Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown

What began as a birthday celebration in Queens ended with a life cut short and a community reeling. When actor and musician Isaiah Stokes let a feud from that night fester, it set in motion a plan that would leave Tyrone Jones dead and his family heartbroken. From the party to the ambush to the tense courtroom battle, this story follows how a single grudge grew into something far more tragic.   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Episode Sources: “Defendent Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for 2021 Ambush Murder” from Melinda Katz, Queens County District Attorney, March 21, 2025 “Actor Isaiah Stokes Convicted of ‘Calculated’ Murder After Being Kicked Out of N.Y.C. Birthday Party” by Nicole Acosta, March 13, 2025, People “Isaiah Stokes, Law & Order: SVU and Boardwalk Empire Actor, Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for N.Y.C. Murder” by Charlotte Phillipp, March 22, 2025, Peopl “Defendent Convicted of Murder for 2021 Ambush Shooting” from Melinda Katz, Queens County District Attorney, March 10, 2025 “Actor who appeared on ‘Law & Order’ sentenced for ‘calculated,’ revenge-fueled murder of Queens man” by Georgett Roberts and Georgia Worrell, March 22, 2025, New York Post “Actor who appeared on ‘Law & Order’ sentenced for ‘calculated,’ revenge-fueled murder of Queens man” by Georgett Roberts and Georgia Worrell, March 22, 2025, New York Post “Queens TV actor convicted of 2021 St. Albans murder in real-life crime drama: DA” by Bill Parry, March 10, 2025, QNS Isaiah Stokes on IMDb “Actor Isaiah Stokes Found Guilty of 2021 Murder” by Cedric “BIG CED” Thornton, March 12, 2025, Black Enterprise “Tyrone Jamel "TJ" Jones, Jr. of New York, New York | 1983 - 2021 | Obituary” from Nickelson-Cummings Funeral Home “Baggage (SVU)” from Law and Order Wiki on Fandom “From Our Neighborhood To Yours” website   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

31-year-old Helen Mintiks (known professionally as Helen Hagnes) left the orchestra pit to get a drink. It was intermission for the Met musicians and Helen was hoping to speak with the lead dancer of the ballet whom she believed was relaxing in his dressing room. When the musicians returned to the pit to take their seats, Helen wasn't among them. Her body was found the next day.   Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Episode Sources: "Murder at the Met" by David Black, 1984, Dial Press “Remembering Violinist Helen Hagnes, 40 Years After Her Murder at the Met” by Thomas Suarez, July 12, 2020 “Two Rooftop Murders, Decades Apart” by Charles Delafuente, The New York Times, Aug 8, 2008 “The tragic tale of a top violinist who vanished mid-performance at New York’s Met Opera House” by Sophia Alexandra Hall, Classic fM, Sep 12, 2024 “How a Real-Life 'Phantom of the Opera' Murdered a Young Violinist at the Met in 1980” by Sal Bono, Inside Edition, June 15, 2019 “Craig Crimmins, Phantom of the Metropolitan Opera” Chelsea News, Feb 16, 2015 “Death of a Violinist” by Kenneth Sandler, The Washington Post, July 25, 1980 “CONFESSION DETAILS GIVEN AS OPERA MURDER TRIAL STARTS” by E. R. Shipp, The New York Times, Apr 28, 1981 “Miss Hagnes Described As 'a Beautiful Person'; Studied in Europe In 'First-Call' Category Photographer Recalls Incident” by John Corry, The New York Times, July 25, 1980 “Personality Spotlight; NEWLN: Craig Crimmins: Stagehand convicted of murder” UPI Archives, June 4, 1981 “ABOUT NEW YORK; A MOTHER HOPES AND TRIES TO UNDERSTAND” The New York Times, Apr 29, 1981 “JURY TOLD CRIMMINS SOUGHT HELP IN EXPLAINING ABSENCE” by E. R. Shipp, The New York Times, May 2, 1981 “Even Model NYS Inmates Face Steep Barriers to Parole” by Bill Hughes, City Limits, Sep 17, 2014   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

