Strange & Sinister: Recent Episodes
Strange & Sinister
Welcome to Strange and Sinister, a podcast about true crime and spooky things. We’re Sarah and Emily, two crime-obsessed baristas who love watching documentaries and discussing mysteries and conspiracies.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
The long-awaited Part 2! This week, Sarah is finishing up the disturbing case of "Doomsday cult mom" Lori Vallow. Death and tragedy seem to follow this family, and Sarah dives deep into the story of Chad Daybell and his influence on Lori Vallow's family.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strange-sinister/support
This week, Sarah is covering the case of Lori Vallow, most well-known as the "Doomsday cult mom". But, we soon found out that this case is much more than a mom who thought the world was coming to an end. In part 1, Sarah covers the background of the case. Who Lori is, who her husbands are, and how tragedy seemed to follow this family.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strange-sinister/support
We're back with another Strange & Unscripted! Every 3rd Thursday of the month, we write down topics, put them in a bowl, and randomly pick what to talk about!
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strange-sinister/support
This episode has a little bit of everything. A mysterious death, an attempted murder, a suspicious arrest, and a letter writer who terrorized a small town with thousands of letters. Circleville, Ohio in 1977 was a safe, rural town where everyone knew everyone. When suddenly, Mary Gillispie received threatening letters in her mailbox from an anonymous sender. Will we ever know the Circleville letter writer's identity?
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strange-sinister/support
Denita Smith was a 25-year-old grad student living in Durham, North Carolina in January 2007. She was thriving; she was excelling in school and planning her wedding with her boyfriend of 6 years. Unfortunately, her life came to a tragic end when she was found shot in her own apartment complex. Lies proceeded to unravel that not even Denita herself knew.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strange-sinister/support
Bay Village, Ohio was once a safe and quiet small town near Lake Erie. This all changed on October 27, 1989. On this day, 10-year-old Amy Mihaljevic walked to the local shopping plaza after school to meet a man who told her he would take her on a shopping spree to find a gift for her mother, as she had recently gotten a promotion at work. Unbeknownst to Amy, this man was no family friend. He abducted Amy, and later took her life. For over 33 years, the city of Bay Village has been searching for her killer. Do you know something? There is currently a $50,000 reward for information leading to the parties responsible for Amy's death. Please visit https://www.cityofbayvillage.com/425/Amy-Mihaljevic-Case to submit a tip sheet, or call the Bay Village Police Department at 440-871-1234.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strange-sinister/support
Emily is on vacation this week, so we decided to do an unscripted episode (featuring Jef)! In Strange & Unscripted, we write down topics, put them in a bowl, and randomly pick what to talk about! During this episode, we talked about Twilight, the moon landing, skinwalkers, and so much more.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strange-sinister/support
In 1984, Lisa McVey was 17 years old and living in Tampa, Florida. Little did anyone know, she was suffering from abuse at the hands of her own family members. While walking home from work alone one night, her life would change forever. She was kidnapped by a serial killer and forced to endure abuse at the hands of a stranger. Lisa had been forced to utilize her survival skills throughout her life, but now, she must use them to fend off a serial killer.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strange-sinister/support
On September 14, 2007, 14-year-old Andrew Gosden woke up for school and headed to his bus stop. Little did his family know, that morning would be the last time they would see Andrew. He decided to skip school and buy a train ticket to London. After he arrived in the city, he was never seen again. Andrew's family has never stopped looking for him, and with new developments in his case happening as recently as 2023, there is still hope that Andrew can be found.
If you have information about the whereabouts of Andrew Gosden please visit http://helpustofindandrew.weebly.com/ or https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/help-us-find/andrew-gosden-07-019198#
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strange-sinister/support
WE'RE BACK! And we're better than ever! Thank you for sticking with us and staying strange! Today, Sarah discusses a case that will make your skin crawl. In 2016, Nicole Fitts was a single mom, struggling to take care of 2.5-year-old Arianna, the cutest little girl we have ever seen. When Nicole meets some local women who are willing to watch Arianna while she works her job at Best Buy, she soon realizes that these women are not who they say they are.
If you have any information about the whereabouts of Arianna Fitts, please use the SFPD 24-Hour Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. Or, visit https://ariannafitts.org/
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strange-sinister/support
Welcome to Strange & Sinister. We're Emily and Sarah, two baristas obsessed with true crime and all things spooky and weird. Catch us every Thursday for a new episode!
