American Dread

09/05/2026

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09/05/2026

On the morning of September 5, 1982, 12-year-old Johnny Gosch left his home in West Des Moines, Iowa, to deliver the Sunday newspaper.

He had his red wagon, his newspaper bag, and the family dog, Gretchen.

Johnny made it to the area where the newspapers were dropped off. Other paperboys saw him that morning, and witnesses later described a man in a vehicle who appeared to be speaking with Johnny. Then Johnny vanished.

When customers began calling the Gosch home wondering why their newspapers had not been delivered, Johnny's father went looking for him. His wagon was found nearby, still holding newspapers. Johnny was nowhere to be found.

What followed became one of the most well-known missing-child cases in America. His disappearance came during a time when there was no AMBER Alert system, no nationwide missing-child hotline, and far fewer resources available to families searching for a missing child.

More than four decades later, Johnny Gosch has never been found.
No one has ever been charged with his disappearance, and the question remains:

What happened to Johnny on that quiet Sunday morning in 1982?

— American Dread

Check back daily for more true crime stories, forgotten cases, and dark moments from history.

09/04/2026

How many of you have heard of “The Mad Gasser of Mattoon”?
If not, check out our friends’ post about this strange and unsettling case that took place in Mattoon, Illinois, during the 1940s.

THE MAD GASSER OF MATTOON

In early September 1944, a strange series of events occurred in the small Central Illinois town of Mattoon. According to eyewitnesses, numerous sightings, and even physical evidence left behind, the town was under attack by a mysterious man in black who was – for unknown reasons – spraying some sort of paralyzing gas into the windows of unsuspecting residents. Who this man was, what his agenda might have been, and where he vanished to, all remain a mystery to this day.

The bizarre events continued for more than two weeks, sending the town into a justifiable panic. Local police officers, state troopers, FBI agents, and armed citizens patrolled the streets, but the attacks continued. A tall, thin man was spotted around town, but no clues were left behind – aside from cut window screens and sickened, paralyzed victims.

When they were unable to apprehend the “Gasser,” the authorities dismissed the whole thing as hysteria but those who had seen the phantom figure – or had been gassed by him – knew he was real. To this day, the case remains unexplained.

No one knows why chose to wreak havoc in Mattoon. Could he have been some sort of extraterrestrial visitor using some sort of paralyzing agent to further a hidden agenda? A government agent testing a war weapon? An odd inventor testing a new apparatus?

If you’d like to explore the mystery further, check out Troy Taylor’s book ONE DARK NIGHT, which features the MOST complete version of the events in Mattoon ever published. You can get your copy at https://www.americanhauntingsink.com/night

09/04/2026

I'm happy to share that I’m currently finalizing details for two upcoming speaking events at the Mount Pulaski Public Library — one in October and another in November.

The two events will be a little different. At one, I’m planning to talk about an unreleased American Dread episode and give a look at some of the research that has gone into putting that story together.

I’ll also be sharing and discussing material from some other American Dread cases, including case files, FOIA records, court documents, and other research material collected while working on the podcast.

Once the dates and times are finalized, I’ll share all the details here.

Also, I’m always interested in visiting other public libraries, historical societies, or organizations to talk about American Dread and the cases I’ve researched. If you know of somewhere that may be interested, or have a connection with a local library, feel free to send me a message.

Check out AmericanDread.com - Podcast episodes, contact emails, case tip forms and much more.

Thank you for the continued support!

— Adam White
Host of American Dread

09/04/2026

The next episode of American Dread arrives Wednesday, September 9th.

This time, we’re heading to Northern Illinois for a case where the murder itself is disturbing — but what happened afterward may be even worse.

Make sure you’re following American Dread and give this post a like so you don’t miss the episode when it drops.

As always, like, share, and comment, and make sure to check back daily for new true crime stories, forgotten cases, and more.

Thank you for continuing to support American Dread.

— American Dread

09/01/2026

Early on the morning of September 1, 1991, 27-year-old Sandra Michelle Dunbar arrived at the Wendy’s restaurant on Cache Road in Lawton, Oklahoma, where she worked as a manager. She was there before the restaurant opened, preparing everything for another normal day of business.

When Sandra’s husband, Montgomery, tried calling the restaurant and received no answer, he became concerned and went to check on her himself. Inside, near the rear of the building, he discovered Sandra. She had been fatally shot multiple times.

