Down the Crooked Path
True Crime & Paranormal
About
Welcome to "Down the Crooked Path," where the shadows of history, folklore, and mystery converge. Hosted by Amanda Joy, this podcast explores the world’s most chilling tales and unanswered questions, from unsolved crimes and eerie legends to the dark corners of human nature. Each episode delves deep into the stories that haunt small communities, challenge our understanding, and push us to question the forces beyond our comprehension. Whether it’s tracing forgotten lore, unraveling strange disappearances, or confronting the unknown, "Down the Crooked Path" invites you to journey into the enigmas that shape our world. Keep questioning, keep exploring, and walk the path where answers aren't always what they seem. New episodes every Thursday
Episodes
- The Axeman of New Orleans
This episode of Down the Crooked Path examines the Axeman of New Orleans, detailing the attacks, the public panic, the role of newspapers, and the eventual disappearance of the perpetrator.
- The Nahanni Valley and the Mystery of the Headless Men
This episode examines the disappearances and mysterious deaths in the Nahanni Valley, including prospectors and outlaws like Yukon Fisher, many of whom were found headless, earning the area the nickname 'Valley of the Headless Men'.
- The Hinterkaifeck Murders
This episode of Down the Crooked Path investigates the Hinterkaifeck murders, a case involving six deaths on a remote Bavarian farm. It covers the strange events leading up to the killings and the theories that remain unsolved.
- The Hexham Heads: Cursed, Haunted, or What
This episode examines the Hexham Heads, exploring theories about hauntings, poltergeist activity, and witness experiences. It delves into scientific, folkloric, and psychological explanations, acknowledging that no single theory fully reso…
- The Isdal Woman: Norway’s Greatest Mystery
This episode investigates the 1970 death of the Isdal Woman in Norway, examining the mysterious circumstances including multiple identities, cryptic clues, and international connections that hint at espionage.
- The Baldoon Mystery: Canada’s Strangest Haunting
This episode of Down the Crooked Path investigates the Baldoon Mystery, one of Canada's most unusual hauntings. It delves into a family farm plagued by unexplained fires, mysterious apparitions, and accusations of witchcraft, exploring the…
- The Murder in the Red Barn
This episode of Down the Crooked Path details the 1827 murder of Maria Marten, exploring the investigation, William Corder's trial, and lingering stories connected to the case, such as Dr. John Kilner and the Greenbrier Ghost.
- Mothman: The Thing That Watched Point Pleasant
This episode covers the 1966-1967 Mothman sightings in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, detailing eyewitness reports of a winged figure and associated strange events. It also examines the folklore, fear, and tragedy surrounding the legend, i…
- The Lead Mask Mystery
The episode discusses the unexplained deaths of two Brazilian men in 1966, who were found dead with lead masks over their eyes and a cryptic note. The cause of death and the meaning of the note are unknown.
- Buried in the Desert: The West Mesa Victims
The West Mesa Bone Collector case is detailed, starting from a single bone that led to the discovery of eleven women and one unborn child's remains. The episode covers the victims' lives and the continuing quest for closure.
- Canadian Creepies: Jacko the Ape
This episode is a crossover with the sister-podcast Canadian Creepies, featuring their story about Jacko the Ape, a strange and folkloric Canadian mystery.
- Julia: The Case That Haunted Dr. Richard Gallagher
This episode examines the case of Julia, a woman whom psychiatrist Dr. Richard Gallagher believed was possessed by a demonic entity. The discussion covers Dr. Gallagher's background, the details of Julia's case, and the debate between psyc…
- What Happened to Lisa Au?
This episode details the 1982 disappearance of 19-year-old Lisa Au, covering her last known movements, the challenges posed by a severe rainstorm, and the case's lasting impact on Hawai'i law enforcement and public trust.
