Monsters Among Us – Season 19, Episode 15: Destructive Ghosts, Flying Children, and Child Snatching Owls

Release Date: June 3, 2025

In this spine-chilling episode of Monsters Among Us, host Derek Hayes delves deep into a collection of firsthand paranormal experiences shared by listeners from across North America and beyond. The episode weaves together tales of haunted institutions, unexplained phenomena, and eerie encounters that blur the line between the natural and the supernatural. Below is a detailed summary of the key stories, discussions, and insights presented in this episode.

1. Destructive Ghosts at an Abandoned Mental Institution

Caller: Chad from Skagit County, Washington
Timestamp: [03:15] – [11:59]

Chad recounts his harrowing nighttime visit to the abandoned Cedaroy Mental Institution in Northwestern Washington. The institution, now in ruins and adjacent to mass graves containing over 1,687 bodies, serves as a hotspot for paranormal activity. While exploring the dilapidated barns on the property with friends, Chad and his group experience unsettling phenomena:

• Unexplained Voices: "We thought some high schoolers are probably screwing with us or something like that. But the more we looked, the less we found." ([05:30])

• Shadow Figures: Chad describes seeing "crisp outlines of people," which he believes are not their own shadows but actual spectral entities.

• Flashlight Malfunction: Just as he identifies six or seven shadowy figures, his flashlight dies, heightening the tension and fear among the group.

• Physical Manifestations: One of Chad's friends, CJ, is mysteriously dragged away by unseen forces, leaving no trace except for a gap in his footprints. This terrifying encounter compels the group to flee, later corroborated by the friend's distressed explanations.

Derek Hayes' Commentary: After Chad's account, Derek reflects on the history of state-run mental institutions being shut down and how many have become paranormal tourist sites, often associated with ghostly sightings and hauntings.

2. Residual Spirits Knocking on Windows

Caller: Anonymous from the UK
Timestamp: [14:58] – [19:20]

An anonymous caller from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, shares a haunting experience involving persistent knocking sounds on their window:

• Repetitive Knocking: Between 6 PM and 9 PM nightly, the caller and their mother hear what sounds like knuckles tapping on the glass.

• Residual Activity Theory: They theorize that the knocking is the residual spirit of an old postman, eternally performing his delivery duties.

• Emotional Impact: Over time, the callers become desensitized, referring to the knocking as "just the ghost," though the unexplained nature continues to unsettle them.

Derek Hayes' Reflection: Derek relates this to his own childhood experience of a sudden, loud rapping on his front door while watching TV, leading his father to confront the unknown with a rifle. He emphasizes the lasting impact such experiences can have, even decades later.

3. Hauntings and UFO Encounters in Indiana

Caller: Mac from Indiana
Timestamp: [19:26] – [28:06]

Mac shares two intertwined paranormal experiences from his time living in Indiana:

a. Apartment Haunting

• Burglary-like Activity: Mac describes strange occurrences such as balcony doors opening on their own and moving objects within their apartment.

• Unseen Entities: He recounts hearing footsteps and seeing figures that vanish upon investigation, creating an atmosphere of constant fear and suspicion.

• Impact on Relationships: The stress from these hauntings leads to conflicts with his roommate, ultimately resulting in their separation.

b. UFO Experiences Linked to Family History

• Father's Military Stories: Mac's father, a World War II Army Air Force veteran, shared tales of "bogeys" and "foo fighters"—unexplained aerial phenomena encountered during missions.

• Personal UFO Sightings: Mac and his uncle witness mysterious lights and objects performing maneuvers resembling those of known spacecraft, such as the Space Shuttle Discovery, but without any accompanying sounds.

Derek Hayes' Insights: Derek empathizes with Mac, highlighting the fear of destructive ghosts but also appreciating the unique blend of ghostly and extraterrestrial elements in Mac's stories.

4. Signs from a Deceased Friend

Caller: Chelsea from Michigan
Timestamp: [29:23] – [35:19]

Chelsea narrates a poignant story of receiving signs from a deceased friend who died in a car accident:

• Initial Tragedy: Chelsea’s friend dies after a car crashes through her aunt's street, an event they previously discussed without forewarning of the impending accident.

• Dream Manifestations: The day of the accident, Chelsea’s friend appears in her friend's dreams, displaying details like a changed haircut that only later confirmed the friend had altered his appearance.

• Paranormal Events:

  • Shattered Shot Glass: While cleaning, a sentimental shot glass falls and breaks without any physical cause.
  • Mystical Appearances: Red hearts mysteriously appear in her truck's cab despite the area being empty, suggesting the presence of her departed friend.

• Emotional Closure: These unexplained events provide Chelsea with a sense of closure and the comforting belief that her friend’s spirit remains nearby.

Derek Hayes' Commentary: Derek reflects on the fragility of life and the possibility that such signs indicate an enduring energy or connection beyond death, reinforcing the episode's theme of unseen forces.

5. Childhood Flight Experiences

Caller: Nella from Houston, Texas
Timestamp: [49:04] – [52:19]

Nella shares a nostalgic and unusual childhood memory of flying:

• Early Abilities: At around five to six years old, Nella recalls being able to fly, reaching heights equivalent to a streetlight and feeling joyous when doing so.

• Emotional Connection: The experience left her with a warm, rewarding feeling, akin to the happiness of a first love.

• Termination of Ability: These flying episodes ceased around age ten, leaving Nella with vivid memories but no understanding of how or why she possessed such ability.

Derek Hayes' Reflections: Derek acknowledges the prevalence of similar accounts and the mysterious nature of such abilities, pondering whether they are physical realities or vivid dreams. He notes his own similar dream experiences, suggesting a shared human fascination with flight.

6. Child Abduction by a Giant Owl

Caller: Peter from British Columbia
Timestamp: [52:19] – [59:25]

Peter delivers a terrifying tale from his childhood involving a giant owl:

• Recurring Nightmares: As a six-year-old living in a remote house near a river in Southwest Washington, Peter experiences nightly abductions by a massive owl approximately four feet tall.

• Details of the Abduction:

  • Physical Tugging: The owl would grab him by the legs, dragging him from his bed while he clung to the bedposts.

  • Alternate Realm: Once abducted, Peter finds himself in an unfamiliar world with indifferent inhabitants who do not recognize him.

  • Protective Spirits: Occasionally, a dark-haired woman claiming to be his mother appears to safeguard him, and crows seemingly protect him by crying outside his window.

• Psychological Factors: Peter considers whether the traumatic environment at home, including his father's war-induced depression, contributed to these vivid and recurring experiences.

• Interruption of Abductions: The nightly assaults eventually cease, leaving Peter without understanding the true nature of these events—whether they were nightmares or encounters with actual paranormal entities.

Derek Hayes' Analysis: Derek connects Peter's experience to broader reports of UFO owls and discusses the possibility of such entities being misidentified or part of a larger, unexplained phenomenon. He references Mike Clelland’s work on UFO owls and expresses intrigue over the uniqueness of Peter's detailed recollections.

7. Signs from a Deceased Mother

Caller: Garrett from Manitoba, Canada
Timestamp: [40:00] – [47:31]

Garrett shares an emotionally charged story of receiving signs from his deceased mother:

• Tragic Loss: After his mother's battle with cancer and subsequent passing, Garrett yearns for signs of her presence to find closure.

• Supernatural Indicators:

  • Lost Santa Ornament: Unable to locate a cherished Santa ornament after moving, Garrett later discovers it inexplicably within his truck's crawl space.
  • Missing Watch Reappears: A long-lost family heirloom watch resurfaces from a box Garrett had meticulously packed, despite no evidence of tampering.
  • Red Hearts at Grave Site: Garrett places red hearts at his mother's gravesite, which later appear in his truck without explanation.

• Personal Transformation: These inexplicable events convince Garrett of his mother's lingering presence, providing him with the comfort and closure he sought.

Derek Hayes' Reflection: Derek empathizes with Garrett's loss and marvels at the synchronicity of the signs, pondering the idea that energy or spirits persist beyond death. He highlights the profound impact such encounters can have on personal healing and belief in the supernatural.

8. Flying as a Child and Emotional Resonance

Caller: Nella from Houston, Texas
Timestamp: [49:04] – [52:19]

Nella revisits her childhood ability to fly, emphasizing the emotional fulfillment it brought her:

• Recollection of Flight: At a young age, Nella describes soaring to the height of a streetlight and experiencing exhilarating sensations akin to emotional milestones like a first love.

• Disconnect from Reality: These flights ceased by age ten, leaving Nella with only fragmented memories and a sense of wonder about her unrealized potential.

Derek Hayes' Insights: Derek draws parallels between Nella's experiences and similar accounts from other listeners, contemplating the nature of such abilities and their place in the realm of paranormal phenomena.

9. Final Story: Destructive Entities in Childhood Abductions

Caller: Peter from British Columbia
Timestamp: [52:19] – [59:25]

Continuing Peter's account, the episode reaches its chilling climax:

• Persistent Abductions: Peter details how the owl would repeatedly abduct him, despite his desperate attempts to resist, including physically clinging to his bedposts.

• Alternate Reality Challenges: In the other realm, Peter grapples with feelings of isolation and confusion, underscored by the presence of protective spirits like the dark-haired woman and crows.

• Permanence of Memories: Unlike many who forget such experiences, Peter vividly remembers each abduction, making his story particularly unsettling and unique.

Derek Hayes' Conclusion: Derek underscores the profound fear and psychological trauma such repeated abductions can inflict on a child. He expresses gratitude towards Peter for sharing his deeply personal and terrifying experience, reinforcing the episode's overarching theme of the unseen dangers lurking in everyday environments.

Host’s Reflections and Insights

Throughout the episode, Derek Hayes interjects with thoughtful reflections, connecting the callers' experiences to broader paranormal theories and historical contexts. He emphasizes the emotional weight of these stories, the possibility of residual energies, and the enduring human fascination with the unknown. By weaving together these narratives, Derek creates a tapestry of tales that explore the multifaceted nature of the paranormal—from haunted locations and spirits seeking closure to unexplained phenomena that challenge our understanding of reality.

Conclusion

Season 19, Episode 15 of Monsters Among Us offers listeners a compelling journey through various paranormal experiences, each uniquely illustrating the eerie and often unsettling encounters that individuals face. From destructive ghosts in abandoned institutions to the inexplicable ability to fly in childhood, and from signs of departed loved ones to terrifying abductions by giant owls, this episode encapsulates the essence of true paranormal storytelling. Derek Hayes masterfully guides the audience through these chilling tales, inviting both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers to ponder the mysteries that lie beyond our perception.