427:  The 1949 Exorcism That Inspired "The Exorcist" w/ Troy Taylor

427: The 1949 Exorcism That Inspired "The Exorcist" w/ Troy Taylor

Author: Blue Ewe Media February 25, 2026 Duration: 1:16:22
In 1949, a quiet neighborhood in St. Louis became the center of one of the most controversial religious cases in American history. A 13-year-old boy began exhibiting disturbing symptoms including violent outbursts, strange markings on his body, and other troubling episodes, leading Catholic priests to perform a series of secret exorcism rites. The case would later inspire The Exorcist, but the real story was far more complex than the film. My guest is Troy Taylor, author of The Devil Came to St. Louis: The Uncensored True Story of the 1949 Exorcism, who takes a careful look at the case, its origins, and how fact, faith, and folklore became intertwined in one of America’s most enduring mysteries. The author's website: https://www.americanhauntingsink.com/ Become a Most Notorious Patron here! https://www.patreon.com/c/mostnotorious Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step back in time and explore the darkest corners of the past with Most Notorious! A True Crime History Podcast. This isn't just another crime show; it's a deep dive into the historical context that shaped infamous acts and the figures behind them. From the ruthless gangsters of the Prohibition era to the chilling methods of Victorian-era murderers, each episode unpacks a story rooted in its specific moment in history. Host Erik Rivenes acts as your guide, conducting thoughtful interviews with authors and historians who have dedicated years to researching their subjects. These conversations move beyond sensational headlines to deliver nuanced narratives filled with detail and scholarly accuracy. You'll hear about forgotten tragedies, legendary outlaws, and societal disasters, all presented with a focus on understanding the why and how within the framework of the past. Tune in for a compelling blend of education and narrative, where every story is a piece of historical truth, often more fascinating and complex than fiction. This podcast from Blue Ewe Media connects the dots between crime and history, offering a rich, thoroughly researched listening experience for anyone curious about the shadows cast across different centuries.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Most Notorious! A True Crime History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
372:  Rhode Island's Last Execution  w/ Paul F. Caranci [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:02
On a frigid day in 1843, Amasa Sprague, a wealthy Yankee mill owner, left his mansion to check on his cattle. On the way, he was accosted and beaten beyond recognition, and his body was left facedown in the snow. What fo…
371:  The Barbara Graham Murder Case w/ Marcia Clark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:48
Unwanted and neglected from birth, Barbara Graham had to overcome the odds just to survive. Her beauty was both a blessing and a curse—offering her too many options of all the wrong kind. Her innate sensitivity left her…
370: Britain's Notorious Hawkhurst Gang w/ Joseph Dragovich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:00
South-east England, 1740s: War and heated politics bring the old practice of smuggling to new and dangerous heights. Violent gangs of smugglers terrorize communities and confound government attempts to stop them. The mos…
369: Polly Bodine: The Witch of New York w/ Alex Hortis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:06
On Christmas night, December 25, 1843, in a serene village on Staten Island, shocked neighbors discovered the burnt remains of twenty-four-year-old mother Emeline Houseman and her infant daughter, Ann Eliza. In a pervers…
368:  Gangster Hunters w/ John Oller - A True Crime History Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:39
My guest this week is John Oller, author of the new book "Gangster Hunters: How Hoover's G-men Vanquished America's Deadliest Public Enemies". He walks us through the evolution of J. Edgar Hoover's Bureau in the early 19…
MoNo Encore: Jack the Ripper - New Clues & Theories w/ Tom Wescott [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:17
On this month's Most Notorious Encore episode, we revisit the "Autumn of Terror" with a popular interview first released on 11/21/2019, five years ago today. One of the world's most preeminent Ripperologists, Tom Wescott…
367:  A Double Murder in 1948 Illinois w/ Ted Gregory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:33
Summer 1948. In the scenic, remote river town of Oregon, Illinois, a young couple visiting the local lovers’ lane is murdered. The shocking crime garners headlines from Portland, Maine, to Long Beach, California. But aft…
366:  Revenge, Murder & Madness  in 1903 Indiana  w/ Stephen Terrell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:16
In early 1900s Indiana, John Terrell was the wealthiest man in Wells County, thanks to oil discovered on his farm. But when his youngest daughter, Lucy, became pregnant and entered into a forced marriage to abusive Melvi…
365:  Ontario's Lazier Murder w/ Robert J. Sharpe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:02
In December of 1883 Peter Lazier, a traveling farm implement salesman, was shot in the heart during the botched robbery of a farmer and his wife in Prince Edward County, Ontario. Two men would be arrested and tried for t…