Pathological Poltergeists to Murderous Manifestations: History's Most Violent Hauntings
Weird Darkness: Paranormal & True Crime Stories
Darren Marlar
4.6 • 4.1K Ratings
🗓️ 27 June 2025
⏱️ 81 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicate
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… or physically hurt… or even dead. We’ll look at some of the most violent ghosts and hauntings of all time. (History’s Most Violent Ghosts) *** Dixon, Illinois needed a bridge – 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 – and tragedy arrived, (The Truesdell Bridge Disaster) *** The witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts were horrid… 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… but it’s the true story of Major Thomas Weir. (The True Story of the Alien Abduction Witch Trial) *** He’s believed to have killed over 50 women inside his soundproof torture trailer – which he called his “toy box.” We’ll 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 – considering the accused “innocent until proven guilty.” 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… or even worse, an innocent defendant goes to prison. And in some cases, that innocent person is convicted and imprisoned based on one thing – they confessed to the crime that they didn’t commit. Why would someone do that? (Why Do Innocent People Confess?) *** Port St. Lucie, Florida is full of disturbing urban legends – some true, many false – 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’s first serial killer. (The Devil Tree Hauntings)
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.
CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = Lead-In
00:00:55.371 = Show Open
00:04:12.885 = The Devil Tree Hauntings
00:15:28.295 = History’s Most Violent Ghosts
00:36:32.777 = The True Story of the Alien Abduction Witch Trial
00:45:55.817 = Evils of the Toybox Killer
00:57:04.271 = The Truesdell Bridge Disaster
01:07:45.917 = Why Do Innocent People Confess?
01:15:48.277 = Show Close
SOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…
“History’s Most Violent Ghosts” by Robert F. Mason for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3x42y575
“The True Story of the Alien Abduction Witch Trial” by Marcus Lowth for UFO Insight: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/bdhrv3hu
“The Devil Tree Hauntings” posted at MiamiHaunts.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2sp2wakz
“Evils of the Toybox Killer” by Jaclyn Anglis for All That’s Interesting: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/jep7tnxf
“The Truesdell Bridge Disaster” by Kathi Kresol for HauntedRockford.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4c94hvjy
“Why Do Innocent People Confess?” by Lea Rose Emery for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/bjtvenfv
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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 ©2025, Weird Darkness.
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Originally aired: July 24, 2023
EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/ViolentHauntings
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Now, there's a new way to share weird darkness with the weirdos in your life. |
| 0:04.1 | It's a skill on your Amazon Echo device. |
| 0:06.5 | Just say, play Weird Darkness, and you'll immediately start hearing the newest episode. |
| 0:10.9 | With your Amazon Echo or Smart Device, you can let me keep you company all day and all night. |
| 0:16.2 | And it's easy to tell your friends how to tune in, too. |
| 0:18.9 | Just tell your Amazon device, play Weird Darkness |
| 0:21.6 | to start listening. They've been here for thousands of years, making their presence known in |
| 0:28.1 | the shadows. They might be seen by a lonely motorist on a deserted road late at night, or by a |
| 0:34.6 | frightened and confused husband in the bedroom he is sharing with his wife. |
| 0:39.1 | Perhaps the most disconcerting part of this phenomenon boils down to this question. |
| 0:44.8 | Has the government been aware of their presence all along and is covertly working with them |
| 0:50.6 | towards some secret end? |
| 0:53.1 | In the audiobook, Rungs of Disclosure, What Once Was Fringe, is now reality. |
| 0:59.7 | While listening, you'll meet regular people just like you who have encountered something |
| 1:03.8 | beyond their ability to explain. |
| 1:06.8 | You'll also hear from people of great faith and deep religious belief who continue to |
| 1:11.5 | have these strange and deeply unsettling encounters. |
| 1:15.6 | Author L.A. Marzuli explores these ongoing incidents to discover the answers to these questions. |
| 1:21.7 | Who are they? What do they want? And why are they here? |
| 1:30.3 | Can you handle the truth? |
| 1:33.3 | Listen to this audiobook, if you dare. |
| 1:35.2 | Rungs of Disclosure Following the Trail of Extraterrestrials and the End Times by L.A. Marzuli, narrated by Darren Marler. |
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