Episode 353: Laura Van Ryn & Whitney Cerak

On January 4th, 2008, a clerk at a gas station in DeKalb County, Georgia watched a man vacuuming out his van. Just hours earlier, the clerk had seen that same man in news reports – he was identified as a person of interest in the disappearance of a woman from three days prior. This man was Gary Hilton, and while he was initially only a person of interest in the disappearance and murder of Meredith Emerson, he ended up being charged with 4 murders in total (and suspected of many more) and became known as the “National Forest Serial Killer” who killed Meredith Emerson, Cheryl Dunlap, and Irene and John Bryant in 2007 and 2008. Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On March 14, 1960, 47-year-old Frances Murphy, 50-year-old Mildred Lindquist, and 50-year-old Lillian Oetting took a four-day trip to Starved Rock State Park, in LaSalle County, Illinois. After checking into the Starved Rock Lodge, the three women decided to take an afternoon hike to the St. Louis Canyon. Unfortunately, they were never seen alive again. Two days later, Frances, Mildred and Lillian were found inside a cave in the canyon. All 3 women were partially nude, bound with twine and their faces had been bludgeoned beyond recognition. Over 60 years later a lot of theories and questions still surround their case. Did they catch the right man, are there other individuals responsible, has justice really been served?? Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did Belle Gunness fake her own death after murdering at least 14 victims over the course of several years? A female serial killer who was nicknamed Hell’s Belle, Belle Gunness potentially had over 40 victims and may or may not have gotten away with her crimes by faking her own death. Luring victims to her farm in Indiana under the pretenses of romance, Belle is arguably one of the most prolific female serial killers in the United States. Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whitney Cerak and Laura van Ryn were involved in a tragic accident in April of 2006. They were both students at Taylor University in Indiana, when a van they were riding in collided with a semi truck a top speed and several people were killed instantly. In the aftermath, a mistake was discovered, leading to a heartbreaking revelation for both the Cerak and Van Ryn families. Whitney and Laura’s story gained significant media attention and raised discussions about identity and loss. Their experiences were later chronicled in books and a documentary, exploring themes of forgiveness and resilience. Find the book here: https://a.co/d/bl5Zuri Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Amityville Horror is a book published in 1977 by Jay Anson and then turned into a cult classic horror film franchise. The story is based on the experience of the Lutz family when they moved into a home in Amityville on Long Island, New York - a home that was the location of a familicide when Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his siblings and parents in 1974. This is the true story behind The Amityville Horror. Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Halloweek, humans! In this installment of Listener Stories we bring you spooky-ooky tales - some are freaky, some are sweet, and some will have you checking behind you. To submit your own Listener Story go to inhumanpodcast.com/listener-stories Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to PART FREAKING TWO of the Menendez case! Thank you for being patient! In this episode we will discuss the crime, the arrests and both trials as well as the aftermath and new details that have recently emerged... Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In June 1979, a fire broke out on the Ghost Train ride at Luna Park, an amusement park in New South Wales, Australia. The fatal fire that took 7 lives was blamed on electrical faults, but arson is suspected with questions about a connection to notorious Sydney underworld figure Abe Saffron. While no one has ever been criminally charged, questions remain regarding what lead to the fire, and the public has demanded a second formal investigation into the tragedy. Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On September 23rd, 2019, Stephanie Parze filed an assault domestic violence complaint against her boyfriend, John Ozbilgen. By October, weird things were occurring at Stephanie’s house in Freehold Township, New Jersey, and she told her family she believed someone was breaking in and messing with her. Then the night before Halloween, Stephanie disappeared, with profanity-laced texts from her ex-boyfriend appearing on her phone. John Ozbilgen never admitted to what he’d done, but investigators are sure they know what happened. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, find resources at https://www.thehotline.org/. You can also call 800.799.7233 or text START to 88788. Check out the Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital, a public hospital in New Jersey operated for 67 years providing long-term treatment for adults and children, has been riddled with allegations of abuse, neglect and hospital escapees. The hospital was demolished in 2015, but to this day, some say the land the hospital once sat on remains haunted and legend of a murderous farmer occupying the slaughterhouse is still told among those who visit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices