687 = Weird Darkness, “Giant Bugs and Mantis Men, Part 2”
01:44:26.794 = The Mysterious Traveler, “House of Death” (January 30, 1944)
02:13:39.507 = Weird Darkness, “The Demonic Torture of the Smurl Family”
02:22:46.648 = Obsession, “Compartment Car 92: Paranoia Death House Express” (Air Date Unknown)
02:48:25.916 = Weird Darkness, “Ghost Ships Lost At Sea, Part 1”
02:54:16.131 = Origin of Superstition, “Throwing Salt” (Air Date Unknown)
03:10:18.169 = Weird Darkness, “Ghost Ships Lost At Sea, Part 2”
03:20:03.190 = Weird Darkness, “Scarecrows and Towel Dispensers”
03:23:13.681 = The Price Of Fear, “Fish” (Air Date Unknown)
03:53:36.691 = Weird Darkness, “Australian Backpacker Murders”
04:02:42.307 = Quiet Please, “Some People Don’t Die” (December 08, 1947) – poor audio quality
04:28:02.763 = Weird Darkness, “Azrael: The Angel of Destruction”
04:35:29.258 = Weird Darkness, “Ghosts To The Rescue”
04:47:17.943 = Weird Darkness, “Loch Ness Monster-Sized Owl”
04:52:08.921 = Weird Darkness, “The Fiend of Boston”
05:00:02.068 = The Sealed Book, “Queen of Cats” (June 24, 1945)
05:29:35.065 = Show Close

SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…
“Giant Bugs And Mantis Men” by Brent Swancer: http://bit.ly/32UKawc
“Ghost Ships Lost at Sea” by Elizabeth Lundin: http://bit.ly/2K0h0TY
“The Demonic Torture of the Smurl Family” by Jacob Shelton: http://bit.ly/32PYAhl
“Scarecrows and Towel Dispensers” by Weirdo family member Jan Daniels
“Australian Backpacker Murderer” by Catherine Phalan: http://bit.ly/2YpkYPc
“Azrael: The Angel of Destruction” by Nathan Gibson: http://bit.ly/2JWkIOk
“Loch Ness Monster-Sized Owl” by Nick Redfern: http://bit.ly/2LI4FXJ
“The Fiend of Boston” by Stephanie Almazan: http://bit.ly/2GwpX6B
“Ghosts To The Rescue” by Inigo Gonzalez: http://bit.ly/2K3q36u
Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library
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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." — John 12:46
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WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, 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/