MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

Medical Mysteries – "False Alarm"

Release Date: October 30, 2025
Host: MrBallen (Ballen Studios)

Overview

In this gripping episode from MrBallen's Medical Mysteries series, titled "False Alarm," listeners are taken through the harrowing and baffling real-life experience of the Stroud family in Washington, D.C. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family battles a debilitating, mysterious illness that leaves them sick, anxious, and searching for answers. The story expertly unpacks their frightening ordeal, the twists in the search for a diagnosis, and the unexpected culprit behind their symptoms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Onset of Illness in the Stroud Family

• Background: On December 18, 2020, Brooke Stroud, a clinical psychologist, begins to feel off—experiencing forgetfulness, fatigue, and body aches, suspecting COVID-19 as the cause.
  • "Her head felt foggy, and little things like where she'd put her coffee had been slipping her mind." (04:33)
• As symptoms worsen (fever, exhaustion, headaches), Brooke cancels work and isolates but realizes her family, including her husband, Stephane, and children, have likely already been exposed.

2. Spread of Symptoms Within the Household

• Over dinner, other family members—Stephane, Alex, and Olivia—succumb to similar symptoms: headaches, nausea, and vomiting, prompting increasing concern.
• Despite COVID-like symptoms, subsequent tests for the virus return negative for both Brooke and Stephane.
  • "She and Stephane were both negative for Covid, which was great, but they still felt horrible, and so clearly, they were sick with something." (19:53)
• Pediatrician advises rest and fluids, implying it might be a passing bug.

3. Desperation & Disrupted Holidays

• The illness persists, ruining the family’s Christmas. Brooke’s son Sebastian arrives home and soon also feels fatigued.
• Olivia, the daughter, worries about missing her trip to New Orleans, seeking further medical testing, all of which are negative (COVID, parvovirus, Epstein-Barr).

4. A Clue from a Family Friend

• Olivia’s friend Caroline is invited to quarantine with the family after infectious disease expert Dr. John Shifflin, Caroline's father, agrees she’s not at high risk. Caroline also falls mysteriously ill upon arrival.
  • "Caroline had a splitting headache and was currently in the bathroom throwing up." (44:15)
• Dr. Shifflin notices a pattern: everyone feels better outside; symptoms worsen in the main house. He pinpoints the issue as likely environmental, not viral.

5. The Revelation: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Dr. Shifflin advises Brooke to buy a device to test for carbon monoxide (CO).
  • "John thought it was much more likely that it was some kind of environmental illness, meaning there was something in the house doing it." (46:47)
• On January 6, 2021, the device confirms hazardous CO levels.
• Emergency services identify a faulty basement furnace as the source.
• The family’s smoke alarm did not detect the gas because it lacked a CO detector (despite legal requirements).

6. Aftermath and Recovery

• All family members and Caroline recover after the leak is fixed.
• Brooke installs multiple CO detectors and develops increased vigilance around home safety.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the initial spread:
  • "Brooke ran to the kitchen at this point and grabbed a trash can, and she made it back to the living room just in time to set the bin in front of her daughter as she threw up all of her dinner." (16:35)
• On frustration and confusion:
  • "But their doctor explained that it probably didn't make sense since Brooke and Stephane already tested negative. Whatever germs they had would have already infected the kids, but very, very likely it was not Covid." (20:27)
• On recognizing the environmental clue:
  • "Caroline had told him that her symptoms lessened whenever the girls went for a walk around the neighborhood. She also said that people seemed to get very sick very quickly when they came into the main house. That suggested to John that this was not an infectious disease." (46:47)
• Discovery of gas leak:
  • "She grabbed the device from Stephane and then hit the on button. And right away the machine began blaring." (48:12)
  • "The firefighters would discover that Brook's family had a serious carbon monoxide leak in their home. And everyone, including Caroline, had carbon monoxide poisoning." (49:20)
• Closing reflection:
  • "After the leak, Brooke bought four plug in detectors that she installed on each level of the house. But every time she goes into the basement, she can't help but check to see that the furnace is still properly connected." (51:00)

Important Timestamps

• 04:33: Brooke notices initial symptoms and suspects COVID-19.
• 16:35: Family dinner turns to coordinated illness and vomiting.
• 19:53: COVID tests come back negative.
• 28:50: Olivia and family remain ill after Christmas; further tests for other viruses all negative.
• 44:15: Caroline falls ill soon after arriving.
• 46:47: Dr. Shifflin identifies the problem as environmental.
• 48:12: Carbon monoxide detector blares, confirming the danger.
• 49:20: Firefighters confirm CO poisoning and source in furnace.
• 51:00: Brooke reflects on new safety measures.

Takeaways and Lessons

• Medical mystery stories can have environmental, not just viral or bacterial, roots.
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is insidious—symptoms mirror flu or COVID, and standard smoke alarms may not detect it.
• Expert outside observation (Dr. Shifflin’s environmental diagnosis) can be pivotal when traditional medical pathways come up empty.
• Vigilance in home safety is essential—ensure CO detectors are installed and working, especially with gas appliances.

Final Thoughts

"False Alarm" follows the classic MrBallen blend of suspense, meticulous storytelling, and dark mystery—turning a modern medical scare into a gripping narrative with a vital PSA: sometimes, the greatest dangers at home are the invisible ones. The story illustrates both the resilience and vulnerability of families in crisis, and reinforces the importance of thinking beyond the obvious—especially when lives are on the line.