It is said that a mother and her son are haunting Pounder’s Beach and the waters. After the ocean took their lives, you can still hear their cries coming in with the pounding waves.
Pounder’s Beach on the windward side of Oahu, is known for its stunning scenery with the white sand and turquoise water and the powerful, pounding waves that give the beach its name. Locals simply call it Pounders, although it is going to be called by their traditional names, Pahumoa Beach.
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Popular among bodyboarders, surfers, and skimboarders, this coastal paradise between the towns of Hauula and Laie offers excitement and beauty. However, beneath its idyllic surface lies a darker, more eerie legend that continues to haunt the area: the tale of a mother and her child, whose spirits are said to linger at the beach.
The Haunted Pounder’s Beach
On the Hauula side of Pounder’s Beach, locals and visitors alike have reported hearing the cries of a child echoing through the night on the empty beach. People have also reported on seeing a woman wandering the waters. These ghostly apparitions are believed to be the spirits of a mother and her son who met a tragic end on a stormy night.
The shorebreak can be very strong all year round, particular during the winter months. The story goes that the mother watched in horror as her young son was pulled under by the relentless surf. Desperate, she called out to a nearby surfer for help, but her screams were drowned out by the roar of the waves. With no one able to come to her aid, she bravely dove into the turbulent waters in a futile attempt to save her child, only to be claimed by the sea herself.
The Mother and Son Haunting Pahumoa Beach
So is the beach haunted, or is it simply people’s way of warning surfers and people swimming in the ocean to be careful?
Visitors have recounted eerie experiences near the remnants of an old foundation, believed to be the remains of a former house where the family might have lived. Some have heard the faint sound of a child’s cry carried on the wind, while others have felt an unseen presence or witnessed ghostly reflections in the water. The soft sound of footsteps, seemingly without source, can often be heard nearby. Perhaps the most scary part of the legend is how it is said that the mother will take you if you look like her child.
Now a part of the museums in Drammen, Norway, Austad Estate used to be the home of the rich and powerful. Some say though its eternal resident is the ghost of The Lady in Black, who may or may not have been killed by her husband.
Thought to come back from beyond the grave, the restless spirit known as Hortdan in Turkey walks the line between being a tragic ghost and a bloodthirsty vampire.
In the Alpine foothills in Bavaria, strange boulders mark the landscape. Many legends linger over these mysterious stones, some claiming it was the Devil himself who placed it there.
Said to be cursed forever after mistreating his prisoners, the jailer in Bern’s former prison tower, Käfitier is said to be haunted by the ghost of a monstrous calf.
For decades, parents have told their children to be home before dark in Lafayette, Colorado. The reason being that local lore tells of a vampire rising from his grave in the cemetery. But who exactly was the man behind the story, buried under the tombstone?
Buried in the same place as the Danish kings and queens, a legend about one of the smaller graves haunts the Roskilde Cathedral. It is said that a horse was buried here before any people, and it haunts the graveyard as the three legged helhest, an omen of death.
As a place of dubious drug testing and the place where most lobotomies were done, the Lier Hospital and former asylum was left with a haunted rumor lingering in the decaying walls. Although most of the buildings are now torn down, it is still remembered as one of Norway’s most haunted places.
The Danish ghostly horse spirit Helhest is said to roam around St. Canute’s Cathedral in Odense, Denmark. It is believed seeing the three legged horse is an omen of imminent death.
According to old legends and Danish folklore, there are stories of three legged horses haunting the churches and graveyards in the country. in Saint Olaf’s Church, the spirit of the helhest is said to be the omen of death.
Could it be that the oldest church in Oslo also has the oldest haunting? From legends about a dragon’s den underneath the structure and the ghostly silhouette haunting, the Gamle Aker Church perhaps has more activity than what meets the naked eye.
During a time when Bulgaria was under the Ottoman Empire, there was talk about a vampire haunting the streets of Veliko Tarnovo. The rumours got so bad, that the Islamic rulers had to turn to pagan belief to rid themselves of the bloodthirsty creatures.
Forgotten by time and the people, the abandoned burial ground in Waialua seems to hide hidden and unmarked graves, as well as the ghosts of those buried here. What is the truth behind the mystery of the Pu’uiki Cemetery?
Tucked away in the quiet, rural town of Waialua on Oʻahu’s North Shore lies a burial ground that seems to exist outside the boundaries of time and memory and much of it is now lost because of the land being developed for the modern world. Puʻuiki Cemetery, between Mokulēʻia Beach and the Puʻuiki Beach Park is a place steeped in history, yet shrouded in mystery, as it doesn’t officially exist on any modern records as it never was an official registered cemetery.
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Its graves, some crumbling with age, harken back to a bygone era when the Hawaiian Islands were shaped by the harsh realities of plantation life. Despite—or perhaps because of—its forgotten status, Puʻuiki Cemetery has earned a reputation as one of the most haunted places on the island.
The history of Puʻuiki Cemetery predates Hawaii’s statehood, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when sugarcane plantations dominated the landscape. The place was once owned by the Waialua Sugar Company. Workers from around the world—primarily from Asia—came to the islands seeking a better life, only to find themselves facing grueling labor, dangerous conditions, and, in many cases, untimely death. When tragedy struck, these laborers were buried in simple, often unmarked graves, many of which found a final resting place at Puʻuiki Cemetery.
Read also: More ghost stories from haunted cemeteries from all around the world: Here
But unlike most cemeteries, Puʻuiki Cemetery never made it onto official maps or records. For reasons that remain unclear, it was never registered as a formal cemetery, leaving it in a kind of legal and historical limbo. Today, it’s a ghostly remnant of the past, with gravestones scattered among the overgrown grass and weeds, their inscriptions worn away by time. The absence of documentation only adds to the cemetery’s eerie atmosphere, as though it exists on the fringes of reality—a place forgotten by the living but not by the dead.
Ghostly Encounters in the Children’s Section
In the far corner of Puʻuiki Cemetery lies a small, neglected plot where children were buried marked with Waialua Children Cemetery. The graves here are smaller, the headstones are in very bad shape. It is here that the most unsettling experiences have been reported.
Many who have ventured into this part of the Pu’uiki Cemetery speak of an uncanny feeling of being followed, or of small, unseen hands tugging at their clothing—particularly their legs. The sensation is described as unmistakable, as though a child is trying to get their attention. Some visitors have even reported hearing faint giggles or the sound of children’s footsteps in the grass, though no one is ever there when they turn around.
These encounters are often brief but leave a lasting impression, as though the spirits of the children are still at play, unaware or unwilling to accept that they have passed on. The stories have led to a local belief that the children of Puʻuiki Cemetery, lost too soon to a harsh world, are still reaching out for comfort, hoping that someone will acknowledge their presence.
A Place of Unresolved Spirits at Pu’uiki Cemetery
Puʻuiki Cemetery stands as a haunting reminder of a forgotten past—a place where the dead may outnumber the living and where the echoes of history refuse to fade away. Its unregistered status, combined with its tragic legacy, has created an atmosphere that is both mysterious and unnerving.
Efforts to restore and preserve the graves have made the once neglected cemetery filled with weeds as well as being desecrated by off-road racers, vandals and dogs. Perhaps moving forward the cemetery will be more looked after than ever before?
