Morbid Podcast: The 1916 Jersey Shore Shark Attacks (Part 2)

Hosted by Ash Kelley & Alaina Urquhart | March 12, 2026

Episode Overview

Ash and Alaina return for the gripping conclusion to the true story of the 1916 Jersey Shore Shark Attacks, one of the deadliest and most mysterious series of shark encounters in American history. Picking up where Part 1 left off, they recount the unbelievable sequence of attacks that unfolded in Matawan Creek—a seemingly safe freshwater inlet—while maintaining their signature blend of creepy history, dark humor, and compassion for the victims (both human and animal). They examine the panic and myths that followed, the hunt for the "man-eater," and how these events changed public perception of sharks forever.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene & Shark Behavior (03:44–11:25)

• The episode opens with the hosts recapping the previous attacks and teeing up the infamous Matawan Creek incident.
• Alaina: "Isn't a crick a pretty shallow body of water?" (04:08)
• They break down the shocking fact that only a handful of shark species, notably the bull shark, can truly tolerate freshwater, but some great whites can temporarily traverse these environments, likely causing confusion and distress for the animal.
• The hosts reflect on the dual horror and pathos: the terror for the townspeople, and also the animal’s desperation and confusion.
• Alaina: “This animal is not killing people because it’s like, you—I’m gonna eat you because I’m mad. It’s desperate, hungry, scared, and like flipping out.” (10:16)

The Matawan Creek Attacks Begin (11:25–16:20)

• On July 11, 14-year-old Rennie Cartan is the first victim in the creek, sustaining unexplained lacerations—likely from an exploratory bump from the shark’s rough skin.
• The initial injury is misunderstood by peers and dismissed as an accident:
  Alaina: “Given what happened the next day…it’s more than likely that what Rennie experienced was an exploratory bump by a shark.” (15:20)

Horror in Matawan: The Fatal Attacks (21:18–32:29)

Captain Cottrell’s Warning & Dismissal (21:18–23:28)

• Sea captain Thomas Cottrell sees a massive shark but his urgent warnings are disregarded:
  Alaina: “The normally very respected Thomas Cottrell was quickly dismissed by people…his story about a shark in the creek…was laughed off by all the men who had gathered around town.” (21:34)

The Attack on Lester Stillwell (23:28–26:50)

• A group of boys swimming in the creek witness 11-year-old Lester Stillwell being seized and thrashed by the shark in an eruption of blood and chaos.
• “They are literally naked running into town, like, covered in their friend’s blood, screaming…that’s like a horror movie.” (25:26)

Stanley Fisher’s Heroism & Tragic End (26:51–34:56)

• Local merchant Stanley Fisher courageously leads a recovery attempt for Lester’s body, personally diving into the muddy, shark-infested creek.
• During his search, Fisher is attacked, fighting the shark underwater in front of crowds, and emerges grievously wounded.
• Memorable moment: Despite mortal wounds, Fisher manages to bring Lester’s remains to shore before succumbing to his injuries en route to the hospital.
• Alaina: “On the shore…everyone saw that half his thigh was missing, and when he lifted his leg…he quietly said, ‘Oh my God,’ before falling back into the water.” (33:52)

Joseph Dunn’s Lucky Escape (36:08–46:29)

• Shortly after, brothers Joseph and Michael Dunn and friend Jerry, unaware of earlier events, are attacked while swimming further down the creek.
• Joseph’s leg is bitten and only through the heroic intervention of his brother and a bystander is he freed and ultimately saved, though left with a permanent disability.

The Aftermath: Panic, Hysteria, and Hunt for the Shark (46:47–59:00)

• The stunned community and media descend into a frenzy, reporting wild and dubious sightings.
• Locals attempt to “clear” the creek with dynamite and armed patrols, exemplifying early 20th-century crisis response.
• Ash: “That’s terrible because there’s other things there too.” (47:45)
• The governor makes sweeping statements, assuming “schools of sharks” are ravaging the whole coastline, showing widespread misinformation.

The “Man-Eater” is Caught (51:50–59:00)

• Michael Schleisser, a New York taxidermist, catches a 7.5-foot great white shark near Raritan Bay.
• Upon examining the stomach contents, human remains—including a shin bone matching a child—are discovered, providing strong evidence this was the killer shark:
  Alaina: “By the time they finished the examination, they also discovered roughly 15 pounds of suspicious fleshy material…later determined to be human remains. So this was the shark that had done it.” (56:00)
• Attacks suddenly stop after the shark’s capture, strengthening the case.

Reflecting on Nature and Blame (53:35–59:00)

• The hosts emphasize the tragedy on both sides and criticize the human tendency to blame wildlife for acting according to instinct.
• Ash: “That’s like somebody walking into your house and beating you over the head…You live there. You’re allowed to be there.” (53:28)
• Alaina: “It’s tragic…but it’s hard to swallow that we’re just gonna kill a wild thing for acting like a wild…” (54:01)

Modern Legacy & Shark Science (59:00–59:59)

• The horror and confusion led to a long-lasting shift in public perception and marine research.
• Prior beliefs about “shy” sharks were dispelled, ushering in a more complex understanding of shark behavior and risk to humans—including the idea that sharks do not generally seek out humans as prey but can become dangerous when disoriented or desperate.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This animal is not killing people because it’s like, you—I’m gonna eat you because I’m mad. It’s desperate, hungry, scared, and like flipping out.” – Alaina (10:16)
• “They are literally naked running into town, like, covered in their friend’s blood, screaming…that’s like a horror movie.” – Alaina (25:26)
• “On the shore…everyone saw that half his thigh was missing, and when he lifted his leg…he quietly said, ‘Oh my God,’ before falling back into the water.” – Alaina (33:52)
• “That’s like somebody walking into your house and beating you over the head…You live there. You’re allowed to be there.” – Ash (53:28)
• “I want everybody to be able to go swimming in the water. But it’s not ours.” – Alaina (54:24)
• “By the time they finished the examination, they also discovered roughly 15 pounds of suspicious fleshy material…later determined to be human remains. So this was the shark that had done it.” – Alaina (56:00)
• “Although he may have been wrong about some of the specifics, his theory is more or less accurate…At least by standards now. Having been thrown off course, this animal would have gone looking for food and not found what it’s used to eating, so it’s turning to mammals.” – Alaina (58:54)

Segment Timestamps for Key Events

• Explaining creek environment, shark confusion: 03:44–11:25
• First creek attack (Rennie Cartan): 11:25–16:20
• Captain Cottrell’s warning: 21:18–23:28
• Attack on Lester Stillwell: 23:28–26:50
• Stanley Fisher’s search and attack: 26:51–34:56
• Attack on Joseph Dunn: 36:08–46:29
• Town’s panic, dynamite, and local hysteria: 46:47–51:50
• Catching the shark and examining evidence: 51:50–59:00
• Reflections on blame and shark science legacy: 53:35–end

Closing Tone

The hosts end the episode on their usual "keep it weird" note, expressing empathy for both the human victims and the shark, emphasizing the tragic nature but also how events like this often result from humans misunderstanding or invading animal habitats. The mood balances horror, sadness, and a recognition of nature’s complexity—with a final humorous animal fact to break the tension.

Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers a thorough, dramatized, yet factual account of the 1916 Matawan Creek shark attacks—framed with compelling storytelling, critical analysis, and the kind of humor and compassion that keep Morbid’s fans coming back. Whether you’re drawn by the macabre history or fascinated by animal behavior and public panic, this episode offers unforgettable insights into both nature and human nature.