- Unanswered on Mount Shasta
This episode of Down the Crooked Path investigates unexplained disappearances on Mount Shasta, detailing search efforts and the challenging conditions. It also covers local legends such as hidden cities, Bigfoot sightings, and the 'robot g…
- Besa Mafia: The Hitman That Never Was
This episode of Down the Crooked Path discusses Besa Mafia, a purported dark web hitman site that gained notoriety despite never delivering any services. It covers the site's rise, why people believed in it, and the subsequent investigatio…
- Zona Heaster Shue: The Greenbrier Ghost
This episode examines the 1897 death of Zona Heaster Shue, initially ruled natural, but which her mother claimed was murder revealed by her ghost. It delves into the miscarriage theory, racial bias, and evidence that ultimately led to a co…
- Percy Fawcett and the Lost city of Z
This episode examines the enduring mystery of Percy Fawcett, who vanished in the Amazon in 1925 seeking the lost city of Z. Theories discussed include finding a hidden community, encountering a supernatural phenomenon, conflict with indige…
- Unsolved in the Heartland: The Villisca Axe Murders
This episode delves into the 1912 Villisca Axe Murders, examining suspects, divisive theories, and unsettling clues, including the possibility of the killer's return.
- Down the Crooked Path: Season Two
Season 2 of Down the Crooked Path delves into unsettling stories about hauntings, mysteries, and hidden histories. Topics include the Villisca Axe Murders, Mount Shasta legends, the Franklin Expedition, Mothman sightings, Vatican Secret Ar…
- Canadian Creepie: The Ghost train of Medicine Hat
This episode of Down the Crooked Path's Canadian Creepies series investigates the legend of a ghost train in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The phantom locomotive is said to travel the tracks at night, though no physical train ever appears.
- The Baldoon Mystery : Canadian Creepies
This episode revisits the Baldoon Mystery, an infamous Canadian haunting from the early 1800s. The McDonald family experienced unexplained events, leading to local legends of a curse and a witch.
- Canadian Creepies: Project Magnet
This episode revisits Project Magnet, a 1950s Canadian initiative investigating UFOs and unexplained aerial phenomena. It delves into the program's origins, the role of engineer Wilbert B. Smith, and its lasting impact on Canadian UFO lore.
- Canadian Creepies: Falcon Lake Incident
This episode covers the Falcon Lake Incident, a significant UFO case documented in Manitoba, Canada, where a prospector named Stephan experienced burns and illness after an encounter.
- Canadian Creepies: Tom Thompson
This episode discusses the mysterious circumstances surrounding the disappearance and death of Canadian artist Tom Thomson. It explores whether his death was an accident or something more sinister, and considers the legend of his haunting…
- Mr. Christie's Secret Room
This episode delves into a Canadian mystery surrounding Mr. Christie's secret room. It explores the sinister events that unfolded after his death and the lengths taken to keep a dark secret hidden.
- Love me Tender: The Grime sister's tragedy
The episode details the 1956 disappearance of sisters Barbara and Patricia Grimes in Chicago. The investigation into their vanishing involved conflicting reports and unsettling correspondence directed at their mother.
- The Lawsuit That Never Landed: The Cash-Landrum Encounter
This episode delves into the 1980 Cash-Landrum UFO encounter, detailing a sighting of a diamond-shaped craft, subsequent physical effects on the witnesses, and the unique lawsuit filed against the U.S. government.
- Canadian Creepies Edition; Grainger Taylor
This episode features a segment from Canadian Creepies about the disappearance of Grainger Taylor, a Vancouver Island mechanical prodigy who vanished in 1980. He left behind a note and a homemade spaceship, sparking speculation about alien…
- Haunted Ground: Gettysburg Ghosts
This episode of Down the Crooked Path delves into the hauntings of Gettysburg, exploring the concept of trauma-imprinted landscapes and distinguishing between residual and intelligent hauntings through historical accounts and folklore.
- YOGTZE: The Last Thought of Günther Stoll
This episode investigates the baffling 1984 unsolved case of Günther Stoll, a West German food engineer who died mysteriously. The investigation centers on his cryptic final note, YOGTZE, and explores theories ranging from espionage to psy…
- Blood on the Frontier: The Harpe Brothers
This episode of Down the Crooked Path delves into the lives and crimes of Micajah and Wiley Harpe, considered America's first serial killers. It covers their violent acts, lack of clear motive, and their impact on early American folklore.
