Monsters Among Us: S19 Ep31 - Eerie Empire State: Tales from New York

Host: Derek Hayes
Release Date: July 29, 2025
Description: Monsters Among Us delves into true paranormal stories narrated by the witnesses themselves. In this New York-themed episode, host Derek Hayes explores an array of eerie experiences from the bustling streets of the Big Apple to the serene woods of upstate New York. From haunted houses and demonic encounters to unexplained UFO sightings, this episode promises spine-chilling tales that will captivate both skeptics and believers alike.

Introduction

[00:53] Derek Hayes:
Derek sets the stage for an immersive evening focused entirely on the paranormal activities within New York State. Highlighting the blend of history, urban settings, and wilderness as perfect incubators for supernatural phenomena, he introduces the first caller, Frank, from the Bronx.

1. Frank's Amityville Account

[02:02] Frank:
Frank recounts a chilling experience involving his friend and buddies visiting the infamous Amityville Horror House. Despite Frank's skepticism about the house being haunted, he shares a mysterious encounter with a man walking a dog who vanished within seconds after giving directions.

“Not even three seconds after they pulled off, they turned on and he was gone. And they were kind of, like, perplexed by it. You know, where the hell does this guy go?”
— Frank [02:30]

[05:31] Derek Hayes:
Derek echoes Frank's sentiments, expressing doubt about the house being genuinely haunted. He provides a brief overview of the tragic events that gave rise to the Amityville legend, noting the dubious nature of both the initial murders and the subsequent haunting claims.

“It was the first time I've heard of that good laugh.”
— Derek Hayes [04:50]

2. Sarah's Medium Encounter

[05:31] Sarah:
Sarah shares a personal story about visiting a medium with her grandmother following the loss of her family members. The medium surprisingly mentions her grandfather's name and delivers a cryptic message: “Have the milkshake.”

“Have the milkshake.”
— Sarah [07:17]

This message coincides eerily with Sarah's attempts to curb her chocolate milkshake habit, ultimately leading her to indulge despite her efforts to quit.

[08:25] Derek Hayes:
While maintaining his skepticism, Derek considers the possibility of cold reading but can't dismiss the precise nature of the milkshake reference, leaving room for belief in genuine paranormal intervention.

“Maybe Sarah's grandfather reached out one last time.”
— Derek Hayes [08:03]

3. Anonymous Caller: Radio Interference Theory

[10:37] Anonymous Caller:
An unnamed caller describes a haunting experience involving distorted radio interference that induced a sensation of warmth, prompting him to flee the location in fear.

[11:44] Derek Hayes:
Derek relates this to a personal anecdote about sudden, unexplained physical pain experienced while in a basement, pondering whether such incidents hint at non-paranormal yet inexplicable phenomena.

4. Victoria's Mysterious Melodies

[13:28] Victoria:
Victoria recounts an unsettling night while babysitting in a remote New York home. She hears indistinct music resembling car sounds but finds no source. Each time she investigates, the sounds cease, leaving her puzzled and unnerved.

[15:58] Derek Hayes:
Derek offers a rational explanation, suggesting distant concert noises as a possible source, referencing historical music venues like Legend Valley that could project such sounds.

“Perhaps there was a concert space nearby, something that sounded much closer than it actually was.”
— Derek Hayes [14:20]

5. Denise's 1975 Guardian Angels

[26:23] Denise:
Denise shares a miraculous rescue story from 1975 where unidentified figures saved her and her boyfriend from a potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning incident. Despite her family's efforts, the two apparitions remain a mystery, as the ambulance crew found no one else present.

“What else can we think but it must have been a couple of guardian angels.”
— Denise [27:45]

[29:59] Derek Hayes:
Acknowledging the lack of logical explanations, Derek leans towards the supernatural, suggesting the presence of guardian angels as Denise believes.

6. Alex's Demonic Encounters

[30:42] Alex:
Alex opens up about a series of terrifying demonic experiences from his childhood in an upstate New York home. From night terrors and physical sensations to witnessing a horrifying entity with glowing eyes and charred features, Alex's narrative delves deep into personal fear and supernatural interactions.

“I saw my door not moving... I saw my doorknob move.”
— Alex [18:53]

He connects these experiences to the house's historical ties to the Underground Railroad and his father's involvement in Satanism, adding layers to his haunting encounters.

[38:36] Derek Hayes:
Derek reflects on the intense and vivid nature of Alex's stories, contemplating the thin line between protective and malevolent supernatural forces.

7. Ethan's UFO Sightings

[39:27] Ethan:
Ethan describes multiple UFO sightings in Wayne County, New York, including fireballs and triangular crafts with reddish lights. His experiences are corroborated by others, adding credibility to his accounts.

“I've seen triangle UFO crafts that did have some reddish orangish lights on.”
— Ethan [40:15]

[41:35] Derek Hayes:
Providing context, Derek cites data from the National UFO Reporting Center, noting New York's high ranking in UFO reports and highlighting key locations like Syracuse and Buffalo as hotspots.

8. Dustin's Haunted House in Syracuse

[43:12] Dustin:
Dustin recounts numerous paranormal activities experienced while renting a dilapidated house in Syracuse. From blood stains and break-ins to eerie sounds and moving objects, his most harrowing moment involved hearing footsteps and feeling an unseen presence, compelling him to flee in terror.

“It was like straight out of a horror movie.”
— Dustin [47:54]

[49:59] Derek Hayes:
Derek commends Dustin's detailed account, particularly noting the growling furnace and blood stains as strong indicators of the house being haunted.

9. Morgan's Woman in White Encounter

[51:08] Morgan:
Morgan shares a disturbing sighting of an older woman in a white nightgown standing beneath highway bridges near his home. The woman's silent, stationary presence left Morgan and his cousin unnerved, unsure if she was a supernatural entity or merely someone in distress.

“She just stared at us... it was just a weird one to see.”
— Morgan [52:00]

[52:56] Derek Hayes:
Derek muses over the encounter, pondering whether the woman was a ghostly apparition or someone facing hardship, leaving listeners to draw their own conclusions.

10. Jimmy's Central Park Terror

[53:53] Jimmy:
Jimmy narrates a spine-tingling experience in Central Park where he and his friends encountered a dark, shadowy figure with a menacing smile under a streetlight. The figure's unsettling presence prompted a frantic escape, leaving them bewildered by the apparition's inexplicable nature.

“He seemed to be darker than everything else around him... beyond scary.”
— Jimmy [55:10]

[59:16] Derek Hayes:
Reflecting on Jimmy's story, Derek considers both supernatural and mundane explanations, such as street performers or pranksters, while acknowledging Central Park's notorious haunted reputation. He also references organized ghost tours that explore the park's eerie history.

Conclusion

Throughout this episode, Derek Hayes masterfully weaves together a tapestry of supernatural tales from various corners of New York State. From haunted houses and mysterious rescues to demonic possessions and unexplained UFO sightings, each story adds a unique layer to the rich paranormal landscape of the Empire State.

Derek encourages listeners to share their own encounters, fostering a community of believers and skeptics alike. As spooky season approaches, the episode serves as a perfect compilation of eerie experiences that highlight the enduring fascination with the unexplained.

Additional Resources

• Ghost Tours in Central Park: Explore the haunted history of one of New York's most iconic locations.
• NewYorkCityGhost.com: Discover more about the top haunted spots in the Empire State.

Connect with Monsters Among Us:

• Website: monstersamonguspodcast.com
• Email: monstersamonguspodcast@gmail.com
• Social Media: Follow us on YouTube, join our Discord server, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Stay tuned for more spine-chilling stories every Thursday, and remember to keep it spooky!