On the evening of December 24, 2008, Christmas Eve, in Los Angeles, California, members of the Ortega family were enjoying their annual Christmas Eve party. As the party was winding down for the night, there was a knock on the door from a man dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, who viciously gunned down partygoers before burning down the home with a makeshift flamethrower. The man dressed as Santa would later be identified as 45 year old Bruce Jeffrey Pardo. What led Bruce to commit such a horrific murder on what is supposed to be one of the most joyous nights of the year?

Today's Sources Include:

County of Los Angeles Autopsy Report: Bruce J. Pardo

Pipebomb Explodes in Car Rented by Santa Shooting Suspect Bruce Pardo
NYDailyNews.com

Police: Santa shooter planned to fly to Canada after killings but badly burned himself
NYDailyNews.com

Santa Bruce Jeffrey Pardo shoots nine dead and torches in-laws' home - Chris Ayres
TimesOnline.co.uk

Santa gunman Bruce Jeffrey Pardo had Longer Hit List
NYDailyNews.com

More Grim Details of Christmas Eve Shooting Rampage in Covina Emerge - Hector Becerra and Tami Abdullah
https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-santa-shooting31-2008dec31-story.html

Covina Christmas shooting survivor Katrina Yuzefpolsky hopes walkout leaves lasting impact - Anabel Munoz
https://abc7.com/la-salle-high-school-katrina-yuzefpolsky-parkland-florida-shooting-national-student-walkout/3217340/

Not just Surviving, but Thriving - Paul Sweeney
https://now.tufts.edu/2023/04/20/not-just-surviving-thriving

Bruce Pardo’s mother copes with aftermath of Covina shooting - Tami Abdullah
LAtimes.com

Shooter, ex-wife had bitter feud
The Associated Press

Santa-suit killer lost job, wife before attack
The Associated Press

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We are in The Christmas "spirit" today, ghouls! In our first of two Christmas podcast specials, Alicia presents the creepy tales of The Yule Cat, The Thirteen Yule Lads of Iceland, the bizarre origins of the Christmas tree, and everyone's favorite: KRAMPUS! You don't want to miss this fun holiday spooky extravaganza!

Today's Sources Include:

"A Very Krampus Christmas: The Dark Spirits of Christmas Past" - Bailey Sarian
https://youtu.be/Wza92kM_t3w?si=eXhyjuNcvaz4cMbo

Yule Cat
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_cat

Meet the Thirteen Yule Lads, Iceland's Own Mischievous Santa Clauses - Rachel Nuwer
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-the-thirteen-yule-lads-icelands-own-mischievous-santa-clauses-180948162/

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On the morning of Monday April 18, 2016 at 5:00 am, a member of Camp Gladiator showed up for the scheduled fitness class at The Creekside Church of Christ in Midlothian, Texas. They were expecting to participate in an intense workout provided by their instructor, Terry Leann (Missy) Bevers. Instead of finding their instructor, ready and pumped up with a smile on her face, they instead found the body of the 45 year old wife and mother of three laying in a huge pool of blood with broken glass scattered all over the floor. As of today, Missy's brutal murder remains unsolved. Who killed Missy Bevers, and why?

Today's Sources Include:

Midlothian Police Department News Release - April 22, 2016
https://www.facebook.com/195047007358/photos/pb.195047007358.-2207520000.1462364174./10154082916172359/?type=3&theater

Slain Fitness Instructor's Sister-In-Law Speaks to Dateline - Frank Heinz
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/slain-fitness-instructors-sister-in-law-speaks-to-dateline/98807/

Sources: Police believe slain Midlothian mom was targeted - Tanya Eiserer
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/crime/sources-police-believe-slain-midlothian-mom-was-targeted/287-154677542

Slain fitness instructor Missy Bevers received "creepy and strange" message days before death, search warrant says - Tom Steele
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2016/05/05/slain-fitness-instructor-missy-bevers-received-creepy-and-strange-message-days-before-death-search-warrant-says/

Who Killed Missy Bevers? - The True Crime Edition
https://www.truecrimeedition.com/post/missy-bevers

Missy Bevers - Chilling Crimes
https://www.chillingcrimes.com/blogs/news/missy-bevers

The Unsolved Murder of Missy Bevers - Liv at True Crime Society Blog
https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/11/27/the-unsolved-murder-of-missy-bevers/

Extended view of Midlothian church murder suspect - Fort Worth Star Telegram
https://youtu.be/YUISKYJsJqw?si=OttiyZdmq8Y7jIhq

New Video in Missy Bevers Case - FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth
https://youtu.be/_qqVA-79F8c?si=mP7IoT2Wz5xHuI3u

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Guys, things have been SUPER heavy lately so we wanted to lighten the mood today and talk about something fun as opposed to the usual violent murder.

