In the summer of 1984, Ricky Kasso—known as The Acid King—led three friends into the Aztakea Woods of Northport, Long Island. By the end of the night, one teenager, Gary Lauwers, would be brutally murdered in what many believed was a ritual sacrifice to Satan.

This chilling case sparked headlines across the nation, fueled the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, and cemented Ricky Kasso as a dark legend in true crime history. But was this truly the work of a devil-worshipping cult—or just a drug-fueled act of violence twisted by fear, media, and myth?

Join us as we rewind the VHS tape of history and revisit the story of The Acid King.

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Sources & References:

The Acid King by Jesse Pollack

https://a.co/d/gG4CZDm

“Kids in the Dark” by David Breskin (Rolling Stone)

https://davidbreskin.com/magazinespdf/kidsinthedark.pdf

In the late 1980s, Omaha, Nebraska was rocked by one of the most disturbing scandals in American history: the Franklin child sex ring. At the center was Larry King Jr., a rising Republican star, who allegedly ran a nationwide network of child exploitation, trafficking children across state lines and involving some of the most powerful figures in politics, business, and law enforcement.

This episode of Ritual Rewind explores the horrifying testimonies of survivors, the failed investigations, and mysterious deaths of key figures, the alleged connections to high-profile politicians, and ritual abuse.

Was this a real satanic conspiracy at the highest levels of power—or a case of corruption, media hysteria, and mismanaged investigations? We dive deep into the evidence, witness accounts, and chilling claims that shook the nation.

📼 Ritual Rewind brings you into the darkest corners of 1980s America, uncovering the crimes, conspiracies, and occult fears that shaped a generation.

👉 Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook @theritualrewind for clips, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to hear more episodes on true crime, occult history, and the shocking stories hidden in the VHS-era archives.

Resources:

The Franklin Cover Up by John De Camp.

https://a.co/d/ix2nTlg

The Franklin Scandal by Nick Bryant

https://a.co/d/1i40Wr7

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