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Beyond the Ferns

Susie Winn

Beyond the Ferns is a true crime, paranormal, and all things spooky podcast. Each episode is built upon meticulous research and immersive storytelling—bringing you in-depth details you didn’t even know you needed... until now. No episode is complete without some comedic relief, Y'ALL ...he did what?!?!?, and hot takes.

At the heart of it all is a commitment to preserving the humanity behind person's story. Victims and survivors are not reduced to headlines—they are given a face, a name, and a legacy. Through a justice-centered lens, Beyond the Ferns sheds light on cases that have gone cold, gives voice to those who no longer have one, and works to uncover the deeper understanding behind each story.

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23 episodes
weekly
Avg 48 min
English

Episodes 23

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Monday · 51 min
89. The Cold Case of Leah Ulbrich - "4 1/2 miles, Largest Crime Scene in Connecticut's History"
In the early morning hours of October 29, 1995, 24-year-old Leah Ulbrich was seen struggling with a man inside a dark-colored car. Minutes later, that same car was speeding through the streets toward the town of Wethersfield—with Leah's body dragging outside the passenger door. What followed was a horrifying journey that stretched for miles through an area that was already beginning to wake up for the morning. People heard screams. Witnesses caught glimpses of the car. A police officer even crossed paths with the vehicle and attempted to follow it. By sunrise, police were left with a crime scene spanning miles, pieces of evidence scattered along the roadway, conflicting descriptions of a dark-colored car, and one enormous question: Who was the person behind the wheel? More than 30 years later, investigators are still trying to answer it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 14 · 41 min
88. The Horrific Cold Case of Ada Kaplan - "The Jane Doe of Sebastian Road"
In this week's episode, we are headed to California! On the morning of March 29, 2011, a man came across something horrifying along a dirt road cutting through a vineyard near the small farming community of Arvin. The body of a woman had been left among the rows of grapevines. She had no clothing, no identification, and whoever had placed her there had gone to disturbing lengths to make sure identifying her wouldn’t be easy. Even stranger, investigators found remarkably little evidence at the scene, leading them to believe she had been killed somewhere else before being brought to this quiet stretch of farmland. Police had no name for her. No clear connection to Arvin. And when her DNA was entered into national databases, there were no matches. For years, she would be known only as a Jane Doe—while investigators were left with two enormous questions: Who was she, and who wanted to make sure no one ever found out? Tune in to hear all about this cold case, and SPREAD THE WORD about these lesser known cases, so we can get them traction! P.S. There is one part within the episode where I unfortunately say "are" instead of "is". Just know, I caught it -- but I had already finalized my episode and wasn't able to go back in and correct. :) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 7 · 42 min
87. The Survival Story of Donna Ongsiako - The Light Tapping At The Front Door
In this week's episode, we are headed to New Jersey! It was supposed to be an ordinary summer night. In July 2013, 41-year-old Donna Ongsiako was home alone at her secluded farmhouse in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Her daughter was at a party for the evening, the house was quiet, and Donna was simply going through her normal nighttime routine when she opened her front door. Standing on the other side was a stranger. Within moments, Donna found herself fighting for her life inside the place where she should have felt safest. Severely injured and completely alone, with no neighbors close enough to hear her cries for help, her chances of surviving were quickly slipping away. But Donna wasn’t ready to die. What followed was an extraordinary fight for survival—and an investigation to uncover who had come to her home that night and why. And boyyyyyy, it's not what you would expect... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 31 · 36 min
86. Throwback | From the Archive - Urban Legends
Hi y'all! I am in the midst of moving -- anyone who has ever moved, knows just how chaotic an event like this can be! Because of this, we are revisiting one of my favorite throwback episodes from the archives of Dark October-- Urban Legends! For those of you who can't wait for Halloween - this one is for you! All new episodes will resume next week <3 Thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 24 · 41 min
85. The Mysterious Disappearance of the Star Tiger & Star Ariel Aircrafts
In this week's episode, we are headed to the vast ocean! By the late 1940s, aviation had entered an entirely new era. World War II had pushed aircraft technology forward at an incredible pace, and when the war ended in 1945, those advancements began making their way into civilian travel. Longer routes were becoming possible, transatlantic flights were expanding, and air travel was beginning to connect parts of the world in ways that had once seemed unimaginable. But despite all that progress, flying across the open Atlantic was still far from what it is today. Navigation was more limited, weather forecasting was imperfect, and once an aircraft ventured far enough from land, there were vast stretches of ocean where communication could become difficult. And in 1948, one passenger aircraft would disappear somewhere within that enormous expanse. Its name was Star Tiger. Less than a year later, another aircraft belonging to the same airline—Star Ariel—would vanish as well. Neither aircraft was ever found. Their disappearances would become two of the most enduring mysteries in British aviation history and, in the decades that followed, both would become forever connected to the legend of the Bermuda Triangle—a stretch of the Atlantic blamed for the unexplained disappearances of ships, aircraft, and the people aboard them. But what really happened to Star Tiger and Star Ariel? Were their disappearances simply the result of the very real dangers that came with this rapidly evolving era of flight… or is there something about these two cases that truly cannot be explained? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 17 · 27 min
