Ghost Towns of the PNW part 2

Cindy James was a Canadian woman whose mysterious death in 1989 remains a topic of intrigue and speculation. Over several years leading up to her death, she reported numerous incidents of stalking and harassment, including receiving threatening phone calls and finding her home vandalized. Despite investigations, the police were unable to identify a suspect.On June 8, 1989, Cindy was found dead at an abandoned home in Richmond, British Columbia. Her body was discovered with her hands bound and a ligature around her neck. The circumstances surrounding her death were suspicious, and initial reports suggested it could have been a homicide. However, further investigation led to the conclusion that her death might have been a suicide, as there were no signs of struggle and she had a history of mental health issues.The case raised many questions about the nature of her reported harassment and the psychological factors at play. Despite various theories, including the possibility of an elaborate hoax or a genuine stalking situation, the true circumstances of Cindy James's death remain unresolved, leaving her case shrouded in mystery.Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Cindy_Jameshttps://unsolved.com/gallery/cindy-james/https://evelazarus.com/the-bizarre-case-of-cindy-james/https://thethreepennyguignol.com/2023/06/18/under-siege-the-troubled-life-and-debated-death-of-cindy-james/https://www.melaniehack.com/threatshttps://melaniehack.com/audio/cindy-dead-meat-soon.mp3https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Cindy_James

14 Feb 55min

In the early 1900's the quiet homesteading community of Govan, WA was rocked by what many call the most gruesome murders in Washington state history. In 1902, Judge Jesse Alvis Lewis and his wife Penelope Lewis, were brutally axed to death on their ranch just outside of town. The crime has never been solved and left a dark mark on this tight pioneering community. Years later a man was gunned down at a saloon in town and a mother & son were brutally murdered on their farm in 1941. While time has turned this community into a ghost town, it’s tragic past lives on. Sources: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-washington-standard-judge-and-wife-a/15497771/?locale=en-US https://1027kord.com/eastern-washington-ghost-town-govan/ https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/washington/govan-ghost-town-wa http://www.bigbendrailroadhistory.com/2008/12/history-of-govan.html?m=1 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Govan,_Washington

11 Feb 19min

In the heart of Portland’s Old Town, the Pomona Hotel fire of 1975 became one of the city’s deadliest tragedies, forever altering fire safety regulations. What started as a routine night in a decaying single-room occupancy hotel quickly turned into a nightmare when an arsonist ignited a blaze that spread with terrifying speed. With escape routes cut off and flames consuming the historic building, desperate tenants fought for survival while a heroic bystander risked everything to save lives. But who was responsible, and why? The answers—buried in a web of suspicion, neglect, and urban decay—would leave lingering questions for decades.https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/ericksons-saloon/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomona_Hotel_firehttps://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/pomona-hotel/https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/media/uploads/Those_who_died_in_the_fire_were.pdfhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d14FGiS6otUhttps://www.portlandfirehistory.com/_files/ugd/f25978_87dacc736d6640f283f5944fe1d53078.pdf?index=true

10 Feb 32min

Ghost towns in the Pacific Northwest are remnants of once-thriving communities that have been abandoned or significantly depopulated. These towns were often established during the region’s mining and logging boom in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, as industries declined or resources were depleted, people moved away, leaving behind empty buildings and a sense of history frozen in time. Today, these ghost towns attract visitors who are intrigued by their eerie charm and the opportunity to explore the remnants of a bygone era.  Ghost Towns in this episode: Molson, WA  Bodie, WA Sherman, WA Govan, WA Liberty, WA Franklin, WA Melmont, WA Monte Cristo, WA Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molson,_Washington https://molsonmuseums.org/hoursaccess/ https://www.discoverorovillewa.com/post/old-molson-ghost-town https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodie,_Washington https://www.trailchick.com/bodie-ghost-town/ http://www.ghosttownsusa.com/bodie.htm https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman,_Washington https://stateofwatourism.com/ghost-towns-of-washington-state/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Govan,_Washington https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/washington/govan-ghost-town-wa https://www.sunset-hwy.com/govan.htm https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty,_Washington https://goldnuggetsforsale.com/crystalline-gold-c-43/ https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/liberty-ghost-town#hike-full-description https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin,_Washington https://www.dvidshub.net/news/410836/washington-national-guard-history-1891-mining-strike-riots-leads-guard-activation https://www.historylink.org/File/22479 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melmont,_Washington https://visitrainier.com/melmont-ghost-town-2/ https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/melmont-ghost-town-hike https://www.tripsavvy.com/ghost-towns-in-washington-state-4692240 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Cristo,_Washington https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/monte-cristo-143 https://hike2hike.com/day-hikes/monte-cristo-ghost-town-washington

