Dark Matters Radio

Well, back from my military re-union and all I can say about that right now was it was awesome and emotional. Perhaps more .l.. later.

Week 13 begins with a bang. On Monday I interview world renowned investigator, author and expert Rosemary Ellen Guiley.

Rosemary Ellen Guiley is one of leading experts on the paranormal and supernatural. With 42 books – including 9 encyclopedias – and hundreds of articles in print on a wide range of paranormal, spiritual and mystical topics, she possesses an exceptional knowledge of the field. She has approximately one million copies in print.
Rosemary Ellen Guiley

Her popular encyclopedias on ghosts and spirits, angels, demons, vampires and werewolves, magic and alchemy, witchcraft, dreams, mystical and paranormal experience and saints are considered essential sources for authors, researchers, film and documentary producers, and paranormal investigators. Her work has been translated into 14 languages and has been selected by major book clubs around the world. She appears in television programs, documentaries and docu-dramas with paranormal themes, and makes numerous media and lecture appearances, including colleges and universities. She conducts original field investigations of haunted and mysterious sites. See her site at Visionary Living

Tuesday April 13 I will interview Stephen Lancaster of Monster Vision TV, a web television program and spirit and ghost investigator. Stephen was due to appear two weeks ago but because of a family emergency had to cancel at the last minute. Stephen will brief us on what he and his team do and deal with concerning their investigations.

Weds. night, April 14 I will host famed UFO investigator Tom Carey who is best known for his Roswell investigations. He has also been a Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) State Section Director for Southeastern Pennsylvania from 1986 to 2002, a Special Investigator for the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies from 1991 to 2001, and a member of the CUFOS board of directors from 1997 to 2001. Tom began investigating aspects of the Roswell Incident in 1991 for the Roswell investigative team of Kevin Randle and Don Schmitt, and since 1998 has teamed exclusively with Don Schmitt to continue a proactive investigation of the case. Tom has authored or coauthored more than 30 published articles about the Roswell events of 1947, and has contributed to a number of books on the subject as well. He has appeared as a guest on many radio and TV shows throughout the country. His most recent work is “Witness to Roswell” which has been very well received.

Thursday April 15 A “best of” with British author and researcher, Mr. John Spencer.

Friday April 16 A re-cap of the week with Rich Sarradet.

Keep those eyes to the skies and your ear to the ground!

Week 8 of Dark Matters began with a “Bang” with an interview with Canadian abduction “victim” Ms. Corina Saebels.
Joining us by telephone Corina detailed a life going back to childhood and her unwilling connection to something that begger’s description and continues to this day.

Corina Saebels has resided in the Okanagan Valley of B.C. Canada for the last 16 years and only recently wrote a book “The Collectors” that details her story. To find out more you can vist her website atThe Collectors and contact her via an email link. Corina may be reached at spiritlight@shaw.ca

Paul Kimball, Canadian filmmaker and very interested party of UFO research will join us for a no-holds barred discussion on not only UFOs, but look for a discussion on vampires (Kimball just finished a new film on the vampire mythos titled “Eternal Kiss and I am sure we will hit on many other topics. Paul has a fascinating background. For example, after winning multiple scholarships and awards – including the University Medal in History at both Acadia University and the University of Dundee, and the CLB Award at Dalhousie Law School – Paul graduated from Acadia in 1989 with an Honours Degree in History and Political Science, and in 1992 from Dalhousie with an LL.B. A former Program Administrator at the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation, and consultant for Salter Street Films and several provincial governments, Paul founded the Halifax-based production company Redstar Films Limited in 1999. For more information on Paul go to Red Star Films

Weds. March 10 I will host Mr. Robert Hastings and former U.S. Air Force Captain Robert Salas. The topic of discussion? UFOs and their interference of U.S. Missile facilities.

Since 1973, Robert Hastings has been interviewing former and retired military personnel, regarding their knowledge of UFO activity at nuclear weapons sites. He presented his findings at over 500 colleges and universities nationwide since 1981.
Robert Salas, a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy (Class of 1964), served for seven years active duty in the U.S. Air Force. He earned his Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He resigned from the Air Force as a Captain in 1971. His deep interest in the UFO phenomenon began with the incident he experienced while serving as a Missile Launch Officer in the Minuteman Missile Program at Malmstrom AFB, Montana in 1967.
Robert Hastings Website

Malmstrom AFB UFO/Missile Incident

Thursday thru Friday TBA

Well, the third week of Dark Matters Radio is already upon us! This week there is some exciting radio ahead.

On Feb. 01 (Feb. 2 on the East Coast) the week starts out with Mr. John Spencer, a world renowned British Paranormal researcher and author joining us from the United Kingdom. John has researched and written on such diverse topics as “stigmata” to UFOs with side stops around the poltergeist phenomena.

John is a very meticulous researcher, careful and articulate.

Tuesday evening we will be joined by C. Scott Littleton, PhD. Dr. Littleton is a former Professor of Anthropology as well as former Chairperson of the Department of Anthropology at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. Currently enjoying Emeritus status, he joined the Occidental faculty in 1962, retiring at the end of the spring semester, 2002, after a highly succesful and distinguished academic career. Over the years he has garnered a reputation as a very knowledgeable UFO researcher and expert on the mysterious “Battle of Los Angeles” which took place in early 1942, at the very beginning of the Second World War. Dr. Littleton is also the author of “Phase Two”, a science fiction novel dealing with the UFO Phenomena.

