In 1953, dogs and livestock in Bladenboro, North Carolina began turning up dead with their skulls crushed flat and their bodies completely drained of blood, while witnesses reported seeing a massive cat-like creature that made sounds like a woman screaming. Over 70 years later, similar attacks still occur in the area, and despite massive hunts involving over a thousand people, no one has ever caught or identified what's killing these animals.

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IN THIS EPISODE: Every part of the world seems to have its own share of cryptids – and sometimes, creatures that are unique to that area. For example, along with the ubiquitous Bigfoot, you might have heard about North Carolina’s “Moon-Eyed People”, or “The Wampus Cat”. But I’m guessing you’ve not heard about what some call “The Vampire Beast” of Bladenboro. (The Beast of Bladenboro) *** The story of Isabella Guzman went viral on TikTok six years after she was convicted of the murder of her mother. During the trial she claimed she was abused… then she pleaded insanity. But one good thing did come from the trial… a serious discussion about mental illness. (Isabella Guzman: The Viral Teenage Killer) *** If you’re a proponent of execution – no judgement here, just go with me – the only way to see that through is to have someone push the button, flip the switch, pull the trigger, or whatever method is being used in order to snuff out the life of the soon-to-be-dead inmate. Someone has to get their hands dirty, metaphorically speaking. And even if you think you’d have the stomach and determination to do the job – let me ask you this. Would you be okay with literally getting your hands bloody? Would you survive as a Medieval executioner, using an axe to chop off your victims heads? What would life be like with that job? (Life As a Medieval Executioner) *** We’ve all heard of cryptids like Bigfoot, Mothman, the Loch Ness Monster, the Jersey Devil, the Dogman, and so on. But have you ever heard of a cryptid that isn’t flesh and blood, but were made of plants? (Plant-Based Cryptids)
CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = Lead-In
00:00:50.719 = Show Open
00:03:28.752 = The Beast of Bladenboro
00:16:54.272 = Isabella Guzman: The Viral Teenage Killer
00:28:02.010 = Life As a Medieval Executioner
00:42:10.235 = Plant-Based Cryptids
00:57:10.799 = Show Close

SOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…
“Plant-Based Cryptids” by Amanda Boisen for Graveyard Shift: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2hdatwb9
“Isabella Guzman: The Viral Teenage Killer” by Patrick Thornton for Unspeakable Crimes:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p84bssv
“Life As a Medieval Executioner” by Aleksa Vuckovic for Ancient Origins: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p97sj76
“The Beast of Bladenboro” by Laura Allan for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p9hcnaw
=====(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: September 19, 2023
EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/BeastOfBladenboro
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ABOUT 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.