Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown

Jane Addams opened Hull-House in 1889 with a mission to help Chicago’s immigrant communities. There were stories of ghosts to begin with, but nothing caused more chaos than the legend of a demonic baby supposedly hidden inside. Thousands came looking for a child that Addams insisted never existed, and decades later the story inspired the horror classic "Rosemary's Baby." More than a century later, the history and hauntings of Hull-House remain tangled together in one of Chicago’s strangest stories.
 
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Episode Sources:
“Our History” from the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
“History” from the Jane Addams Hull House Association
“Chicago Hauntings: Ghosts, A Portal, And A Devil Baby At Jane Addams' Hull House” by Adam Harrington, October 28, 2021, CBS Chicago
“Hull House Haunting” by JAPP, October 23, 2015, Jane Addams Papers Project
“The Haunted Lore of Hull-House” by Nadia Maragha, August 14, 2026, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
“The Hull House Museum” by Windy City Ghosts, Posted November 13, 2019, Updated April 22, 2026
“The Devil Baby at Hull-House” by Tim Nealon, Ghost City Tours
“The Devil Baby of Hull-House” by Adam Selzer, March 3, 2008, Adam Chicago Tours
“The Haunted History of Hull House Chicago & the Devil Baby” by American Ghost Walks, February 10, 2022
“The Devil Baby at Hull House” by Jane Addams, October 1916 Issue, The Atlantic
“Jane Addams Hull-House Museum” added by Avalon, Atlas Obscura
 
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
 
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Zelig Williams was no stranger to the stage. By age 28 he had already performed on Broadway in "Hamilton" and "MJ: The Musical," and toured with Hugh Jackman in "The Man. The Music. The Show." He then made his film debut in the Will Ferrel-led flick "Spirited." But during a brief hiatus in his hometown of Columbia, SC, Zelig vanished.
If you have any information on this case, you can contact:
Richland County Sheriff's Department: 1-803-576-3000
Midland Crimestoppers: 1-888-Crime SC  (1-888-274-6372) or CrimeSC.com
#bringzelighome
 
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Episode Sources:
Zelig Williams Website
Missing Link Website
“Family of missing Broadway dancer Zelig Williams holding faith he will return home safe” by Doha Madani, NBC News, Oct 14, 2024
“Broadway Dancer Zelig Williams Missing In South Carolina; Hugh Jackman Appeals For Help” by Greg Evans, Deadline, Oct 11, 2024
“New podcast aims to bring greater attention to missing Broadway dancer Zelig Williams, who vanished from South Carolina in October 2024” by Veronica Fulton, NBC News, Mar 11 2026
“The Day Zelig Vanished” Dateline: Missing in America, July 27, 2026
“Distraught mother of missing Broadway dancer Zelig Williams pleads for his return: ‘He’s all I got’” by Chelsea Bailey, CNN, Oct 16, 2024
“One year later, still no sign of missing Broadway star Zelig Williams” by Tatiana Carter, WACH Fox 57, Oct 3, 2025
“A Broadway dancer vanished from his home over three months ago. His distraught family ‘absolutely’ believes foul play is involved” by Andrea Cavallier, The Independent, Jan 18, 2025
“Behind the “Hu•Man in the Mirror” — The Vanishing of Zelig Williams” by Troy Styles, Blunt Force Media, Oct 14, 2024
“Zelig Williams: Details Surface About Missing Dancer” by Callie Lyons, FitsNews, Oct 14, 2024
MIssing: Zelig Williams, Crime Junkie, Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, Nov 27, 2025
Zelig Williams: Broadway and Worldwide Performer, A Time to Live with Amanda Jane Cooper, May 16, 2023
“Family of missing Broadway dancer hires private investigator to assist in desperate search” by Chelsea Bailey, ABC7 Eyewitness News, Oct 15, 2024
 
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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
 
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When 18-year-old Rori Hache disappeared from Oshawa, Ontario, in 2017, her family was desperate to find out what happened to her. Months later, a disturbing discovery would lead investigators to Adam Strong and his basement apartment. Evidence uncovered there would also provide answers in the disappearance of 19-year-old Kandis Fitzpatrick.
 
