Badger Bizarre

10/23/2025

Thanks so much to the Neenah Public Library for having us out for their “Exploring the Paranormal” series to talk about the ‘Haunted Fox Valley.’ Packed house, engaging audience, and Melissa was a terrific host! Already looking forward to next year!

10/06/2025

In July of 1971, an unknown, incoherent teenager was found outside of St George Catholic Church in the town of Wilson in Sheboygan County.

Presenting as conscious, but non-responsive when authorities were called, an investigation quickly began into his identity, and turned into one of the darkest days in Sheboygan's storied history.

5 lifeless bodies were found throughout the city, another previous death by alleged su***de was called into question, and Sheboygan was never again the same.

Scott and Mickey discuss this case, its legacy, and the attempts of some to get a convicted mass murderer released back into society.

In the opening banter, we discuss a peculiar piece of paranormal audio evidence we obtained while in Lincoln, NE, and an interesting update to a case from a previous episode...

All here, on Episode 57 of Badger Bizarre, "Douglas Dean."

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/douglas-dean

09/17/2025

New on Badger Beyond:

In 1958, 19-year-old Charles Starkweather, along with his 14-year-old girlfriend Caril Ann Fugate, went on a murder spree that took the lives of 10 innocent people in 8 days, terrorizing the city of Lincoln, Nebraska and horrifying the nation.

After his capture, Charles also confessed to another murder 50 days earlier.

Their murderous rampage remains one of the worst spree killings in American history, and left a state and a nation reeling with questions, still today, left unanswered.

Popular media over the years has attempted to answer those questions, with the story being told and retold in movies such as Natural Born Killers, Kalifornia, and Badlands, as well as Bruce Springsteen's hit song "Nebraska."

The real story of Charles and Caril Ann, however, is more frightening than any movie, and the scars left by their reign of terror torment the residents of the capitol city of Lincoln still today.

Scott and Mickey discuss this case, its legacy, and how teenage sweethearts turned into 2 of the most infamous mass murderers in American history.

Subscribe now, only $5/month, for all access on Patreon.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/139067249?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

09/14/2025

08/27/2025

In July of 2021, Bart and Krista Halderson, of suburban Dane County, were said to have gone up north to their cabin in Langlade County to celebrate the July 4th Holiday with friends.

After days of no contact with their family back home in Windsor, WI, they were reported missing by their 23-year-old son, Chandler.

When they were finally found by police, the shock and awe of what happened to Bart and Krista still has not worn off the small, tight-knit community north of Madison, as the story horrified the state and left a nation in disbelief.

Scott and Mickey discuss the case of Chandler Halderson, who's name has been etched into the notorious annals of Wisconsin true crime amongst the most evil, and attempt to make sense of what happened.

In the opening banter, we discuss some exciting upcoming appearances, and a few projects we have in store.

All right here, on Episode 56 of Badger Bizarre: "Chandler Halderson."

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/56-chandler-halderson

08/19/2025

New on Patreon:

In 2007, Cold Case Investigators in Carbondale, IL finally received a hit on a DNA sample from the 1982 murder of a 23 year-old college student.

The murder of Deborah Sheppard shocked the campus of Southern Illinois University, though police struggled for years to find her killer.

When DNA finally helped solve the case, investigators in several states had a new suspect to look at for numerous unsolved crimes, and when the dominoes began to fall, the shocking story of Timothy Wayne Krajcir was finally revealed.

Scott and Mickey discuss this case, along with some of the disturbing aspects of our judicial system that actually aided his reign of terror.

Subscribe to “Badger Beyond” on Patreon for full access:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/136810824?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

07/25/2025

The Fox Valley has a rich history of paper barons and lumber kings who ushered in an era of opulence shining with steamboat excursions along the river, palatial mansions in plush neighborhoods and lavish hotels and movie houses.

But before this, native tribes reigned supreme in the region, leaving behind signs of their long -time dominance as well in our landscape and culture.

Could it be that those of these bygone eras never really left?

What is the barrier between the present and the past? The living and the dead? Is there really even a barrier at all?

Mickey and Scott discuss the legends and lore of the Haunted Fox Cities, ghost stores, and those whom, just because you cannot see, doesn't mean they aren't really there...

All here, on episode 55 of Badger Bizarre, “Haunted Fox Cities.”

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/55-haunted-fox-cities

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