Badger Bizarre

06/26/2025

New for subscribers:

In August of 1907, a nun at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Isadore, MI went missing.

The search for the nun, Sister Mary Janina, (ya-neena) put this tiny community in western Michigan in the national spotlight, for all the wrong reasons.

Over a century after the events occurred, the sordid tale of the nun and her demise were seemingly forgotten, and not by accident. Simply known as "The Tragedy" by locals, it remains a very taboo subject to broach still today, as the community of Isadore still lives with the scar of a horrific crime, and under the dark cloud of a cover-up, conducted to protect those who often-times least deserve it.

Scott and Mickey discuss the case, its legacy, and the seedy undertones of temptation, deception, and the human frailty of those whom we least expect it from.

Subscribe to “Badger Beyond” on Patreon to listen:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/132241705?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

06/06/2025

In June of 1988, the abducton of a 13-year-old girl in Massachussettes sent shockwaves through several communities in Wisconsin.

The perpetrator of that crime, 30-year-old James Duquette Jr, was a native of Appleton, WI and had only just moved to Massachussettes months prior. A bombshell confession, not by Duquette himself, but by a friend, led police in Wisconsin to investigate Duquette for several cold cases, including the murders of 18-year-old Anne Preimesberger of Appleton and 14-year-old Tara Kassens of Cedarburg.

A stunning life of crime was uncovered, the scope of which authorities in several states continue to attempt to define still today.

Scott and Mickey discuss what is known of the crimes of Appleton's James Duquette, who is currently serving more than 6 life sentences, and the probability of his involvement in several Fox Cities murder cases yet unsolved.

Hear it all on Episode 54 of Badger Bizarre, “James Duquette.” ——————->

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/54-james-duquette

05/20/2025

New on Patreon:

June of 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of one of America’s most high-profile missing persons cases.

27-year-old Jodi Huisentruit was a popular news anchor for CBS affiliate KIMT in Mason City, IA. The host of the station’s morning show, Daybreak, Jodi left her apartment in the very early morning hours of June 27th, 1995, for the start of her shift.

She never arrived and has never been seen since.

Jodi’s status in the community and the shocking details of her apparent abduction has propelled this case into possibly the most discussed missing persons case in America, with investigators following leads to this very day.

Scott and Micky discuss this case, theories that have come about, and reasons why, many preventable, this case remains unsolved still today.

Subscribe for all access: ⬇️

https://www.patreon.com/posts/129446095?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

05/05/2025

Wow… Comtinuing to move up.. Thanks to all the loyal listeners out there! Many more to come..

05/04/2025

Wisconsin was home to many towns throughout its history that, for various reasons, simply don't exist anymore.

Whether bypassed by the railroad, faded away after a loss of industry, or disbanded by its own residents, the towns have been wiped from the modern-day landscape, some with visible ruins as reminders, and others have literally nothing existing other than stories.

Those stories are largely unknown to most people today, but they are no less fascinating because of it. The unique history of Wisconsin is only further enriched when these stories are brought to light, including connections to America's Founding Fathers, European royalty, and even an eventual Presidential assassin.

Scott and Mickey look at the history of some of our state's more interesting ghost towns, and what, other than legacy, still remains today.

In the opening banter, we discuss a new documentary about the Peshtigo Fire, and a certain town that a local media outlet called the "Most Haunted in Wisconsin."

All here, on episode 53 of Badger Bizarre: "Ghost Towns of Wisconsin."

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/53-ghost-towns-of-wisconsin

04/16/2025

We talked about the initial reporting on this story in the opening banter of our most recent episode, but it has clearly taken a disturbing turn since….

You can hear our brief discussion on it in the beginning of Episode 52, “The Racine Dismemberment Murders.”

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/the-racine-dismemberment-murders

The state that keeps on giving - to true crime podcasts, apparently. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Nikita Casap, 17, allegedly killed his parents to "obtain the financial means and autonomy necessary" to kill President Donald Trump and overthrow the U.S. government.

04/07/2025

From the early 1970's through 1990, Racine was the site of several brutal homicides, shocking the community and creating fear and panic in its residents.

