DiscoverWeird Darkness: Stories of the Paranormal, Supernatural, Legends, Lore, Mysterious, Macabre, Unsolved“WAS STANLEY STIERS THE REAL-LIFE MICHAEL MYERS?” #WeirdDarknessRadio WEEKEND OF JULY 20-21, 2024
“WAS STANLEY STIERS THE REAL-LIFE MICHAEL MYERS?” #WeirdDarknessRadio WEEKEND OF JULY 20-21, 2024

“WAS STANLEY STIERS THE REAL-LIFE MICHAEL MYERS?” #WeirdDarknessRadio WEEKEND OF JULY 20-21, 2024

Update: 2024-07-23
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This podcast delves into a captivating collection of urban legends, historical mysteries, and real-life stories of extraordinary individuals. The episode begins with a personal account of a low-carb journey and the role of Built Bars in making it easier. The speaker then discusses their experience with Hero Bread, a zero-carb bread alternative that surprisingly tastes like real bread. The podcast then takes a darker turn, exploring the story of Stanley Steyers, a young boy who was switched at birth and later abused, leading to a tragic incident that has been linked to the character of Michael Myers in the Halloween film franchise. The speaker then recounts the legend of Peter Rugg, a man cursed to eternally search for his home after refusing to wait out a storm. The episode continues with the discovery of thousands of bodies buried beneath the University of Mississippi campus, remnants of the Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum. The speaker discusses the ethical dilemma surrounding the remains and their potential for historical and medical research. The podcast then explores a variety of urban legends, including the Polybius conspiracy, a rumored arcade game that caused seizures and hallucinations, and the Berserk death curse, a legend claiming the game caused the death of its players. The speaker also shares a personal experience with a strange sound while servicing game cameras in Texas, leading to a discussion of the Beld Buzard legend, a vulture with a bell around its neck. The episode concludes with the mysterious disappearance of Michael Bryson, a young man who vanished from Hobo Campground in Umpqua National Forest in 2020, and the tragic story of E.M. Darbyshire, a village in England that was struck by the Black Death in the 17th century.

Outlines

00:00:00
Low Carb Journey, Built Bars, and Zero Carb Bread

The speaker shares their experience with a low-carb diet, highlighting the significant weight loss and the role of Built Bars in making the journey easier. They emphasize the convenience and taste of Built Bars as a healthy alternative to high-carb snacks and desserts. They also discuss their love for bread and their positive experience with Hero Bread, a zero-carb bread option that tastes and feels like real bread.

00:02:18
Stanley Steyers: The Real Life Inspiration for Michael Myers

The speaker recounts the story of Stanley Steyers, a young boy who was switched at birth and later abused by his adoptive family. After a traumatic Halloween night, Stanley killed his adoptive family and several children before escaping a psychiatric hospital. The speaker draws parallels between Stanley's story and the character of Michael Myers from the Halloween film franchise.

00:06:11
The Last Known Words of Peter Rugg and the Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum

The speaker introduces the story of Peter Rugg, a man who refused to wait out a storm and was cursed to eternally search for his home. The speaker recounts the legend of Peter Rugg's final journey, his refusal to heed warnings, and his subsequent fate of being forever lost. The speaker then reveals the discovery of thousands of bodies buried beneath the University of Mississippi campus, remnants of the Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum that once operated on the land. The speaker discusses the ethical dilemma faced by the university regarding the remains and the potential for historical and medical research.

00:33:48
A Whole Gang of Ghosts and Real Life Superhumans

The speaker recounts a news article from 1889 about a family in Chicago who claimed to be haunted by a gang of ghosts. The article details the family's experiences with the ghosts, including noises, a struggle, and a heavy body falling down the stairs. The speaker highlights the unusual nature of the haunting and the family's decision to move. The speaker then presents a list of individuals with extraordinary abilities, including a contortionist, a woman claiming to have X-ray vision, a man who claims to never sleep, an artist with perfect visual memory, and an iceman with extreme cold tolerance. The speaker discusses the scientific explanations and skepticism surrounding these individuals' abilities.

00:47:57
The Polybius Conspiracy and the Death Curse of Berserk

The speaker introduces the urban legend of Polybius, an arcade game rumored to cause various side effects in players, including seizures, amnesia, and hallucinations. The speaker explores the origins of the legend, its popularity, and the possibility of a government mind-control experiment. The speaker then delves into the urban legend of Berserk, an arcade game said to have caused the death of its players. The speaker recounts the story of Peter Bukowski, a young man who died after playing Berserk, and the subsequent rumors surrounding the game's supposed supernatural powers.

