River City Mystery - Exploring the darker corners of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky

In this episode, I join Savannah on her YouTube channel, "Don't Hate. CREATE", as we examine the unsolved murder of 18-year-old Elizabeth Bannister, who was found dead in her Evansville, Indiana, apartment around 1:00 AM on January 20, 2000.

Here are the key points explored in the episode:

• The Unexplained Crime: This episode highlights the perplexing circumstances of Elizabeth's murder, noting that despite other residents being present in the house, no one reported any disturbances. [02:22]
• Elizabeth's Background: The episode sheds light on Elizabeth's difficult past, including experiences with assault and time spent in group homes. [03:01]
• Suspect: Mark: Learn about Mark, her mother's former abusive boyfriend who later became Elizabeth's boyfriend. Although questioned, he had an alibi. [00:00], [09:46]
• The Confession of William Clyde Gibson: The episode discusses the confession of convicted serial killer William Clyde Gibson, who claimed responsibility for Elizabeth's murder on a podcast. However, inconsistencies in his account raise doubts about its validity. [16:02], [23:22]
• Unusual Events: Discover the strange occurrences leading up to Elizabeth's death, including her borrowing money for a payphone call and a taxi being called to her residence but leaving without a passenger. [11:00], [11:41]
• Witness Account: Hear about a neighbor who reported seeing a man fleeing the scene around the time of the murder. [12:14]
• Ongoing Investigation: Understand that despite a confession and the passage of time, Elizabeth's case remains open, with the Evansville police department maintaining an active investigation. [14:18], [14:36]
• The Family's Search for Justice: Learn about the efforts of Elizabeth's sister, Sarah, who continues to seek justice for her sister and shares her own experiences of abuse. She does not believe Gibson's confession. [03:14], [18:07]

If you have any information that could help solve Elizabeth’s murder, please contact the Evansville Police Department at 812-436-7979.

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/17

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

Links mentioned in this episode:

"Don't Hate. CREATE" YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@donthate.create

Where The Bodies Are Buried - S1 E1 William "Clyde" Gibson - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VNbbx3u5qa0useqeRaENf?si=b118e30a4bea462e

Dealing Justice - Episode 8: Queen of Diamonds: Elizabeth Bannister, IN Deck - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6YfuNICxTf9nOmTpcLcO2x?si=168b6b2c199c4e31

This episode features an interview with Crystal Folz, also known as Evansville's Forest Witch. Crystal has been practicing witchcraft since the 1990s, with a practice deeply rooted in animism and Kentucky folklore. She is also actively involved in the pagan and paranormal communities, serving as a co-chair for both the Three Corners Pagan Circle and the Southern Indiana Paranormal Investigators.

Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode:

• Introduction to Crystal: Learn about Crystal's background in witchcraft and her connection to animism and Kentucky folklore. [01:37]
• Community Involvement: Discover Crystal's roles in the Three Corners Pagan Circle, serving witches in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, and her involvement in paranormal investigation teams. [02:15]
• "Back Porch" Approach to the Paranormal: Understand Crystal's common-sense approach to paranormal encounters. [02:45]
• Defining Witchcraft: Explore the broad definition of what it means to be a witch and how it can vary for different individuals. [03:25]
• Witchcraft vs. Wicca: Clarification on the distinction between witchcraft as a practice and Wicca as a specific religion within witchcraft. [08:13]
• Understanding Dark Magic: Gain insight into Crystal's perspective on what constitutes dark magic. [13:16]
• Ethical Sourcing: Learn about Crystal's practice of scavenging materials and her views on unethical labor standards in mass consumerism. [16:36]
• Psychic Abilities in Investigations: Discover how Crystal uses her psychic abilities to provide readings of spaces during paranormal investigations without relying on equipment. [23:23]
• Involvement in Missing Persons Cases: Hear about Crystal's experience as a psychic consultant in search and rescue operations and her emphasis on avoiding assumptions. [34:01]
• Kentucky Folklore and Superstitions: Delve into fascinating local folklore and superstitions related to ghosts and witches. [45:57]
• Animistic Beliefs: Understand Crystal's animistic worldview, where everything possesses a spirit and energy, and the importance of respecting those spaces. [59:07]
• Three Corners Pagan Circle Events: Learn about the public rituals and events organized by the Three Corners Pagan Circle to educate and connect the community. [01:05:38]

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/18

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://kentuckyconjurer.me/

https://www.threecornerspagancircle.com/

Crystal's email: dirtandbones@kentuckyconjurer.me

This episode discusses the disappearance of 38-year-old Zac Carey, who was last seen on May 30, 2023.