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Episode Sources:
“Remains of Kandis Fitzpatrick found in Oshawa; Adam Strong led police to body” by Kerrisa Wilson, February 16, 2022, CP24
“Plumbers found human flesh in accused killer Adam Strong's pipes, murder trial hears” by Liam Casey, The Canadian Press, September 28, 2020, CBC
“HUNTER: Killer Adam Strong is all about Adam Strong” by Brad Hunter, March 16, 2021, Toronto Sun
“Accused killer Adam Strong showed off sex video, bragged of ‘dungeon’, court hears” by Jeff Mitchell, Oshawa This Week, October 19, 2020, DurhamRegion
“HUNTER: Accused Oshawa killer Adam Strong learns fate Tuesday” by Brad Hunter, March 14, 2021, Toronto Sun
“‘I have all the characteristics of a serial killer,’ Adam Strong told Durham police” by Jeff Mitchell, Oshawa This Week, October 7, 2020, DurhamRegion
“Adam Strong sentenced to life in prison without parole for 25 years in killings of 2 Ontario women” by Liam Casey, The Canadian Press, May 28, 2021, CBC
“Adam Strong found guilty of 1st-degree murder, manslaughter in killings of 2 Ontario women” by The Canadian Press, March 16, 2021, CBC
“‘You got me, the gig’s up’: Alleged killer on trial after human flesh found clogging drain” by Josh Marcus, September 29, 2020, The Independent
“How a convicted killer led police to his victim's remains 14 years after her murder” by Kerrisa Wilson, February 16, 2022, CTV News
“Adam Strong found guilty of 1st-degree murder, manslaughter in deaths of 2 Oshawa teenage girls” by Jessica Patton, Global News, March 16, 2021, Global News
“HUNTER: Dismemberment killer Adam Strong's Oshawa house of horrors for sale” by Brad Hunter, April 7, 2026, Toronto Sun
“Oshawa court hears disturbing details in double-murder trial of Adam Strong” by Brittany Rosen, October 7, 2020, Global News
“Small Town Murder - #526 - Deadly, Disturbed & Lazy - Oshawa, Ontario, Canada”
“Kandis Fitzpatrick's remains found 14 years after she went missing — convicted killer led police to body” by Julia Alevato, February 16, 2022, CBC
“Kandis Fitzpatrick” from Unidentified Wiki
“DNA of 2nd missing woman found in Adam Strong’s home” by News Staff, July 10, 2018, City News Everywhere
“Adam Strong Convicted of First-Degree Murder and Manslaughter” from Barrison & Manitius
 
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
 
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We're baaaack! We missed you, Misfits! And we've got an episode for you that has a little bit of, well, a lot of stuff. If you clicked on this episode hoping for ghost stories, attempted murders (yes, plural), a pigeon funeral and threat of assassination...you came to the right place!
 
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Episode Sources:
“Junius Brutus Booth: Theatrical Prometheus” by Stephen M. Archer, Southern Illinois University Press, 1992
“Dock Street Theatre: America’s First Theatre” Charleston Stage
Gazette Excerpt from Unknown Fire Warden, Colonial South Carolina: A Sourcebook
“Charleston Fire 1740” Colonial South Carolina: A Sourcebook
“An Overview of the Charleston Area” Explore Charleston
The Little House of Horrors: Dock Street Theatre
“The Ghosts of Dock Street Theatre” by Hunter Casillas, Ghosts of the South
 
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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
 
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When 26-year-old Jean Spangler left her home on the evening of Friday, October 7, 1949, she had no idea she wouldn't be returning. She told her sister-in-law she was working that night...but there was no record of her employment for that date. What was she up to? Where did she really go? This episode has Kirk Douglas, the Black Dahlia killer and "That 70s Show" star Laura Prepon. It's a doozy, folks.
 
Episode Sources:
"The Missing Star Spangler Girl: Inside the chilling, still unsolved disappearance of Jean Spangler” by Maureen Lee Lenker
"The Disappearance of Jean Spangler” 
"Mystery of Missing Starlet Was Never Solved” by Cecilia Rasmussen
"The dancer and the movie star: Unsolved disappearance fascinates Hollywood 71 years later” by Nick Pearson
"The Mysterious Disappearance of Jean Spangler" by Arthur Lyons
 
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Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
 
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On Halloween night, 1992, Britain’s BBC 1 presented one of the most talked about programs in television history. The program was called "Ghostwatch" and it would eventually become one of the great “do you remember” moments of British television. The controversial airing left the public terrified and allegedly contributed to the suicide of an 18-year-old boy and PTSD in other children and adults. Today it is considered a cult classic.
 
Episode Sources:
“Ghostwatch: The BBC spoof that duped a nation” by Rebecca Woods, BBC News, October 29, 2017, BBC
“How we made: BBC mockumentary Ghostwatch” by George Bass, October 26, 2020, The Guardian
“Banned BBC show ‘Ghostwatch’ left traumatised viewers in tears and ‘unable to sleep for MONTHS’” by Damon Wilkinson and Steven White, October 30, 2022, Manchester Evening News
“Did anyone here watch Ghostwatch (1992) when it was first broadcast?” Reddit post and thread on “r/horror” by Yeetusboi690
“The Live Halloween Special That Terrified an Entire Nation” by Adam Donald, updated October 14, 2023, Collider
“Parents blame TV programme for son’s death” from The Independent on December 23, 1992
“Ghostwatch: Behind the Curtains” 2012 Documentary (United Kingdom), directed by Rich Lawden, Lawman Productions, IMDB page
“Ghostwatch (1992)” from BBC One, directed by Lesley Manning, written by Stephen Volk, IMDB page
“Ghostwatch” on streaming service SHUDDER
 
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In the mid-’80s, Jon-Erik Hexum was a rising star with movie-star looks and major charisma, known for his breakout roles on Voyagers! and Cover Up. But just as his career was taking off, everything came to a sudden and shocking halt due to a tragic on-set incident—one that would leave Hollywood reeling and spark questions about how productions handle safety.
Episode Sources:
“Jack’s Story” by KC Conley on Tenafly Guy
“Local News in Brief : Actor Hexum’s Mother Sues Over Son’s Death” from L.A. Times Archives, August 1, 1985, L.A. Times
The Jon-Erik Hexum Fan Club and Archive
“Cover Up 1x07 (Excerpt) Jon-Erik Hexum Memorial” from s13rr4buf3 on YouTube
“SHOOTING OF JENNIFER O'NEILL IS BELIEVED ACCIDENTAL” by Franklin Whitehouse, Special to the New York Times, October 24, 1982, The New York Times
“Summer of ’42 Star Says ‘God Saved Me’ After Suicide Attempt and Accidental Shooting” by Nancy Flory, September 13, 2019, The Stream
“How Do Blanks Work As Compared to Regular Bullets?” by Mark Mancini, December 4, 2015, Mental Floss
“CHANGE OF HEART Extraordinary story of Jon-Erik Hexum – the actor who died playing Russian roulette on his own TV show and whose donated heart saved a Las Vegas pimp’s life” by Mark Hodge, February 12, 2018, The Sun
“Actor brain dead, officials say” from The Courier, October 19, 1984
“The Show Must Go On: How the Deaths of Lead Actors Have Affected Television Series” by Douglas Snauffer, McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers, Chapter 6, pages 79-95
“Entertainment agent Bob LeMond, who discovered John Travolta and…” from UPI Archives, August 8, 1986
“Cover Up” on IMDb
“Jon-Erik Hexum” on IMDb
“Voyagers!” on IMDb
“Jon-Erik Hexum’s ‘Cover Up’ co-star Jennifer O’Neill remembers late actor: ‘Gun safety is essential’” by Stephanie Nolasco, October 22, 2021, Fox News
“Jon-Erik Hexum” on Find A Grave
“Who Was Jon-Erik Hexum? How His Death Is Being Compared to Alec Baldwin Prop Gun Tragedy” by Jamie Burton, October 22, 2021, Newsweek
“Jon-Erik Hexum's Fatal Joke” by EW Staff, October 14, 1994, Entertainment Weekly
 
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Season 13 of American Horror Story premieres September 24, 2026, so we rummaged around our vault and found this episode (previously for subscribers only) on the Rosenheim Mansion, aka "the Murder House," which has been featured multiple times in the AHS franchise.
And in case you missed our social media post, we are taking a slight mental health break (2-3 weeks) so that we can reset and recharge before we gear up for our favorite time of year...FALL! 
 
And if you have your OWN story about a real-life haunted house experience, send it to us! We want to feature you on one of our Misfit Monday episodes. 
 
Episode Sources:
Film at the Rosenheim Mansion 
“In Honor of 10 Years of AHS, Here Are 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Real-Life ‘Murder House’” by Margeaux Sippell, MovieMaker Magazine, Oct. 5, 2021 
“We Went to the ‘Murder House’ to Learn About its Ghosts” by Juliet Bennett Rylah, We Like L.A., Oct. 30, 2020 
“The Owners of the American Horror Story "Murder House" Are Suing the Sellers for Their Unwanted Tourist Problem” by Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, Feb. 23, 2018 
“American Horror Story Murder House: The True Story That Inspired Season 1” by Shannon Lewis, Screen Rant, Apr. 12, 2023 
“Horror comes home” by Michael Idato, Sydney Morning Herald, Nov. 10, 2011 
“'American Horror Story's Evan Peters: 'It Just Gets Worse’” by Rennie Dyball, People, Nov. 16, 2011 
“We went inside the ‘American Horror Story’ Murder House ahead of virtual Halloween event” by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Los Angeles Daily News, Oct. 26, 2020 
Send us an email:
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Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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