The Blair Witch Project redefined horror with nothing more than three actors, a few cameras, and a week in the woods—and the chaos didn’t stop when the film ended. Between its improvised shoot, eerie alternate endings, and ties to real Maryland legends, the movie left audiences guessing what was real and what wasn’t. Fan theories kept the mystery alive, while lawsuits and disputes proved that the legacy of Blair Witch was every bit as unsettling as the film itself.   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Episode Sources: “‘Blair Witch' makers sued by ex-partner” from Tampa Bay Times, published August 4, 1999, updated September 29, 2005 “‘Witch’ trial may proceed, judge rules” by Janet Shprintz, February 8, 2008, Variety “FILM PRODUCER SETTLES ‘BLAIR WITCH’ LAWSUIT” published December 2, 2000, updated August 6, 2021, Orlando Sentinel “Suit Claims 'Blair Witch' Role” by CBSNews.com staff, August 3, 1999, CBS News “The Blair Witch Project - 4 Alternate Endings” by The Blair Witch Archives, May 5, 2025, YouTube “Blair Witch Project Had 3 Alternate Endings (How Each Would Have Changed It)” by Josephine Michele, December 21, 2021, Screen Rant “15 Fan Theories About 'The Blair Witch Project'” by Jodi Smith, December 9, 2021, Ranker “Revisiting One of the Best Viral Marketing Campaigns of All Time” from Speaking Human How ‘The Blair Witch Project’ revolutionized movie marketing” by Josh Rottenberg, published July 30, 2024, updated July 31, 2024, LA Times “‘The Blair Witch Project’ Fan Theory Makes the Movie Even More Sinister” by Mike Rampton, January 21, 2024, Mental Floss “Blair Witch Project embroiled in litigation” from The Guardian on February 10, 2000 “The Blair Witch Project’s original cast ask for retroactive payments as reboot announced” by Michael Sun, April 22, 2024, The Guardian “‘Blair Witch Project’ Actors Push for Retroactive Royalties” by Sopan Deb, April 22, 2024, The New York Times “'Blair Witch' actors sue film's distributor” by Steve Irsay, Court TV, October 17, 2002, CNN “‘The Blair Witch Project’ Actors Call Out ‘Reprehensible Behavior’ After Missing Out on Profits for Decades: ‘Don’t Do What We Did’ (EXCLUSIVE)” by Adam B. Vary, June 12, 2024, Variety “‘The Blair Witch Project’ Was a Financial Nightmare for Its Stars” by Katherine Ann, October 20, 2024, Collider “Before Reality Became Debatable, There Was ‘The Blair Witch Project’” by Maya Salem, August 7, 2024, The New York Times “The Blair Witch Project: the story of how a low-budget film shook the world and changed horror forever” by Annabel Nugent, April 23, 2024, The Independent “The Terrifying True Story of How ‘The Blair Witch Project’ Was Made” by Tatiana Tenreyro, July 16, 2019, VICE “The Making of ‘The Blair Witch Project’ Was More Brutal Than Its Finale” by Chris Sasaguay, March 13, 2024, Collider “25 years on, The Blair Witch Project leaves its mark on horror — and the film's stars” by Jonathan Ore, August 3, 2024, CBC Radio “What Happened to the Cast of The Blair Witch Project?” by Rachel Holbrook, October 13, 2024, MovieWeb “The Blair Witch Project” on IMDb “Blair Witch Project Killer Theory Totally Changes How You See The Movie” by Cathal Gunning, May 21, 2023, Screen Rant   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy  

The Lady of the Dunes remains one of Cape Cod’s most haunting mysteries, but years after her body was found in 1974, a surprising theory surfaced: could she have appeared as an extra in the movie Jaws? With the blockbuster filming nearby at the same time, author (and son of Stephen King) Joe Hill spotted a woman onscreen who seemed eerily similar to the unidentified victim. The idea sparked national fascination, especially when the cold case was solved in 2022.   Follow us: IG, FB   Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Episode Sources: “'Lady of the Dunes' Ruth Marie Terry killed by husband Guy Muldavin in 1974, investigators conclude” by WBZ-News Staff, August 28, 2023, CBS News “Who Was the Lady of the Dunes? All About Ruth Marie Terry's Life and Death” by Jax Miller, December 2, 2024, Oxygen “Lady of the Dunes: A new headstone in Provincetown and a new documentary” by Gwenn Friss, November 23, 2024, Cape Cod Times “‘Lady of the Dunes’ Identified: FBI’s Use of Investigative Genealogy Led to Major Break in Case” from FBI Boston, October 31, 2022 “He Finally Found His Mom. She Was the Long-Unknown Murder Victim Lady of the Dunes” by NBC Boston, December 3, 2022 “How the 1975 Film Jaws Brought Attention to the Lady of the Dunes Mystery” by Caitlin Schunn, November 21, 2024, Oxygen “Who killed The Lady of the Dunes? How Jaws could hold the answer” by Sheila Flynn, November 3, 2022, The Independent “Former California radio host killed 'Lady of the Dunes,' district attorney says” by Katie Dowd, August 29, 2023, SFGate “‘Lady of the Dunes’: The murder mystery during the filming of ‘Jaws’” by Calum Russell, April 9, 2023, Far Out Magazine “Killer in nearly 50-year-old 'Lady of the Dunes' case identified as victim's husband” by Antonio Planas, August 29, 2023, NBC News “How One Man's "Unbelievable Journey" to Find His Mother Helped ID the Lady of the Dunes” by Jax Miller, December 2, 2024, Oxygen “All About The Lady of the Dunes' Suspected Killer, Her Husband: ‘There Were Stories…’” by Jill Sederstrom, November 30, 2024, Oxygen “Guy Rockwell Muldavin” on Find A Grave “California man questioned in double murder linked to 'Lady of the Dunes' victim Ruth Marie Terry” by Katie Dowd, November 3, 2022, SFGate “Long Unsolved Murder Comes Into Focus” by K.C. Myers, November 30, 2022, The Provincetown Independent “Cape Cod's ‘Lady of the Dunes' murder case closed as killer is IDed” by Kathy Curran and Asher Klein, August 28, 2023, NBC Philadelphia   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

