Mercy Brown, Rhode Island vampire—allegedly so—is considered to be the last of the state’s unfortunate focal points in its 19th century vampire panics; but like so many other supernatural superstitions we dig into, there’s much more beneath the surface. The Exeter Vampire panic is more complex, and perhaps distorted, than we’ve been led to believe. . .all through the haze of the horror of the plague of tuberculosis.

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Hosted and written by Laurah Norton

Researched Anna Luria and Laurah Norton

Produced by Maura Currie

Engineered by Brandon Schexnayder

This episode originally ran as Episode 71.

One Strange Thing: True Paranormal Mysteries explores the archives of the unexplained, blending rigorous historical research with a wry, skeptical wit to investigate true supernatural stories and baffling mysteries that made headlines.

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