Front Porch Mysteries with Carole Townsend

The story begins with the comfort of small-town ritual: a packed lunch counter on Mulberry Street, a hostess who knows every name, and a city that believes it knows its own. Then the pattern breaks. A husband collapses with mysterious convulsions, a second falls to a sudden fever, a mother-in-law fades under watchful care, and a child is tormented by vivid hallucinations no medicine can explain. We follow the arc from gentle hospitality to hard suspicion, from porch whispers about black candles to the cold permanence of arsenic in the lab.

I guide you through Macon’s mi...

A picturesque hill in Louisville once held America’s fiercest struggle against the white plague—and the echoes haven’t faded. We follow the unlikely path from a one-room schoolhouse to a sprawling, five-story sanatorium where doctors chased a cure with fresh air, rest, and desperate procedures that often hurt more than they healed. When loss became routine, a 500-foot tunnel meant for supplies turned into a discreet route for the dead, shielding hope while the numbers climbed.

We share the verified history: the geography that fueled contagion, the rapid expansion to hundreds of beds, and the relent...

The streets of New Orleans carry stories like river water—slow, heavy, and charged with memory. We follow those currents into the life of Marie Laveau, a free woman of color who became the city’s most enduring symbol of power, faith, and fear. Between jazz funerals and above-ground tombs, we explore how a healer and hairdresser rose to be called the Voodoo Queen, and why her shadow still stretches across the Gulf Coast.

We set the stage in the early 1800s, when French, Spanish, African, and Creole traditions converged under a sky of wealth, epidemics, and floo...

Night settles on the porch, the river hums in the distance, and we follow that sound to a Vicksburg mansion that refuses to grow quiet. McRaven House isn’t just “the most haunted home in Mississippi”—it’s a three-part time machine where an outlaw’s bedroom, a grieving mother’s lullaby, and a war-torn hospital all occupy the same breath. We walk the Great River Road, trace the Natchez Trace, and pull at the threads linking moving water, old brick, and stories that won’t lie flat.

We start with Andrew Glass’s two-room hideout, its buttermilk-blue wa...

Lurking in the shadows of Appalachia's misty mountains is a tale that defies rational explanation. When a group of gravediggers in Clendenin, West Virginia reported seeing a massive winged figure soaring overhead in November 1966, no one could have predicted how this sighting would become entwined with one of America's greatest tragedies.

The creature they glimpsed—soon to be known as the Mothman—stood seven to eight feet tall with a wingspan of ten feet and hypnotic red eyes that paralyzed those who gazed into them. Within days, two young couples in Point Pleasant had their own terrifying enco...

After weeks of silence, we're back with a deeply personal journey through trauma, healing, and the mysterious corners of the South that continue to call to us even in our darkest moments.

The devastating head-on collision that abruptly ended our previous episode left me shattered – both legs broken with compound fractures, broken ankles, shattered kneecaps, four broken ribs, and a surgically reattached left foot. July exists as little more than a foggy haze of pain medication and the natural, uncontrollable sounds of agony that came with each movement of freshly broken bones. Despite the severity of these in...

Sometimes life throws unexpected curves that temporarily interrupt even our most cherished routines. In this brief but deeply personal episode, I share news that's difficult to deliver—a serious head-on collision has temporarily paused my storytelling.

What began as a promising evening on June 25th—my husband and I heading to a rare midweek date night of dinner and a concert—turned catastrophic in an instant. The accident left me with multiple broken bones in both legs, broken ankles, damaged kneecaps, a broken finger, and four broken ribs. After waking up in the trauma department and enduring three...

In the small Louisiana town of Jennings, a troubling series of murders has remained unsolved for nearly two decades, revealing dark truths about how some communities value certain lives less than others. Between 2005 and 2009, eight women were found dead—Loretta Chasson, Ernestine Patterson, Kristen Gary Lopez, Whitney Dubois, Laconia "Muggy" Brown, Crystal Benoit Zeno, Brittany Gary, and Nicole Guillory—all connected through their struggles with addiction, involvement in sex work, and roles as police informants.

What makes these murders particularly disturbing isn't just their brutality but the web of suspicious circumstances surrounding the investigation. When Loretta Chasson's body...

Beneath the mystical façade of Louisiana's voodoo legends and Creole culture lurks a modern horror story few could imagine. For over a decade, from 1993 to 2006, the Baton Rouge area was gripped by fear as women disappeared and turned up murdered with alarming frequency. The community transformed – doors once left unlocked were bolted shut, morning jogs became dangerous endeavors, and the friendly Southern hospitality gave way to justifiable paranoia.

