Mountain State Mysteries

Mark sits down with his friend Danny Strakal of Spirit Walk Paranormal to talk ghost hunts, unexplained experiences, and the team’s investigation at a location connected to the WVU coed murders. Plus, Danny shares what’s next for the team and where listeners can follow their adventures.

Spirit Walk Paranormal links -
College Hill Ghost Hunt - Bitly | bit.ly/3QoJw7Z

FACEBOOK - Spirit Walk Paranormal | Facebook

INSTAGRAM - (5) Instagram

YOUTUBE - (3) Spirit Walk Paranormal - YouTube

TIKTOK - Spirit Walk Paranormal (@spiritwalkparanormal) | TikTok

MSM...

Megan Poston, Michael Dillon, Eddrick Clark, and Donté Ward were killed in Huntington in 2005, hours after prom. Twenty-one years later, their case remains unsolved.

Now, according to Senator Mike Woelfel, the West Virginia State Police Cold Case Task Force is joining the investigation, with Huntington Police continuing to lead.

Here’s what the announcement means and what remains unanswered.

Sources -
Cold case: Prom Night Murders 4 teens killed in quadruple homicide 21 years ago, Cold Case Task Force opens investigation
Cold Case Task Force investigates West Virginia quadruple homicide 21 years later

M...

 In 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally killed inside their Massachusetts home, and suspicion fell on Andrew’s daughter, Lizzie. But was she the only person worth investigating? Join Mark and Courtney as they explore the infamous case, the evidence, and other suspects who may deserve a closer look.

Sources -
Lizzie Borden - Wikipedia
Lizzie Borden | Murders, Netflix, Story, Rhyme, Trial, & House | BritannicaHow Lizzie Borden Got Away With Murder
The Lizzie Borden Trial of 1892 | National Women's History Museum
Suspects of the Borden Murders - Lizzie Borden
Lizzie Borden: The Other Suspects The...

Four years of mysteries, unforgettable stories, and an incredible community that has supported us every step of the way!

Join Mark and Courtney on November 6th from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Beckley Woman’s Club as we celebrate four years of Mountain State Mysteries with a special watch party featuring episodes of Sleeping with a Killer, a television series featuring Mountain State Mysteries!

Spend the evening with us watching episodes, enjoying a live Q&A, meeting fellow members of the Mystery Crew, and celebrating everything we've accomplished together. Plus, we'll have a special drawing fo...

For decades, travelers along the West Virginia Turnpike have reported encounters that defy explanation. From phantom hitchhikers who vanish without a trace to mysterious lights, ghostly figures, and unexplained activity, this stretch of Appalachian highway has become one of the state's most chilling legends.

In this episode of State Haunts, we explore the dark history, eyewitness accounts, and unsettling stories surrounding the West Virginia Turnpike.

Some roads lead you home. Others may never let you leave.

Sources -
State troopers told strange stories about this West Virginia highway—the W.Va. Turnpike...

Deep in the mountains of West Virginia, a Civil War legend refuses to fade.

When a group of teenagers holds a séance at the historic Lee’s Tree Tavern, their night takes a chilling turn with the mysterious sound of a beating drum.

Was it imagination, or did they awaken the Ghostly Drummer of Big Sewell Mountain?

Welcome to State Haunts.
MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Mysteries - A West Virginia True Crime Podcast (@mountainstatemysteries) • Instagram photos and videos

FA...

Thirty-three years after Angela “Cherice” Gwinn Stephens disappeared from Raleigh County, West Virginia, her family is still searching for answers. Mark and Courtney revisit her story, share timeline corrections from her brother, and explore unresolved questions surrounding her disappearance, her car, and a reported handgun.

Anyone with information should contact the West Virginia State Police, Beckley Detachment, at 304-256-6700.

MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Mysteries - A West Virginia True Crime Podcast (@mountainstatemysteries) • Instagram photos and videos

FACEBOOK - Facebook

TIK...

A custodian at Brooke High School reportedly discovered what appeared to be an ordinary ink pen inside a girls’ changing area. Authorities say it was actually a concealed recording device.

That discovery led investigators to recover four alleged hidden cameras from private areas used by female students, including locker rooms and a dance team changing area. The school’s principal, Eric James, was arrested and now faces multiple felony charges. Civil lawsuits have also been filed as investigators work to determine how long the devices were operating, how many students may have been recorded, and whether any foot...

Mountain State Mysteries is heading to Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, for Almshouse Paracon II on Saturday, September 12, 2026!
Join us at the Greene County Historical Society from noon until 7 p.m. for a free day filled with paranormal investigators, special guests, giveaways, brand-new MSM merch, and plenty of mysteries.
After the event, Spirit Walk Paranormal will host a limited-spot ghost hunt insice the historic Almshouse from 8 p.m. until midnight. Space is Limited, so reserve your spot before it disappears!
We hope to see you there, Mystery Crew!

EVENT PAGE - https://facebook.com/events/s/almshouse-paracon-2/1327903082324057/<...

A mother and daughter held captive inside their own home. A desperate escape. And a horrifying discovery that would leave a case unanswered for years.

When Cathy Carroll and her daughter were confronted by an intruder, their home became the scene of a nightmare. Her daughter managed to escape and get help, but Cathy would not make it out alive.

Years later, the person responsible has still never been brought to justice.

This is the unsolved case of Cathy Carroll

Sources - Jury finds Carroll not guilty of murder | Local News...

 On December 10, 1986, Darleta Kay Hurt returned to her apartment in St. Albans, West Virginia, and vanished without a trace. Two days later, her shoes and eyeglasses were found outside the building. With a contentious divorce, reported threats, and a former state trooper identified as a suspect, disturbing questions still surround Darleta’s disappearance. Nearly four decades later, her case remains unsolved.

Sources - Darleta Kay Hurt – The Charley Project
Darleta Kay Hurt - 1986 — WV Missing Persons Project
Darleta Hurt Missing Person Case | Last Seen in St. Albans, West Virginia

Alex's Links -
Youtube...

The case we have for you today is one that shook West Virginia and captured national attention. In July 2012, 16-year-old Skylar Neese slipped out of her bedroom in Star City, West Virginia, and climbed into a car with two people she trusted most. She never came home.
What followed was months of searching, unanswered questions, and a friendship hiding a horrifying secret.
This is the case of Skylar Neese.

Sources -
Season 1 | THREE
Where Are Skylar Neese's Killers Now? Inside the Lives of Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf
The Story Behind Friends...

On May 16th, 1974, what began as an ordinary afternoon in Flat Top, West Virginia, ended in tragedy when 36-year-old Evelyn Shrewsbury was found murdered on her family's property. More than five decades later, a mysterious hitchhiker, a blue vehicle, and a prime suspect continue to raise questions in this unsolved case. Join Mark as he examines Evelyn's final hours and the investigation that has left her family searching for answers for over fifty years.

Sources -
Evelyn Hope Thomas Shrewsbury (1947-1974) - Find a Grave Memorial
JUSTICE FOR HOPE - Home

MSM links...

 In the summer of 1990, 14-year-old Fame Cooper disappeared after sneaking out of her home in Fairmont, West Virginia. Four months later, hunters made a heartbreaking discovery that turned her disappearance into a homicide investigation. More than three decades later, her murder remains unsolved. In this episode of Mountain State Mysteries, we explore Fame's life, the investigation into her death, and the questions that still remain.

Sources -
Fame Cooper - Project: Cold Case
Fame Cooper (1975-1990) - Find a Grave Memorial
30+ year investigation of Fame Cooper's murder lives on
Loved ones reflect on F...

 On a cold January morning in 1990, a labor dispute in McDowell County, West Virginia turned deadly. As gunfire erupted along a UMWA picket line, one miner was killed and two others were wounded. More than three decades later, the murder of John McCoy remains unsolved. In this episode of Mountain State Mysteries, we examine the events that led to the shooting, the investigation that followed, and the questions that still remain.

Sources -
Cabin Creek Project: murder of UMW member John McCoy; show broadcast by WVVA-TV, channel 6, Bluefield, West Virginia: tape 7-32, 1990 January 16 | Penn State University L...

 In 1989, a brutal triple murder rocked the small coal town of Pocahontas, Virginia. What followed was a years-long investigation involving drugs, betrayal, federal indictments, and courtroom battles. This is the story of the Pocahontas Triple Murder.

Sources -
Murder in the Mountains: Triple murder in Pocahontas — 1989 investigation unearths drugs, sex, family feuds and double-crossings in small Virginia town | News | bdtonline.com
Former Town Mayor, a Drug Dealer, Is Held in Family's Killing - The New York Times
Ex-Mayor Arrested in Va. Shotgun Deaths
MSM links -
PATERON - Mountain State Mysteries | Podcast | Pat...

In 1988, Morgantown business owner and community fixture Marsha Ferber vanished without a trace. In this episode of Mountain State Mysteries, we explore the life she built, the people who last saw her, and the conflicting timeline that has left her disappearance unsolved for nearly four decades. From the Underground Railroad to a mysterious trip to Pittsburgh, this is the story of a woman who meant so much to so many, and the questions that still remain.

Sources -
https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/1tj6v2h/missing_in_west_virginia_what_happened_to_marsha...

 In August 2003, a series of seemingly random shootings left Kanawha County on edge and drew comparisons to the Washington, D.C. sniper attacks. Three people were killed in separate shootings outside local businesses, sparking one of the largest manhunts in West Virginia history. This week, we dive into the Kanawha Valley Sniper case, the investigation that followed, and the questions that lingered for years before an arrest was finally made.

Sources -
2003 West Virginia sniper - Wikipedia
hurherald.com/obits.php?id=43714
W.Va. man gets 40 years for sniper-style slaying | News | herald-dispatch.com
40 Y...

Could two unsolved mysteries be connected?

In this episode, Mark and Alex from A Paul - Unsolved in West Virginia examine the case of the Morgan County Jane Doe and the disappearance of Lora Skaggs. As they compare timelines, evidence, and unanswered questions, they explore whether the unidentified woman found in Morgan County could actually be Lora.

Join was as we take a closer look at a decades-old mystery and the ongoing search for answers. 

Sources - Lora Skaggs - 1948 — WV Missing Persons Project
Lora Skaggs Missing Person Case | Last Seen in Char...

 Nearly 90 years ago, four-year-old Marjorie West vanished during a Mother’s Day picnic near the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. Search dogs, thousands of volunteers, strange sightings, and theories ranging from abduction to illegal child trafficking would turn her disappearance into one of America’s oldest unsolved missing child cases. In this episode of Mountain State Mysteries, Mark and Courtney dive into the chilling mystery that still leaves one haunting question unanswered… what really happened to Marjorie West?

Sources -
Disappearance of Marjorie West - Wikipedia
Marjorie West – The Charley Project
The Disappearance of Marjorie...

Austin Gilman vanished from Logan County, West Virginia, in August 2025, leaving behind more questions than answers. In this episode, we examine the details surrounding his disappearance and the ongoing search for the truth.

Sources -  West Logan man Austin Gilman still missing | News | loganbanner.com
Troopers seek public's help finding man reported missing in Logan County
Missing man sought in Logan County, West Virginia

Alex's Links -
Youtube - https://youtube.com/@ayebeepee?si=jPyjO6SvQqdyIiNE
Facebook - Facebook

MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

Years after Gretchen Fleming vanished from Parkersburg, West Virginia, investigators announce a major break in the case. In this episode of Mountain State Mysteries Mark breaks down the arrest, the discovery of Gretchen's remains, and the new details revealed by authorities.

 Sources -
Gretchen Fleming case timeline: Key developments leading to Preston Pierce’s arrest and indictment
Preston Pierce arrested, indicted in 2022 disappearance and death of Gretchen Fleming
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Mysteries - A West Virginia True Crime Podcast (@mountainstatemysteries) • Instagram photos and videos

FA...

In the quiet coal town of Page and Kincaid, Dewey "Eddie" Brown was known for his kindness and willingness to help anyone in need. But after a brutal attack during his early morning walk to work in 1992, Eddie's death left behind a mystery that still haunts the community decades later.

Sources -
Dewey Edward “Eddie” Brown (1919-1992) - Find a Grave Memorial
PATERON - Mountain State Mysteries | Podcast | Patreon

WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Mysteries - A West Virginia True Crime Podcast (@mountainstatemysteries) • Instagram photos and videos...

In 1949, Charleston, West Virginia was shaken by the brutal murder of Rosina Fazio. Decades later, questions still remain about who took her life and why. In this episode of MSM, we take a look into a forgotten case and search for the truth hidden by time.

Sources -
Fazio Murder
Rosina “Rosie” Pallone Fazio (1893-1949) - Find a Grave Memorial
WV - WV - Rosina Fazio, 56, Charleston, 25 October 1949 | Websleuths

MSM links -
PATERON - Mountain State Mysteries | Podcast | Patreon

WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Moun...

 The death of John Lucas has stunned West Virginia. In this episode, Mark explores the timeline, the evidence, and the unanswered questions surrounding the Elkview ambulance incident.

SIGN THE PETITION -  Petition · Force KCEAA EMT's to be held responsible for the murder of John Lucas - Charleston, United States · Change.org

Sources -
Prosecutor: Initial accounts, evidence 'differ' in death of man struck by Kanawha County ambulance
‘Initial accounts differ’: Probe continues into death of man dragged by ambulance - West Virginia Press Association
Family Seeks Answers After Man Killed by WV Ambulanc...

 Join Mark and Courtney as they revisit some of their most unforgettable cases and answer listener questions in a special Q&A celebrating the 100th episode of Mountain State Mysteries.

MSM links -
PATERON - Mountain State Mysteries | Podcast | Patreon

WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Mysteries - A West Virginia True Crime Podcast (@mountainstatemysteries) • Instagram photos and videos

FACEBOOK - Facebook

TIKTOK - Mountain State Mysteries (@mountainstatemysteries) | TikTok

Youtube - (2) Mountain State Mysteries - YouTube

MUSIC -

Int...

Mark sits down with Alex from APaul Unsolved In West Virginia to discuss cases and theories from local cases.

Alex's Links -
Youtube - https://youtube.com/@ayebeepee?si=jPyjO6SvQqdyIiNE
Facebook - Facebook

MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Mysteries - A West Virginia True Crime Podcast (@mountainstatemysteries) • Instagram photos and videos

FACEBOOK - Facebook

TIKTOK - Mountain State Mysteries (@mountainstatemysteries) | TikTok

Youtube - (2) Mountain State Mysteries - YouTube

MUSIC -

Intro Mu...

In 1963, 52-year-old Irene Wilson was violently killed inside her home in the Broomstick area of Calhoun County. Those who knew Irene described her as a devoted Christian and a respected, well-liked member of the local community. At the time of the attack, her husband was away at work, employed as a night watchman. When he attempted to call home and received no answer, he became alarmed and contacted nearby neighbors to check on her. Two teenage girls were sent to the house, where they discovered Irene’s body and the horrific scene inside.

Sources -
Irene S...

In 1998, a hitchhiker was struck by a vehicle near Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Before losing consciousness, he reportedly told rescuers his name was Steve Hix and that he was from West Virginia. But investigators were never able to confirm who he really was.

After surviving for years with severe injuries, the unidentified man died in 2002—still without a verified identity.

Who was the man known only as “John Doe: Steve Hix”, and how does someone die with a name that no one can prove? In this episode, we explore the mystery of the hitchhiker who may have told t...

Forty-five years ago this week, on a cold and rainy morning in 1981, a secretary arrived at work in a small community and was shocked to discover her boss dead. His death set off a spiral of emotion and controversy that has never faded away. This is the case of Charles Boone.

Sources -
In 1981 a CPA was found strangled in bank building. Charles Boone, 33 years old, found early morning, strangled at his office. Bluefield, WV. : r/coldcases
Charles E. Boone (1947-1981) - Find a Grave Memorial
1981 murder of local businessman remains unsolved | Local News...

 The case we have for you today is another case from our hometown. There is still a sense of mystery around this case because the fate of the victim is still unknown. This is the case of Tammy Jean Daniel.

Sources -
Tammy Jean Daniel – The Charley Project
Tammy Jean Daniel - 1986 — WV Missing Persons ProjectMissing: Tammy Daniel | Stanaford, WV | Uncovered
Missing Person / NamUs #MP21070 | NamUs

MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Mysteries - A West Virginia True Crime Podcast (@mountainstatemysteries) • Instagram photos...

 In 1991, investigative journalist Danny Casolaro was found dead in a West Virginia hotel room while pursuing a conspiracy he called The Octopus. Ruled a suicide, his death left missing notes and questions that remain unanswered decades later.

Sources -
Danny Casolaro - Wikipedia
True Story of ‘American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders’
Danny Casolaro And The Story Of 'The Octopus Murders'
The Death of Danny Casolaro, and the File That Did Not Come Back - Thar Tribune

MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State...

