Lurking in the shadows of Appalachia's misty mountains is a tale that defies rational explanation. When a group of gravediggers in Clendenin, West Virginia reported seeing a massive winged figure soaring overhead in November 1966, no one could have predicted how this sighting would become entwined with one of America's greatest tragedies.

The creature they glimpsed—soon to be known as the Mothman—stood seven to eight feet tall with a wingspan of ten feet and hypnotic red eyes that paralyzed those who gazed into them. Within days, two young couples in Point Pleasant had their own terrifying encounter, reporting the creature chased their car at speeds reaching 100 miles per hour. As dozens more sightings flooded in, a pattern emerged: this wasn't just any monster tale. The Mothman appeared primarily around an abandoned WWII munitions facility locals called the "TNT area," a contaminated landscape dotted with underground bunkers where deadly secrets lay buried.

Strange phenomena accompanied the Mothman's appearances—electrical disturbances, screeching phones, cars dying on empty roads, and visits from oddly-behaving men in ill-fitting black suits who spoke in sing-song voices. All these events culminated on December 15, 1967, when witnesses spotted the creature circling the Silver Bridge moments before its catastrophic collapse killed 46 people. Was the Mothman trying to warn the townspeople, or did it somehow cause the disaster? Or perhaps the tragedy connects to something even older—the curse a dying Shawnee chief placed on the land nearly two centuries earlier when he was murdered by white soldiers: "May the curse of the Great Spirit rest upon this land."

Whether you view the Mothman as a harbinger of doom, an environmental aberration, or the manifestation of an ancient Native American curse, its story continues to haunt our collective imagination. Join me on this journey through folklore, tragedy, and mystery as we examine what happened when something otherworldly cast its shadow over Point Pleasant. Listen carefully—and maybe think twice before looking too deeply into glowing red eyes in the darkness.

Support the show

I love hearing from listeners. Please write a review and rate the show. And please, tell your friends and share episodes on your social media.

Your support helps us continue to research and share these fascinating stories from the South.

Thank you!

Support the Show:

You can connect with me by clicking the links below.

Facebook:

Instagram:

Website:

Tiktok:

After weeks of silence, we're back with a deeply personal journey through trauma, healing, and the mysterious corners of the South that continue to call to us even in our darkest moments.

The devastating head-on collision that abruptly ended our previous episode left me shattered – both legs broken with compound fractures, broken ankles, shattered kneecaps, four broken ribs, and a surgically reattached left foot. July exists as little more than a foggy haze of pain medication and the natural, uncontrollable sounds of agony that came with each movement of freshly broken bones. Despite the severity of these injuries, doctors remain hopeful for a complete recovery, with physical therapy beginning in late October.

Beyond the physical trauma lies another battle many Americans face: the fight with insurance companies who dictate medical care despite physician recommendations. When deemed "too broken" for rehabilitation but "stable enough" for discharge, my family faced astronomical costs – $5,500 weekly for essential at-home care and $250 per medical transport appointment, none covered by our insurance despite faithful payment of premiums. This reality forces us to examine a healthcare system that routinely places corporate interests above patient wellbeing.

Yet even confined to a hospital bed, my storyteller's mind wanders to hidden southern mysteries waiting to be shared. While the promised Mothman episode must wait until pain medications no longer cloud my thoughts, I offer something equally intriguing: Atlanta's Doll's Head Trail. This 2.5-mile path through Constitution Lakes Park showcases eerie art installations created from discarded doll parts, abandoned appliances, and industrial remnants – a reclamation project transforming environmental neglect into something hauntingly beautiful. Visit at dusk, when shadows stretch long and you might hear childlike voices whispering stories of being treasured, discarded, and reborn as art.

Join us again in two weeks as we return to our regular schedule of spellbinding southern legends, beginning with the dreaded Mothman. Your support during this difficult time has been the greatest medicine of all.

Support the show

I love hearing from listeners. Please write a review and rate the show. And please, tell your friends and share episodes on your social media.

Your support helps us continue to research and share these fascinating stories from the South.

Thank you!

Support the Show:

You can connect with me by clicking the links below.

Facebook:

Instagram:

Website:

Tiktok:

Sometimes life throws unexpected curves that temporarily interrupt even our most cherished routines. In this brief but deeply personal episode, I share news that's difficult to deliver—a serious head-on collision has temporarily paused my storytelling.

What began as a promising evening on June 25th—my husband and I heading to a rare midweek date night of dinner and a concert—turned catastrophic in an instant. The accident left me with multiple broken bones in both legs, broken ankles, damaged kneecaps, a broken finger, and four broken ribs. After waking up in the trauma department and enduring three surgeries so far, I'm on a recovery journey that's been challenging but filled with gratitude. My husband, who escaped with relatively minor physical injuries, has become my rock—managing our home, the accident aftermath, his job, and my care with heroic dedication.

