MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
Episode: The Discovery
Release Date: June 5, 2025
Introduction
In this gripping episode of the MrBallen Podcast titled The Discovery, host Ballen Studios delves into three spine-chilling stories centered around terrifying discoveries that irrevocably changed the lives of those involved. Stripping away advertisements and introductory segments, this summary focuses solely on the heart-pounding narratives that define the episode.
1. Cutting It Close
Overview:
The first story, Cutting It Close, recounts a harrowing encounter between a young woman and one of America's most infamous serial killers.
Detailed Summary:
On a cold, snowy morning in Seattle, Washington, in 1972, 22-year-old Sotria Kritsonas awaited her bus to attend school. Frustrated by delays attributed to inclement weather, Sotria's patience waned when her bus failed to arrive for over an hour, jeopardizing her attendance at her second class of the day.
At approximately [04:22], a pale yellow Volkswagen Beetle pulled up, offering Sotria a ride—a common practice during the 1970s hitchhiking era on the West Coast. The driver appeared trustworthy: a well-dressed man in his twenties, exuding a pleasant demeanor.
Sotria accepted the ride, attributing it to necessity amidst the freezing temperatures and unreliable public transport. However, as they traveled, Sotria noticed odd behavior from the driver. He frequently activated his turn signals without reason, veering onto Interstate 5 southbound—a detour that confused Sotria, as her school was directly down Raynor Avenue.
At [05:15], Sotria observed the driver rummaging beneath his seat with his right hand, while the left remained steady on the wheel. Her anxiety peaked when she realized the car lacked a door handle, heightening her sense of unease. The situation intensified when the driver's demeanor shifted from determined to confused, prompting him to request Sotria remove her hat. Upon doing so, he exclaimed, "Why did you cut your hair?" ([07:12]).
The encounter concluded with Sotria being safely escorted to her school, and the driver promptly departed. Initially dismissing the incident as an unnerving yet harmless interaction, Sotria chose not to report the ride.
Years later, in 1975, Sotria's routine was shattered when she recognized the same man on a news broadcast. It was Ted Bundy, now being led into court in handcuffs, accused of murdering dozens of young women. His modus operandi included luring victims into his pale yellow Volkswagen Beetle before brutally killing them with a crowbar or tire iron. Bundy preferred victims with long brown hair, aligning precisely with Sotria's profile.
Notable Quote:
At [05:15], Sotria recounts, "I was fixated on what he was doing with his right hand. What was he hiding beneath his seat?"
Conclusion:
This chilling story serves as a sobering reminder of the latent dangers that can lurk behind seemingly benign encounters, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and the lasting impact such experiences can have on individuals.
2. The Box
Overview:
The Box tells the unsettling tale of Mary, who receives an unexpected and disturbing gift from her neighbor, Carmen Marino.
Detailed Summary:
In April 2019, Mary, a middle-aged woman residing in northern Spain, was preparing vegetables in her kitchen when her neighbor, Carmen Marino, knocked on her door bearing a large, wrapped box adorned with a bow and a tray of deep-fried croquettes. Carmen, a 61-year-old renowned chef, was known for sharing her delectable croquettes filled with various meats and other ingredients.
As Mary gratefully accepted the croquettes, she sensed unease in Carmen's demeanor. Carmen hesitated before confessing, "Mary, this is really embarrassing, but I need you to hold on to this box for a little bit." ([13:16]) She revealed that the box contained her sex toys, which she feared could be discovered when she had company over.
Mary, empathetic towards Carmen's distress following her breakup with her boyfriend, agreed to safeguard the box, placing it in her hallway closet. Initially intending to return the box, Mary became indifferent as weeks turned into months without Carmen reclaiming her belongings.
On September 29, 2019, nearly six months later, Mary was overcome by a foul odor emanating from the closet. Upon inspection, she discovered the sealed box emitting a repulsive smell. Struggling with the dilemma of violating her friend's trust, Mary opted to investigate, cutting into the wrapping paper with scissors. Inside, she found a tinfoil-wrapped object that horrified her, prompting her to flee the scene and contact the police.
