The Hidden Staircase

We are often advised to pursue our passions, strive for our goals, and embrace the unknown. Today's hidden story is about a woman who lived by that philosophy and disappeared without a trace in pursuit of her dreams.Amelia Earhart's final journey and disappearance have remained a mystery, a puzzle that has intrigued and captivated us for almost ninety years. In today’s episode, we will delve into her life until her final transmission. As well as a few theories as to what could have happened to her.

Easter is a celebration of spring associated with renewal and rebirth. It has been a special day for thousands of years, tracing back to its ancient Pagan origins called Eostre. Celebrating this occasion is an inherent trait of humanity, bringing happiness to most of us.However, for some, it may be a period of unrest and sometimes even violence. A tragic example is Robert George Irwin, also called, The Mad Sculptor, who took the day as an opportunity to claim the lives of three innocent people in 1937.

The case of the missing hikers at Dyatlov Pass is one of the most intriguing and mysterious events in modern history. Despite years of investigation, the fate of the hikers remains shrouded in a locked file. The evidence collected from the scene only raises more questions than it answers. Leaving no definitive conclusion.Theories abound, but the truth of what happened to those hikers on that fateful day remains unknown….For now.Visit me online.

Experiencing a house fire can be one of the most devastating events in anyone's life. The suddenness of the fire, the helplessness one feels while watching their home and all their possessions go up in flames, and the aftermath of the disaster can leave a lasting impact on anyone.In the aftermath of the fire, one has to deal with losing their home, possessions, and even more devastating, a loved one who was unable to escape the flames.Although house fires can reach extreme temperatures, they cannot completely disintegrate a human body. There is always something left behind in the ash.That was, until the disappearance of the Sodder children in 1945.Visit us online at: The Hidden Staircase

When we think about planes disappearing, the most common place we think of is the Bermuda Triangle. The last place we believe an entire plane could vanish would be a river that is only twenty feet deep! But sixty-eight years ago, that’s precisely what happened. To this day, the wreckage of the B-25 Ghost Bomber plane remains unknown, along with the real reason for the flight in the first place.

During the 1980s in Chicago, the city had a safe atmosphere, and people looked out for one another. It was a city where some didn’t even lock their doors, and trust was given with no need to be earned.That was until September 29th, 1982, when the city, the country, and the lives of consumers would be changed forever when a domestic terrorist poisoned multiple packs of Extra-Strength Tylenol.Visit us online. Episode Sponsor:Head to FACTORMEALS.com/hidden50 and use code hidden50 to get 50% off!

New Haven Green was the original town gathering area.Originally called the Marketplace, it was completed in 1638 as a park, marketplace, and designated area for the 144,000 people whom Puritans believed would be spared during the second coming of Christ.It is around sixteen acres, and in its early days, it was home to a school, a Methodist church, and a prison.People have been strolling across the green for centuries, just going about their daily lives, unaware of the haunting truth buried just below their feet.Visit us online.Episode Sponsor:Head to FACTORMEALS.com/hidden50 and use code hidden50 to get 50% off!

Welcome listener.

While the United States was recovering from the Great Depression, countless people remained down on their luck. Over 15,000 Americans were still living in shanty towns throughout the country.The shack-like, self-made shelters that they lived in offered barely any protection from the elements and predators who were taking advantage of the still minuscule police budgets.The poor souls who called the shanty towns home had to fight for every penny they made in the daily battle for survival that some would lose.Especially in Cleveland, Ohio, when a hidden killer had set his sights on them.Visit us online.

The Holidays are upon us, and people are filled with love and joy everywhere you look. As our minds are racing with thoughts of sugarplums and roasting chestnuts, Jolly Old Saint Nick is preparing for his annual flight.Yet, there is another creature that is stirring.Sharpening his claws, gathering Birch branches, and checking his own list. He waits for Santa to care for those of us who have been good while this monster handles the naughty list.His name is Krampus, and he has existed long before Saint Nick and his rosy cheeks.Visit us online at: The Hidden StaircaseEpisode Sponsor:Head to FACTORMEALS.com/hidden50 and use code hidden50 to get 50% off!

One night in 1987, Minnie Winston saw blood on the floor of her Atlanta house. Terrified, she ran to find her husband. He was fine, but there was more blood… everywhere. On the walls, oozing from the floor, seeping up from under kitchen appliances. She and her husband called the police, who found no evidence of a break-in. What they were able to surmise was that the blood had come from a living human. No one has ever figured out where or whom the blood came from. Visit us online.

