MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories Touch Me and Die (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)
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Jan 5, 2026 A chilling tale unfolds in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, involving a messy chemistry lab and a mysterious note that suggests danger. Bobby Curley's unsettling illness spirals from a harmless prank into a diagnosis of thallium poisoning. Investigators find incriminating evidence, including a rag labeled 'Touch me and die.' The case takes shocking turns with family accusations and polygraph tests, ultimately revealing a calculated plot by Joanne, driven by financial motives. The gripping details of this slow poisoning saga will keep you on the edge of your seat.
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Worker's Slow Onset Poisoning
- Bobby Curley fell ill with mysterious, worsening symptoms while working renovating a university chemistry lab.
- He was misdiagnosed, briefly improved, then deteriorated into coma before doctors identified thallium poisoning.
Pranks Masked Possible Tampering
- Crew pranks were common on Bobby's job and included swapping drinks, which created an environment where tampering could go unnoticed.
- A prank involving Sammy's Coke highlighted how easily beverages could be switched on site.
Controlled Substances Can Misdirect Investigations
- Early contamination signals can mislead investigators when dangerous substances are tightly controlled.
- Thorough forensic testing and persistence are crucial to locate uncommon poisoning sources.