Episode 571: Lost Children of the Alleghenies

Weirdos! Today's episode is brought TO you, BY you, For you, FROM you, and ALLLLL about you! It's Listener Tales 90! Today we have a great batch of tales submitted by YOU! We have ghost cats, we have children dropping in to say 'hieeeeeee' BEFORE their birth, we have ghosty grandfathers playing with the grandson they never met, and we have Kitty's tale which will leave you with tears in your eyes!If you’ve got a listener tale please send it on over to [email protected] with “Listener Tales” somewhere in the subject line :)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When eighteen-year-old recent high school graduate Tiffany Valiante was struck and killed by a train in July 2015, the news came as a shock to friends and family, who couldn’t fathom why the teenager had been out walking the tracks that night. Their shock and confusion quickly turned to outrage and disbelief when, less than twenty-four hours later, Tiffany’s death was ruled a suicide by the New Jersey Transit Police, who were tasked with investigating the incident. As far as everyone knew, Tiffany was a happy, outgoing girl with a bright future and a sports scholarship to Mercy College in the fall—they couldn’t think of a single reason why she would have wanted to end her life. Despite the official conclusions about her death, the Valiante family have never believed Tiffany intentionally stepped in front of the train that night, and in the months and years that have passed since her death, many other people have come to a similar conclusion. In fact, they’re confident the evidence and numerous unanswered questions suggest Tiffany had not gone into the woods voluntarily and that her death is at best suspicious, and at worst a murder. Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me The Axe Podcast for research and writing support! ReferencesConklin, Eric. 2023. "Family of Tiffany Valiante marks 8 years since teen's death with 2nd docuseries in the works." Press of Atlantic City, July 24.Daily Beast. 2022. "Was high school grad being chased before grisly train death?" Daily Beast, July 16.D'Amato Law. 2017. "“It’s just not the Tiffany I knew,” said Allison Walker, head women’s volleyball coach at Stockton University who coached Valiante in the East Coast Crush Volleyball Club, a junior travel volleyball team. “The time of night really didn’t sit right with me." D'Amato Law. July 17. Accessed August 20, 2024. https://damatolawfirm.com/in-the-news/who-killed-tiffany-valiante-questions-persist-as-family-marks-the-third-anniversary-of-her-mysterious-death/.—. 2022. Mishandling Key Evidence In 2015 Tiffany Valiante Suspicious Death Case Impeded Independent Forensic DNA Analysis, Reports Renowned Lab. March 29. Accessed August 20, 2024. https://damatolawfirm.com/in-the-news/mishandling-key-evidence-in-2015-tiffany-valiante-suspicious-death-case/.DeAngelis, Martin. 2016. "Death of teen not suicide, suit says." Press of Atlantic City, July 20: 3.DiFilippo, Dana, and Joe Hernandez. 2017. Family of N.J. teen killed by train disputes suicide ruling, sues to prove kidnap-murder plot. July 19. Accessed August 19, 2024. https://whyy.org/articles/family-of-nj-teen-killed-by-train-disputes-suicide-ruling-sues-to-prove-kidnap-murder-plot/.Houseman, H. Louise. 2017. Investigative report submitted by H. Louise Hoiusman, Senior Medical Investigator. Investigative Report, Egg Harbor, NJ: D'Amato Law.Huba, Nicholas. 2015. "Suicides shock, sadden teens." Press of Atlantic City, July 19: 1.Jason, Dr. Donald. 2018. Re: Death of Tiffany Valiante. Forensic evaluation, Egg Harbor, NJ: D'Amato Law.Low, Claire. 2018. "A walk thgrough hell." Press of Atlantic City, December 16: 1.Morgan, Kate. 2022. Tiffany Valiante's last night. November. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://sjmagazine.net/featured/tiffany-valiantes-last-night.Stephen F. Valiante and Diane F. Valiante v. Does et al. 2017. ATL-L-1411-17 (Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, July 18).Sterling, Stephen, and S.P. Sullivan. 2017. Death and dysfunction: HGow N.J. fails the dead, betrays the living and is a national disgrace. December 14. Accessed August 19, 2024. https://death.nj.com/.