Podcast Summary: "And That's Why We Drink"
Episode E437: "A Crisis Mode Twisted Tea and a Clumsy Guardian Angel"
Release Date: June 22, 2025

Introduction to Haunting Tales and True Crime

In this gripping episode, hosts Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz delve deep into the eerie history of the Ballaroy Mansion and transition seamlessly into the chilling details of the infamous Delphi murders. Balancing discussions on the paranormal with unsettling true crime narratives, the episode offers listeners a captivating blend of suspense and intrigue.

The Ballaroy Mansion: A Legacy of Hauntings

Christine opens the segment by recounting the storied history of the Ballaroy Mansion in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill neighborhood.

• Historical Background:
  Built in 1911 by a carpenter who notoriously killed his wife in one of its 30 rooms, the mansion changed hands in 1926 to the Easby family, descendants of Civil War General George Meade. The Easbys enriched the mansion with antiques, including a cannonball from Gettysburg and silverware used during the Declaration of Independence signing.

• Early Hauntings:
  Christine describes the mansion’s first significant paranormal event in 1992, marked by a major robbery that saw over $200,000 in valuables stolen, including the aforementioned cannonball. Em adds humorously, “They probably could only lug that one thing up. It was so heavy” ([05:21]).

• Ghostly Presences:
  The hosts detail numerous ghost sightings and unexplained phenomena within the mansion:

  • Steven:
    After witnessing his reflection replace with a skeleton's at the fountain, Steven mysteriously fell ill and passed away at six years old. His spirit has been seen roaming the property since.

  • Amelia/Amanda:
    The most persistent ghost, Amanda, is tied to the ominous Death Chair in the Blue Room. Described as a colorful mist or ectoplasm, Amanda is said to lure unsuspecting individuals to sit in the cursed chair, resulting in untimely deaths. Em remarks, “It's a somatic memory for me” ([05:21]).

  • Other Spirits:
    An older woman with a cane, a monk, and Thomas Jefferson’s spirit haunt various parts of the mansion, contributing to the eerie atmosphere. Notably, Thomas Jefferson is only seen by the dining room clock ([33:05]).

• Notable Incidents:

  • Cane-Wielding Woman:
    An ethereal woman with a cane tangles with the environment, reminiscent of scenes from "Haunting of Hill House."

  • Phantom Vintage Cars:
    Ghostly vintage and horse-drawn carriages are occasionally seen traversing the driveway, adding to the mansion’s spectral allure.

• Paranormal Investigations:
  George Easby, the mansion’s current owner, has openly acknowledged the hauntings and even consulted psychics like Judith to understand and manage the spirits. Judith’s insights suggest Amanda may not be malevolent but rather a misguided guardian angel, leading to comedic exchanges about “a clumsy guardian angel” ([44:43]).

Notable Quote:
Christine shares a poignant moment, “[31:55] Em: That sounds like something out of a spirit box.”

The Delphi Murders: A Devastating True Crime Case

Transitioning from ghostly tales, Christine and Em shift focus to the harrowing Delphi murders, providing a detailed account of the case that shook a small Indiana community.

• Victims:
  Abigail Williams (13) and Liberty “Libby” German (14), best friends and 8th graders at Delphi Community Middle School, went missing on February 13, 2017, after a planned hike near the Monon High Bridge.

• The Day of the Disappearance:

  • Pre-Hike Preparations:
    The girls had a sleepover the night before and planned their hike for a long weekend with no school. Libby's older sister, Kelsey, dropped them off at the trailhead, entrusting their father, Derek, to pick them up later.

  • Hike and Missing:
    As dawn broke, Abby and Libby set out for their hike, capturing moments on Snapchat. By midday, Derek noticed they hadn't returned and began searching, leading to growing anxiety as hours passed without sightings ([65:08]).

• Search and Initial Theories:

  • Community Effort:
    The tight-knit town mobilized volunteers, including local residents like Pat Brown, to scour the treacherous Monon High Bridge and surrounding woods. Despite the extensive search, no signs of the girls were found immediately.

  • First Signs of Trouble:
    On the first night, searches yielded only a tie-dye shirt and a black Nike shoe in Deer Creek, confirming their worst fears of foul play. A blurry surveillance photo and a short audio clip from Libby's phone labeled the suspect as "Bridge Guy" emerged, intensifying public fear ([85:22]).

• Investigation Challenges:

  • Unreliable Leads:
    The initial suspect, Ron Logan, a 77-year-old man with a violent history, provided no concrete evidence linking him to the murders. Despite receiving numerous tips, investigators struggled to identify the true perpetrator due to vague descriptions and the suspect's ordinary appearance.

  • Media and Public Intrusion:
    The case attracted immense media attention and online sleuths, leading to the unfortunate sharing of a photo revealing Libby’s body at a public viewing—a traumatic event that diverted focus from seeking the true killer ([91:02]).

• Developments and Continued Mystique:

  • New Evidence Attempts:
    In April 2019, additional footage from Libby's phone surfaced, offering a second sketch of Bridge Guy. Though initially disparate from the first sketch, layering the images suggested similarities, leading to confusion and frustration among investigators and families alike.

  • Ongoing Uncertainty:
    The Delphi murders remain unresolved, with the hosts hinting at further developments and deeper insights to be explored in a subsequent episode ([93:44]).

Notable Quote:
Em reflects on the emotional toll, saying, “She has a split second moment of, oh, thank God. But then she just heard silence on the other end of the line. And she knew. News quickly spread.”

Conclusion and Upcoming Segments

As the episode draws to a close, Christine and Em tease an upcoming two-part continuation of the Delphi murders, promising listeners more in-depth analysis and revelations. They also touch upon personal anecdotes and promote their newly launched ParaPods Network, showcasing their commitment to expanding their podcasting endeavors.

Notable Quote:
Em humorously acknowledges the complexity of the storytelling, “[90:15] Christine: Good story, Christine. Good delivery. Good everything on your end. Horrible truth.”

Engaging Personal Insights and Community Support

Throughout the episode, hosts interweave personal experiences and offer heartfelt shout-outs to therapists and listeners grappling with the world's chaos. They emphasize the importance of community support systems, especially concerning pet care during turbulent times ([07:06]).

Notable Quote:
Christine passionately implores, “If you know anyone who has any living dependence, please make a buddy system or get into a group chat and start having regular check-ins with everyone and know where everyone's backup key is to their place.”

Final Thoughts

Episode E437 of "And That's Why We Drink" masterfully combines spine-chilling ghost stories with a profound true crime investigation, all while maintaining an engaging and relatable dialogue. Christine and Em's balanced approach ensures listeners are both entertained and emotionally invested, setting the stage for further exploration in upcoming episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [03:01] Em: "That's just excellent stuff."
• [04:44] Em: "Twisted tea is like a somatic memory for me."
• [17:22] Em: "You know what, I'm pissed off at me and just kept calling in the tip that I did it."
• [31:55] Em: "That sounds like something out of a spirit box."
• [41:07] Christine: "I've seen the ghosts. And don't be afraid."
• [44:43] Em: "She's just popping in."
• [65:08] Em: "I'm covering."
• [91:02] Em: "The case became the Delphi murders."

Join the Conversation: For those intrigued by these spine-tingling tales and the ongoing quest for justice, make sure to tune into the next episode where Christine and Em continue uncovering the mysteries surrounding the Delphi murders.