From The Berenstain Bears, to the Fruit of the Loom Cornucopia, to that nonexistent 90's movie where Sinbad apparently did NOT play a genie, join us to talk about the fascinating phenomenon known as "The Mandela Effect".

Today's sources include:

Examples and Explanation of The Mandela Effect - Jamie Eske https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/mandela-effect

Mandela Effect Psychological Phenomenon - Michael McDonough https://www.britannica.com/science/Mandela-effect

What is the Mandela Effect? 54 Mandela Effect Examples and Causes - Cameron Jenkins & Sarah Vincent
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g28438966/mandela-effect-examples/

This Day in History: CERN Large Hadron Collider is powered up -
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cern-large-hadron-launches#

https://home.cern

r/mandelaeffect

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On Thanksgiving Day in 2009, Paul Michael Merhige opened fire on his family after their joyful Thanksgiving celebration and dinner, killing 4 people - including his pregnant sister and the six year old daughter of his cousin. What brought him to this heinous act? Let's deep dive into the horrific murders that occurred in Jupiter, Florida on November 26, 2009 - now infamously known as "The Thanksgiving Day Massacre".

Today's sources include:

An unusual suspect: Merhige was likable honors student before he did the unthinkable - Adam Playford
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/crime/2012/03/31/an-unusual-suspect-merhige-was/7757281007/

Slain Girl's Parents to Sue Thanksgiving Killer's Mom and Dad for Negligence - Janie Campbell
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/parents-of-makayla-sitton-to-sue-thanksgiving-killer-paul-merhige-parents/2055945/?amp=1

Thanksgiving Massacre Witness: Paul Merhige Ate Dinner, Sang Songs Then Executed Family - Edecio Martinez
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thanksgiving-massacre-witness-paul-merhige-ate-dinner-sang-songs-then-executed-family/

A History of Violence: Merhige had been arrested once, in 1998 - Janie Campbell
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/a-history-of-violence/2055615/?amp=1

Man admits murdering 4 relatives on Thanksgiving, gets life in prison - CNN Wire Staff
https://www.cnn.com/2011/10/27/justice/florida-thanksgiving-killings/index.html

Murderer Paul Michael Merhige
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/noose-was-found-in-the-room-of-paul-michael-merhige-at-the-news-photo/112849404

Court: Parents Not Negligent in Thanksgiving Massacre
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/miami/news/court-parents-not-negligent-in-thanksgiving-massacre/

Knight v. Merhige (2014)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/fl-district-court-of-appeal/1657743.html

Parents of Thanksgiving Massacre Victim Welcome Baby Girl
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/parents-of-thanksgiving-massacre-victim-welcome-baby-girl/

10 Years After the Jupiter Thanksgiving Murders: A Family Remembers - Kelley Dunn
https://www.wptv.com/news/region-n-palm-beach-county/jupiter/10-years-after-the-jupiter-thanksgiving-murders-a-family-remembers

Murderpedia: Paul Michael Merhige

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Love alien stories? So do we! Join The Ghosty Girls as we chat about some alien abduction stories, and share some creepy tales from our own experiences. You do NOT want to miss this fun episode, Earthlings!

Today's Sources Include:

The Manhattan Alien Abduction - Netflix

Linda Napolitano: The Alien Abduction Case of the Century - YouTube

How Betty and Barney Hill's Alien Abduction Story Defined the Genre - Linda Lacina
https://www.history.com/news/first-alien-abduction-account-barney-betty-hill

A Honeymoon Hijacked by Aliens - Alien Abduction: Betty & Barney Hill - YouTube

Close Encounter: When Betty and Barney Hill's Alien Abduction Story Shocked the World - Shannon Leigh O'Neill
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/649683/betty-and-barney-hill-alien-abduction

Remembering Zimbabwe's Great Alien Invasion - Sean Christie
https://mg.co.za/article/2014-09-04-remembering-zimbabwes-great-alien-invasion/

The Ariel School Phenomenon, When Dozens of Schoolchildren in Zimbabwe Claimed They Met Aliens - Austin Harvey
https://allthatsinteresting.com/ariel-school-phenomenon

The Ariel School Phenomenon: What Really Happened When 68 Children Witnessed a UFO?
https://www.iflscience.com/the-ariel-school-phenomenon-what-really-happened-when-68-children-witnessed-a-ufo-63873

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On Sunday, May 1st, 2005 around 2:45 am, Aetna Hose and Ladder firefighters responded to calls reporting smoke at 81 Thorn Lane, located at The Towne Court Apartments in Newark, Delaware. There, they found the bound and strangled body of University of Delaware college student, Lindsey Bonistall in a bathtub.

