Category: RABBIT HOLE
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TREPHINATION FASCINATION
We’ve all heard the expression, “I need that like a hole in the head.” But did you know at one time in history a procedure that drilled a hole into one’s head was relatively common. It’s called a burr hole or trephination. A burr hole is created when an area is drilled or scraped through…
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DRINK FROM THE SKULL OF YOUR ENEMY, KINDA SORTA
With Labor Day and National Beer Lover’s Day being celebrated around the U.S. today, I’m sure many of you are relaxing by the pool, grilling some food and enjoying a cold one. How many of you are sipping your cold brew from a skull stein? Did you know that in the late 19th century skull…
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BLACK WIDOW BY PROXY: THE VIRGINIA GIBBS STORY
September 3rd happens to be my birthday. It also happens to be the date that – back in 1945 – local Cincinnati gal Virginia Gibbs chose to move forward with a rather elaborate plan to get rid of her abusive father once and for all. Unfortunately, in order to do this, another man had to…
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LON CHANEY AND THE ART OF SUFFERING
Silent film star, horror legend, and pioneer of special effects make-up Lon Chaney died on this day back in 1930. He was just 47 years old. Hollywood’s finest character actor was best known for his roles in films like The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera. Chaney had an uncanny ability…
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FORCE(S) OF NATURE
On this day in history Cincinnatians awoke to the news of not one, but two, forces of nature. One in their backyard the other across the country in Los Angeles, California. Not only were they able to see photos of the extensive damage around the area after experiencing an overnight tornado but they were also…
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MARILYN MONROE’S LAST DAY: A TIMELINE
The one and only Marilyn Monroe was found dead on this day back in 1962. When celebrity photographer George Barris made a trip to L.A. to photograph Marilyn in June, less than two months before her passing, he had no idea it would be the last time he would see his dear friend, collaborator and…
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A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
When John Wayne Gacy wasn’t busy commiting gruesome crimes and burying young men in his crawl space he liked to flex his civic mindedness. In 1975 Gacy was appointed as the director of Chicago’s annual Polish Constitution Day Parade. He would hold that position through 1978. At the reception party for the parade, Gacy had…
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DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES: THE STORY OF EUGENE
On a balmy summer day in June of 1929 a man was discovered deceased in a ditch near the intersection of 3C Highway and Borum Road in rural Sabina, Ohio. He was taken to Littleton Funeral Home where he was examined and embalmed. It was estimated the man was between 50 to 80 years old.…
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THE MARK OF THE BEAST
On this day back in 1976 the horror classic The Omen was released. The film tells the chilling tale of the wealthy Thorn family who discover their adopted son Damien, is actually the Antichrist. I hate when that happens. The entire production of the film was riddled with much tragedy earning it a reputation as being…
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THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL
The most dangerous animal in the world exhibit shocked zoo-goers when it turned up in the Great Ape House at the Bronx Zoo back in 1963. Positioned between the mountain gorilla and orangutan cages, visitors would peer through what looked to be cage bars and we’re shocked to see their own reflection. The exhibit was…
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THE BODY IN THE SUITCASE
Could there be a serial killer on the loose in Philadelphia? That’s what some people are wondering after a woman’s remains were found inside a suitcase left on a sidewalk in the Kensington area of Philly on Thursday of last week. Authorities made the grisly discovery around 9:50 a.m. near the intersection of Kensington and…
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WHO SHOT ANDY WARHOL?
On this day back in 1968 iconic pop artist Andy Warhol was shot. The incident took place inside his legendary artist’s space called “The Factory” in New York City. Valerie Solanas, who was an acquaintance of Warhol, entered into his multi-storied, artist’s mecca of a building, with the worst intentions. She located Andy, who was…
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THE AGONY OF THE FEET
Ladies and gentleman step right up and let me introduce the incomparable Fanny Mills, more commonly known as The Ohio Big Foot Girl. Fanny wasn’t originally from her namesake Ohio, she immigrated to the Sandusky area from England in 1859 when she was just an infant. It was around that same time her family became…
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THE BEVERLY HILLS SUPPER CLUB TRAGEDY
The Beverly Hills Supper Club fire happened on this day back in 1977. My parents used to visit this establishment on special occasions and were supposed to be there just a few days before the fire. The posh supper club was located in Southgate, Kentucky just 2 miles south of downtown Cincinnati. My parents used…
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THE TRADITIONS OF DECORATION DAY
It’s Memorial Day, a day to remember and celebrate all of those brave people who lost their lives defending our freedom. Prior to being declared a federal holiday back in 1971, Memorial Day was often referred to as Decoration Day and has it’s own roots and even a particular set of customs, dating back more than…
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HOLE-Y COW: THE SMALLPOX TRYPOPHOBIA CONNECTION
Smallpox. A potentially deadly, highly contagious, infectious disease that is caused by the variola virus. The emblematic symptom being the numerous round ulcerated pustules with a center hole referred to as an umbilication. If you find this repulsive, you’re not alone. Upwards of 15% of the population suffers an aversion to the sight of repeating…
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JASON VOORHEES WAS CERTAINLY NO BOY SCOUT
On this day back in 1980 the horror classic, Friday the 13th was released to eager audiences. The film follows a group of freshly minted, teenaged, camp counselors as they attempt to re-open a long abandoned and neglected summer camp. Unfortunately throughout this process, the teens are quietly stalked and murdered one by one. You…
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JUST A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR
A complex virus that spreads rapidly person to person. Some experience mild symptoms and may not even know they’re infected, while others experience catastrophic complications and even death. Sound familiar? I’m talking Polio, people. Which at its peak in the 1950s, would paralyze or kill over half a million people worldwide. Did you know Cincinnati…
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THE MAN IN THE CAN
While scrolling through my Facebook feed I saw a meme proclaiming the Pringles potato chip mascot was inspired by none other than the notorious H.H. Holmes. What?? Needless to say that inspired a trip down the rabbit hole and what I found there was a really interesting story about those Pringles cans I’d like to…
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WELCOME TO OUR NIGHTMARE: THE TOOLBOX MURDERS INVESTIGATION
When I first heard about all the work Laura Brand was doing with serial killers, specifically the Toolbox Murder case, I was seriously impressed. I never dreamed that in a matter of months I’d be on her research team, helping her track down witnesses more than 40 years after Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris commited…
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GHOST SHIP: A TITANIC TRAGEDY
On this date back in 1912 the RMS Titanic sank in the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean during her maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. The ship struck an iceberg on the previous evening that damaged the starboard side of the vessel. In a matter of hours, in the early…
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EASTER MASSACRE: THE RUPPERT FAMILY MURDERS
It’s been 45 years since one of the deadliest shootings inside a private residence in U.S. history, and it all happened right here in southwest Ohio. It was Easter Sunday, 1975 on a quiet street when 41-year-old James Ruppert killed eleven members of his family while they gathered for a holiday dinner. Multiple generations annihilated…