Episode 230: The Life and Death of Drew Thornton and Cocaine Bear - Part 1

At the height of the video game craze in the early 80s, this arcade machine was said to take from its players a lot more than quarters. Kids who spent time in front of its screen allegedly suffered headaches, nightmares, amnesia, or worse. Soon men in black suits whisked the cabinets away, leaving behind nothing but a legend. Was this a case of the government using mass media to control the minds of the youth, or can this story be rated M for myth? Please consider supporting the companies that support us! -BetterHelp - Sinisterhood is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/SINISTER. Join the over 1,000,000 people who have taken charge of their mental health with the help of an experienced professional -Go to prose.com/CREEPY for your FREE in-depth hair consultation and 15% off your order -Go to Brooklinen.com and use promo code SINISTER to get $20 off, with a minimum purchase of $100 -Step into quality, design, and comfort in a pair of Sarah Flint shoes. Get $50 off your first Sarah Flint purchase when you go to sarahflint.com/CREEPY -Listen to This is Actually Happening on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, or you can listen ad-free by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app. Wondery... Feel the Story

29 Sep 20211h 35min

Most bars serve up delicious spirits. But the type of spirit this one has on the menu is of the ghastly kind. An unscrupulous undertaker. A dastardly doctor. And decades' worth of restless souls. That presence you feel next to you at the bar may be from an overly friendly patron, or it could be someone chatting you up from the other side. Please consider supporting the companies that support us! -Go to magicspoon.com/SINISTERHOOD to grab a variety pack of guilt-free cereal. Use promo code SINISTERHOOD at checkout to save five dollars off your order! -Visit simplisafe.com/CREEPY to learn more about the exciting new SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Security Camera, and to receive 20% off your entire new system and your first month of monitoring service FREE, when you enroll in Interactive Monitoring. -Go to HelloFresh.com/creepy14 and use code creepy14 for up to 14 free meals, including free shipping!  -Charlotte's Web - Go to charlottesweb.com and use code CREEPY at checkout to save 15% on your order. Get started with the OG CBD brand who kicked off this whole CBD craze. This code works on all CBD products besides bulk bundles   -Get the world’s smartest cat litter without leaving home by visiting PrettyLitter.com Use promo code CREEPY for 20% off your first order!

22 Sep 20211h 20min

Your deepest desires. Your biggest questions. For centuries people have turned to religion and ritual to find meaning in life. Then right before the pandemic, a new method emerged, promising a random way to answer specific questions. Is it truly providing direction or just taking its users for a ride? Please consider supporting the companies that support us! -Right now, Sinisterhood listeners can get 15% off their Raycon order at buyracon.com/sinister  -Helix is offering up to $200 off all mattress orders AND two free pillows for our listeners at Helixsleep.com/creepy -BetterHelp - Sinisterhood is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/SINISTER. Join the over 1,000,000 people who have taken charge of their mental health with the help of an experienced professional -Smart and Sass - Smartass & Sass is a monthly subscription box that brings snark and sass right to your door. Go to www.smartassandsass.com and use code CREEPY for 25% off your first subscription!

15 Sep 20211h 29min

Hey, y'all! If you aren't subscribed to our Patreon, we wanted to give you a glimpse of what we've got going on! This mega-mix of clips brings you some of our favorite segments from the month of August. You'll hear a ruling from Judge Christie on a physical altercation at the happiest place on Earth, our advice to a listener on wedding planning for an absentee-future-sister-in-law, our guesses on what's in a mystery box that a worried wife found in her fridge, our reaction to unspeakable photos a woman found on her husband's phone, and a clip from our most recent minisode: the second part of our update on Britney Spears and her conservatorship battle. If you like what you hear and want full versions of all this and more, head to patreon.com/sinisterhood for full details on all the benefits and subscribe today!

