In this segment of “Coast to Coast AM,” Art Bell on October 30, 1993, the focus is on sharing live ghost stories, a tradition in tune with the Halloween season. Art emphasizes the seriousness with which he approaches the topic, acknowledging that discussions of the paranormal and ghosts might be unsettling for some listeners. He shares various ghostly tales and paranormal experiences, including stories about the United States Capitol building, where people have reported seeing spirits and experiencing otherworldly phenomena. One story mentions Clarence Brown, president of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, who recounts various sightings of spirits, including that of John Quincy Adams and unusual occurrences like the smell of baking bread from a Civil War-era bakery. Another intriguing tale comes from the Gateway Gazette in Pahrump, Nevada, about the Mizpah Hotel.
Art Bell delves further into eerie encounters and ghost stories. He narrates a chilling tale involving Stuart, a young man working at the Mizpahl Hotel. Stuart encounters a mysterious woman who insists on not having a wall torn down, claiming she lives there. However, when Stuart returns with his boss, the woman vanishes. Stuart’s mother, Sharon, is initially skeptical about ghosts but admits that if they exist, they’re likely at the Mizpah.
Another story involves Pat Dennis, a waitress, who has seen the casino’s keno board light up spontaneously, despite being disconnected from an electrical source. She’s unsure whether it’s the work of the infamous “lady in red,” a ghost rumored to haunt the hotel. Linda Evans, a waitress, also shares her experiences with the lady in red, who seems kind to her but dislikes men. Evans recounts a terrifying incident where her son and grandson see a headless woman in red, causing them considerable distress.
The segment also includes stories from other Mizpah staff, like Gene Whiteman, who tells of a guest who sees a ghostly man at the foot of her bed, and Gene Bridges, a former waitress, who recounts how even the formidable security guard Otis is terrified of the hotel’s fifth floor, rumored to be haunted. Art Bell links these stories to Nevada’s violent history, suggesting that unsettled spirits might linger due to unexpected or violent deaths, unrequited love, or unresolved issues.
One story features a historical building in Provincetown, Massachusetts. About 20 years ago, Art’s uncle, a former California contractor, became a caretaker of the Provincetown Inn. Initially skeptical about ghosts, he and his wife start experiencing poltergeist activity, such as objects moving on their own and unexplained footsteps in the building, particularly during the off-season.
In another instance, they hear footsteps upstairs when no one is supposed to be there. One night, as the footsteps descend the stairs, Art’s uncle prepares with a gun, only to find no one there when his wife opens the door. Art’s family, intrigued by these stories, visits the inn, hoping to capture ghostly images. They discover that parts of the inn were built using lumber salvaged from a wrecked whaling vessel, linking the haunting to a tragic event in the past.
Art also discusses the prevalence of ghost stories in New England and Europe, attributing them to the regions’ long histories and past violent events. He finds these stories compelling as they hint at the possibility of life after death, a topic that greatly interests him and many others.
In this continuation of “Coast to Coast AM,” Art Bell listens to a caller from Alameda, California, who shares her own ghostly experiences. She lives in a large, rambling house with her five children and begins to hear unexplained noises, such as footsteps and doors slamming when no one is there. Initially, she dismisses these occurrences, thinking they are her children or her imagination. However, the children are also experiencing similar phenomena, including mysterious presences in the shower and unexplained noises, but they don’t tell their mother for fear of making it real.
The family’s awareness of the supernatural presence becomes undeniable when the mother confronts her son, who reveals he saw something, leading to a flood of shared experiences among the family members. These experiences escalate, with manifestations in the form of shadows at noon and increased activity that terrifies the family. Seeking help, the mother approaches a priest, who dismisses their claims. Frustrated and scared, the family eventually resorts to using a crucifix and prayers to banish the entity, which they believe to be the spirit of a deceased relative.
Another caller shares a story from 1956 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, about living in an old house with an eerie, unsettling small room on the third floor, used only for storage. This room always felt strange, and they kept the door closed.
A caller recounts a spooky experience in an old house in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Living on the third floor, she feels an eerie presence emanating from a small storage room. One night, while her husband is away on business, she becomes increasingly uneasy, sensing something in the room. Despite her fear, she ventures upstairs, only to hear the door latch click and the door squeak open. Terrified, she hides in the bathroom until her husband returns. They find the door slightly ajar but no one inside. She later learns that the elderly man living downstairs passed away and a baby died in the house, leading her to believe there was an evil presence seeking a victim.
Another caller from Seattle shares a different kind of ghostly encounter. She regularly visits her deceased aunt’s grave to maintain it. On one such visit, she sees her aunt run out in front of her car, causing a collision. Both the other driver and a security guard confirm seeing the woman, but no one is found at the scene. Strangely, a similar incident occurs a year later at the same spot, reinforcing the eerie nature of her experiences.
In this part of “Coast to Coast AM,” the narrative continues with a caller sharing a deeply personal story involving her aunt, who she sees frequently, even after her aunt’s passing. The caller believes her aunt guides and protects her, especially during critical moments in her life. For instance, while facing major surgery, her aunt appeared to her in the hospital, advising her to have the doctors rerun tests, which revealed a misdiagnosis, thus avoiding unnecessary surgery. This story reinforces the idea that spirits can act as guardian angels, offering guidance and protection.
Another caller recounts waking up from a dream with a premonition of a family member’s death, which later comes true. This caller also experiences a visitation from her deceased biological father through a mirror, offering comfort and messages of love. These experiences contribute to the ongoing theme of the show about the connection between the living and the spirits of deceased loved ones, suggesting that death may not be the end of existence but a transition to another state where spirits continue to interact with the living.
A caller shares a story about a haunted house not through visible apparitions but through poltergeist activity and electrical anomalies. A friend visiting the house with a young child experiences a door slamming shut on its own, trapping the child momentarily and causing panic. This incident leads to a discussion on how substance abuse or traumatic death might leave spirits “grounded” here, unable to move on, citing an example where a spirit’s anger and unrest were linked to a heroin overdose.
Another caller from Salt Lake City warns about the dangers of engaging with the supernatural, specifically through Ouija boards. He suggests that spirits contacted in this way may not be the benign spirits of deceased loved ones but could be malevolent entities pretending to be familiar faces. He recounts his own chilling experience with a Ouija board, where an entity communicated with him through the board and over a phone call, leaving him with a lasting aversion to the occult.
A caller from Alaska, a former United States Marine Corps sniper, recounts a harrowing experience in Grenada where he was shot in the knee. While injured, he claims a vision of his great-great-grandfather, dressed in a Civil War uniform, appeared and miraculously froze his leg, alleviating the injury. Despite the skepticism from medics and a psychologist attributing the experience to blood loss and shock, the caller and his spotter felt a profound sense of security and familial presence during the ordeal.
Another caller describes a deeply personal moment of synchronicity and pain that coincided with the death of a young woman he mentored. Overwhelmed by sudden, unexplained physical pain and a headache while discussing past acquaintances with a friend, he later learns of the woman’s tragic death. Driven by intuition, he locates the exact spot of her accident and confirms the details with a sheriff’s deputy, learning that the initial impact of the vehicle that struck her matched the side of his own inexplicable pain.
A caller shares a profound experience linking physical sensations with the moment of a friend’s death. He believes his friend’s spirit came to say goodbye, correlating his sudden, unexplained physical pain with the time of her fatal accident. His conviction is strengthened by finding the exact accident location through intuition and confirming details with law enforcement.
Another caller warns against engaging with Ouija boards, describing them as doorways for satanic spirits. He recounts personal suffering from demonic oppression that lasted for decades, attributing it to a childhood encounter with a Ouija board. This cautionary tale emphasizes the potential dangers of inviting unknown entities into one’s life.
The conversation shifts to a mining story from Virginia City, where a man encounters a spirit trapped by a cave-in, illustrating the belief that souls may remain earthbound following sudden or violent deaths. This story, among others shared on the show, underscores the complex interplay between the material world and the spiritual realm, suggesting that our connections with the departed and unseen forces extend beyond our understanding.
A caller recounts an extraordinary incident where he seemingly communicated with a powerful force during a drive with a friend. After jokingly asking for a sign of God’s presence, two bolts of lightning strike close to their vehicle, leaving them shaken and profoundly impacted. This experience leads them to reconsider the nature of their requests and beliefs, emphasizing the old adage, “Be careful what you wish for.”
Another story shared by a caller from Genoa, Nevada, delves into the realm of inner child work and recovery from alcoholism. During a moment of deep personal reflection, he experiences a vivid vision of a young girl, resembling a younger version of his girlfriend, who communicates without speaking. This encounter, which takes place in his room but transcends physical boundaries, leads him to wonder about the connections between individuals and the unseen threads that link their inner worlds. The experience is both mystifying and comforting, suggesting a benign presence reaching out to him.