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After opening an investigation into Cindy’s death, investigators learned that, for nearly a decade leading up to her death, Cindy James had repeatedly reported to Richmond Police that she was a victim of harassment, stalking, and assault, and had even turned over threatening letters and answering machine messages as evidence of the harassment; yet local police were unable to verify her story or intervene to protect her.At first, Cindy’s death appeared to be the inevitable and tragic conclusion of a years’-long campaign of harassment and terror by an unknown stalker; however, when investigators began digging into Cindy’s personal history, they discovered evidence that contradicted their initial assumptions and pointed towards a far stranger explanation for her death.Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me The Axe Podcast for research and writing support! ReferencesGraham, Patracia. 1989. "We could have done better for Cindy." The Province, June 16: 37.Hall, Neal. 1989. "Body believed to be missing nurse's." Vancouver Sun, June 9: 1.—. 1990. "Ex-spouse angrily denied woman's lurid charge." Vancouver Sun, March 7: A12.—. 1990. "James' ex-husband tells of fear police would frame him." Vancouver Sun, March 8: 19.—. 1990. "James felt abandoned, ex-husband testifies ." Vancouver Sun, May 8: 16.—. 1990. "James inquest hears of 1984 kidnap claim." Vancouver Sun, March 2: 15.—. 1990. "James recalled bloody tale." Vancouver Sun, March 6: 19.—. 1990. "Under siege." Vancouver Sun, March 24: A9.Horwood, Holly. 1990. "James inquest a strain for jurors." The Province, May 31: 4.—. 1990. "Nurse changed her story." The Province, February 28: 6.—. 1990. "Threats, attacks preceded death." The Province, February 27: 2.Jiwa, Salim. 1989. "Body is nurse's." The Province , June 9: 5.—. 1989. "Somebody tailed Cindy." The Province, June 1: 4.Mulgrew, Ian. 1991. Who Killed Cindy James? Seal Press: New York, NY.Pemberton, Kim. 1989. "Strange ordeal of Cindy James." Vancouver Sun, July 13: 17.Vancouver Sun. 1989. "Abduction feared by nurse's dad." Vancouver Sun, June 2: 37.—. 1990. "Conflicting evidence fabricated tangled puzzle for inquest." Vancouver Sun, May 29: 9.—. 1990. "Coroner's jury to hear of mysterious incidents." Vancouver Sun, February 26: 21.—. 1989. "Police ask help in locating missing nurse." Vancouver Sun, May 30: 33.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On June 8, 1989, a municipal worker discovered the body of forty-four-year-old Cindy James in the backyard of an abandoned home in Richmond, British Columbia, hogtied and with a woman’s stocking wrapped around her neck. Two weeks earlier, friends had reported Cindy missing when she failed to show up for a game of cards and when the authorities searched Cindy’s car, they discovered blood and other signs that indicated she may have met with foul play.After opening an investigation into Cindy’s death, investigators learned that, for nearly a decade leading up to her death, Cindy James had repeatedly reported to Richmond Police that she was a victim of harassment, stalking, and assault, and had even turned over threatening letters and answering machine messages as evidence of the harassment; yet local police were unable to verify her story or intervene to protect her.At first, Cindy’s death appeared to be the inevitable and tragic conclusion of a years’-long campaign of harassment and terror by an unknown stalker; however, when investigators began digging into Cindy’s personal history, they discovered evidence that contradicted their initial assumptions and pointed towards a far stranger explanation for her death.Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me The Axe Podcast for research and writing support!ReferencesGraham, Patracia. 1989. "We could have done better for Cindy." The Province, June 16: 37.Hall, Neal. 1989. "Body believed to be missing nurse's." Vancouver Sun, June 9: 1.—. 1990. "Ex-spouse angrily denied woman's lurid charge." Vancouver Sun, March 7: A12.—. 1990. "James' ex-husband tells of fear police would frame him." Vancouver Sun, March 8: 19.—. 1990. "James felt abandoned, ex-husband testifies ." Vancouver Sun, May 8: 16.—. 1990. "James inquest hears of 1984 kidnap claim." Vancouver Sun, March 2: 15.