13 Sep 202130min

After the prosecutor recused himself citing conflicts of interest, the state of the Murdaugh murder investigation seemed to stall. Then, breaking news reports on the shooting of Alex Murdaugh, who happened to be the only named person of interest in the June slayings. Who could have attacked the once prominent trial lawyer? And what led to his sudden resignation from the firm his family started? Check out updates on the Murdaugh murder investigation and the Alex Murdaugh trial on our Patreon: September 2021 Minisode: Murdaugh Murders Update - Part 1 November 2021 Minisode: Murdaugh Murders Update - Part 2 February 2022 Minisode: Murdaugh Murders Update - Part 3 June 2022 Minisode: Murdaugh Update - Part 4 December 2022 Minisode: The Murdaugh Murders Update January 2023 Minisode: The Murdaugh Murders Update Pt. 2 Related: Discovery series: Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty The ongoing Murdaugh family saga exposes murders, a suspicious death and a complex labyrinth of corruption. Never-before-seen video footage reveals a deadly boat ride that spurs the toppling of a powerful dynasty. Netflix series: Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal Shocking tragedies shatter a tight-knit South Carolina community and expose the horrifying secrets of its most powerful family.

8 Sep 20211h 37min

With a string of deadly incidents in their wake, members of the powerful Murdaugh family suddenly found themselves searching for justice. Two brutal slayings, a rain-soaked crime scene, and several possible motives. Authorities are only releasing new information in tiny increments causing speculation to run rampant. With the solicitor in charge finally recusing himself due to conflicts, does that point to a possible development? Check out updates on the Murdaugh murder investigation and the Alex Murdaugh trial on our Patreon: September 2021 Minisode: Murdaugh Murders Update - Part 1 November 2021 Minisode: Murdaugh Murders Update - Part 2 February 2022 Minisode: Murdaugh Murders Update - Part 3 June 2022 Minisode: Murdaugh Update - Part 4 December 2022 Minisode: The Murdaugh Murders Update January 2023 Minisode: The Murdaugh Murders Update Pt. 2 Related: Discovery series: Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty The ongoing Murdaugh family saga exposes murders, a suspicious death and a complex labyrinth of corruption. Never-before-seen video footage reveals a deadly boat ride that spurs the toppling of a powerful dynasty. Netflix series: Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal Shocking tragedies shatter a tight-knit South Carolina community and expose the horrifying secrets of its most powerful family.

1 Sep 20211h 34min

For generations, the Murdaugh family wielded control over the justice system of South Carolina’s low country. Over the past six years, five people with ties to the legendary Murdaugh family have been killed. Is this just coincidence in a tight knit community, or is there a more sinister explanation? This week’s episode is The Murdaugh Family Murders - Part 1. Check out updates on the Murdaugh murder investigation and the Alex Murdaugh trial on our Patreon: September 2021 Minisode: Murdaugh Murders Update - Part 1 November 2021 Minisode: Murdaugh Murders Update - Part 2 February 2022 Minisode: Murdaugh Murders Update - Part 3 June 2022 Minisode: Murdaugh Update - Part 4 December 2022 Minisode: The Murdaugh Murders Update January 2023 Minisode: The Murdaugh Murders Update Pt. 2 Related: Discovery series: Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty The ongoing Murdaugh family saga exposes murders, a suspicious death and a complex labyrinth of corruption. Never-before-seen video footage reveals a deadly boat ride that spurs the toppling of a powerful dynasty. Netflix series: Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal Shocking tragedies shatter a tight-knit South Carolina community and expose the horrifying secrets of its most powerful family.

25 Aug 20211h 37min

We're going on tour! We'll be heading to seven cities throughout September and October. Tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday, August 19, but Patreon Subscribers can get tickets now. Head to sinisterhood.com/liveshows to check out where we're headed, dates, times, and COVID protocols for each venue. And head to Patreon.com/Sinisterhood to get your early access to tickets and your exclusive presale code. See you on the road! The United States finally rekindled its long-lost relationship with its Caribbean neighbor. But not long after being sent to their reopened embassy, American diplomats and CIA officers began complaining of strange symptoms. Then the symptoms spread to their Canadian colleagues. Later, diplomats worldwide would be afflicted by this series of incidents. Was it a concentrated attack from an unknown foe? Or was it all in their heads?  Please consider supporting the companies that support us! -BetterHelp - Sinisterhood is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/SINISTER. Join the over 1,000,000 people who have taken charge of their mental health with the help of an experienced professional. -Smart and Sass - Smartass & Sass is a monthly subscription box that brings snark and sass right to your door. Go to www.smartassandsass.com and use code CREEPY for 25% off your first subscription! -Helix is offering up to $200 off all mattress orders AND two free pillows for our listeners at Helixsleep.com/creepy -Listen to Wondery’s The Generation Why Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or listen ad-free by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app. Wondery... Feel the Story.

18 Aug 20211h 16min