17. The Vanishing Hitchhiker: From Backroads to Graveyards, a Ghost Story That Refuses to Die

Tracing the Origins of America’s Creepiest Urban Legend... She appears on lonely highways, soaked in moonlight and mystery. You offer her a ride—and before the journey ends, she’s gone without a trace. Sound familiar? That’s because the Vanishing Hitchhiker is one of the most enduring and chilling urban legends of all time. In this episode of The Empty Coffin Podcast, we dig deep into the shadowy history of this haunted tale—from 1940s New York folklore to Appalachian ghost trails, international Lady in White sightings, and beyond. We follow the story as it morphs across cultures and generations, showing up in everything from folk songs to biblical texts, and yes—even in your favorite cult horror films. You’ll hear how the legend of Lucy from the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail blurs the line between fiction and fact... how Large Marge, Highway Sheila, and La Llorona might all be part of the same paranormal bloodline... and why hitchhiking ghosts just won’t stay dead. If you’re into paranormal mysteries, folklore, ghost stories, and the kind of eerie tales that echo through time—this one’s a must-listen.