A caller shares a story about feeling an overwhelming sense of unease upon entering a house in San Francisco. Despite the house being an attractive Victorian, a gut feeling tells him something is profoundly wrong, especially when he ventures upstairs and finds himself unable to enter any of the bedrooms due to the intensifying discomfort. This story underscores the idea that certain places can evoke powerful, inexplicable feelings of dread or danger, often without any visible cause.
Another caller, Pablo from Canada, describes a room in his house dedicated to Hitler, claiming that the presence within is so strong it exudes power, eliciting an eerie sensation from visitors. This chilling account reflects on how environments, especially those charged with historical or emotional significance, can impact individuals’ feelings and perceptions.
Lastly, a caller from Albuquerque shares a lighter, yet poignant story about his childhood. At two years old, he insisted on visiting his favorite uncle, “Uncle Joe,” only to learn of his death shortly after their visit. This story touches on the theme of precognitive abilities, especially in children, and how certain unexplainable urges or desires might be linked to deeper, unseen connections.
One caller from Anchorage, Alaska, recounts a story about his mother having a premonitory dream about him being in a serious motorcycle accident, which subsequently came true. This story highlights the mysterious connections between loved ones and the unexplained ways in which warnings or premonitions are communicated.
Another caller from Las Vegas shares two stories related to ghostly encounters. The first incident occurred in Saint George, where, upon waking up in a guest bedroom, the caller saw several figures looking at him from the door and then experienced a spirit attempting to fall on him, which disappeared just before contact. The second story, which the caller promises to share after a news break, is set in Pahrump, Nevada, adding to the eerie collection of tales from the show.
One caller from Pahrump, Nevada, recounts a disconcerting experience of waiting for his sister’s junior varsity bus to arrive after a football game. While resting in his car, he repeatedly dreams of the bus arriving and his sister approaching the car, only to wake each time to find no one there. His struggle to differentiate between dream and reality, especially in the isolated setting of Pahrump, underscores the unsettling nature of his experience.
Another caller from Lynnwood, Washington, shares a harrowing tale of being followed by a mysterious car with two occupants while driving alone outside of Winnemucca, Nevada, early in the morning. Just as the situation becomes increasingly threatening, he experiences a flat tire near the only house for miles. The intervention of a resident from the house seems to deter the pursuers, leaving the caller to wonder about the serendipitous timing of the events and the potential supernatural protection he received.
One caller recounts a chilling experience where he believed an intruder entered his house late at night. Armed and ready to confront the figure, he witnesses the silhouette of a stocky individual that, when challenged, vanishes upward like a retracting window shade, leaving no trace. The caller also mentions other strange occurrences in his home, such as objects mysteriously falling off shelves.
Another story comes from Carson City, where a listener shares a tale told by his brother. Their father, who had passed away suddenly six months earlier, supposedly made contact through a dream. In this dream, the brother hears casino noises in the background, suggesting their father was calling from a casino in the afterlife. The father warns that the brother will die within a year but fails to deliver a more important message before the call ends. Although the brother did not physically die within the year, the caller interprets the dream as signifying the death of his brother’s old, dependent self, leading to a rebirth of responsibility and independence.
A caller reflects on her marriage to a man with a peculiar background, suggesting that every time he visited a relative, they would pass away shortly before his arrival. This pattern, coupled with her own spiritually charged vision related to her father’s death, illuminates a mysterious interplay between premonitions and the timing of death. Her story culminates in a haunting experience where she senses her father’s spirit leaving his body, a moment underscored by her husband’s unexpected arrival in a gray jacket she had seen in a vision, symbolizing death’s approach.
Another caller hints at haunted airplanes, sharing that a friend working for a major airline disclosed stories of aircrafts haunted by the spirits of those who died in crashes. This discussion reveals a belief that some planes carry more than just living passengers, suggesting that the traumatic energy of past events can linger in physical spaces.
The narrative shifts to a caller from Birmingham, Alabama, who shares a bond with his best friend so strong that they experience shared dreams and premonitions. This connection, explored further after a commercial break, adds to the evening’s exploration of how deep, unspoken bonds between individuals can manifest in supernatural ways.
One caller from Huntsville narrates a peculiar incident involving his friend who got hurt during basic training. This event coincided with a strange occurrence at 3:00 AM, where the caller witnessed red glowing eyes in a tree and a mysterious Egyptian figure named Ptolemy appearing in his yard. This figure, claiming to be a protector, has since appeared in both the caller’s and his friend’s dreams, even intervening in potentially dangerous situations such as a drive-by shooting. This story blends elements of ancient spirituality with modern-day experiences, suggesting a timeless guardian presence over certain individuals.
