Listener Discretion is advised.

Dive deep into the chilling true story of the Circleville Letters - one of Ohio’s most disturbing unsolved mysteries. For nearly 20 years, anonymous letters terrorized the small town of Circleville, Ohio, exposing dark secrets, threatening lives, and tearing apart a community.

This comprehensive investigation covers the mysterious death of Ron Gillispie, the shocking booby trap that nearly killed school bus driver Mary Gillispie, and the controversial conviction of Paul Freshour - who may have been wrongly imprisoned while the real letter writer remained free. Explore the twisted tale of anonymous harassment, small-town paranoia, and a case that remains unsolved to this day.

**What We’ll Cover:**

- The complete timeline of the Circleville Letters from 1976-1994

- Details of Ron Gillispie’s suspicious death in 1977

- How the booby trap nearly killed Mary Gillispie in 1983

- Why Paul Freshour’s conviction is controversial

- Evidence the letters continued while Freshour was in prison

- Top suspects and theories in this unsolved case

- Why this case remains one of America’s strangest mysteries

REFERENCES & RESOURCES

Primary Sources

**CBS News / 48 Hours**

- “The Circleville Letters: You’ve Got Hate Mail” (May 2024)

- “Has the Anonymous Author of the Infamous Circleville Letters Been Unmasked?” (May 2024)

- Erin Moriarty investigation and interviews

- Crime Junkie Podcast

- “INFAMOUS: Circleville Letters” episode (January 2025)

- Whatever Remains Podcast**

- Host: Marie Mayhew

- Comprehensive multi-episode series on the Circleville Letters

Secondary Sources

**All That’s Interesting**

- “Inside The Eerie Mystery Of The Circleville Letters That Terrorized An Ohio Town For Nearly 20 Years” (2025)

**Columbus Navigator**

- “Small Town, Big Secrets: The Chilling Circleville Letter Mystery That Stunned Ohio” (October 2024)

**Mental Floss**

- “Unknown Sender: The Mystery of the Circleville Letters” (2021)

**Unsolved Mysteries Wiki**

- Detailed case documentation and episode information

**Vocal Media / Criminal**

- Multiple investigative articles on the case

Court Documents & Official Records

- State of Ohio v. Paul L. Freshour (1983) - Pickaway County Common Pleas Court

- Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation reports

- Pickaway County Sheriff’s Department records

- Ron Gillispie death investigation files

Additional Resources

**Books:**

- “The Circleville Letters: A True Story of Small-Town Terror” by Erin Moriarty (2023)

**TV/Media:**

- Unsolved Mysteries (Season 7, Episode 6, 1993)

- 48 Hours on Paramount+ - “The Circleville Letters”

For More Information

Visit the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office or Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for official case information. This case remains unsolved and tips are still accepted.

**Case Status:** Unsolved

**Location:** Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio

**Time Period:** 1976-1994

**Victim:** Multiple residents of Circleville, Ohio

**Convicted:** Paul Freshour (attempted murder only, 1984)

*All information presented is based on publicly available sources, court records, and investigative journalism. No claims are made regarding the guilt or innocence of any individuals mentioned.*

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WARNING: This Episode contains highly graphic content, is not suitable for children. Listener discretion is advised!

This week we’re diving deep into the absolutely terrifying history of Danvers State Hospital in Massachusetts - the real-life inspiration behind Arkham Asylum. We’re talking Gothic architecture, lobotomy horrors, patient mistreatment, and some of the most documented paranormal activity in American history.

From Dr. Walter Freeman’s brutal ice-pick procedures to modern-day hauntings that’ll make your skin crawl, this abandoned asylum’s dark secrets will blow your mind.

Join me as we explore the Salem witch trial connections, underground tunnel mysteries, urban explorer encounters, and why this demolished mental institution continues to be one of the most haunted places in New England. Trust me, this true ghost story will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about the supernatural.

EPISODE REFERENCES & RESOURCES

Historical Sources:

• Massachusetts State Archives - Danvers State Hospital Patient Records

• “Danvers State Hospital: A History” by the Danvers Historical Society

• National Archives - Mental Health Treatment Documentation (1878-1992)

• “My Lobotomy” by Howard Dully (Freeman lobotomy survivor account)

Paranormal Research:

• New England Paranormal Research Society Investigation Files (2003-2004)

• “The Stone Tape Theory” by T.C. Lethbridge

• Dr. Michael Persinger’s Electromagnetic Field Studies

• Christopher Payne’s “Asylum: Inside the Closed World of State Mental Hospitals”

Additional Reading:

• “The Lobotomist” by Jack El-Hai (Biography of Walter Freeman)

• “Ghosts of Danvers” by Sam Baltrusis

• H.P. Lovecraft’s References to Arkham Sanitarium

• Salem Witch Trials Historical Connection - Hathorne Family Records

Documentary Resources:

• “Danvers State Hospital: The Real Arkham” (2018)

• Various urban exploration video documentation (pre-demolition)

• Local news archives covering hospital closure and demolition (1992-2006)

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In 1961, suburban housewife Joan Risch vanished from her Massachusetts home, leaving behind a blood-soaked kitchen and two young children.

But when investigators discovered she’d been secretly researching murders and disappearances for months, the case took a shocking turn. Did Joan become the victim of a brutal crime, or did she pull off one of history’s most elaborate disappearing acts?

This deep dive explores the mysterious case that’s baffled investigators for over 60 years, examining the evidence for staged disappearance, murder, and everything in between. Join us for a compelling look at one of New England’s most controversial cold cases.

## REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

**Primary Sources:**

- Lincoln Police Department Case Files (1961)

- The Boston Globe Archives (1961-1996)

- The Fence Viewer Newspaper (1961)

**Key Resources:**

- “Into Thin Air: What is the Likeliest Explanation for the Disappearance of Joan Risch?” - Medium

- Wikipedia: “Disappearance of Joan Risch”

- Lincoln Public Library Checkout Records (1961)

- Original Police Investigation Documents (PDF archives)

**Additional Reading:**

- “Gone Girl - Joan Risch” - Morbidology

- Various True Crime Podcasts and Documentaries featuring the case

- Contemporary newspaper accounts from Boston-area publications

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.