- Disappearing Act: The Philadelphia Experiment
This episode delves into the legend of the Philadelphia Experiment, a purported 1943 U.S. Navy experiment involving the USS Eldridge. It examines the claims of invisibility and teleportation, the story's origins, and the potential for a mi…
- The Curious Case of John Fritz Johnson
This episode of Down the Crooked Path investigates the perplexing case of Lawrence Bader, who disappeared in 1957 and resurfaced years later as John Fritz Johnson, a TV personality with no recollection of his former life. The story examine…
- Frozen Secrets: The Dyatlov Mystery
This episode of Down the Crooked Path examines the Dyatlov Pass incident, detailing the hikers' final journey, the discovery and autopsy findings, and theories such as avalanches and military cover-ups.
- Static Whispers: Ghosts in the Machine
This episode of Down the Crooked Path, titled "Static Whispers: Ghosts in the Machine," delves into alleged paranormal occurrences involving modern technology, such as phantom phone calls and mysterious radio signals. It examines the psych…
- Zack and Addie: Rampart Street Requiem
This episode delves into the chilling tragedy of Zack Bowen and Addie Hall in post-Katrina New Orleans, exploring their volatile relationship, the psychological toll of the hurricane, and the unraveling of their identities.
- The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans: Marie Laveau
This episode of Down the Crooked Path delves into the life of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. It examines her rise to prominence, her influence, the syncretism of her practices, and the mysteries surrounding her life and dea…
- Echoes from Room 1046
This episode investigates the unsolved 1935 murder of Roland T. Owen in Kansas City, examining the mysterious circumstances, cryptic clues, and the baffling silence surrounding the case.
- Whispers Beneath Giant Skeletons
This episode of Down the Crooked Path investigates global discoveries of giant skeletons, exploring theories about ancient civilizations, cryptid hoaxes, or suppressed archaeological finds. It delves into historical accounts, alleged Smith…
- From Shadows to Scandal: The Mystery of Kaspar Hauser
This episode of Down the Crooked Path examines the 1828 case of Kaspar Hauser, a mysterious teenager who appeared in Nuremberg. It explores theories about his origins, a cryptic note, connections to the House of Baden, and his eventual dea…
- Vanished in the Fog: Eilean Mòr’s Silent Keepers
This episode of Down the Crooked Path examines the 1900 disappearance of three lighthouse keepers from Eilean Mòr. It covers their final log entries, the investigation, and various theories including storms, paranormal activity, and strang…
- Coal Dust and Starfire: The Death of Zigmund Adamski
This episode examines the 1980 disappearance and subsequent mysterious death of Zigmund Adamski in Yorkshire, delving into the unexplained circumstances and lingering questions surrounding the case.
- The Silence of the Woods: Bigfoot Beyond Myth
This episode of 'Down the Crooked Path' investigates the Bigfoot phenomenon, examining its roots in First Nations stories and modern sightings. It delves into cryptid lore, skeptical analyses, and eyewitness testimonies, questioning why th…
- Jack the Ripper: death in Whitechapel
This episode revisits the Jack the Ripper murders in 1888 Whitechapel, examining the five canonical victims and exploring numerous suspect theories and historical investigations.
- Fear in the fields: Cattle Mutilations
This episode of Down the Crooked Path investigates mysterious cattle mutilations, exploring early cases, scientific and conspiracy theories, UFO links, and eyewitness accounts.
- Seeing the Unseen: The Night Vision demon goggles
This episode of Down the Crooked Path discusses a legend from the Vietnam War about prototype night vision goggles that allegedly revealed supernatural encounters. It examines the early history of night vision technology, theories on alter…
- The Lewis Clark Valley Murders
This episode of Down the Crooked Path, hosted by Amanda Joy, investigates the unsolved Lewis Clark Valley Murders. It delves into the timeline, unsettling connections, and theories surrounding decades of disappearances and killings in the…
- Crossroads: The Robert Johnson Legend
This episode of Down the Crooked Path delves into the legend of blues guitarist Robert Johnson, examining the rumors of his deal at the crossroads for musical talent. It explores the origins of this folklore and the mystery surrounding Joh…
- The Bell witch: Truth, Terror and Folklore
This episode of Down the Crooked Path investigates the paranormal legend of the Bell Witch, detailing the eerie events that plagued the Bell family in early 19th-century Tennessee, including unexplained voices and violent attacks. Amanda J…
- Christopher Case: Fear and Fate
This episode of Down the Crooked Path investigates the mysterious death of Christopher Case, exploring whether fear, paranoia, or potential supernatural elements contributed to his fate. Host Amanda Joy delves into Case's descent into fear…