Another caller shares an emotional story of his brother, who passed away just before his third birthday, returning to speak to him every year on his birthday. This annual visitation, which has continued into the caller’s adulthood, provides comfort and reassurance, underscoring the deep bonds that can transcend death. This personal and intimate narrative highlights how such experiences can become normalized and deeply ingrained in someone’s life, providing a unique form of guidance and comfort.
One caller recounts a haunting experience in an old farmhouse where he and a companion saw a little boy who wasn’t there in the physical sense. This unsettling sighting, followed by a blood-curdling scream from his companion upon seeing the boy again, leads to an eerie exploration of the house. Despite not finding anyone, the experience leaves them shaken, especially when they later confirm the boy’s existence through a photograph shown by the family who owned the house. This story highlights how encounters with spirits can leave tangible impacts on the living, stirring deep emotions and unanswered questions.
Another caller from Seattle shares a heart-wrenching story of his girlfriend’s tragic death in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. At a party held in her memory, a band member experiences a terrifying moment when she sees not her own reflection in the mirror, but that of the deceased girl. The night takes a darker turn when the caller hears his deceased girlfriend’s voice asking him to leave, followed by chaotic destruction at the party. This encounter profoundly impacts the caller, reinforcing his belief in the afterlife and the presence of spirits among the living.
A caller recounts a chilling experience while visiting an old farmhouse with a friend to collect antique fixtures. Initially dismissing what he thought he saw as his imagination, both he and his friend soon realize they may have seen the spirit of a little boy. Their experience turns from curious to frightening as they feel the presence of something unseen, leaving them to question what they encountered.
Another caller shares a personal story of visiting fortune tellers during a time of worry for her husband’s safety in the navy. Despite her skepticism, she receives consistent messages to take care of herself while being assured of her husband’s well-being. This story takes a dramatic turn when she dreams of an explosion at her workplace, which later comes true, resulting in her being the only one injured. This premonition underscores the mysterious ways in which forewarnings manifest, leaving her to ponder the connections between her visits to the fortune tellers and the subsequent events.
Further adding to the night’s eerie narratives, another caller describes an experience where faces resembling those of concentration camp victims floated through her room. Deciding to confront whatever presence might be with her, she demands it leave if it means harm, leading to the immediate disappearance of the faces. Additionally, she recounts a story from the Pacific during WWII, where a young marine, despite severe injuries, claims his deceased father brought him back to safety.
A listener shares an eerie account of footsteps heard regularly on their patio and a hammer flying across their workshop without explanation. This event, coupled with no visible presence, leaves the caller and her husband puzzled and alarmed by the inexplicable activity in their home, suggesting a ghostly visitor with an unclear intent.
Another caller narrates a heart-wrenching story of seeing her late husband in a car the day after his death, leading to a series of events that solidify her belief in his spiritual presence. Despite preparing for his return home, she receives news of his tragic death, a profound loss that has deterred her from remarrying. This tale speaks to the deep connections that persist beyond death, shaping the lives of those left behind.
The program also hears from a woman whose grandmother’s home becomes the scene of an unexplainable occurrence. After discussing her deceased, mean-spirited grandfather over dinner, they return home to find a mirror inexplicably lifted and tightly latched high on a bathroom door, far beyond the reach of her bedridden grandmother. This chilling incident leaves them questioning if the grandfather’s spirit could be manifesting discontent from beyond the grave.
A caller describes frequent, inexplicable footsteps at her home, followed by an incident where a hammer flew across her husband’s workshop without any visible cause. This narrative adds to the evening’s collection of personal encounters with the unknown, suggesting an unseen presence making itself known in a rather forceful manner.
Another listener from Fairbanks, Alaska, questions the potential presence of poltergeists in the radio feed, mentioning a peculiar quacking noise heard during the broadcast. This light-hearted interjection offers a momentary break from the more intense tales of the night, although the caller commits to finding evidence of this anomaly on tape.
The conversation takes a darker turn with a story about a young man troubled by the losses in his life, who appears to a friend in a dream expressing sadness over a recent car accident. This premonitory dream is later confirmed by news of the young man’s death, deepening the mystery of connections beyond the physical realm.
Another caller shares ongoing experiences with a “mundane” ghost at their workplace, illustrating how some spirits may simply coexist with the living without causing disturbance. This story transitions into a more troubling account of a church building where numerous individuals, including the caller, felt an ominous presence, especially after dark. The revelation that a suicide had occurred in the church and a subsequent tragic event involving a former resident suggests a lingering malevolence or sadness attached to the location.