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strange-sinister/support
In this episode, Sarah shares Japan's most infamous case, the Miyazawa family murders, also known as the Setagaya Murders. This case took place on December 30, 2000 and although there was an endless amount of evidence left behind, this case has remained unsolved twenty three years later. For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
It's our 20th episode! This is one of those cases that you just can't believe. Payton, Morgan, and Anissa, a trio of friends from Wisconsin, were in the 6th grade in 2014. Morgan and Anissa soon became obsessed with internet Creepypasta legend Slenderman and decided to try and live with him in his forest mansion. In order to do this, they believed that they must offer Slenderman a human sacrifice. They decided to attempt to kill their friend Payton as their sacrifice, and her survival story made international news. Join us as we discuss the so-called "Slenderman Stabbing".For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinisterMusic by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
In this episode we discuss the adventurous, lively and generous couple Tom and Eileen Lonergan. Two people who devoted their lives to chasing after things that most people only talk about doing. One of their adventures would tragically leave them stranded in the middle of the ocean. Join us as well talk about the lives of Tom and Eileen and all the events that had to go wrong in order for this tragedy to take place...
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
The mystery of the "Boy in The Box" is one of the most well-known cases in true crime history. It all started in February 1957, when the body of a young boy was found inside a cardboard box, abandoned in a field in Philadelphia. For 65 years, the boy's identity puzzled investigators, police, and armchair detectives. The boy soon became known as "America's Unknown Child" and his identity would remain a secret for years to come. It would not be until 2022 that the boy was finally identified through forensic genealogy as Joseph Augustus Zarelli, a four-year-old boy. Though we now know his name, we still don't know the circumstances surrounding his death.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
This is our first case suggestion! Today, Sarah talks about a frustrating international case in Seville, Spain. On January 24, 2009, 17-year-old Marta del Castillo went missing after going to talk with a boy that she had been casually seeing for a while. When she did not return home that night, her parents instantly knew something was wrong and took immediate action. But, unfortunately, the police did not take her disappearance as seriously. This case is incredibly upsetting, as Marta's family may never truly know what happened to their daughter that night.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
It's Emily's first conspiracy / urban legend episode! In 1987, viewers of the WGN Channel 9 network in Chicago were expecting to watch the nine o'clock news that evening, when a strange man wearing a rubber Max Headroom mask suddenly appeared on their screens. Two hours later, during an episode of Dr. Who on WTTW Channel 11, the same Max Headroom impersonator interrupted the broadcast. But this time, he had a lot more to say. Join us as we unpack one of the most infamous broadcast intrusions of all time.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Grace Millane was 21 years old and traveling the world on her own when she suddenly disappeared while on a date in New Zealand. Family and friends of Grace became extremely worried when they texted and called to wish her a happy birthday and she did not reply to a single person. As one person became the focus of the investigation, detectives learned quickly that they were not searching for a missing person but solving a murder. This case is one of many where the defendent would claim a rough sex defense but police would learn that the person who did this to Grace was not as innocent as he pleaded.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Brittany Norwood and Jayna Murray were employees closing the Lululemon Athletica store in Bethesda, Maryland around 10 pm on March 11, 2011, when the unthinkable happened. A brutal attack occurred. Sadly, only one employee would survive the attack and live to tell investigators what happened that night. As she dives deeper into the story, police start to get suspicious. Soon, her whole story begins to fall apart.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
How can a child go missing surrounded by their own family and friends? What was supposed to be a fun Father's Day hike turned into an absolute nightmare for the Martin family. On June 14th, 1969, 6-year-old Dennis Martin was hiking through the Great Smoky Mountains with his father, grandfather, and friends when he seemingly vanished without a trace. The search for Dennis soon became the most extensive search effort in the history of the Smoky Mountain park. Despite many tips, witnesses, and even psychic predictions, there is still no sign of Dennis. What happened to the little boy?