...1 eerie corn maze......9 haunting figures......9 spine-tingling tales......Will YOU find your way out? This holiday season, step into a labyrinth of shadows and suspense with Shane Waters as your guide. In this chilling collaboration, you'll encounter the hosts of 9 acclaimed true crime podcasts, each offering a dark tale and a life lesson to send shivers down your spine. This is not just a special episode; it's an immersive journey through a maze of twisted paths and unsolved mysteries. So, lift your lantern high and venture into 'Maze of Secrets'... ...but be warned... ...not everyone makes it to the end… Prepare to get lost in the stories, but find yourself in their lessons. It's an odyssey of crime, mystery, and eerie life lessons that you won't soon forget. This is Shane’s 5th holiday collaboration. If you dare to walk this twisted path with us, you're in for a night you'll never forget. Are you ready? Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: FrightfulMaroonedRotten to the CoreMurder, She ToldObscuraCrimelinesOnce Upon a CrimeThe Trail Went ColdFoul Play: Crime Series Listen to the other holiday collaborations here.

In 1942, Pascagoula was plagued by a series of peculiar home invasions: “The intruder took locks of hair from each of the people whose homes he broke into”. Although one man became a suspect, he was never formally charged and passed a lie-detector test; no one has ever figured out who the Phantom Barber really was or why he did what he did.Visit us online at: The Hidden Staircase

The Black Forest of Colorado is a lush pine woodland that stretches for miles. It is filled with abundant wildlife and makes a beautiful home for anyone who wishes to live among nature.Or so you’d think.Steven and Beth Lee fell in love with the Black Forest and decided to buy a home there in 1990 for themselves and their children. Hoping to raise a family in the wilderness and enjoying the peace and calm that usually accompanies it.When they moved in, they were filled with hope and excitement. They all wandered around the house, opening doors and picking out bedrooms. Unaware of another doorway that was open but unseen.Visit us online at: The Hidden Staircase

Ever since the 1930s, a floating light appears above the railroad tracks near Gurdon sometime in late October. It’s not in dispute whether the light appears because thousands of people have seen it. What remains a mystery is what causes the lightVisit us online at: The Hidden Staircase

Our homes are our safe places, our own little corner of familiarity and comfort to escape from the dangers of the world. When we lock our doors at night and lay our heads on our pillows, we do so believing that we are safe and that we will wake up the following morning unscathed.Even if something goes bump in the night, most of us have some kind of plan in place to prevent harm. But what if there was no way to stop what was trying to harm you and your family?That was the frightening reality for the Hackler family of Odon, Indiana. On June 21, 1940, some strange phantom phenomenon ignited twenty-eight fires in their home. It forced them to sleep outside and eventually move their home piece by piece.Visit us online at: The Hidden Staircase

Cow mutilations have occurred for centuries, and we are still not close to discovering what or who is doing them. Yes, some have been hoaxes as the owner attempts to gain attention, but there have been far too many to all be fake.Take, for instance, the towns of Jerome and Bliss, Idaho. A bizarre butcher has plagued both cities for decades. Locals have blamed cults, satanic practices, the government, coyotes, and even extraterrestrials.In this episode of Hidden Staircase, we will examine the clues and attempt to make our judgments based on the evidence. There is a culprit behind these killings. Is it a sacrifice to a deity, or is our livestock being abducted by space aliens and pieced apart to study? Let’s try to uncover the hidden truth.Visit us online at: The Hidden Staircase

Today's story is about two unfortunate boys who fell prey to the devious hunger of human predators. However, their stories helped to develop the program where missing children were printed on the side of milk cartons and eventually helped give breath to our current Amber Alert system.This year it has been forty-one and thirty-nine years since Johnny Gosch and Eugene Martin have been seen. Their cases remain open but aren’t actively investigated. They are believed dead by authorities.Were they victims of a lone hunter, or were they taken to be a part of the human trafficking circle?Discover more down the Hidden Staircase.Visit us online at: The Hidden Staircase

Today’s story takes us to Wisconsin and a possible portal that has been causing those who travel there to experience a wide array of negative paranormal occurrences.It is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin, and resides along West Bay Lake. You’ve probably heard about the haunted Summerwinds Mansion, but today, we will expand that knowledge and learn all about the history and energies that still reside in the area to this day.Some intense energy had to open that portal. So let’s see if we can discover what it was.Visit us online at: The Hidden Staircase

[Part 2] This Mother’s Day, join Shane Waters on a chilling adventure featuring 14 podcasters as they share sinister stories of motherhood. Mother’s Day is typically a time to honor the love and sacrifices of mothers, but today we’ll be exploring the twisted tales that lurk behind the shadows.  It’s an extra special, two parts, more than two-hour, Mother’s Day event.  Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1:Foul Play: Crime SeriesMusic City 911Crimes from the East Cults, Crimes, Cabernet A Nefarious Nightmare Crimelines The Asian Madness Podcast  Part 2:Once Upon A Crime PNW Haunts & HomicidesThe Trail Went Cold Coffee & CasesAlready Gone Twisted and Uncorked Mystery Inc  If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: Deceptions & Resurrections, Bloody Valentine, and A Nightmare before Halloween . Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.