As you walk among the graves, take care to respect the spirits that dwell there, for Puʻuiki Cemetery is a place where the past is very much alive—a place where the lost and forgotten are still waiting to be found.
Now a part of the museums in Drammen, Norway, Austad Estate used to be the home of the rich and powerful. Some say though its eternal resident is the ghost of The Lady in Black, who may or may not have been killed by her husband.
Thought to come back from beyond the grave, the restless spirit known as Hortdan in Turkey walks the line between being a tragic ghost and a bloodthirsty vampire.
In the Alpine foothills in Bavaria, strange boulders mark the landscape. Many legends linger over these mysterious stones, some claiming it was the Devil himself who placed it there.
Said to be cursed forever after mistreating his prisoners, the jailer in Bern’s former prison tower, Käfitier is said to be haunted by the ghost of a monstrous calf.
For decades, parents have told their children to be home before dark in Lafayette, Colorado. The reason being that local lore tells of a vampire rising from his grave in the cemetery. But who exactly was the man behind the story, buried under the tombstone?
Buried in the same place as the Danish kings and queens, a legend about one of the smaller graves haunts the Roskilde Cathedral. It is said that a horse was buried here before any people, and it haunts the graveyard as the three legged helhest, an omen of death.
As a place of dubious drug testing and the place where most lobotomies were done, the Lier Hospital and former asylum was left with a haunted rumor lingering in the decaying walls. Although most of the buildings are now torn down, it is still remembered as one of Norway’s most haunted places.
The Danish ghostly horse spirit Helhest is said to roam around St. Canute’s Cathedral in Odense, Denmark. It is believed seeing the three legged horse is an omen of imminent death.
According to old legends and Danish folklore, there are stories of three legged horses haunting the churches and graveyards in the country. in Saint Olaf’s Church, the spirit of the helhest is said to be the omen of death.
Could it be that the oldest church in Oslo also has the oldest haunting? From legends about a dragon’s den underneath the structure and the ghostly silhouette haunting, the Gamle Aker Church perhaps has more activity than what meets the naked eye.
During a time when Bulgaria was under the Ottoman Empire, there was talk about a vampire haunting the streets of Veliko Tarnovo. The rumours got so bad, that the Islamic rulers had to turn to pagan belief to rid themselves of the bloodthirsty creatures.
According to local lore, there is a ghost girl haunting the 16th Avenue Bridge in a residential neighborhood in Honolulu. After dying in a hit and run, she is forever trying to cross the bridge and find her way home.
The quiet residential neighborhood of Kaimuki in Honolulu once used to be the site of a carnation farm for funeral flowers. It was also a place known for the many ovens the Hawaiians used to bake roots into a sweet candy. Now it is mostly a residential area, with a few shops and restaurants.
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It is also home to one of the more well known urban legends on the O’ahu island where it’s said that the 16th Avenue Bridge is haunted by a young girl who lost her life in a car crash many years ago.
16th Avenue Bridge: Google Street View
The Haunted 16th Avenue Bridge
The 16th Avenue Bridge holds a dark and haunting secret as the place of a haunted legend. To the unknowing eye, it appears to be just another passage over a small stream, but to locals, it is a place where the boundary between the living and the dead is thin.
Local folklore tells the heart-wrenching tale of the young girl who met her untimely end on this very bridge. Struck down by a careless driver who never stopped, her spirit is said to be restless, wandering the area in a perpetual state of confusion and sorrow, still trying to get home.
When this hit and run is supposed to have happened though is uncertain, but the story is now at least a couple of decades old, and it has turned into one of the urban legends of the neighborhood that starts with: “Rumor has it that….”
The Ghost of the Girl in Kaimuki
Those who encounter the ghost of the girl in Kaimuki who died crossing the 16th Avenue Bridge describe a chilling experience. Witnesses have reported seeing her ghostly figure on the bridge, often in the late hours of the night, too young to be out in the night by herself. She appears as a forlorn, lost child, her eyes pleading for help.
The girl approaches passersby, asking for assistance to find her way home. Her presence is so real that many have mistaken her for a living person, only to realize the truth too late. As they attempt to guide her off the 16th Avenue Bridge, some even taking her had to lead her safely over to the other side, she mysteriously vanishes when crossing it, leaving her would-be helpers standing alone in the eerie silence of the night.
Some legends also claim that she gets into cars who stop for her, but like those trying to walk with her over the bride, she disappears as soon as they cross the bridge she lost her life on.
The Urban Legend of the 16th Avenue Bridge
Although it is a well known story today, little is really known about the circumstances as well as hard proof that it really was a tragic hit and run on the bridge which claimed the life of a little girl. Although there is a written blog post from ghost hunter on Hawaii about this legend, if this case really happened or is more of a fictionalized version of the legend is uncertain though. Especially since many sources claim it was decades ago, while the blog posts claim it happened in 2017.
But as many of the urban legends, the seed of it perhaps grew from a true thing that eventually grew a life of its own.
Now a part of the museums in Drammen, Norway, Austad Estate used to be the home of the rich and powerful. Some say though its eternal resident is the ghost of The Lady in Black, who may or may not have been killed by her husband.
Thought to come back from beyond the grave, the restless spirit known as Hortdan in Turkey walks the line between being a tragic ghost and a bloodthirsty vampire.
In the Alpine foothills in Bavaria, strange boulders mark the landscape. Many legends linger over these mysterious stones, some claiming it was the Devil himself who placed it there.
Said to be cursed forever after mistreating his prisoners, the jailer in Bern’s former prison tower, Käfitier is said to be haunted by the ghost of a monstrous calf.
For decades, parents have told their children to be home before dark in Lafayette, Colorado. The reason being that local lore tells of a vampire rising from his grave in the cemetery. But who exactly was the man behind the story, buried under the tombstone?
Buried in the same place as the Danish kings and queens, a legend about one of the smaller graves haunts the Roskilde Cathedral. It is said that a horse was buried here before any people, and it haunts the graveyard as the three legged helhest, an omen of death.
As a place of dubious drug testing and the place where most lobotomies were done, the Lier Hospital and former asylum was left with a haunted rumor lingering in the decaying walls. Although most of the buildings are now torn down, it is still remembered as one of Norway’s most haunted places.
The Danish ghostly horse spirit Helhest is said to roam around St. Canute’s Cathedral in Odense, Denmark. It is believed seeing the three legged horse is an omen of imminent death.
According to old legends and Danish folklore, there are stories of three legged horses haunting the churches and graveyards in the country. in Saint Olaf’s Church, the spirit of the helhest is said to be the omen of death.
Could it be that the oldest church in Oslo also has the oldest haunting? From legends about a dragon’s den underneath the structure and the ghostly silhouette haunting, the Gamle Aker Church perhaps has more activity than what meets the naked eye.
During a time when Bulgaria was under the Ottoman Empire, there was talk about a vampire haunting the streets of Veliko Tarnovo. The rumours got so bad, that the Islamic rulers had to turn to pagan belief to rid themselves of the bloodthirsty creatures.
In the Summer Palace to the Queen Emma of Hawaii, people claim to still hear her playing the piano, lingering as a spirit. Can it be that the late Hawaiian royalty is still lingering?