The investigation unveiled a grisly truth: Carmen's boyfriend, Jesus Baranda, had gone missing around the time of their breakup. Authorities discovered that Carmen had murdered Jesus, decapitating him with a chainsaw and concealing his severed head within the box. To obscure her crime, she had ingeniously disguised the head by encasing it within a decorative box labeled as containing sex toys.
Notable Quote:
Mary reflects on the situation at [13:57]: "I will look after your sex toys, and I will enjoy your croquettes."
Conclusion:
The Box underscores the lengths to which individuals might go to conceal heinous acts, intertwined with personal vulnerabilities and the complexities of neighborly relationships. The story also raises unsettling questions about the potential reuse of Jesus's remains, with theories suggesting he may have been processed further and incorporated into Carmen's culinary offerings.
3. What's that Smell?
Overview:
The final story, What's that Smell?, explores the mysterious and deadly contamination that befell Umar Abdullah and his family in their Tampa Bay apartment.
Detailed Summary:
On the evening of June 7, 2023, Umar Abdullah, a 36-year-old man, returned to his Tampa Bay apartment with his wife, Samira, and their 10-month-old daughter after a trip to Ohio. Immediately upon entering, they were assaulted by an unfamiliar, chemical-like odor.
Initial attempts to locate the source were futile, leading them to believe it might have been related to post-travel repairs. They ventilated the apartment by opening windows and lighting candles, temporarily dissipating the smell. However, over the following days, the family began experiencing alarming symptoms: persistent headaches, lethargy, and their usually calm baby became unusually fussy and eventually started vomiting.
By [15:02], Umar decided to seek medical attention, but the situation deteriorated. On June 14th, after a week of worsening symptoms, Umar discovered significant hair loss in his daughter's crib—a condition abnormal for a 10-month-old. Concurrently, Umar noticed clumps of his own hair falling out during a shower, followed by his wife experiencing similar symptoms.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Umar recalled the initial chemical odor and hypothesized an environmental contamination within their apartment. Despite multiple inspections—including gas, mold, plumbing, and HVAC assessments—no source was identified. Desperate, Umar contacted the fire department's hazmat team, who also found nothing abnormal.
Two weeks post-return, on June 25th, Umar's persistent investigation led him to smell the chemical odor strongest around his front door. Upon closer inspection, he discovered a crack at the base of the door. Acting on instinct, Umar and Samira concealed a video camera aimed at the door to monitor any intrusions.
Two days later, June 27th, the chemical exposure intensified, causing severe reactions in the family. Reviewing the camera footage, Umar discovered a man infiltrating their apartment through the crack, injecting a syringe filled with a lethal chemical mixture—methadone and hydrocodone—designed to incapacitate them.
The police traced the perpetrator to Zhu Mingli, a 36-year-old chemistry PhD candidate living in the apartment below. Initially perceived as a quiet, amicable neighbor, Zhu Mingli had grown increasingly obsessed with the family's baby noises, escalating to incessant complaints and ultimately leading to his unhinged decision to poison the family. His chemical expertise enabled him to craft and administer the deadly injections surreptitiously over a month, bringing the family to the brink of death.
Notable Quote:
Umar expresses his realization at [28:13]: "We have to get out of here right now, get the baby, we have to leave right now. We're going to the hospital."
Conclusion:
What's that Smell? is a terrifying exploration of how proximity and obsession can culminate in lethal actions. The episode highlights the importance of community vigilance and the unforeseen dangers that can arise from seemingly benign neighborly interactions. The legal repercussions for Zhu Mingli remain unresolved due to his deportation, leaving a lingering sense of injustice and unresolved tension.
Episode Conclusion
The The Discovery episode of MrBallen's podcast masterfully intertwines tales of deception, obsession, and survival. Each story serves as a testament to the unforeseen horrors that can emerge from everyday scenarios, urging listeners to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings. Through detailed narratives and compelling quotes, the episode leaves a lasting impression of the thin veil between normalcy and the macabre.
Note: All stories presented are based on true events, with pseudonyms used to protect the identities of those involved. Some details have been fictionalized for dramatic effect.