The Night Owl Podcast – E58: Spirits at Sunset Strip, Part V

Date: March 31, 2025
Host: Stephen Belyeu
Produced by: Night Owl Paranormal Research Society

Main Theme

Spirits at Sunset Strip – Part V concludes a chilling multi-part investigation into the haunted Sunset Strip Comedy Club on Austin’s historic 6th Street. Host Stephen Belyeu and the Night Owl team—joined by psychics, guest investigators, and the club’s owner—revisit unresolved mysteries. They attempt to unravel the true story behind the building’s tragic past, explore contradictory historical records, test innovative spirit communication methods, and seek to discern the origins of the venue’s ongoing paranormal disturbances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap of Ongoing Investigation

• Previous episodes centered around haunting phenomena—shadow figures, disembodied voices, and unsettling presences, notably in the club’s back stairwell.
• The tragic death of John Waller Stevens Jr. (allegedly by Lysol poisoning/suicide in 1926) was long thought central to the haunting, but growing evidence now points to deeper, more complex mysteries.
• Inconsistent reports: Death certificate lists suicide by Lysol; contemporary newspaper articles claim car accident. Oddly, police took Stevens to his workplace instead of the hospital or his nearby home.

2. Fact-Checking and Historical Investigation

• Nicole Ricardo's research confirmed both suicide and accident were reported; his burial away from family raises questions of possible ostracization.
• Confusion over addresses: Wilson Furniture Co. (Stevens' employer) was at 212 E 6th St, now Voodoo Donuts, but the haunting is most manifest at 214 E 6th St, home of the comedy club.
• No evidence of a bordello in the building, challenging common local lore.
• Other historical suicides in similar locations, though not all connected by name/location.

3. Psychic and Paranormal Insights

• Psychics Kate and Jeffrey provided independent readings after being briefed on prior findings (except the most recent ones to minimize bias).
• Both separate the “shadow presence” from Stevens. The shadow is perceived as inhuman, opportunistic, and possibly summoned during seances once held in the themed speakeasy (“J. Stevens”).
  • Jeffrey: “I don’t think it was a suicide. Ever since you told me about that, I’ve felt hands being grabbed from behind, grabbing his head and holding it back to keep his mouth open.” (23:14)
  • Kate: “He keeps showing more of a network and less of like a solo for my own pleasure ... He acts scared. ... He is completely separate from the shadow man.” (27:47, 31:32)
• Both mediums express that Stevens’ spirit is frantic, confused, and insistent he was murdered—not a suicide.

4. Advanced Spirit Communication Experiments

• Guest investigators Nicole and Damian (Real Ghosts of & Parapeculiar podcasts) introduce high-tech EVP and detuned radio methods for spirit communication.
• Multiple sessions (EVP, Estes Method):
  • Notable words/phrases from both male and female voices.
  • Physical sensations reported (touches, kicks, chills).
  • Spirit(s) direct the group toward a hidden space behind a wall, describing a “box” as containing secret “papers.”
  • The investigators physically locate a dusty box in a hard-to-access place. Disappointingly, it contains only metal pipe fittings, not papers.

Nicole (while blindfolded, led to the area above the office): “It’s in the wall, behind. The papers. It’s there.” (73:10-73:44)
Meg: “Did I say out loud that it's on its shelf but it's not on a shelf?” (82:03)

5. Theories and Ongoing Mysteries

• The “shadow” is theorized to be a recent arrival, not tied to Stevens, likely drawn in by amateur seances and fixation on the building’s dark history.
• The “good” spirit, Hank, acts as a positive presence, “guardian”—though history reveals no real-world counterpart for his name.
• The female presences: Older, possibly matriarchal, one felt protective and secretive, restraining the revelation of truths; another, “younger,” is repeatedly silenced, possibly connected to the club’s mysterious social past.

6. Concluding Actions & Club Owner’s Reflections

• Despite elaborate experiments, definitive answers elude the team about Stevens’ death, the shadow’s true origin, or the location of possible incriminating documents.
• Alexis, spiritualist/witch, recommends focusing energy on uplifting positive spirits (like Hank), regular cleansing, and not feeding the shadow by giving it attention.
• Owner Christina reports that focusing less on the negative, saging, and acknowledging spirits has lessened the intensity of disturbances—though some activity continues.

Christina (on advice to staff): “I think I just need to do that again and just pretend like he’s just not there and just kind of focus more on Hank ... that has been kind of working.” (100:47)

Notable Quotes & Moments

Contradictions in Death Records

Stephen: “The death certificate… states that John Waller Stevens Jr. died from Lysol poisoning… The articles… completely contradict what is stated on the death certificate.” (03:42)

On the Shadow Figure

Kate: “He acts scared. … He is completely separate from the shadow man, but I think they’re related. I think this is somebody that came in when they started doing seances and stuff in the bar.” (31:32)

Spirit Communication:

Female Spirit via Estes: “It’s in the wall, neighbor. It's in the wall here ... Papers.” (73:41, 74:12)

On Empowerment

Alexis: “The people here are giving [the shadow] more power than it really has ... I would elevate the good spirits. ... If that shadow's around, Hank can make sure to keep it at bay.” (96:06, 99:01)

Aftermath & Ongoing Activity

Christina: “There's still activity and has not left, but I don't think that it's as aggressive as it was. ...I'm less scared. ... I just say, everything's fine. I'm here.” (102:26, 104:06)

On the Investigation's Value

Stephen: “We may not have the final answers, but perhaps that's the most powerful truth of all. Sometimes the mysteries we can’t fully solve leave the most lasting impact.” (109:07)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:09–07:10 — Introduction & Recap of Series, Discovery of Contradictory Official Records
• 10:25–16:19 — Briefing Psychics on Investigation, Shadow Figure Discussion Begins
• 17:29–21:47 — Shadow Figure Observations, Staff and Psychic Impressions
• 22:08–25:44 — Jeffrey’s Reading: “I don’t think it was a suicide… never was.”
• 26:46–32:32 — Kate’s Reading: Theories on Matriarchal Female Spirit, Network of Shady Dealings, Shadow as Opportunist
• 33:54–34:38 — Historical Interview: Marketing the Bar as a Haunted Paranormal Destination
• 38:39–40:26 — Guardian Spirit “Hank” Insights, Shadow’s Patterns of Manifestation
• 40:39–46:34 — Mediums’ Theories After Being Told About Newspaper Contradictions
• 57:59–61:21 — Damian Describes Experimental EVP Setup
• 66:09–78:16 — Estes Session: Box in the Wall, Search for Hidden Documents
• 80:15–84:43 — Attic Search, Discovery of Box, Disappointment at Contents
• 85:44–88:56 — Debriefing: Theories about Shadow’s Origin, Emphasis on Positive Spirits
• 89:49–94:48 — Final Estes with Owner Christina, Shadow’s Elusiveness
• 96:06–99:41 — Alexis’s Cleanse Recommendations, Advice for Managing Haunting
• 100:31–102:09 — Christina’s Final Reflections, Emotional Journey, Shifting Focus
• 102:26–107:16 — Post-Investigation Update: Ongoing Activity, Healthier Energy, Acknowledging Positive Spirits
• 107:48–109:07 — Series Reflections: Unsolved Mysteries Endure

Conclusion

The Night Owl’s “Spirits at Sunset Strip – Part V” is as much about confronting the limits of the knowable as it is about chasing ghosts. The team’s diligent research, historical detective work, and psychic insights highlight how hauntings are more than simple tales—they are tangled webs of trauma, secrecy, and the stories we retell. The case ends not with the vanquishing of spirits or the discovery of hidden evidence, but with a pragmatic plan for peace: elevate the good, don’t fear the unknown, and know that in these unresolved shadows, powerful truths about ourselves and our spaces endure.

Listen to the episode for more details, live reactions, and to experience the chilling moments as they unfold.