The Hidden Staircase

24: Well, There’s a Curse

Thu, 02 May 2024 00:59:00 +0000

Some may argue that curses only hold sway over those who believe in them, but this story proves that they can manifest as real and tangible threats.

In 1921, when Carl Loges ignored a curse that had been cast upon his dream farm, he soon found himself in the grip of a malevolent spirit. The farm turned into a living nightmare and Carl was desperate for help.

A premonition eventually led to a murder conviction, and with that, the curse was broken and the nightmare came to an end.

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23: Amelia Earhart

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 23:50:00 +0000

We are often advised to pursue our passions, strive for our goals, and embrace the unknown. Today's hidden story is about a woman who lived by that philosophy and disappeared without a trace in pursuit of her dreams.

Amelia Earhart's final journey and disappearance have remained a mystery, a puzzle that has intrigued and captivated us for almost ninety years. In today’s episode, we will delve into her life until her final transmission. As well as a few theories as to what could have happened to her.

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22: Easter Murders by the Mad Sculptor

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:39:00 +0000

Easter is a celebration of spring associated with renewal and rebirth. It has been a special day for thousands of years, tracing back to its ancient Pagan origins called Eostre. Celebrating this occasion is an inherent trait of humanity, bringing happiness to most of us.

However, for some, it may be a period of unrest and sometimes even violence. A tragic example is Robert George Irwin, also called, The Mad Sculptor, who took the day as an opportunity to claim the lives of three innocent people in 1937.

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21: Dyatlov Pass

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 17:23:00 +0000

The case of the missing hikers at Dyatlov Pass is one of the most intriguing and mysterious events in modern history. Despite years of investigation, the fate of the hikers remains shrouded in a locked file. The evidence collected from the scene only raises more questions than it answers. Leaving no definitive conclusion.

Theories abound, but the truth of what happened to those hikers on that fateful day remains unknown….For now.

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20: The Sodder Children Disappearance

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 20:13:00 +0000

Experiencing a house fire can be one of the most devastating events in anyone's life. The suddenness of the fire, the helplessness one feels while watching their home and all their possessions go up in flames, and the aftermath of the disaster can leave a lasting impact on anyone.

In the aftermath of the fire, one has to deal with losing their home, possessions, and even more devastating, a loved one who was unable to escape the flames.

Although house fires can reach extreme temperatures, they cannot completely disintegrate a human body. There is always something left behind in the ash.

That was, until the disappearance of the Sodder children in 1945.

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19: The Ghost Bomber

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000

When we think about planes disappearing, the most common place we think of is the Bermuda Triangle.

The last place we believe an entire plane could vanish would be a river that is only twenty feet deep!

But sixty-eight years ago, that’s precisely what happened.

To this day, the wreckage of the B-25 Ghost Bomber plane remains unknown, along with the real reason for the flight in the first place.

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18: Chicago Tylenol Murders

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 03:06:00 +0000

During the 1980s in Chicago, the city had a safe atmosphere, and people looked out for one another. It was a city where some didn’t even lock their doors, and trust was given with no need to be earned.

That was until September 29th, 1982, when the city, the country, and the lives of consumers would be changed forever when a domestic terrorist poisoned multiple packs of Extra-Strength Tylenol.

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17: The shallow graves beneath New Haven Green

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 20:05:00 +0000

New Haven Green was the original town gathering area.Originally called the Marketplace, it was completed in 1638 as a park, marketplace, and designated area for the 144,000 people whom Puritans believed would be spared during the second coming of Christ.

It is around sixteen acres, and in its early days, it was home to a school, a Methodist church, and a prison.

People have been strolling across the green for centuries, just going about their daily lives, unaware of the haunting truth buried just below their feet.

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Welcome to The Hidden Staircase

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 00:40:00 +0000

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16: Cleveland Torso Murderer

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000

While the United States was recovering from the Great Depression, countless people remained down on their luck. Over 15,000 Americans were still living in shanty towns throughout the country.

The shack-like, self-made shelters that they lived in offered barely any protection from the elements and predators who were taking advantage of the still minuscule police budgets.

The poor souls who called the shanty towns home had to fight for every penny they made in the daily battle for survival that some would lose.

Especially in Cleveland, Ohio, when a hidden killer had set his sights on them.

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15: Krampus

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 18:35:00 +0000

The Holidays are upon us, and people are filled with love and joy everywhere you look. As our minds are racing with thoughts of sugarplums and roasting chestnuts, Jolly Old Saint Nick is preparing for his annual flight.

Yet, there is another creature that is stirring.

Sharpening his claws, gathering Birch branches, and checking his own list. He waits for Santa to care for those of us who have been good while this monster handles the naughty list.His name is Krampus, and he has existed long before Saint Nick and his rosy cheeks.

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14: The Bleeding House

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 04:00:00 +0000

One night in 1987, Minnie Winston saw blood on the floor of her Atlanta house. Terrified, she ran to find her husband. He was fine, but there was more blood… everywhere. On the walls, oozing from the floor, seeping up from under kitchen appliances. She and her husband called the police, who found no evidence of a break-in. What they were able to surmise was that the blood had come from a living human. No one has ever figured out where or whom the blood came from. Visit us online.