UPDATE! The sudden death of paranormal investigator Dan Rivera during the “Devils on the Run” tour reignited rumors about the infamous haunted Annabelle doll. Just weeks later, comedian Matt Rife and YouTuber Elton Castee announced they had purchased/leased the Warrens’ former home and museum, including our Raggedy Ann girl. Yikes!   Episode Sources: “Annabelle doll update: Comedian Matt Rife purchases haunted home and museum” by Megan Ziegler, August 2, 2025, FOX Local “Annabelle Doll Handler Dan Rivera’s Nature of Death Revealed” by Gabrielle Chung, July 17, 2025, E! News “Ghost Adventures' Zak Bagans Was "Very Affected" by Annabelle Doll Before Dan Rivera's Death” by Gabrielle Chung, July 16, 2025, E! News “'Evil' Annabelle Doll Update After 'Missing' Reports Spread” by Marni Rose McFall, May 25, 2025, Newsweek “Police find 'nothing unusual' at scene of Annabelle doll handler's death” by Jonathan Limehouse, July 16, 2025, USA TODAY “Dan Rivera Coroner Shares Update on 'Possessed' Annabelle in Cause of Death” by Megan Cartwright, July 21, 2025, Newsweek “Dan Rivera's Wife Sarah Makes Heartbreaking Statement After He Dies on 'Annabelle' Tour” by Jessica McBride, July 16, 2025, Yahoo Entertainment “Up-Coming Events” from Seekers of the Supernatural “Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga React to Comedian Matt Rife Buying the Real-Life Conjuring House (Exclusive)” by Raven Brunner, August 25, 2025, People   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

*If you'd like to skip our banter in the beginning, fast forward about 8 minutes. In 1988 Bob Samuels was busy working as a camera assistant on "Lethal Weapon 2," the latest in a long string of films for the 40-year-old. He seemingly had everything he'd ever wanted - the woman of his dreams, an adopted daughter, and a career in the film industry. But when he was found murdered in his home in December of '88, detectives were stumped. With everyone in his life describing what a generous, hard-working guy Bob was, it begged the question: who on earth would want to hurt him?   Episode Sources: People v. Samuels, Supreme Court of California, June 27, 2005 “‘Green Widow’ Convicted in Deaths of Husband, Hit Man” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, July 2, 1994 “‘Green Widow’ Masterminded Hits on Estranged Husband and His Killer, Took Nude Photo Covered in Insurance Money” by Joe Dziemianowicz, Oxygen True Crime, Nov 10, 2023 “Murder Defendant’s Daughter Says Her Stepfather Raped and Beat Her” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, May 6, 1994 “Wife Faces Charges of Hiring Assassins—Twice” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, Mar 21, 1994 “Attorney Pleads for Life of Woman Who Planned 2 Murders” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, July 15, 1994 “Strange Case of Mary Ellen Samuels Unfolds” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, Apr 12, 1994 “The Real Murders of Los Angeles: S1 E6 - Dark Side of the Lens” Oxygen True Crime, Nov 10, 2023 “The Prosecutors: In Pursuit of Justice - S1 E6 - Green Widow” New Dominion Pictures, Oct 30, 2000 “Judge Sentences Samuels to Death” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, Sep 17, 1994 “Man Fatally Shoots Girlfriend, Self” by Timothy Williams, LA Times, July 23, 1993 “Naive or Deadly--2 Images of Wife to Dominate Trial” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, Mar 7, 1994 “Murder Trial Tells Tales Seedy and Bizarre” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, Apr 19, 1994 “Jury Urges Execution of Woman” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, July 22, 1994   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy  

Richard D. May was finally living his dream. He had just been cast in a professional production, ready to take the stage in Death of a Salesman at the African-American Shakespeare Company in San Francisco, CA. He had the talent, the drive, and a powerful presence that turned heads. But just hours before opening night, everything changed. This is the story of a rising actor and the heartbreaking twist that came too soon.   Episode Sources: “Pedestrian killed in SF 2-car crash was on his way to fulfilling life dream of being stage actor” by Alice Wertz, October 31, 2023, KTVU FOX 2 “San Francisco man Richard D. May, 65, who overcame homelessness to achieve his dream of becoming an actor is knocked down and killed by BMW while walking to rehearsal for debut performance in Death of a Salesman” by Emma Richter, November 2, 2023, updated November 5, 2023, Daily Mail “Pedestrian killed Saturday at Post & Hyde Streets in Nob Hill marks 16th this year” Press Release from Walk San Francisco, October 31, 2023 “Richard D. May” website “The Richard D. May Studio A.C.T. Scholarship Program” from American Conservatory Theater “The African-American Shakespeare Company” on Facebook “Actor Richard D. May’s Family Expenses” on GoFundMe “Bay Area theater company cancels ‘Death of a Salesman’ after key actor was killed in S.F.” by Lily Janiak, November 3, 2023, San Francisco Chronicle “‘Death of a Salesman’ revival in San Francisco canceled after cast member killed in pedestrian accident” by Randy McMullen, November 3, 2023, Bay Area News Group, Marin Independent Journal “City of San Francisco Cancels $14 Million in Dream Keeper Initiative Funding” by Shannon Faulise, April 4, 2025, KQED African-American Shakespeare Company “Official Obituary of Richard Darnell May” from Duggan’s Serra Mortuary   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy  