84. The Haunted Sunnyvale Toys "R" Us - "When the Toys Came Alive"
In this week's episode, we are headed to Sunnyvale, California! There’s something especially unsettling about a toy store after dark. The bright aisles are empty, the registers are silent, and hundreds of dolls, stuffed animals, and toys sit perfectly still… or at least, they’re supposed to. For decades, employees at a Toys “R” Us in Sunnyvale, California, claimed something strange was happening inside their store. Toys seemingly moved on their own, unexplained noises echoed through empty aisles, employees felt unseen hands touch their hair, and some even believed they heard someone calling their name when no one else was around. Eventually, the stories became so persistent that psychics and paranormal investigators were brought in—and what they claimed to uncover only made the mystery stranger..... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 10 · 37 min
83. The Jamison Family Disappearance - "When every clue becomes a question"
In this week's episode, we are headed to Okalahoma! In October 2009, Bobby and Sherilynn Jamison and their 6-year-old daughter, Madyson, headed into the remote mountains of southeastern Oklahoma. The family was looking at a piece of land where they were considering starting a new life. Then, they vanished. Days later, their truck was discovered abandoned in the mountains. Inside were their cell phones, wallets, GPS, and other belongings. Their dog was still there, weak but alive. Perhaps most strangely, investigators reportedly found around $32,000 in cash inside the vehicle. But the abandoned truck was only the beginning. As investigators dug deeper into the Jamisons' lives, the case seemed to splinter in every possible direction. So many leads, but even more questions... What really happened to the Jamisons'? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 3 · 1 hr 13 min
82. The Tragic Murder of Maria Korp Part II - "Till Death Do Us Part?"
In this week's episode, we are diving into the devastating murder and aftermath of Maria Korp. In February 2005, Melbourne mother Maria Korp seemingly vanished without a trace. She had left behind her belongings, her family, and a life that—at least from the outside—appeared relatively ordinary. But as police began looking closer at the people surrounding Maria, they uncovered a marriage fractured by betrayal, a secret affair, mounting financial pressure, and a relationship that had become far more complicated than anyone initially realized. Then, four days after Maria disappeared, her car was discovered abandoned near Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. What investigators found inside would transform a missing-person investigation into one of Australia’s most disturbing criminal cases. At the center of it all were Maria’s husband, Joe Korp, and his mistress, Tania Herman—a woman who would eventually make extraordinary claims about what had been happening behind closed doors and the plans that had been put into motion. But beneath the headlines, the affairs, the lies, and the finger-pointing was Maria herself—a mother, daughter, sister and friend whose identity became overshadowed by the horrific circumstances of what was done to her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 28 · 58 min
81. The Tragic Murder of Maria Korp - "How much do you love me?"
In this week's episode, we are headed to Australia! Part I of 2 Maria Korp had built a life she was proud of. A devoted mother, a hardworking woman, and someone who believed she was doing everything she could to hold her family together. But while she fought to save her marriage, her husband was living a double life—one built on lies, deception, and an affair that was quickly spiraling out of control. As the relationship between the two lovers intensified, so did the manipulation. Let's unravel one of Australia's most shocking true crime cases—a story of obsession, betrayal, manipulation, and the devastating consequences of a love affair that crossed every moral line. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 20 · 38 min
80. The London Burkers - "Aka the Body Snatchers"
In this week's episode, we are headed to London, England! At a time when medical schools desperately needed bodies for anatomical study, a thriving black market emerged, creating a horrifying demand that started with grave robbing and turned into much more. In this episode, we'll explore how the London Burkers operated, the victims they targeted, the investigation that finally exposed them, and how their crimes forever changed British law. Buuuckle up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 13 · 43 min
79. The Unsolved Murder of Lindsay Buziak - "The Perfect Setup"
In this week's episode, we are headed to Canada! In February 2008, Lindsay Buziak was in the midst of starting her real estate career in the booming and desirable Victoria, Canada. One day, she received a call from a woman who was interested in a seeing a multi-millionaire dollar property. Something about this call didn't sit right with Lindsay, but she couldn't exactly pinpoint why. Unfortunately, Lindsay's gut feeling was right. Join along as we dive deep into the details surrounding this case, and an investigation that has had no definite end, yet.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 6 · 47 min
