Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown

• "The Blair Witch Project": Fact, Fiction & Fallout

  The Blair Witch Project redefined horror with nothing more than three actors, a few cameras, and a week in the woods—and the chaos didn’t stop when the film ended. Between its improvised shoot, eerie alternate endings, and ties to real Maryland legends, the movie left audiences guessing what was real and what wasn’t. Fan theories kept the mystery alive, while lawsuits and disputes proved that the legacy of Blair Witch was every bit as unsettling as the film itself.   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB   Send us an email: [email protected]   Episode Sources: “‘Blair Witch' makers sued by ex-partner” from Tampa Bay Times, published August 4, 1999, updated September 29, 2005 “‘Witch’ trial may proceed, judge rules” by Janet Shprintz, February 8, 2008, Variety “FILM PRODUCER SETTLES ‘BLAIR WITCH’ LAWSUIT” published December 2, 2000, updated August 6, 2021, Orlando Sentinel “Suit Claims 'Blair Witch' Role” by CBSNews.com staff, August 3, 1999, CBS News “The Blair Witch Project - 4 Alternate Endings” by The Blair Witch Archives, May 5, 2025, YouTube “Blair Witch Project Had 3 Alternate Endings (How Each Would Have Changed It)” by Josephine Michele, December 21, 2021, Screen Rant “15 Fan Theories About 'The Blair Witch Project'” by Jodi Smith, December 9, 2021, Ranker “Revisiting One of the Best Viral Marketing Campaigns of All Time” from Speaking Human How ‘The Blair Witch Project’ revolutionized movie marketing” by Josh Rottenberg, published July 30, 2024, updated July 31, 2024, LA Times “‘The Blair Witch Project’ Fan Theory Makes the Movie Even More Sinister” by Mike Rampton, January 21, 2024, Mental Floss “Blair Witch Project embroiled in litigation” from The Guardian on February 10, 2000 “The Blair Witch Project’s original cast ask for retroactive payments as reboot announced” by Michael Sun, April 22, 2024, The Guardian “‘Blair Witch Project’ Actors Push for Retroactive Royalties” by Sopan Deb, April 22, 2024, The New York Times “'Blair Witch' actors sue film's distributor” by Steve Irsay, Court TV, October 17, 2002, CNN “‘The Blair Witch Project’ Actors Call Out ‘Reprehensible Behavior’ After Missing Out on Profits for Decades: ‘Don’t Do What We Did’ (EXCLUSIVE)” by Adam B. Vary, June 12, 2024, Variety “‘The Blair Witch Project’ Was a Financial Nightmare for Its Stars” by Katherine Ann, October 20, 2024, Collider “Before Reality Became Debatable, There Was ‘The Blair Witch Project’” by Maya Salem, August 7, 2024, The New York Times “The Blair Witch Project: the story of how a low-budget film shook the world and changed horror forever” by Annabel Nugent, April 23, 2024, The Independent “The Terrifying True Story of How ‘The Blair Witch Project’ Was Made” by Tatiana Tenreyro, July 16, 2019, VICE “The Making of ‘The Blair Witch Project’ Was More Brutal Than Its Finale” by Chris Sasaguay, March 13, 2024, Collider “25 years on, The Blair Witch Project leaves its mark on horror — and the film's stars” by Jonathan Ore, August 3, 2024, CBC Radio “What Happened to the Cast of The Blair Witch Project?” by Rachel Holbrook, October 13, 2024, MovieWeb “The Blair Witch Project” on IMDb “Blair Witch Project Killer Theory Totally Changes How You See The Movie” by Cathal Gunning, May 21, 2023, Screen Rant   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy  

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• The Mystery of The Lady of the Dunes