Hidden away in the lush Nuʻuanu Valley of Honolulu on Oʻahu, the Queen Emma Summer Palace, also known as Hānaiakamalama, is a serene and picturesque retreat that once served as a royal refuge for Queen Emma of Hawaii. The Queen Emma Summer Palace, built in 1847 provided a cool, tranquil escape from the oppressive heat of Honolulu, offering the Queen a place to grieve the loss of her husband, King Kamehameha IV, and their young son, Prince Albert.
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Today, while The Queen Emma Summer Palace stands as a preserved museum of the now lost Hawaiian royalty, it is said to hold more than just memories of the past—it harbors the lingering presence of the Queen herself and is said to be haunted by her.
Queen Emma Summer Palace: Also called Hanaiakamalama in Honolulu, Hawaii is believed to be haunted by Hawaiian royalty.// Source: Wiki
A Glimpse into Hawaiian Royal History
But who was this alleged ghost when she was alive? The Queen Emma Summer Palace, adorned with original furnishings, including the Queen’s piano, exudes an air of regal elegance and timelessness as well as a hint of a haunted aura.
Queen Emma: Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke (January 2, 1836 – April 25, 1885) was queen of Hawaii as the wife of King Kamehameha IV from 1856 to his death in 1863. She was later a candidate for the throne but King Kalākaua was elected instead.
The most frequently reported sighting at the Queen Emma Summer Palace is that of the Queen herself. Dressed in traditional royal attire, her apparition is often seen gracefully moving through the gardens, her figure blending with the shadows cast by towering trees. Some visitors have described feeling a sudden drop in temperature when entering certain rooms, particularly those that were once used by the Queen.
Some have felt a light touch on their shoulder, as if being gently guided or comforted by an unseen force. Others have caught fleeting glimpses of a figure out of the corner of their eye, only for it to vanish when they turn to look. In the Queen’s bedroom, where she would have spent her most private moments, some have claimed to feel an overwhelming sense of sadness, as though the weight of her grief still lingers in the very walls.
The Ghosts under the Banyan Tree of The Queen Emma Summer Palace
In addition to queen herself is haunting the summer home, it is also believed that her son is also haunting the premise. Prince Albert, died when he was four. As commemoration for the royal child’s death, the Hawaiian people would plant a royal palm tree.
Today a Banyan tree stands on the premise, thought by many to be haunted by the spirit of both little Albert and Queen Emma herself, sometimes showing themselves as lighting orbs people now try to capture on picture.
The Queen Emma Summer Palace is more than just a historical site; it is a place where the past and present coexist in a delicate balance. The spirit of Queen Emma, ever protective of her sanctuary, seems to watch over the estate, ensuring that her legacy is not forgotten.
Now a part of the museums in Drammen, Norway, Austad Estate used to be the home of the rich and powerful. Some say though its eternal resident is the ghost of The Lady in Black, who may or may not have been killed by her husband.
Thought to come back from beyond the grave, the restless spirit known as Hortdan in Turkey walks the line between being a tragic ghost and a bloodthirsty vampire.
In the Alpine foothills in Bavaria, strange boulders mark the landscape. Many legends linger over these mysterious stones, some claiming it was the Devil himself who placed it there.
Said to be cursed forever after mistreating his prisoners, the jailer in Bern’s former prison tower, Käfitier is said to be haunted by the ghost of a monstrous calf.
For decades, parents have told their children to be home before dark in Lafayette, Colorado. The reason being that local lore tells of a vampire rising from his grave in the cemetery. But who exactly was the man behind the story, buried under the tombstone?
Buried in the same place as the Danish kings and queens, a legend about one of the smaller graves haunts the Roskilde Cathedral. It is said that a horse was buried here before any people, and it haunts the graveyard as the three legged helhest, an omen of death.
As a place of dubious drug testing and the place where most lobotomies were done, the Lier Hospital and former asylum was left with a haunted rumor lingering in the decaying walls. Although most of the buildings are now torn down, it is still remembered as one of Norway’s most haunted places.
The Danish ghostly horse spirit Helhest is said to roam around St. Canute’s Cathedral in Odense, Denmark. It is believed seeing the three legged horse is an omen of imminent death.
According to old legends and Danish folklore, there are stories of three legged horses haunting the churches and graveyards in the country. in Saint Olaf’s Church, the spirit of the helhest is said to be the omen of death.
Could it be that the oldest church in Oslo also has the oldest haunting? From legends about a dragon’s den underneath the structure and the ghostly silhouette haunting, the Gamle Aker Church perhaps has more activity than what meets the naked eye.
During a time when Bulgaria was under the Ottoman Empire, there was talk about a vampire haunting the streets of Veliko Tarnovo. The rumours got so bad, that the Islamic rulers had to turn to pagan belief to rid themselves of the bloodthirsty creatures.
Housing the fate of the country once, the Old Parliament House in Canberra, Australia is said to house more than one ghost today. Perhaps one of the most notorious ones is that of the Minister of Murder.
Canberra is known for its beautiful landmarks, but few places in the city hold a darker history than Old Parliament House. This iconic building was the seat of power for Australia’s government for over six decades and witnessed countless political battles. However, there are whispers that the former occupants of this grand structure still linger within its walls.
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Although an office building, the place has seen its fair share of death. Many visitors have reported eerie experiences ranging from unexplained noises to ghostly apparitions. The ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts have long been drawn to this site, and their investigations have uncovered some spine-chilling stories.
The Haunted Parliament Building: The Old Parliament House in Canberra, surrounded by serene waters and clouds, holds a darker history with reports of ghostly apparitions. // Source: Wiki
Brief history of Old Parliament House
Old Parliament House is an iconic building that has served as the seat of Australia’s government for over six decades. It was built in 1927 and served as the home of the Australian Parliament until 1988 when it was replaced by the new Parliament House. The building is located on Capital Hill in Canberra and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parks.
Opening Day: A painting by H. Septimus Power in circa May 1927. The painting shows the official opening of “Old Parliament House” as the centre of administration for the Commonwealth of Australia. // Source: Wiki
It used to be the place where they passed the bills and debated the important decisions of the country. Now the building belongs to the Museum of Australian Democracy to teach and keep the wisdom and history that has happened between the walls of this building.
Opening of Old Parliament House, Canberra, 9 May 1927.
Strange things are said to happen in the building though, and visitors keep seeing shadows in the corners and hearing whispers in the halls when there’s no one there. Could it be ghosts haunting the building? When the building was set aflame during a protest in 2021, it is said that people saw an apparition of a man running through King’s Hall out of the House of Representatives chamber.
The Minister of Murder Haunting the Halls
A lot of the ghost stories we get from the Old Parliament House come from the night shift staff. One of the most well-known apparitions that security guards and other night-time attendees have claimed to have seen has been dubbed the Minister of Murder.
During 1922-25, Thomas Ley, a former NSW state parliamentarian became the minister of justice with a desire to become the prime minister. He signed off on many death sentences at work. He was also tied to suspicious deaths, like with the man who helped fund his election campaign. He was thought to be involved in many shady dealings.
In March 1947 he ended up in prison for the murder of John McBain Mudie. He was a barman that Ley thought slept with his mistress. Three days before his sentencing, the death sentence no less, it was changed and he was deemed mentally unstable. He died not long after in an asylum.
Thomas John Ley: (28 October 1880 – 24 July 1947) was an Australian politician who was convicted of murder in England. He is widely suspected to have been involved in the deaths of a number of people in Australia, including political rivals. Here, speaking at a federal election rally held in Macquarie Place in Sydney
Dying in disgrace without being able to fulfill his ambition of becoming the prime minister, he is said to haunt the Old Parliament House, hanging around the government party room in the building in the dead of night.
