Scary Stories For A Rainy Night - Ep. 282 - Murderers

Podcast: Scary Stories and Rain
Host: Being Scared (Dane)
Date: November 7, 2025
Theme: Murderers - A collection of chilling, true encounter stories involving would-be killers, unsolved crimes, and brushes with the most dangerous facets of human nature.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delves into real-life horror stories and notorious true crime, all centered on the theme of "murderers." The host, known for their calm and immersive narration style, presents unsettling tales of survival, close calls with murder, notorious unsolved killings, and strange encounters on the brink of violence—each recounted with the soothing accompaniment of falling rain. The aim is both to unsettle and to offer a space for safe exploration of fear, perfect for late-night listeners seeking a shiver before sleep.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdowns

1. Hunting Accident: Survival in the Wild

[01:09 - 06:44]

• Summary:
  A seasoned hunter recounts a near-fatal accident while climbing into a deer stand. After falling 25 feet, he breaks both legs and suffers a broken back.
• Struggle for Survival:
  • Unable to walk, he drags himself through the underbrush, battling pain and nausea, to find a cell signal and call for help.
  • Eventually rescued, he undergoes surgery and vows to continue hunting from a ground blind, determined not to let fear dictate his life.
• Notable Quote:
  • “As I laid there, I watched the sunrise, thinking how beautiful a scene it was to see. I only wished it was under better circumstances.” (B, 05:30)

2. Craigslist Transaction Gone Wrong: The Rusty Hatchet

[06:49 - 14:21]

• Summary:
  A man’s obsession with owning the latest Xbox One X leads to a chilling encounter after arranging a Craigslist purchase.
• The seller insists on dropping off the item at the buyer's home, eventually arriving suspiciously late with another individual waiting in a van.
• The buyer, wary of the stranger's concealed hands and companion, fabricates an excuse to avoid stepping outside. After refusing to follow him out, the seller tries to force entry and flees, leaving a hatchet buried in the door.
• Warning & Lesson:
  • “Be careful who you’re buying from, folks. You never know who’s behind the username.” (B, 14:17)
• Memorable Moment:
  • Discovery of the hatchet: “I nearly pissed—kissed my pants when I saw a rusty old hatchet buried in the wood.” (B, 14:17)

3. True Crime Spotlight: JonBenét Ramsey

[14:21 - 24:07]

• Summary:
  A detailed retelling of the infamous JonBenét Ramsey murder case, highlighting the bizarre circumstances, botched investigation, and ongoing mystery.
• Key Details:
  • The case’s strange ransom note, suspicion falling on the family, and the lack of a conclusive suspect despite years of media and police scrutiny.
• Expert Commentary:
  • On DNA evidence and exoneration:
    • “To clear somebody just on the premise of touch DNA… really is a stretch.” — Gordon Coombs, former investigator (B, 22:34)
  • On ongoing investigation focus:
    • “…the unknown DNA from JonBenet’s clothing has got to be the focus of the investigation at this point…” — Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner (B, 21:43)
• Eerie Closure:
  • “A jolly family holiday was turned into a living nightmare by a killer who may never face justice for their crimes.” (B, 23:59)

4. The Hillside Stranger: Homeless in the Haunted Hills

[24:09 - 41:08]

• Summary:
  A narrator describes his voluntary homelessness among the hills outside a small town, navigating urban legends, strange government trucks, and increasingly supernatural happenings.
• Noteworthy Experiences:
  • Encounters with inexplicable animal noises and phantom growling at night.
  • Sightings of a woman at 3a.m. and someone (or something) whistling his phone alarm’s unique melody in the dark.
  • Discovery of a rumored, collapsed mine and a mysterious, cage-like steel box left open in the brush.
  • A chilling climax as the narrator hears his own voice mimicked in the woods, prompting him to flee for good.
• Notable Quote:
  • “I am of the mind that the most terrifying thing to cross paths with are the things that make no sense, the things that are unbelievable, the things that are unknown.” (A, 41:12)

5. The Masked Man at the Door: True Crime Close Call

[42:28 - 47:43]

• Summary:
  A woman, preparing for deployment, recounts a near miss with a murderer who appeared at her friend’s hidden door, holding a stained child’s backpack and wearing a mask.
• The stranger is captured on their doorbell camera. He attempts to lure them outside. Only later do police reveal he stabbed an elderly woman just before arriving at their house. The same backpack, stained with the elderly woman’s blood, is seen in both incidents.
• Chilling Details:
  • “A large man was standing at our front door, completely still. He was wearing a mask and holding what looked like a child's backpack that appeared to be dirty and stained.” (A, 43:53)
• Grateful Reflection:
  • “I am really thankful Jay stopped me from opening that door. Who knows what would have happened if I had?” (A, 47:41)
  • “And thank God for doorbell camera.” (A, 47:42)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Be careful who you're buying from, folks. You never know who's behind the username.” (B, 14:17)
• “That was weird. That was so weird.” (A, 40:46 and 36:18; used as a personal echo in the hills story)
• “I am of the mind that the most terrifying thing to cross paths with are the things that make no sense, the things that are unbelievable, the things that are unknown.” (A, 41:12)
• “…the unknown DNA from JonBenet’s clothing has got to be the focus of the investigation at this point…” (B, 21:43)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:09] Hunting Accident Survival story
• [06:49] Craigslist Hatchet Murder Attempt
• [14:21] JonBenét Ramsey True Crime Case
• [24:09] Haunted Hillside, Voluntary Homelessness & the Unknown
• [42:28] Masked Man at the Door – Near Miss with a Murderer

Final Thoughts

This episode masterfully blends first-hand brushes with murder, true crime analysis, and eerie folklore, all underlining one core message: the most chilling monsters often wear human faces—or glide just out of sight. With soft rain as atmospherics, listeners are invited to explore fear from a safe remove, with the host’s quiet narration allowing the darkness to creep just a little bit closer.