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Nightmare Houses

The Narrator

Home is supposed to be where we feel most safe and secure…but sometimes, terrible things happen there. Was there was a murder, mystery or a haunting…some reason you feel unease? What was the place like before? What happens to a property after a tragic or horrible event? This series is dedicated to understanding homes that have notorious histories, bizarre stories, or unimaginable tragedies through research, analysis, logic, and reason. Some of the content discussed in this series is graphic and listener discretion is strongly advised.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 24 min
  • English
  • S4 · E1
    Saturday · 31 min

    Who Killed Martha Moxley?

    On the night of October 30, 1975, 15-year-old Martha Moxley disappeared from her family's affluent neighborhood in Greenwich, Connecticut. The following afternoon, her body was discovered on the grounds of her family's estate. What followed was a decades-long investigation involving one of America's most prominent families, a controversial murder conviction, and questions that continue to surround the case more than 50 years later. But before the tragedy, there was a Mediterranean mansion built in the early 20th century. And before the headlines, there was Martha. In this episode, we explore the history of the Moxley family home in Belle Haven, the events surrounding Martha's murder, and the long pursuit of justice. Who killed Martha Moxley? Welcome to Nightmare Houses. PHOTOGRAPHS & ARCHIVAL SOURCES Historical photographs, newspaper articles, and court exhibits featured in this episode were drawn from or researched through the following sources: The Daily Item - November 1 and November 14, 1975 The Day - November 3, 1975 The San Francisco Examiner - November 3, 1975 Associated Press / AP Images Getty Images - Historical photographs and Skakel trial evidence Rockville Superior Court - Skakel trial exhibits Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection - Historical investigative photographs Greenwich High School. The Compass, Volume 38 (1976), p. 104. “In Memory of Martha Moxley.” Additional photographic attributions and original source information will be updated as verification is completed. MUSIC Intro: Undertow — Scott Buckley www.scottbuckley.com.au Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Outro: Impromptu in Quarter — Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) ABOUT NIGHTMARE HOUSES Nightmare Houses explores the histories of real homes and the people whose lives were forever changed within them. Through archival research, historical records, and documentary storytelling, we uncover the stories that remain long after the people and sometimes the houses themselves are gone. For more, visit https://www.nightmarehouses.com PHOTOGRAPHS & ARCHIVAL SOURCES This episode incorporates historical photographs, contemporary newspaper reporting, and materials presented during the investigation and legal proceedings concerning Martha Moxley's murder. Identified collections and sources include: Getty Images — Evidence Photos from the Skakel Trial, May 22, 2002, image #1544903. Rockville Superior Court — Skakel trial exhibits, including photographs of the Skakel family and Martha Moxley's diary. Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection — historical crime-scene photography. Associated Press / AP Images — historical portraits and trial-evidence photographs. The Daily Item, November 1, 1975 — contemporary reporting on Martha Moxley's murder. Martha Moxley yearbook memorial — page 104; full publication information to be confirmed. Additional individual image credits and source links will be added as archival identification is completed. Nightmare Houses is an independently researched historical documentary series. Source acknowledgment does not imply affiliation with or endorsement by the organizations listed above.

  • S3 · E6
    Aug 26, 2024 · 42 min

    The Borden House, Fall River, MA

    On the morning of August 4, 1892, a gruesome scene unfolded within the walls of the Borden family’s 1845 Greek Revival style home. 69 year old Andrew Borden, was found brutally bludgeoned in his face and head on the sitting room sofa, while upstairs, his 64 year old wife, Abby Borden met a similar fate in the upstairs guest bedroom. At the time of the murders, only 32 year old Lizzie Borden and 26 year old Irish family maid, Bridget Sullivan, were at home during the attacks. Lizzie was always believed to be the prime suspect, but was ultimately acquitted of their murders. What do you think happened on that fateful day? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S3 · E5
    Mar 21, 2024 · 29 min

    The Myrtles Plantation

    The Myrtles Plantation, a 1796/1830s Antebellum creole home in St. Francisville, LA claims to be the most haunted home in America, boasting over 12 spirits. Who are these trapped souls and what truth lay behind these claims? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • #2
    Jan 17, 2024 · 12 min

    Mini-tales: The Willey House

    In late August, 1826, in the White Mountains of Northern New Hampshire, a 1793 wood cabin was at the precipice of a catastrophic landslide. Tragically, the occupants of cabin would succumb to the forces of nature. How did this humble dwelling remain unscathed, and what happened following the tragedy? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S3 · E4
    Nov 13, 2023 · 17 min

    The Pink House

    Nestled on Plum Island, just off the Massachusetts coast, there stands a 1925 colonial-style cottage, painted an unmistakable shade of pink. Long abandoned, the house has become the center of swirling rumors and local lore. It's often thought to be a spite house—a vengeful monument from a bitter divorce, but was this true? What does the future hold for this enigmatic, ill-fated pink house? Welcome to Nightmare Houses

  • #1
    Nov 6, 2023 · 12 min

    Mini-tales: The Pink House

    Nestled on Plum Island, just off the Massachusetts coast, there stands a 1925 colonial-style cottage, painted an unmistakable shade of pink. Long abandoned, the house has become the center of swirling rumors and local lore. It's often thought to be a spite house—a vengeful monument from a bitter divorce, but was this true? What does the future hold for this enigmatic, ill-fated pink house? Welcome to Nightmare Houses: mini-tales