What started out as a normal night out in Charleston, West Virginia. Left one woman dead on the edge of a river. This is the case of Lynn Priestley.

Sources -
Lynn Parker Priestley (1955-1990) - Find a Grave Memorial
Cold Case Files: 30 year old Charleston murder case still haunts the city
WV - WV - Lynn Priestly, 34, Charleston, 21 March 1990 | Websleuths

MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Mysteries - A West Virginia True Crime Podcast (@mountainstatemysteries) • Instagram photos and videos

FA...

The case we have for you today is one of the craziest missing children's cases to come from the Mountain State. It's about a five-year-old boy who went into the woods with his cousins and sadly was never seen again.

Sources -
The strange disappearance of J.R. Shoemaker from Kirby in Virginia — StrangeOutdoors.com
Victor Dewight Shoemaker Jr. – The Charley Project
The Disappearance of Victor Shoemaker Jr. • Morbidology
A CHILD VANISHES, AND STILL, NO ANSWERS
MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Myster...

The case we have for you today is about a couple that went out for a late night drive. No one knows where they were going - only that it ended up in a fiery blaze near wolf creek Virginia. More than 48 years later, there are still no answers.
This is the case of Karen Lynn Noble and Jeffery Lee Scott.

Sources -
BHS Class 1975
Wolf Creek Murders - Find a Grave Virtual Cemetery
‘Age of innocence’ lost | Local News | bdtonline.com
(5) Karen Lynn Noble was born on March 1,... - The Wolf Cree...

In July of 2012, a man vanished from Buckhannon, West Virginia—leaving behind more questions than answers. Whispers of a murder-for-hire plot and countless theories have surrounded this disappearance for years. This is the case of Luke Stout.

Sources -
Facebook
Luke David Stout – The Charley Project
Missing Person Details
(8) Why Have We Not Found Luke Stout? | Unsolved in West Virginia | A Paul - YouTube
Police search Ellamore property in connection to case of man missing since 2012


MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Moun...

Mark sits down with Alexandra from the YouTube channel A Paul - Unsolved in WV to break down two cases one from Raleigh County and one from Kanawha County. These are the cases of Angela Cherice Gwinn Stephens and LaRoy Gorman.

Follow Alexandrea -
Youtube - https://youtube.com/@ayebeepee?si=jPyjO6SvQqdyIiNE
Facebook - Facebook


MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Mysteries - A West Virginia True Crime Podcast (@mountainstatemysteries) • Instagram photos and videos

FACEBOOK - Facebook

TIKTOK...

 Mark and Courtney welcome sisters Brenda and Linda, daughters of Sergeant James Lee Haynes, who disappeared in 1963 after being murdered on Bolt Mountain. For them, this isn’t just a cold case—it’s the lifelong story of a father stolen too soon. In this episode, they share the pain, the resilience, and the relentless search for truth that has defined their family for generations.
 
Listen to our episode on James - https://audioboom.com/channels/5148657.rss

MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Mysteries - A West Vir...

Mark sits down with Alexandrea from the YouTube channel A Paul – Unsolved in WV to break down the mysterious case of Jack Denny.

Follow Alexandrea -
Youtube - https://youtube.com/@ayebeepee?si=jPyjO6SvQqdyIiNE
Facebook - Facebook


MSM links -
WEBSITE - Home | Mountainstatemysteri (mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com)

INSTAGRAM - Mountain State Mysteries - A West Virginia True Crime Podcast (@mountainstatemysteries) • Instagram photos and videos

FACEBOOK - Facebook

TIKTOK - Mountain State Mysteries (@mountainstatemysteries) | TikTok

Youtube - (2) Mountain State Mysteries - YouTube

MUSIC -

The case we have for you today is about a 15-year-old girl that disappeared after attending only half of her classes in the quiet town of Spanish Fork, Utah. This is the case of Kiplyn Davis.

Sources -
Man who refuses to say where he buried Utah girl to serve 5 more years – Deseret News
Kiplyn Davis – The Charley Project
‘I just want to find my sister’: Family remembers Kiplyn Davis 30 years after her disappearance | News, Sports, Jobs - Daily Herald
Kiplyn Davis’ killer ‘truthful’ in claim he doesn’t remember where body is buried, attorney says...