Wed. we take a darker turn into the supernatural with a very close look at a modern day vampire tale, the “Highgate Vampire.” This supernatural tale took place in the world famous Highgate Cemetery in north London, England, UK in the time period of 1969-1970 time frame. Ghouls, girls, blood draining, haunted cemetery’s and a guy who now claims to be a Bishop in the “Old Catholic” faith in the UK, and spooky goings on … in Merry Ol’ England.

Thursday evening, (early Friday morning-East Coast) Kevin Randle, PhD and retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel will join us at Dark Matters.
One of the formost experts on the Roswell Incident in the United States, Randle will talk about his new upcoming book “Crash” and recent events in the UFO field … and many other things! Don’t miss it!

Friday will be an “open lines” show with some surprises! Be there at 10:00 PM Pacific, 1:00 AM Easter – Monday – Friday, Tuesday – Saturday.

I love the Halloween Season, I always have. For a long time I have also loved writing themed stories for Halloween and Christmas and sending them on to family and friends. My wife is my biggest critic and I value her input. The following is actually a Prolog for a much longer story but she liked it and I decided to share with you. If you do like it I would appreciate any comments either here or email at decker0726@yahoo.com. I would love to hear from you. By the way, this takes place in the latter 19th century and the military unit and battles are a matter of historical fact. FYI

October 06, 1873
Blair County
Central West Pennsylvania

Author- Don Ecker
All rights reserved
The leaden skies were pregnant with fat, swollen rain clouds. I expected them to burst at any moment, and off in the distance I could hear faint rolling thunder claps. I was sitting in the wagon box seat, holding reins on my two nervous horses. We were in the cemetery next to a new open grave that was to hold the body of my daughter.

“Captain?” I looked to my left and there stood my oldest friend and former 1st Sergeant, Pierce Russell.

“Sir, do ya need a hand down?” I absently rubbed the stump where my left leg had been prior to a Confederate shell blowing it off.

“Nah Pierce. I will wait until Harry gets back with the Roman Priest.”

Willis Nugent rode up on his Bay. He climbed off his horse still holding the reins. After I was wounded, Lt. Willis Nugent took over my Company. He was steady and reliable if not dour.

Willis nodded at Pierce and then spoke. “Thomas, we could of used some of this rain in the Wilderness, eh?”

He was referring to that horror that was the battle in the Wilderness. General Grant launched attacks against Lee in a very heavily wooded area, and after a couple days of fighting, terrible and horrible combat, forest fires broke out that threatened to consume all who were there. Both we and the Rebels were forced to drop our guns and grab our shovels.

I looked over at Willis and nodded. “Yes Willis, that would’ve been a real daisy. But, we had no such luck.”

Horace Salley, one of my former privates walked over to the wagon. “Captain, Sir, do you want that we should lower the coffin? Me and Jacob can take it right down.” Jacob Schreck was another one of my men. God bless each and every one of them. We had been the 31st Pennsylvania Infantry, with battles at Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, among others. That damn war.

“No Horace, not yet. I am waiting for Harry to arrive.”

“Yes Sir Captain.” Horace walked over to Jacob. I looked back at the sky, then pulled my pocket watch out. Opening it I glanced at the dial, not quite 4:00 PM. I hoped he would arrive before sundown. Then I thought of my wife Polly. The Lord took her from me 2 years ago. She caught a fever and was gone in a week. Thank the Lord she was not here to witness this.

I saw a man riding out from the village. I couldn’t tell who it was at first, then recognized the horse. It was Samuel Zimmerman. He had been in my company also, but after the war was called by the Lord and was now a Preacher. Of course he didn’t know what to do about this, so I sent Harry Tomlinson to find me a Roman Priest. I heard tell they had more experience dealing with things like this and I needed their help. “Samuel, thank you for coming out.” He nodded, and climbed down off the horse clutching his Bible. Dressed in black as he was, there was no doubt what his trade was.

“Any word from Corporal Tomlinson yet Captain?” I looked at Samuel and shook my head. Funny how formal he stayed since he became a Reverend. I recalled him as a young Private away from home for the first time. He learned to love that John Barleycorn back then. Time changes one with its passage.

My leg, or perhaps I should say my stump began throbbing again. I rubbed it absently and thought of my daughter Betsy. Pretty, bright and cheerful, she had been Polly and my treasure. She helped me through Polly’s death when we lost her. My God, and now this. Once again despair swept over me. I shuddered and caught myself. I reached into my waistband and felt the Colt revolver I had tucked there. The same pistol I carried through the war, the one that saved me more than once. Touching the pistol’s butt comforted me.

“Captain! Here comes Harry over the hill!” My eyes shot to the east, and sure enough I saw Harry Tomlinson’s horse running full out with Harry hanging on. He reached the wagon and pulled on the reins hard.

“Sorry Captain McCartney but the Priest wasn’t there. I spoke to folks that are in his church but he was called away. I told them that you needed to see him and they promised to tell him when he gets back.”

“Thanks Harry. Nothing more you could do. Okay, let me get down.” I grabbed my crutches and holding on to the side I hopped down. Jacob and Horace walked over to me. I pulled out my pocket watch and looked at the dial. It was almost 4:30 PM.

“Okay boys, lets get the coffin down next to the grave.” Horace and Jacob began to pull it from the back of the wagon when suddenly a sharp kick struck the coffin .. from the inside.

“Lord Jesus!” Jacob Schreck screamed! He had been wrestling the rear of the coffin when he let go, jumping backwards.

Fear suddenly shot through all our minds and hearts. I felt myself flinch, almost unbelieving, with what I witnessed with that thing that had been my daughter.

“Pierce, Willis, get the Springfield rifles!” I spoke to them sharply. “Pierce, fix your bayonet, Willis, you too.” I pulled out my Colt and cocked back the hammer.