  • S3 · E3
    Nov 1, 2023 · 18 min

    Robert the Doll

    A little boy receives a gift of a life-like doll and the pair become inseparable living in the family’s 1898 Victorian Queen-Anne style home in Key West, FL. Soon, there is unexplained mischief, but the little boy always blamed his doll, Robert.Today, the doll is a popular tourist attraction and paranormal legend, but is there any truth behind this story?Welcome to Nightmare Houses

  • S3 · E2
    Aug 10, 2023 · 38 min

    What Happened On Lindley St

    In November 1974, a family experienced terrifying paranormal activity, witnessed by many, in their 1923 Bungalow in Bridgeport, CT. Soon after, the claims were dismissed as a hoax, but not everyone believed it. What really happened inside that home? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S3 · E1
    May 30, 2023 · 42 min

    The Watcher

    In June 2014, just days after purchasing a 1905 Dutch Colonial in Westfield, New Jersey, a family began to receive disturbing and unsettling letters from an anonymous writer, only known as the Watcher.The Watcher sent the new homeowners a total of four letters claiming to have watched their house over time, forcing the family to flee the home in terror. Who is the Watcher?Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S2 · E11
    Mar 21, 2023 · 20 min

    Greystone

    On February 16, 1929, wealthy and prominent oil man, Edward "Ned" Doheny, Jr., was found dead in a guest bedroom along with his long-time employee, T. Hugh Plunkett. Doheny had just built his colossal mansion, named Greystone, in 1928, and had not lived there long. What happened that night? Were these deaths related to an earlier scandal? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S2 · E10
    Feb 8, 2023 · 17 min

    Brittany Murphy & Simon Monjack

    On December 20, 2009, actress Brittany Murphy, age 32, was found unresponsive at her 1997 Contemporary Spanish Villa style home. The cause of her death was mysterious but officially pneumonia was listed as the primary cause. Five months later, her husband, Simon Monjack died in a similar manner, also in the home. Was this just a tragic coincidence or was there something worse going on? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S2 · E9
    Jan 11, 2023 · 34 min

    The Sowden House

    In 1926, party couple John and Ruth Sowden worked with Lloyd Wright to design a Mayan style playhouse. Decades later, the unique residence would become affiliated with one of America’s most gruesome and unsolved crimes, the Black Dahlia. What other dark secrets does this place hold? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S2 · E8
    Dec 15, 2022 · 16 min

    The Brutal Murder of Ramon Navarro

    On October 30, 1968, silent film star, Ramon Novarro, was brutally murdered inside his 1945 Spanish-Colonial style home in Laurel Canyon. The actor was 69 years old. Who murdered the "Latin Lover" and why? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S2 · E7
    Dec 7, 2022 · 36 min

    Marilyn Monroe

    In the early morning hours of Sunday, August 5, 1962 the iconic actress, Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her bed at her 1929 Spanish Hacienda style home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. The superstar was only 36 and poised for a major comeback. But did she die by her own hand, or was it something worse? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S2 · E6
    Nov 17, 2022 · 21 min

    Bugsy Siegel

    On the night of June 20, 1947, notorious Mobster Bugsy Siegel was gunned down in his mistress’s 1928 eclectic Italianate-style home in Beverly Hills. His murder has never been solved. Will we ever know who killed Bugsy Siegel? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S2 · E5
    Nov 1, 2022 · 17 min

    The Wonderland Ave Murders

    In the early morning hours of July 1, 1981, four people were brutally beaten to death inside their 1960 mid-century rented home in Laurel Canyon. Only one person survived, but the murderers were never caught. Will the killers ever be brought to justice? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S2 · E4
    Oct 25, 2022 · 17 min

    Thomas Ince & Dias Dorados

    In November 1924, filmmaker Thomas Ince celebrated his birthday on William Randolph Hearst's yacht. But days later, Ince died at the Spanish-Mission style mansion he just had built. Did Thomas Ince die of natural causes, or was there a cover-up? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S2 · E3
    Oct 11, 2022 · 24 min

    The Tragic Tale of Marvin Gaye

    On April 1, 1984, legendary singer/songwriter Marvin Gaye was shot and killed by his father in the 1905 Tudor-style mansion they shared. The world lost an iconic performer in a sudden and shocking moment. But what really happened that day? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S2 · E2
    Sep 20, 2022 · 20 min

    The Home of Paul Bern and Jean Harlow

    On September 5, 1932, Hollywood Producer, Paul Bern was found dead in the home he shared with his wife of two months, actress Jean Harlow. It appeared that his death was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head upstairs of the Bavarian Craftsman style home he had built. But what really happened inside that home in 1932? And what role does the house play in another infamous and gruesome Hollywood murder? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

  • S2 · E1
    Sep 12, 2022 · 23 min

    The Death of George Reeves

    On June 16, 1959, George Reeves, the actor who played Superman on television, was found dead in his quaint, 1940s New England style Beverly Hills on Benedict Canyon. It appears to have been a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but was it a suicide or was he murdered? Welcome to Nightmare Houses.

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