Loreplay

Dayna Pereira
  • 5.0 (18)
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Dayna Pereira is the sarcastic solo host of Loreplay, serving up paranormal stories, haunted history, creepy folklore, and weird legends with a playful twist. Equal parts storyteller and skeptic, she blends dark humor, spooky vibes, and a love for the bizarre into binge-worthy episodes for fans of ghost stories, urban legends, and true crime with a paranormal twist.

Episodes

  1. The Hammersmith Ghost Murder

    5D AGO

    The Hammersmith Ghost Murder

    Hey hey, my lore-loving weirdos… grab your lanterns, your lace bonnets, and your emotional support gin — because tonight, we’re heading back to 1803 London, where a ghost panic got so real it ended with an actual murder trial. Before the Tube, before streetlights, and definitely before therapy, the sleepy village of Hammersmith found itself haunted — not by one restless spirit, but by a whole lot of mass hysteria. It started with an elderly woman scared literally to death near the churchyard… then a brewer’s servant named Thomas Groom who got hands-on with the ghost (and lived to tell the tale)… and a pregnant woman whose brush with the apparition nearly sent her into early labor. Cue the fog, the fear, and a full-blown neighborhood patrol of armed ghost hunters. One of them, Francis Smith, set out to catch the phantom — and instead, shot a very real man named Thomas Millwood. Welcome to one of England’s strangest true crimes — the first time someone in court tried to argue: “I thought it was a ghost.”From hysteria to homicide, from gossip to the Old Bailey, we’re unraveling how superstition, fear, and a good old-fashioned case of “maybe don’t shoot the undead” turned London upside down. So grab your torches, charge your crystals, and let’s step into the fog… because this is Loreplay: where haunted gets hot and bothered with history. 📜 Show Notes & Sources 🧩 The Real Story The Hammersmith Ghost panic began in late 1803, when reports surfaced of a white-shrouded figure haunting the Hammersmith churchyard in West London.The Elderly Woman reportedly collapsed in terror after seeing the apparition and died days later (The Times, Jan 1804).Thomas Groom, a brewer’s servant, claimed the ghost grabbed him by the throat while walking with a friend near the churchyard (Annual Register, 1804).The Pregnant Woman was said to have been attacked by the ghost, collapsing in fright and falling dangerously ill — possibly going into early labor (Morning Chronicle, Jan 1804).Night Watchman William Girdler later chased the ghost down Beaver Lane, claiming it “threw off its shroud and disappeared.”Francis Smith, believing he was protecting the town, fatally shot Thomas Millwood, a 29-year-old bricklayer wearing white work clothes — mistaking him for the ghost.The case went to the Old Bailey in January 1804, where Smith was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.His sentence was later commuted to one year of hard labor, after public outrage.The verdict led to ongoing debates about “mistaken identity” and the legal definition of intent, influencing English criminal law for decades.📚 Primary & Historical Sources The Times (London), January 1804The Morning Chronicle, January 1804Annual Register of 1804: “Extraordinary Occurrences”Old Bailey Proceedings Online (Trial of Francis Smith, 1804)London’s Ghosts: Strange Tales from the Capital by Peter Ackroyd (2007)Curious Cases and Ghostly Tales of Old London by Charles Mackay (1858)The Hammersmith Ghost and the Law of Murder — The Criminal Law Review (1958)💀 Loreplay Deep Dive Topics Victorian ghost panics & moral hysteriaEarly 19th-century policing in London (pre-Metropolitan Police)The legal concept of “malice aforethought”Ghost lore in the Age of EnlightenmentThe class tension behind “working men with guns”The legacy of the Hammersmith case in modern criminal law🔮 Fun Facts Some historians believe the “ghost” was actually a shoemaker named John Graham, who confessed to dressing up in a white sheet to scare apprentices.The story inspired numerous stage plays and penny dreadfuls in the 1800s.The Hammersmith ghost legend was revived again in the 1820s — because London loves a sequel.