Investigators believed Sandra was killed sometime between 6:00 and 7:00 that morning, possibly during a robbery. An undisclosed amount of money was missing, yet there were no obvious signs of forced entry. At least one door was reportedly unlocked when Sandra’s husband arrived, leaving investigators with questions about how the killer entered the restaurant and whether Sandra may have known the person she encountered that morning.

Police believed a single person was responsible, but despite the investigation, a reward, and years of searching for answers, no arrest followed. About three years after Sandra’s murder, her family even hired a private investigator in hopes that a fresh set of eyes might uncover something police had missed. The case remained unsolved.

Sandra was originally from South Carolina and was living in Lawton because her husband was stationed there with the Army. After her murder, her family brought her home to South Carolina for burial.

Today marks 35 years since Sandra went to work early one September morning and never came home.

Someone knew she would be inside that restaurant. Someone may have seen something unusual around the building before sunrise. And after all these years, there may still be someone who knows exactly what happened.

Had you ever heard of the unsolved murder of Sandra Michelle Dunbar before today? Do you believe the robbery was random, or could Sandra’s killer have known she would be there alone that morning?

Share your thoughts below, and follow American Dread for more forgotten crimes, cold cases, and true crime stories that deserve to be remembered.

—American Dread

08/30/2026

In August of 1978, Michael Ray Smith left Kansas with his mother and drove her to Sulphur, Oklahoma. After dropping her off, Michael began the trip back home to Kansas.

He never made it.

On August 30, 1978, Michael’s body was discovered along Interstate 35 near Perry, Oklahoma. Investigators determined that his death was a homicide, but the mystery did not end with the discovery of his body.

Michael’s vehicle was gone. Sometime later, the vehicle was recovered hundreds of miles away in Colorado.

That left investigators with a troubling question that has never been fully answered: How did Michael’s vehicle get from Oklahoma to Colorado after he was killed?

Someone may have driven that vehicle away from the area where Michael died. Someone may have encountered him during his trip back toward Kansas. Somewhere between Sulphur, Interstate 35, and Colorado lies the missing part of a story that has remained unresolved for nearly five decades.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation continues to list Michael Ray Smith’s death as an unsolved homicide.

Had you ever heard of the unsolved murder of Michael Ray Smith before today? What do you think could explain his vehicle later turning up in Colorado?

— American Dread

08/29/2026

Some of you may already know this, but for those who don’t — my name is Adam White, and I’m the host of American Dread.

When I’m not digging into true crime cases, I’m also a tour guide with Haunted Decatur right here in Decatur, Illinois.

Haunted Decatur is one of the longest-running haunted history tours in Illinois, dating all the way back to 1993 — and more than 30 years later, we’re still going strong.

Our 2026 Fall Season tickets are on sale now, and just like every year, dates are already starting to fill up. We expect to sell out, so don’t wait too long!

Come spend an evening learning about the hauntings, crimes, strange history, and downright weird side of Decatur.

Tickets are available now at:
www.haunteddecatur.com

Maybe I’ll see a few American Dread listeners out on the tours this fall!

History and Hauntings Tours of Decatur's Spirits, Scandals & Sins

08/29/2026

One year of American Dread, and we’re only getting started.

New episodes. New cases. More dark stories from the American Heartland — coming soon.

Make sure to check out our website for podcast links, contact emails and case tip forms and more. Americandread.com

08/29/2026

Before the FOIA requests, cold-case research, interviews, and everything American Dread has grown into, there was our very first episode:

The Freeman Murders.

In 1976, in Decatur, Illinois, a brutal double murder left behind a story that still deserves to be remembered. The Freeman case became the first true crime story I chose to tell when I decided to turn an idea into what would eventually become American Dread.

Looking back, you can definitely hear how far the show has come. The audio on this first episode runs a little low compared with our newer episodes, but since then we’ve continued improving our recording, editing, and overall production.

Still, this episode will always be special.

It was Episode #1. The beginning of American Dread.

If you’re a newer follower and want to hear where this whole thing started, give The Freeman Murders a listen.

🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wF6zIZbn3eJTqQGphniuN

And to everyone who has been listening since those early episodes — thank you for sticking with us and helping this little idea grow into so much more.

— Adam White
American Dread

American Hauntings Podcast · Episode