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Maze of Secrets

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000

...1 eerie corn maze... ...9 haunting figures... ...9 spine-tingling tales... ...Will YOU find your way out? This holiday season, step into a labyrinth of shadows and suspense with Shane Waters as your guide. In this chilling collaboration, you'll encounter the hosts of 9 acclaimed true crime podcasts, each offering a dark tale and a life lesson to send shivers down your spine. This is not just a special episode; it's an immersive journey through a maze of twisted paths and unsolved mysteries. So, lift your lantern high and venture into 'Maze of Secrets'... ...but be warned... ...not everyone makes it to the end… Prepare to get lost in the stories, but find yourself in their lessons. It's an odyssey of crime, mystery, and eerie life lessons that you won't soon forget. This is Shane’s 5th holiday collaboration. If you dare to walk this twisted path with us, you're in for a night you'll never forget. Are you ready? Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance:

Foul Play: Crime Series

Listen to the other holiday collaborations here.

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13: Phantom Barber of Pascagoula

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 17:51:00 +0000

In 1942, Pascagoula was plagued by a series of peculiar home invasions: “The intruder took locks of hair from each of the people whose homes he broke into”. Although one man became a suspect, he was never formally charged and passed a lie-detector test; no one has ever figured out who the Phantom Barber really was or why he did what he did.

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12: The Black Forest Haunting

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 17:24:00 +0000

The Black Forest of Colorado is a lush pine woodland that stretches for miles. It is filled with abundant wildlife and makes a beautiful home for anyone who wishes to live among nature.

Or so you’d think.

Steven and Beth Lee fell in love with the Black Forest and decided to buy a home there in 1990 for themselves and their children. Hoping to raise a family in the wilderness and enjoying the peace and calm that usually accompanies it.

When they moved in, they were filled with hope and excitement. They all wandered around the house, opening doors and picking out bedrooms. Unaware of another doorway that was open but unseen.

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11: The Gurdon Light

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:30:00 +0000

Ever since the 1930s, a floating light appears above the railroad tracks near Gurdon sometime in late October. It’s not in dispute whether the light appears because thousands of people have seen it. What remains a mystery is what causes the light

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10: Pyro Poltergeist

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Our homes are our safe places, our own little corner of familiarity and comfort to escape from the dangers of the world. When we lock our doors at night and lay our heads on our pillows, we do so believing that we are safe and that we will wake up the following morning unscathed.

Even if something goes bump in the night, most of us have some kind of plan in place to prevent harm. But what if there was no way to stop what was trying to harm you and your family?

That was the frightening reality for the Hackler family of Odon, Indiana. On June 21, 1940, some strange phantom phenomenon ignited twenty-eight fires in their home. It forced them to sleep outside and eventually move their home piece by piece.

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9: Strange Mutilations

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Cow mutilations have occurred for centuries, and we are still not close to discovering what or who is doing them. Yes, some have been hoaxes as the owner attempts to gain attention, but there have been far too many to all be fake.

Take, for instance, the towns of Jerome and Bliss, Idaho. A bizarre butcher has plagued both cities for decades. Locals have blamed cults, satanic practices, the government, coyotes, and even extraterrestrials.

In this episode of Hidden Staircase, we will examine the clues and attempt to make our judgments based on the evidence. There is a culprit behind these killings. Is it a sacrifice to a deity, or is our livestock being abducted by space aliens and pieced apart to study? Let’s try to uncover the hidden truth.

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8: Read All About It! Missing Paperboys of Des Moines

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Today's story is about two unfortunate boys who fell prey to the devious hunger of human predators. However, their stories helped to develop the program where missing children were printed on the side of milk cartons and eventually helped give breath to our current Amber Alert system.

This year it has been forty-one and thirty-nine years since Johnny Gosch and Eugene Martin have been seen. Their cases remain open but aren’t actively investigated. They are believed dead by authorities.

Were they victims of a lone hunter, or were they taken to be a part of the human trafficking circle?

Discover more down the Hidden Staircase.

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7: Summerwinds

Mon, 15 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Today’s story takes us to Wisconsin and a possible portal that has been causing those who travel there to experience a wide array of negative paranormal occurrences.

It is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin, and resides along West Bay Lake. You’ve probably heard about the haunted Summerwinds Mansion, but today, we will expand that knowledge and learn all about the history and energies that still reside in the area to this day.

Some intense energy had to open that portal. So let’s see if we can discover what it was.

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Deadly Devotion: Motherhood and Mayhem, Part 2

Wed, 10 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

[Part 2] This Mother’s Day, join Shane Waters on a chilling adventure featuring 14 podcasters as they share sinister stories of motherhood. Mother’s Day is typically a time to honor the love and sacrifices of mothers, but today we’ll be exploring the twisted tales that lurk behind the shadows. It’s an extra special, two parts, more than two-hour, Mother’s Day event. Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1:

Foul Play: Crime Series

Music City 911

Crimes from the East

Cults, Crimes, Cabernet

A Nefarious Nightmare

Crimelines

The Asian Madness Podcast

Part 2:

Once Upon A Crime

PNW Haunts & Homicides

Mystery Inc

If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: Deceptions & Resurrections, Bloody Valentine, and A Nightmare before Halloween . Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.

