Badger Bizarre

11/11/2024

If you’ve heard our episode on “Wisconsin’s Legendary Haunted Roads,” or have seen our recent presentations, we have talked about the case of Mary Schlais.

One of the suspects for years in her murder was Randall Woodfield, known as the “I-5 Killer,” (and one time Green Bay Packer,) as he was 1 of 2 “persons of interest” who could not be eliminated from a list of 50 by a partial DNA profile.

Jon K. Miller was the other one.

50 years, and it’s over. Credit to law enforcement for never giving up.

You can hear Episode 39 here ————->

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/39-wisconsins-legendary-haunted-roads

When confronted with the evidence, 84-year-old Jon K. Miller confirmed his involvement with Mary K. Schlais' homicide 50 years ago.

11/09/2024

New on Patreon:

In September of 1876, the most notorious outlaws in American history chose an unsuspecting bank in a small Minnesota town as their next hit.

It proved to be their downfall.

Scott and Mickey discuss Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang's attempt to hold up the First National Bank in Northfield, MN, and how the town fought back in what has become the most famous bank robbery in American history.

Subscribe now for exclusive content from Scott and Mickey of Badger Bizarre.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/115606559?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

10/28/2024

We celebrate Halloween again this year by bringing you stories collected at the 2nd Annual Great Lakes Paranormal Conference. Real people telling us their real paranormal experiences, in their own voice.

Happy Halloween, everyone. We hope your week is frightful...

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/46-halloween-parashare-ii

10/28/2024

As stated in the most recent episode, available now, we wanted to show where Father Theophilus Riesinger is buried in Appleton. This is a question we get fairly often, and it is a bit difficult to explain to those who have never been to St Joseph’s Cemetery.

As seen below, it is in the Capuchin priest section of the cemetery, in Section A, shaded in blue. When by the large cross in cemetery, walk south toward the river, and you will find it. The monument to look for is in the first comment.

Hope this helps.

Happy Halloween.

10/08/2024

Reminder: Come see us for some Wisconsin True Crime stories.

Wednesday, Oct 9th, 6:30 - 7:30.

Neenah Public Library Shattuck Room.

10/01/2024

On the night of December 26th, 1983, friends Margaret Anderson and Terry Apfel entered a Green Bay bar named the Back Forty, at 618 Bodart Way, during a night out.

The Back Forty was owned by a member of the Drifters Motorcycle Club, and known as a popular hangout for Drifters members, and members of other motorcycle clubs as well. Clubs like the DC Eagles, thought by some to be a more menacing, renegade motorcycle gang.

The motorcycle club subculture was prominent in NE Wisconsin at the time, and still holds a steady influence today in the region.

On this particular night, however, during the holiday season of 1983, members of the Drifters and the DC Eagles committed acts so disturbing, the event is still remembered today for its pure cruelty and brutality, even leading to the motorcycle clubs themselves to aid in the resulting investigations.

Scott and Mickey discuss this case, called the most brutal murder in Green Bay's history, and some of the arising issues in our sentencing laws.

In the opening banter, we recap the 2nd Annual Great Lakes Paracon, and a sad update on Elijah Vue.

All here, on Episode 45 of Badger Bizarre, "Margaret Anderson."

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/45-margaret-anderson

09/20/2024

Have you ever been on a truly bad date? Well, this story should at least make you feel better about that.

On December 26, 1983, 35 year old Margaret Anderson went out to see a movie with a guy she was seeing, Terry “Weasel” Apfel. Once the movie ended, they decided to go have a few drinks. They started at Surf Club II tavern on South Broadway in Green Bay and ended up at a biker bar called Back Forty Tavern, late in the evening. The events that followed are still considered part of “the most brutal murder in Green Bay history”. Hear all the gruesome and gory details in our upcoming episode #45, only on your favorite podcast all about the true crime, paranormal and all other strange and twisted happenings in the one and only America’s scary-land…only on BADGER BIZARRE!

09/14/2024

In our latest Patreon episode, Scott and Mickey discuss the Chicago gangland era of the Roaring 20's, specifically the happenings leading up to and around the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

The murders, which left 7 Chicago mobsters dead, shocked the world in its brutality, remains officially unsolved today, though much speculation centers around crime boss Al Capone.

Hear the story about this famed gangland hit, which ultimately led to the undoing of the famed Chicago gangs of the 1920's.

Join here…

https://www.patreon.com/posts/111999924?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

08/27/2024

34 years ago today a legend was lost at Alpine Valley.

If you haven’t yet, we hope that you listen to our discussion of those tragic events in episode 41 of Badger Bizarre, “Stevie Ray Vaughan.”