    27 min
  2. The Pollock Twins

    OCT 20

    The Pollock Twins

    In 1950s England, tragedy struck the Pollock family when their two young daughters, Joanna and Jacqueline, were killed in a horrific car accident. A year later, Florence Pollock gave birth to twin girls — and that’s when things got weird. The twins, Gillian and Jennifer, began recalling memories, places, and experiences they couldn’t possibly have known. They recognized landmarks in a town they’d never visited, talked about “their other lives,” and one even bore the same birthmarks and scars as her late sister. Was this the most compelling modern case of reincarnation — or a story shaped by grief, coincidence, and a father’s desperate need to believe? In this episode of Loreplay, we head across the pond to Hexham, England, where science, spirituality, and straight-up spooky collide. We’ll dig into the documented accounts by psychiatrist Dr. Ian Stevenson, the skepticism that followed, and the unnerving details that still stump researchers today. Grab your tea, maybe light a candle (or an incense stick, if you’re feeling metaphysical), and prepare for one of the strangest tales of déjà vu the afterlife ever wrote twice. 🔍 Show Notes & Sources: (For listeners who love a good rabbit hole — these are the primary and reputable sources used in the research for this episode.) Stevenson, Ian (1966). Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation. University of Virginia Press.Chapter 6 documents the Pollock Twins case in detail, based on Stevenson’s direct interviews with the family in the 1960s.Playfair, Guy Lyon (2006). The Indefinite Boundary: An Investigation into Psychic Phenomena.Includes references to British reincarnation reports, including Hexham.BBC Archive (2003). “The Pollock Twins: Reincarnation in Hexham.” BBC Radio 4, Beyond Belief.Broadcast discussing the case with theologians and psychologists.Bowman, Carol (1997). Children’s Past Lives: How Past Life Memories Affect Your Child.Discusses parallels between the Pollock twins and other child reincarnation cases studied globally.Journal of Scientific Exploration (Vol. 12, No. 3, 1998). “Reincarnation Research: An Overview.”Scholarly analysis of Stevenson’s methods and criticisms from contemporary researchers.The Hexham Courant (1957–1960 archives).Local reports on the Pollock family’s accident and community response, preserved in regional historical records.The Society for Psychical Research (SPR).Archives include correspondence and investigation notes referencing the Pollock case.Extrasensory Podcast

    31 min
  3. Half Hangit Maggie

    OCT 13

    Half Hangit Maggie

    When the hangman fails, history gets juicy. This week on Loreplay, host Dayna Pereira dives into the true, twisted, and totally unbelievable 18th-century story of Maggie Dickson — the Scottish fishwife who was hanged… and then walked away alive. From the gallows of Edinburgh’s Grassmarket to the birth of her legend as “Half-Hangit Maggie,” this episode blends dark history with gallows humor (literally). You’ll learn how a young woman’s secret, a botched execution, and a very loose understanding of “death” turned her into one of Scotland’s most enduring folk heroines. Was it divine intervention? A medical fluke? Or just the universe saying, “Not today, Satan”? Grab a pint and find out why this ghost story isn’t about death at all — it’s about defiance. Tune in to Loreplay — where haunted gets hot and bothered with history, and the dead don’t always stay quiet. Primary Historical References “The Trial and Execution of Margaret Dickson” – The Scots Magazine, 1724 archivesNational Records of Scotland: Criminal Trials and Sentences, Edinburgh, 1723-1724Edinburgh Grassmarket Historical Society, “Public Executions and Folklore of the Gallows” (local history publication, 2019)Old Edinburgh Tales by Robert Chambers (1858)Scottish Criminal Cases: The Curious Case of Half-Hangit Maggie, BBC Scotland History Archives, 2017The Scotsman – “How Half-Hangit Maggie Survived the Gallows,” May 2020 featureVisitScotland.com — “Maggie Dickson’s Pub, Grassmarket”Supplementary Reading & Tourism Sources Edinburgh City Archives: Grassmarket Gallows Map (18th-century execution records)Haunted Edinburgh by J.A. Brooks (Amberley Publishing, 2015)The Ghosts of Scotland by Peter Underwood (Borgo Press, 1992)Oral folklore interviews collected by The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of EdinburghMusic & Sound Credits (if applicable) Ambient market sounds and gallows atmosphere: Epidemic SoundHistorical reenactment voice clips: Public domain / Creative Commons🔗 LINKS 🎧 Listen to all episodes at loreplaypod.com 📸 Follow @LoreplayPod on Instagram & TikTok 🍺 Visit Maggie Dickson’s Pub, Grassmarket, Edinburgh — and toast to the woman who refused to stay dead.