The Paranormal Activity Reported at Old Parliament House
Over the years, many visitors have reported strange occurrences and unexplained phenomena. These include mysterious footsteps, unexplained noises, and ghostly apparitions. Some people have even reported feeling a cold breeze or a touch on their shoulder when no one is around.
The Haunted Parliament Building: The Chamber of the Old Parliament House Canberra. // Source: Wiki
There are also stories about a tradie, a man on a painting job of some sort walking around the building in white painter’s overalls and carrying a tin of open paint. When security try to chase him down though, they find nothing, not even a drop of paint.
There have also been apparitions that people attribute to former prime ministers, politicians and other well known figures that once passed through these gates.
Now a part of the museums in Drammen, Norway, Austad Estate used to be the home of the rich and powerful. Some say though its eternal resident is the ghost of The Lady in Black, who may or may not have been killed by her husband.
Thought to come back from beyond the grave, the restless spirit known as Hortdan in Turkey walks the line between being a tragic ghost and a bloodthirsty vampire.
In the Alpine foothills in Bavaria, strange boulders mark the landscape. Many legends linger over these mysterious stones, some claiming it was the Devil himself who placed it there.
Said to be cursed forever after mistreating his prisoners, the jailer in Bern’s former prison tower, Käfitier is said to be haunted by the ghost of a monstrous calf.
For decades, parents have told their children to be home before dark in Lafayette, Colorado. The reason being that local lore tells of a vampire rising from his grave in the cemetery. But who exactly was the man behind the story, buried under the tombstone?
Buried in the same place as the Danish kings and queens, a legend about one of the smaller graves haunts the Roskilde Cathedral. It is said that a horse was buried here before any people, and it haunts the graveyard as the three legged helhest, an omen of death.
As a place of dubious drug testing and the place where most lobotomies were done, the Lier Hospital and former asylum was left with a haunted rumor lingering in the decaying walls. Although most of the buildings are now torn down, it is still remembered as one of Norway’s most haunted places.
The Danish ghostly horse spirit Helhest is said to roam around St. Canute’s Cathedral in Odense, Denmark. It is believed seeing the three legged horse is an omen of imminent death.
According to old legends and Danish folklore, there are stories of three legged horses haunting the churches and graveyards in the country. in Saint Olaf’s Church, the spirit of the helhest is said to be the omen of death.
Could it be that the oldest church in Oslo also has the oldest haunting? From legends about a dragon’s den underneath the structure and the ghostly silhouette haunting, the Gamle Aker Church perhaps has more activity than what meets the naked eye.
During a time when Bulgaria was under the Ottoman Empire, there was talk about a vampire haunting the streets of Veliko Tarnovo. The rumours got so bad, that the Islamic rulers had to turn to pagan belief to rid themselves of the bloodthirsty creatures.
The St. Andrew’s Cathedral as well as the boarding school hall right next to it is said to be haunted by the royal specter of Queen Emma of Hawaii.
St. Andrew’s Priory in Honolulu stands as a monument to both faith and lingering spirits of Hawaii’s past. Adjacent to the church is a hall where students used to board and they are both said to be haunted.
Read more: Check out all ghost stories from the USA
The priory started and is to this day an all girls school and is filled with ghost stories. It used to be a boarding school and the students lived in what used to be Queen Emma hall, now named Kennedy Hall. And it is from these borders that we get the haunted stories form. But who is it that is haunting both the halls as well as the St. Andrew’s Cathedral?
The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew: Also commonly known as St. Andrew’s Cathedral, located at 229 Queen Emma Square. //Source: Flickr/Wally Gobetz
A Cathedral Born of Royal Devotion
The story of St. Andrew’s Cathedral begins with Kamehameha IV and his queen consort, Queen Emma, both devout members of the Church of England. Their deep friendship with Queen Victoria of England further cemented their commitment to bringing the Anglican tradition to Hawaii. In 1862, they succeeded in bringing Bishop Thomas Nettleship Staley to the islands, laying the groundwork for the Anglican mission in Hawaii.
Interior: Chancel of the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, Honolulu, Hawaii. // Source: Farragutful/Wiki.
Inspired by their devotion, Kamehameha IV commissioned the construction of a grand cathedral that would serve as a symbol of faith and unity for his people. Tragically, the king never saw his vision realized. He passed away on the feast day of Saint Andrew in 1863, leaving the project unfinished. His brother, Kamehameha V, took up the mantle, and in 1867, he laid the cornerstone in honor of his late brother, marking the beginning of the cathedral’s long and storied history.
The same happened with the school which is adjacent to the St. Andrew’s Cathedral. She wanted to create a school for girls where they would have the same quality of education as the boys.
From England Queen Emma brought the Sisters of the Church of England to Hawai’i to run the school that opened on Ascension Day in 1867. In 1902 the Episcopal Church of the United States took over the school and it was run by the Sisters of the American Order of the Transfiguration until 1969.
The Haunting Presence of Queen Emma
Queen Emma, who shared her husband’s passion for the St. Andrew’s Cathedral and school, continued to be deeply involved in its development until her death in 1885. It is said that her spirit, still deeply connected to the church she helped inspire, returns to St. Andrew’s Cathedral, especially during the Day of Ascension—a day of great significance in the Anglican faith. On this day, many have reported seeing a faint, regal figure moving silently through the church, her presence felt by those who are particularly attuned to the spiritual.
The student who used to board at the school also claims to have met the queen in the hall, and that she is the ghost behind the creaking of the floors after the lights are off, turning the lights on and off and opening and closing doors.
Queen Emma: Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke (January 2, 1836 – April 25, 1885) was queen of Hawaii as the wife of King Kamehameha IV from 1856 to his death in 1863. She was later a candidate for the throne but King Kalākaua was elected instead.
This is not the only place Queen Emma is said to be haunting though. Her ghost is also said to reside in the Nuʻuanu Valley on Oʻahu at the Queen Emma Summer Palace, also known as Hānaiakamalama.
Unseen Specters and Strange Sounds
But what about inside the St. Andrew’s Cathedral itself? There are also those who have reported hearing the soft strains of piano music from the cathedral’s grand piano, playing tunes that were known to be among Queen Emma’s favorites. The eerie part? No one is ever sitting at the instrument when the music begins. Some say it’s as if the queen herself is playing from beyond the grave, her fingers dancing across the keys in a final, ghostly performance.
Window: Interior of the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, Honolulu, Hawaii. // Source: Farragutful/Wiki
The St. Andrew’s Cathedral, with its high ceilings and echoing chambers, is a place where sound carries easily—but not all sounds have a logical explanation. On more than one occasion, visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, soft whispers that seem to come from nowhere, as if the walls themselves are speaking. These strange sounds often occur when the cathedral is empty, lending an eerie sense of being watched or followed.
Shadowy figures are another common phenomenon. Visitors who stay a bit too late after a service or event often describe the unsettling feeling of being observed by something—or someone—lurking in the shadows. These figures are never fully seen, only glimpsed out of the corner of the eye, disappearing as soon as one turns to face them.
