Morbid Podcast – “The Wyrick Family Haunting”

Episode Date: October 16, 2025

Hosts: Ash Kelley & Alaina Urquhart

Episode Overview

In this chilling and witty episode, Ash and Alaina dive into the haunting true story of the Wyrick family of Harris County, Georgia, whose humble home in the late '80s and '90s became the epicenter for unexplained phenomena. Through their signature blend of thorough research, offbeat humor, and empathetic storytelling, the hosts unravel the decades-long saga of imaginary friends who turn out to be verifiable ghosts, sinister shadowy presences, and the enduring fight of a family trying to reclaim their peace.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Wyrick Family’s New Home and Ominous Beginnings

• Setting the Scene

  • In 1989, young couple Andy and Lisa Wyrick buy their first home in Ellerslie, an unincorporated—and as Ash & Alaina joke, “lawless”—town in rural Georgia.
  • The deeply discounted house was foreclosed after previous inhabitants abruptly abandoned it: “I feel like that's a red flag.” – Elaine [08:36]

• Early Red Flags

  • Their 3-year-old daughter, Heidi, soon begins playing alone in the yard. One day, she requests to “play with the man on the swings,” sending Lisa into “full mama bear mode,” arming herself with a kitchen knife to hunt for a would-be predator. [11:41–12:25]

• Emergence of Imaginary Friends

  • Heidi introduces a “very nice older man” named Mr. Gordy, describing him as always in a dark suit with gray hair.
  • Parental concern grows—Lisa verifies with neighbors but no Mr. Gordy exists. When asked where he lives, Heidi points "up there": “She would point to the sky and say, ‘up there.’” – Ash [15:37]

Haunting Intensifies: More Ghosts, More Puzzles

• The Bloody Stranger

  • Heidi later sees a man at the door with a bloody shirt and bandaged arm, calling himself "Khan." Again no one can be found, but “Heidi said he was wearing a blood-soaked white T-shirt with bandages on his arm … and that he was younger than Mr. Gordy and scarier.” – Elaine [17:48]

• The Dark Hooded Figure

  • A new, shadowy presence appears in the home, wearing all black and a hood obscuring its face. Heidi is terrified, sleeps with the lights on, and retreats to her parents’ bed: “She started to feel unsafe... and she was genuinely terrified.” – Ash [20:18]

Connecting the Dots: Ghosts Become Real

• Aunt Moves In, Puzzle Solves

  • Lisa’s sister Joyce buys the house next door. While sorting old documents with "Ms. Kelly," the prior owner, Joyce discovers the name James S. Gordy—Heidi’s imaginary friend—on estate papers. Shocked, she asks about him.
  • Ms. Kelly explains Mr. Gordy was a real, kindly neighbor who died in 1974, matching exactly Heidi’s description. [25:21–27:28]
  • When Lisa shows Heidi the grave, Heidi runs directly to it, even though she’s too young to read: “The car had barely come to a stop and Heidi jumped out ... and ran straight to Mr. Gordy's grave.” – Ash [31:05]

• Identifying ‘Khan’

  • Flipping through Ms. Kelly’s family photos, Heidi points out "Khan," revealed to be Ms. Kelly's uncle, Lon Bachelor, who died in 1957 and lost an arm in a farm accident—explaining the bloodied apparition. [36:47–37:14]
  • Both “imaginary friends” are confirmed historical deceased residents connected to the property, suggesting Heidi is experiencing more than simple childhood fantasy.

The Haunting Turns Hostile

• A Sinister Presence

  • Heidi is haunted by a dark, faceless entity, leading to escalating fear and physical scratches appearing on both her and Andy:
    • “Not only was he in her room this time, they saw fresh scratches on her cheek. They said it literally looked like an animal with claws had swiped at her.” – Asher [43:03]
    • Andy also suffers burns and deep gashes: “He woke up again and there was even more scratches across his whole body.” – Ash [44:16]

• Pet Scare

  • The newly acquired family dog, Sheba, after reacting aggressively to an unseen presence in the kitchen, runs away and is never seen again—prompting Alaina’s infamous take:
    • “What a shitty dog … just abandoned his family!” [33:07]

Professional Investigation & Theories

• Enter Dr. William Roll, Paranormal Psychologist

  • Dr. Roll interviews the family, seeks to debunk or validate paranormal experiences, and finds the family “evidently sane.” [49:48]
  • His “place memory” theory posits Heidi is piecing together residual energy or memories embedded in the environment, not traditional ghosts:
    • “When there are major shifts in electromagnetic fields, that energy can break through into the present, and that can cause somebody to literally see a person or place just like it appeared in the past.” – Asher [51:46]
  • However, neither he nor any scientific measurement can explain the physical scratches or why the dark entity targets the family.