    33 min
  4. OG Exorcist

    OCT 6

    OG Exorcist

    In this episode of Loreplay, Dayna Pereira dives deep into the real-life horror story that inspired The Exorcist. Forget the spinning heads and pea soup—this is the true 1949 case of Roland Doe, the boy whose alleged demonic possession terrified priests, shook the Church, and changed how America viewed exorcisms forever. From Cottage City, Maryland to St. Louis, Missouri, follow the chilling (and occasionally ridiculous) journey of a family haunted by unexplained scratches, flying furniture, guttural voices, and a bed that wouldn’t stop shaking. Meet the real priests behind the ritual—Father Albert Hughes, Father Raymond Bishop, and Father William Bowdern—and discover how one terrified teenager became the blueprint for Hollywood’s most infamous horror film. Was it true possession, psychological trauma, or the most dramatic case of grief-fueled chaos in suburban history? Dayna unpacks it all with her signature mix of dark humor, history, and sass in this must-listen deep dive into the original exorcism that started it all.Show Notes / Sources: Thomas B. Allen, Possessed: The True Story of an Exorcism (1993) – Primary narrative source using Father Raymond Bishop’s diary notes from the 1949 St. Louis case.Father Raymond J. Bishop, S.J., Diary of the 1949 Exorcism – Archival source referenced by St. Louis University archives and Jesuit historical summaries.St. Louis University Archives (Jesuit Historical Institute) – Timeline and background on the priests involved and the documented exorcism events.Washington Post, “The Exorcist’s Real-Life Inspiration Dies at 85” (Oct. 2021) – Report linking Roland Doe’s true identity to NASA engineer Ronald Edwin Hunkeler.Smithsonian Magazine, “The Real Story Behind The Exorcist” (2013) – Historical overview of the case’s cultural impact.The New York Times Archives, coverage of The Exorcist (1973) release and public fascination with the real 1949 possession.Catholic News Agency, “The Real Exorcism That Inspired The Exorcist” (2019) – Clerical records and Vatican commentary on the St. Louis case.

    39 min
  5. Amityville Horror

    SEP 29

    Amityville Horror

    Episode Title: The Amityville Horror: Haunted House or Hoax? What really happened inside the most famous haunted house in America? In this episode of Loreplay, host Dayna Pereira digs into the chilling story of the Amityville Horror—where true crime meets the paranormal. First, we revisit the shocking 1974 DeFeo family murders that left six dead inside 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York. Then we dive into the terrifying claims of George and Kathy Lutz, who lasted only 28 days before fleeing the house in fear. From swarms of flies in winter, to walls that oozed slime, to a demon pig with glowing eyes, the Amityville haunting became one of the most infamous paranormal cases in history. But was the Amityville Horror real—or the ultimate haunted house hoax? We’ll explore the books, movies, court cases, and investigations by Ed and Lorraine Warren, skeptics, and reporters that turned this Long Island murder house into a global phenomenon. If you love haunted house stories, true crime murders, creepy paranormal encounters, and spooky legends that blend fact with fiction, this episode is for you. 📚 Sources for Show Notes Anson, Jay. The Amityville Horror. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1977.Kaplan, Stephen & Kaplan, Roxanne. The Amityville Horror Conspiracy. Belfry Books, 1995.Hans Holzer. Murder in Amityville. Belmont Tower, 1979.Osuna, Ric. The Night the DeFeos Died: Reinvestigating the Amityville Murders. 2002.Cromarty Family Interviews (owners after the Lutzes who disputed hauntings). Reported in Newsday, New York Times, and various Long Island papers (1977–1979).“High Hopes: The Amityville Murders” documentary, 2020.Amityville Horror (1979 film) and The Amityville Horror (2005 remake) for cultural influence.News reports: New York Times archives (Nov–Dec 1974, coverage of the DeFeo murders and trial).Court documents from People v. Ronald DeFeo Jr. (1975 trial transcripts).Interviews with George & Kathy Lutz (e.g., Good Morning America, 1979).Gerald Brittle. The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren. iUniverse, 1980s (for Warren’s perspective).

