River City Mystery - Exploring the darker corners of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky

River City Mystery - Exploring the darker corners of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky

Strange and mysterious stories coming out of southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and western Kentucky. I investigate paranormal and unexplained phenomena, as well as other mysteries of the tri-state area.

Episodes

April 20, 2025 14 mins

The incredible true story of "Wildman Joe," an African American man whose life journey, from slavery through a steamboat disaster and years as a ragman, led to a controversial career in sideshows. This episode traces the lives of Joe Rettig and showman Jeremiah "Doc" Kahler, detailing their meeting in Evansville, Indiana, and the creation of the "Wildman Joe" act. 

Key Moments:

  • Introduction to Wildman Joe's Story: The episode ...
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This episode delves into the tragic and unsolved murder of Georgia "Jean" Cook, a 56-year-old mother who was shot and killed on October 6th, 2005, while working at a gas station on 41 North in Evansville, Indiana.

Here's a summary of the key points covered:

  • The Crime: Learn about the details of the shooting, where Jean Cook was fatally shot during a robbery at her workplace. [01:07]
  • Eyewitness Account: Hear the description pro...
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January 18, 2025 74 mins

This episode features an interview with Crystal Folz, also known as Evansville's Forest Witch. Crystal has been practicing witchcraft since the 1990s, with a practice deeply rooted in animism and Kentucky folklore. She is also actively involved in the pagan and paranormal communities, serving as a co-chair for both the Three Corners Pagan Circle and the Southern Indiana Paranormal Investigators.

Here are some of the key topics disc...

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December 16, 2024 55 mins

In this episode, I join Savannah on her YouTube channel, "Don't Hate. CREATE", as we examine the unsolved murder of 18-year-old Elizabeth Bannister, who was found dead in her Evansville, Indiana, apartment around 1:00 AM on January 20, 2000. 

Here are the key points explored in the episode:

  • The Unexplained Crime: This episode highlights the perplexing circumstances of Elizabeth's murder, noting that despite other residents bei...
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This episode provides an update on the case of Zac Cary, who has been missing since May 30, 2023. I interview Chris, Zac's close friend and the last person known to have seen him.

Here's a breakdown of the key information shared in this episode:

  • Last Known Location: Chris recounts dropping Zac off at the "Welcome to Lynnville" sign. [01:19]
  • Zac's Mental State: Chris reveals that Zac was experiencing a period of parano...
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March 7, 2024 32 mins

This episode discusses the disappearance of 38-year-old Zac Carey, who was last seen on May 30, 2023.

Key points discussed in the episode include:

  • Family Interviews: The episode features interviews with Zac's mother, Gina, and his sister, Cecilia, who provide crucial insights into Zac's life and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. [22:08], [07:07]
  • Last Known Sighting: Zac was last seen being dropped off by a frien...
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This episode delves into reported Bigfoot or Sasquatch encounters in the Southern Indiana region, focusing on the Hoosier National Forest area. The episode features firsthand accounts from individuals who claim to have experienced an encounter.

Here's a summary of the key encounters discussed:

  • Introduction to Southern Indiana Bigfoot Sightings: The episode begins by referencing reported sightings documented on the Bigfoot Fie...

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August 15, 2023 15 mins

This episode investigates the murder of 50-year-old Troy DeWayne Smith, who was found dead in his Evansville, Indiana, apartment on May 24, 2020.

Here's a summary of the key details discussed:

  • The Discovery: Learn about the discovery of Troy's body by his brother, TaRon, and the initial misclassification of the death as an overdose. [01:04], [01:12], [01:37]
  • TaRon's Account: Hear TaRon's emotional account of receiving a concer...
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August 1, 2023 12 mins

This episode explores the fascinating topic of buried treasure legends and stories in the Tri-State area, encompassing Southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, and Western Kentucky. 

Here are some of the key treasures and legends discussed:

  • Kentucky Cornfield Gold: The episode begins with the exciting recent discovery of over 700 rare US gold coins in a Kentucky cornfield, estimated to be worth more than $2 million, highlighting t...
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June 29, 2023 33 mins

This episode focuses on the ongoing search for 24-year-old Andi Wagner, who was last seen in Evansville, Indiana, on August 6, 2022.

