Morbid

Weirdos! Today we are joined by legendary crime novelist Patricia Cornwell, the mastermind behind the Kay Scarpetta series and one of the pioneers of the forensic thriller genre! Whether you’re a longtime Scarpetta stan or newly forensic-curious, this episode is packed with morbid stories, writing wisdom, and bone-deep passion for the truth!Looking to Preorder SHARP FORCE, the 29th installment of the Scarpetta series? Click HERE or find it at your favorite bookseller on 10/7/25!Would you like a sneak peak to the Scarpetta Television show? Click Here!Want to read A Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Ruben? Find it here!Join us for our NEXT Morbid Bookclub by starting the first Scarpetta book, Post Mortem! Find it here!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the evening of November 30, 1989, Linda Napolitano awoke in her lower Manhattan apartment to find herself unable to move. She felt as though she was in the presence of other individuals, then she began to lift off her bed and was transported, as though by unseen hands, out her bedroom window several floors up, before being abducted into an unidentified aircraft. Linda Napolitano is one of countless people who claim to have been abducted and experimented on by extraterrestrials; however, she is one of very few whose abduction was witnessed by nearly two dozen strangers in one of the busiest cities in the world. According to ufologist Budd Hopkins, Napolitano’s abduction has produced irrefutable evidence of extraterrestrial life, but more importantly, he believes Linda’s case is proof of a larger and more insidious plan to eradicate humanity altogether.The Manhattan Alien Abduction case is among a small number of heavily researched and well-documented cases of supposed alien abduction in American history, but it is not without its critics. In the years following Linda’s abduction, a dramatic story has unfolded, pitting skeptics and believers against one another in surprising and deeply personal ways.Thank you to the Amazing Dave White (of BRING ME THE AXE PODCAST) for research and writing assistance!ReferencesHopkins, Budd. 1996. Witnessed: The True Story of the Brooklyn Bridge UFO Abductions. New York, NY: Pocket Books.Lowe, Lindsay. 2024. ‘The Manhattan Alien Abduction’ controversial true story: Why the star is suing Netflix. November 1. Accessed September 27, 2025. https://www.today.com/popculture/manhattan-alien-abduction-true-story-rcna178005.2024. The Manhattan Alien Abduction. Directed by Vivienne Perry and Daniel Vernon.Sheaffer, Robert. 2011. "Abductology Implodes." Skeptical Inquirer 25-27. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On February 4, 1941, Bronx police officers were called to the home of John and Catherine Pappas for a report of a homicide. Based on the evidence, detectives theorized that someone had been invited into the Pappas apartment while Catherine was home alone and that same someone had strangled her to death, then ransacked the apartment looking for valuables. To investigators the scene resembled a fairly straightforward robbery-homicide; however, to detective Ed Burns, there were elements of the crime scene that bore a striking similarity to another assault and robbery case he’d been assigned to just two weeks earlier in another part of the Bronx. What followed was an investigation that exploded in size from a single robbery-gone-wrong that resulted in a murder to a sprawling serial sexual assault case that would eventually involve more than eighty victims in eight states, all victimized by the same man. The hunt for the Aspirin Bandit is among the more remarkable cases in New York criminal history, not only because of the number of victims, but also because of the tremendous effort and coordination put forth to catch the killer—effort and coordination that, in 1941, was virtually unheard of.Thank you to the Amazing Dave White (of BRING ME THE AXE PODCAST) for research and writing assistance!ReferencesBrooklyn Eagle. 1941. "Papas slayer, faced by victims, confesses." Brooklyn Eagle, March 4: 1.Connor, Christine, and Elise Greven. 2017. "Gentleman Killer." A Crime to Remember. Janaury 3.Dillon, Edward, and Howard Whitman. 1941. "Cigarets, aspirin clues to woman's strangler." Daily News (New York, NY), February 6: 4.New York Times. 1941. "Alarm for burglar sent in Pappas case." New York Times, February 8: 32.—. 1941. "Cvek found guilty of Pappas murder." New York Times, May 20: 46.—. 1941. "Cvek tells court he killed in anger." New York Times, May 16: 24.—. 1941. "Mystery cloaks woman's murder." New York Times, February 6: 15.—. 1941. "Pappas strangler admits 15 crimes." New York Times, March 5: 1.—. 1941. "Slayer of woman 'rebukes' press." New York Times, March 8: 34.—. 1941. "Sun lamp halts trial." New York Times, April 22: 23.Rice, William. 1941. "Cvek a killer? No surprise to his relatives." Daily News (New York, NY), March 5: 4. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dive into a collection of chilling listener tales that embrace the villain theme! Explore haunted plants and an eerie animatronic figure with signs from beyond. Hear about a mom using her toddler to deliver a ghostly warning and a sorority break-in linked to a Ted Bundy copycat. Ghostly babysitters and a spooky Ouija board experience add to the thrills. Join the hosts as they celebrate strange encounters and encourage more eerie stories from fellow weirdos!

In this episode, Sam of Sam & Colby joins the conversation, bringing his expertise as a YouTuber and paranormal investigator. They discuss their wild adventures exploring haunted sites and the haunted school they purchased in Iowa, complete with strange security footage. Sam shares spooky childhood experiences, while they debunk mediums and touch on the balance of belief and skepticism in the paranormal world. The pair even engages in a fun 'Would You Rather' game, making light of their ghostly encounters and Halloween plans!

In a chilling case from 1993, the details surrounding Stephanie Wasilishin's shooting unravel. Russell Peterson's conflicting accounts raise eyebrows, especially when their daughter claimed, 'Papa killed her.' Autopsy findings hint at homicide rather than suicide, leaving the family desperate for justice. As they push to reopen the investigation, forensics play a crucial role in questioning the narrative. With so many loose ends, can the truth finally emerge after decades? It's a gripping exploration of family, memory, and the quest for answers.

In the summer of 1977, a London family reported bizarre occurrences, from moving furniture to disembodied voices. The tale of the Enfield Poltergeist captivated both skeptics and believers alike. Delving into family dynamics, the stress of financial instability, and emotional complexities amidst the chaos, the hosts explore the haunting impacts on the Hodgson family. A chaotic night of flying objects and mysterious disturbances escalated media interest and debate, revealing the emotional toll on young Janet and the lingering fascination with this notorious case.

Happy Friday, weirdos! We are SO EXCITED to spend our FIRST MONTHLY BONUS EPISODE digging into the shocking Netflix Documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish! MAJOR spoilers ahead, so if you haven't watched it yet, press 'pause' and get thee to Netflix IMMEDIATELY!Want to watch the documentary? Find it on Netflix here! Unknown Number: The High School CatfishLooking for the article we mentioned? Find it on THECUT Here! Who Was Cyberbullying  Kendra Licari's Teen Daughter? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Explore the chilling case of Gloria Ramirez, whose admission to the ER ended in chaos and tragedy. From her mysterious symptoms to the alarming reactions of medical staff, the story unravels a medical enigma that defies explanation. The discussion also touches on the emotional toll of loss and raises questions about toxic exposure and media sensationalism. Between the haunting realities of trauma and moments of lighthearted banter, this journey delves into both the bizarre and heartbreaking aspects of a life cut short.

The podcast dives into the shocking story of Patty Hearst's kidnapping and her controversial decision to join her captors, the Symbionese Liberation Army. It charts the group's desperate measures as they faced disillusionment and chaos, including a botched bank heist. The discussion highlights the psychological turmoil surrounding Hearst's transformation from victim to accused criminal, raising questions about justice and the complexities of survival under duress. Humor and camaraderie punctuate the analysis, making the narrative both engaging and thought-provoking.