Another kick, then another. Then a voice that could have been my Betsy, but my Betsy was dead. “Daddy, is that you? Daddy, let me out! Why have you locked me in this box?” Cold fear grasped my heart, my chest felt as if it was being squeezed by an impossible vice … tears began running down my cheeks. “DADDY ….” She wailed.

I looked to Samuel. “Samuel. No Priest so you are the closest thing to one. What should we do?” He looked back at me with stark fear in his eyes.

“Captain, you won’t like it.”

“I won’t like it? Hell Man, what is there here to like? I didn’t like Gettysburg, I didn’t like dysentery, I HATED killing but I dealt with it like we all did. Speak Damn You!” This last I shouted.

Samuel clutched his Bible to his chest. “Aright Captain. What ever that is, it ain’t your child. It’s evil, its foul and it came straight from Hell! Just like a snake if its gonna bite you, you cut off its head. You gotta cut its head off Captain!” Now he looked me straight in my eyes.

“I told you that you won’t like it.” he said, now Samuel looked down. I looked over at Jacob and Horace.

“Did one of you bring an axe?” Jacob Schreck, a proud man, one hell of a rifle shot and a man that had taken a bayonet wound meant for me, nodded.

“Yes Sir, I brung my axe Captain.” He went over to his horse and pulled out a double bit axe from behind his saddle.

“Captain.” I looked over to Pierce. “Whose that?” I saw a stranger riding up towards us, headed straight for the open grave. He stopped the horse and looked at us.

“Gentlemen, I’m looking for Captain McCartney.” I stepped toward him on my crutches.

“I’m Captain McCartney. Who are you?” I uncocked my pistol and slid it back into my waistband.

“Captain, I’m Sean O’Leary. Some of Father O’Bannion’s flock told me that one of your men was looking for the good Father. They said you had a serious problem that only a Priest could help with.” O’Leary had a thick Irish brogue. I knew the Irish in the war, tough fighters, each and everyone.

“Yes Mr. O’Leary. We were looking for the Father.” Another series of kicks emanated from the coffin. By now, everyone’s nerves were on edge and the flinching was universal. O’Leary looked at the coffin with knowing in his eyes.

“Ah, I see your problem Gentlemen. I’ve had some experience with this type of thing. Was this, eh, a relative?” I nodded at him.

“Yes Mr. O’Leary, this was my daughter. Now, what do you mean you’ve had experience with this type of thing?”

“Captain, may I climb down?” I nodded my assent to him. He climbed down off the horse and stepped over to the grave.

“In Europe Captain, I’ve seen this contagion in Europe. On the continent, in Italy and Germany. Dead returning, the dead with a terrible thirst. Do you know what I mean?”

I thought of what I had caught my Betsy doing, and when we tried to stop it, her tossing men aside as if they were small children. Oh yes, I knew what he meant. Blood smeared all over her face, drinking it as if it were water. I knew what he meant.

“Captain, the reason I am here is because of Father O’Bannion writing me and asking for my help. I believe that what I am searching for is the same thing that did this to your daughter. This …  thing Captain, looks like a man but isn’t one. It is the spawn of the Evil One Captain. It came from Hell and now we must stop it. Now before it becomes more powerful, has more eh, disciples like your daughter here. If he creates more, well it might become impossible to stop.” Now an incessant kicking and growling came from the box. Even Willis looked as if he had second thoughts about remaining here.

“Mr. O’Leary, do you know how to stop this creature? How do we kill this?”

O’Leary looked us over and then his eyes settled on Pierce and Willis’s rifles and bayonets. He pulled his saddle bags off his horse and opened them. Pulling out a wooden stake and  wooden mallet, he set them on the ground. He reached back into the saddle bags and pulled out a flask and a huge Roman Crucifix.

“Captain, this is how you can stop the creatures. We must open the coffin, and when we do you may rest assured she will try to attack us. Your men must be ready to stop her with their bayonets. They MUST pin her inside. I will pour this on her”, he held up the flask, “this is Holy Water blessed by the Priest.  This will stop her, then one of us must drive that wooden stake through her heart. After we do that, in order to make sure it is dead, we must cut off her head. Can you stand to do that Captain? No other way will stop this.”

Profound sorrow swept through my soul, but I knew this man was right. I nodded my consent.

“Then when we complete this, we must locate that which caused this horror. Rest assured that the monster is close at hand Captain, but first things first.”

I looked to Pierce and Willis. They both stood there silent as a rock holding their bayonet tipped rifles. My thoughts flowed back to the war, actually to Gettysburg, our first action. I recalled the terror that flowed through me and them as we witnessed the seemingly endless lines of Rebels marching right at us. It seemed no matter how many artillery pieces blew holes in their lines, or how many musket shots fired at them, that the Reb’s would ever stop. Just like now, this horror would go on forever and ever, and the sound of Betsy’s voice from the grave would never still its plaintive cries.

“Daddy, damn it Daddy, LET ME OUT!” she screamed, now kicking the box like a snare drum beating a tattoo.

“Pierce, Willis, get ready!” They took an en-guard position with their rifles..

“Jacob, pry the lid off. Horace, grab the axe and get ready to stop … IT ..  if IT tries to climb out.” I pulled my Colt out, stepped close to the coffin and cocked it. O’Leary held the mallet and stake in his left hand, while he was ready to pour the Holy Water on  IT with his right hand.

