Badger Bizarre

Scott Wittman, Mickey Sanders
  • 5.0 (43)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

True crime, unsolved mysteries, paranormal tales and bizarre happenings in the state of Wisconsin.

  1. 60. Portage House of Horrors

    JAN 11

    60. Portage House of Horrors

    In June of 2007, police in Portage, WI were following-up on a tip regarding a missing persons case from Florida, when they found a literal "House of Horrors" in a local rental property.  The sheer amount of abuse and torture, ultimately culminating in murder, created headlines nationwide, and led to numerous states reviewing and ovverhauling state laws in regards to foster care and oversite. Although bodies buried in the back yard and tortured children locked in closets sounds like fodder for horror films, this was realty for a house in Portage. The investigation which unfolded, uncovered a ring of identity thieves, causing havoc and ruining lives in many states throughout the country.  Scott and Mickey discuss this case, what enabled it, and its aftermath, including some of the misteps that were taken, repeatedly, by people in positions meant to help avoid these crimes ocurring in the first place.  In the opening banter we discuss a similar case in Outagamie County currently being adjudicated, tie up the Morgan Geyeser saga, and further evidence of why WI remains a UFO hotbed.  All here, on Episode 60 of Badger Bizarre, "Portage House of Horrors."   Facebook Twitter Website Email us:  badgerbizarre@outlook.com   Opening Trailer: Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition"  - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media   Attribution for Music: Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/ Intro: https://pixabay.com/ Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha  https://www.pond5.com/   Attribution for logo design: Red Claw Scratch Photo   Sources:    Baraboo News Republic - Archives Milwuakee Magazine: "House of Horrors" 3/2008 US Sun - Oshkosh UFO Portage Daily Register - Archives Tampa Bay Times - Archives   Please be sure to visit our Sponsor!  FrameMakers

    1h 39m
  2. 59. The 3rd Annual Halloween (Thanksgiving..?) ParaShare

    11/30/2025

    59. The 3rd Annual Halloween (Thanksgiving..?) ParaShare

    A collection of our conversations with others at the Great Lakes Paranormal Conference this past September. Interviews include owners of the Humbird Hotel Bar & Grill, Ghosts & Us, and 'friends of the show', Katie Skuban and Pat Haberman.  The opening banter includes initial thoughts on the current happenings in the continuing saga of Morgan Geyser.  Sit back and enjoy the conversations, here, on Episode 59 of Badger Bizarre, "The 3rd Annual Halloween (Thanksgiving..?) ParaShare."   The Humbird Hotel Bar & Grill Ghosts and Us US Paranormal Research   Please visit our sponsor:  FrameMakers   Facebook Twitter Website Email us:  badgerbizarre@outlook.com   Opening Trailer: Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition"  - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media   Attribution for Music: Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/ Intro: https://pixabay.com/ Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha  https://www.pond5.com/   Attribution for logo design: Red Claw Scratch Photo

    2h 26m
  3. 58. 'Roaring' Dan Seavey

    11/10/2025

    58. 'Roaring' Dan Seavey

    Pirates are not usually associated with the Great Lakes, as most folklore and real historical seafaring adventures took place on the southern high seas, such as The Bahamas or the Carribean.  That does not mean, however, that pirates did not exist in the Great Lakes region, because they most certatainly did.  The most famous of which was "Roaring" Dan Seavey, whose playground was Lake Michigan and the port cities around her. Although not having a peg leg, a hook for a hand, or likely burying any treasure, Dan Seavey's escapades on and around the lake repeatedly led to the misery of others, as he stole, pillaged, trafficked, defrauded and killed as all the other pirates of legend did, but until his dying day, seemingly was always able to beat the rap.  Scott and Mickey discuss the case of Dan Seavey, who's adventures have been told and retold for decades, as the mythlogy of his life gets more muddled between fact and fiction as the years go by.  In the opening banter, we discuss an update about Fox Hollow Farms, as well as ongoing consequences of the Ed Gein series on Netflix to the small town of Plainfield. All here, on Episode 58 of Badger Bizarre, " 'Roaring' Dan Seavey."    Facebook Twitter Website Email us:  badgerbizarre@outlook.com   Opening Trailer: Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition"  - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media   Attribution for Music: Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/ Intro: https://pixabay.com/ Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha  https://www.pond5.com/   Attribution for logo design: Red Claw Scratch Photo     Sources:   Boyd, Richard - "The Pirate of Lake Michigan" Escanaba Daily Press Grand Haven Tribune - Archives Green Bay Press Gazette - Archives Mikel B. Classen: "Dan Seavey: Great Lakes Pirate" Nailhed: "Piracy on the High Lakes" National Museum of the Great Lakes: "Captain Daniel Seavey" Schmitt, Gavin - "Great Lakes Pirate: The Adventures of Roaring Dan Seavey" Sheboygan Press - Archives   Please visit our sponsor:  FrameMakers

    1h 38m
  4. 57. Douglas Dean

    10/05/2025

    57. Douglas Dean

    In July of 1971, an unkown, incoherent teenager was found outside of St George Catholic Church in the town of Wilson in Sheboygan County.  Presenting as conscious, but non-responsive when authorities were called, an investigation quickly began into his identity, and turned into one of the darkest days in Sheboygan's storied history.  5 lifeless bodies were found throughout the city, another previous death by alleged suicide was called into question, and Sheboygan was never again the same.  Scott and Mickey discuss this case, its legacy, and the attempts of some to get a convicted mass murderer released back into society.  In the opening banter, we discuss a peculiar piece of paranormal audio evidence we obtained while in Lincoln, NE, and an interesting update to a case from a previous episode... All here, on Episode 57 of Badger Bizarre, "Douglas Dean."    Facebook Twitter Website Email us:  badgerbizarre@outlook.com   Opening Trailer: Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition"  - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media   Attribution for Music: Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/ Intro: https://pixabay.com/ Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha  https://www.pond5.com/   Attribution for logo design: Red Claw Scratch Photo     Sources: Sheboygan Press - Archives State vs Dean - Justia US Law Wisconsin Magazine - WIPBS, 1980 Wisconsin State Journal - Archives   Please visit our sponsor:  FrameMakers

    1h 56m
  5. 56. Chandler Halderson

    08/27/2025

    56. Chandler Halderson

    In July of 2021, Bart and Krista Halderson, of suburban Dane County, were said to have gone up north to their cabin in Langlade County to celebrate the July 4th Holiday with friends.  After days of no contact with their family back home in Windsor, WI, they were reported missing by their 23-year-old son, Chandler.  When they were finally found by police, the shock and awe of what happened to Bart and Krista still has not worn off the small, tight-knit community north of Madison, as the story horrified the state and left a nation in disbelief.  Scott and Mickey discuss the case of Chandler Halderson, who's name has been etched into the notorious annals of Wisconsin true crime amongst the most evil, and attempt to make sense of what happened.  In the opening banter, we discuss some exciting upcoming appearances, and a few projects we have in store. All right here, on Episode 56 of Badger Bizarre: "Chandler Halderson."   Facebook Twitter Website Email us:  badgerbizarre@outlook.com   Opening Trailer: Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition"  - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media     Attribution for Music: Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/ Intro: https://pixabay.com/ Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha  https://www.pond5.com/     Attribution for logo design: Red Claw Scratch Photo    Sources:    ABC-TV - Wisconsin parents murdered over college lies: How Snapchat helped uncover the truth Court TV - WI vs. Halderson Kenosha News - Archives Wisconsin State Journal - Archives WMTV - Madison   Please visit our sponsor:  FrameMakers

    1h 41m
  6. 55. Haunted Fox Cities

    07/23/2025

    55. Haunted Fox Cities

    The Fox Valley has a rich history of paper barons and lumber kings who ushered in an era of opulence shining with steamboat excursions along the river, palatial mansions in plush neighborhoods and lavish hotels and movie houses. But before this, native tribes reigned supreme in the region, leaving behind signs of their long -time dominance as well in our landscape and culture. Could it be that those of these bygone eras never really left? What is the barrier between the present and the past?  The living and the dead?  Is there really even a barrier at all? Mickey and Scott discuss the legends and lore of the Haunted Fox Cities, ghost stores, and those whom, just because you cannot see, doesn't mean they aren't really there...   Facebook Twitter Website Email us:  badgerbizarre@outlook.com   Opening Trailer: Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition"  - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media   Attribution for Music: Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/ Intro: https://pixabay.com/ Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha  https://www.pond5.com/     Attribution for logo design: Red Claw Scratch Photo      Sources:    Advance-Titan - Grand, Oshkosh Appleton Post-Crescrent - Archives Blowsnake, Jasper - Fox Wars Eerie Badgerland - New Moon Cafe Ebay Fox Valley Archaeology - Hill of the Dead Monroe County, WI Geneology Trails - The Winnebago Tribe Neenah Daily News-Times - Archives Oshkosh Beer Blog - Adler Brau Oshkosh Northwestern - Archives stonearchbrewpub.com   Please visit our sponsors:  FrameMakers