—. 1990. "James recalled bloody tale." Vancouver Sun, March 6: 19.—. 1990. "Under siege." Vancouver Sun, March 24: A9.Horwood, Holly. 1990. "James inquest a strain for jurors." The Province, May 31: 4.—. 1990. "Nurse changed her story." The Province, February 28: 6.—. 1990. "Threats, attacks preceded death." The Province, February 27: 2.Jiwa, Salim. 1989. "Body is nurse's." The Province , June 9: 5.—. 1989. "Somebody tailed Cindy." The Province, June 1: 4.Mulgrew, Ian. 1991. Who Killed Cindy James? Seal Press: New York, NY.Pemberton, Kim. 1989. "Strange ordeal of Cindy James." Vancouver Sun, July 13: 17.Vancouver Sun. 1989. "Abduction feared by nurse's dad." Vancouver Sun, June 2: 37.—. 1990. "Conflicting evidence fabricated tangled puzzle for inquest." Vancouver Sun, May 29: 9.—. 1990. "Coroner's jury to hear of mysterious incidents." Vancouver Sun, February 26: 21.—. 1989. "Police ask help in locating missing nurse." Vancouver Sun, May 30: 33.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Weirdos! It's Friday the 13th, so we figured we'd celebrate with a little bonus episode! We are thrilled to be joined by our new friends Juliet Landau, Christopher Feinstein & Frank Bonacci and talk about their new show Slayin' It with Juliet Landau. So! Stay away from Crystal Lake, Cozy up to the Hellmouth in Sunnydale, and Keep! It! Weird!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On October 20, 1931, baggage agents in Los Angeles received a tip that two trunks on the incoming Southern Pacific Railroad could contain contraband material. When the agents located the suspicious trunks, they opened them and were horrified to find within them the dismembered remains of Anne LeRoi and Hedvig Samuelson, two young women who had gone missing in Arizona days earlier. Both women had been shot to death. Railroad agents quickly traced the trunks back to twenty-six-year-old Winnie Ruth Judd, but Judd disappeared into the crowd before authorities could apprehend and question her. Two days later, Judd surrendered to the LAPD, setting off one of the decade’s most sensational murder cases and making Winnie Ruth Judd, the “Trunk Murderess,” an object of public curiosity for decades to follow. Some called her a butcher and a psychopath, yet many others found it impossible to believe that she’d acted alone or that she was anything more than an unwilling accomplice. Winnie Ruth Judd was ultimately found guilty of murder and sentenced to death, but her life was spared, and her sentence was overturned when psychiatrists determined her to be mentally incompetent and she was sent to a psychiatric institution. Judd spent thirty years in an Arizona mental institution, from which she escaped and was recaptured six times, before finally winning parole in 1971.  Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me The Axe Podcast for research and writing support! ReferencesArizona Daily Star. 1932. "Testimony in Judd trial is before jurors." Arizona Daily Star, February 7: 1.—. 1932. "Winnie Judd breaks under trial's strain." Arizona Daily Star, January 22: 1.Associated Press. 1932. "Winnie Judd guilty, must hang for murder." Arizona Daily Star, February 9: 1.—. 1932. "Mrs. Judd guilty of first degree murder." New York Times, February 9: 1.—. 1939. "Mrs. Judd, slayer, escapes asylum." New York Times, October 26: 27.Bommersbach, Jana. 1992. The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.Los Angeles Evening Express. 1931. "Youth reveals sister's story." Los Angeles Evening Express, October 20: 1.Los Angeles Times. 1931. "Doctor wants to hunt wife." Los Angeles Times, October 21: 9.—. 1931. "Trunk murder suspect dodges great dragnet." Los Angeles Times, October 21: 1.—. 1931. "Trunk seeker ex-employee." Los Angeles Times, October 20: 2.New York Times. 1932. "Alienist asserts Mrs. Judd is sane." New York Times, February 4: 9.—. 1931. "Confession letter laid to Mrs. Judd." New York Times, October 25: 3.—. 1931. "Mrs. Judd gives up in trunk murders." New York Times, October 24: 3.—. 1932. "Mrs. Judd to die on scaffold May 11." New York Times, February 25: 44.—. 1971. "Winnie Ruth Judd free on parole." New York Times, November 30: 53.Stanley, Thiers. 