• The Famous “Honey, the Land” Segment

  • Jokingly referencing psychic Sylvia Brown: “Honey, it’s the land. All land is ancient.” [56:16]
  • The hosts riff on how sometimes it comes down to the unknown history of the property.

The Aftermath: Press, TV, and Ongoing Haunting

• National Attention

  • The Wyricks’ haunting is featured on Unsolved Mysteries in 1994, exposing Heidi’s story to a nationwide audience. [59:51]
  • Mr. Gordy tells Heidi that money is buried under the pecan tree—Ash and Alaina debate “pean” vs “pecan” and never resolve if the treasure was ever found. [61:01]

• Ongoing Trauma and Coping

  • As years pass, the haunting intensifies, and the dark entity remains, even as Heidi’s “friendly” ghosts vanish.
  • Another daughter, Jordan, is born and experiences similar supernatural events, including a babysitter discovering a ribbon knotted around her neck while the parents are out—a chilling escalation. [62:09]

• Spiritual & Practical Response

  • The family seeks help from their church, regularly prays, and is anointed with oil in efforts to repel spirits, but nothing fully resolves their ordeal.
  • “They said it makes them feel empowered to stay in their house. But to date, they still are experiencing paranormal activity in the house.” – Asher [64:37]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mr. Gordy’s Grave:
  • “She could not read. … but she knew the exact location of his grave and ran over to it.” – Ash [31:05]
• On Confronting the Unknown:
  • “Are you sure you won’t be scared if I tell you this?” … “There’s a man behind you.” – Heidi & Lisa [38:35–38:44]
  • “I would run out of the house. We'd be going to Wendy's, get a 4-for-4.” – Asher [38:49]
• On Pet Protection:
  • “Blanche will wear Jon’s skin if she could. Like, she loves Jon so much more than anything has ever loved Jon.” – Elaine [34:11]
• On the Limits of Science:
  • “He couldn't include the scratches that appeared on Heidi or the scratches that appeared on her father.” – Asher [55:15]
• Dark Humor on Bad Land
  • “Honey, the land. All land is ancient.” – Elaine quoting Sylvia Browne [56:16]
• Final Reflections:
  • “Isn’t it scary? It's genuinely scary.” – Elaine [65:40]
  • “That is the story of the Wyrick family haunting.” – Asher [64:47]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Wyrick Family Background and Purchase: [07:01–09:06]
• Heidi’s Imaginary Friends Emerge: [11:41–15:07]
• Mr. Gordy is Identified: [25:21–27:28]
• Discovery of ‘Khan’ as Lon Bachelor: [36:47–37:14]
• Escalation: Physical Attacks: [43:03–44:16]
• Dr. Roll’s Investigation & Place Memory Theory: [47:54–52:32]
• Pop-culture/Land Jokes (“Honey, the land”): [56:00–56:44]
• Aftermath, TV Attention, Ongoing Haunt: [59:51–64:47]

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Morbid's trademark mix of comprehensive research, banter, and heartfelt empathy for victims. Ash and Alaina's chemistry brings comic relief to a genuinely unnerving tale, balancing the horror with relatable asides about parenting, pets, and '80s nostalgia. The storytelling is honest but unflinching, and the hosts never lose sight of the Wyrick family's humanity.

Conclusion

This episode stands out for its spine-tingling details, eerie true-to-life connections, and the hosts’ respectful but humorous deconstruction of one of America’s most bizarre “haunted house” tales. It’s essential listening for fans of supernatural lore, creepy history, and true crime with a personal touch.