Carole Lombard and William Powell were lovers-turned-spouses-turned-exes-turned-lovers again-turned-exes for real this time-turned-BFFs. Together they starred in the 1936 screwball comedy "My Man Godfrey," and despite both of them shining on screen, behind the cameras each faced periods of darkness and tragic loss. Then at the age of 33, a person's mistake brought Carole's life to a horrifying end. We're joined by Emma and Katie, the fabulous ladies of "Go Get Your Girl" - and you can catch us on the August 10th episode of their podcast about "My Man Godfrey," available now!   Episode Sources: “Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3” by Robert D. Matzen, 2014 “Screwball: The Life of Carole Lombard” by Larry Swindell, 1975 “Investigation of Aircraft Accident: TWA: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: 1942-01-16” Civil Aeronautics Board, Jan 16, 1942 “Carole Lombard feared dead in plane crash” Eugene Register-Guard, Jan 17, 1942, p. 1 “4 Gave Seats In Death Plane To Army Fliers” Greeley Daily Tribune, Jan 17, 1942 “Tales of Vegas Past: The death of Carole Lombard” by Gregory Crosby, Las Vegas Mercury, Mar 06, 2023 “End of a Mission” Time Magazine, Jan 26, 1942 “Crash that killed actress Carole Lombard, 21 others near Las Vegas still echoes after 75 years” by Keith Rogers, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jan 15, 2017 “The life of Carole Lombard (Part 1)” Baha’i Concepts, Dec 17, 2019 “The life of Carole Lombard (Part 2)” Baha’i Concepts, Dec 17, 2019 “Made for Each Other: Clark Gable and Carole Lombard’s Real Romance” by Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, May 13, 2022 “{Rumor Mill} Clark Gable and Lana Turner” Dear Mr. Gable, Feb 04, 2012 “Carole Lombard, Clark Gable and The Baby That Never Was” Dear Mr. Gable, Oct 24, 2016 “Russ Columbo Victim of ‘Unloaded Gun’” Berkeley Daily Gazette, Sep 05, 1934 “Lombard and…Columbo?” Carole_and_co LiveJournal, July 16, 2007 “Bill and Carole: Post-Divorce BFFs” by Cazbar Pintar, The William Powell Site, Jan 16, 2017 “Lux Radio Theatre: My Man Godfrey” Once Upon A Screen, Jan 16, 2018 “How Carole Lombard’s career was almost over before it began” by Michelle Morgan, The History Press, Sep 29, 2016 “Clark Gable Joins Search for Plane Wreckage Holding Fate of Carole Lombard and 21 Others” Spokane Daily Chronicle, Jan 17, 1942 “‘I Think That ‘E’ Made The Whole Fucking Difference’” by Alex Belth, Deadspin, July 15, 2013 “STRONG AND TENDER: The Story of Carole Lombard and Bess Peters” Backlots, Oct 29, 2019 “William Powell” on IMDb “Biography” from William Powell Society “Gentleman: The William Powell Story” posted by Molly on August 9, 2017, dreaminginthebalcony “William Powell–A Gentleman and a Survivor” by Hilary Hattenbach, September 6, 2024, In with the Old, Hilary Hattenbach Blog “William Powell, Film Star, Dies at 91” by Peter B. Flint, March 6, 1984, The New York Times “William Powell: The Life and Times” by Roger Bryant, 2006 Publication from Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland, archive.org   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

In the center of downtown DeKalb stands the Egyptian Theatre—an architectural tribute to ancient times. But this isn’t just a historic theater; it’s a place where the past lingers in more ways than one. Built in 1929, the Egyptian has survived economic collapse, near demolition, and decades of change. Today, it’s not only a beloved cultural landmark but also one of the most haunted buildings in Illinois, where stories of strange sightings and ghostly encounters are as much a part of its legacy as the shows on stage.   Episode Sources: “Professor suffers fatal heart attack” by Suzanne Tomse, November 14, 1988, Northern Star “History of DeKalb” from City of DeKalb Dorman, Peter F., Faulkner, Raymond Oliver. "Ramses II". Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May. 2025 “Real-life haunts at DeKalb’s Egyptian Theatre” by Aimee Barrows, July 31, 2024, Shaw Local News Network Egyptian Theatre Website “The discovery of King Tut’s tomb” by Allyson Shaw, National Geographic Kids “The Curse of KIng Tut: Facts & Fable” by Benjamin Radford, October 24, 2022, Live Science “Egyptian Theatre” from HauntedUS   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

Zhang Yiyang was known for writing and singing love songs, which helped him gain celebrity status in his home country of China. His fame only grew once he transferred his talents to the screen, performing in various shows and films. So imagine the shock of his fans when they learned he'd committed an act so vile that he was sentenced to death.   Episode Sources: “China bans reality talent shows to curb behaviours of ‘idol’ fandoms” by Vincent Ni, The Guardian, Sep 02, 2021 “The love song "I only care about the people who care about me" sings the love of my heart.” NetEase Entertainment, Sep 12, 2016 “Chinese Actor Zhang Yiyang Executed For Murdering Girlfriend, 1st Celebrity To Face Death Penalty” by Grace Cyril, News 18, updated July 23, 2025 “Chinese actor Zhang Yiyang sentenced to death for killing 16-year-old girlfriend” DIMSUM DAILY, July 21, 2025 “Chinese actor Zhang Yiyang revealed to have been executed for murder of 16-year-old girlfriend” by Syarifah Nadhirah, Asia One, July 21, 2025 "Toxic partner: First Chinese actor executed for killing 16-year-old girlfriend” The Standard, July 22, 2025 “Chinese Actor Executed For Murder Of 16-Yr-Old Girlfriend; The First Artiste In China Sentenced To Death” by Jiamun Koh, 8Days, July 22, 2025 “China singer-actor Zhang Yiyang was executed in 2024 for murder of teenage girlfriend, court confirms” by Charis Gan, Channel News Asia, July 22, 2025 “China executed four Canadians for drug crimes, says Ottawa” by Koh Ewe, BBC News, Mar 20, 2025 Zhang Yiyang - Weibo “China leads in executions amid record spike: Amnesty International” Phayul, Apr 12, 2025 “Zhang Yiyang deeply interpreted the pain of love "Crying Man”” NetEase Entertainment, Sep 14, 2016   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