1931. "Fears grip Mrs. Judd." Los Angeles Times, October 31: 1.Tucson Citizen. 1931. "Accomplice sought." Tucson Citizen, October 20: 1.—. 1932. "Eludes guard while mother is on stand." Tucson Citizen, January 26: 1.—. 1931. "Student tells of trip to claim bodies of victims." Tucson Citizen, October 20: 1.United Press International. 1982. "Trunk murderer wins big court settlement ." UPI Archive, December 31.Winnie Ruth Judd v. State of Arizona. 1932. 41 Ariz. 176 (Ariz. 1932) (Supreme Court of Arizona, 12 December 12).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the early morning hours of December 17, 1968, two gunmen burst into the Atlanta motel room of Barbara Jane Mackle and her mother, Jane. After tying up and chloroforming Jane Mackle, the two kidnapped Barbara, forcing her into their car at gunpoint. Later that day, a family friend received a call at the Mackle home in Florida, instructing them to look in the northwest corner of the Mackle’s yard, where they would find a ransom note with details about how to ensure their daughter’s safe return.Once the note was unearthed, the Mackle’s learned their daughter had been placed inside a box and buried in the ground in a remote location. She has enough food, water, and air to survive for a few days, but if the family doesn’t act quickly, there’s a good chance Barbara will dieThe kidnapping of Barbara Jane Mackle was an elaborately planned, well-executed crime that quickly dominated local and national headlines, which was no small feat in a year of major social upheaval. By the 1960s, kidnapping for ransom was a familiar concept, but to be kidnapped and buried alive was a terrifying thought that shook Americans to their core and left everyone wondering, what kind of person could do such a thing?Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me The Axe Podcast for research and writing support!ReferencesAssociated Press. 1968. "Kidnapped college girl found safe in box underground." Los Angeles Times, December 21: 1.—. 1968. "Mackle kidnapping suspect capturted; $480,000 recovered." Los Angeles Times, December 22: 1.—. 1968. "Kidnapped girl tells of ordeal of 83 hours entombed in box." New York Times, December 29: 44.—. 1968. "Kidnapped girl, buried alive, is freed." New York Times, December 21: 1.Atlanta Constitution. 1968. "80-hour burial ends in rescue." Atlanta Constitution, December 21: 1.—. 1968. "Motel coed kidnapped here spurs nationwide alert for 2." Atlanta Constitution, December 18: 1.Foreman, Laura. 1968. "Campus silent about the girl." Atlanta Constitution, December 18: 1.Gary Steven Krist v. State of Georgia. 1970. 227 Ga. 85 (Ga. 1970) (Supreme Court of Georgia, December 3).Markowitz, Arnold. 1969. "Plea of Innocent entered for Krist." Miami Herald, March 8: 1.Miami Herald. 1969. "Krist collapses; is being force-fed." Miami Herald, April 25: 4.—. 1969. "'Superiority' goes to jail." Miami Herald, May 28: 3.—. 1969. "Who's villain of kidnap case?" Miami Herald, March 9: 19.Miller, Gene. 1969. "Krist gets life in prison avter jury grants mercy." Miami Herald, May 27: 1.—. 1969. "'Life imprisonment worse than death'." Miami Herald, May 27: 16.Miller, Gene, and Barbara Mackle. 1971. Eighty-Three Hours till Dawn. New York, NY: Doubleday.Murray, Frank. 1968. "Researcher and 2 sought in kidnap." Atlanta Constitution, December 20: 1.New York Times. 1968. "Ransom pickup inadvertently foiled by Miami police." New York Times, December 20.Raines, Howell. 1979. "Parole of a kidnapper angers Atlanta." New York Times, May 14: A14.Sosin, Milt. 1969. "FBI hunts Ruth's 'flight pal'." Miami News, March 6: 1.—. 1969. "Ruth: Everyone is against me." Miami News, March 7: 1.United Press International. 1968. "Gunman and 'boy' kidnapp 20-year-old coed, Florida millionaire's daughter." New York Times, December 18: 25.Vissar, Steve. 2006. "The strange odyssey of Gary Krist; From kidnapper to prisoner to doctor to alleged drug smuggler." Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 19.