Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

"Mayhem in the Morgue: Ghost Stories" (Nov 9, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this Halloween-themed episode of "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace," guest host Dr. Kendall Crowns—an experienced forensic pathologist—shares chilling and thought-provoking stories from his career working in morgues and hospitals. The episode weaves together personal brushes with the supernatural, a poignant case of terminal illness, and a truly disturbing Halloween crime, all delivered with a blend of dark humor and clinical honesty. Dr. Crowns explores the blurry border between death, folklore, and the truly macabre realities that sometimes haunt his profession.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Reality of Ghosts in the Morgue (03:50 – 09:20)

• Dr. Crowns recounts his skepticism about morgues being haunted ("People don't die here, so why would they haunt a morgue?") and his coworkers' insistence on the supernatural.
• Anecdote: Hearing a Baby Cry:
  • During an early morning nap at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Dr. Crowns hears an echoey baby cry. Later, he learns there are three deceased infants awaiting autopsy in the morgue that day.
  • He debates with colleagues whether it was supernatural, but self-reflects that his own sleep-deprived state as a new father probably influenced his perception.

Notable Quote

"I thought it might be a baby crying, but again, the baby didn't die here. I thought it was ridiculous."
— Dr. Kendall Crowns (06:44)

The Lady in Red: Hospital Ghost Legend (09:21 – 22:21)

• Background: Hospitals, unlike morgues, are often seen as haunted because many people die there unexpectedly or under traumatic circumstances.
• Case of Linda Turner:
  • Dr. Crowns describes his bond with terminal cancer patient Linda Turner during his surgical rotation—the empathy, difficulty of delivering bad news, and Linda’s own resilience.
  • On his last day, Linda shares that she saw "the lady in red"—a mysterious woman in a red robe, shoes, and bow, who entered her room and then disappeared.

Notable Segment

Linda’s Ghostly Encounter (19:40 – 21:10)

“It was this weird, fancy woman wearing a red silk bathrobe, red shoes, and a red bow in her hair. She walked through my room, stood at the foot of my bed, and looked at me and said something. And then she went into the bathroom, and she never came out… I think she's still in there. Can you check?”
— Linda Turner (as recalled by Dr. Crowns)

• Nurses’ Reaction:
  • Nurses confirm the "lady in red" lore, calling her the "harbinger of death." Dr. Crowns attempts to track down the origins of this legend but finds only that it’s an inescapable part of the hospital’s culture.
  • Days later, Linda passes away, eerily fulfilling the superstition.

Notable Quote

“The other nurse said, ‘She’s the harbinger of death. She haunts this floor of the hospital, and every patient who sees her will die shortly thereafter. It’s only a matter of time now. For her.’”
— Nurse (21:05)

Reflection (22:00)

"I’ve never forgotten her. She was one of my most favorite patients and still brings me great sadness to think about her. But I took her advice to heart and I have always tried to keep my emotions out of my work."
— Dr. Kendall Crowns

Halloween Mayhem: The Most Disturbing Story (23:10 – 37:56)

• Dr. Crowns shares a horror story from his mentor, involving a crime that occurred on Halloween night in the 1980s in a "normal" suburban neighborhood.
• Crime Details:
  • An elderly woman’s son, known for being odd but harmless, sits on their porch on Halloween night, distributing candy while covered in bloodstains and displaying what appears to be a hyper-realistic "decoration": a human head.
  • Adults commend him on his "creepy costume" and realistic prop. Children and parents get sticky "blood" on their candy wrappers.
  • It’s only when a neighbor recognizes the woman’s head as the actual homeowner’s mother that police are called.

The Arrest (34:20 – 35:45)

• Police arrive and, after calmly questioning him, the son confesses:

"Oh, that’s my mom… I killed her, and then I cut off her head."
— Murderer (as recounted by Dr. Crowns)

• He further justifies the crime, saying:

"Well, she would like to see all the costumes because, you know, she really loved Halloween and loved being part of the festivities, and he didn't want to deny her of that."
— Murderer (36:01)

• He’s arrested without incident and ultimately institutionalized.
• Dr. Crowns’ daughter adapts this story for a middle school play, horrifying the class and teacher, who declares it “too intense for middle school…even college” (36:45).

Memorable Moments & Dark Humor

• Dr. Crowns’ understated delivery and occasional self-deprecating humor invite listeners to reflect on the weight and absurdity of his profession.
• His daughter’s distaste for classic urban legends (“She hates anything where a dog dies”) contrasts with her appreciation for real-life horror, adding a simultaneously charming and chilling family moment.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:50] — Episode introduction and Dr. Crowns' skepticism on morgue hauntings
• [05:15] — The 'crying baby' experience
• [09:21] — Transition to haunted hospitals; meeting Linda Turner
• [16:30] — Linda’s surgery and compassionate advice to Dr. Crowns
• [19:40] — Linda’s vision of the "lady in red"
• [21:05] — The nurses explain the "lady in red" legend
• [22:22] — Linda’s final days and Dr. Crowns’ emotional reflection
• [23:10] — The Halloween murder story: setup and twist
• [34:20] — Police questioning and confession
• [36:45] — The aftermath, including Dr. Crowns’ daughter’s play adaptation

Tone & Delivery

Dr. Crowns delivers his stories in a matter-of-fact, slightly wry tone. He acknowledges the emotional complexity of his job ("I’ve always tried to keep my emotions out of my work”), explores the matter of belief versus skepticism, and punctuates the grim realities of forensic pathology with humanizing moments of wit and empathy.

Notable Quotes

• “I always look back at that moment, and it's sad that this person with terminal cancer was telling me to be tough. It should have been the other way around.”
  — Dr. Kendall Crowns (16:57)

• “You’re going to have to learn how to toughen up, because if you want to be a doctor, you can’t get upset just because someone’s dying. That’s just part of your job, and you have to be able to tell them straight without getting emotional about it.”
  — Linda Turner (16:43)

• “There's one more thing about this case... He said, well, she would like to see all the costumes because, you know, she really loved Halloween and loved being part of the festivities, and he didn't want to deny her of that.”
  — Dr. Kendall Crowns/Murderer (36:01)

• “I mean, seriously, a true story about a beheaded woman, bloody Halloween candy, is far more creepy and chilling than some fake serial killer. And why would he lick your hand?”
  — Dr. Kendall Crowns’ daughter (37:41)

Conclusion

Dr. Crowns’ stories exemplify the blurred lines between folklore, superstition, and the sometimes unimaginable truths encountered in the world of medicine and forensics. This Halloween episode captures both the profound human experience of facing death and the unsettling reality that, sometimes, truth is scarier than fiction.

Closing sentiment:

"I hope you learned something like never trust your neighbors, and I hope you were entertained. And finally, once again, Happy Halloween from Mayhem and the Morgue. Until next time."
— Dr. Kendall Crowns (37:53)