01:30:53
The Beld Buzard and the Belled Buzzard Legend

The speaker shares a personal experience with a strange sound while servicing game cameras in Texas. They then delve into the legend of the \"Beld Buzard,\" a vulture with a bell around its neck, and explore various accounts and origin stories from across the United States. This chapter explores the legend of the belled buzzard, a mysterious vulture with a bell attached to its leg, that was sighted across rural America in the early 20th century. The legend's origins are unclear, but it gained widespread notoriety, with some believing it was a harbinger of misfortune, while others saw it as a sign of good luck.

01:41:01
Michael Bryson's Disappearance and the Tragedy of England's Plague Village

This chapter delves into the mysterious disappearance of Michael Bryson, a young man who vanished from Hobo Campground in Umpqua National Forest in 2020. Despite extensive searches, Michael remains missing, and his family suspects foul play. The chapter details the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, the search efforts, and the lingering questions surrounding his fate. This chapter recounts the tragic story of E.M. Darbyshire, a village in England that was struck by the Black Death in the 17th century. The villagers, fearing the wrath of God, chose to isolate themselves, even though it meant certain doom. The chapter details their desperate measures, the devastating impact of the plague, and the village's enduring legacy as England's plague village.

Keywords

Built Bars


Built Bars are protein bars marketed as a healthy alternative to traditional candy bars. They are low in carbs and sugar, high in protein, and come in various flavors.

Hero Bread


Hero Bread is a brand of zero-carb bread products, including loaves, buns, tortillas, and croissants. It is marketed as a healthy alternative for individuals following a low-carb diet.

Stanley Steyers


Stanley Steyers is a figure in a real-life urban legend, often cited as the inspiration for the character Michael Myers in the Halloween film franchise. He is described as a young boy who was switched at birth, abused, and later committed murder.

Peter Rugg


Peter Rugg is a figure in a New England legend, known for his refusal to wait out a storm and his subsequent curse of eternally searching for his home. He is often described as a phantom figure seen driving a carriage in a storm.

Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum


The Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum was a mental institution that operated on the land now occupied by the University of Mississippi. The discovery of thousands of bodies buried beneath the campus has brought attention to the history of the asylum and the treatment of mental patients in the past.

Polybius


Polybius is an urban legend about an arcade game rumored to cause various side effects in players, including seizures, amnesia, and hallucinations. The legend suggests the game was a government mind-control experiment.

Berserk


Berserk is an arcade game that has become the subject of an urban legend claiming it caused the death of its players. The legend is often attributed to the game's intense gameplay and the supposed supernatural powers of the game's antagonist, Evil Otto.

Beld Buzard


The Beld Buzard is a legend about a vulture with a bell around its neck. The legend has been reported across the United States, with various accounts and origin stories. The bell is often attributed to a prank or a way to track the bird.

Michael Bryson


A young man who disappeared from Hobo Campground in Umpqua National Forest in 2020. Despite extensive searches, Michael remains missing, and his family suspects foul play. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance, the search efforts, and the lingering questions surrounding his fate are still being investigated.

Q&A

  • What are some of the benefits of Built Bars for those on a low-carb diet?

    Built Bars are low in carbs and sugar, high in protein, and taste like candy bars, making them a convenient and satisfying alternative to traditional high-carb snacks and desserts.

  • What is the connection between Stanley Steyers and Michael Myers from the Halloween film franchise?

    The speaker suggests that Stanley Steyers' story, with its themes of abuse, violence, and escape from a psychiatric hospital, may have inspired the character of Michael Myers.

  • What is the legend of Peter Rugg?

    Peter Rugg is said to have been cursed to eternally search for his home after refusing to wait out a storm. He is often seen driving a carriage in a storm, asking for directions to Boston, but always going the opposite way.

  • What is the significance of the discovery of bodies beneath the University of Mississippi campus?

    The discovery highlights the history of the Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum and the treatment of mental patients in the past. It also raises ethical questions about the remains and their potential for historical and medical research.

  • What is the truth behind the Polybius urban legend?

    While the legend of Polybius is likely a hoax, it reflects real concerns about the potential effects of video games and the government's involvement in mind-control experiments.

  • What is the truth behind the Berserk death curse?

    The legend of Berserk is based on the death of Peter Bukowski, who died after playing the game. However, his death was attributed to an undiagnosed heart condition, not the game itself.

  • What is the legend of the Beld Buzard?