Key points discussed in the episode include:

• Family Interviews: The episode features interviews with Zac's mother, Gina, and his sister, Cecilia, who provide crucial insights into Zac's life and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. [22:08], [07:07]
• Last Known Sighting: Zac was last seen being dropped off by a friend, Chris, at the welcome sign for Lynnville, Indiana. [04:29]
• Uncharacteristic Absence: The family expresses deep concern over Zac's prolonged absence, as it is highly unusual for him to be out of contact for such an extended period. [04:47]
• Background Information: Learn about Zac's background, including his struggles with schizophrenia and the impact of losing his job. [06:27]
• Love for Nature and Survival Skills: The episode explores Zac's passion for nature and his survivalist tendencies, which initially led his family to believe he was in the woods. [08:16]
• Discovery of Cell Phone: Find out about the discovery of Zac's cell phone near the Lynnville sign. [11:13]
• Suspicious Behavior: The family discusses the uncooperative behavior of Zac's friend, Chris, raising questions about his involvement. [14:14]
• Possible Sightings: The episode shares information regarding potential sightings of Zac. [20:03]
• Call for Information: The family makes a heartfelt plea to the public for any information that could lead to Zac's safe return. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Warrick County Sheriff's Department at 812-897-6180. [31:04]

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/15

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

This episode explores the intriguing phenomenon of phantom trains, sharing eerie accounts and legends of trains heard or even seen when no physical train is present.

Here's a summary of the occurrences discussed:

• Police Hear a Ghost Train: The episode begins with a news story about two police officers in Swadlincote, England, who reported hearing a phantom train on a railway line that no longer exists. [01:12]
• Barbie's Revival Experience: Matt's sister, Barbie Deig, recounts her own unsettling experience from the early 1990s at a revival where she and many others distinctly heard a train despite no train being visible. [03:41]
• Famous Phantom Train Legends: Matt discusses well-known instances of phantom trains throughout history, including the spectral sightings of Abraham Lincoln's funeral train. [08:15]
• Share Your Stories: The host encourages listeners who have had similar experiences with phantom trains or who attended the mentioned revival to share their stories on the podcast's Discord server. [08:46]

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/10

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/local-news/terrifying-ghost-train-reported-swadlincote-8218578

https://www.facebook.com/SwadlincoteSNT/posts/pfbid02atTUUMR1XQ6X3fkEdawy7UCADgWDryLRcHgKDet1nDKrWGSzyare8fQnBukYN7PCl

https://www.coasttocoastam.com/article/british-cops-report-hearing-phantom-train/

This episode explores the unusual occurrences reported at the Four Seasons Motel in Mount Vernon, Indiana, following the tragic suicide of a man named Jack Barnett in one of the rooms.

Here's a summary of the strange events discussed:

• The Initial Tragedy: The episode recounts the circumstances surrounding Jack Barnett's death by suicide in a room at the Four Seasons Motel. [00:50], [07:15]
• Recurring Paranormal Activity: Shortly after the incident, guests staying in the same room began reporting a peculiar phenomenon: the television would inexplicably turn on by itself at the same time every night. [13:10]
• Seeking Spiritual Intervention: Faced with consistent complaints from guests, the motel owners, Rodney Cox and his mother Jean, decided to seek a spiritual solution and called upon a preacher to perform a cleansing of the affected room. [15:01]
• Resolution of the Haunting: Following the cleansing ritual, the reported paranormal activity in the room apparently ceased. [15:21]
• Connection to Another Mystery: The podcast also briefly touches upon the disappearance of Theresa Rideout, who was Jack Barnett's girlfriend and was last seen on September 2, 1994, adding another layer of mystery to the events. [11:35]

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/1

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

----more----

• Jack W. Barnett Death Certificate (PDF)
• Evansville Courier & Press article – 9/14/1994 (PDF)
• Evansville Courier & Press article – 9/15/1994 (PDF)
• Evansville Courier & Press article – 12/29/1994 (PDF)
• Theresa A. Rideout Death Certificate (PDF)

These are the only two photos I could find of Theresa A. Rideout. The black and white image is a high school yearbook photo. The other image is from Ancestry.com.