What makes this case extraordinary isn't just the brutality of the crimes, but the revelation that stunned even veteran investigators: two separate serial killers operated simultaneously in the sam...

The blue mist shrouding the Great Smoky Mountains hides more than just breathtaking vistas and ancient forests – it conceals centuries of mysteries that continue to elude explanation. This rugged wilderness, spanning Tennessee and North Carolina, draws millions of visitors annually to its trails and streams. Yet beneath its serene beauty lurks an unsettling statistic: the Great Smoky Mountains ranks among America's five deadliest national parks, with 101 recorded deaths in just thirteen years.

More chilling still are those who simply vanish without a trace. Since record-keeping began, at least five people have disappeared completely in these mountains – six-year-old Denn...

A mother's desperate claim that her two young sons were kidnapped by a carjacker unravels into one of the most shocking murder cases in South Carolina history. The Susan Smith case reveals how a web of lies, inconsistencies, and a devastating confession led to the discovery of a premeditated crime that shocked the nation.

• Susan Smith reported her sons Michael (3) and Alex (14 months) were taken during a carjacking on October 25, 1994
• For nine days, America watched as Susan and her husband David made tearful pleas on national television
• Investigators noticed troubling inconsistencies in Susan's story, including speaki...

On Christmas morning in 1945, a family's holiday joy shattered when flames consumed their home and five children mysteriously vanished. The Sodder family of Fayetteville, West Virginia, faced unthinkable tragedy that sparked theories of conspiracy and kidnapping. Starting with a strange phone call that Jenny Sautter received just before the blaze began, the episode delves into the moments leading to the horrifying fire that would change their lives forever.

We explore the bizarre occurrences that transpired that fateful night. Why did their coal trucks fail to start? Why was the ladder inexplicably missing? Why was the phone line...

Discover the shocking crime spree of Carl Isaacs and his gang, whose violent escape from the Maryland State Penitentiary led to a terrifying series of events in 1973. How did a group of fugitives leave a trail of car thefts, burglaries, and brutal murders across several states? Unravel the gripping narrative of their journey southward, culminating in the harrowing Alday family massacre in Donaldsonville, Georgia, an event that left an indelible mark on the community and the justice system.

Experience the desperate and chaotic flight of these criminals, from the haunting break-in at the Alday family trailer to...

Could a life of crime be born from the pages of a fashion magazine? Join me, Carole Townsend, as we uncover the thrilling story of Doris Payne, the woman who turned the allure of Harper's Bazaar into a blueprint for an extraordinary life as a master jewel thief. Raised amid the challenges of poverty, domestic violence, and racial inequality in 1930s West Virginia, Doris defied the odds stacked against her. From her audacious heist of a $20,000 diamond ring to the international escapades that followed, Doris's story is a fascinating mix of charm, skill, and boldness, each step drawing her...

Ever wondered what secrets lie beneath the cobblestone streets of Savannah? Join me, Carole Townsend, as I unravel the ghostly allure and historical intrigue of this Southern city, with tales that will leave you questioning the line between myth and reality. Our journey takes us first to the Mercer House, where the echoes of a dramatic event from May 2, 1981, continue to haunt Savannah's storied past. Inspired by John Barrett's "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," we'll peel back the layers of Southern charm to discover a city where history, mystery, and idiosyncratic characters create an irresistible tapestry.<...

What if a single word could hold the key to one of America's oldest mysteries? Join me, Carole Townsend, as we journey through the haunting story of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Set against the dramatic and often perilous landscape of North Carolina's Outer Banks, we'll unravel the complex tapestry of hope, ambition, and possibly tragedy that defined the fateful expedition led by Sir Walter Raleigh in the late 16th century. With only the enigmatic word "Croatoan" as a clue, the disappearance of 117 settlers remains an unsolved puzzle that continues to captivate historians and curious minds alike.

...

What eerie secrets lurk within the walls of King's Tavern, the oldest building in Natchez, Mississippi, where history and the paranormal intertwine? Journey with me, Carole Townsend, as we unravel the spine-chilling tales of murder and betrayal that haunt this ancient site and explore the historic Natchez Trace, a travel corridor rich with stories of coexistence and conflict. As we gather on my front porch, I promise you'll be captivated by the legends that echo through this historic site, questioning whether the energies of the past still linger. Expect to be both enthralled and unsettled as we connect the...

