Marlene’s Newsletter

Marlene's Newsletter explores a diverse range of stories encompassing bizarre historical facts, ghostly legends, true crime, and the paranormal. It dives into forgotten tales and the darker side of human nature, featuring accounts of unexplained phenomena, haunting, witchcraft, and mysterious disappearances with both factual and speculative narratives.

True Crime Paranormal Activity Historical Anomalies Ghost Stories Witchcraft Urban Legends Haunted Locations

The hottest Substack posts of Marlene’s Newsletter

And their main takeaways

Holmes' Helper

4 implied HN points • 21 May 25
💾 History True Crime Biography Historical Events Psychology
  1. In the 1890s, gruesome discoveries were made at H. H. Holmes' building, where human remains were found buried. The sight shocked the community, revealing Holmes as a notorious murderer.
  2. Pat Quinlan, who claimed to be just a janitor, was suspected of knowing more about Holmes' crimes. His involvement with the hotel raised questions about what he really knew.
  3. Holmes was executed in 1896, but Quinlan struggled with guilt and fear afterward. He believed he was haunted by the ghosts of Holmes' victims, leading to his tragic end in 1914.

Are Alien Abductions Real?

9 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Mythology Psychology Science fiction Social Behavior
  1. Many people believe they have been abducted by aliens, but their experiences can sometimes be explained by psychological factors or sleep disturbances.
  2. Studies have shown that these individuals might create false memories due to suggestive techniques like hypnosis, rather than actually experiencing abductions.
  3. Despite their scary stories, many self-identified abductees feel a sense of specialness or connection to something greater, often interpreting their experiences as significant.

The Jester of Death

4 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
💾 History Medieval Folklore Biography Legends Ghost stories
  1. Tom Skelton was a jester at Muncaster Castle, but he had a dark side. He sometimes directed travelers to their doom, showing his cruel nature.
  2. Tom was involved in a murder plot, killing a carpenter to please a nobleman. This act led to tragedy for many people, especially the nobleman's love interest.
  3. After his death, strange happenings at the castle continued, and his ghost is said to haunt the place, making it a site for eerie stories.

The Haunted Prison Cell

4 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture History Folklore Mythology Supernatural
  1. In 1872, a police cell in New Orleans was haunted after a woman named Ann Murphy hanged herself there. Following her death, many inmates tried to commit suicide in the same cell.
  2. Witnesses described seeing Ann Murphy's ghost encouraging them to take their own lives. Her appearance matched detailed descriptions given by several survivors.
  3. The haunting continued after the cell was closed for use, with reports of strange happenings and more suicide attempts in other cells, indicating that the supernatural influence may have spread.

Ruthless Ruth Brown Snyder

4 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
💾 History True Crime Execution Murder
  1. Ruth Snyder became the first woman to be executed at Sing Sing in 1928. Her crime was shocking and included her planning the murder of her husband with the help of her lover.
  2. She was unhappy in her marriage and had an affair that turned dark. The couple's plan involved murder and framing it as a robbery, but it quickly unraveled when police started investigating.
  3. Despite blaming each other during the trial, both Ruth and her lover were convicted and sentenced to death. Their story inspired the famous movie 'Double Indemnity', highlighting the consequences of greed and betrayal.
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The King of the Werewolves

4 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
💾 History Ancient Greece Mythology Archaeology Cultural Practices
  1. Human sacrifices were believed to have happened at Mt. Lykaion in Greece, where a significant discovery of human bones was made in 2016.
  2. The area is linked to King Lycaon, who supposedly challenged Zeus and was transformed into a wolf as a result of his actions.
  3. This site also shows that other cultures, like the Romans, had practices of human sacrifice to please their gods, highlighting a widespread ancient belief in the need for sacrifices.

Alice's Ghost

4 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Folklore History Legends
  1. Alice Rheem, known for her wild reputation, is said to haunt the Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. Guests and employees claim to see her spirit and hear strange noises.
  2. The mansion was originally built by Robert Moran but later sold to Donald Rheem, who used it for family vacations while Alice lived another life in Moraga.
  3. There may be more to the ghost story of Alice than just her. Many believe that the mansion holds the spirits of various other people who have passed through its doors over the years.