    43 min
  6. Mothman: Sky Daddy of Doom

    SEP 22

    Mothman: Sky Daddy of Doom

    West Virginia, 1966. Four terrified teenagers tear down a dark back road in a Chevy Bel Air with something massive chasing them through the sky — glowing red eyes, a ten-foot wingspan, and a story that would forever haunt Point Pleasant. Over the next thirteen months, dozens of locals reported the same winged figure, strange lights in the sky, prophetic dreams, and even creepy Men in Black knocking at their doors. And then, in December 1967, the Silver Bridge collapsed, killing 46 people and cementing Mothman’s place in American legend. In this episode of Loreplay, your host Dayna Pereira dives deep into the Mothman flap — from the Scarberry and Mallette chase to Marcella Bennett’s porch-side nightmare, to John Keel’s “high strangeness” theories. Was Mothman a bird, an alien, a government oopsie with wings, or a harbinger of doom? Buckle up, buttercups — we’re making deep eye contact with West Virginia’s sexiest cryptid. Show Notes What you’ll hear in this episode: The November 1966 Scarberry–Mallette sighting that started it allThe strange fate of Newell Partridge’s dog, BanditMarcella Bennett’s chilling close encounter at the TNT AreaDozens of witness reports through late 1966 and 1967The arrival of journalist John Keel and his “ultraterrestrial” theoriesProphetic dreams that eerily foreshadowed the Silver Bridge collapseTheories: misidentified bird, mass hysteria, government experiment, alien, harbinger of doom, or cursed omenConnections to other “disaster cryptids” like the Black Bird of Chernobyl and the omen of FukushimaSources & References: Keel, John A. The Mothman Prophecies. New York: Saturday Review Press, 1975.Wamsley, Jeff. Mothman: Facts Behind the Legend. Point Pleasant: Mothman Museum Press, 2002.Wamsley, Jeff & Donnie Sergent Jr. Mothman: Behind the Red Eyes. Mothman Museum, 2005.Coleman, Loren. Mothman and Other Curious Encounters. Paraview Pocket Books, 2002.“Couples See Man-Sized Bird … Creature … Something.” Point Pleasant Register, November 16, 1966.“Silver Bridge Tumbles, Toll 7 Dead, 41 Missing.” Point Pleasant Register, December 16, 1967.Derenberger, Woodrow. Visitors from Lanulos. 1971.Various newspaper archives, local interviews, and accounts collected at the Mothman Museum (Point Pleasant, WV).Follow & Connect: 🎙️ Subscribe to Loreplay wherever you get podcasts 📧 Share your spooky sightings: loreplaypod@gmail.com 📲 TikTok/Instagram: @LoreplayPod