What if the deepest scars of Southern history were hidden within one family's tragic saga? Join us as we unravel the haunting mystery of the Woolfolk family massacre, a tale rooted in post-Civil War Georgia's tumultuous soil. Through the eyes of Thomas George Woolfolk, we walk a path littered with personal tragedy, failure, and a legacy of resentment. This episode paints a haunting portrait of a man ensnared by the complex web of family dynamics and Southern tradition, leaving listeners pondering the intricate interplay of emotion and history.

As we dissect this chilling case, you'll be transported...

What drove Dr. Charles Scudder, a disillusioned pharmacology professor, to trade a life of urban hustle for the shadowy solace of the Appalachian foothills? Join me, Carole Townsend, as we unravel the enigmatic and tragic tale of Corpsewood Manor, a story that defies conventional wisdom and leaves us questioning the boundaries between idyllic dreams and chilling realities. Dr. Scudder and his partner Joey Odom sought refuge in the Chattahoochee National Forest, constructing a secluded sanctuary far from the mundane grind of Chicago life. Their quest for authenticity and freedom, however, led them into a nightmare on the night of...

What if the dark, twisted secrets of New Orleans could chill you to the bone from the comfort of your front porch? Join me, Carole Townsend, as I unravel the sinuous history of the Big Easy, starting with the notorious Madame Delphine LaLaurie. Known as one of history's most malevolent figures, LaLaurie's story is one of opulence masking unimaginable cruelty. Step into the haunted corridors of her infamous mansion, where tales of supernatural horror and unspeakable atrocities converge. Discover why her legacy remains one of the most haunting in Southern history, blending high society with horrific truths.

...

Can a lake haunt the living? Join Carole Townsend as I unravel the eerie mysteries of Georgia's Lake Lanier. From its creation in the 1950s by the Army Corps of Engineers to the tragic displacement of over 1,100 people, including the once-thriving Black community of Oscarville, this episode promises to uncover the chilling truth. Dive deep into the history buried beneath the lake's waters, including submerged homes, forests, and cemeteries, and learn how these remnants contribute to the lake’s haunted reputation and numerous mysterious deaths.

Prepare for a spine-tingling exploration of the inexplicable patterns of drowning deaths, my...

What if the dark allure of the underground world could spell both fortune and doom? Join me, Carole Townsend, as we uncover the riveting and sobering tale of Floyd Collins, a passionate cave explorer whose dreams of discovery turned into a harrowing tragedy in Kentucky’s Sand Cave in 1925. We’ll traverse the era of the Kentucky Cave Wars, a time when spelunkers fiercely competed to unveil the next hidden gem, transforming natural wonders into profitable tourist attractions. Floyd’s astonishing find of the Great Crystal Cave in 1917 set the stage for his final, fateful adventure—one that captivated the nati...

What if a ghostly force could shatter the tranquility of your home and torment your family for years? Get ready to uncover the spine-chilling legacy of the Bell Witch, a tale that has baffled and intrigued enthusiasts for over two centuries. Join me, Carole Townsend, as I take you to the heart of Adams, Tennessee, where John Bell and his family encountered a malevolent entity that turned their lives into a nightmare. From strange animals lurking in the shadows to violent attacks on John and his daughter Betsy, the legend becomes undeniable when even neighbor James Johnson encounters the...

Prepare to be captivated by the heart-wrenching and mysterious tales that lie at the very heart of Southern history. I'm Carole Townsend, and in this gripping episode, we revisit the tragic story of Mary Fagan, a young girl whose life was brutally ended at the National Pencil Company in Atlanta in 1913. Discover the eerie circumstances surrounding her death and the harrowing investigation that ensued, drawing Leo Frank, a Jewish factory superintendent, into a maelstrom of suspicion fueled by the racial and anti-Semitic tensions of the post-Civil War South.

Journey further into the dark history with the infamous...

Experience the chilling tale of the Atlanta Ripper, and uncover why his gruesome crimes have been shrouded in obscurity. Listen as we recount the harrowing story of Emma Lou Sharpe, who survived a brutal attack and provided crucial details to the police after her mother, Lena, was found murdered. We explore the social and racial tensions of early 1900s Atlanta—a city grappling with its Confederate past and rapid industrial growth—shedding light on the city's darker corners where the Ripper roamed.

Join seasoned journalist and acclaimed author Carole Townsend, as she examines how the murders of so m...