Though I attempted to research and prepare a fascinating Mothman legend for this episode, my body and mind signaled they needed rest. My temporary absence isn't about seeking sympathy, but rather honoring my commitment to you—the listeners who deserve thoroughly researched stories and quality delivery. Front Porch Mysteries will never compromise on those standards. I aim to return to the porch with fresh stories in two weeks, and I hope you'll stick with me through this brief hiatus. Your listenership means everything, and as always, you remain the driving force behind every story I share from this Southern porch.

Support the show

I love hearing from listeners. Please write a review and rate the show. And please, tell your friends and share episodes on your social media.

Your support helps us continue to research and share these fascinating stories from the South.

Thank you!

Support the Show:

You can connect with me by clicking the links below.

Facebook:

Instagram:

Website:

Tiktok:

In the small Louisiana town of Jennings, a troubling series of murders has remained unsolved for nearly two decades, revealing dark truths about how some communities value certain lives less than others. Between 2005 and 2009, eight women were found dead—Loretta Chasson, Ernestine Patterson, Kristen Gary Lopez, Whitney Dubois, Laconia "Muggy" Brown, Crystal Benoit Zeno, Brittany Gary, and Nicole Guillory—all connected through their struggles with addiction, involvement in sex work, and roles as police informants.

What makes these murders particularly disturbing isn't just their brutality but the web of suspicious circumstances surrounding the investigation. When Loretta Chasson's body was pulled from a canal, a deputy had mysteriously shown up at her friend's door asking about her whereabouts before the body was even identified. The chief detective purchased a truck from a jail inmate—a vehicle that had supposedly transported one of the victims on the day she disappeared—only to have it thoroughly cleaned before quickly reselling it. Multiple victims told loved ones they feared they would be "next," suggesting they knew their killer.

The community remains divided by more than just the railroad tracks that physically separate the affluent from the impoverished. As Sheriff Ricky Edwards repeatedly blamed the victims' "high-risk lifestyles" for their deaths, citizens grew increasingly suspicious of law enforcement involvement. A local figure named Frankie Richard—pimp, drug dealer, and friend to all victims—remained seemingly untouchable until his death in 2020. Most chilling were the allegations that jail staff regularly exchanged contraband for sexual favors with female inmates, and that some victims had witnessed murders committed by or at the behest of law enforcement officers.

Investigative journalist Ethan Brown's exhaustive research raised disturbing questions about systemic corruption in Jefferson Davis Parish, with whistleblowers within law enforcement promptly fired for speaking out. Were these women murdered because they knew too much? Were they eliminated by the very people sworn to protect them? The Jennings Eight case reminds us that when society renders people "invisible," justice becomes elusive. Share this episode with anyone who believes every life deserves equal protection under the law.

Support the show

I love hearing from listeners. Please write a review and rate the show. And please, tell your friends and share episodes on your social media.

Your support helps us continue to research and share these fascinating stories from the South.

Thank you!

Support the Show:

You can connect with me by clicking the links below.

Facebook:

Instagram:

Website:

Tiktok:

Beneath the mystical façade of Louisiana's voodoo legends and Creole culture lurks a modern horror story few could imagine. For over a decade, from 1993 to 2006, the Baton Rouge area was gripped by fear as women disappeared and turned up murdered with alarming frequency. The community transformed – doors once left unlocked were bolted shut, morning jogs became dangerous endeavors, and the friendly Southern hospitality gave way to justifiable paranoia.

What makes this case extraordinary isn't just the brutality of the crimes, but the revelation that stunned even veteran investigators: two separate serial killers operated simultaneously in the same area without knowledge of each other. This perfect storm of evil defied traditional profiling methods and created patterns so erratic that they baffled law enforcement for years.

Derek Todd Lee and Sean Vincent Gillis stalked the same neighborhoods, sometimes targeting similar victims, yet with distinctly different signatures. While eyewitnesses repeatedly described a white male perpetrator, cutting-edge DNA technology revealed Lee was African American – shattering assumptions and forcing a complete investigative overhaul. When finally captured, Gillis displayed a disturbing admiration for Lee, even taking a hiatus from killing to avoid competing with his unwitting counterpart for public attention.

The tale of these parallel predators offers fascinating insights into criminal psychology, the limitations of traditional profiling, and the power of emerging forensic techniques. Though both killers were eventually brought to justice, accounting for approximately sixteen murders between them, dozens of cases from this period remain unsolved – a chilling reminder that the full extent of this tragedy may never be known.

Join me as I walk you through this baffling case that still sends shivers through the bayous of southern Louisiana and continues to be studied in criminal justice classrooms nationwide. Have the podcast playing as you lock your doors tonight – this story might just make you think twice about who's really knocking.

Support the show

I love hearing from listeners. Please write a review and rate the show. And please, tell your friends and share episodes on your social media.

Your support helps us continue to research and share these fascinating stories from the South.

Thank you!

Support the Show:

You can connect with me by clicking the links below.

Facebook:

Instagram:

Website:

Tiktok:

The blue mist shrouding the Great Smoky Mountains hides more than just breathtaking vistas and ancient forests – it conceals centuries of mysteries that continue to elude explanation. This rugged wilderness, spanning Tennessee and North Carolina, draws millions of visitors annually to its trails and streams. Yet beneath its serene beauty lurks an unsettling statistic: the Great Smoky Mountains ranks among America's five deadliest national parks, with 101 recorded deaths in just thirteen years.

