Exploring the darker corners of southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and western Kentucky. From true crime and disappearances to encounters with cryptids, UAPs, and the paranormal, each episode uncovers compelling stories and chilling phenomena from the tri-state area.
Episodes
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
This episode focuses on the ongoing search for 24-year-old Andi Wagner, who was last seen in Evansville, Indiana, on August 6, 2022.
Here's a summary of the key information discussed:
- The Search Efforts: The episode highlights the active involvement of Andi's family and friends in the search, including their efforts on the "Where is Andi?" Facebook page. [02:52]
- Community Collaboration: Learn about the collaboration between Rick White, the former Emergency Management Director in Union County, Kentucky, and YouTubers Trey and Ronnie, who organized searches in local waterways. [04:21]
- Family Insights: Hear a clip from an interview with Andi's cousin, Frankie Lee, who discusses the unusual circumstances surrounding Andi's disappearance and mentions a neighbor's involvement with ring camera footage. [06:02]
- Search Updates and Theories: The host interviews Rick White about the planned search efforts and his perspectives on the case, including potential reasons for the lack of progress in the investigation. [18:21]
- Call for Information: The episode concludes with a direct appeal to anyone who may have information about Andi's whereabouts to contact the Evansville Police Department at 812-436-7979. [32:44]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/11
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
Where is Andi - Facebook Group
*****
In this episode:
Interview with Rick White, former Emergency Management Director in Union County, Kentucky.
Rick's TikTok: Front Porch America
JuJu's Rabbit Hole - Interview with Franky Lee (Andi's cousin)
WEVV-44 - Family searching for missing woman Andi Wagner
Friday Mar 10, 2023
Friday Mar 10, 2023
This episode explores the intriguing phenomenon of phantom trains, sharing eerie accounts and legends of trains heard or even seen when no physical train is present.
Here's a summary of the occurrences discussed:
- Police Hear a Ghost Train: The episode begins with a news story about two police officers in Swadlincote, England, who reported hearing a phantom train on a railway line that no longer exists. [01:12]
- Barbie's Revival Experience: Matt's sister, Barbie Deig, recounts her own unsettling experience from the early 1990s at a revival where she and many others distinctly heard a train despite no train being visible. [03:41]
- Famous Phantom Train Legends: Matt discusses well-known instances of phantom trains throughout history, including the spectral sightings of Abraham Lincoln's funeral train. [08:15]
- Share Your Stories: The host encourages listeners who have had similar experiences with phantom trains or who attended the mentioned revival to share their stories on the podcast's Discord server. [08:46]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/10
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
https://www.coasttocoastam.com/article/british-cops-report-hearing-phantom-train/
Saturday Jan 07, 2023
Saturday Jan 07, 2023
This episode dives into the bizarre and enduring mystery of the Kelly-Hopkinsville "Little Green Men" Encounter, a case often cited as a significant Close Encounter of the Third Kind.
Here's a breakdown of the key details discussed:
- Geraldine Sutton Stith's Account: The episode features an interview with Geraldine Sutton Stith, the daughter of Elmer Lucky Sutton, one of the eleven individuals who claimed to have been terrorized by strange creatures on their rural Kentucky farm in the summer of 1955. [01:01]
- The Initial Sightings: Learn about the first sighting by Billy Ray Taylor, who reported seeing an unusual oval, silver object with rainbow colors in the sky. [02:16] Later that evening, both Billy Ray and Lucky Sutton encountered the first of the creatures, described as having large ears, glowing eyes, and arms that extended to the ground. [05:40]
- The Farm Under Siege: Hear the incredible story of how the family reacted to the appearance of multiple creatures, including their attempts to shoot the beings, which seemed to have no effect. [08:46]
- Seeking Help in Hopkinsville: Understand the family's fear and their decision to seek assistance from the authorities in Hopkinsville. [09:01]
- The Official Response: The episode details the investigation by local police and others, who arrived at the farm but found no concrete evidence of the creatures. [09:46]
- The Aftermath for the Sutton Family: Learn about the profound impact of the encounter on the Sutton family, leading them to sell their farm within two weeks due to fear. [14:24] The episode also notes that the case was never officially investigated by any higher authorities. [17:21]
- Challenging Explanations: While some have proposed alternative explanations for the sightings, such as owls, cats, or monkeys, the speaker, Geraldine Sutton Stith, firmly believes it was an encounter with extraterrestrial beings. [25:42]
- Addressing Misconceptions: The episode clarifies a common misconception about the case, stating that alcohol was not a factor during the night of the alleged encounter. [35:56]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/9
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
Check out Geraldine's Etsy page for her books and merch:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/aliensandgoblins
Information on Geraldine's appearance on UFO Witness:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13889478/
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
This episode features an interview with author, medium, and paranormal investigator Joni Mayhan, who shares her experiences and knowledge of the paranormal, with a particular focus on the historically rich town of New Harmony, Indiana.
