Unexplained

Whatever you believe about the use of Hurkos’ supposed talents, it is hard to deny the extra layer of fascination his involvement brings to a police investigation. With that in mind, there is one case in particular that makes for intriguing listening. Not least of all, because it also happened to involve one of America’s most curious and shocking crimes of the 20th century... Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two of S05 Episode 18: Learning to See  After accepting a call from the Strangler Taskforce, Peter Hurkos arrives in Providence, Rhode Island to see what he can do to help... Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1964 the eleventh in a series of brutal murders occurred in and around the city of Boston, Massachusetts, that police had come to believe were all perpetrated by the same individual - referred to in the press as The Mad Strangler.    No closer to finding the culprit after 18 months of investigations, an incredible decision was made in an attempt to crack the case... Featuring the extraordinary story of self-proclaimed psychic Peter Hurkos.  Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many are fascinated by Heinrich Himmler and the National Socialist German Workers' Party's (NSDAP) association with the occult.  It is an association that in ways, along with the term 'Nazi,' has clouded one of the fundamental truths about Himmler and the NSDAP.  Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By all accounts, Robert Taylor wasn’t a man prone to exaggeration. Certainly, encounters of the strange were the furthest thing from his mind when he headed out to work on the outskirts of Livingston, in Scotland, one chilly morning in November 1979.  Soon, it would be all people would want to talk about... Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The issue of relying on the memory of individuals to recall events in criminal matters, particularly eye-witnesses to a crime, is one that continues to plague the criminal justice system. Pioneering psychologist Elizabeth Loftus, who's spent the last fifty years looking into the subject, has arguably done more than anyone to help us understand why.  Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two of S05 Episode 16: Built On Shifting Sands The discovery of George Jayne's phone number among the belongings of Pat Blough, Ann Miller, and Renee Bruhl, found at the Indiana Dunes State Park, takes the story of their disappearance on a wholly unexpected path... Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In July 1966, a Park Ranger for the Indiana Dunes State Park came across a blanket of sandy belongings that had been left behind on the beach by three young women. And so began one of the greatest mysteries the American Midwest would ever know. Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1975 in Ukraine, a quarry worker found a strange, black spherical object buried in a seam of clay eight meters below the surface. Some believe it was nothing more than a gallo - a type of antiquated ironing tool made of glass. Others however believed it was something a little more interesting... Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In January 1986, a strange object was witnessed crashing into a mountain in a far eastern region of the then Soviet Union. Described by some as Russia's Roswell, analysis of the crash site is also said to have revealed intriguing similarities with one of the world's greatest mysteries involving something falling to earth from space...  Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WARNING: Please be advised this episode contains disturbing and graphic scenes of torture. Parental discretion is advised. In Scotland, England, and Wales, one powerful individual's fear of witchcraft almost single-handedly set off a series of witch panics throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, resulting in the torture and death of thousands of innocent people.  And it all began one stormy night back in 1589... Featuring the story of King James VI and the North Berwick Witch Trials Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1595, just outside the town of Tyldesley in Lancashire, in the northwest of England, two children started exhibiting worrying signs they had become possessed by demonic spirits.   The strange and sinister case of the Lancashire Seven had begun... Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One real-world locked-room mystery that has enthralled and mystified some of the world’s best crime writers from PD James to Raymond Chandler, occurred only a few years before Artemus Oggeltree’s death, in Liverpool, England back in 1931. It was as Chandler himself described, “the impossible murder because [the main suspect] couldn’t have done it and neither could anyone else...” Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The locked-room mystery in literature is widely thought to have originated with Edgar Allan Poe’s shocking and disturbing The Murder in Rue Morgue published in 1841. In 1935, in a hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, a real-life locked-room mystery occured, as compelling and strange as any fiction...  Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is thought that neighbours of the Evangelista family were reluctant to help the investigation into their murder, due to fear of reprisal from the culprit.  Or more pertinently, fear of reprisal from La Mano Nera, or the Black Hand, who many suspected was ultimately responsible for the murders. But who were The Black Hand and were they even real at all? Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two of S05 Episode 12: Prophet and Loss Police cast their net ever wider in their effort to find a culprit for the brutal murder of the Evangelista family, drawing increasingly dark and strange connections to the case, but will any of it lead to an answer? Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On July 3rd, 1929, a horrific discovery was made at 3587 St Aubin Street, home to Santina and Benny Evangelist and their family. What ensued, was one of the most bizarre murder mysteries in US history...  Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some have speculated that Flight MH370 fell prey to Malaysia and Indonesia's own version of the Bermuda Triangle. The theory stems from a proposed connection with another equally haunting story, the disputed origin of which is almost as mysterious as the story itself... Featuring the chilling tale of the SS Ourang Medan.  Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The search continues... Part Two of S05 Episode 11: Destination Unknown  Featuring the story of Malaysia Airways Flight MH370 Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A plane is missing... Featuring the story of Malaysia Airways Flight MH370 Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A closer look at the mysterious RAF Rudloe Manor... Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The otherworld of Welsh mythology, known as Annwn, is said to be populated with a vast array of creatures including fairies and mottled ridged serpents.  It is also said that there is one place more than any other where the bridge between our world and theirs is at its thinnest. That place, is the Berwyn Mountains... Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At almost exactly the same time that the horrifying events were coming to light on Hinterkaifeck farm, another strange and tragic story was unfolding on a farm in Brittany, France. Featuring the story of Pauline Picard Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(Part Two of S05 Episode 9: Tenebrous)There was once a place, deep in the rural hinterland of Bavaria in southern Germany, that sat quiet and still, alone in the fields, surrounded by thick pine forest. A farmhouse made of stone, and painted white.Its name, was Hinterkaifeck.Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was once a place, deep in the rural hinterland of Bavaria in southern Germany, that sat quiet and still, alone in the fields, surrounded by thick pine forest. A farmhouse made of stone, and painted white.Its name, was Hinterkaifeck.Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting in November 2016, employees of the US Embassy in Havana, Cuba began complaining of being plagued by a strange and ominous sound. Many were found to have suffered severe physical side-effects as a result. In a plot that could have been lifted straight from the must ludicrous spy novel, it really is a story that has to be heard to be believed...Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a county that is home to the Westbury White Horse, the ancient feature once etched into the side of an iron-age-hill fort, and the ever mystical prehistoric monument of Stonehenge it can be hard to stand out in Wiltshire.Back in 1965, however, the town of Warminster, gave it a good try.Featuring the extraordinary tale of The Warminster Thing...Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some have noted that the suave Count of St. Germaine, with his possible connection to Transylvania, shared similarities with Count Dracula. However, it wouldn’t be until one, turbulent night in the summer of 1816, that the notion of a vampire as a smooth and sophisticated operator, as opposed to the foul-smelling wretch it had previously been thought of, would first be conceived. It was a night that has since gone down in horror history as the night that spawned not one, but two of the genres most affecting and enduring creations...Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2008, Aubrey de Gray, one of the world’s best-known bio-gerontologists made the stunning claim that the first person who will live to a thousand years old is already alive today.There are some however who would say, that this person isn’t just alive right now, but they have already lived to be over 1000 years old...Featuring the incredible story of the Count of St. Germaine. Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The idea of an object harbouring ghosts or some residue of those who have come into contact with it in the past is a common one found in most cultures throughout the world.Though objects of any age can be considered haunted, it certainly helps to inspire the imagination if they are a little more on the ancient side, as a number of staff working at the British Museum in London have testified...Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the autumn of 1998, Al and Lila Cobb bought an antique bed as a present for their teenage son. Soon after the bed was brought home however, it appeared that wasn't all they had brought home...Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leading on from S05E05, this week's Extra takes a closer look at how a group of otherwise ordinary people were inspired to commit murder on behalf of Charles Manson.Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part two of S05 Episode 5: When Love Breaks DownIn 1965, Sharon, an aspiring actor had a terrifying experience one night while staying alone in the former home of Hollywood producer Paul Bern.With her journey to stardom just beginning, elsewhere in California, another young women's life was heading on a very different trajectory.Unbeknownst to each other, however, both women were destined to collide in the most devastating of circumstances.Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1965, Sharon, an aspiring actor had a terrifying experience one night while staying alone in the former home of Hollywood producer Paul Bern.With her journey to stardom just beginning, elsewhere in California, another young women's life was heading on a very different trajectory.Unbeknownst to each other, however, both women were destined to collide in the most devastating of circumstances.Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been speculated that before heading off to the hills to hide away, the Gulf Breeze Six had hoped to meet up with Milton William Cooper, otherwise known as the godfather of modern conspiracy theory.In 2001 Cooper was shot dead by police after drunkenly initiating a shoot out on his property, or as many of his followers might tell you, at least, that’s what they want you to believe...Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1990 in Gulf Breeze, Florida, in the early hours of Saturday, July 14th, a young man is pulled over for a routine traffic stop. Little could anyone have predicted it would begin the unravelling of one of the most bizarre cases of desertion in the United States Military’s entire history.Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following on from the last episode, some psychologists have speculated that Cindy James' troubled life may have been due to her suffering a form of dissociative identity disorder. In this week's Extra episode we take a closer look at the extraordinary possibilities of such a condition.Go to twitter@unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In June 1989, the body of forty-four-year-old Cindy James, who had been missing for two weeks, was found lying in the tall grass behind a derelict property in the suburbs of Richmond, Vancouver. Cindy's hands and feet had been tied behind her back and she appeared to have been drugged.A coroner confirmed that Cindy died shortly after she went missing. That her body had been found only a short walk from a major road suggested however that it had been placed there quite recently, meaning this was almost certainly a murder.But then again, nothing about Cindy’s bizarre and tragic story had ever been certain...Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In June 1989, the body of forty-four-year-old Cindy James, who had been missing for two weeks, was found lying in the tall grass behind a derelict property in the suburbs of Richmond, Vancouver. Cindy's hands and feet had been tied behind her back and she appeared to have been drugged.A coroner confirmed that Cindy died shortly after she went missing. That her body had been found only a short walk from a major road suggested however that it had been placed there quite recently, meaning this was almost certainly a murder.  But then again, nothing about Cindy’s bizarre and tragic story had ever been certain...  Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In June 1989, the body of forty-four-year-old Cindy James, who had been missing for two weeks, was found lying in the tall grass behind a derelict property in the suburbs of Richmond, Canada. Cindy's hands and feet had been tied behind her back and she appeared to have been drugged.A coroner confirmed that Cindy died shortly after she went missing. That her body had been found only a short walk from a major road suggested however that it had been placed there quite recently, meaning this was almost certainly a murder. But then again, nothing about Cindy’s bizarre and tragic story had ever been certain... Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A closer look at the radical and tragic life of Clara Immerwahr, chemist and first wife of Fritz Haber.Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in 1802, brilliant Prussian naturalist Alexander Von Humboldt was introduced to guano, a natural fertiliser comprised of bat and bird excrement that had long been considered an extraordinarily effective fertiliser, used even by the ancient Incas. Humboldt’s subsequent promotion of guano to agriculturalists in Europe set in motion a chain of events that would not only change the world as we knew it, but change it in ways that we may struggle to ever recover from... Featuring the mysterious Phantom Gasser of Botetourt County.Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The importance of truth is frequently stressed without recognising that much of our day to day lives are governed by fictions, some more useful than others. But where, if at all, should we try to draw the line?Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early 2012 in Gary, Indiana, Latoya Ammons and her young family arrived at their doctor's looking tired and distraught. When she was asked what the matter was, however, few could have predicted what she was about to say next. 'It's the demons in our house,' she said. 'They're attacking the children...'Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Announcement: It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the postponement of Season 05 of Unexplained, which was due to launch tomorrow.Despite the series being ready to go, the uncertainty caused by the outbreak of Covid-19 has unfortunately led to the pausing of my advertising agreement for the time being.It has taken months of work to prepare for the launch and with Unexplained being my full-time job and livelihood I simply can’t afford to release the episodes without being able to monetise them.It goes without saying that your support is hugely appreciated and I’m so sorry to disappoint all you incredible listeners in this way; I feel hugely disappointed at having to postpone.What this does mean though is that you can rest assured that when things return to a relative state of normality, the full series of Unexplained will be ready to launch with a bang.I will release more info as I have it, in the meantime stay safe and stay spooky,Richard MacLean... Smith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SEASON 4 SEND-OFFAll of us will die and even for those who believe we are somehow more than a bundle of cells and flickering synapses and that something else awaits us beyond this mortal realm – there are few who consider the preservation of the body or its final resting place to have any significant bearing on that.So why does disturbing a grave site make us so uneasy? Perhaps because our relationship with death has never really been about the dead...Go to @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two of S04 Episode 21: The Under Weight In 1980, Harris County's Newport subdivision housing development in Texas, put its newest set of plots on the market. The Williams and Haneys were just two sets of couples who moved into the area shortly afterwards. It was a decision, they would soon come to regret...Go to @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1980, Harris County's Newport subdivision housing development in Texas, put its newest set of plots on the market. The Williams and Haneys were just two sets of couples who moved into the area shortly afterwards. It was a decision, they would soon come to regret...Go to @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many say that if a genuine alien spacecraft really had appeared on earth, there would be incontrovertible photographic or video evidence to prove it. And yet, there are countless videos and photos purporting to reveal exactly that. More often than not, however they are dismissed as cases of mistaken identity or simply fakes.In reality, unless a craft were to land on a busy high street in full view of a live news feed and collectively witnessed by everyone you knew – any photo or video evidence can easily be dismissed. Perhaps that is, with the exception of one...Go to @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two of S04 Episode 20: The Homecoming Travis Walton has been missing for five days after his six co-workers claim to have seen him being attacked by a UFO. And now, Travis has returned...Go to @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.