The Legacy of Faith and Spirits of St. Andrew’s Cathedral
St. Andrew’s Cathedral is more than just a place of worship; it is a living testament to Hawaii’s royal past and the enduring spirit of Queen Emma. The cathedral’s Gothic beauty is matched only by its reputation as one of Honolulu’s most haunted locations. Whether it’s the faint strains of a ghostly piano, the shadowy figures that move in the periphery, or the unmistakable presence of Queen Emma herself, St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the boarding halls next to it is a place where the spiritual and the spectral coexist.
The Manoa Chinese Cemetery houses many of the Chinese immigrants who went looking for work and a new life on the Hawaiian islands. But what happens when the ghosts of these people want to go home?
Sitting on a knoll of the slopes of the Manoa Valley, the Manoa Chinese Cemetery was established in the late 1800s as a final resting place for Chinese immigrants who made Hawaii their home. Around 10 000 burials have taken place within the low rock wall since it was founded in 1852 by Lin Yee Chung and is the largest and oldest Chinese cemetery on the Hawaiian Islands.
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Though the Manoa Chinese Cemetery appears serene, with its rows of aged tombstones and peaceful surroundings, this cemetery has earned a reputation for paranormal activity that sends chills down the spines of even the bravest souls.
At the heart of the cemetery stands a burned-out tree, its charred branches reaching into the sky like skeletal fingers. Locals whisper that this tree is far more than it seems—many believe it serves as a portal between the worlds of the living and the dead and nothing in the center of the tree will grow.
Some have reported witnessing eerie fireballs shooting from the tree, dancing and flickering in the night air. Others claim the tree groans and creaks as if alive, its scorched trunk a doorway for wandering spirits.
On certain nights, especially when the mist rolls in from the valley, the air around the tree grows thick with an unsettling energy. Those who dare to approach it often feel a sudden drop in temperature, hear whispering voices carried on the wind, or feel an inexplicable force pushing them away or even pulling them in. Visitors have been known to flee in terror after sensing an unseen presence lurking just beyond the shadows.
Ghostly Sounds and Mysterious Figures at the Manoa Chinese Cemetery
The sounds of children singing, soft and distant, have been heard echoing among the graves at the Manoa Chinese Cemetery—despite no children being present. These spectral voices seem to come and go, as if playing a ghostly game of hide-and-seek, leaving those who hear them wondering whether they’re caught between worlds.
There is also said to be the sound of children laughing as if they are playing or even infants crying in the night.
Manoa Chinese Cemetery: The oldest and largest Chinese cemetery on the Hawaiian islands, on March 5, 2024. The historic cemetery is nestled on the interior slopes of Mānoa Valley, an amphitheater shaped valley in Honolulu on the island of O‘ahu. // Source: Wiki
Then there is the figure of a Chinese woman, seen by many, who appears at the foot of certain graves, kneeling in prayer. Her form is ethereal, almost translucent, and she wears a traditional Chinese dress. Witnesses have tried to approach her, only to see her fade away before their eyes, like smoke on the wind. Some believe she is a grieving mother or wife, forever tending to her loved ones, her spirit unable to find peace.
The Story about Lee Chew
There is also the story about a Chinese Man named Lee Chew haunting the Manoa Chinese Cemetery. According to the story he died in 1924. The family always planned to take his remains back to China, his homeland for a proper burial. The years went by and World War Two happened and the family kept his remains in a suitcase in the cemetery.
The years went by, and in the end, the wife of the grandson of Lee Chew received a message after she had met up with a friend. Teddie Ching started to investigate it and went to a temple to have a prayer for him. When asked the spirit said he would bring disaster over the family if they kept him in the suitcase. According to the priest, he wanted to stay in the temple.
They brought his remains to the temple where they cremated the bones on an auspicious day. Have a look at how Teddie Ching told the story to PBS Hawaii.
The Orange Orbs Around the Manoa Chinese Cemetery
There are many strange things left in the cemetery. According to some, workers mark haunted spots by polls and the like where it is said electric equipment and such doesn’t work. They mark the place so they know where to stay away.
Another strange thing said to appear in the cemetery is the sightings of strange orange orbs floating among the tombstones. Some say this is akua lele, a flying god bringing death and bad luck.
Have a look at what the Honolulu Police Departments experienced:
A Playground for the Paranormal
The Manoa Chinese Cemetery is not merely a collection of tombstones; it is a playground for the paranormal, a place where the boundary between life and death seems to blur. Those who visit it at night often come away with more than just shivers; they leave with stories of strange encounters and unexplainable phenomena that stay with them for years.
For those who dare to wander through its gates, the cemetery offers a chilling glimpse into the unknown—a place where ancient spirits linger and where every shadow seems to hide a secret. Be warned: if you decide to visit this haunted site, you may not walk away alone. The spirits of Manoa may just decide to follow you home.
Now a part of the museums in Drammen, Norway, Austad Estate used to be the home of the rich and powerful. Some say though its eternal resident is the ghost of The Lady in Black, who may or may not have been killed by her husband.
Thought to come back from beyond the grave, the restless spirit known as Hortdan in Turkey walks the line between being a tragic ghost and a bloodthirsty vampire.
In the Alpine foothills in Bavaria, strange boulders mark the landscape. Many legends linger over these mysterious stones, some claiming it was the Devil himself who placed it there.
Said to be cursed forever after mistreating his prisoners, the jailer in Bern’s former prison tower, Käfitier is said to be haunted by the ghost of a monstrous calf.
For decades, parents have told their children to be home before dark in Lafayette, Colorado. The reason being that local lore tells of a vampire rising from his grave in the cemetery. But who exactly was the man behind the story, buried under the tombstone?
Buried in the same place as the Danish kings and queens, a legend about one of the smaller graves haunts the Roskilde Cathedral. It is said that a horse was buried here before any people, and it haunts the graveyard as the three legged helhest, an omen of death.
As a place of dubious drug testing and the place where most lobotomies were done, the Lier Hospital and former asylum was left with a haunted rumor lingering in the decaying walls. Although most of the buildings are now torn down, it is still remembered as one of Norway’s most haunted places.
The Danish ghostly horse spirit Helhest is said to roam around St. Canute’s Cathedral in Odense, Denmark. It is believed seeing the three legged horse is an omen of imminent death.
According to old legends and Danish folklore, there are stories of three legged horses haunting the churches and graveyards in the country. in Saint Olaf’s Church, the spirit of the helhest is said to be the omen of death.
Could it be that the oldest church in Oslo also has the oldest haunting? From legends about a dragon’s den underneath the structure and the ghostly silhouette haunting, the Gamle Aker Church perhaps has more activity than what meets the naked eye.
During a time when Bulgaria was under the Ottoman Empire, there was talk about a vampire haunting the streets of Veliko Tarnovo. The rumours got so bad, that the Islamic rulers had to turn to pagan belief to rid themselves of the bloodthirsty creatures.
What haunting ghosts and ghouls are waiting under the bridge stretching over the Kipapa Gulch in Hawaii? From spirits from bloody battles, hitchhiking ghosts and a terrifying ghost calling your name from Hawaiian mythology, there are plenty of things in the dark.
In the lush landscape of Hawaii, Kipapa Gulch carries a haunting history deeply intertwined with ancient warfare and eerie paranormal phenomena. This gulch found in the middle of the island of O’ahu between Mililani Town and Waipio, steeped in the echoes of the past, was once a battleground where warring chiefs would lay the bodies of their defeated enemies, their spirits forever linked to the land.