Here's a breakdown of the fascinating topics covered:
- Introduction to Joni Mayhan: Learn about Joni's background as an author of books on haunted locations in Posey County and New Harmony, Indiana, and her belief in the importance of history in understanding paranormal activity. [01:02], [01:09]
- The Unique Energy of New Harmony: Discover why New Harmony is considered a unique location for paranormal phenomena, possibly due to its history of utopian societies and potential geological factors. [02:38]
- Acceptance in a Small Town: Hear about Joni's experience as an openly practicing medium and paranormal investigator in a small, religious community. [05:14]
- Haunted Ghost Walks: Learn about the popularity of Joni's ghost walks in New Harmony and their contribution to the town's tourism. [06:41]
- First Encounter at the Arbor House: Joni recounts her initial paranormal experience in New Harmony at the Arbor House, where she encountered the spirit of an older woman. [08:32]
- Upcoming Public Investigation: Find out about an upcoming public paranormal investigation at the historic Arbor House. [08:25]
- Clairaudience Explained: Understand Joni's ability to perceive paranormal activity through hearing specific tones. [09:55], [13:12]
- Being a "Ghost Magnet": Joni describes herself as someone who attracts paranormal activity and the importance of having a mentor for protection. [14:24]
- Goals of Paranormal Investigations: Learn about Joni's objectives during investigations, which include assisting residents and helping spirits transition. [16:18]
- Activities of Ghosts: Explore the possibilities of what ghosts might do in their afterlife. [17:57]
- New Harmony as a "Thin Place": The episode discusses the concept of New Harmony being a location where the veil between the living and the dead is thin. [19:05]
- Unusual Hauntings: Hear about the strange case of a newly built Dollar General store that is reportedly haunted. [19:48]
- Likely Haunted Locations: Joni shares insights into the types of places, such as nursing homes and hospitals, that are often associated with hauntings. [24:14]
- Paranormal Investigation Equipment: The episode mentions the tools commonly used in paranormal investigations, including Spirit Boxes and SLS cameras. [25:51]
- A Skeptical Investigator: Discover that Joni identifies as a skeptic who values evidence and approaches paranormal phenomena with caution. [27:45]
- Animal Sensitivity to Ghosts: Learn about the belief that animals, especially cats, can detect the presence of ghosts. [31:37]
- Ghostly Interactions: The varying abilities of ghosts to interact physically with their surroundings are discussed. [33:10]
- Earthbound Spirits and Suicide: Joni shares her experiences with spirits of individuals who died by suicide often remaining Earthbound and her ability to assist them in crossing over. [34:07]
- Communicating with Ghosts: Hear about Joni's methods of communicating with ghosts, sometimes through automatic writing. [35:14]
- The Afterlife Mystery: The difficulty in obtaining information about the afterlife from Earthbound spirits is mentioned. [37:03]
- Validating Ghostly Presence: Learn about the techniques used to validate the presence of ghosts during paranormal investigations. [37:23]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/8
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
Haunted New Harmony | Where History and Hauntings Collide (jonimayhan.com)
Joni Mayhan (@jonimayhan933) TikTok | Watch Joni Mayhan's Newest TikTok Videos
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
This episode delves into the tragic and unsolved murder of 36-year-old Doris McDonough, a wife and mother who was brutally killed in her Evansville, Indiana, home on October 3, 1968.
Here's a summary of the key details discussed in the episode:
- The Brutal Crime Scene: Learn about the horrific discovery of Doris' body in her kitchen, detailing the severe head, face, neck, and back trauma she sustained from being beaten with a heavy, blunt object. [00:43], [00:48]
- Initial Investigation Details: Understand the initial confusion of investigators who first suspected a shooting, only to discover through the autopsy that Doris was beaten to death. The presence of a struggle and towels wrapped around her head wounds are also highlighted. [03:34]
- The Missing Hammer: The episode points out the significant detail of a missing claw hammer from the McDonough residence, which investigators theorized could have been the murder weapon. [04:30]
- Husband's Account and Timeline: In this episode, we meticulously examine the detailed timeline provided by Doris' husband, William McDonough, to the Evansville Press just eight days after the murder, outlining his activities on the day of the crime. [08:04]
- Inconsistencies and Suspicious Elements: Matt critically analyzes William's timeline, drawing attention to certain inconsistencies and odd explanations, such as the timing of his visits and the reason given for leaving the back door unlocked. [13:55]
- A Case Gone Cold: Despite the initial investigation and scrutiny of the evidence, the episode underscores the fact that no one was ever charged in Doris McDonough's murder, and the case remains unsolved to this day. [07:13]
- Research Sources: The host acknowledges and credits "The Bones of Autumn" from Reddit and her book, "Unsolved Indiana Murder Mysteries, Bizarre Deaths and Unexplained Disappearances," as key sources for the information presented in the episode. [07:22]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/7
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
Unsolved Indiana: Murder Mysteries, Bizarre Deaths, & Unexplained Disappearances by Autumn Bones
Sunday Sep 04, 2022
Sunday Sep 04, 2022
This episode features an interview with Joe Weigant, the founder of Evansville Paranormal Investigations and Consulting (EPIC) and a retired detective with the Evansville Police Department. Joe shares his unique perspective on paranormal investigations, blending his law enforcement background with his abilities as a psychic and spirit communicator.
