MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
Episode: An Unforgettable Fare
Release Date: November 28, 2024

Introduction

In the episode titled "An Unforgettable Fare," Ballen Studios delves into a chilling true-crime story set in the bustling city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The narrative revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a Japanese tourist named Mariko Eguchi and the unsettling behavior of a taxi driver, Leo Shui Cheng, who becomes a central figure in this enigmatic case.

The Disappearance of Mariko Eguchi

The story begins in April 1990, when 23-year-old Mariko Eguchi travels alone to Taiwan for a vacation. During her stay, she follows a common local practice where taxi drivers open their homes to tourists, offering rides and accommodation. Mariko stays with a taxi driver in Kaohsiung City, a hub of activity due to its proximity to the airport and high demand for taxi services.

However, Mariko mysteriously vanishes without a trace, sparking a significant investigation. Initial efforts by the Taiwanese police focus on taxi drivers, given the localized customs and Mariko's itinerant lifestyle. The first suspect is a driver in the capital who claims to have given Mariko a ride and hosted her, but a postcard dated after her departure exonerates him, causing the case to go cold.

Mr. Ballin [06:15]: "Mariko was visiting Taiwan alone, staying with taxi drivers—a common practice at the time. Her disappearance left authorities baffled and the community on edge."

Leo Shui Cheng's Suspicious Behavior

Approximately ten months after Mariko's disappearance, new information surfaces linking Leo Shui Cheng to the case. Leo, a 35-year-old taxi driver, had been exhibiting increasingly erratic and menacing behavior. Colleagues described him as antisocial and aggressive, especially towards stray animals, going so far as to use a crossbow to harm them.

One fateful morning, February 4, 1991, Leo is seen running frantically across the taxi lot clutching a golden Buddha statue before diving into his cab and appearing to pray or mumble to himself. His bizarre actions raise alarms among his peers, prompting Wang, another taxi driver, to consider involving the police.

Dispatcher [05:35]: "Leo's behavior has been off lately. He’s become more aggressive, especially towards stray animals, and now he's turning his cab into some sort of shrine."

Police Surveillance and Investigation

Detective Lin Xiaoji takes an interest in Leo's strange behavior, especially in the context of the ongoing Mariko Eguchi case. Starting in mid-February 1991, Detective Lin and his team commence 24/7 surveillance of Leo, hoping to uncover any links to Mariko's disappearance.

Despite extensive monitoring, Leo's routine remains unchanged—pick up passengers, drop them off, and sleep in his cab. However, his nightly rituals—placing Buddha statues and fulous (ward-off papers) inside his vehicle—continue unabated. During surveillance, Leo is observed exhibiting signs of paranoia, constantly scanning his surroundings for unseen threats before retreating into his apartment.

Mr. Ballin [15:13]: "Detective Lin watched Leo daily, searching for any hint that would connect him to Mariko's disappearance. But Leo's actions were perplexingly normal, save for his odd rituals."

The Confrontation and Revelation

On March 4, 1991, Detective Lin decides to confront Leo directly. Coordinating with his team, they intercept Leo as he exits his apartment. Contrary to their expectations of hostility, Leo collapses in tears, repeatedly expressing gratitude to the officers.

As they escort him to the police station, Leo shares a haunting account of his experiences. He describes hearing a female voice and seeing the ghostly apparition of Mariko within his apartment—an encounter that left him terrified and unstable.

Leo Shui Cheng [23:45]: "Thank you so much. You're my saviors. I can't live like this anymore."

Detective Lin, intrigued yet skeptical, decides to investigate Leo's apartment. Upon inspection, the police find no signs of forced entry or additional occupants, deepening the mystery surrounding Mariko's disappearance.

The Haunting Truth

After four days of intense interrogation, Leo confesses to the brutal murder of Mariko Eguchi. He admits that after inviting her to his apartment, Mariko rejected his romantic advances. In a fit of rage and obsession, Leo attacked her with a crossbow, resulting in her brutal death. Desperate to conceal his crime, he buried her body but was haunted by her severed head, which he believed tormented him nightly.

Leo's hallucinations of Mariko's ghost drove him to madness, leading to his erratic behavior and eventual breakdown. His belief in the supernatural provided a twisted explanation for his actions, ultimately pushing him to confess.

Detective Lin [27:50]: "When I stood alone in Leo’s apartment, I felt someone push me. Turning around, there was no one. It convinced me that Mariko's spirit was real and had influenced Leo."

Furthermore, unexplained phenomena during the investigation—such as eerie phone calls from a frantic Japanese woman and reports of sightings of Mariko—are attributed by locals and even some police officers to Mariko's restless spirit keeping the case alive.

Conviction and Legacy

Leo Shui Cheng was convicted of Mariko Eguchi's murder and remains incarcerated to this day. The case left an indelible mark on the community, intertwining local beliefs in the supernatural with the grim reality of his crime. Many in Taiwan believe that Mariko's spirit played a pivotal role in Leo's confession, ensuring that justice was served.

The case also highlighted the challenges faced by authorities in navigating cultural practices and superstitions, emphasizing the need for sensitivity and thoroughness in investigations involving missing persons and potential supernatural elements.

Mr. Ballin [25:30]: "In Taiwan, many believe that Mariko's spirit not only haunted Leo but also guided the police to uncover the truth, ensuring that her case wouldn't become a forgotten cold case."

Conclusion

"An Unforgettable Fare" masterfully intertwines true-crime investigation with elements of folklore and supernatural belief. The episode not only recounts the chilling details of Mariko Eguchi's disappearance and Leo Shui Cheng's descent into madness but also explores the cultural context that shaped the investigation and its aftermath. This case serves as a haunting reminder of how unresolved grief and obsession can lead to tragic outcomes, all under the shadow of eerie, unexplainable phenomena.

For listeners who enjoy spine-tingling true stories blending mystery, darkness, and the supernatural, "An Unforgettable Fare" is a compelling episode that encapsulates the essence of the MrBallen Podcast.

Notable Quotes:

• Mr. Ballin [06:15]: "Mariko was visiting Taiwan alone, staying with taxi drivers—a common practice at the time. Her disappearance left authorities baffled and the community on edge."

• Dispatcher [05:35]: "Leo's behavior has been off lately. He’s become more aggressive, especially towards stray animals, and now he's turning his cab into some sort of shrine."

• Mr. Ballin [15:13]: "Detective Lin watched Leo daily, searching for any hint that would connect him to Mariko's disappearance. But Leo's actions were perplexingly normal, save for his odd rituals."

• Leo Shui Cheng [23:45]: "Thank you so much. You're my saviors. I can't live like this anymore."

• Detective Lin [27:50]: "When I stood alone in Leo’s apartment, I felt someone push me. Turning around, there was no one. It convinced me that Mariko's spirit was real and had influenced Leo."

This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions of the "An Unforgettable Fare" episode, providing an engaging and comprehensive overview for both existing listeners and newcomers alike.