    36 min
  7. Black Eyed Children

    SEP 15

    Black Eyed Children

    In this chilling episode of Loreplay, host Dayna Pereira dives deep into the terrifying urban legend of the Black Eyed Children — the mysterious paranormal figures with solid black eyes who knock on doors and beg to be let inside. From journalist Brian Bethel’s 1996 encounter in Abilene, Texas to spine-tingling reports in Portland, Oregon, Vermont, and the UK, we explore the most infamous Black Eyed Kid stories that have fueled decades of fear. Listeners will hear how these eerie children are tied to legends of demons, vampires, changelings, ghosts, alien-human hybrids, and government experiments, and why the rule is always the same: never let them in. We also unpack the rise of creepypasta, the explosion of TikTok horror videos, and how thousands of people online swear the Black Eyed Kids are real. Are they paranormal entities, energy parasites, or just an internet-born myth that refuses to die? Join us for a spooky, sassy, and laugh-out-loud funny exploration of one of the internet’s most enduring pieces of paranormal folklore. Whether you’re a fan of creepypasta legends, obsessed with TikTok urban myths, or just love haunted history mixed with comedy, this episode of Loreplay has it all: terrifying encounters, bizarre theories, and Dayna’s signature comedic take on the world’s weirdest lore. Subscribe, share, and remember — when the knock comes, don’t let them in. Site Sources  Wikipedia: Overview of the legend, origin, and folklore context WikipediaAtlas Obscura: Deep cultural analysis and lasting impact Atlas ObscuraHistoric Mysteries: Early coverage on Brian Bethel’s account Historic MysteriesUSC Digital Folklore Archives: Folk meaning and comparative legends USC Digital Folklore ArchivesMedium - Horror Hounds: Visual descriptions, storytelling tone MediumSo Supernatural Podcast: Anecdotes and patterns in personal tales Wave AIFandom / Creepypasta Files: Community lore structure and tropes creepypastafiles.fandom.comKickstarter / Film Listings: BEKs in indie films like Sunshine Girl WikipediaBusiness Standard: International folklore coverage and narrative patterns The Business Standard

    29 min
  8. Haunted History of The Winchester Mystery House

    SEP 8

    Haunted History of The Winchester Mystery House

    Step inside one of America’s strangest and most haunted mansions—the Winchester Mystery House. Built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the heir to the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune, this sprawling, bizarre labyrinth in San Jose, California is filled with staircases that lead to nowhere, doors that open into walls, and enough ghostly legends to keep paranormal investigators buzzing for over a century. In this episode of Loreplay, Dayna Pereira dives deep into the history, heartbreak, and haunted lore behind Sarah Winchester and her endlessly expanding Victorian mansion. Was she cursed by the spirits of those killed by the Winchester rifle? Or was she simply a grieving genius with too much money and not enough therapy? We’ll unravel the facts, the myths, and the sheer chaos of the most famous haunted house in California. For this episode, we drew from historical accounts, scholarly resources, and paranormal folklore archives: Official Winchester Mystery House Website – winchestermysteryhouse.com Mary Jo Ignoffo, Captive of the Labyrinth: Sarah L. Winchester, Heiress to the Rifle Fortune (University of Missouri Press, 2010)Pamela Haag, The Gunning of America: Business and the Making of American Gun Culture (Basic Books, 2016)National Park Service – “Winchester Repeating Arms Company” historical summarySan Jose Mercury News archives on Sarah Winchester and the mansion’s construction“The Haunted History of the Winchester Mystery House,” Smithsonian MagazineGhost Adventures, Travel Channel episode featuring the Winchester Mystery HouseWinchester Mystery House museum tour archives and official press materialUSGHostadventures https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-stories/why-the-winchester-house-is-haunted/#:~:text=The%20Pardee%20family%20was%20close,had%20a%20very%20loving%20marriage.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Winchester#Superstition_and_madness