78. The Strange Disappearance of Christopher Thompkins - "What did he run from or towards?"
This week we are headed to Georgia! On a cold January morning in 2002, 20-year-old Christopher "Chris" Thompkins was working with a land surveying crew in rural Ellerslie, Georgia, when he took off in a dead sprint out of nowhere. According to those with him that day, there was nothing chasing him nor any signs that he wanted to leave his life behind. What investigators found only deepened the mystery. Some of Christopher's personal belongings were left behind, including one of his work boots, his tools, and a few random things scattered throughout the fence line. Over the years, the case has sparked countless theories, but we seem to be no closer to the truth of what actually happened. Christopher's disappearance remains one of Georgia's most baffling unsolved mysteries, leaving his family searching for the truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 29 · 52 min
77. The Controversial Oak Ridge Psychiatric Hospital "When Treatment Turns Into Psychological Torture"
In this week's episode, we are headed to Canada! Hidden in the quiet town of Penetanguishene, Ontario, the Oak Ridge Psychiatric Facility was once home to some of Canada's most dangerous offenders—and some of the country's most controversial psychiatric experiments. What began as an ambitious attempt to rehabilitate violent patients eventually evolved into a series of unconventional treatment programs that continue to spark debate decades later. Former patients have described experiences that ranged from groundbreaking therapy to outright psychological and physical abuse, while supporters argued the hospital was pushing the boundaries of mental health treatment in hopes of finding a cure. In this episode, we explore the history of Oak Ridge, the people behind its radical programs, and how a hospital built to heal became one of the most infamous institutions in Canadian psychiatric history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 22 · 36 min
76. The Mysterious Disappearance of Granger Taylor - "The Man Who Said He Was Leaving Earth"
In this week's episode, we are headed to Canada! On a stormy night in November 1980, a brilliant and eccentric mechanic named Granger Taylor seemingly vanished without a trace from his hometown of Cowichan Bay. Long before his disappearance, Taylor had gained a reputation as a mechanical genius, capable of restoring old locomotives, rebuilding aircraft, and creating incredible machines despite having little formal education. But alongside his talent for engineering was a deep fascination with the mysteries of the universe, particularly the possibility of extraterrestrial life. In the months leading up to his disappearance, Taylor became increasingly interested in UFOs and the idea that intelligent beings might exist beyond Earth. Then, one night, he left behind a message that would spark decades of speculation and transform his case into one of Canada's most enduring mysteries. Was it an elaborate plan, a tragic accident, or something far stranger? More than four decades later, no one can say for certain what happened to Granger Taylor. His disappearance remains a captivating blend of true crime, mystery, and the unexplained—a case that continues to leave both investigators and believers searching for answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 15 · 1 hr
75. The Honolulu Strangler - "The Serial Killer that Walked Free"
In this final road trip stop in the US of A - we are headed to Hawaii! In the mid-1980s, a series of murders transformed what many considered paradise into a community gripped by fear. Between 1985 and 1986, five women disappeared from the Honolulu area and were later found dead in isolated locations across Oʻahu. The victims came from different backgrounds, but investigators began noticing striking similarities in the way the crimes were carried out, leading them to believe they were dealing with Hawaii's first known serial killer. As the body count grew, panic spread throughout the island. Police launched one of the largest homicide investigations in Hawaii's history, bringing together homicide detectives, sex crimes investigators, the FBI, and criminal profilers. Undercover officers patrolled bus stops and known dumping grounds, warnings were issued to the public, and residents became increasingly cautious about accepting rides from strangers. The case eventually focused on a local man whose background, vehicle, and personal history appeared to align with several aspects of the investigation. Detectives became convinced they had found their suspect, but proving it in court proved far more difficult. Despite years of investigation, no one was ever charged with the murders. Today, the Honolulu Strangler case remains one of Hawaii's most notorious unsolved mysteries. It is a story of an intensive manhunt, forensic limitations of the era, and a lingering question that continues to divide those closest to the investigation: did police identify the killer but lack the evidence to convict him, or was the real Honolulu Strangler never found at all? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 8 · 59 min
74. The Murder of Sophie Sergie - "Justice after 29 years"
On this week's episode we are headed to the greate state of Alaska! On April 26, 1993, 20-year-old Sophie Sergie was found murdered in a women's restroom inside Bartlett Hall at University of Alaska Fairbanks. Sophie, a Yup'ik student from the small village of Pitkas Point, had traveled to Fairbanks for orthodontic appointments and was staying with friends in the dormitory. Investigators determined that she had been sexually assaulted and shot in the back of the head sometime during the early morning hours of April 26. Despite hundreds of interviews and years of investigation, the case went cold and remained unsolved for more than two decades. However, investigators would have their breakthrough in 2018. Despite knowing the person responsible for murdering Sophie, there were many questions that have continued to puzzle investigators. No murder weapon, an unclear motive, what exactly would lead someone to do such a heinous act? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 1 · 39 min
73. Adam Emery & The Tragic Case of Jason Bass "Murder & The Manhunt"
This week we are headed to Rhode Island! On the evening of August 31, 1990, Adam and Elena Emery were enjoying dinner with friends in Rocky Point, Rhode Island, when a passing vehicle sideswiped Adam's parked Ford Thunderbird. Rather than stopping to exchange information, the driver sped away into the night. Furious over the damage and determined to find the person responsible, Adam started chasing the car he believed to be responsible. However, this night ended in way more than confrontation. After forcing a young group of men in the car before them, the altercation turned from road rage fury to a full blown murder investigation. In the weeks and months that followed, investigators worked to unravel exactly what happened that night, while the case drew intense media attention across the state. As the legal proceedings moved forward, it appeared the story was headed toward a conclusion. But then came a shocking twist. Authorities discovered Adam and Elena's vehicle abandoned on the Claiborne Pell Bridge, which stretches across Narragansett Bay. And there would be plenty of unanswered questions, that only Adam and Elena had the answers to... unfortunately, there's a lot of missing pieces even thirty years later... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 25 · 24 min
72. The Black Angel of Iowa City "Cursed, Legend, Romanticized, depends who you ask..."
In this week's episode, we are headed to Iowa! Towering above the graves of Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City stands one of the most highly debated, ominous monuments in the Midwest — the Black Angel. Darkened with age and looming beneath the trees, the massive bronze statue has watched over the cemetery for more than a century, its hollow eyes and blackened wings turning it into the center of whispers, rumors, stories and legends, and fear. But behind the eerie appearance is the story of Teresa Feldevert, a woman whose life was marked by tragedy, loss, and loneliness. We will dig into the real history behind the monument, the strange stories that began surrounding it, and why so many people still avoid getting too close to the angel after dark. What is legend, lore, and truth? It really depends on who you ask... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 18 · 43 min
71. Inside the Mind of Edgar Allan Poe: A Deep Dive Into His Darkest Writings
This week we are headed to Maryland! We will be stepping inside the mind of Edgar Allan Poe to explore the darkness that shaped some of his most haunting works. Poe’s writing wasn’t simply created from imagination — it was deeply rooted in his own grief, isolation, fear, and a lifelong sense of never truly belonging anywhere. After enduring repeated loss throughout his life, including the deaths of the women closest to him, Poe became consumed by themes of mortality, madness, psychological torment, and the terrifying fragility of the human mind. We will deep dive into writings, including The Tell-Tale Heart, The Premature Burial, The Raven, and The Fall of the House of Usher — unraveling the fears, obsessions, and emotional wounds hidden between the lines. From paranoia and guilt to death and the fear of losing those we love most, this episode explores how Poe transformed personal suffering into some of the darkest literature ever written. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 11 · 1 hr 1 min
70. Life and Crimes of Serial Killer Belle Gunness Part II - Indiana's Black Widow
This week, we are staying in Indiana to finish out Belle Gunness' horrifyingly shocking legacy! After arriving in La Porte, Indiana, Belle Gunness seemed determined to build the kind of life she had always wanted—land, financial security, and control. To neighbors, she appeared hardworking and capable, running her farm with a steady hand while raising children and welcoming a steady stream of hired men, visitors, and suitors through her doors. But beneath the surface, strange patterns began to emerge. Farmhands disappeared without much explanation. Men who arrived carrying savings or dreams of a new life were suddenly gone, often with Belle calmly offering a reason no one could fully verify. As the years passed, rumors around the farm grew harder to ignore. Belle continued expanding her property and finances, even as tragedy seemed to follow closely behind her. Fires, sudden deaths, missing people, and whispered suspicions became woven into the story surrounding the isolated farmhouse on McClung Road. Then, in the spring of 1908, everything changed when a devastating fire tore through the property in the middle of the night—leaving behind a scene so horrifying that it would turn the quiet Indiana farm into one of the most infamous crime scenes in American history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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