More chilling still are those who simply vanish without a trace. Since record-keeping began, at least five people have disappeared completely in these mountains – six-year-old Dennis Martin in 1969, teenager Teresa Gibson in 1976, Polly Melton in 1981, Derek Luking in 2012, and murder suspect William Bishop Jr. Despite extensive searches across the park's 522,000 acres, no remains have ever been found.

What could explain these disappearances? Native American traditions spanning centuries describe an intelligent, reclusive species inhabiting these forested regions – tall, hair-covered beings walking upright that avoid human contact whenever possible. From ancient cave drawings to modern encounters, the descriptions remain remarkably consistent: creatures standing 7-10 feet tall, covered in reddish-brown hair, emitting distinctive odors and vocalizations that can't be attributed to known wildlife. Scientists have analyzed audio recordings revealing what appears to be structured communication, including infrasonic capabilities that affect human physiology. Meanwhile, researchers continue finding physical evidence – from massive footprint casts to complex forest structures – suggesting the presence of something beyond conventional explanation.

Most compelling are the firsthand accounts from witnesses who have encountered these beings, from hunters frozen in mutual observation with these creatures to families documenting gift exchanges spanning generations. Their stories, told with unwavering conviction, challenge our understanding of what remains undiscovered in Earth's diminishing wilderness. As one witness poignantly observed: "I don't care if people believe me because I know exactly how this sounds, but I know what I saw and what I heard." Perhaps there's wisdom in acknowledging that despite our technological advances, mystery still dwells in the shadows of our ancient forests, reminding us how much remains unknown. Subscribe now to explore more boundary-pushing investigations and decide for yourself what lurks beyond the edges of the known world.

Support the show

I love hearing from listeners. Please write a review and rate the show. And please, tell your friends and share episodes on your social media.

Your support helps us continue to research and share these fascinating stories from the South.

Thank you!

Support the Show:

You can connect with me by clicking the links below.

Facebook:

Instagram:

Website:

Tiktok:

A mother's desperate claim that her two young sons were kidnapped by a carjacker unravels into one of the most shocking murder cases in South Carolina history. The Susan Smith case reveals how a web of lies, inconsistencies, and a devastating confession led to the discovery of a premeditated crime that shocked the nation.

• Susan Smith reported her sons Michael (3) and Alex (14 months) were taken during a carjacking on October 25, 1994
• For nine days, America watched as Susan and her husband David made tearful pleas on national television
• Investigators noticed troubling inconsistencies in Susan's story, including speaking of her children in past tense
• A "Dear Jane" letter from Susan's boyfriend suggested a potential motive for the disappearance
• Susan eventually confessed to rolling her car into John D. Long Lake with her sons strapped in their car seats
• The car floated for six minutes before sinking, with the boys conscious and likely terrified
• Despite claiming she initially planned suicide alongside her children, Susan's clothes were dry when she reported the crime
• Susan's false accusation that a Black man had committed the crime inflamed racial tensions in the community
• In November 2024, Susan was denied parole after serving 30 years, but will be eligible for review every two years

If you haven't already, please subscribe to this podcast so that when we resume in the month of May, you'll be the first to know and you won't miss a thing. Rate this podcast wherever you listen, and comment on episodes and suggest new ones.

Support the show

I love hearing from listeners. Please write a review and rate the show. And please, tell your friends and share episodes on your social media.

Your support helps us continue to research and share these fascinating stories from the South.

Thank you!

Support the Show:

You can connect with me by clicking the links below.

Facebook:

Instagram:

Website:

Tiktok:

On Christmas morning in 1945, a family's holiday joy shattered when flames consumed their home and five children mysteriously vanished. The Sodder family of Fayetteville, West Virginia, faced unthinkable tragedy that sparked theories of conspiracy and kidnapping. Starting with a strange phone call that Jenny Sautter received just before the blaze began, the episode delves into the moments leading to the horrifying fire that would change their lives forever.

We explore the bizarre occurrences that transpired that fateful night. Why did their coal trucks fail to start? Why was the ladder inexplicably missing? Why was the phone line cut? With every twist, the tragic tale morphs into a haunting mystery that captivates and perplexes investigators and listeners alike. The discussions in this episode highlight the unanswered questions that linger in the minds of those who reflect on the Sodder family.

Learn about the family's ongoing search for their missing children as they followed leads from cryptic letters and local sightings. This heartbreaking narrative, intertwined with themes of hope, loss, and the inherent complexities of human nature and community, remains unsolved. Join us as we chronicle this poignant story that stands as a testament to the unyielding pursuit of truth and peace for the Sodder family.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and leave a review! Your insights matter as we dive deeper into the mysterious tales of Southern history.

Support the show

I love hearing from listeners. Please write a review and rate the show. And please, tell your friends and share episodes on your social media.

Your support helps us continue to research and share these fascinating stories from the South.

Thank you!

Support the Show:

You can connect with me by clicking the links below.

Facebook:

Instagram:

Website:

Tiktok: