Monsters Among Us: S19 Ep25 - True Terror from Texas: Chilling Tales from the Lone Star State
Released on July 8, 2025, this episode of Monsters Among Us delves deep into the eerie and unexplained phenomena reported across Texas. Host Derek Hayes guides listeners through a series of spine-chilling first-hand accounts, exploring legends, UFO sightings, cryptid encounters, and supernatural experiences unique to the Lone Star State.
Introduction to Texas' Paranormal Landscape
Derek Hayes sets the stage for the episode by highlighting Texas as a fertile ground for paranormal activities and legends. As the second-largest state in the U.S., Texas not only boasts vast landscapes but also a rich tapestry of spooky tales and unexplained occurrences.
Derek Hayes [00:52]: "People love to say that everything is bigger down there as well. So we'll see if tonight's contributions prove that claim correct."
Lechuza Encounter in Dallas
Caller: Isaiah from Dallas
Isaiah recounts a haunting story passed down from his father about a lechuza—a witch from Mexican folklore capable of transforming into a large owl-like creature. Raised in the city, Isaiah's father encountered this terrifying transformation outside their home.
Isaiah [02:08]: "It was a bird, but it had the face of a person... there was no mistaking it."
His grandmother, versed in white witchcraft, confronted the creatures with a broom and prayer, ultimately dispersing them. This experience left a lasting impression on Isaiah's father, cementing the fear of encountering such beings in an urban setting.
Derek Hayes [05:16]: "Owls, at the very least, seem to be bigger in Texas now, folks."
Doppelganger Mysteries at Miller Warehouse
Caller: Jordan from Fort Worth
Jordan shares an unsettling experience where his encounter with a security guard and a yard dog coincided eerily with the themes of a podcast episode on doppelgangers. After listening to a story about seeing one's double, both the security guard and yard dog mentioned having doppelgangers at the warehouse, making Jordan question the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.
Jordan [09:15]: "It really shook me... That's too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence."
Derek relates a similar experience from Ohio, pondering the possibility of interconnected supernatural events.
Black Cat Sighting on a Texas Ranch
Caller: Jonathan from Texas
Jonathan recalls a family encounter with a massive black cat on their ranch in Raymondville, East Texas. Multiple witnesses, including his uncle and ranch hands, observed a giant black cat with a long tail, igniting theories about aboriginal big cats like the jaguar venturing into Texas.
Jonathan [16:47]: "They all were doubting the fact that they saw it."
Derek speculates whether it could have been a jaguar, a rare but possible visitor to the region, adding credibility to the sighting.
Childhood Abduction Near North Texas
Caller: Moose from Texas
Moose shares a near-miss abduction story from his childhood in North Dallas. At around eight years old, Moose and his younger brother noticed a man in a distinctive white pickup with red flames approaching them. Shortly after, a newspaper article revealed that a man matching the truck's description had abducted two children.
Moose [22:46]: "That's what happened. The fact that I remember exactly what the truck looks like... I know it happened."
Derek reflects on the thin line between paranormal phenomena and true crime, emphasizing the potential for supernatural intervention.
Premonitions and Paranormal Visions in Law Enforcement
Caller: Jonathan, Texas Deputy
Jonathan, a Texas deputy, shares two vivid premonitions that eerily aligned with actual events during his night shifts. In both instances, his visions of conflicts or dangerous encounters precisely matched real-life incidents he witnessed shortly afterward.
Caller Jonathan [56:03]: "It's a wild coincidence... if you have the vision again, you better listen to it."
Derek ponders the nature of these premonitions, questioning whether they are personal or have broader implications.
Haunted Retail Spaces: Spencer's Gift Store in Houston
Caller: James from Houston
James describes strange activities at Spencer's Gift store in a Houston mall, attributing them to a girl who tragically took her own life there. From unexplained movements captured on security cameras to mysterious key damages, the store exhibits classic signs of hauntings.
James [37:15]: "I can't explain how the key would have got bent like that."
Derek humorously references Uri Geller while questioning the origins of such paranormal activities in everyday establishments.
Unexplained White Light Sightings in Downtown Houston
Caller: Jeremiah from Houston
Jeremiah reports seeing a hovering white light near downtown Houston, lacking the typical signals of an airplane or helicopter. Linking it to celestial bodies like Venus, Derek invites listeners to investigate his father's similar sighting.
Jeremiah [34:01]: "I just saw a white light hovering... it was over one studio area."
Intense Deliverance Seminar Experience
Caller: Rob from Texas
Rob narrates a disturbing incident during a deliverance seminar at his church. Witnessing a man exhibiting unnatural, snake-like movements during an exorcism exercise left him questioning the nature of the event, especially when the individual blended back into the crowd seamlessly.
Rob [48:02]: "I've never seen anything like this... he was moving so rapidly."
Derek expresses discomfort over the blurred lines between demonic activity and psychological phenomena, highlighting Rob's unsettling experience.
Top Haunted Places and Cryptids in Texas
Throughout the episode, Derek intersperses information about Texas' most haunted locations and infamous cryptids:
- Top Ten Cities for UFO Sightings: Including Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and others.
- Notable Cryptids in Texas: From the Houston Batman and Texas Blue Dog to the Chupacabra, Texas hosts a variety of legendary creatures.
Derek Hayes [20:04]: "Number one is the goat sucker himself, Chupacabra."
Conclusion and Listener Engagement
Derek concludes the episode by inviting listeners to share their own spooky stories via hotline or email, emphasizing the community aspect of paranormal investigation.
Derek Hayes [60:28]: "If you have the vision again, you better listen to it."
He also promotes additional content like the film Shadows in the Desert and the beyond-the-show weekly discussions, encouraging ongoing engagement with the podcast's community.
Additional Resources:
- Show Notes and Videos: For visual references and further exploration of discussed topics, listeners are directed to monstersamonguspodcast.com under the Show Notes tab.
- Social Media and Community Engagement: Follow the podcast on various social platforms, join the Discord server, and participate in Patreon for exclusive content.
Stay Spooky!
This summary encapsulates the essence of Episode 25 from Season 19 of Monsters Among Us, offering a comprehensive overview of the chilling tales and supernatural discussions that make Texas a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts.