A summer scare rooted in urban legend and real-life horror. From the hook-handed tale that haunted teenage lovers, to the Texarkana Moonlight Murders, to the film I Know What You Did Last Summer—and the chilling true story of author Lois Duncan’s murdered daughter. What begins as a cautionary campfire story spirals into a web of true crime, pop culture, and devastating personal loss. The truth behind the fiction is darker than you think.   Episode Sources: “The Texarkana Moonlight Murders” by Micheal Whelan, September 30, 2018, Unresolved Podcast “Legend of The Hookman” by Delphini Riddle, June 14, 2020, The Business Standard “Hook Man Legend” last edited on July 14, 2014, Supernatural Wiki “Urban Legend Fact or Fiction: The Hook Hand Killer” by Amy Davis, May 30, 2023, NerdBot “Texas Cold Case: Texarkana Moonlight Murders” by Dusty Ellis, October 5, 2022, Concho Valley “Texarkana Moonlight Murders” by Nancy Hendricks, Arkansas State University, June 16, 2023, Encyclopedia of Arkansas “Texarkana Murder Mystery” by Prudence Mackintosh, December 2014, TexasMonthly  “The Hook” retold by S.E. Schlosser, excerpted from “Spooky Campfire Tales” by S.E. Schlosser “Spooky Campfire Tales” by S.E. Schlosser “Creepy Backstories and Versions of the Hook Man Legend” by Katherine Ripley, September 23, 2021, Ranker “I Know What You Did Last Summer” on IMDb “Kaitlyn Arquette” from Unsolved Mysteries “‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Author Was ‘Horrified’ by the Movie’s ‘Sensationalized Violence’ After Her Teenage Daughter’s Murder” by William Earl, July 16, 2025, Variety “APD Releases Details of 3rd Cold Case Murder Tied to Same Suspect” from the City of Albuquerque, October 15, 2021 “Chief Medina reacts to 45-year sentence of serial killer in three cold case homicides” from the City of Albuquerque, January 26, 2024 “The Texarkana Moonlight Murders: The Unsolved Case of the 1946 Phantom Killer” by Michael Newton, Published by McFarland Incorporated Publishers, May 21, 2013. Google Books.   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

Have you heard of the 'Superman' curse? We're not entirely convinced one actually exists, although the number of lawsuits, accidents, deaths and faltering careers would suggest otherwise...   Episode Sources: “Up, Up and Awa-a-y! The Rise of Superman, Inc.” by John Kobler, Saturday Evening Post, June 21, 1941 “Exhibit honors Superman's Cleveland roots: Leon Bibb Then and Now” by Leon Bibb and Susan Moses, WKYC, June 26, 2025 “Origin Story: The Creation of Superman” by Cassandra Burris, Ohio History Connection, Dec 01, 2017 “Creation of a Superhero” by Jerry Siegel, (unpublished) c. 1978 “Superman’s Copyright Saga” by Yuanxiao Xu, Authors Alliance, Apr 08, 2025 “Dean Cain Worries James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Is Just Too “Woke”” by James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, July 10, 2025 “Joanne Siegel, the Model for Lois Lane, Dies at 93” by Bruce Weber, The New York Times, Feb 15, 2011 “The Selling of Superman: Correspondence between Jack Liebowitz and Jerry Siegel” by Tom Brevoort, The Tom Brevoort Experience, June 03, 2023 Kirk Alyn obituary, by Ronald Bergan, The Guardian, Mar 23, 1999 “Superman George Reeves Died of a Single Gunshot Wound in 1959. Inside the Confusing Case — and the Controversial Theories Surrounding It” by Caroline Blair, People, June 17, 2025 Unsolved Mysteries: George Reeves “From the Archives: George Reeves, Superman of TV, Kills Himself in His Home” Los Angeles Times, June 17, 1959 “A Life With a Before and an After; For Christopher Reeve, It Isn't as Simple as Superman or Victim” by Dinitia Smith, The New York Times, Apr 30, 1998 “A Timeline of the Nxivm Sex Cult Case” by Carla Correa, The New York Times, July 05, 2023 “After 'the most public freak-out in history,' Margot Kidder became one of Hollywood's most prominent mental health advocates” by Suzy Byrne, Yahoo, may 14, 2018 “Brandon Routh reveals career setbacks led to a crippling video game addiction” by Eric Francisco, Inverse, Mar 09, 2020   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

