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. EP15 - The World Cup Mistake That Cost Andrés Escobar His Life

    22h ago

    EP15 - The World Cup Mistake That Cost Andrés Escobar His Life

    Colombian defender Andrés Escobar scored an own goal at the 1994 World Cup. Ten days later, he was shot in a Medellín parking lot. This episode uncovers how cartel money, illegal betting, and national pressure turned one unlucky deflection into a death sentence. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    32 min
  2. EP14 - The Andrew Dawson Case: He Filmed a Giant… Then Disappeared

    4d ago

    EP14 - The Andrew Dawson Case: He Filmed a Giant… Then Disappeared

    A viral TikTok showed what looked like a giant standing on a mountain… and then the man who filmed it vanished. The Andrew Dawson giant case is one of the internet’s most chilling mysteries—and it only gets stranger the deeper you go. In April 2022, Andrew Dawson, a 34-year-old from Campbell River, British Columbia, captured a bizarre figure high on a ridge near Canoe Mountain, not far from the Jasper SkyTram. What started as a single TikTok giant on mountain clip quickly spiraled into a viral TikTok conspiracy involving alleged government encounters, black helicopters, UFO sightings, and claims of being followed. But as millions watched in real time, skeptics began pointing to more grounded explanations—telecommunication towers, helicopter logging, and misidentified structures hidden in plain sight. This case sits at a strange intersection of internet fame, perception, and pressure. Was the “giant on the mountain” ever real, or did viral attention push Andrew into something far more complicated? With discussions of a possible hoax, a government cover up, and the role of mental health and viral fame, the story of Andrew Dawson remains one of the most debated modern internet mysteries. On The Scarecast, we break down paranormal and true crime cases with research, context, and an open mind—separating what we know from what we think we saw. WATCH video version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi1j5YYNr5Y&t=815s 📲 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. Make Sure To Subscribe To My Podcast for more cases and scary stories for your long drives:  Spotify (includes video): https://open.spotify.com/show/6imeikutQMImXC4kJfTZuB Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarecast/id1071545581 All Podcast Destinations: https://linktr.ee/thescarecastpodcast 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/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    23 min
  3. EP13 - Mayk Leão's Viral UFO Encounter... A Hoax?

    Jun 10

    EP13 - Mayk Leão's Viral UFO Encounter... A Hoax?

    Could a Brazilian animal rescuer have captured one of the most compelling UFO videos of the decade — or did he just pull off one of the biggest viral hoaxes of 2026? In this episode of The Scarecast, we break down the full story of Mayk Leão, a rural influencer from Campo Largo, Paraná, Brazil, who on May 31, 2026, claims he experienced a terrifying, reality-shattering encounter with a massive disc-shaped craft that hovered over the forest near his property — and then flew silently over his house... but what unravel's in this story, will make you question whether this was all a hoax. But we don't stop there. This case opens the door to Brazil's long and deeply unsettling history of UFO encounters — as I dive into the rabbit hole covering Operação Prato (1977–1978), The Night of the UFOs (1986), and my favorite, The Varginha Incident (1996). WATCH the video version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e807U6mKiIU 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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    36 min
  4. EP12 - The Human Mask Phenomenon

    Jun 5

    EP12 - The Human Mask Phenomenon

    What if the scariest part of modern life isn’t ghosts or demons, but the feeling that the people we see on screen… aren’t really who they appear to be? In this episode of The Scarecast, we dive into what I’m calling “The Human Mask Phenomenon”—a wave of viral moments where the internet becomes convinced someone is literally wearing another person’s face. From a Fox News guest whose shifting neck “seam” sparked mask theories, to Jim Carrey’s altered appearance at the César Awards, to claims that high-ranking politicians are doubles in silicone, we break down how each clip exploded and why so many people refuse to accept the official explanations. We also revisit the infamous airplane meltdown, tracing Tiffany Gomas’ panic on the plane and her later media apology tour, and asking what it is about her story that still doesn’t sit right with so many viewers. Along the way, we unpack how hyper-real masks, deepfakes, live TV glitches, and pure paranoia are blending together into a new kind of modern folklore—where every strange angle, bad shadow, or weird reaction becomes proof that reality itself is wearing a disguise. Referenced Videos: Retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward Interview on Fox News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X06b8rITwRE&t=174s Jim Carrey > Cesar Awards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awqTJ1vpjXQ Joe Biden Neck Clip: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KxGsWBSYDCw Tiffany Gomas Plane Incident: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWpUt3iU9OM 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. Make Sure To Subscribe To My Podcast for more cases and scary stories for your long drives:  Spotify (includes video): https://open.spotify.com/show/6imeikutQMImXC4kJfTZuB Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarecast/id1071545581 All Podcast Destinations: https://linktr.ee/thescarecastpodcast 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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    15 min
  5. EP11 - The Mysterious Case of Amy Eskridge: Anti-Gravity, Threats, and Ultraterrestrials

    May 8

    EP11 - The Mysterious Case of Amy Eskridge: Anti-Gravity, Threats, and Ultraterrestrials

    This episode dives into the mysterious life and passing of anti‑gravity researcher Amy Eskridge, a brilliant Huntsville scientist who warned friends that if anyone ever said she took her own life, she "most definitely did not”—weeks before she was found deceased from a supposed "self- inflected gunshot." From alleged directed‑energy “pain ray” attacks and burned hands, to threats, tampered records, and a shadowy “intel bomb” ultimatum from a stranger who knew details from her classified medical records, this episode walks you through her final text messages in chilling detail. We explore her claims about suppressed anti‑gravity breakthroughs, ultraterrestrials and future human timelines, and the powerful defense contractors she believed were willing to harass scientists to de*th to protect multi‑billion‑dollar secrets. Along the way, we connect her story to other suspicious cases like Mark McCandlish, and to wider questions: how far would someone go to keep world‑changing propulsion off the books—and did Amy Eskridge pay the ultimate price for getting too close? Episode Recommendations: EP6 - The Disappearance of William “Neil” McCasland: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Pld3tFGTMH56DIGjotG7C EP7 - 5 Strange Cases Involving Scientists and Defense Employees: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gckqBZeRo9A4dHWiCPvzH 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. Make Sure To Subscribe To My Podcast for more cases and scary stories for your long drives:  Spotify (includes video): https://open.spotify.com/show/6imeikutQMImXC4kJfTZuB Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarecast/id1071545581 All Podcast Destinations: https://linktr.ee/thescarecastpodcast 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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1h 33m
  6. EP10 - 15 Scary Stories from Turnbull Canyon | Whittier, CA

    Apr 23

    EP10 - 15 Scary Stories from Turnbull Canyon | Whittier, CA

    Explore 15 terrifying true scary stories from listeners who survived encounters in the infamous Turnbull Canyon near Whittier, CA. Known for its dark history and urban legends, these paranormal accounts range from mysterious robed figures and ghostly children to phantom cars and humanoid creatures crawling on all fours. Turnbull Canyon is widely considered one of the most haunted places in Southern California. Whether you're looking for ghost stories from Whittier or documented urban legends from the canyon, these listener-submitted encounters will make you think twice before driving those winding roads after dark. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    26 min
  7. EP9 - The Dark History of Turnbull Canyon | Whittier, CA

    Apr 16

    EP9 - The Dark History of Turnbull Canyon | Whittier, CA

    Turnbull Canyon looks like a peaceful four‑mile loop in the Puente Hills near Whittier, but generations of locals and investigators see it as a hotspot of tragedy, legend, and paranormal activity. In this episode, we go back centuries to the Tongva homeland, Spanish colonization, and mission‑era violence that left deep scars on the land and fueled claims of restless Indigenous spirits still haunting the canyon. You’ll hear how Mexican secularization, the rise of massive ranchos, and how the canyon got its name. The canyon was named after real estate mogul Robert Turnbull, who mysteriously passed away just after he sold his canyon property to Quaker founders. The episode also explores stranger 20th‑century chapters: inventor William Haight’s towering “Electrodome” weather‑control device built inside the canyon, later wrapped up in rumors of government interest and eerie abandonment after a mysterious final test on New Year’s Eve 1932. From there, we dissect the enduring but unproven tales of a forgotten asylum, the so‑called Gates of Hell, robed cults, and Depression‑era child sacrifices. Unlike many stories around Turnbull, some horrors are fully documented: the 1952 crash of Flight 416 and the modern crime cases of Gloria Gaxiola and Claudia Tecuautzin, both tied to the canyon’s roads and ravines. By the end of the episode, you’ll see how centuries of colonization, bloodshed, financial ruin, bizarre experiments, and verified crimes have all converged to make Turnbull Canyon one of Southern California’s most infamous “cursed” places — and why so many people refuse to drive it at night. In the next episode, we will be covering the personal accounts of people who have ventured into this very canyon, so make sure you subscribe and stay tuned. 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. Make Sure To Subscribe To My Podcast for more cases and scary stories for your long drives:  Spotify (includes video): https://open.spotify.com/show/6imeikutQMImXC4kJfTZuB Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarecast/id1071545581 All Podcast Destinations: https://linktr.ee/thescarecastpodcast 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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    40 min
  8. EP8 - 10 Scary Stories from the Colorado Street Bridge | Pasadena, CA

    Apr 11

    EP8 - 10 Scary Stories from the Colorado Street Bridge | Pasadena, CA

    A few weeks ago, I visited the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, California—one of the most haunted locations in Southern California and a place infamous for its long history of incidents and paranormal hauntings. I went there with a couple of friends as part of Joshua Amen’s weekly paranormal scavenger hunt, and being on (and beneath) the bridge immediately brought back all the chilling stories listeners have sent me over the years. In this first volume, I share 10 terrifying encounters tied to the Colorado Street Bridge—stories of shadow figures, “ghost jumpers,” faceless apparitions, demonic roars, and things that stalk you from the darkness under the arches. You’ll also hear a quick rundown of the bridge’s past, from its construction in the early 1910s to the 150+ lives believed to have been lost there, and the hauntings people still report today. Joshua Amen's Paranormal Scavenger Hunt: https://amenparanormalresearch.com/ https://www.instagram.com/amen.paranormal.research/ 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. Make Sure To Subscribe To My Podcast for more cases and scary stories for your long drives:  Spotify (includes video): https://open.spotify.com/show/6imeikutQMImXC4kJfTZuB Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarecast/id1071545581 All Podcast Destinations: https://linktr.ee/thescarecastpodcast 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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    24 min
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4.5
out of 5
1,885 Ratings

About

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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