“Alright Boys, lets do it!”  Jacob held a pry bar and dropped to his knee’s and jammed it under the lid. Prying up, suddenly it popped loose and Betsy, or what had once been Betsy tried to explode out of the box! Pierce and Willis both SCREAMED as they plunged their bayonets into what had once been my lovely treasure. I fired the Colt into her, but it had little effect. Horace however chopped into her head with the axe while O’Leary poured the Holy Water on her. When the water touched her she screamed like all the Demon’s from Hell! O’Leary jumped down on the coffin and jamming the stake into her chest, pounded it with the mallet. What had once been Betsy finally lay still in the coffin. I didn’t realize it at first but tears streamed down my face, and sobs broke from the bottom of my soul.

“Now Captain, we must remove her head. I will do it if you can’t.” O’Leary looked at me with compassion in his eyes, and I glared back at him, hating him with every fiber in my being.

“She was my daughter, I will do it.” I dropped the Colt into the dirt and took the axe from Horace. “Stand back!” I ordered.

I looked at her one final time, then one handed, I chopped her head from her body. “Close it up boys, please, just close it up.” I turned back to the wagon, sobbing. O’Leary walked over to me.

“Captain, where was your daughter when it attacked her? Do you know?” I thought about it, then I knew.

“She told me she was going to visit her mothers grave, out here in this cemetery.” O’Leary thought for a moment.

“Tell me, does this grave yard have any crypts, any rich folk that might have built an elaborate vault or something similar?” I nodded my head.

“Yes, there is an underground vault here. The Norman family vault. They were wealthy rail roaders. Mr. Baxter Norman’s grave site is over that small knoll, down by the trees.” O’Leary nodded.

“Quickly Captain, we must move quickly before full night! He must have taken refuge in the vault, if we move now we can stop him!” I quickly thought about this.

“Pierce, take my wagon back to the village and load it with lantern oil and bring a keg or two of gunpowder. Big ones, with some fuse. Here, give me your rifle!”  He looked at me questioningly.

“Oil and gunpowder Captain? How much oil?”

As much as you can grab, now go! Don’t spare the horses either!” He jumped up and whipped them back to the village.

“Alright boys, you all get ready in case that bastard is in there. He will want to come out to see his handy work. Lets give him something to think about.” O’Leary took his saddlebags to the crypt entrance. He reached in and pulled out more Holy Water and a big Roman Catholic Cross. He lay the Cross in the entrance of the doorway and then sprinkled Holy Water about and started praying. Suddenly a huge Boom echoed from the tomb. He jumped back.

“Well Boys, I do believe he is in there and I don’t think he is happy!” I checked the Springfield, checked the cap and cocked it, aiming at the interior. Willis did the same, aiming at the doorway. Jacob stood by holding his axe. I handed my Colt to Horace who stood by. No one spoke, but the fear was palpable among all of us.

Minutes passed by and finally I spoke, directing my comments to O’Leary. “When Pierce gets back, I figure on pouring all the oil into the crypt then fusing the gunpowder and tossing it in. What do you think? When the powder goes off, it will collapse the crypt and the oil will burn what ever is in there. Sound good?”

He nodded and then pulled out what looked like small bread wafers. “Yes, let me put these over there to seal the door, it won’t be able to cross with the crucifix and Communion Host sealing the door.” He proceeded to place the wafers around. As he walked back, I saw something move inside the crypt. Both Willis and I fired. Two huge booms crashed into our eardrums, and I saw no more movement.

“It is inside the doorway, but I don’t think we hit it.” I gasped out as I quickly started to reload the rifle. I saw Pierce rushing back to us in the wagon. He pulled up and the horses looked like they were ready to collapse.

“Here Captain, 3 kegs of gunpowder and two casks of lantern oil.” He jumped down and Jacob and Horace rushed over to help.

“Okay Boys, Willis and I will cover you while you pour all the oil inside. Jacob, fuse the powder, a short burn, and tell me when its ready.” I hobbled over to the doorway with the cocked Springfield, Willis beside me. Pierce and Horace wrestled the casks of oil to the door and then Pierce smashed them open with the axe. He dumped the contents into the vault. “Careful Boys, I saw sumpin’ moving in there.”

“Captain McCartney, its ready!” I looked over and nodded at Jacob.

“Okay Jacob, roll the first two kegs into the vault, then get the fused keg ready. Willis, keep your eyes open.” Jacob rolled the first keg in, then the second. We watched, but didn’t see any movement. He then walked the last keg over to the door and I handed the rifle to O’Leary. “Alright, I am gonna strike a match so you boys get ready to high-tail it outta here. You all ready?” I got general nods all the way around.

“Okay Boys, here we go!” I struck the match, it began burning brightly and then I touched it to the fuse. It sputtered then began a steady burn. Willis and Pierce helped me roll it into the vault, then they both grabbed me, catching my by surprise and ran back outta there. About 20 seconds later there was one hell of a bang, flames shooting out, then two more huge booms. The entire damn vault collapsed inwards with flames shooting out through the debris. We watched it burn till the flames went out, then we left the cemetery. On the way out I looked to O’Leary.

“Do you think that ended it? Is it over now Mr. O’Leary?”  He looked thoughtful.

“I don’t know Captain. I think so. Hell, I pray so. Pray to your God Captain. Pray that this finished it.”

I looked to the sky. I thought about what I witnessed here today. I began my prayer.

Well, there you go … a small Halloween offering. I hope you enjoyed it, and like I said, this is the prolog to a much larger piece. If you are interested, let me know and in the meantime … keep watch on those Dark Corners & those Dark Matters !!

Oh yes, btw! If you enjoy spooky stories around this time of year my friends over at Net Curtain Lurkers have posted one of my spooky stories … UNCLE DAVE ! Read and enjoy! Happy Haunting!

Oh Jesus, don’t ask! Ahh, you are gonna anyway, aren’t you? Okay, here goes.

