Death Kissed Traveler

Marissa Benson
  • 4.8 (17)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Weekly

Death Kissed Traveler dives into the dark history of theme parks, carnivals, circuses, and roadside attractions—where joy turned to tragedy, and the dead may still linger. From deadly ride malfunctions to haunted midway games and circus disasters, each episode uncovers the chilling true stories amusement tried to bury.

  1. Sep 4

    Fatal Fun: X2

    X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain isn’t just a roller coaster — it’s one of the strangest, most ambitious rides ever built. In this episode of Death Kissed Traveler, we’re diving into the wild history of the coaster originally known as X, from Arrow Dynamics’ groundbreaking 4D design and its notoriously difficult development to the massive transformation that turned it into X2. We’ll talk about the rotating seats, insane first drop, technical problems, terrifying reputation, onboard effects, and why this ride still feels completely unhinged more than two decades later. If you love roller coaster history, Six Flags Magic Mountain, extreme rides, amusement park accidents, theme park engineering, and dark amusement park stories, buckle up — because X2 was never meant to be normal. deathkissedtraveler.com Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr

    Fatal Fun: X2

  2. Aug 28

    Fatal Fun: Wild Waters Water Park

    Step back into the forgotten history of Wild Waters in Ogden, Utah, one of Utah’s long-lost water parks with a story far darker than summer fun. In this episode of Death Kissed Traveler, we dive into the history of Wild Waters / Holiday Island Water Park, the attractions that once drew families from across northern Utah, the safety concerns surrounding the park, and the tragic accident involving a young boy who disappeared beneath only a few feet of water and was later found inside the park’s underground water system. We’ll explore how the accident happened, the uncovered drain and underground pipe system involved, other reported incidents connected to the park, and what ultimately became of this once-popular Ogden, Utah water park. If you love abandoned amusement parks, defunct water parks, Utah history, theme park accidents, amusement park disasters, dark tourism, forgotten places, true stories, strange history, and theme park history, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Follow Death Kissed Traveler for more stories about the dark side of amusement parks, water parks, roadside attractions, haunted destinations, forgotten tourist attractions, and places where tragedy became part of the history. Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Keywords: Wild Waters Ogden Utah, Wild Waters Water Park, Holiday Island Ogden, abandoned water parks Utah, closed water parks Utah, Ogden Utah history, Utah amusement parks, Utah water park accident, water park deaths, amusement park accidents, theme park disasters, abandoned amusement parks, defunct amusement parks, dark tourism, dark history, forgotten Utah, Death Kissed Traveler podcast

    Fatal Fun: Wild Waters Water Park

  3. Aug 21

    Carnival Fact or Fiction

    Step right up… and see if you can separate carnival fact from carnival fiction. 🎪 In this episode of Death Kissed Traveler, we’re diving into the dark history of carnivals, creepy amusement parks, state fairs, traveling circuses, sideshows, and some of the strangest true stories ever connected to the midway. Were state fairs really hosting public executions? Did carnival sideshows help introduce Americans to new medical technology? Were famous “freak show” attractions completely fake? And how much of the disturbing carnival history we’ve heard is actually true? We’re uncovering weird history, dark tourism, true crime, amusement park accidents, carnival disasters, haunted carnivals, sideshow history, creepy legends, vintage amusement parks, bizarre historical facts, and urban legends—then deciding what’s FACT and what’s FICTION. If you love true crime podcasts, dark history, haunted places, amusement park history, theme park disasters, creepy travel stories, unsolved mysteries, strange history, and bizarre true stories, this episode is for you. 🎪 Welcome to Carnival Fact or Fiction… where the truth may be stranger than the legend. Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr

    Carnival Fact or Fiction

  4. Aug 14

    The Full Ride: Circus Circus Part 2

    The circus is back, but this time, we’re stepping beyond the midway and into the darkest corners of Circus Circus Las Vegas. In Part 2, we uncover the history and accidents of the Adventuredome, disturbing murders connected to the property, reports of haunted hotel rooms, ghostly encounters, and even more dark secrets hiding beneath the neon lights. Behind the clowns, carnival games, and family-friendly attractions is a side of Circus Circus that most Las Vegas visitors never see. Listen to the full episode of Death Kissed Traveler wherever you get your podcasts—and follow the show for more dark tourism, haunted destinations, amusement park accidents, and forgotten history. Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr #CircusCircus #LasVegasHistory #DarkHistory #HauntedLasVegas #TrueCrimePodcast #Adventuredome #VegasTrueCrime #GhostStories #DarkTourism #DeathKissedTraveler