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the early morning hours of December 17, 1968, two gunmen burst into the Atlanta motel room of Barbara Jane Mackle and her mother, Jane. After tying up and chloroforming Jane Mackle, the two kidnapped Barbara, forcing her into their car at gunpoint. Later that day, a family friend received a call at the Mackle home in Florida, instructing them to look in the northwest corner of the Mackle’s yard, where they would find a ransom note with details about how to ensure their daughter’s safe return.Once the note was unearthed, the Mackle’s learned their daughter had been placed inside a box and buried in the ground in a remote location. She has enough food, water, and air to survive for a few days, but if the family doesn’t act quickly, there’s a good chance Barbara will dieThe kidnapping of Barbara Jane Mackle was an elaborately planned, well-executed crime that quickly dominated local and national headlines, which was no small feat in a year of major social upheaval. By the 1960s, kidnapping for ransom was a familiar concept, but to be kidnapped and buried alive was a terrifying thought that shook Americans to their core and left everyone wondering, what kind of person could do such a thing?Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me The Axe Podcast for research and writing support!ReferencesAssociated Press. 1968. "Kidnapped college girl found safe in box underground." Los Angeles Times, December 21: 1.—. 1968. "Mackle kidnapping suspect capturted; $480,000 recovered." Los Angeles Times, December 22: 1.—. 1968. "Kidnapped girl tells of ordeal of 83 hours entombed in box." New York Times, December 29: 44.—. 1968. "Kidnapped girl, buried alive, is freed." New York Times, December 21: 1.Atlanta Constitution. 1968. "80-hour burial ends in rescue." Atlanta Constitution, December 21: 1.—. 1968. "Motel coed kidnapped here spurs nationwide alert for 2." Atlanta Constitution, December 18: 1.Foreman, Laura. 1968. "Campus silent about the girl." Atlanta Constitution, December 18: 1.Gary Steven Krist v. State of Georgia. 1970. 227 Ga. 85 (Ga. 1970) (Supreme Court of Georgia, December 3).Markowitz, Arnold. 1969. "Plea of Innocent entered for Krist." Miami Herald, March 8: 1.Miami Herald. 1969. "Krist collapses; is being force-fed." Miami Herald, April 25: 4.—. 1969. "'Superiority' goes to jail." Miami Herald, May 28: 3.—. 1969. "Who's villain of kidnap case?" Miami Herald, March 9: 19.Miller, Gene. 1969. "Krist gets life in prison avter jury grants mercy." Miami Herald, May 27: 1.—. 1969. "'Life imprisonment worse than death'." Miami Herald, May 27: 16.Miller, Gene, and Barbara Mackle. 1971. Eighty-Three Hours till Dawn. New York, NY: Doubleday.Murray, Frank. 1968. "Researcher and 2 sought in kidnap." Atlanta Constitution, December 20: 1.New York Times. 1968. "Ransom pickup inadvertently foiled by Miami police." New York Times, December 20.Raines, Howell. 1979. "Parole of a kidnapper angers Atlanta." New York Times, May 14: A14.Sosin, Milt. 1969. "FBI hunts Ruth's 'flight pal'." Miami News, March 6: 1.—. 1969. "Ruth: Everyone is against me." Miami News, March 7: 1.United Press International. 1968. "Gunman and 'boy' kidnapp 20-year-old coed, Florida millionaire's daughter." New York Times, December 18: 25.Vissar, Steve. 2006. "The strange odyssey of Gary Krist; From kidnapper to prisoner to doctor to alleged drug smuggler." Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 19.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Weirdos! Everyone Rejoice!! September is upon us! Let's welcome the 'BER' months with the FOURTH installment of Spooky Lighthouses! Today Alaina & Ash talk about the morbid history of two lighthouses: The Cape Romain Lighthouse in South Carolina & Little Ross Lighthouse in Scotland!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Weirdos!! It’s our second SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE brought to YOU by our friends at Audible! Today we’re joined by one of our besties, Sabrina from 2 Girls 1 Ghost to chat about Grady Hendrix's, “My Best Friends Exorcism”! Join the “Weirdos’ Audiobook Club’ AND the conversation as we talk about our favorite characters, themes, and scenes! Haven’t listened yet? Don’t worry about it, friend! Go to Audible.com/weirdos for YOUR free trial! And don’t forget to click the episode post on Instagram to comment YOUR favorite part of the book, and discuss with other Weirdos who enjoyed the title, as well!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.