Normally I wouldn’t have a blog posting like the above after just doing another post on my favorite bogus vampire case …. The Highgate Train-wreck. However … I was out doing some research because I am working off and on on the sequel to Past Sins. So, I was up on this guys site that I check a couple of times a week and see something that I never knew about, he has a SECOND website that he runs in tandem with his regular site. I figure KEWL, I will check this out. So I am on the new site (new to me) and I am checking out the links and I discovered this one. Dagmar Krauss, Vampyr Hunter I go up there and I figure this must be some kind of put-on so I explore a little bit. Now, this guy either must be someone with way too much time on his hands, or in desperate need of proper medications. Be that as it may be, it was entertaining. For example reading some of his readers comments … one guy wanted to see what kind of crossbow this guy used. Viola! a photo……

In another post he presented a photograph he took with his cameraphone just before he dispatched the critter! Hear that Sean? This guy at least took pictures!

I gotta admit that this vamp is scarier than that Highgate one. See …..

So I recommend that those wacky Brits wander on over to Dagmar’s site and see how he does it! If nothing else Dagmar’s prose is a bit saltier and much more entertaining. Of course if he does end up getting on some type of medication perhaps he will share with our British cousins and they can get a discount on bulk sales.  If they do however, I suppose some of the entertainment value of this will be lost. Oh well …..  on vampire hunters ….

till next time ……

The net’ can be a strange place. Now, I’ve always considered myself to be “mostly sane” although I will admit to a number of bouts of “youthful exuberance.”  Of course since I can no longer legitimately be called a YOUTH, most of my exuberance has mellowed. Be that as it may, Bubba … there be some strange dudes out there in web land!

Now several times on this blog I have mentioned my fascination into what was orignally described as a real case of … supernatural vampirism in the UK. This case is known collectively as the “Highgate Vampire” case. If you go back and read my past blog posting of ”
Vampires & Nasties -British Nancy Boys I gave a rough overview of the case and why I was interested. Being a former detective with a penchent for looking into the off-beat and the weird, (and hell, for 20 years I was Director-Research for UFO Magazine) I wanted to know if there was anything real to this Highgate business or if it was simply bull-shit. Well, after taking mucho abuse, being defamed on the web, being called a war-mongering American who took the word of a “convicted fellon” over an upright and most Holy Christain Bishop, I can report that the Highgate Vampire was simply a HUGE pile of BullShit. Now, let me tell you a little bit about the guy that shoveled all that shit out there……. Sean Manchester.

Back when I was willing to possibly concede that there might have been “something” to the Highgate business I tried to contact Manchester to interview him. This was through a friend and researcher living in the UK, and Manchester refused to allow me to contact him. I started to investigate the case from here by purchasing Manchester’s book “The Highgate Vampire”, and also his “The Vampire Hunters Handbook”.  (By the way, in the second book there is damned little on how to hunt vampires but there is a ton of Manchester whining and sniveling about all kinds of folks he thinks “wronged him”.) I ended up speaking to folks like David Farrant,

the other principal name connected to Highgate, and Dr. J. Gordon Melton, considered one of the most knowlegable folks on Planet Earth on vampire myths. (And what the hell, since this is my blog I will share this…. Gordon Melton read my horror novel, Past Sins, wrote me and told me how much he enjoyed it … and he offered to do a review on it once back from China. ….bout 2 or 3 years ago…. after he returned I wrote him telling him how much I looked forward to his review … several times and he never did write it …. why? No idea ….) I also spoke to people in the UK, world reknown investigators, and of course made my own inquires. I discovered several very interesting things.

Like one thing I discovered was there were TWO versions of Manchesters book. The first edition had tons of photos that were pulled from the second edition.

In the first edition was a girl he called Lusia, not her real name, who he claimed was attacked by his vampire creature and she DIED and returned as a vampire!

Oh boy, being a former detective with an interest in weird stuff…. I wanted to find out who this girl was. Couldn’t find a thing until I located an obscure podcast called “World of the Unexplained” that had interviewed Manchester and David Farrant at different times. During Farrants interview he identified her as one Jackie Cooper. I contacted my buddy in the UK to check the cemetery where she was supposed to have been buried. No match or deaths at all for good ol’ Jackie. Oh, and did I mention the other thing Manchester claimed? That after he first tracked down and “dispatched” (read … drive a wooden stake into the vampires chest…..) that Jackie returned from the dead and stalked him? He then tracked her down, she TURNED INTO A GIANT SPIDER VAMPIRE, he staked her, she returned to her TRUE form, and he re-buried her? Oh yes, our fearless Vampire Hunter CLAIMS THIS IS ALL THE GOD’S TRUTH! Whoa and behold ANYBODY WHO QUESTIONS THE RIGHT REV. SEAN MANCHESTER, VAMPIRE HUNTER ESQ.! He will “Web-stalk you”, use Aliases and assumed names, defame you, threaten you, and all around try to make your life miserable. He tried it with me.

Back when I had my first Dark Matters Radio blog site I had a very active forum where folks could come in to chat about my radio show, stuff on the paranormal, you name it. I ended up having a forum site just for the Highgate Vampire case because there were so many people wishing to talk about it. On the D-Day (June 6) Anniversery about 2 years ago I put up a posting about two fellows that experienced D-Day on the sharp end of the stick. Well let me just re-post it here.