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/41-stevie-ray-vaughan

08/26/2024

In October of 1978, Adams County was rocked by the brutal murder of 20-year-old Nancy Potts, a nurse practitioner at Adams County Memorial Hospital, who was supposed to be married on the very day her body was found.

The killing of this seemingly innocent would-be bride opened up unhealed wounds around past violent crimes in the area, including an unsolved double murder with ties to Nancy's fiancee, Kenny Ray Reichhoff. Reichhoff was actually associated with several other deaths over previous years, which impacted his reputation in the community, shocking locals when the truth of Potts's murder was finaly realized.

Scott and Mickey discuss this story, which takes place over several years. Many details remain unsolved still today, accentuating the dark secrets many small towns in Wisconsin still hold.

In the opening banter, we discuss some upcoming appearances, an earthquake in WI (what?) and some of the most famous UFO sightings in our state.

All here, on episode 44 of Badger Bizarre: "Kenny Ray & Nancy."

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/44-kenny-ray-nancy

08/15/2024

110 years ago today. The subject of our very first episode. A tragedy that still haunts our state.

Listen again, or for the first time.

Badger Bizarre: Episode 1 “Murder at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin.”

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/murder-at-frank-lloyd-wrights-taliesin

Paul Hendrickson searches for answers in a crime that, 100 years later, remains a mystery.

08/06/2024

Interesting little tidbit regarding our last episode on Rosemary Kennedy…

It seems Emma Stone was all set to star in a movie about her life, to be released in 2019.

For ”unknown” reasons, it was never made.. 🤔

If you haven’t yet, you can listen to our episode on Rosemary’s horrific, yet inspiring life, here —————————>

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/43-rosemary-kennedy

Emma Stone to star in Rosemary Kennedy biopic

08/02/2024

In 1949, St. Coletta of Wisconsin, a non-profit organization in Jefferson providing residential services for people with disabilities, accepted a new resident.

This resident had a unique history, however, and the facility would need to implement very specific arrangements.

Her name was Rosemary Kennedy, the 30-year-old sister of the current senator from Massachussettes, and future President of the United States, John F. Kennedy.

Rosemary's life to that point was one of both privelage and hardships, as physical and intellectual disabilities led to her being bounced around between numerous group homes and boarding schools, as the Kennedy family's ambitions left them unabe to adhere to her needs at home.

In 1941, a horrific failed lobotomy performed on her when she was only 23 complicated her situation even more, leading her parents to send their daughter away, and her siblings wondering what had happened to her.

Scott and Mickey discuss this heartwrenching story, and Wisconsin's connection to the most influential American family in history.

In the opening banter we discuss one of the oldest cold cases in the state finally being solved, and which haunted cemetery in the state is also "one of the most beautiful."

Only here, on episode #43 of Badger Bizarre, "Rosemary Kennedy."

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/43-rosemary-kennedy

07/15/2024

New on the Badger Bizarre Patreon:

Quite possibly the most famous ghost story in America is just to our south, in Chicago's suburbs. Resurrection Mary has been roaming the lonely roads of Justice and Willow Springs, IL since the 1930's, leaving countless eye witnesses, stunned dancing partners, and police reports as signs of her presence, and just maybe, actual physical evidence.

Scott and Mickey discuss the history of this world-renowned legend, possible explanations, suspected identities, and discover a darker possible past to one of Chicago's most famous residents.

Subscribe to listen today...

https://www.patreon.com/posts/resurrection-108150390?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

07/09/2024

On March 4th, 1998, the small town of Dane, WI awakened to the shocking news that the Rev. Alfred Kunz, the priest at St Michael's Catholic Church had been murdered in a brutal scene in the elementary school.

Found as teachers began to arrive for the school day, Father Kunz was lying in a pool of blood in a hallway, a gaping wound in his throat, which was slit by an edged weapon.

In the 26 years years since the homicide, the investigation into Kunz's murder has been the most extensive and expensive in Dane County's history, featuring a suspect list including everyone from local petty thieves, to the hierarchy of the clergy.

Scott and Mickey discuss this still unsloved crime which has captivated true crime slueths worldwide, and the shocking secrets which have since come to light.

In the opening banter, we discuss the legends of Wisconsin Lake Monsters, as told by Chad Lewis.

All here, in episode 42 of Badger Bizarre, "The Murder of Rev. Alfred Kunz."

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/42-the-murder-of-rev-alfred-kunz

08/05/2023

On May 5th, 1886, a standoff between state militia and common workers turned deadly on Milwaukee’s south side, as at least 9 people were killed in the tragedy. The day would change the course of Wisconsin - and U.S. - politics and labor policy forever. But have we been told the true story of that day? Hear about what happened, and how it changed the course of history, on Episode 27 of Badger Bizarre, “The Bay View Massacre.”

https://badgerbizarre.libsyn.com/27-the-bay-view-massacre