Haing experienced extraordinary success in the entertainment industry after settling in the U.S., but did he make enemies along the way? Just as he pulled into his carport one evening, before he even had a chance to get out of the car, he was shot in the chest and killed. However, the gunman sped away without taking the thousands of dollars in cash Haing had on him at the time. Three men were charged with his murder...based on no physical evidence whatsoever.   Episode Sources: “A Cambodian Odyssey” by Haing Ngor with Roger Warner, 1987 “Khmer Rouge: Cambodia's years of brutality” BBC, Nov 16, 2018 Strangeland Season 3: The Killing Fields of L.A. hosted by Ben Adair and Mayly Tao, Audiochuck, Aug 16, 2024 “World Report 2024: Cambodia” Human Rights Watch “Cambodia 1975-1979” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum “Khmer Rouge Ideology” Holocaust Memorial Day Trust “Khmer Rouge” Britannica TAK SUN TAN v. RUNNELS (2005) “World News Briefs; Poltical Motive Alleged In Killing of Cambodian” The New York Times, AP, Feb 29, 1996, Sec. A, p. 12 “For Haing Ngor, Sorrow Marks a Return Home” by Elizabeth Lu, Los Angeles Times, Sep 12, 1989 “`KILLING FIELDS' OF L.A. CLAIM CAMBODIAN HERO” Deseret News, AP, Mar 03, 1996 “Unauthorized play about Oscar-winner Haing S. Ngor causes friction” by David Ng, Los Angeles Times, July 17, 2013 “The day Haing S. Ngor won the Oscar” by Roger Ebert, Dec 14, 2012 “Three Men Convicted of Killing Ngor” by Daniel Yi and Greg Krikorian, Los Angeles Times, Apr 17, 1998 “Revisiting Haing Ngor's murder: 'Killing Fields' theory won't die” by My-Thuan Tran, Los Angeles Times, Jan 21, 2010 “Cambodian Physician Who Won an Oscar for 'Killing Fields' Is Slain” by Kenneth B. Noble, The New York Times, Feb 27, 1996 “Great Niece Of Famous Doctor Returns To Cambodia As Part Of PCOM GA Mission Trip” by Chris Starrs, Gwinnett Daily Post, Sep 15, 2024 “Tragedy Behind the ‘Killing Fields’ Star Who Won a Supporting Actor Oscar” by Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, Feb 24, 2016 "Who Killed Haing Ngor?" Mary Patricia Nunan   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

Haing Ngor's childhood in Cambodia was marked by political unrest leading up to the Cold War. As an adult, he survived the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge regime to build a new life in Los Angeles, CA. His career took a surprising turn when he became an award-winning actor, but his life was cut short when he was gunned down in 1996. Did fame play a part in his murder?   Episode Sources: “A Cambodian Odyssey” by Haing Ngor with Roger Warner, 1987 “Khmer Rouge: Cambodia's years of brutality” BBC, Nov 16, 2018 Strangeland Season 3: The Killing Fields of L.A. hosted by Ben Adair and Mayly Tao, Audiochuck, Aug 16, 2024 “World Report 2024: Cambodia” Human Rights Watch “Cambodia 1975-1979” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum “Khmer Rouge Ideology” Holocaust Memorial Day Trust “Khmer Rouge” Britannica TAK SUN TAN v. RUNNELS (2005) “World News Briefs; Poltical Motive Alleged In Killing of Cambodian” The New York Times, AP, Feb 29, 1996, Sec. A, p. 12 “For Haing Ngor, Sorrow Marks a Return Home” by Elizabeth Lu, Los Angeles Times, Sep 12, 1989 “`KILLING FIELDS' OF L.A. CLAIM CAMBODIAN HERO” Deseret News, AP, Mar 03, 1996 “Unauthorized play about Oscar-winner Haing S. Ngor causes friction” by David Ng, Los Angeles Times, July 17, 2013 “The day Haing S. Ngor won the Oscar” by Roger Ebert, Dec 14, 2012 “Three Men Convicted of Killing Ngor” by Daniel Yi and Greg Krikorian, Los Angeles Times, Apr 17, 1998 “Revisiting Haing Ngor's murder: 'Killing Fields' theory won't die” by My-Thuan Tran, Los Angeles Times, Jan 21, 2010 “Cambodian Physician Who Won an Oscar for 'Killing Fields' Is Slain” by Kenneth B. Noble, The New York Times, Feb 27, 1996 “Great Niece Of Famous Doctor Returns To Cambodia As Part Of PCOM GA Mission Trip” by Chris Starrs, Gwinnett Daily Post, Sep 15, 2024 “Tragedy Behind the ‘Killing Fields’ Star Who Won a Supporting Actor Oscar” by Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, Feb 24, 2016   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