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Deadly Devotion: Motherhood and Mayhem, Part 1

Tue, 09 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

This Mother’s Day, join Shane Waters on a chilling adventure featuring 14 podcasters as they share sinister stories of motherhood. Mother’s Day is typically a time to honor the love and sacrifices of mothers, but today we’ll be exploring the twisted tales that lurk behind the shadows. It’s an extra special, two parts, more than two-hour, Mother’s Day event. Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1:

Foul Play: Crime Series

Music City 911

Crimes from the East

Cults, Crimes, Cabernet

A Nefarious Nightmare

Crimelines

The Asian Madness Podcast

Part 2:

Once Upon A Crime

PNW Haunts & Homicides

Mystery Inc

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6: Isle of Decay

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

The island of Daksa, Croatia was first inhabited in 1281 when a Franciscan monastery was built on it called Saint Sabina. The monks were the island's sole inhabitants and brought in spiritual leaders from all over Europe.

For over 500 years, Daksa was seen as a sacred and holy place. Until a mass execution in 1944 that left the island filled with unburied bodies for decades.

If anyone does ever wishes to visit Daksa Island today, good luck finding a boat to take you there. The spirits and curse that remain in the shade of the overgrown pines are always waiting for the next brave person to stay a while.

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Deceptions & Resurrections, Part 2

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

This Easter, join Shane Waters on a whimsical adventure featuring 13 podcasters as they share true stories of con artists and fake deaths. Delve into the magical world of the Enchanted Easterlands, where you’ll encounter peculiar characters and captivating true crime tales. Discover the history and origins of Easter, and experience a journey like no other. It’s an extra special, two part, more than two-hour, Easter event. Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1:

Part 2:

Obscura: A True Crime Podcast

Hillbilly Horror Stories

History Goes Bump

Judgy Crime Girls

Foul Play: Crime Series

If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: My Bloody Valentine and A Nightmare before Halloween. Stay tuned for upcoming holiday collaborations for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.

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Deceptions & Resurrections, Part 1

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Part 2:

Obscura: A True Crime Podcast

Hillbilly Horror Stories

History Goes Bump

Judgy Crime Girls

Foul Play: Crime Series

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5: Paradise Lost

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

The oasis of the Hawaiian islands. They are filled with rich culture, beautiful blue waters, and some of the most fertile volcanic soil that brings life to lush green foliage and unique species of animals. They are heaven on earth.

Today's story will tell us about a young woman named Valerie Ann Warshay who traveled to Hawaii in 1978 for a hiking and camping trip. Sadly, she ended up in a forty-year-old cold case involving her murder.

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4: Harvey Haver

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We all have a relationship with our postal workers. Some of us are even friends with them, often talking daily as they deliver the mail. Over time, a sense of trust develops. I mean, they know where you live. Who wouldn’t be kind?

It would be difficult to imagine that behind that friendly smile and wave could lie a killer. But, unfortunately, that would be the sad reality of one small Ohio town in 1926. When a trusted postman named Harvey Haver gruesomely murdered his wife and attempted to hide her body down a well. Completely shocking the town and causing people to think twice before striking up a conversation with their postal delivery workers.

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3: Belle Gunness: Her Misery Loves Company

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 14:07:00 +0000

They say, “misery loves company,” and Belle Gunness kept quite a lot of company but not for very long. She is known today as Hell’s Belle or Lady Bluebeard. Belle sits among the unnerving rank as one of the few female serial killers in America’s history. She is known to have murdered at least fourteen people, with some of the victims including her several husbands and even her own children. Belle was a professional and deadly insurance scam artist who stopped at nothing to get her payouts.

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2: Pimlico Poisoning

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 17:00:00 +0000

We often associate unique marriages with the last several decades. Often forgetting that for most of history, marriages have been more of a contract for wealth, comfort, and offspring. Kings would have multiple wives, and wealthy noble’s children were often just pawns to increase the family’s status by marrying them off to the most wealthy single nobles they could. People have continually constructed their own unique ever-afters.

Our story for today involves a platonic marriage formed out of practicality and ended in death. This is no Romeo and Juliet tragic romance. Instead, it’s a victorian tale of one woman who first found marriage, then found love. While her husband found himself six feet under.

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1: Alabama’s Sloss Furnace

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 16:59:00 +0000

Welcome to the Library beneath the Hidden Staircase with Kristen Seavey as our Librarian.

The Sloss Furnace in Birmingham, Alabama is a place filled with strong emotional energy. The Sloss Furnace was the main manufacturer of pig iron in the United States during the Industrial Revolution, providing jobs to the lower class. Unfortunately, the Mill had a high mortality rate with 60 workers losing their lives due to an unsafe and unregulated working environment.

This conversation focuses around not only this notorious furnace but also the man behind many of their deaths, james Robert Wormwood, also known as Slag.

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