Spooked – “Petrony” (Classic)
Date: January 2, 2026
Host: Glynn Washington
Produced by: KQED & Snap Studios
Episode Overview:
In this haunting installment of Spooked, Glynn Washington introduces David, a North Carolina native whose ancestral farmhouse has stood for over two centuries. David recounts his deeply personal encounters with the supernatural—specifically, the childlike apparition of a red-haired girl, later revealed to be his great-aunt Petronia. The episode explores family legacy, memory, and the enduring presence of the past.
Main Theme
- Family, Legacy, and the Supernatural:
David’s story is a multi-generational tale set in rural North Carolina, revolving around a centuries-old family farmhouse. The episode explores how the unseen history of a home can dwell alongside its living descendants—sometimes with chilling visibility.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Glynn Washington’s Introduction: Memory, Loss, and Ritual
- Glynn opens with evocative recollections of family rituals—foods, barbecue, and deals with missing loved ones by honoring their memory in everyday moments.
- Quote:
“Even saying this out loud right now, just saying this, it calls them back. I see you, Granddaddy. … I see you, brothers.” (A/Glynn Washington, 02:06)
The Setting: A Farm Steeped in History
- David’s family farm: 300+ years old, farmhouse built in 1800 (peg and tenon construction, no nails).
- Fond, idyllic childhood memories of summers at the farm with his grandfather.
Early Supernatural Experiences (Childhood)
- First incident (c.1972/73):
- David's sister woken by her bed being violently shaken.
- She saw an unidentifiable gray apparition near the window.
- David often felt invisible fingers running up his spine while in bed as a child.
- “There’s been a lot of people that died in the house. They were born in the house and died in the house…” (B/David, 10:40)
The Red-Haired Girl Appears (Adulthood)
- Mid-1990s: David moves into a house across the street from the old farmhouse.
- Initial sighting:
- Spots a red-haired girl in a yellow dress playing in the yard of the old farmhouse as a storm approaches.
- He assumes she is a neighbor’s child, but she vanishes in front of his eyes after he calls out.
- “She looked at me and vaporized instantly into nothing. Mid step, poof.” (B/David, 19:55)
- Shock “like touching a live wire”; realization that he’s seen a ghost.
Escalation: Repeated Manifestations
- Further sightings:
- The girl appears multiple times, always playing and laughing.
- Seen inside his own house—on the staircase, peering through windows, or leaving small objects in the yard.
- Memorable detail:
- “At one time I got enough detail of her that she was wearing little white socks that turned up on the top that looked like buttercup flowers.” (B/David, 22:45)
- Increasingly disturbed by the intrusion into his home.
Taking Action: Boundary Rituals and Folk Belief
- Researches ways to repel ghosts; decides on a ritual using sage and Bible verses—sage grows wild on the property.
- Sets a boundary:
- Out loud, tells the girl (and any spirits): “You’re welcome to stay in the yard... But stay out of my space.” (B/David, 25:05)
- Result: No sightings of the girl (or ghostly mischief) inside the house since.
Searching for Answers: Paranormal Investigation
- Brings in “Inspire,” a paranormal group from Raleigh, to help identify the spirit.
- Use of dowsing rods filled with glowing (radioactive) material—rods appear to respond accurately to 30 consecutive questions.
- Key moment:
- David lists possible family names. When he says "Petronia," the rods give a positive response.
- “She hit it dead on. And I believe Petronia was there with us in the yard.” (B/David, 27:50)
The Identity: Petronia’s Story
- Petronia, David’s grandfather’s oldest sister—a redhead, died in the house at age 42, yet appears as a child spirit.
- Insight: Spirits often manifest at the age they were happiest—she lost her vision after age 10 due to pellagra.
- “We happen to know that Petronia was probably happiest in her life around the age of 10 because she started going blind at 11.” (B/David, 29:10)
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Family and Legacy:
“It’s unique to have a 200 year old haunted house in your backyard. And it just so happens that it's a family heirloom and some of the heirlooms that are in it are family members.”
(B/David, 30:20) -
On the Reality of Ghosts:
“Okay, life as we know it is not going to be the same from this point on. I said, well, that has to be a ghost. Now I know that they're real because I've seen one.”
(B/David, 20:22) -
On Loss and Remembering:
"If I could pick, I'd love to be able to go back and... sit on the front porch with my granddad and my family and, you know, and have family time with them again."
(B/David, 29:54)
Memorable Segments and Timestamps
- 00:08 – 02:10: Glynn Washington’s evocative opening—family memory and foreshadowing themes of the supernatural.
- 04:38 – 07:30: David describes his upbringing on the family farm and early ghostly events.
- 12:30 – 19:55: First sighting of the red-haired girl and escalation to direct contact.
- 22:45 – 25:20: The spirit appears inside David's home, leading to the sage ritual.
- 26:25 – 28:50: Paranormal team investigates; identification of the spirit as Petronia.
- 28:55 – 30:20: The rationale for Petronia’s childlike manifestation and reflection on family.
Tone and Style
The episode is deeply personal, blending heartfelt nostalgia with an undercurrent of eerie suspense. David’s storytelling is rooted in skepticism but becomes accepting, even protective, of his family’s supernatural legacy. Glynn’s introduction and outro reinforce the bittersweetness of missing loved ones and the strange comfort of family ties—living and not.
Conclusion
“Petrony” is a powerful meditation on family, belonging, and the palpable persistence of history. David’s journey—from confusion and fear to affirmation and acceptance—illuminates how the past, and those who lived it, never quite leave us. For listeners drawn to stories where ghosts are not just specters, but family, this episode is both a chilling and moving tribute.