A beloved actress, model, and trailblazing trans icon in the country of Georgia, Kesaria Abramidze used her voice to speak out against domestic violence and injustice—right up until the moment it took her life. Just one day after a sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ law passed in Parliament, Kesaria was found brutally murdered in her home. Her story isn’t just about one victim—it’s about a country at a crossroads, and the danger of state-sanctioned hate.   Episode Sources: “Kesaria Abramidze” on January 16, 2021 from intermedia.ge “Kesaria Abramidze will represent Georgia Georgia at Miss Trans World” from imedianews.ge on March 7, 2018 “Kesaria Abramidze: Most Georgian men don't know where to caress a woman” by Keti Modebadze, May 16, 2022, Tbiliselebi “MIA confirms arrest of suspect in Kesaria Abramidze’s murder” from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on September 19, 2024 “The murder of Kesaria Abramidze - what were the circumstances surrounding it and what preceded it?” by Lela is a slut, from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on September 19, 2024 “‘He broke into my house several times’ - what the friend of the murdered Kesaria Abramidze says about the accused” from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on September 19, 2024 “Trans woman killed in Georgia day after anti-LGBT law passed” by Frances Mao, September 20, 2024, BBC News “Georgian trans model murdered after parliament passes ‘anti-LGBTQ+’ law” by Pjotr Sauer, September 19, 2024, The Guardian “Man Sentenced to Life for Brutal Murder of Transgender Model Kesaria Abramidze” from Civil Georgia on April 16, 2025 “Georgian Dream Pushes Amendments to Remove ‘Gender’ from the Legislation” from Civil Georgia on February 25, 2025 “Man gets life in prison in killing of transgender model in the South Caucasus nation of Georgia” from the Associated Press, April 16, 2025 “Prosecutor: Beka Jaiani called Kesaria Abramidze a ‘mistake of nature’” by Mariam Razmadze, March 14, 2025, Georgia Today “Ex-boyfriend who stabbed transgender actress and influencer to death is jailed for life” by Sabrina Penty, April 16, 2025, Daily Mail “One day after Georgia's anti-LGBTQIA+ crackdown, Trans model is killed in possible ‘premeditated murder’” by Jamie Wareham, September 21, 2024, QueerAF “Life Sentence in Georgia for Murder of Trans Icon Kesaria” by Transvitae Staff, April 17, 2025, TransVitae “Brooklyn Episcopal church hosts memorial service for murdered Georgian transgender woman” by Lynette Wilson, October 1, 2024, Episcopal News Service “The Tragic Murder of Kesaria Abramidze: A Stark Reminder of Georgia’s Growing Transphobia” by Georgia Today, October 3, 2024, Georgia Today “Georgia’s surprising LGBTQ+ scene” by James Jackson, January 24, 2023, BBC News “Kesaria Abramidze” from Timenote “I Plead Guilty to Killing a Person: Trial Begins in the Murder of Kesaria Abramidze” Reddit post from Sepcific-Draft-5038 on r/MtF   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

At its peak, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was one of the largest traveling shows in the country—until a tragic train wreck in 1918 brought it to a screeching halt. This story follows the rise of the American circus, the crash that claimed dozens of lives near Hammond, Indiana, and the haunting legacy of Showmen’s Rest, where many of the victims are buried. It’s a tale of spectacle, sorrow, and the circus community’s motto: the show must go on.   Episode Sources: “The Great Circus Train Wreck of 1918: Tragedy on the Indiana Lakeshore” by Richard M. Lytle, Published by The History Press, 2010 “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus” from Circuses and Sideshows “Ben Wallace” from Circuses and Sideshows “William Cameron Coup” from Circuses and Sideshows “The Hammond Train Wreck of 1918 Killed Scores of Circus Performers” by Lorraine Boissoneault, June 22, 2018, Smithsonian Magazine “The 1918 Hagenbeck-Wallace Tragedy: Breakdown” by Korry Shepard, February 23, 2021, Medium “The truths of the circus train crash of 1918 are more horrifying than myths” by Will Higgins, June 20, 2018, IndyStar “The Deadliest Circus Train Wreck in History” by Paul Andrews, January 25, 2024, Lost In History “The Haunting Legacy of Showmen’s Rest in Forest Park, IL” from Explore Oak Park and Beyond “Welcome to the Showmen's League of America: Our History” from Showmen’s League of America website “The First Zoo Part I: The Circus Myth” by Paul Sewick, January 14, 2012, Corktown History “Why Does a Circus Have Three Rings?” from The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, February 2020 “Attractions” from The City of Peru, Indiana website   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

When Frank Sinatra, Jr. checked into his motel room in Lake Tahoe, he never could have predicted the circumstances in which he'd be checking out. What ensued was a comedy of errors involving a snowstorm, a musical legend, and a hapless kidnapper with a heart of gold.   Episode Sources: “The Grand Scheme: Snatching Sinatra” hosted by John Stamos “The True Story of the 1963 Kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jr.” by Lauren Kranc, Esquire, Jul 27, 2021 “Frank Sinatra, Jr., Kidnapping” FBI “Kidnapping As Plan B” Hosted by Ira Glass, This American Life “61 Years Ago Today, Frank Sinatra Jr. Was Kidnapped: Why His Dad Began Carrying Dimes in His Pockets” by Corin Cesaric, People, Dec 08, 2024 “Frank Sinatra Jr: 'I was living in his shadow’” by Nick Duerden, The Guardian, Aug 31, 2012 “Frank Sinatra Jr. abducted from Tahoe motel” Reno Gazette Journal, Dec 9, 1963 “A Kidnapper's Story: Can Crime Pay?” By Rene Sanchez, The Washington Post, Dec 21, 1999 “There’s Nothing to Be Sorry For” TIME, Dec 20, 1963 “MYSTERIOUS FINANCIER: Dean Torrence and the Kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jr.” by Mark A. Moore, Jan Berry Official Site, Dec 30, 2017 “Regrets, Sinatra Jr. kidnapper has had a few” by Michael Corcoran, Feb 2001   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

Garrett Warren was at the top of his game when he was gunned down in the doorway of his home - and in front of his mother, no less. But why would anyone want to murder a man described as a kind, generous friend and focused professional? This case has some wild twists and turns involving a pizza parlor, a picture taken at a party and...Home Alone's Joe Pesci???? And how did one misspelled word put the nail in the coffin, so to speak?   Episode Sources: Dateline: The Plot Thickens, S21 E1 “When It Mattered: Garrett Warren” hosted by Chitra Ragavan “Private eye drops suit against Pesci” by the Associated Press Interview with Garrett Warren by Brad Curran “Husband Tells Story of Hitman Attack” - transcript, Nancy Grace “Did Joe Pesci’s Ex Hire a Hitman?” By Christine Pelisek "Primed for Pain" by Chitra Ragavan   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