    The Full Ride: Circus Circus Part 2

  5. Aug 7

    The Full Ride: Circus Circus Part 1

    Circus Circus Las Vegas may be remembered for its flashing arcade games, flying trapeze artists and larger-than-life neon clown—but behind the bright lights is a much darker story. In Part 1 of this two-part birthday episode, Marissa explores the dark history of Circus Circus Las Vegas, beginning with visionary casino developer Jay Sarno and the chaotic 1968 opening of one of the strangest resorts ever built on the Las Vegas Strip. Discover the original Carnival Midway, roaming elephants, high-wire performers above the casino floor, topless attractions and allegedly crooked game operators who were accused of fleecing visitors. But the circus quickly began to unravel. Mounting construction debts, secret loans, licensing problems and financial desperation pushed Circus Circus toward Teamsters money, organized-crime connections and some of the most infamous names in Las Vegas Mafia history. Part nostalgia, part vintage Vegas history and part true crime, this episode reveals what was happening behind the pink-and-white big top before Circus Circus became the family destination many of us remember. Follow Death Kissed Traveler on social media for more dark tourism, haunted history, amusement-park disasters, true crime and forgotten stories from the world’s most fascinating destinations. www.deathkissedtraveler.com Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr Circus Circus Las Vegas, Circus Circus history, dark history of Circus Circus, Las Vegas dark history, Las Vegas history, Las Vegas Strip history, vintage Las Vegas, old Las Vegas, haunted Las Vegas, Las Vegas true crime, Jay Sarno, Circus Circus 1968, Las Vegas casino history, Las Vegas Mafia, Las Vegas Mob history, organized crime in Las Vegas, Teamsters Union Las Vegas, Tony Spilotro, casino skimming, Circus Circus Midway, rigged carnival games, carnival game scams, Las Vegas mysteries, dark tourism, haunted casino, casino secrets, amusement park history, circus history, Death Kissed Traveler, travel podcast, history podcast, true crime podcast, dark history podcast

  6. Jul 31

    The Full Ride: Ghost Town in the Sky

    High above Maggie Valley, North Carolina, a forgotten Wild West amusement park still clings to the misty slopes of Buck Mountain. Ghost Town in the Sky once drew visitors with gunfights, saloons, chairlift rides and mountain-top thrills—but behind the family entertainment was a history filled with dangerous accidents, mechanical failures, financial disasters and repeated closures. In this episode of Death Kissed Traveler, we uncover the rise and fall of Ghost Town in the Sky, explore its most memorable rides, investigate the tragedies and rumors surrounding the park, and discover what remains today. Are the abandoned streets of this North Carolina theme park truly haunted—or are the ghosts simply echoes of its troubled past? Join us for the dark history, alleged hauntings and forgotten secrets of one of America’s most fascinating abandoned amusement parks. Follow Death Kissed Traveler for more haunted places, abandoned attractions, theme park history, dark tourism, ghost stories and strange destinations. Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr deathkissedtraveler.com #GhostTownInTheSky #MaggieValley #NorthCarolina #AbandonedThemePark #HauntedPlaces #GhostStories #DarkHistory #DarkTourism #ThemeParkHistory #AbandonedPlaces #AmusementParkHistory #ParanormalPodcast #TravelPodcast #DeathKissedTraveler

    The Full Ride: Ghost Town in the Sky

  7. Jul 27

    Whispered Crimes: The King & Queen of the Air

    Lillian Leitzel and Alfredo Codona were the King and Queen of the Air—two of the most famous and fearless circus performers of the early 20th century. She was a tiny but powerful aerialist whose death-defying routine made her the highest-paid woman in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was the legendary flying-trapeze artist who mastered the nearly impossible triple somersault. Together, they became circus royalty. But behind the glittering costumes, roaring crowds, and dangerous stunts was a volatile love story filled with passion, jealousy, betrayal, obsession—and devastating tragedy. In this episode of Death Kissed Traveler, we uncover the true story of Lillian Leitzel and Alfredo Codona, from their rise to fame under the big top to Leitzel’s fatal circus accident and the shocking 1937 murder-suicide that brought their story to a horrifying end. Step inside the dark history of the vintage circus for a story of fame, forbidden romance, deadly ambition, and two performers who flew higher than anyone else, until everything came crashing down. Keywords: Lillian Leitzel, Alfredo Codona, King and Queen of the Air, circus history, dark circus history, Ringling Brothers Circus, vintage circus performers, flying trapeze history, famous aerialists, circus tragedy, 1930s true crime, historical true crime, murder-suicide, dark history podcast.     Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr

    Whispered Crimes: The King & Queen of the Air

  8. Jul 17

    Whispered Crimes: The Mob, The Midway, The Money

    Step right up—but keep one hand on your wallet. 🎡💰 In “The Mob, the Midway, and the Money,” Death Kissed Traveler uncovers the shadowy history lurking behind America’s traveling carnivals and fairs. From rigged midway games and crooked carnival operators to organized crime, illegal gambling, bribery, and mob-controlled amusement businesses, the midway wasn’t always innocent family fun. How did carnival games become nearly impossible to win? Why were certain rides and attractions operated outside the law? And just how deeply did the Mafia reach into the bright lights, spinning rides, and crowded fairgrounds of America? Join us as we follow the money through a world of carnies, con artists, mobsters, fixed games, and secret deals—where every prize had a price and the house almost always won. 🎧 Follow Death Kissed Traveler Podcast for more dark amusement park history, deadly attractions, haunted destinations, true crime, and disturbing stories hidden behind the places we love to visit. Produced by Sun-Kissed Traveler. Visit sun-kissedtraveler.com for a free vacation quote and show sources. Written by Marissa Benson.  Music and Sound Effects Epidemic Sound.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deathkissedtravelerpodcast/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deathkissedtravel?_t=ZT-90F2Dn2tEU9&_r=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Da6bkCo3o/?mibextid=wwXIfr keywords: carnival history, mob history, Mafia at carnivals, organized crime, rigged carnival games, illegal midway games, carnival scams, traveling carnivals, amusement park history, fairground crime, carnival true crime, dark tourism podcast, haunted theme parks, Death Kissed Traveler Podcast

    Whispered Crimes: The Mob, The Midway, The Money
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4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Death Kissed Traveler dives into the dark history of theme parks, carnivals, circuses, and roadside attractions—where joy turned to tragedy, and the dead may still linger. From deadly ride malfunctions to haunted midway games and circus disasters, each episode uncovers the chilling true stories amusement tried to bury.

Information

  • Creator
    Marissa Benson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Death Kissed Traveler

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