Here's a summary of the key information discussed:

  • The Search Efforts: The episode highlights the active involvement of Andi's family and friends in the search, including their efforts on the "Where is Andi?" Facebook page. [02:52]
  • Community Collaboration: Learn about the collaboration between Ri...
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March 10, 2023 9 mins

This episode explores the intriguing phenomenon of phantom trains, sharing eerie accounts and legends of trains heard or even seen when no physical train is present.

Here's a summary of the occurrences discussed:

  • Police Hear a Ghost Train: The episode begins with a news story about two police officers in Swadlincote, England, who reported hearing a phantom train on a railway line that no longer exists. [01:12]
  • Barbie's Revival...
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This episode dives into the bizarre and enduring mystery of the Kelly-Hopkinsville "Little Green Men" Encounter, a case often cited as a significant Close Encounter of the Third Kind.

Here's a breakdown of the key details discussed:

  • Geraldine Sutton Stith's Account: The episode features an interview with Geraldine Sutton Stith, the daughter of Elmer Lucky Sutton, one of the eleven individuals who claimed to have been terrorize...
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December 21, 2022 45 mins

This episode features an interview with author, medium, and paranormal investigator Joni Mayhan, who shares her experiences and knowledge of the paranormal, with a particular focus on the historically rich town of New Harmony, Indiana.

Here's a breakdown of the fascinating topics covered:

  • Introduction to Joni Mayhan: Learn about Joni's background as an author of books on haunted locations in Posey County and New Harmony, India...
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December 11, 2022 22 mins

This episode delves into the tragic and unsolved murder of 36-year-old Doris McDonough, a wife and mother who was brutally killed in her Evansville, Indiana, home on October 3, 1968.

Here's a summary of the key details discussed in the episode:

  • The Brutal Crime Scene: Learn about the horrific discovery of Doris' body in her kitchen, detailing the severe head, face, neck, and back trauma she sustained from being beaten with a h...
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September 4, 2022 87 mins

This episode features an interview with Joe Weigant, the founder of Evansville Paranormal Investigations and Consulting (EPIC) and a retired detective with the Evansville Police Department. Joe shares his unique perspective on paranormal investigations, blending his law enforcement background with his abilities as a psychic and spirit communicator.

Here are the key topics discussed in the episode:

  • Introduction to Joe Weigant: ...
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August 6, 2022 43 mins

This episode examines the tragic and unsolved murder of 20-year-old Blake Crews in Henderson, Kentucky, on January 16, 2015.

Here's a summary of the key aspects discussed:

  • The Crime: Learn about the circumstances surrounding Blake's death, where he was found shot multiple times in the face at a house he was watching. [02:28]
  • Remembering Blake: The episode emphasizes Blake's positive character, highlighting that he was not invo...
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April 30, 2022 18 mins

This episode explores the strange and unexplained events surrounding the Odon fire Poltergeist in Odon, Indiana, which occurred in the summer of 1940.

Here's a breakdown of the eerie occurrences discussed:

  • The Land's History: The episode begins by delving into the history of the property where the mysterious fires took place, starting with Marshall Ketchum, who built a house on the land in the 1860s. [03:32]
  • The Unexplained Fi...
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December 4, 2021 23 mins

This episode explores the cold case of Theresa Rideout, who disappeared from Chandler, Indiana, in 1994 at the age of 36.

Here's a summary of the key details discussed:

  • The Unsolved Mystery: The episode introduces Theresa Rideout, fiancée of Jack Barnett, who vanished on September 2, 1994. [00:51]
  • Limited Information: The podcast highlights the scarcity of information available regarding Theresa's disappearance, noting the lac...
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August 22, 2021 11 mins

In this episode, I recount my own unusual sighting that occurred at Garvin Lake in Evansville, Indiana, on Saturday, August 21, 2021.

Here's what the episode covers:

  • The Unusual Observation: My wife and I witnessed a green, leafy object moving across the surface of Garvin Lake in a manner similar to ducks. [02:39]
  • Disappearance Beneath the Surface: The mysterious object then dove under the water and was not seen again. [05:14]
  • ...
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May 27, 2021 18 mins

This episode explores the unusual occurrences reported at the Four Seasons Motel in Mount Vernon, Indiana, following the tragic suicide of Jack Barnett in one of the rooms.

Here's a summary of the strange events discussed:

  • The Initial Tragedy: The episode recounts the circumstances surrounding Jack Barnett's deat...
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