The Tunnel Monsters

4 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
📚 Literature Fiction Horror Folklore Creatures
  1. Tunnels and dark spaces can create scary situations, especially for people who are afraid of tight spaces. The fear of not knowing what’s in the darkness can be quite intense.
  2. Many strange and frightening creatures, like the Cabbagetown Tunnel Monster, have been reported in tunnels and underground areas. These encounters can leave people terrified and questioning what they saw.
  3. Stories of reptilian beings and other mysterious creatures found underground exist across various cultures. These tales often include descriptions of humanoid or animal-like beings that some people claim to have seen.

Foxborough Hospital's Secret Grave

4 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
💾 History Scandal Treatment Closure
  1. Foxborough State Hospital, initially focused on treating alcohol and opium addiction, faced numerous scandals and abuse claims over the years, leading to investigations and scrutiny from the public.
  2. The hospital's history reflects a mix of treatment approaches, including questionable methods like the Keeley Cure which involved controversial ingredients and raised concerns about efficacy and ethics.
  3. As the hospital shifted to treating psychiatric patients and faced financial struggles during the Great Depression, many patients, especially those without families, faced harsh conditions, unknown burials, and challenges in tracking their histories.

THE DEAD MAN TRAPPED INSIDE A MANNEQUIN

9 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. 150 years ago, a French taxidermist created a diorama with a man battling lions, using a real human skull hidden under the plaster.
  2. The taxidermist, Jules Verreaux, was known for his morbid work, like creating a complete body of an African tribesman by digging up and preserving the corpse.
  3. The human remains in the exhibits were often controversial, like the case of the African warrior's body that was eventually returned to Botswana for burial.

GHOSTS OF THE MAGIC CITY

4 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture History Paranormal Crime Architecture Travel
  1. Certain places in Miami are known for encounters with the paranormal, like the Alfred I. duPont Building.
  2. The Biltmore Hotel is not only famous for hosting celebrities but also for being haunted, with reports of ghostly sightings and unexplained phenomena.
  3. The Deering Estate has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s and is rumored to be haunted by several spirits, making it a place of interest for those intrigued by the supernatural.

THE MAN WITH NO TONGUE

4 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
💾 History Archaeology Rituals
  1. Archaeologists discovered a mysterious burial involving a man with his tongue amputated and a flat stone placed in his mouth.
  2. Similar unusual substitutions for missing body parts were found in other burials from Roman Britain.
  3. Different burial practices like sickles across necks and stones in mouths indicate beliefs in vampires and fears of the dead returning.

SKULDUGGERY AT THE VATICAN

0 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
🌐 International Mystery Conspiracy Crime Religion Cover-up Investigation
  1. Dark deeds can happen even in places like the Vatican, hinting at unexplained disappearances and conspiracy theories
  2. The disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi in 1983 led to a complex web of theories involving the Vatican, terrorist organizations, and the mafia
  3. Recent developments, including a reopened investigation and revelations from a Netflix documentary, shed new light on the Orlandi case

THE CHINESE GHOST OF STEWART'S FOLLY

0 implied HN points • 04 May 23
💾 History Scandals
  1. Stewart's Castle, once considered 'Stewart's Folly,' was a grand but short-lived mansion built in Washington D.C. after the Civil War.
  2. The mysterious haunting at Stewart's Folly was connected to the Chinese Legation that occupied the building from 1886 to 1893.
  3. Tragic stories of unrequited love and possible suicide intertwined with the history of Stewart's Castle, adding a ghostly element to its narrative.

LEAKIN PARK: BALTIMORE'S OPEN AIR CEMETERY

0 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
📰 News Crime True Crime Mystery Documentary Investigation
  1. Leakin Park in Baltimore has a dark history of being a dumping ground for murder victims since the 1940s, with many bodies found mutilated.
  2. The park has been the scene of various heinous crimes, including the murders of four young boys in 1968 and the disappearance of high school student Hae Min Lee in 1999.
  3. Despite its infamous reputation and numerous bodies discovered, authorities believe there are still many more yet to be found in Leakin Park.

The Wendigo's Acolyte

0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Mythology History Folklore Psychology Sociology
  1. The wendigo is a spirit in Native American folklore that represents extreme hunger and can possess people, turning them into cannibals, especially during times of famine.
  2. Swift Runner was a man who, driven by starvation, resorted to cannibalism and claimed he was possessed by a wendigo spirit during his actions, resulting in his execution.
  3. The wendigo is often described as a horrifying skeletal creature, which reflects the themes of deprivation and the loss of humanity that accompany extreme hunger.