7 Feb 47min

In October 2000, 10-year-old Heather Thomas was abducted and murdered by Shane Ertmoed, a 23-year-old man from Cloverdale, British Columbia. After a thorough investigation, Ertmoed was convicted of first-degree murder and abduction, and sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years. The tragedy deeply affected Heather's family and the Cloverdale community, leaving a lasting impact on their sense of safety and child protection awareness. https://vancouversun.com/news/bc-child-killer-shane-ertmoed-denied-day-parole https://www.mapleridgenews.com/local-news/child-killers-deceit-manipulation-cited-in-day-parole-denial-7793413 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/missing-girl-s-body-found-in-b-c-lake-1.232583 https://behindtheyellowtape.ca/2017/11/12/personal-story-heather-part-i/ https://behindtheyellowtape.ca/2017/12/03/personal-story-heather-part-ii/https://behindtheyellowtape.ca/2017/12/13/personal-story-heather-part-iii/ https://behindtheyellowtape.ca/2017/12/29/personal-story-heather-part-iv/ https://behindtheyellowtape.ca/2018/01/12/personal-story-heather-part-v/ https://behindtheyellowtape.ca/2018/01/24/personal-story-heather-part-vi/ https://behindtheyellowtape.ca/2018/01/31/personal-story-heather-part-vii/ https://behindtheyellowtape.ca/2018/02/18/personal-story-heather-part-viii-the-ending/ https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/11/06/man-charged-in-death-of-missing-10-year-old/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/police-hunt-for-b-c-girl-s-killer-1.253507 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/heather-thomas-murder-suspect-in-court-1.241136 https://www.surreynowleader.com/opinion/remebering-heather-thomas-2902200 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhzFd40Z5Bg https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/police-wrung-out-confession-accused-in-murder-case-says/article4138564/

3 Feb 39min

London has been the scene of some history's most brutal serial murders, this was true again in the 1960’s. The bodies of 8 nude and strangled women were found near the River Thames leaving behind a decades old mystery of who committed these atrocities. The Hammersmith Nude Murders left a dark mark on the history of West London.  Sources:  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammersmith_nude_murders https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/how-wirral-sex-worker-fell-13959369?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#google_vignette https://www.crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/unsolved/jack_the_stripper/2.html https://theweek.com/99504/hammersmith-nude-murders-new-clues-in-jack-the-stripper-case https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/2248423/real-line-of-duty-was-a-dundee-man-framed-for-jack-the-stripper-murders/ https://www.history.co.uk/articles/incredible-cases-from-londons-most-famous-court https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/2248423/real-line-of-duty-was-a-dundee-man-framed-for-jack-the-stripper-murders/ https://www.outlineofamurderpodcast.com/outlines/historic-cases-jack-the-stripper

17 Jan 1h 7min

This episode we explore Oklahoma’s folklore, focusing on the mysterious Oklahoma octopus, a cryptid believed to haunt lakes and rivers. It also covers the legend of the Deer Woman, a supernatural figure from Native American traditions who embodies both beauty and danger. Additionally, the episode delves into Choctaw legends, offering insight into the rich cultural stories that teach lessons about nature, spirituality, and human behavior. Episode Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choctaw_mythology https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choctaw_mythology https://sites.google.com/view/native-legends/the-dark-legends/the-nalusa-falaya https://discover.hubpages.com/travel/Oklahomas-Monsters-and-Other-Unexplainable-Legends https://villains.fandom.com/wiki/Deer_Woman_(mythology) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer_Woman https://coffeehousewriters.com/oklahomas-deer-woman/ https://cryptozoologycryptids.fandom.com/wiki/Oklahoma_Octopus#google_vignette https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Oklahoma_Octopus https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nature/oklahoma/legend-of-octopus-ok Clayton, M. (2020). CHOCTAW MYTHOLOGY: CAPTIVATING MYTHS FROM THE CHOCTAW AND OTHER INDIGENOUS PEOPLES FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.

13 Jan 41min

On this stop of our Mysterious PNW Holiday trip, we head to Lubeck, Germany and the case of Marianne Bachmeier. On May 5, 1980 Marianne’s life would be changed forever. A predator lured Marianne’s 7 year old daughter Anna into his home, sexually assaulted her, murdered and ultimately disposed of her in a cardboard box. When Klaus Grabowskis trail began, no could have known that vigilante justice would be carried out instead of justice from a court of law.  Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marianne_Bachmeier https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/mom-shoots-dead-man-who-murdered-her-daughter-7-inside-courtroom-after-seduction-claim/ar-AA1q3uh9?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1 https://www.themirror.com/news/world-news/mom-fired-eight-shots-predator-627379.amp https://www.perplexity.ai/page/the-story-of-marianne-bachmeie-wPiYIU_dSGmqtlOqE8cYkQ https://www.the-express.com/news/world-news/147847/mom-shoots-dead-man-who-raped-daughter-in-court-marianne-bachmeier

10 Jan 28min