The Scarecast: Scary Stories, Mysteries, and True Crime

Michael Crutchfield

For almost a decade, The Scarecast—hosted by Michael Crutchfield—has captivated audiences with spine-tingling stories that explore the shadowy depths of real-life horror. Originally launched on YouTube as MaddMike, The Scarecast masterfully narrates true accounts of chilling encounters, from paranormal experiences to unsettling run-ins with strangers. With over a hundred episodes, The Scarecast stands out for its dedication to authentic, listener-submitted tales that leave audiences both unsettled and eager for more. Crutchfield’s storytelling prowess and commitment to sharing genuine scares have made The Scarecast a must-listen for fans of the eerie and unexplained. Get In Touch With Me: Instagram / TikTok / X : @thescarecast   YouTube / Facebook: The Scarecast Website: www.thescarecast.com Email (Send Me Stories): mike@thescarecast.com

  1. hace 1 día

    EP24 - 5 TRUE Scary Stories | Hide & Go Seek, Neighbor Haunting & A Tinder Date From Hell

    In today's episode, I'm telling you five creepy stories including a hide‑and‑seek encounter with something hiding in the dark, a toddler's chilling "visit" from a grandfather she never met, a dead neighbor's TV that won't stay off, a creepy Pacheco Pass sighting from an Amazon driver, and a Tinder date that could have turned into a true crime case. After listening, comment which story creeped you out the most —comment on Spotify episode or through a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Stories: (0:30) Story 1 - A ten-year-old playing hide-and-seek in the pitch-black reaches into a closet expecting to find his friend, feels a human hand flinch and pull away from his touch, then turns to find both his friends standing behind him the whole time — with the closet completely empty. (7:06) Story 2 – For nearly a year, a toddler laughs and giggles at something unseen above her crib every night, until her father shows her a photo of his late father — a grandfather she never met and had never seen a picture of — and she erupts with joy, shouting "Papa!" over and over like she's greeting someone she already knows. (13:12) Story 3 – A week after his elderly neighbor dies and his apartment is sealed shut, a man starts hearing the dead man's TV blast static through the wall at exactly 2:13 AM every night — and stops the moment he knocks — until a recording reveals a distorted voice buried in the static, saying his name. (19:21) Story 4 – An Amazon driver working the Pacheco Pass late at night spots what looks like a small black ball on the roadside during a storm, watches it roll into his lane and grow into a seven-foot-tall shape, and drives straight through it as it passes through his van like dense, pitch-black mist. (20:47) Story 5 – A Tinder date built on mutual friends and easy chemistry turns unsettling fast when a messy apartment, a weapon on the counter, a disturbing poem, and stories about violent fantasies convince a woman she's in real danger — forcing her to fake calm for hours while secretly waiting for her father to rescue her. Sources: Story 1 – Reddit r/Paranormal, "Scary event during hide and seek" (anonymous) - LINK Story 2 – Reddit r/Paranormal, "What we believe was our daughter's paranormal moment as a toddler" (anonymous) - LINK Story 3 – Reddit r/Paranormal, "My neighbor's TV keeps turning on at night, he's been dead for over a week" / Instagram: oldmanwhispers - LINK Story 4 – Instagram submission by u/stunna_831 Story 5 – Reddit r/LetsNotMeet, "A Tinder date that could have ended badly" (anonymous) - LINK Disclosure: This video uses AI imagery and videos that are blurred (with a mixture of real images/videos) to help illustrate what happens in the stories. Also, the narration is 100% voiced by me, a human (as you can see). I have also repurposed the stories I have gathered from Reddit (to avoid reading verbatim) to be narrated in third person and have assigned the protagonist's fictional names (unless their real names are provided in the posted story). Please refer to the writer's pages if you want to read the story as posted originally. Have a paranormal or true crime story to share? Submit it to be featured on The Scarecast — DM us on Instagram, email mike@thescarecast.com or drop your story in the comments below. Sign up for my newsletter at https://www.thescarecast.com to be notified of new content! 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes covering ghost stories, cryptids, UFOs/UAPs, unsolved mysteries, and true crime every week: https://linktr.ee/thescarecast 📱 Follow @thescarecast on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for daily paranormal content: https://linktr.ee/thescarecast Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    EP24 - 5 TRUE Scary Stories | Hide & Go Seek, Neighbor Haunting & A Tinder Date From Hell
  2. hace 3 días

