Part 1 of our first 2 part episode! This story comes from Ann Rule's book Lying in Wait. The Baby Seller aka Jackie Schut is as bad as they come. In Part 1, we discuss Jackie's background and assorted crimes as well as the two known victims, Geneva Clemons and Cheryl Jones. They were two mothers who were murdered by Jackie, so that she could steal their babies and sell them. Follow us to a dark place!

In this haunting episode of From A Dark Place, we uncover the deeply disturbing and heartbreaking story of Rhoda Derry- Born in the mid 1800's, Rhoda's life spiraled into darkness after a forbidden love and an alleged curse from arrival family. What followed was decades of unimaginable suffering, confinement and abuse in an Illinois' mental health facility.

Join us as we trace Rhoda's journey from a bright young woman to a soul lost in the cracks of a failing system. We explore the cruelty she endured, the myths surrounding her madness and the shocking truth about how society once treated those deemed "insane".

This is not just a story about mental illness -- it's about injustice, humanity and the desperate need for reform.

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode contains descriptions of abuse, neglect and mental health.

sources:

-Rhoda Derry; a tragedy of Illinois insane asylums by Mark D. Davis

-Historical records from the Adams County Poor Farm

-Illinois state hospital archives

-"Dr George Zellar and the Moral Treatment Movement" Illinois State Historical Society

The title says it all. Today we talk about Leonarda Cianciulli, the soap maker of Correggio. But Amy, Dani, what's so dark about making soap? Let us tell you! It's not so much about the soap as what (or who) it's made from.....

In this episode, we explore the heartbreaking and mysterious case of Billy Martin a 7 year old boy who vanished without a trace from his hometown of Brazil, Indiana right out of his front yard... sparking one of the most unsettling and enduring mysteries in the states history. In this episode, we take you back to that summer afternoon- the carnival across town, the tricycles in the driveway, and the trusted boarder named "Tex" who was the last to see Billy alive. What followed was a frantic search filled with inconsistencies, failed polygraphs and chilling rumors that persist to this day. Was Billy the victim of a random act-- or did someone close to the family hold the key all along? This case remains unsolved nearly 70 years later. This is the story of Billy Earl Martin-a boy who vanished and a family and community still haunted by questions.

sources- The Charley Project- profile:billy earl martin charleyproject.org

The Doe Network- Case File; 6387DMIN doenetwork.org

newpapers.com

genealogybank.com

In this episode of From A Dark Place, we're exploring the chilling legacy of Waverly Hills Sanatorium - an abandoned hospital with the reputation for being one of the most haunted places in the United States. Originally built in the early 1900s to treat tuberculosis patients, Waverly Hills became the site of immense suffering, experimental treatments and thousands of deaths. We'll walk you through its grim past, share some of the most terrifying ghost stories and paranormal claims, and uncover what still draws people to this crumbling relic of medical history. With Maddie stepping in this week, join us as we descend into the shadows of Waverly Hills and ask; what lingers behind those decaying walls?

sources

wikipedia-Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Kentucky historic Institutions

Waverly Hills Sanatorium Official Website

WHS Memorial

Waverly Hills Sanatorium; A History by Lynn Pohl

Mary Day would go missing in July of 1981 at the age of of 13 after living a life of neglect and abuse at the hands of her mother and step father. A missing persons case was never filed and the family seemed to have moved on without her. It was not until 1992 her younger sister in a search for answers would finally report Mary missing, even still- no real investigation would take off until years later. This would lead investigators to believe Mary had been murdered by her step father but before a trial would take place- Mary would reappear with a lot of mystery surrounding her and questions that are still unanswered to this day.

CBS.NEWS.COM

48hours

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A brief history lesson and a little lore we discuss the Casket Girls of New Orleans. In the 1700's shipments of women from France were sent to the new land to help with colonization. The journey for these women was not an easy one. With many different accounts of how the lives of these women went, the long standing legend of vampires still exist today. When touring the French Quarter you will still hear the tales of the Casket Girls of New Orleans.

New Orleans Vampires : Marita Woywod Crandle

wikipedia.org

www.neworleans.com

ghostcitytours.com

In this week's episode, we will discuss the twisted love triangle between Evelyn Nesbit, Harry Thaw, and Stanford White, which lead to the very public murder of Mr. White.

The main source for this episode is On Trial for Murder Courtroom Dramas that Gripped the World by Emily G Thompson