Boogeyman: The Hook-Handed Stranger

About this episode

The episode explores the chilling true story behind the boogeyman figure on Staten Island and the real disappearances of children linked to it.

What if the boogeyman you grew up hearing about wasn't just a story? On Staten Island, there was a figure parents whispered about to keep their kids close to home. Bedtime warnings, campfire dares, everyone thought it was just make-believe. But then children started to vanish. And suddenly, it wasn't just scary anymore. It was real. SHOW NOTES 🖤 FOLLOW PRETTY WICKED New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you never miss one. Instagram: @prettywickedthepodcast If you loved this episode, leaving a review means the world and helps other listeners find the show. Pretty Wicked is hosted by Megan Alda. 🖤 SOURCES & FURTHER READING Here is everything used to research this episode. Quick corrections: Ethel Atwell disappeared October 1978, Rand legally changed his name in 1972, and Tiahease Jackson was sent to the supermarket by another motel resident while her mother was napping, not on an errand from home. Sources in the show notes 🔗 WEB SOURCES The Charley Project - Holly Ann Hughes The Charley Project - Alice Pereira The Doe Network - 136DFNY Holly Ann Hughes The Doe Network - 134DFNY Alice Pereira NCMEC - Have you seen this child? Alice Pereira UPI Archives - Jennifer mourned as…

People in this episode

Host: Megan Alda

Topics covered

• urban legend
• true crime
• disappearance
• child safety
• Staten Island
• boogeyman

Keywords

• boogeyman
• Staten Island
• disappearances
• urban legend
• true crime
• child safety
• Andre Rand

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Charley Project, The Doe Network, NCMEC, UPI Archives, All That's Interesting, The Line-Up, Historic Mysteries

Places: Staten Island

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