The infamous Annabelle doll may have become a Hollywood horror icon thanks to The Conjuring universe, but her real story is even creepier. Originally a possessed…ahem, manipulated…Raggedy Ann doll, Annabelle was investigated by paranormal legends Ed and Lorraine Warren in the 1970s. From her eerie beginnings with two nurses to her terrifying reputation for causing harm and death, Annabelle’s legend has only grown—especially now that she’s hitting the road, drawing crowds across America.   Episode Sources: “Here’s how the nighttime escape of 10 Louisiana inmates from a New Orleans jail unfolded” by TuAnh Dam and Rafael Romo, May 18, 2025, CNN US “Why Is Annabelle Touring the US? Quick Facts About the Doll and 'Devils on the Run'” by Shyna Mae Deang, May 20, 2025, International Business Times UK “Annabelle Comes Home cast tells us why the set may have been haunted” by SyFy Wire Staff, July 1, 2019, SyFy “What Caused the Nottoway Plantation Fire and Why is Annabelle The Doll Being Linked To It?” by Shyna Mae Deang, May 20, 2025, MSN “Real ‘Annabelle’ story shared by Lorraine Warren at Milford’s Lauralton Hall” by Pam McLoughin, October 4, 2014, New Haven Register “Annabelle The Haunted Doll” from Boston Ghosts, Posted May 26, 2025, updated February 7, 2025 “Johnny Gruelle: A Biography of the Illustrator” from Pook Press “Inside The Warren Museum, Ed And Lorraine Warren’s Peculiar Collection Of Occult Artifacts” by Austin Harvey, Edited by Jaclyn Anglis, Published June 10, 2024, Updated February 12, 2025, All That’s Interesting (ATI) “True Story of the Annabelle Doll | Real Annabelle Doll from the Conjuring” from Haunted Rooms “Meet The Real Haunted Doll Behind ‘Annabelle’” by Katie Serena, October 1, 2023, All That’s Interesting (ATI) “Everything to know about Annabelle, Ed and Lorraine Warren and 'The Conjuring'” by Andrew DaRosa, May 16, 2025, CT Insider “Annabelle” from the New England Society for Psychic Research “Annabelle True Story & What The Conjuring Movies Changed” by Charles Nicholas Raymond and Dani Kessel Odom, July 2, 2024, Screen Rant   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

"There's trouble in Room 100." Those were the words muttered by a male caller to the man working the front desk of the Chelsea Hotel the morning of October 12, 1978. The "trouble" was that 20-year-old Nancy Spungen was dead in the bathroom from a single stab wound to her abdomen. Multiple people had been in and out of the room throughout the previous night, but only one was considered a suspect: Sid Vicious.   Episode Sources: “In Search of Sid” - Radio 4 Documentary about Sid Vicious with Jah Wobble “Sad Vacation: The Last Days of Sid and Nancy” dir. Danny Garcia, 2015 “The Not So Lonesome Death of Nancy Spungen” by Ann Louise Bardach, Oct 26, 1978 “Cop Treated Sid Vicious Like A Regular Punk” - transcripts from grand jury presentation, The Smoking Gun “25 Up: Punk’s Silver Jubilee: So Tough: The Boy Behind the Sid Vicious Myth” by Charlotte Robinson, PopMatters, Nov 08, 2001 “Sid: By Those Who Knew Him” - documentary “And I Don’t Want to Live This Life: A Mother’s Story of Her Daughter’s Murder” by Deborah Spungen, 1983 “ABO Incompatibility in a Newborn: Why Blood Type Matters in Pregnancy” by Alicia Stevens, MD and Karla Robinson, MD, GoodRx, Apr 3, 2023 “My New York: Sid & Nancy” by Reed Tucker, New York Post, Jul 25, 2010 “Flashback: Nancy Spungen Found Dead at Chelsea Hotel” by Jessica Wakeman, Rolling Stone, Oct 12, 2017 “The Not So Lonesome Death of Nancy Spungen” by Ann Bardach, SoHo Weekly News, Oct 26, 1978 “‘He Said He Was Going To Kill’” by David Hershkovits & Lesley Vinson, SoHo Weekly News, Oct 19-25, 1978 “Nancy and Sid: A punk mystery story” by Deborah Orr, The Independent, Oct 11, 2003 “Sid’s Way: The Life and Death of Sid Vicious” by Keith Bateson & Alan Parker, 1991 “Freedom, festivity and dead by sunrise: Inside Sid Vicious’s drug-fuelled last party” The Independent, May 28, 2024 “The Day Punk Died” by Karen Schoemer, New York Magazine, October 17, 2008 “1978: Sex Pistol Vicious on murder charge” BBC, Oct 12, 1978 “The Jaw-Dropping Story Behind Sid and Nancy, Punk Rock's Most Tragic Romance” by Natalie Finn, E News, Nov 6, 2021 “When I Lived Across the Hall From Sid Vicious” by Donna Florio, Literary Hub, Mar 9, 2021 “Who Killed Nancy?” dir. Alan Parker, 2010   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy