From a chair that killed 60 people to a haunted doll that demands written apologies, these stolen and cursed artifacts have exacted terrible revenge on those who dared to take them — through death, illness, and supernatural torment that forced their terrified owners to return them with desperate warnings to others.

Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicate

IN THIS EPISODE: It was Labor Day, 1980 when Cynthia Clements disappeared – it wouldn’t be until more than a month later that her body would be found. And we still don’t know who killed her. (The Unsolved Murder of Cynthia Clements) *** A harbinger of doom is a sign, a warning of bad things to come. A supernatural forerunner to disaster, you might say – which several do, in Canada. There, they are more than familiar with forerunners of disaster and have several examples they could point to from over the years. (Canada’s Harbingers of Doom) *** Can you sue a schnauzer? Can you take a cat to court? Put a Terrier on trial? Can you arrest a mule for murder? You’d be surprised how many animals have been put on trial – and for what reasons! (Accused Critters In Court) *** Wilford Sweeten was found dead of food poisoning. Then across town, a pastor’s wife was found dead of food poisoning as well. And that’ when rumors already circulating in the small town of Ida, Illinois began to be confirmed – and the identities of the killers would shock people nationwide. (The Murdering Minister) *** It was probably said best by Old Time Radio’s “The Shadow” when he said at the beginning of each episode, “The weed of crime bears bitter fruit… crime does not pay.” But true life criminals don’t seem to be too concerned about that. Some thieves, however, did learn it the hard way – when they stole what turned out to be cursed relics… and paid the price for swiping them. (Cursed Relics And The Karma They Brought To Those Who Stole Them)
ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.
DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.

CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = Lead-In
00:01:12.570 = Show Open
00:03:39.418 = Cursed Relics And The Karma They Brought To Those Who Stole Them
00:12:11.135 = Canada’s Harbingers of Doom
00:48:55.688 = The Unsolved Murder of Cynthia Clements
00:53:48.454 = The Murdering Minister
01:03:57.678 = Accused Critters in Court
01:13:45.776 = Show Close

SOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…
“Cursed Relics And The Karma They Brought To Those Who Stole Them” by Melissa Brinks for Graveyard Shift:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p98v4bt
“The Unsolved Murder of Cynthia Clements” by Robert A. Waters for Kidnapping Murder and Mayhem:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5btt6eh4
“Canada’s Harbingers of Doom” posted at Mysteries of Canada: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yckvmwxz
BOOK: “Bluenose Ghosts” by Helen Creighton: https://amzn.to/44R46zK
BOOK: “Folklore – Prince Edward Island” by Sterling Ramsay: https://amzn.to/43NlS5B
BOOK: “Mysteries of Canada, Volume 1” by Hammerson Peters: https://amzn.to/3OzAtgH
BOOK: “Folklore of Nova Scotia” by Mary L. Fraser: https://amzn.to/3DCWAww
“Accused Critters In Court” by Jodi Smith for Weird History: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p9e5y9m
“The Murdering Minister” by Troy Taylor: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/y4bx3r5w
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(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)
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"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46
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WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.
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Originally aired: August 01, 2023
NOTE: Some of this content may have been created with assistance from AI tools, but it has been reviewed, edited, narrated, produced, and approved by Darren Marlar, creator and host of Weird Darkness — who, despite popular conspiracy theories, is NOT an AI voice.
EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/TheyStoleAncientArtifacts