Join us to discuss Lindsey's tragic and senseless murder as well as the aftermath of the monster who murdered her.

Today's sources include:

Murderpedia: James Cooke
https://murderpedia.org/male.C/c/cooke-james.htm

Ten years later, remembering Lindsey Bonistall - Jia Din and Cait Simpson
https://udreview.com/ten-years-later-remembering-lindsey-bonistall/

Bite-Sized Crime - Episode 082: Lindsey Bonistall
http://www.bitesizedcrimepod.com/episodes/episode-082-lindsey-bonistall/

PEACE OUTside Campus - The Lindsey M. Bonistall Foundation
http://www.peaceoutsidecampus.org

Defendant in 2005 rape and murder of UD student takes witness stand
https://whyy.org/articles/defendant-in-2005-rape-and-murder-of-ud-student-takes-witness-stand/

Jury Convicts James Cooke of Murder of Lindsey Bonistall
https://news.delaware.gov/2012/04/13/jury-convicts-james-cooke-of-murder-of-lindsey-bonistall-2/

Bonistall family: 'Here we are again' - Sean O'Sullivan
https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2014/05/07/bonistall-family/8821881/

Del. Supreme Court Nixes Ex-Death Row Inmate's Appeal in College Killing
https://www.wboc.com/archive/del-supreme-court-nixes-ex-death-row-inmates-appeal-in-college-killing/article_405683ca-6255-5546-ae2b-9baf996d8815.html

Twice-Sentenced-to-Death College Student Killer, Rapist Appeals Again
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/cooke-bonistall-death-row-appeal/2112263/

On the night of Sunday, August 20, 1989, Jose Menendez, a powerful music executive and his wife Kitty were found shot to death in their Beverly Hills mansion. Their two sons, Lyle and Erik, were ultimately convicted of their murders and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. But was this an act of cold blooded murder, or were the boys justified in their actions? Today we deep dive into the true story of the Menendez brothers to try to make sense of what REALLY happened and more importantly, why it happened.

Todays sources include:

Crime Scene Photos: Inside the Grisly Double Murder of Lyle and Erik Menendez’s Parents - Tod Betzold
https://radaronline.com/p/menendez-crime-scene-gallery/#

The shocking 911 call the Menendez brothers made just moments after killing their parents as new Netflix show retells the harrowing tale - Alice Wade
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-13872773/menendez-brothers-audio-police-parents-dead-killed.html

Why the Menendez Brothers Killed Their Parents - Biography.com Editors and Jordan Zakarin
https://www.biography.com/crime/menendez-brothers-murder-case-facts

Lyle and Erik Menendez’s Cousin Who Testified About Their Sexual Abuse Speaks Out for First Time - ABC News
https://abcnews.go.com/US/lyle-erik-menendezs-cousin-testified-sexual-abuse-speaks/story?id=44420173

The Gruesome, Real-Life Murders Behind Netflix’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” - Emiliana Betancourt https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/monsters-lyle-and-erik-menendez-true-story-1236148334/#

Menendez Brothers’ Trials: 1993-94 & 1995-96
https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/law-magazines/menendez-brothers-trials-1993-94-1995-96

DA wants Menendez brothers resentenced, which could free them from prison for parents’ murders - Phil Hershel and Antonio Planas https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/menendez-brothers-resentence-prison-murder-da-george-gascon-rcna175627

Where are the Menendez Brothers Now? - Sara Kettler and Biography.com editors
https://www.biography.com/crime/a46572449/menendez-brothers-now

The Menendez brothers built a green space in prison. It’s modeled on this Norwegian idea - Vanessa Gera, Jan M. Olsen and Stefanie Dazio
https://www.yahoo.com/news/menendez-brothers-built-green-space-111628919.html

Dominick Dunne's Courtroom Notebook: The Menendez Murder Trial

Snapped: The Menendez Brothers

The Menendez Brothers - Netflix

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