    EP23 - 5 TRUE Scary Stories | Disneyland, Ouija Board Sessions, and Strangers on AOL Messenger

    In this episode, we're diving into five scary true stories submitted by listeners and pulled straight from Reddit — covering a haunted restaurant, a chilling mimic encounter, a bone-chilling Disneyland night shift, an Ouija board session gone wrong, and a disturbing AOL Instant Messenger story that serves as a serious cautionary tale. Story 1 (0:00) – A restaurant "haunted" joke turns real when a closing shift employee hears footsteps upstairs, finds every door locked, and watches a heavy patio door slam shut on its own — with no one else in the building. Story 2 (5:30) – A family experiences years of eerie mimicry from something copying voices, cat sounds, and family members, until one night in the shower, a figure that looks exactly like her husband appears in the doorway... except he's asleep in bed. Story 3 (11:47) – A Disneyland California Adventure custodian working the Hyperion Theater after hours watches a figure sprint across the upper balcony toward an elevator — only for the doors to open completely empty, with no other way down. Story 4 (16:13) – A group of South Jersey ghost hunters uses a glow-in-the-dark Ouija board in a cemetery, and things escalate fast: a spelled-out warning, dropping temperatures in July, a spinning board with no hands on it, and a crushing weight that convinces one member he needs to leave immediately. Story 5 (26:10) – A true and important cautionary tale from 2002: a girl's AOL Instant Messenger connection with a total stranger nearly leads to an in-person meeting, until a friend's mother steps in just in time. Sources: Story 1 – Reddit u/motherofxmen, r/Ghoststories - LINK Story 2 – Reddit u/ghostgirl324, r/Paranormal - LINK Story 3 – Instagram submission by u/beejayfourtwenty Story 4 – Reddit u/sorryistoleyourbike, r/Paranormal - LINK Story 5 – Reddit r/LetsNotMeet, "AOL was popular when I was 13" (deleted user) - LINK Disclosure: The narration is 100% voiced by me, a human. I have also repurposed the stories I have gathered from Reddit (to avoid reading verbatim) to be narrated in third person and have assigned the protagonist’s fictional names (unless their real names are provided in the posted story). Please refer to the writer’s pages if you want to read the story as posted originally.  Have a paranormal or true crime story to share? Submit it to be featured on The Scarecast — DM us on Instagram, email mike@thescarecast.com or drop your story in the comments below. Sign up for my newsletter at https://www.thescarecast.com to be notified of new content! 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes covering ghost stories, cryptids, UFOs/UAPs, unsolved mysteries, and true crime every week. 📱 Follow @thescarecast on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for daily paranormal content. Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    EP23 - 5 TRUE Scary Stories | Disneyland, Ouija Board Sessions, and Strangers on AOL Messenger
  3. 27 jul

    EP22 - 12 TRUE Scary Stories: Creepy Roommates, Children Who See Ghosts, and Almost Kidnapped

    In this episode, we dive into a chilling collection of true paranormal and real-world horror stories: a phantom little girl who keeps calling 911 from the same house, children who see dead relatives, shadow figures in bedrooms, eerie apartment hauntings, military ghost encounters, and a terrifying close call with a violent roommate who later made the news. Stories and Credits: The Phantom Little Girl Calling 911 From My Address – urbanachiever95, r/LetsNotMeet.To the man who hunted me through Downtown Long Beach: Let’s not meet again – Prior-Emu-5918, r/LetsNotMeet.Has anyone ever had an experience with a child seeing a ghost? – Anonymous commenter, r/Ghosts.What experience did you have that made you believe that ghosts/spirits 100% exist? – MiaWallace1494, r/Paranormal.What’s the most convincing experience that you’ve had? – immee1, r/Paranormal.My dad’s roommate – sunshine123_, r/LetsNotMeet.Has anyone ever had an experience with a child seeing a ghost? – Pitterpatter35, r/Ghosts.Tell me the creepiest thing a child has ever said to you - idontthinkicarekinda, r/ParanormalYou Grab One, I’ll Grab The Other – Complete-Fix1835, r/LetsNotMeet.What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever witnessed? – madddforthewin, r/Paranormal.A creepy Disneyland story – sothrncalguy, Instagram comment @thescarecastHas anyone seen anything creepy on rural roads/highways etc. – Chrysanthemum1926, Reddit comment. Go listen to my last scary story episode, EP21 - 14 TRUE Horror Stories | Paranormal Encounters, Police Officer, and Military! 📲 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next upload About The Scarecast: The Scarecast pulls you straight into the dark edges of real life. Hosted by Michael Crutchfield, it blends unsettling true stories, paranormal encounters, and mysterious passings with immersive sound design and atmospheric storytelling to make every episode feel like a late-night campfire tale you can’t turn off. From haunted locations and eerie listener submissions to cold cases and unexplained disappearances, The Scarecast is made for people who like their stories creepy, cinematic, and just a little too real. Connect With Me On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescarecast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thescarecast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thescarecast/ Website: https://www.thescarecast.com/ Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    EP22 - 12 TRUE Scary Stories: Creepy Roommates, Children Who See Ghosts, and Almost Kidnapped
  4. 21 jul

    EP21 - 14 TRUE Horror Stories | Paranormal Encounters, Police Officer, and Military

    Tonight’s episode dives into some of the darkest and most unsettling encounters shared by soldiers, cops, Disneyland park employees, and everyday people who came face‑to‑face with something they still can’t explain. Stories and Credits: USMC deployment curse story – Anonymous Marine on r/USMC thread “Any Horror Stories/Paranormal Experiences on Deployments?”“A Childhood Encounter I Still Can’t Explain” Posted by u/Brilliant_Bill7305 on r/Ghosts.Uber driver protecting a passenger from a dangerous date – u/travelling-lost comment on r/uberdrivers (“What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever witnessed while driving for Uber?”).Hurricane Harbor security hauntings – u/Alita-Battle-Hacker on r/sixflags (“My paranormal experiences working at Hurricane Harbor in Arizona as a security guard”).Police officer and the missing wife / suicide note case – u/Anglicanweasel on r/AskReddit thread “Cops of reddit, what is the scariest situation you've ever been in?”Basic training child‑spirit story – u/santii_715 on r/scarystories thread “To Military personnel, what is the most terrifying thing you've seen on patrol?”Russian soldier’s WWII battlefield ghosts – u/Russian-Soldier on the same r/scarystories thread “To Military personnel, what is the most terrifying thing you've seen on patrol?”Disneyland Snow White and parking garage hauntings – Instagram user @thefinalqueer, as commented on my Instagtam post (Snow White’s Scary Adventures / “little Timmy” / Matterhorn story).Airbnb little boy and woman in the nightstand – u/Silent-Composer-873 on r/Paranormal thread “What’s the most convincing experience that you’ve had?”Appalachian tall pale humanoid creature – u/ScriabinFanatic on r/Paranormal thread “People who live in Appalachian mountaines, have u ever experienced something crazy?”“Fresh” ghost in a recently vacated apartment – u/fatherbundy on r/Ghosts (“My personal experience with a ‘fresh’ ghost”).Great‑grandfather death / invisible punch story – Jackie, author of Between Failures, posting as u/BetweenFailures on r/Ghosts thread “What Made you Believe in Ghost and why? please tell.”“Charlie, the Army man” – child medium on base housing – u/Kks1013 (K. S. / K. Schaeffer) on r/Paranormal thread “Tell me the creepiest thing a child has ever said to you.”Shadow figure by the bedroom door – u/Thick-Razzmatazz2105 on r/Paranormal thread “What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever witnessed?” Go listen to my last scary story episode, EP19 - 20 TRUE Horror Stories | Haunted Houses, Creepy Things Children Have Said, and Ghostly Encounter! 📲 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next upload About The Scarecast: The Scarecast pulls you straight into the dark edges of real life. Hosted by Michael Crutchfield, it blends unsettling true stories, paranormal encounters, and mysterious passings with immersive sound design and atmospheric storytelling to make every episode feel like a late-night campfire tale you can’t turn off. From haunted locations and eerie listener submissions to cold cases and unexplained disappearances, The Scarecast is made for people who like their stories creepy, cinematic, and just a little too real. Connect With Me On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescarecast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thescarecast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thescarecast/ Website: https://www.thescarecast.com/ Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    EP21 - 14 TRUE Horror Stories | Paranormal Encounters, Police Officer, and Military
  5. 15 jul

    EP20 - 5 Disturbing True Crime Cases That Are Unsolved

    Five of the most disturbing unsolved true crime cases... from a man found under bizarre circumstances in Tennessee, to a mysterious woman in an Oslo hotel with no identity, these cases continue to haunt investigators and internet sleuths alike.  In this video, we break down chilling true crime stories including Blair Adams, Jennifer Fairgate, the Dempsey family, Rey Rivera, and Buffalo Jim—each filled with unanswered questions, strange evidence, and theories that range from paranoia to possible foul play. If you’re into unsolved mysteries, creepy cases, and real-life horror stories, this is one you won’t forget. CASES COVERED [0:00] Blair Adams (Unsolved – Knoxville, Tennessee, 1996): A Canadian man fled across borders claiming someone was trying to end his life—only to be found deceased, half-naked, with thousands of dollars scattered around his body. No robbery, no clear motive, and a single unidentified hair left behind. What was he running from? [4:40] Jennifer Fairgate / Fergate (Oslo Plaza Hotel Mystery, 1995): A woman checks into a luxury hotel under a false name… and is later found deceased in a locked room with a gun in her hand, which she may not have even fired. No ID, no personal items... Who was she—and what really happened in Room 2805? [9:08] The Dempsey Family (Plant City, Florida, 2026): A horrifying modern-day case involving a mother, her two young children, and their grandmother... three generations. Despite evidence, suspicious behavior, and prior domestic disturbance calls, no arrests have been made. How is this case still unsolved?  [11:58] Rey Rivera (Belvedere Hotel, Baltimore, 2006): A filmmaker vanishes after a mysterious phone call—only to be found days later in a locked conference room after falling through a roof. The physics don’t add up... how could he have made that jump... the medical examiner ruled the case “undetermined.” Do you agree?  [20:18] Buffalo Jim Barrier (Las Vegas Mystery, 2008): A controversial Vegas figure who claimed he was being threatened said if he were ever targeted, it would be staged. Months later, he’s found deceased in a motel room under bizarre circumstances involving drugs, a missing car, and an unidentified woman. Coincidence—or something more sinister? 📲 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next upload About The Scarecast: The Scarecast pulls you straight into the dark edges of real life. Hosted by Michael Crutchfield, it blends unsettling true stories, paranormal encounters, and mysterious passings with immersive sound design and atmospheric storytelling to make every episode feel like a late-night campfire tale you can’t turn off. From haunted locations and eerie listener submissions to cold cases and unexplained disappearances, The Scarecast is made for people who like their stories creepy, cinematic, and just a little too real. Connect With Me On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescarecast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thescarecast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thescarecast/ Website: https://www.thescarecast.com/ Send scary stories or business inquiries to mike@thescarecast.com Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    EP20 - 5 Disturbing True Crime Cases That Are Unsolved
  6. 14 jul

    EP19 - 20 TRUE Horror Stories | Haunted Houses, Creepy Things Children Have Said, and Ghostly Encounters

    In this episode, you will hear 20 true scary stories about haunted houses, creepy kids, glitch-in-the-Matrix moments, and ghosts that follow you home. From shadow figures in bedroom doorways to baby cries in empty apartments and a possible alien abduction on a dark highway, these listener-submitted tales will make you question what’s really lurking in the dark. Writing Credits: Ryanb789 (1), fatasswithtwokids (2), RaisinBlazer (4), Far_Cress7984 (5), gothiclg (6), Watersurf (7), kindofthebest (8), gabberchella (10), Confident_Speech_534 / Lenora (11), SystemOfAFoopa (12), Hoobi_Goobi (13), Sleepless-Tarsier / Pancake (14), QuietProtocol (15), shadow_swan234 (16), gr1nd3rzsz (17), SasaReddit31 (18), Warden_Dresden87 (19), and Heavy-Metal-Mommy (20) Video Links: Story #8 - Picture of Debbie Stone's Memorial (Disneyland) https://imgur.com/a/mKHukX0 Story #15 - Work Site Referenced https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/1lrf3rw/paranormal_activity_at_my_work_this_morning_415am/?share_id=7Io-4S3WwmA06CKA54Ynx&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1 Story #18 - The Man At The Door https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/1kyn8lh/the_man_at_the_door/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button Go listen to my last episode, EP18 - 8 TRUE Scary Stories | Disneyland, Stalkers, and Paranormal Hauntings, for more creepy tales! 📲 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next upload About The Scarecast: The Scarecast pulls you straight into the dark edges of real life. Hosted by Michael Crutchfield, it blends unsettling true stories, paranormal encounters, and mysterious passings with immersive sound design and atmospheric storytelling to make every episode feel like a late-night campfire tale you can’t turn off. From haunted locations and eerie listener submissions to cold cases and unexplained disappearances, The Scarecast is made for people who like their stories creepy, cinematic, and just a little too real. Connect With Me On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescarecast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thescarecast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thescarecast/ Website: https://www.thescarecast.com/ Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    EP19 - 20 TRUE Horror Stories | Haunted Houses, Creepy Things Children Have Said, and Ghostly Encounters
  7. 2 jul

    EP17 - 3 Disturbing Craigslist Encounters

    3 ordinary Craigslist interactions that turned into pure nightmare fuel. In this episode of The Scarecast, we dive into three disturbing real-life cases where a simple online listing led to violence, manipulation, and murder: a clean-cut med student living a double life as “The Craigslist Killer,” a pregnant woman lured to a house by a fake maternity clothes ad, and desperate job seekers drawn into the woods by a fake farmhand listing that was really a trap. You’ll hear about: Philip Markoff, the Boston medical student who used Craigslist adult services ads to target women in hotels.Dynel Lane, who staged a “free baby clothes” meetup that turned into a brutal attack on a pregnant stranger.Richard Beasley, a so-called street preacher who posted fake farm job ads to lure vulnerable men to their deaths. These stories are a chilling reminder that danger can wear any face: a promising doctor, a friendly mom-to-be, or a man of “faith” offering a fresh start. If you’ve ever had a creepy or dangerous experience answering an online ad, I want to hear it. Your story could be featured in a future episode of The Scarecast. Send your story to: mike@thescarecast.com Be safe out there… and thank you for listening. Our Sponsors: * Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code BEEF at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    EP17 - 3 Disturbing Craigslist Encounters

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For almost a decade, The Scarecast—hosted by Michael Crutchfield—has captivated audiences with spine-tingling stories that explore the shadowy depths of real-life horror. Originally launched on YouTube as MaddMike, The Scarecast masterfully narrates true accounts of chilling encounters, from paranormal experiences to unsettling run-ins with strangers. With over a hundred episodes, The Scarecast stands out for its dedication to authentic, listener-submitted tales that leave audiences both unsettled and eager for more. Crutchfield’s storytelling prowess and commitment to sharing genuine scares have made The Scarecast a must-listen for fans of the eerie and unexplained. Get In Touch With Me: Instagram / TikTok / X : @thescarecast   YouTube / Facebook: The Scarecast Website: www.thescarecast.com Email (Send Me Stories): mike@thescarecast.com

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