64 years ago today the Americans and the allies began the operation to free Europe from Nazi tyranny. So as to not be forgotten.
———————————————————————————————————————–
God bless and keep Dick Winters.
Sixty four years ago today, America embarked on a great crusade.
Since 1944, we have defeated Nazism, Fascism, Emperor-worship, Communism, and are facing down Islamic terrorism.
We have freed hundreds of millions of people in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan,Asia, South Korea, Central America, Afghanistan,Iraq, and other places around the globe.
The American taxpayer and the American GI did all this for no gain in territory, no riches, no enslavement of other peoples. As citizens, America created so much wealth that we have been the most generous people in the history of the planet, sharing our abundance and blessings with countless millions to improve their lives.
Although the preparation started much earlier, the role of the United States of America in bringing freedom around the globe started with those brave men who parachuted and landed on the shores of Nazi Occupied Europe on a gray, bloody June morning 64 years ago today.
They just tried to stay alive that day, but they began the unshackling of untold millions from evil and slavery that still continues today, with their grandchildren in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dick Winters and Leonard Lomell (Toms River, NJ) typified the best and brightest America had to give on D-Day. Their deeds that day must always be remembered.
—————————————————————————————————————————-

A day or two later Sean Manchester, remember that Holy Bishop, all around good guy and most devout Christian reposted the above with this little additon … in red.

NEXT TIME,  IF IT’S ALL THE SAME,  WE’LL TAKE OUR CHANCES
RATHER THAN LIVE UNDER THE CORRUPTING INFLUENCE OF A
CAPITALIST SUPER POWER THAT WANTS WORLD DOMINATION

Well, I almost popped a blood vessel. (And if you happen to be a Vet, or have a loved one who is a Veteran, you can write Sean Manchester to tell him what you think at helpdesk@gothicpress.fslife.co.uk )This was after Manchester, under an assumed computer user identity, accused me of being an “American War-Monger” because of my Viet Nam service. As I said later, I was soooooo happy I was here (So. Calf.) and not there (Bournmouth-England-UK) because I just wouldn’t trust myself if I happened to “bump” into good ol’ Sean. You see, one of the things I discovered in my investigation into Manchester was that the girl he claimed turned into his “vampire” was listed by Seans first wife Marie, as the cause of Sean and Maries divorce. On the decree Jackie was listed as Jacqueline Manchester, formerly Cooper. And Sean had a couple of kids he abandoned and left behind. So recently he attempted a character assassination on the webmaster of  Net Curtain Lurkers which is a humerous look at the Manchester, vampire crappola, and David Farrant saga. I mean some vile stuff directed at this person. Hell, I couldn’t let that go. And, lest I forget, the man is INFAMOUS for conducting Internet Feuds WORLDWIDE. I could fill up the next dozen pages just with names that this MORON went after.

So remember Sean, it is never a good idea to go out of your way to piss someone off who buys ink by the gallon and spend their spare time in front of a radio microphone. It will come back to bite you …. you Holy Joe … you.

Remember to keep looking up … and if Vampires are your thing, look in those Dark Spaces too …..

Ah, the “writers life,” spending time of the beach while the prose flows endlessly from my typing fingers! Oh yes, hours and hours writing at my favorite coffee shop while enjoying my coffee of choice and writing and writing. Well, if you believe any of this crap, I got some really good “bottom land” for sale in Florida.

The fact of the matter is … writing for “fun and profit” came to me late in life. Oh, I wrote before of course but it was mainly limited to reports, personal letters and the like. It wasn’t until the latter 1980’s that my writing took on a life of its own. At first it was mostly articles and investigations for UFO Magazine, a publication started by my wife and her then partner Sherrie Stark. Being a former policeman, my investigations bore in for factual information, a “fact” not often appreciated by many in the UFO field. And, as time wore on I began writing fictional “short stories” as a way of toning up my writing … and for fun. For a number of years I would “zero” in on two favorite holidays of mine, Halloween and Christmas, and write themed stories and send them out to family and friends. Two of them seemed to strike a cord with my readers, one themed for Halloween was called “Night Shift” and another, a Christmas story, was titled “The Footlocker.” At the time of my Halloween story, one person I sent it to happened to be a writer with credits among other things, Star Trek, TNG. She read it and called me up and after telling me how much she enjoyed it, suggested I expand it into a full blown novel. I thanked her and told her I would consider it. At the time though, I was somewhat intimidated by the thought of finding enough words to perform such a feat. A full blown novel? Good God! But then it happened.

You see, in my former life, (before UFO Magazine) I had been a cop, and I had one case that always stumped me. Back in 1981-1982 I had been a lead investigator on two cattle mutilations. One really weird thing about these dead animals was that they were both drained of blood. Weird, right? Also, at that time I had no idea how wide ranging this type of crime was. Years later I was to become somewhat of an “expert” in cattle mutilations, but back then I didn’t have a clue what seemed to be going on. I ended up “tucking this case into the back of my mind.” As the century changed and the year 2000-2001 rolled around I suddenly saw the path for my short story. (Did I mention it was a HORROR STORY? And, it involved VAMPIRES?) The whole blood loss thing really jogged my creative juices.

Oh yes, before I forget, at that time while I was toying with the idea, one Sunday I was trimming the hedges around my house with electric trimming clippers. The upshot was I had a “small” accident and damned near removed my small finger on my left hand. About one-half second after chopping that finger, while watching the blood spurt out … the hook for my story SUDDENLY hit me! “What IF … VAMPIRES were really REAL … and the CIA got their hands on ONE?” Suddenly with the hook in mind, the plot developed and I was off and running. Well, not really.

The trick to being a writer was … WRITING. This being my first book, I had to learn that. At that time all my writing had been completed in days or at most weeks. This novel thing was a whole new ball game. I would write for a while then take a break for several days or even several weeks. But then sometimes my “Muse” or sometimes my “Demon” would take over and I would literally write from before sun-up to after sun-down. There were times when my wife Vicki would come out to my little writing niche and ask me if I was coming home anytime soon. It is really hard to describe … but it was wonderful and it was scary as hell. I knew I had to take a break when my vampires started to invade my dreams. I kid you not.