  The Lady of the Dunes remains one of Cape Cod’s most haunting mysteries, but years after her body was found in 1974, a surprising theory surfaced: could she have appeared as an extra in the movie Jaws? With the blockbuster filming nearby at the same time, author (and son of Stephen King) Joe Hill spotted a woman onscreen who seemed eerily similar to the unidentified victim. The idea sparked national fascination, especially when the cold case was solved in 2022.   Follow us: IG, FB   Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Send us an email: [email protected]   Episode Sources: “'Lady of the Dunes' Ruth Marie Terry killed by husband Guy Muldavin in 1974, investigators conclude” by WBZ-News Staff, August 28, 2023, CBS News “Who Was the Lady of the Dunes? All About Ruth Marie Terry's Life and Death” by Jax Miller, December 2, 2024, Oxygen “Lady of the Dunes: A new headstone in Provincetown and a new documentary” by Gwenn Friss, November 23, 2024, Cape Cod Times “‘Lady of the Dunes’ Identified: FBI’s Use of Investigative Genealogy Led to Major Break in Case” from FBI Boston, October 31, 2022 “He Finally Found His Mom. She Was the Long-Unknown Murder Victim Lady of the Dunes” by NBC Boston, December 3, 2022 “How the 1975 Film Jaws Brought Attention to the Lady of the Dunes Mystery” by Caitlin Schunn, November 21, 2024, Oxygen “Who killed The Lady of the Dunes? How Jaws could hold the answer” by Sheila Flynn, November 3, 2022, The Independent “Former California radio host killed 'Lady of the Dunes,' district attorney says” by Katie Dowd, August 29, 2023, SFGate “‘Lady of the Dunes’: The murder mystery during the filming of ‘Jaws’” by Calum Russell, April 9, 2023, Far Out Magazine “Killer in nearly 50-year-old 'Lady of the Dunes' case identified as victim's husband” by Antonio Planas, August 29, 2023, NBC News “How One Man's "Unbelievable Journey" to Find His Mother Helped ID the Lady of the Dunes” by Jax Miller, December 2, 2024, Oxygen “All About The Lady of the Dunes' Suspected Killer, Her Husband: ‘There Were Stories…’” by Jill Sederstrom, November 30, 2024, Oxygen “Guy Rockwell Muldavin” on Find A Grave “California man questioned in double murder linked to 'Lady of the Dunes' victim Ruth Marie Terry” by Katie Dowd, November 3, 2022, SFGate “Long Unsolved Murder Comes Into Focus” by K.C. Myers, November 30, 2022, The Provincetown Independent “Cape Cod's ‘Lady of the Dunes' murder case closed as killer is IDed” by Kathy Curran and Asher Klein, August 28, 2023, NBC Philadelphia   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

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• UPDATE: Annabelle

  UPDATE! The sudden death of paranormal investigator Dan Rivera during the “Devils on the Run” tour reignited rumors about the infamous haunted Annabelle doll. Just weeks later, comedian Matt Rife and YouTuber Elton Castee announced they had purchased/leased the Warrens’ former home and museum, including our Raggedy Ann girl. Yikes!   Episode Sources: “Annabelle doll update: Comedian Matt Rife purchases haunted home and museum” by Megan Ziegler, August 2, 2025, FOX Local “Annabelle Doll Handler Dan Rivera’s Nature of Death Revealed” by Gabrielle Chung, July 17, 2025, E! News “Ghost Adventures' Zak Bagans Was "Very Affected" by Annabelle Doll Before Dan Rivera's Death” by Gabrielle Chung, July 16, 2025, E! News “'Evil' Annabelle Doll Update After 'Missing' Reports Spread” by Marni Rose McFall, May 25, 2025, Newsweek “Police find 'nothing unusual' at scene of Annabelle doll handler's death” by Jonathan Limehouse, July 16, 2025, USA TODAY “Dan Rivera Coroner Shares Update on 'Possessed' Annabelle in Cause of Death” by Megan Cartwright, July 21, 2025, Newsweek “Dan Rivera's Wife Sarah Makes Heartbreaking Statement After He Dies on 'Annabelle' Tour” by Jessica McBride, July 16, 2025, Yahoo Entertainment “Up-Coming Events” from Seekers of the Supernatural “Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga React to Comedian Matt Rife Buying the Real-Life Conjuring House (Exclusive)” by Raven Brunner, August 25, 2025, People   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: [email protected]   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

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• The Murder of Cameraman Bob Samuels

  *If you'd like to skip our banter in the beginning, fast forward about 8 minutes. In 1988 Bob Samuels was busy working as a camera assistant on "Lethal Weapon 2," the latest in a long string of films for the 40-year-old. He seemingly had everything he'd ever wanted - the woman of his dreams, an adopted daughter, and a career in the film industry. But when he was found murdered in his home in December of '88, detectives were stumped. With everyone in his life describing what a generous, hard-working guy Bob was, it begged the question: who on earth would want to hurt him?   Episode Sources: People v. Samuels, Supreme Court of California, June 27, 2005 “‘Green Widow’ Convicted in Deaths of Husband, Hit Man” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, July 2, 1994 “‘Green Widow’ Masterminded Hits on Estranged Husband and His Killer, Took Nude Photo Covered in Insurance Money” by Joe Dziemianowicz, Oxygen True Crime, Nov 10, 2023 “Murder Defendant’s Daughter Says Her Stepfather Raped and Beat Her” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, May 6, 1994 “Wife Faces Charges of Hiring Assassins—Twice” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, Mar 21, 1994 “Attorney Pleads for Life of Woman Who Planned 2 Murders” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, July 15, 1994 “Strange Case of Mary Ellen Samuels Unfolds” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, Apr 12, 1994 “The Real Murders of Los Angeles: S1 E6 - Dark Side of the Lens” Oxygen True Crime, Nov 10, 2023 “The Prosecutors: In Pursuit of Justice - S1 E6 - Green Widow” New Dominion Pictures, Oct 30, 2000 “Judge Sentences Samuels to Death” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, Sep 17, 1994 “Man Fatally Shoots Girlfriend, Self” by Timothy Williams, LA Times, July 23, 1993 “Naive or Deadly--2 Images of Wife to Dominate Trial” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, Mar 7, 1994 “Murder Trial Tells Tales Seedy and Bizarre” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, Apr 19, 1994 “Jury Urges Execution of Woman” by Ann W. O’Neill, LA Times, July 22, 1994   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: [email protected]   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy  

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• Richard D. May: A Dream Cut Short

  Richard D. May was finally living his dream. He had just been cast in a professional production, ready to take the stage in Death of a Salesman at the African-American Shakespeare Company in San Francisco, CA. He had the talent, the drive, and a powerful presence that turned heads. But just hours before opening night, everything changed. This is the story of a rising actor and the heartbreaking twist that came too soon.   Episode Sources: “Pedestrian killed in SF 2-car crash was on his way to fulfilling life dream of being stage actor” by Alice Wertz, October 31, 2023, KTVU FOX 2 “San Francisco man Richard D. May, 65, who overcame homelessness to achieve his dream of becoming an actor is knocked down and killed by BMW while walking to rehearsal for debut performance in Death of a Salesman” by Emma Richter, November 2, 2023, updated November 5, 2023, Daily Mail “Pedestrian killed Saturday at Post & Hyde Streets in Nob Hill marks 16th this year” Press Release from Walk San Francisco, October 31, 2023 “Richard D. May” website “The Richard D. May Studio A.C.T. Scholarship Program” from American Conservatory Theater “The African-American Shakespeare Company” on Facebook “Actor Richard D. May’s Family Expenses” on GoFundMe “Bay Area theater company cancels ‘Death of a Salesman’ after key actor was killed in S.F.” by Lily Janiak, November 3, 2023, San Francisco Chronicle “‘Death of a Salesman’ revival in San Francisco canceled after cast member killed in pedestrian accident” by Randy McMullen, November 3, 2023, Bay Area News Group, Marin Independent Journal “City of San Francisco Cancels $14 Million in Dream Keeper Initiative Funding” by Shannon Faulise, April 4, 2025, KQED African-American Shakespeare Company “Official Obituary of Richard Darnell May” from Duggan’s Serra Mortuary   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: [email protected]   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy  

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