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Today there is a bridge stretching across the Kīpapa Gulch, and from this place, a lot of rumours about night marchers, ghosts of the fallen soldiers as well as the story of the vanishing hitchhiker wearing white wanders. The Roosevelt Bridge was built in 1933, but today people mostly know it as the Kipapa Stream Bridge. Both this bridge as well as the rest of the Kam Highway is considered haunted, perhaps even to the point of danger.
The Battle of Kīpapa Gulch
Some say that some of the alleged haunting around the Kīpapa Gulch comes from a bloody battle that took place around the gulch years ago. During the reign of Māʻilikūkahi on O’ahu, possibly in the 15th century, soldiers from Hawaii and Maui invaded O’ahu and a big battle played out in Waipi‘o because of disagreements about who owned the land.
Some claim that the people of the Island had killed their former chief because of starvation and chose their new one. Māʻilikūkahi is said to have been a peaceful leader, but when invaders disturbed their peace, he fought back.
From there, the fighting continued to the Kīpapa gulch. According to legends, the area was filled with bodies after the bloody battle. The very name Kipapa, means paved way, and the way was paved with the corpses of their enemies. Two of the leader’s skull were put on poles as a warning and reminder to the others thinking about invading them.
The Haunted Kīpapa Gulch
The sinister legacy of these ancient conflicts lingers in the gulch, manifesting in numerous unexplained experiences reported by locals and visitors alike. Lights moving down the mountainside into the ravine are seen in the night, and not even in your own car will you escape the spirit said to linger. Can it be the spirits from the bloody battle?
Drivers often recount their vehicles inexplicably stalling on the bridge that spans the gulch, leaving them stranded and anxious as they hear disembodied voices and names being called from beneath the bridge when they step out to change their tires. Many car accidents happening on the bridge are also attributed to this place.
Residents living near Kipapa Gulch frequently report unsettling occurrences that defy rational explanation. Many describe the unnerving sensation of losing track of time or feeling an unseen presence nearby. Some have even witnessed ghostly reflections or inexplicable breath marks on mirrors, suggesting the proximity of spirits from another realm. These experiences contribute to the gulch’s reputation as a place where the past and present seem to blur.
The Legend of the Night Marchers
Adding to the mystique of Kipapa Gulch is the legend of the Night Marchers, spectral apparitions of ancient Hawaiian warriors. According to local lore, these ghostly figures are said to traverse well-worn paths, often where historical battles were fought or near sacred Hawaiian sites. Witnesses have described seeing lines of torches moving through the night, accompanied by the distant sound of chanting and drums. Encountering the Night Marchers is considered both a rare and fearsome event, with traditional beliefs advising people to show respect by averting their gaze and lying face down to avoid drawing their attention.
Not only are the haunted rumors affecting people driving across the bridge, but also the houses built nearby have been affected by it. On the edge of the Gulch, at least 30 houses overlook it, many of them abandoned because of the legends about this place.
Many of the houses are believed to be haunted and people have left them, as they are afraid that the Night Marchers will hurt them. The houses remain vacant, as they can’t find any buyers that will take the risk of having the Night Marchers coming through their backyard. Giving supposed legends real life consequences.
The Hitchhiking Woman and Pele the Goddess of Volcanoes
As well as night marchers, ghosts of soldiers from a battle centuries ago, there are also tales about the place being haunted by a woman wearing white. Today, the legend goes that people see her along the rides as she is hitchhiking. When people pick her up, she suddenly vanishes.
This is without a doubt one of the legends about the vanishing hitchhiker, but in Hawaii, there is another element to these ghost stories. In many of the stories, people believe that it has to be the goddess Pele of Volcanoes and this story is told in many places across the state.
Many of these ghosts and spirits are seemingly harmless. But there is a spirit perhaps more frightening than the others said to lurk around the bridge and gulch.
Kaupe is a formidable figure in Hawaiian mythology said to have ruled the Nu’uanu Valley, often depicted as a terrifying, shape-shifting creature with the ability to assume both human and monstrous forms. Originating from the legends of Oahu, Kaupe is said to be a malevolent spirit or demigod who lured unsuspecting travelers into perilous situations, especially during the night. He is known for his haunting, otherworldly howls and his penchant for abducting individuals to devour them or lead them astray.
Kaupe’s influence extends to specific sacred or feared sites, and his presence is often invoked to explain mysterious disappearances or unexplained phenomena in the wilderness. Despite his fearsome reputation, stories of Kaupe also serve as cautionary tales, emphasizing the need to respect the land and its unseen forces.
Although said to be from another island, his spirit is often said to appear under the Kipapa Bridge. Often called a ‘calling ghost’ he is said to lure his victims out by mimicking the sound of wounded or dying people, much like the legends about people claiming to hear strange cries for help when they are crossing the bridge.
The Haunted Kipapa Gulch
The chilling combination of historical battles, eerie encounters, and the presence of the Night Marchers solidifies Kipapa Gulch’s status as one of Hawaii’s most haunted locales. Whether a skeptic or a believer, one cannot deny the pervasive sense of the supernatural that permeates this historic site. People still clinging on to their homes around the Gulch, keep planting Ti plants to ward of the spirits and to not to have the Night Marchers coming their way.
The old ‘Iao Theatre on Maui, Hawaii is said to be haunted by more than one ghost. Who is the misty face people catch in photos, and who was Emma, said to still be dancing on the stage?
In Wailuku, Maui, the Iao Theatre holds plenty of historic charm and spectral mystery. This Spanish Mission-style theater opened its doors in 1928, has long been a cultural hub, showcasing movies and vaudeville performances.
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However, behind its elegant facade and beneath the bright lights of its stage lies a chilling history of hauntings that continue to intrigue and unsettle visitors to this day. It is believed to be haunted by ghosts that make things fly off shelves and cause chaos in the dressing room, making people not wanting to spend any time alone in certain parts of the building.
The Storied Past of ‘Iao Theatre
The Iao Theatre’s journey began in the late 1920s, quickly becoming a beloved venue for both movies and live performances. The name comes from a small bait fish named the iao. For decades, ‘Iao Theatre thrived as a center of entertainment, during the world the USO put on Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Betty Hutton, but by the 1980s, the theater had fallen into disrepair. ‘Iao Theatre closed the doors in the 70s, and nothing was happening until someone took it upon themselves to restore it to its former glory.
Despite this decline, the theater’s significance was recognized, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Following this, efforts to restore the theater brought it back to life, but with its revival came the resurgence of ghostly tales that have plagued the theater for years.
The Lady of the ‘Iao Theatre
Among the most frequently reported apparitions is that of a misty, female figure. Described as having a friendly and gentle presence, this ghostly lady is often seen sitting quietly in the theater seats, watching the stage even after the audience has long gone. Some have even spotted her on the stage itself, her form barely visible through the haze, as if she’s still performing for an unseen crowd.
Her exact identity remains a mystery, but her presence is so common that she has become an integral part of the theater’s lore. They now call her Emma, and is believed to be one of the unknown flappers and actresses that took part in the productions in the 1920s and especially during productions like Chicago and Cabaret her ghost would make herself known.
Once she was making production harder for the theater company and they started to call out different names to make her stop. Lights were flickering, the electric equipment would malfunction. It was a sense of paranormal relief when they called out Emma, and it is said that ever since, she has stopped messing with production.