A caller describes how her home frequently experiences unexplained footsteps and a particularly unnerving incident where a hammer flew across her husband’s workshop, narrowly missing him. These occurrences suggest an unseen presence that actively interacts with their environment, leaving the couple both puzzled and concerned.
Another story comes from a listener reflecting on a visit to a coffeehouse that was formerly a church and a military prep school. The church, associated with a troubled history including murder and suicide, now exudes an unsettling atmosphere. The caller and a friend, revisiting the building, encounter a heavy, oppressive feeling, corroborated by an employee who refuses to stay after dark. This tale reinforces the idea that buildings can retain the emotional imprints of their pasts, affecting those who enter.
A chilling narrative from Taiwan involves two friends who experience bizarre, unexplained noises and the sensation of an invisible presence in their apartment. The caller’s terror escalates when he believes he sees his friend approaching his bed in the dark, only to realize his friend is actually in his own bed. The bed then starts to move as if floating on water, leaving the caller in a state of shock. This story highlights how paranormal experiences can deeply unsettle our sense of reality, leaving lasting impressions of fear and wonder.
Next, a heartrending account of a mother who receives a premonitory warning from her son about his short lifespan is shared. After his tragic death, she experiences a supernatural visitation signaled by the smell of roses, fulfilling a promise between them.
One caller recounts an experience with mysterious footsteps and a hammer flying across a workshop, suggesting an unseen presence in their home. Another discussion revolves around a curious incident involving a duck quacking noise interrupting the radio broadcast, which the caller managed to capture on tape. This peculiar addition to the night’s tales adds a lighter, yet still mysterious, element to the discussions.
The stories then shift back to more traditional ghostly encounters. A caller from Spokane shares a dream where she’s warned of her uncle’s death, a premonition that sadly comes true. Another caller tells of a psychic experience related to a family clock that stopped at the exact moment a relative passed away, suggesting a connection between objects and the spirit world.
Pat Fitzpatrick from Silver Springs, Nevada, introduces a historical ghost story about Roger Casement, an Irish nationalist, whose spirit was said to haunt until his remains were repatriated to Ireland. This story blends national history with the paranormal, illustrating how ghost stories can serve as a medium for larger cultural and historical narratives.
The segment concludes with a veteran’s haunting recollection of an ambush in Vietnam that inexplicably failed to affect an approaching enemy. This chilling account of wartime spirits adds a layer of profundity to the night’s tales, reflecting on the lingering presence of those lost to violent ends.
A caller from Mesa, Arizona, recounts a camping trip on the Navajo reservation near Rainbow Bridge, where he and his father, a preacher and anthropology master’s degree holder, felt an overwhelming presence after extinguishing their campfire. This story illustrates how sacred and historically rich areas, like Navajo Mountain, are often the settings for profound paranormal experiences, linking to the cultural and spiritual significance of the land.
Another caller, reflecting on the conversation about the duck quacking sound interrupting the broadcast, confirms hearing it too, adding an element of mystery to the night’s discussions. This peculiar incident, while lighter in nature, stirs curiosity about unexplained noises and their origins during live radio shows.
The narrative shifts back to a more traditional ghostly encounter with a story from Anchorage, Alaska, about witchcraft in the Arctic involving a legendary Eskimo shaman known for his supernatural powers. The shaman’s ability to appear unharmed after being stabbed and his mysterious appearances and disappearances captivate not only the indigenous communities but also the military personnel who attempted to restrain him. This tale blends history, culture, and paranormal lore, emphasizing the enduring power of such figures in local legends and their impact on communities.
One caller from Bakersfield discusses unsettling feedback from a listener who reported hearing threatening whispers during the broadcast, adding to the night’s theme of eerie auditory phenomena. This account raises questions about the source of these sounds, whether they’re pranks, technical glitches, or something truly paranormal.
Another story comes from a listener who recounts a poignant moment following his uncle’s death. A mysterious dog appeared outside the family home, offering comfort to each member of the immediate family before vanishing once everyone had gathered. This tale suggests the possibility of animal spirits or guardians appearing in times of grief, embodying the essence of loved ones who have passed.
The program also hears from a caller in Fairbanks, Alaska, humorously dismissing stories from Anchorage as unreliable, showcasing the diverse and sometimes skeptical perspectives within the audience. This light-hearted banter provides a moment of levity amidst the more serious discussions of supernatural encounters.