Here are the key topics discussed in the episode:
- Introduction to Joe Weigant: Learn about Joe's background as a retired detective and his current work as a psychic and spirit communicator. He also owns Tri-State Holistic Wellness, where he utilizes energy work for holistic healing. [01:18]
- The Philosophy of EPIC: Discover EPIC's approach to paranormal investigations, which focuses on resolving paranormal issues by communicating with and helping spirits cross over, rather than solely collecting evidence. [02:27]
- Reasons for Spirits Remaining Earthbound: Joe explains the various reasons why spirits might linger in the earthly realm, including fear of judgment, strong attachments, or a lack of awareness of their passing. [09:54]
- Methods of Spirit Communication: Understand the challenges spirits face when trying to communicate and the common forms of communication, such as Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVPs) and shadowy figures. [17:41]
- Distinguishing Spirits from "Demons": Joe clarifies the difference between typical spirits and what are often referred to as "demons," describing the latter as entities from other dimensions that feed on emotional energy, particularly fear. [27:52]
- Case Study: Dog-like Creatures and a Powerful Entity: Hear a compelling account of a specific paranormal case where Joe encountered unusual dog-like creatures and a powerful entity that required intervention from Archangel Michael. [37:48]
- Case Study: Helping Murdered Native American Spirits: Joe recounts his experience helping a group of Native American spirits who were murdered and unable to move on. [45:38]
- The Practice of Smudging: Learn about the ancient practice of smudging, which involves burning specific elements to clear negative energy, and the importance of the practitioner's intention. [01:04:16]
- Understanding the Prayer Position: Joe explains the significance of the prayer position in the context of aromatherapy and various cultural practices. [01:21:50]
- Joe's Experience on Paranormal 911: Get insights into Joe's appearance on the Travel Channel show Paranormal 911, including his perspective on the differences between his actual experiences and how they were portrayed on television. [01:23:08]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/6
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
Saturday Aug 06, 2022
Saturday Aug 06, 2022
This episode examines the tragic and unsolved murder of 20-year-old Blake Crews in Henderson, Kentucky, on January 16, 2015.
Here's a summary of the key aspects discussed:
- The Crime: Learn about the circumstances surrounding Blake's death, where he was found shot multiple times in the face at a house he was watching. [02:28]
- Remembering Blake: The episode emphasizes Blake's positive character, highlighting that he was not involved in drugs or criminal activities. He was a talented musician, actively engaged in his community, and had a promising future ahead of him. [04:30]
- Community Loss: Understand the profound impact of Blake's death on his family, friends, and the wider community, with the episode aiming to encourage anyone with information to come forward. [03:34]
- Personal Accounts: Hear from Blake's mother, Donna, his sister, Amanda, and his friends, Brandon and Kyle, as they share cherished memories and discuss the lasting impact of his untimely death. [03:06]
- Call for Justice: We encourage anyone with knowledge of this case to contact Kentucky State Police Post 16 at 270.826.3312 or anonymously 800-222-5555. [42:18]
- Developments in the Case: Eight of Blake's acquaintances were charged with offenses unrelated to his murder. [07:08]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/5
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
Saturday Apr 30, 2022
Saturday Apr 30, 2022
This episode explores the strange and unexplained events surrounding the Odon fire Poltergeist in Odon, Indiana, which occurred in the summer of 1940.
Here's a breakdown of the eerie occurrences discussed:
- The Land's History: The episode begins by delving into the history of the property where the mysterious fires took place, starting with Marshall Ketchum, who built a house on the land in the 1860s. [03:32]
- The Unexplained Fires: Learn about the series of spontaneous fires that plagued the home of William Hackler in the summer of 1940. These fires were not isolated incidents and were witnessed and verified by multiple neighbors. [07:10], [08:15]
- Official Investigation: The podcast details the investigation carried out by authorities to determine the cause of the fires. Despite their efforts, the source of the flames remained a baffling mystery. The State Fire Marshall also became involved in the investigation. [08:32], [12:39]
- Local Theories: Explore the various theories that emerged to explain the strange events, including the belief by some that the Hackler home was haunted or under a curse. [11:57]
- Current Unknowns: The episode notes that the precise location of the Heckler farm is currently unknown, and the Hackler family appears to have left the county, adding to the enigma of the story. [15:58]
- Insurance Ad Connection: Discover the interesting connection between the Odon fire story and the Traveler Insurance Company, which used the tale in an advertisement in 1941. [13:13]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/4
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
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