So, about 3 years after I began the process it was done! “Past Sins” was published in 2003-2004. Now, as a brand new author I was not sure what to expect next. Would it be a blockbuster and make me a Million Dollars? ( Yeah, sure buddy … and don’t hold your breath!) My publisher was a small one up in the Bay area, and they did almost no marketing. A lot of it was left to me. I started by getting the word out to friends and family. I bought a number of books and sent them out to a number of folks I thought would be able to also get the word out. Slowly, oh so slowly I also started to get some reviews in. They were quite a surprise as they were very good!

One of the first reviews was by my buddy Dwight Schultz. You may know him from “The A Team” or Star Trek: TNG. Good ol’ Lt. Barclay. Dwight told me it would make one hell of a good movie and he sent it to a producer he knew. The guy read it and told Dwight he loved it! He wanted to do a movie based on Past Sins, however I am still waiting to hear from him. (One thing about Hollywood, they will MURDER YOU with hope. They eat their young.)

Another guy associated with the “Poltergeist” franchise read it (yeah, he read it, not just his assistant flunkie) and called me to tell me how much he loved it! He wanted to do a movie on it. Sent me the paperwork and everything, then he stopped calling. Another outfit back on the east coast read it, called me up and wanted to do a deal. At first they wanted to option it for 3 years, pay me a DOLLAR (yeah, you heard right … ONE Dollar) and have me tied up for 3 years. I said yeah, right. Tell you what … lets option it for One Year, you pay me 750.00 and I will look at you first at the beginning of Year 2 if nothing happened yet. No, they didn’t want to do that so I said thanks and moved on. Well like the man once said, better to have been loved and lost than never to have been loved at all. Uh huh.

The readers loved Past Sins though. I get asked all the time about when the sequel will be done. To tell the truth it has been a while since I’ve worked on that sequel. Recently I finished a “novella” I titled “Person Of Interest.” My wife, who doubles as my “editor in chief” is currently perusing my latest effort and when she completes it I am submitting it for several “sci-fi” publications to buy the rights. But, back to Past Sins.

Past Sins spans the landscape from the killing fields in Viet Nam to the hallowed halls of the White House. From the depths of Langly, Virginia to the San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles. When I was writing it, I drew from my experiences in the Army to my days as a criminal investigator. What if!!? What if Vampires were real and represented a threat to our public safety, how would the “powers that be” handle such a threat. In today’s world fueled by concerns dealing with international terrorism, (the real world) a threat like this would turn everything inside and out! Here is a excerpt from Chapter 6 to simply give you a flavor!

“Police Departments are a study in institutional hubris. Most departments throughout the United States overflow with testosterone. It doesn’t matter if the cops are men or women, a large department or a smaller one, the cops see themselves as the “thin blue line” keeping chaos at bay. And … it doesn’t matter if a cop gets his ass kicked every time, as long as he or she is willing to “mix it up” every time.

The other thing about police departments that hold true is that the cops love gossip. They will keep it among themselves almost exclusively, but they love it. And let something weird happen out on the street and no matter how much the brass will try to keep it quiet from the troops … the word gets out.

Grassy Patch Bar & Grill
Burbank, California

Brandt Hollingsworth pulled into the parking lot of the “Patch.” It was a small and lively bar and grill owned by a former LAPD officer by the name of Richard “Dickie” Crump. Dickie worked the job for twenty-two years making it to sergeant when he pulled the pin. Country western music was the preferred beat, and if you were a single cop or were looking to commiserate the sorry state of your marriage the “groupies” hung out and were available. It was also a good place to come to where you compare notes with the “brothers” (and the lady cops were NOT excluded.)

Bobby Seal had called Hollingsworth when he heard the rumor mill begin to grind after the incident at the morgue.

Hollingsworth walked into the dimly lit bar, stopped and looked around. Seal was sitting at a table in the rear with a pitcher of beer and several glasses. He waved and Hollingsworth walked over and sat down. Seal nodded and pointed at the beer glasses. “Grab one Holly. Is your partner coming over?”

Hollingsworth nodded and reached for a glass. He picked up the pitcher and poured it to the brim, some running over the edge while foaming mightily. He picked up the glass and sipped.
“Hmm, now Bobby, that is the pause that refreshes.” Placing the glass back down he reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a pack of unfiltered Lucky Strikes.

“Say, I thought you quit, Holly. What’s the deal?”

Hollingsworth looked at Seal while he pulled out one and lit up. “Yeah, I quit. But I might start up a whole lot of bad habits I dropped.”

They both saw the front door open and Marty Paul walk in. He saw them and walked over. Marty had aged a whole lot in the last couple of days. He pulled up a chair and grabbed a glass.
“The next pitcher is on me, matter of fact lets get it now.” Marty waved at Dickie behind the bar and held up the now almost empty container. “Another, Dick.”

Dickie nodded and began filling another.

Marty drew a long drink and set his glass down. “You tell him yet?” he said looking at Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth took another drink and shook his head no.

“Jesus, what is going on with you two guys?” Seal was now feeling genuine unease because he recognized how disturbed Hollingsworth and Paul appeared. “You guys look like hell. What went on the other day? Holly, is it true you were called down to see the Chief? What the hell happened over at the morgue?”

Hollingsworth looked at Marty Paul, then his eyes went down to the table. Not looking at Seal he said in a very quiet voice, “Bobby, are you sure you really want to know? Cause let me tell you pal, some things should be left alone.”