    27 min
  9. The Bell Witch

    SEP 1

    The Bell Witch

    Welcome to Loreplay—the comedy-paranormal podcast where haunted history meets hot takes. In this episode, host Dayna Pereira dives deep into one of America’s most infamous ghost stories: The Bell Witch of Adams, Tennessee. From John Bell Sr.’s mysterious illness to Lucy Bell’s eerie protection, and from Kate Batts’ petty neighbor drama to the witchy shenanigans that terrified Andrew Jackson himself, this story has everything: curses, poltergeist activity, demonic sass, and enough Tennessee gossip to fuel a century of spooky sleepovers. With a mix of historical research, folklore, and laugh-out-loud commentary, we unpack why the Bell Witch still haunts our imaginations today—and why she’d absolutely run a chaotic TikTok account if she were alive now. Whether you’re here for the true crime-style timeline, the paranormal chaos, or just the comedic meltdown of a host who relates way too much to a vengeful spirit, you’re in for a ride. 📚 Sources for Loreplay Episode: The Bell Witch Ingram, M.V. An Authenticated History of the Famous Bell Witch. (1894).Bell, Richard Williams. Our Family Trouble: The Story of the Bell Witch of Tennessee. (Written in 1846, published 1934).Nickell, Joe. Entities: Angels, Spirits, Demons, and Other Alien Beings. Prometheus Books, 1995.Johnston, Charles Bailey. The Bell Witch: A Mysterious Spirit of the Cumberland. (1930s pamphlets, later collected).Radford, Benjamin. “The Bell Witch Haunting: The Real Story.” Skeptical Inquirer (2012).Bell Witch Cave official site & tourism information: bellwitchcave.com Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture – Entry on The Bell Witch LegendLocal oral traditions, legends, and retellings preserved in Adams, Tennessee historical society archives.👉 Keywords: Bell Witch, Tennessee ghost stories, haunted history podcast, paranormal comedy, Loreplay podcast, American folklore, John Bell, Kate Batts, Bell Witch Cave, haunted Tennessee, spooky legends, ghost podcast, paranormal podcast funny.

    29 min
  10. Raggedy Annabelle

    SEP 1

    Raggedy Annabelle

    In this episode of Loregasm, we explore: The 1970 haunting of Donna and Angie and the disturbing Annabelle Higgins spirit backstory.The infamous “Help Us” and “Help Lou” notes — and why no physical evidence exists.Lou’s violent scratching and claims of demonic attack.The psychic medium’s misread and the Warren investigation.Annabelle’s decades in the Warren Occult Museum and the blessing rituals meant to “contain” her.Real-life Annabelle curse stories — accidents and deaths linked to mocking her.Annabelle’s tour appearances at haunted prisons, plantations, and paranormal conventions.How Matt Rife and Elton Castee became Annabelle’s legal guardians in 2025.Skeptical perspectives: was Annabelle a demon… or a PR stunt?🔗 Sources & References Warren, Ed & Lorraine. The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren. iUniverse, 1980.Spera, Tony. NESPR archives & public statements.“Annabelle: The True Story of a Demonic Doll.” Warrens.net.CT Insider – Annabelle the doll is going on tour CT Insider – Matt Rife, Elton Castee become legal guardians of Annabelle doll EW.com – Matt Rife buys Warren’s Occult Museum house I95 Rock – Annabelle Doll Left the Connecticut Museum US Ghost Adventures – The Wrath of Annabelle Continues Through the U.S. Times of India – Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera dies during Annabelle tour

    26 min

  11. EPISODE 1

    Loreplay, Haunting Soon!

    Do you love spooky—but not like emo, turn it into your entire personality spooky? Do you make jokes at wildly inappropriate times just to cover up your crippling social anxiety? Then Loreplay might be for you. I’m Dayna Pereira, your tour guide down a rabbit hole of lores, myths, ghost stories, and haunted history. But like, make it fun. Some of these tales you’ve definitely heard before, some you definitely haven’t—but I promise you’ve never heard them like this. Check out Loreplay—where haunted gets hot and bothered with comedy, and their foreplay… is Loreplay. Subscribe, rate, and review—because validation from strangers on the internet is the only thing keeping us podcasters going.. Loreplay drops September first.. and what better way to kick it off then covering the doll that is definitely going to kill off Matt Rife. So Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts

    1 min

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About

Dayna Pereira is the sarcastic solo host of Loreplay, serving up paranormal stories, haunted history, creepy folklore, and weird legends with a playful twist. Equal parts storyteller and skeptic, she blends dark humor, spooky vibes, and a love for the bizarre into binge-worthy episodes for fans of ghost stories, urban legends, and true crime with a paranormal twist.

Information

  • Creator
    Dayna Pereira
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Dayna Pereira
  • Show Website
    Loreplay

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