    2h 16m
  7. 54. James Duquette

    06/05/2025

    54. James Duquette

    In June of 1988, the abducton of a 13-year-old girl in Massachussettes sent shockwaves through several communities in Wisconsin.  The perpetrator of that crime, 30-year-old James Duquette Jr, was a native of Appleton, WI and had only just moved to Massachussettes months prior. A bombshell confession, not by Duquette himself, but by a friend, led police in Wisconsin to investigate Duquette for several cold cases, including the murders of 18-year-old Anne Preimesberger of Appleton and 14-year-old Tara Kassens of Cedarburg.  A stunning life of crime was uncovered, the scope of which authorities in several states continue to attempt to define still today. Scott and Mickey discuss what is known of the crimes of Appleton's James Duquette, who is currently serving more than 6 life sentences, and the probability of his involvement in several Fox Cities murder cases yet unsolved.    Facebook Twitter Website Email us:  badgerbizarre@outlook.com   Opening Trailer: Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition"  - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media   Attribution for Music: Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/ Intro: https://pixabay.com/ Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha  https://www.pond5.com/     Attribution for logo design: Red Claw Scratch Photo   Sources:  Appleton Post-Crescent - Archives Green Bay Press Gazette - Archives Oshkosh Northwestern - Archives Ozaukee County News Graphic- Archives The Republican - Archives The Serial Killer Down the Block Transcript-Telegram - Archives Wisconsin State Journal - Archives   Please visit our sponsor: Framemakers

    1h 35m
  8. 53. Ghost Towns of Wisconsin

    05/04/2025

    53. Ghost Towns of Wisconsin

    Wisconsin was home to many towns throughout its history that, for various reasons, simply don't exist anymore. Whether bypassed by the railroad, faded away after a loss of industry, or disbanded by its own residents, the towns have been wiped from the modern-day landscape, some with visible ruins as reminders, and others have literally nothing existing other than stories. Those stories are largely unknown to most people today, but they are no less fascinating because of it. The unique history of Wisconsin is only further enriched when these stories are brought to light, including connections to America's Founding Fathers, European royalty, and even an eventual Presidential assassin. Scott and Mickey look at the history of some of our state's more interesting ghost towns, and what, other than legacy, still remains today.   In the opening banter, we discuss a new documentary about the Peshtigo Fire, and a certain town that a local media outlet called the "Most Haunted in Wisconsin."  All here, on episode 53 of Badger Bizarre: "Ghost Towns of Wisconsin."    Facebook Twitter Website Email us:  badgerbizarre@outlook.com   Opening Trailer: Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition"  - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media     Attribution for Music: Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/ Intro: https://pixabay.com/ Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha  https://www.pond5.com/     Attribution for logo design: Red Claw Scratch Photo   Sources:   Bale, Florence Gratiot: "When the Gratiots Came to Galena" Bulman, LeeAnne "Back Roads of Wisconsin's Past" New North (Rhinelander) - Archives Parker, Marjorie: "Miners, Mothers, or Medicaine Workers?" Rohe, Randall: "Ghosts of the Forest; Vanished Lumber Towns of WI" Stark, William: "Ghost Towns of Wisconsin" Vilas County News Review - Archives State Historical Society of WI Wisconsin Magazine of History - Archives Wisconsin State Journal - Archives   Please visit our sponsor: FrameMakers

    2h 11m
See All (60)

5
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

True crime, unsolved mysteries, paranormal tales and bizarre happenings in the state of Wisconsin.

Information

  • Creator
    Scott Wittman, Mickey Sanders
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Scott Wittman, Mickey Sanders
  • Show Website
    Badger Bizarre

You Might Also Like