Cold Spots and Eerie Sensations
It is not only the mysterious ghost of Emma on the stage that are said to be haunted. The lower levels of the ‘Iao Theatre are particularly notorious for paranormal activity as well. People have reported unexplained cold spots, even in the heat of summer, and a pervasive sense of being watched. These sensations are often accompanied by the faint sounds of footsteps and whispers, as if the ghosts are trying to communicate with the living.
There are many speculations about where this haunting comes from, some of them dating further back than the theater itself. It is believed that the ghosts lingering are the spirits of Hawaiian soldiers that died during a battle in the Iao Valley many centuries ago.
The Ghostly Mist
In addition to the apparitions and cold spots, a mysterious mist has been reported swirling through the ‘Iao Theatre, particularly around the seats and stage. This mist is often seen late at night, moving in unnatural patterns and disappearing as quickly as it appears. Witnesses describe it as a translucent, almost ethereal fog that seems to have a mind of its own.
One visitor is said to have captured a photo of the mist while attending a performance. When they reviewed the picture, they were shocked to see a face forming within the mist, looking directly at the camera.
Despite its haunted reputation, the Iao Theatre remains a beloved cultural landmark. It continues to host performances, drawing in audiences who come for both the shows and the chance to experience its ghostly residents. The spirits, it seems, are as much a part of the theater’s fabric as the curtains and the stage.
Looming on top of a hill in Victoria, Australia, the former Aradale Lunatic Asylum cast long shadows for over a century. Something between a prison and a hospital, many of the patients, or inmates as they were called, never left.
Aradale Lunatic Asylum used to be a place where the boundaries between sanity and madness were blurred. Built in the late 1800s in Ararat, a rural city in south-west Victoria, Australia, the asylum was once the largest mental institution in the southern hemisphere, housing thousands of patients over the years, although it was designed for few hundreds.
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Perhaps to no one’s surprise, the Aradale Lunatic Asylum is now believed to be haunted and behind the walls of this imposing structure, there were stories of neglect, abuse, and tragedy that have left an indelible mark on Australia’s haunted past.
Aradale Lunatic Asylum: Aradale was initially constructed as the Ararat Lunatic Asylum between 1864 and 1867 to a design attributed to the Public Works Department architect JJ Clark under the direction of William Wardell. The earliest buildings include the vast main building with its towers, the kitchen and dining room block, the gate lodges and extensive remnants of the encircling ha-ha wall. //Source: Wiki
Brief History of Aradale Lunatic Asylum
Aradale Lunatic Asylum was established in 1865 as a place to house the “insane” of Victoria. People had flocked to the area in the 1800s in the Gold Rush that ran out in the 1880s. The asylum was built on a sprawling 67-acre estate in Ararat, about 200 kilometers from Melbourne. The asylum was designed to be self-sufficient, with its own farm, bakery, laundry, and even a chapel over 70 different buildings. At its peak, Aradale had a population of over 1,000 patients, many of them criminally insane.
The Aradale Lunatic Asylum was initially created to provide care for the mentally ill, but it soon became overcrowded, and patients were subjected to inhumane treatment. As Australia was founded as a prison colony, there were a lot of inmates, and some more insane than others. Usually, the mentally ill served time in common prisons, but this place needed someplace safe to put the criminally insane as well as the lawfully ‘lunatics’.
The Old Aradale Lunatic Asylum: circa 1900
The asylum was notorious for its use of electroconvulsive therapy and other forms of brutal “treatments” that left patients traumatized and scarred. The asylum was also known for its high death rate, with many patients dying from neglect, malnutrition, and disease.
Despite its dark history, Aradale Lunatic Asylum remained operational until 1993, when it was finally closed down due to changes in mental health care practices. In 2001, it became a campus of the Melbourne Polytechnic.
Today, the abandoned asylum stands as a grim reminder of a bygone era, and its decaying buildings and haunting atmosphere attract visitors from around the world.
Ghost Town: The estate of Aradale Lunatic Asylum was huge, and worked almost like a little village.
Dark events and mistreatment of patients
Aradale Lunatic Asylum has a dark history of mistreatment and neglect of patients. The asylum was overcrowded, and patients were often subjected to brutal “treatments” that left them traumatized and scarred. Electroconvulsive therapy, insulin shock therapy, and lobotomies were all used as treatments for mental illness, despite their harmful effects on patients.
Insulin Shock Therapy: Insulin shock therapy is terminated by administration of glucose through a ‘gavage’ tube, in Lapinlahti Hospital, Helsinki in 1950’s
In addition to the brutal treatments, patients at Aradale Lunatic Asylum were subjected to neglect and abuse. Many patients were left to languish in their own filth, and some were even chained to their beds for days at a time. The asylum’s staff was known for their cruelty, and patients were often subjected to physical and emotional abuse.
In 1991, Health Department Victoria received an anonymous tip off regarding how badly things were at Aradale. Allegations include sexual and physical abuse, unprofessional medical procedures, unprofessional nursing practice, fraud, and theft of both inmate and Government funds and property.
They found that the average length of stay at Aradale for psychiatric patients is 23.3 years, or 54 times the acceptable WHO International Standard of 150 days.
Haunted Stories and Paranormal Activities from the Asylum
Aradale Lunatic Asylum is known for its haunted stories and paranormal activities. From its opening to closure, some say that over 13 000 people died in the asylum. Official sources claim there were about 3000. Over the years, visitors and paranormal investigators have reported strange occurrences, including unexplained noises, apparitions, and feelings of being watched. Many people believe that the asylum is haunted by the ghosts of former patients and staff.
The Ghost of Governor Fiddimont
One of the most famous ghost stories from Aradale Lunatic Asylum is a governor said to be haunting some stairs close to the Old Underground Kitchen. George Fiddimont was the last Governor of the gaol (prison) that the asylum was built around. In 1886, George was showing two ladies around the asylum after accepting a prisoner and was walking down some stairs. While walking, he fell and died of a heart attack at the foot of the stairs.
He was only Governor for a year, but after his sudden death, it is said that he is behind the heavy footsteps of hobnailed boots you can hear on those stairs. But when they go to check who is coming down the stairs, there is no one there.
The Curious Case of Gary Webb
As mentioned, a lot of the patients were actually inmates and considered criminally insane, but needed to serve their time in something else than a normal prison. His real name was Garry Ian Patrick David, born in 1954 in Melbourne and had a troubled childhood. His journey with Aradale Lunatic Asylum all started when he tried to rob a pizza shop in 1982 in Rye, Victoria. As he was fleeing, he shot a police officer and the owner of the shop. The police officer lived, the woman owning the pizza shop ended in a wheelchair. Gary was caught and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
He could have gotten out much earlier, but he started to write these weird letters to the media. One was titled Blueprint for Urban Warfare where he told about horrible things he would do if he ever got out like massacres, bombing buildings, poisoning water supplies and having cigarette machines dispensing fingers. People started to worry and they passed a law to keep him locked up for the rest of his life.
His behavior became more erratic and he started to harm himself, landing him in the hospital over 70 times He self mutilated, swallowing razor blades and corrosive liquids, hammering nails into his feet and even castrated himself three times, where the third time, they were unable to attach his penis.