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
18-year-old Zebb Quinn was described as a kind, gentle soul by all who knew him. On a dark January night in the year 2000, Zebb and a coworker went to look at a car Zebb had been saving up for. Throughout the night, Zebb's mother would constantly page him, as Zebb never arrived home. It has been 22 long years, and Zebb has never been found. But, there is one prime suspect, and it's somebody who is wanted for another disappearance.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Arely Naomi Proctor was a loveable, sweet 3-year-old with a full life ahead of her. Tragically, her mother, uncle, and grandfather ripped that away from her on September 24, 2021. Believing that a demon possessed the little girl, Arely's family decided to perform an exorcism on her, which quickly turned into a full-blown murder case. The horrible acts performed on Arely, the strange behavior of her family after the murder, and another horrific incident taking place at the very same church will leave you absolutely stunned, angry, and confused. We are hoping that justice for Arely comes swiftly.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Asha Jaquilla Degree was only 9 years old when she suddenly disappeared into the night from her 2 bedroom home that she shared with her parents and older brother. Her case is one of the most widely known and baffling missing child cases, and unfortunately, is still unsolved over 22 years later. In this episode, we discuss what events led up to Asha's disappearance, the strange evidence that detectives are still trying to piece together, and theories as to what might have happened to Asha. If you think you know something about the disappearance of Asha Degree in the Cleveland County area specifically, you can call the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office at 704-484-4822 or the FBI at 704-672- 6100. You can also call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or go to tips.fbi.gov You can also contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or 1-800-843-5678.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
The Cecil Hotel has been notorious for death and violence since its doors opened in 1924. In this episode, Sarah discusses the history of the Cecil Hotel and describes one of the most bizarre cases to ever happen at this supposedly cursed and haunted hotel. Elisa Lam was a 21-year-old college student, seemingly thriving on a solo adventure across the United States. However, her trip was tragically cut short after she disappeared from the hotel and was found deceased in the rooftop water tank. Is this hotel really cursed? And what happened to Elisa?
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
We have all been told to check our Halloween candy for poison, razor blades, or needles. Though it happens rarely, this isn't just an urban legend. On Halloween night in 1974, an unthinkable tragedy happened to 8-year-old Timothy O'Bryan involving a Pixy Stick, cyanide, and life insurance. Join us as we dive into what drove Ronald Clark O'Bryan to become a real Halloween monster. Later in the episode, we discuss strange last-meal requests from those in prison about to be put to death.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Have you ever seen the Annabelle movies? Yeah, those are allegedly based off some real events. Sarah tells us the crazy account of a young nurse who received a Raggedy Ann doll as a gift that turned out to be haunted, presumably by the spirit of a girl named Annabelle. Ed and Lorraine Warren also make an appearance, and so will us gushing over Patrick Wilson, and possibly a pizza demon from Emily's past.
Listen to find out more!
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Elizabeth Barraza was an absolute light in this world. Just days away from celebrating her 5th wedding anniversary with her husband, Liz's life was horrifically cut short when she was murdered in her own driveway in the early morning hours of January 25, 2019. Though the entire murder is caught on camera, there are still no leads in her case. The reward for information leading to an arrest is now at $50,000. Please help Liz and her family get the justice they deserve. Call Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS if you have any information regarding this case.
Slip up: Sarah meant to say undergraduate degree in psychology, not graduate :)
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
In 1959, a group of Russian hikers went on what they thought was going to be a fun, but difficult expedition. They had no idea of the horrors that would lie ahead. Join us as we take a deep dive into the unexplained phenomenons that occurred upon the northern Ural Mountains, including Yetis, UFOs, and a possible government cover-up.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
September 11th, 2001 is regarded as one of the darkest days in American history. In 2003, Tania Head shared her harrowing story of survival with the world through an online chatroom and became an inspiration to the survivors of the attacks. The survivor community noted her determination, courage, and willingness to help others, and Tania soon became a public figure in New York City. Though her story was public, Tania was hiding dark secrets of her own.
At the end of the episode, Sarah mistakingly said that our next episode would be the start of our Halloween episodes. Next week is still September! Oops.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
16-year-old Skylar Neese was a well-liked straight-A student living in West Virginia. As the relationship between Skylar and her two best friends began to unravel in 2012, an unthinkable and tragic crime occurred. This is the case of real-life mean girls, a senseless crime that forever changed small-town West Virginia. We apologize for some background noise, Emily’s cat, Indie, decided to have playtime during recording. For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
Gloria Ramirez was only 31 years old when she suddenly passed away on February 19, 1994. The hospital staff was baffled by the mysterious circumstances surrounding Gloria's death, and their confusion only grew as those staff working near her began to collapse. Join us as we dive into the theories and possible explanations for the bizarre death of Gloria Ramirez.
For all sources and social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister
Music by: Jef Bjarnson @innerviewmusic
In our first episode, we discuss the disappearance of Lauren Spierer, a case that is still unsolved over 10 years later. Forgive us and our audio - our talking only gets better, we were nervous for this one! But, we wanted to share our growth so we decided against rerecording despite its flaws!
For sources and all our social media: https://linktr.ee/strangeandsinister