Lord Lovell's Lost Bride

0 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
💾 History Ghost stories Social history Historical Events
  1. In 1923, Edna Hilton married Capt. Denzil Cope and moved to Bramshill Castle, which is known for its ghost stories.
  2. The legend of 'The Mistletoe Bride' tells of a bride who went missing during a game of hide and seek, only to be discovered years later inside a chest.
  3. Bramshill House is also home to ghost sightings and strange occurrences, like moans and footsteps, which continue to intrigue visitors.

How Did Friday the 13th Become Unlucky

0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture History Folklore Mythology Traditions
  1. The superstition around Friday the 13th being unlucky has a long history, which was popularized by cultural references like the slasher movie series 'Friday the 13th.'
  2. One of the early promoters of the number 13 as unlucky was Captain Fowler, who established the Thirteen Club to challenge superstitions around the number.
  3. Various cultures and historical events have contributed to the superstitions surrounding the number 13 and Friday the 13th, with examples ranging from maritime traditions to myths in Norse mythology.

Houses With a Murderous Past

0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Crime Real Estate Paranormal History
  1. Realtors specialize in selling properties with a history of murder and bloodshed.
  2. Murders can reduce house sale prices by 15-25% and extend the time a house spends on the market.
  3. Notoriety and violence can drive down the asking price of a property, but some buyers may not be deterred by a house's dark history.

THE HAUNTED UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

0 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Supernatural Ghost stories
  1. College campuses can have haunted stories and urban myths circulating among students.
  2. Victoria Bailey's experience in the radio station at Northwest Missouri State University campus is an example of a spooky encounter.
  3. The haunted history at the university includes stories of ghosts like Amos Wong and Roberta Steel.

THE FRENCH ARISTOCRAT MURDER MYSTERY

0 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
📰 News Crime Investigation Family Dynamics Religion Media Coverage
  1. In 2011, a French aristocrat may have murdered his family and disappeared, with many unanswered questions remaining.
  2. Despite exhaustive searches, there is no conclusive evidence of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès' whereabouts or fate.
  3. The case involves intricate details including financial troubles, marital issues, possible cult connections, and mysterious disappearances.

THE SCOTTISH WITCH

0 implied HN points • 22 May 23
💾 History
  1. Lilias Adie admitted to witchcraft after being accused in 1704.
  2. Lilias Adie was buried with precautions to prevent her spirit from returning.
  3. The prosecution of witches was often a result of religious competitions during the 1500s.

UNHOLY HAUNTING ON EAST DRIVE

0 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Supernatural Paranormal Horror
  1. Number 30 East Drive in Yorkshire, England has been haunted for over fifty years.
  2. The paranormal activities at the house included objects moving, mysterious puddles of water, and strange noises.
  3. Despite attempts to exorcise the spirit, the haunting at East Drive continued until the appearance of the Black Monk of Pontefract.

The Omen: In the Crosshair of a Curse

0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Film History Pop culture Folklore Entertainment
  1. The movie The Omen, initially titled The Antichrist, was very successful but had many strange accidents and deaths during its production. It seemed like there was a curse on the cast and crew.
  2. Many scary and dangerous events happened while making the film, like plane crashes and animal attacks, which made the actors really worried. They felt like something bad was affecting them.
  3. The film's release on June 6, 1976, played on the spooky number '666'. Even years later, the effects of making the movie seemed to linger, impacting the lives of those involved.

The Abandoned Leper Colony

0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
💾 History Medical History Natural Disasters War Disease
  1. In 1885, patients with contagious diseases like smallpox were isolated on North Brother Island to prevent the spread of illness in an overcrowded New York City. Life was tough, with food shortages and high mortality rates.
  2. Tragic events like shipwrecks, fires, and disease outbreaks shaped the history of North Brother Island, including the infamous case of Typhoid Mary who unintentionally spread typhoid fever.
  3. After serving various purposes over the years, North Brother Island was left abandoned in the 1960s. Its decayed buildings and haunting stories make it off-limits to the public, now a bird sanctuary.

BORN UNDER CROSSED STARS

0 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
  1. A family in Kansas tragically lost two sisters to murder almost 20 years apart.
  2. The first sister, Pamela Butler, was abducted, raped, and murdered by Keith Dwayne Nelson.
  3. The second sister, Casey Eaton, was shot to death by Enemencio C. Lansdown in Armourdale.