After he died at 38 in 1993 after swallowing razor blades, it is believed he stayed in the asylum he never escaped from, haunting his former room at Aradale Lunatic Asylum. Those who have visited the room have heard someone screaming at them to get out as well as a push, trying to get them out the door.
The Haunted Superintendent Office
Those walking past the room that used to be the former Superintendent at Aradale Lunatic Asylum have come back with strange tales. It’s more of a feeling and sensation than something they see or hear.
Some believe it must be the energy of Dr. William L. Mullen who was the medical superintendent. Severely depressed, he ended his life by swallowing cyanide in 1912. He was found in his bed by his housekeeper the next morning.
Why he did this is not known to the public. He had lost his first wife a little over a year before his death. He had remarried three weeks before his death, but still chose to end his life and is thought to haunt the asylum.
Nurse Kerry in the Women’s Ward
It’s not just a single room or hallway said to be haunted by Nurse Kerry, but the entire ward. Guides and visitors claim to have seen a woman wearing an old fashioned nurse uniform and her heels are clicking in the halls as she is still going about her duty in her afterlife. She is seen vanishing into thin air as she passes through the thick stone walls and whispering softly to her patients as she did in life.
Although she is said to be a helpful ghost at Aradale Lunatic Asylum, people also claim to feel a tingling sensation in their head when entering into the shock therapy room and the surgery theaters.
Nurse Kerry is probably a name given after she started appearing as a ghost, but it is said that she used to work at the asylum in the 1800s, said to might have died of typhoid.
The Notorious J Ward for the Criminals
Another ward thought to be haunted is the notorious J Ward where they kept the criminally insane. It used to be The County Gaol before temporarily being a place where they kept the criminally insane. The temporary solution ended up lasting for a long time. People report feeling suddenly ill and full of terror as they enter the building. There are those claiming to have been bitten or pusheed as they walk through the J Ward.
The haunting from the ward could come from numerous people that were kept here. Some say that it is the ghosts of three prisoners who were hanged and buried on the property. Because they weren’t buried properly with graves only marked with three scratches on the prison wall, they are lingering.
There are listed three executions on the J Ward, of Andrew Vere in 1870 who shot and killed a person, serial killer Robert Francis Burns in 1883 and Henry Morgan in 1884 who cut throat murdered 10 year old Margaret Nolan after sexually assaulting her.
All three executed prisoners were buried within the walls of the prison in accordance with the Criminal Law and Practice Statute 1864 and are now laid to rest in Old Ararat Cemetery in marked graves.
Aradale Lunatic Asylum – a cautionary tale
Aradale Lunatic Asylum is a cautionary tale of the mistreatment of the mentally ill and the dangers of unchecked power. One often think that this type of institutionalised tortur only happened back in the olden days, but the last damning report of the asylum was only a couple of decades ago.
The asylum’s dark history is a reminder of the importance of treating mental illness with care and compassion, and of the need for oversight and accountability in mental health care practices. As we explore the abandoned halls of Aradale, we are reminded of the lives that were lost and the suffering that occurred within its walls.
Now a part of the museums in Drammen, Norway, Austad Estate used to be the home of the rich and powerful. Some say though its eternal resident is the ghost of The Lady in Black, who may or may not have been killed by her husband.
Thought to come back from beyond the grave, the restless spirit known as Hortdan in Turkey walks the line between being a tragic ghost and a bloodthirsty vampire.
In the Alpine foothills in Bavaria, strange boulders mark the landscape. Many legends linger over these mysterious stones, some claiming it was the Devil himself who placed it there.
Said to be cursed forever after mistreating his prisoners, the jailer in Bern’s former prison tower, Käfitier is said to be haunted by the ghost of a monstrous calf.
For decades, parents have told their children to be home before dark in Lafayette, Colorado. The reason being that local lore tells of a vampire rising from his grave in the cemetery. But who exactly was the man behind the story, buried under the tombstone?
Buried in the same place as the Danish kings and queens, a legend about one of the smaller graves haunts the Roskilde Cathedral. It is said that a horse was buried here before any people, and it haunts the graveyard as the three legged helhest, an omen of death.
As a place of dubious drug testing and the place where most lobotomies were done, the Lier Hospital and former asylum was left with a haunted rumor lingering in the decaying walls. Although most of the buildings are now torn down, it is still remembered as one of Norway’s most haunted places.
The Danish ghostly horse spirit Helhest is said to roam around St. Canute’s Cathedral in Odense, Denmark. It is believed seeing the three legged horse is an omen of imminent death.
According to old legends and Danish folklore, there are stories of three legged horses haunting the churches and graveyards in the country. in Saint Olaf’s Church, the spirit of the helhest is said to be the omen of death.
Could it be that the oldest church in Oslo also has the oldest haunting? From legends about a dragon’s den underneath the structure and the ghostly silhouette haunting, the Gamle Aker Church perhaps has more activity than what meets the naked eye.
During a time when Bulgaria was under the Ottoman Empire, there was talk about a vampire haunting the streets of Veliko Tarnovo. The rumours got so bad, that the Islamic rulers had to turn to pagan belief to rid themselves of the bloodthirsty creatures.
An online magazine about the paranormal, haunted and macabre. We collect the ghost stories from all around the world as well as review horror and gothic media.
Now a part of the museums in Drammen, Norway, Austad Estate used to be the home of the rich and powerful. Some say though its eternal resident is the ghost of The Lady in Black, who may or may not have been killed by her husband.
The bells of Ramersdorf Church have been said to have called back ghosts, dancing in the witching hour.
Thought to come back from beyond the grave, the restless spirit known as Hortdan in Turkey walks the line between being a tragic ghost and a bloodthirsty vampire.
In the Alpine foothills in Bavaria, strange boulders mark the landscape. Many legends linger over these mysterious stones, some claiming it was the Devil himself who placed it there.
Said to be cursed forever after mistreating his prisoners, the jailer in Bern’s former prison tower, Käfitier is said to be haunted by the ghost of a monstrous calf.
For decades, parents have told their children to be home before dark in Lafayette, Colorado. The reason being that local lore tells of a vampire rising from his grave in the cemetery. But who exactly was the man behind the story, buried under the tombstone?
Buried in the same place as the Danish kings and queens, a legend about one of the smaller graves haunts the Roskilde Cathedral. It is said that a horse was buried here before any people, and it haunts the graveyard as the three legged helhest, an omen of death.
As a place of dubious drug testing and the place where most lobotomies were done, the Lier Hospital and former asylum was left with a haunted rumor lingering in the decaying walls. Although most of the buildings are now torn down, it is still remembered as one of Norway’s most haunted places.
The Danish ghostly horse spirit Helhest is said to roam around St. Canute’s Cathedral in Odense, Denmark. It is believed seeing the three legged horse is an omen of imminent death.
According to old legends and Danish folklore, there are stories of three legged horses haunting the churches and graveyards in the country. in Saint Olaf’s Church, the spirit of the helhest is said to be the omen of death.
Could it be that the oldest church in Oslo also has the oldest haunting? From legends about a dragon’s den underneath the structure and the ghostly silhouette haunting, the Gamle Aker Church perhaps has more activity than what meets the naked eye.
During a time when Bulgaria was under the Ottoman Empire, there was talk about a vampire haunting the streets of Veliko Tarnovo. The rumours got so bad, that the Islamic rulers had to turn to pagan belief to rid themselves of the bloodthirsty creatures.