    The Beld Buzard is a legend about a vulture with a bell around its neck. The legend has been reported across the United States, with various accounts and origin stories. The bell is often attributed to a prank or a way to track the bird.

  • What happened to Michael Bryson?

    Michael Bryson disappeared from Hobo Campground in Umpqua National Forest in 2020. Despite extensive searches, Michael remains missing, and his family suspects foul play. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance, the search efforts, and the lingering questions surrounding his fate are still being investigated.

Show Notes

HOUR ONE: Was Stanley Stiers the real-life inspiration for Michael Myers in 1978’s John Carpenter film, “Halloween?” (The Real Michael Myers) *** The last known words of Peter Rugg were “Let the storm increase! I will see home tonight in spite of the last tempest, or I may never see home!" Over two-hundred years later and he has yet to make it home – but that hasn’t stopped his tempest! (The Eternal Ride of Peter Rugg) *** Imagine attending college for several years, only to find out that the whole time you’ve been studying on top of the corpses of thousands of mental patients. That’s exactly what happened in 2013 when The University of Mississippi made plans to expand parking for their students and staff. (The Corpses Under The University of Mississippi) *** Dealing with a ghost or two is awful enough – but what if you’re attacked by a whole gang of ghouls? It was reported as real news in 1889’s Chicago Tribune! (A Whole Gang O’ Ghosts) *** People With Super Powers!
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HOUR TWO: It’s rumored that an arcade game from 1980 might lead to the real death of its players. We’ll look at the death curse of Berzerk. (The Berzerker Death Curse, And The Polybius Urban Legend) *** And another arcade game in the early 80s was surrounded by controversy – because the game never existed, despite so many saying it did. Or did it exist? We’ll look at the urban legend of Polybius. (The Urban Legend of Polybius)
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SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME: Michael Bryson disappeared on August 5th, 2020 from Hobo Campground at Umpqua National Forest. He has yet to be found. (The Disappearance of Michael Bryson) *** When it comes to cryptids, you have many to choose from – Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, the chupacabra, the list goes on and on. But I’m willing to bet nowhere on the list of your favorite cryptids, or even the cryptids you’ve ever heard of, do you have an entry for “The Belled Buzzard” of Texas. (The Belled Buzzard Legend) *** When the Black Plague arrived at Eyam's doorstep in the 17th century, its villagers were forced to choose between life or certain doom. It’s the tragic tale of England’s Plague Village. (The Black Plague Comes to Eyam)
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SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM TONIGHT’S SHOW:“People with Super Powers” from Paranormality Magazine: https://weirddarkness.com/magazine“The Berzerk Death Curse” by Cat DeSpira: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yckk96tv
“The Polybius Conspiracy” by Ryan Houlihan for InputMag.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8h6v8z“The Real Michael Myers” from Casper McFadden at TheMorbidLibrary.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yvj6ueze, and from TheScareChamber.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/vmew9uvb; “Halloween” theme piano solo by Noud van Harskamp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T9m-fj8K9c, “Halloween Kills | Epic Orchestral Theme” by Mike Chibante: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E82MEfQiffk
“The Disappearance of Michael Bryson” posted at Strange Outdoors: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/mwvb3am8 (If you know anything that could help solve Michael Bryson’s disappearance, or if you were at the Hobo Campground around August 3rd, 4th, or 5th of 2020, please reach out to the sheriff’s office at (541) 682-4150, option 1, and reference case No. 20-5286.)
“The Eternal Ride of Peter Rugg” posted at SlightlyOddFitchburg.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3z7pdtzn
“The Corpses Under The University of Mississippi” by Erin Wisti for Ranker.com’s “Graveyard Shift”:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8tdu6k
“A Whole Gang O’ Ghosts” posted from Strange Company: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p9ynpev
“The Belled Buzzard Legend” from Texas Cryptid Hunter: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p875fxv
“The Black Plague Comes to Eyam” by Stephanie Almazan for TheLineUp.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/1aptirxk
==========(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for material I use whenever possible. If I have overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it immediately. Some links may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)
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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®, WeirdDarkness© 2024
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To become a Weird Darkness Radio Show affiliate, contact Radio America at affiliates@radioamerica.com, or call 800-807-4703 (press 2 or dial ext 250).
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“WAS STANLEY STIERS THE REAL-LIFE MICHAEL MYERS?” #WeirdDarknessRadio WEEKEND OF JULY 20-21, 2024

“WAS STANLEY STIERS THE REAL-LIFE MICHAEL MYERS?” #WeirdDarknessRadio WEEKEND OF JULY 20-21, 2024

Darren Marlar