Helen Sebastian, Eric Hansen, and John Michael Madden were all found murdered within only a few miles of each other, several years apart. Although the murders were similar, as all were dismembered, were they committed by the same offender? Or was something even more nefarious going on? Does the 1973 murder of Tina Davidson, in the same city, leave any clues to who may have committed such horrible crimes?

Scott and Mickey discuss this story, and the brutal legacy of questions left behind.

In the opening banter, 2 current true crime cases in WI are discussed, as well as a quasi-review of Ryan Murphy's 2nd installment of his "Monster" series on Netflix, on the Menendez Brothers.

All here on Episode 52 of Badger Bizarre: "The Racine Dismemberment Murders."

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/the-racine-dismemberment-murders

03/25/2025

Fox Hollow Farm in Westfield, IN was the scene of unspeakable horror for numerous men who turned up missing from the Indianapolis club scene in the early 1990s.

The home’s owner, Herb Baumeister, is now known as one of the most prolific serial killers in American history, though this case, and his victims, have gone virtually unnoticed for decades.

Mickey and Scott discuss this case, and its renewed interest, in the next subscription-only Patreon episode of ‘Badger Beyond’ - “Fox Hollow Farm.” 👉

https://www.patreon.com/posts/125102042?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

03/08/2025

On November 9th, 1975, the ore freighter, Edmund Fitzgerald, once known as the "Queen of the Great Lakes" left the Burlington Railroad Loading Dock No 1, in Superior, WI. Loaded with over 26,000 tons of iron ore, "Big Fitz" was to arrive at Zug Island, MI 46 hours later, as it had done many times over.

As recalled in Gordon Lighfoot's famous song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," the ship never completed the journey, ending up on the bottom of Lake Superior, taking her crew of 29 men with her.

Scott and Mickey discuss the Fitzgerald, the ship's beginnings all the way to her tragic end, as well as Wisconsin's many connections to the most famous shipwreck in Great Lakes history.

Episode 51 of Badger Bizarre: “When the Waves Turn the Minutes to Hours: The Edmund Fitzgerald”

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/51-when-the-waves-turn-the-minutes-to-hours-the-edmund-fitzgerald

02/15/2025

Although not usually thought of as a state steeped in UFO history, Wisconsin lays claim to some of the most influential and important names in the field, dating back to the beginnings of the study itself.

From the founding of the oldest and largest civilian research organizations in the world, to 3 different towns claiming to be the "UFO Capitol of the World," to some of the strangest reported sightings in our nation's history, Wisconsin certainly has left, and continues to leave, an indelible mark in UFO lore.

Scott and Mickey discuss Wisconsin's place in UFOlogy, and review some of the claims that have baffled experts for decades...

Hear it all on our 50th episode of Badger Bizarre, "Wisconsin UFOlogy."

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/50-wisconsin-ufology

02/06/2025

Badger Beyond on Patreon: “The Kensington Runestone.”

In 1898, a farmer in Minnesota, clearing trees and rocks from his land, pulled up a large stone which he noted was clearly inscribed with peculiar markings. The markings were akin to ancient Scandinavian runes. Due to the date on the inscription however, if real, the history of the world as we know it would be changed.

Scott and Mickey discuss this stone, known throughout the world as the Kensington Runestone. Quite possibly the most debated and talked about stone in the world over generations, it continues to ignite fierce discussions and controversy still today.

Subscribe today to listen to members-only content on Patreon at:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/121541697?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

01/17/2025

On August 11th, 2009, 15-year-old Kayla Berg, after a fairly normal day of hanging out with friends, went out with a trusted family friend, named Kevin Kielcheski. Although Kevin was 9 years older, Kayla had known Kevin virtually her entire life, was somewhat of a 'protective older brother-type,' and there was nothing unusual about them spending time together, according to her friends and family.

Kayla has never returned home.

After 16 years of investigations and searches, authorities have been unable to find her. Kevin, who is the last person known to be with her, reports he dropped her off at a friend's house, though has been unable to give much more information.

Scott and Mickey discuss the missing persons case of Kayla Berg, some of the theories about what may have happened to her, the important players, and ask you for more help.

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/49-what-happened-to-kayla-berg