Monsters Among Us - Episode S19 Ep22: Lake Monsters, Bigfoot, Missing Children, and a Possum-Faced Figure

Release Date: June 26, 2025

Introduction

In this chilling episode of Monsters Among Us, host Derek Hayes delves deep into a variety of spine-tingling paranormal encounters shared by listeners from across North America. From ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena to legends of cryptid creatures like Bigfoot and lake monsters, this episode offers a rich tapestry of true supernatural stories. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing each key narrative, insightful commentary, and the eerie conclusions drawn by Derek.

1. Randy’s Haunting Prayer from Southern Alberta, Canada

[03:19 - 06:54]

Randy recounts a night from approximately 27 years ago when he and his ex-wife experienced a supernatural encounter in their home, an old seminary with a history tied to priest training. While lying in bed with their newborn daughter, Randy perceived a man in an early 1900s priest’s uniform standing at the end of the bed. Initially dismissed as a dream, his ex-wife’s simultaneous observation confirmed the apparition's reality. The apparition smiled and walked through the wall, leading Randy to believe that the spirit was watching over them.

A week later, Randy narrates another harrowing incident where a door slammed shut violently, alerting him to his daughter choking on spit-up—an event he believes was directly prevented by the ghostly priest's intervention.

Notable Quote:

"We were pretty sure that the old priest that was haunting the place was looking out for us." — Randy [06:00]

Derek’s Commentary: Derek ponders whether the spirit was indeed a former priest or a guardian angel. He finds the coincidence impactful, especially the idea that the ghost might have saved Randy's daughter, highlighting the thin veil between protection and the paranormal.

2. Brian’s Transformation from Skeptic to Believer in Florida

[09:58 - 12:59]

Brian, a former skeptic from Florida, shares his journey from disbelief to experiencing the paranormal firsthand. After meeting a girlfriend who was a dedicated ghost hunter, Brian began encountering unexplained phenomena. During a ghost hunt at Bastow Cemetery in New Jersey, he witnessed orbs and disembodied lights near an old bridge. Later, at home, Brian saw a hooded figure moving across his ceiling—a shadow person—that appeared to follow him until it mysteriously vanished. His attempts to investigate the apparition yielded no results, reinforcing his belief in its eerie presence.

Notable Quote:

"I'm convinced we had brought something home from one of our co sons." — Brian [11:20]

Derek’s Commentary: Derek reflects on the rarity and coincidence of such experiences, especially involving multiple sightings within a short timeframe. He admires Brian’s logical approach yet acknowledges the unsettling nature of his encounters, hinting at the possibility of shadow entities or residual energies.

3. Ann’s Unexplained Glitches on Familiar Roads in Texas

[15:26 - 19:25]

Ann from Texas shares two unsettling "glitch in the Matrix" stories. The first involves driving a familiar route only to realize she's on the wrong side of the road, forcing her to pull over in confusion. The second glitch occurs at a McDonald's where she witnesses a woman repeatedly scrounging through her purse, almost spilling her drink, within a remarkably short span, suggesting the woman was looping her movements unnaturally.

Notable Quote:

"It was very bizarre. It was like take two." — Ann [17:50]

Derek’s Commentary: Derek muses over the rarity of such glitches occurring multiple times for the same individual and considers the possibility of altered realities or time loops. He cautions ghost hunters to perform rituals to prevent paranormal entities from following them home, underscoring the sinister potential of these unexplained events.

4. Zach’s UFO/UAP Encounter in Iowa

[20:38 - 24:01]

Zach from Butte County, Iowa, details his 2008 sighting of an unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP). While at a friend's farm bonfire, Zach observed an object resembling the International Space Station. However, its erratic movements—sharp turns and sudden disappearances—led him to conclude it was not a conventional aircraft. Reporting the incident to MUFON, Zach speculates whether the UAP was related to the severe flooding in the area at the time.

Notable Quote:

"It started to make 90 degree right angle turns and it was just like the size of like a star." — Zach [21:15]

Derek’s Commentary: Derek connects Zach’s experience with similar sightings and highlights the importance of reporting such phenomena to organizations like MUFON and the National UFO Reporting Center. He emphasizes Zach's logical approach while acknowledging the lingering mysteries surrounding UAPs.

5. Naomi’s Childhood Encounter with a Deceased Cousin’s Spirit in Canada

[24:51 - 27:50]

Naomi shares a haunting memory from her childhood in El Salvador, later moving to Canada. At six months old, she didn't consciously remember the event, but her mother recalls seeing her infant exhibit unusual behavior while alone in a dark house. During a midnight bottle preparation, Naomi's mother felt watched and saw her deceased cousin peering over a doorway with a smile. The apparition vanished when confronted, leaving Naomi's mother terrified and puzzled.

Notable Quote:

"It's like take two. But anyway, I just wanted to share..." — This is incorrect. The correct notable quote.

Looking back:

Notable Quote:

"And my mom says she was washing my bottle, and all of a sudden she got a chill, like up her back. And she felt that she was being watched." — Naomi [25:30]

Derek’s Commentary: Derek finds the story inherently creepy, especially given the familial connection of the apparition. He draws parallels to Stephen King's Pet Sematary, suggesting that the haunting shares similarities with literary and cinematic ghost stories. Derek teases listeners with a link to Pet Sematary for further eerie exploration.

6. Ernest’s Suspicious Sounds at a Kansas City Quarry

[29:29 - 35:33]

Ernest from Kansas City narrates an early morning fishing trip to a small, abandoned quarry. While preparing to fish, he hears unexplained "kerplunk" sounds as if something is being thrown into the water deliberately. Despite attributing it initially to possible wildlife, the frequency and pattern of the sounds lead Ernest to suspect paranormal activity. Further investigation reveals the area’s history, including a tragic plane crash in 1995, possibly tying the sounds to residual energies or ghostly manifestations.

Notable Quote:

"I was all alone in the woods." — Zach [52:38]

(Note: This seems an error; correct notable quote)

Notable Quote:

"It literally seemed like somebody had thrown a rock into the water to scare me." — Ernest [33:00]

Derek’s Commentary: Derek explores multiple explanations for Ernest’s experience, including wildlife behavior, ghosts, and cryptid activities like Bigfoot. He references local legends, notably the Inman Lakes Sinkhole Sam, a 15-foot-long worm-like creature, drawing listeners into the mythos surrounding the area. Derek highlights another Bigfoot Sightings Reported Off KCI Airport, suggesting a possible link between the two events.

7. Santana’s Shared Ghostly Vision in Louisiana

[40:18 - 44:36]

Santana from Oakdale, Louisiana, shares a terrifying experience where she and her boyfriend both witnessed a dark female figure resembling a demon while asleep. Awakening to see the apparition, Santana quickly turned on a lamp and alerted her boyfriend, who revealed he had been seeing the same entity since childhood. Their simultaneous sightings suggest a shared paranormal phenomenon, leaving Santana confused and seeking understanding of their joint encounter.

Notable Quote:

"She led me into a cave. She took my shirt off and pressed it on my stomach." — Anonymous Caller during missing child segment [53:48]

(Again, seems incorrect; correct notable quote)

Notable Quote:

"The woman that you just saw that... I've been seeing her since I was a little boy." — Santana [42:15]

Derek’s Commentary: Derek considers the validity of shared paranormal experiences, dismissing mass hallucination theories while acknowledging the possibility of genuine supernatural events. He expresses empathy towards Santana, noting the rarity of multiple individuals witnessing the same apparition and reflects on the psychological impact such encounters can have on relationships.

8. Anonymous Caller’s Missing Child Miracle

[46:07 - 49:23]

An anonymous caller shares a haunting memory from childhood. As a two-and-a-half-year-old, he mysteriously vanished from his home on Mother’s Day 1989 but was found hours later in the exact place that had been thoroughly searched—under a neatly made bed where only his feet were visible. Neither the caller nor his parents could explain his whereabouts during the disappearance, leaving lingering questions about supernatural intervention or unexplained phenomena.

Derek compares this story to similar cases where missing children are found unharmed in improbable locations, citing historical and modern examples to highlight the eerie recurrence of this trope.

Notable Quote:

"She was just really scared and so I started crying." — Anonymous Caller [46:20]

Derek’s Commentary: Derek delves into the common narrative of missing children being found unchanged in familiar spots, posing questions about the nature of such events. He draws parallels to historical accounts, emphasizing the persistent mystery and unsettling nature of these stories, which often defy logical explanation.

9. Debbie’s Disturbing Hallucination of a Possum-Faced Figure in Florida

[58:31 - 60:58]

Debbie recounts a childhood memory where, while running a high fever from measles at five years old, she perceived a figure resembling her father but with the face of a possum nudging her foot. Although she acknowledges the likelihood of it being a fever-induced hallucination, a lingering doubt remains about the nature of the apparition. Her mother’s non-reactive behavior during the incident adds to the ambiguity of the experience.

Notable Quote:

"My mom sees my little feet poking out from under a blanket on the bed that was neatly made." — Anonymous Caller [46:20]

(Incorrect; correct notable quote)

Notable Quote:

"But the other 10% of me thinks that maybe it wasn't." — Debbie [59:20]

Derek’s Commentary: Derek explores the possibility of oversized possums, referencing a historical account from Texas that claims to have captured a 61-pound opossum. While he dismisses the likelihood of such creatures attacking livestock, he appreciates the story's eerie charm. Derek emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between genuine supernatural experiences and those induced by illness, underscoring the complexity of interpreting childhood memories.

Conclusion

In this episode, Monsters Among Us weaves together a multitude of eerie narratives that explore the vast landscape of the paranormal. From guardian spirits and shared ghostly visions to unexplained phenomena like the glitch in reality and mysterious disappearances, each story adds depth to our understanding of the supernatural. Derek Hayes expertly navigates these tales, providing thoughtful commentary that invites listeners to ponder the thin line between the known and the unknown. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this episode offers captivating insights into the mysteries that linger among us.

Derek Hayes’ Final Thoughts: Derek wraps up the episode by hinting at future special episodes filled with even more extraordinary calls, encouraging listeners to stay tuned and engaged with the Monsters Among Us community.

For more detailed accounts and related resources, listeners are encouraged to visit the show’s website and explore the extensive show notes provided for each episode.