A waitress brought the pitcher of beer to their table and set it down. Paul pulled a ten dollar bill out of his wallet and handed it to her. She gave him change and he tossed a dollar on her tray. She smiled at him and walked off.

“Bobby,” Paul began. “Let me tell you what! If I live until I am two hundred years old I will NEVER FORGET THE SHIT I SAW THE OTHER DAY!”

Both Paul and Hollingsworth drained their glasses and both refilled. Seal sat still for a moment and just looked at them. Then he turned to Hollingsworth.

“God Damnit Holly, jus’ what the f*ck happened?”

Hollingsworth sat back and looked at Seal. Seal realized he had never seen anyone with a look of such horror and disgust as what Hollingsworth was now displaying.

“Okay Bobby. You want to know so I will tell you. But you remember that you asked.” He pulled out another Lucky Strike and lit it. Hollingsworth then took a very deep drag and blew it out. “That girl we picked up the other night. The young one with her throat bitten out. You know?”

Seal nodded. “Yeah Holly, that is a f*cking weird one.”

“Oh yeah, weird doesn’t cover it though. Me and Marty went over to witness the autopsy. Hector Santos was conducting. We got there and Hector pulled her out and the first thing he says is that her condition is weird. I mean real weird! He told us she had no surface lividity, her eyes were clear and there was no rigor. He never saw anything like it.”

Seal took a sip of beer. “How is that possible? What did he think caused that?”

Hollingsworth gave a sad little smile. “Oh Bobby, we didn’t get to the most f*cking strange part. Hang on a sec. So anyway me and Marty are just standing there and I get a call on my cell. Suddenly she sat up!”

“What? Who sat up?” Paul shuddered and blurted out;

“The stiff Bobby. She sat up and looked around and said sumpin’ like `where am I? I couldn’t believe my eyes, Jesus Christ, I almost had a f*cking heart attack right there! Christ!”

Seal shook his head and suddenly laughed. “You two guys are pulling my dick! What the hell is this? You expect me to believe this shit?”

Hollingsworth just looked at him. “Oh yeah, Bobby, I do, cause it happened just like that. Hector about shit himself then remembered he was a doctor. He jumped forward and tried to help her, then she looked at him and said she was hungry. Hungry Bobby! She grabbed him one handed, jerked him off his feet then bit a chunk right outta his neck and started drinking the blood!” Hollingsworth stopped and drained his glass. He looked around and motioned for another pitcher.

Seal now felt a cold band of fear wrap itself around his head. He wasn’t quite sure what to say. He looked at Hollingsworth and Paul for a second.

“You guys aren’t shitting me are you?” They both shook their heads. “What the f*ck was she?”

Hollingsworth just smirked now. “Bobby, we picked up a gen-u-wine vampire, buddy! And Hector, if he lives, will verify that fact. Shit, I think this is a hell of a good reason to get blasted. What do you say, Marty?”

“Yeah, Holly, works for me!” Seal looked at them like they were suddenly struck insane.

“A what?” Paul picked up Hollingsworth’s cigarettes, pulled one out of the pack and lit it.

“You heard him Bobby.” Seals face showed massive confusion.

“Holly, what did they want down at Parker Center?” He figured that was the safest thing to say at this point.

“Well, Bobby, the Chief called in all the troops and the cavalry. All the shift commanders, the Special Agent from the Los Angeles FBI, and a guy from the CDC back in D.C. He questioned me all about it with all that brass sitting there, hanging on my every word. You know we had two detectives get mugged or something. Somehow I got the idea it was all connected.”

“Yeah, Archuletta from Foothill, and you remember Mallory from Foothill? He retired on a medical a few years ago. I heard some weird things about that, and they are all over at St. Joe’s.” Seal poured another glass, draining the pitcher. Dickie himself brought over the next one.

“Say, what you guys got going on? Somebody get promoted or maybe divorced?” The three of them looked at him and then laughed.

“Dickie, my man,” Holly said, “You wouldn’t believe it and take my word for it, you don’t want to know.” He looked at them funny and shrugged, took their money and walked off.

“Oh yeah, I haven’t seen this much confusion since the Rodney King debacle. Not even the damn 9-11 mess and the terrorist shit. What I saw there my good friends, there is some serious f*cking concern.”

Seal reached down and pulled up a folder he had on his seat. “You guys see this yet? I got it as I was leaving the station.” He pulled a photograph of Frankovitch out.

Marty grabbed it and looked. “Who the hell is this guy?”

Hollingsworth took it and looked at it. “Hey, I remember him. Franko – something.”

“Yep, Frankovitch. Detective Marty Frankovitch. He disappeared about seven years ago while working on the Valley Stalker case. Matter of fact he was partnered with Mitchell Mallory, the guy over at St. Joe’s. You will hear all about it during tomorrow’s briefing, for sure. Everybody thought he was dead, now they are looking for him. And the brass are not happy about it. Seems like he is about to be declared public enemy number one. The Sarge told me this guy is not to be approached alone. He is supposed to be some very, very bad news.” Paul and Hollingsworth were now confused.

“I don’t get it, why?” Marty asked.

Seal now leaned forward and in a very low voice said, “’Cause he and some young chick are supposed to be the perps that attacked Archuletta and Mallory guys. And, this is the wild part, supposedly they were both bitten and bled out!”

“Shit!” was all that Hollingsworth and Paul could now muster.”

Okay, that is it for now. In the meantime my family wishes you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving and hopes for a wonderful Holiday Season. Keep checking back for more occasional ramblings by yours truly, and if you would like more information about my novel Past Sins, the link below will take you to Amazon where you can read the reviews and more about it! Keep looking UP!

Don Ecker

Past Sins