1 00:00:05,207 --> 00:00:08,132 - [dan aykroyd] warning, what you are about to see 2 00:00:08,134 --> 00:00:10,551 Could be disturbing to some viewers. 3 00:00:10,553 --> 00:00:12,846 (suspenseful music) 4 00:00:19,121 --> 00:00:23,498 Imagine an island so strange 5 00:00:23,500 --> 00:00:25,325 It drives a man insane. 6 00:00:26,077 --> 00:00:31,364 - He decides to pay homage to the deceased young girl 7 00:00:31,366 --> 00:00:35,235 With a shrine of thousands of dolls. 8 00:00:35,979 --> 00:00:38,722 - Or a village where, without warning, 9 00:00:38,724 --> 00:00:41,874 Every living thing simply drops dead. 10 00:00:42,510 --> 00:00:46,087 - He begins seeing dead bodies around cooking fires, 11 00:00:46,089 --> 00:00:48,148 Dead bodies in their homes. 12 00:00:48,150 --> 00:00:49,474 - Everything looks fine 13 00:00:49,476 --> 00:00:52,469 Other than this weird, silent death scene. 14 00:00:52,471 --> 00:00:54,087 - How about a mysterious lake, 15 00:00:54,089 --> 00:00:57,307 Where unknown forces result in macabre collection? 16 00:00:57,309 --> 00:01:01,786 - [hakeem] what this turns up is completely unexpected. 17 00:01:01,788 --> 00:01:04,789 - [don] skeletons upon skeletons upon skeletons. 18 00:01:04,791 --> 00:01:07,183 - These are the places so surprising, 19 00:01:07,185 --> 00:01:09,093 They are truly unbelievable. 20 00:01:09,095 --> 00:01:11,488 (dramatic music) 21 00:01:21,900 --> 00:01:25,459 We've all heard tales about the bermuda triangle, 22 00:01:25,461 --> 00:01:27,395 Everything from magnetic anomalies 23 00:01:27,397 --> 00:01:29,697 To sea monsters and aliens, 24 00:01:29,699 --> 00:01:32,976 But could there be an even stranger place 25 00:01:32,978 --> 00:01:34,827 In our own backyard? 26 00:01:34,829 --> 00:01:37,264 (suspenseful music) (thunder rumbling) 27 00:01:37,266 --> 00:01:40,574 - The lake michigan triangle is shaped like a dagger. 28 00:01:40,576 --> 00:01:43,319 This section of lake michigan has, over the centuries, 29 00:01:43,321 --> 00:01:45,021 Earned a reputation for a place 30 00:01:45,023 --> 00:01:46,873 Where all kinds of weird things 31 00:01:46,875 --> 00:01:48,984 And disasters have taken place. 32 00:01:48,986 --> 00:01:51,444 - I mean, we're talking shipwrecks, drownings, 33 00:01:51,446 --> 00:01:55,131 Disappearances, strange ufo sightings, and so forth. 34 00:01:55,133 --> 00:01:58,418 All of this is happening in an area that is minuscule 35 00:01:58,420 --> 00:02:00,228 Compared to the bermuda triangle, 36 00:02:00,230 --> 00:02:02,247 But equal in strangeness. 37 00:02:02,249 --> 00:02:04,290 - The first notable thing to happen 38 00:02:04,292 --> 00:02:06,000 In the lake michigan triangle 39 00:02:06,002 --> 00:02:07,961 Goes way back to 1679. 40 00:02:09,547 --> 00:02:12,582 Rene-robert cavelier is a fur trader. 41 00:02:12,584 --> 00:02:13,833 He builds the largest ship 42 00:02:13,835 --> 00:02:16,610 On lake michigan at the time, le griffon. 43 00:02:16,612 --> 00:02:17,845 - This is a huge ship. 44 00:02:17,847 --> 00:02:22,250 It is a 45-ton, seven cannon barque. 45 00:02:22,252 --> 00:02:24,794 - It's loaded with fur and he and the crew 46 00:02:24,796 --> 00:02:26,837 Really think they're about to make bank. 47 00:02:27,532 --> 00:02:31,684 - It really indicates how rich this guy really wants to get. 48 00:02:32,521 --> 00:02:35,121 This is all about getting the furs out of the midwest, 49 00:02:35,123 --> 00:02:37,824 Up the st. Lawrence river, and back to europe. 50 00:02:39,861 --> 00:02:41,535 So the ship's ready to set sail, 51 00:02:41,537 --> 00:02:42,913 But just before they go, 52 00:02:42,915 --> 00:02:44,855 The native americans there warn them 53 00:02:44,857 --> 00:02:49,786 That the lake is known for these strange and sudden squalls. 54 00:02:49,788 --> 00:02:52,880 The weather can just come out of nowhere. 55 00:02:52,882 --> 00:02:53,957 They hear the warning, 56 00:02:53,959 --> 00:02:57,051 But they don't have time for this local superstition 57 00:02:57,053 --> 00:02:59,012 And they're not gonna be held back. 58 00:03:00,515 --> 00:03:02,723 - [dan] cavelier ignores the warnings, 59 00:03:02,725 --> 00:03:04,576 Ordering his loaded ship to set sail 60 00:03:04,578 --> 00:03:07,162 While he waits behind for more furs. 61 00:03:07,755 --> 00:03:13,235 Le griffon heads off into the triangle and vanishes. 62 00:03:13,928 --> 00:03:15,437 - There's no evidence of a storm. 63 00:03:15,439 --> 00:03:17,814 There's no evidence of weird weather taking the ship down. 64 00:03:17,816 --> 00:03:19,332 There's no evidence of piracy. 65 00:03:19,334 --> 00:03:21,559 - There's no wreckage. There are no survivors. 66 00:03:21,561 --> 00:03:22,494 It's gone. 67 00:03:22,496 --> 00:03:23,703 - Is there any evidence 68 00:03:23,705 --> 00:03:26,914 Of this incredibly expensive load of furs anywhere? 69 00:03:26,916 --> 00:03:30,084 No, their disappearance is a total mystery. 70 00:03:30,086 --> 00:03:33,170 - That boat is gone and 340 years later, 71 00:03:33,172 --> 00:03:36,132 We still do not know what happened. 72 00:03:37,669 --> 00:03:39,502 - [dan] le griffon may be the first ship 73 00:03:39,504 --> 00:03:41,972 To fall victim to the michigan triangle, 74 00:03:41,974 --> 00:03:45,358 But it's hardly the last or the strangest. 75 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,686 (dramatic music) 76 00:03:49,605 --> 00:03:51,314 - In August of 1875, 77 00:03:51,316 --> 00:03:54,508 This hundred foot schooner, the rosabelle, 78 00:03:55,103 --> 00:03:59,155 Is found floating upside down in lake michigan. 79 00:03:59,949 --> 00:04:02,692 Hull in the air, no damage to the boat. 80 00:04:02,694 --> 00:04:06,246 The weird thing is the 11 man crew is gone, disappeared. 81 00:04:06,248 --> 00:04:10,667 No bodies in the water, they seem to just have vanished. 82 00:04:11,652 --> 00:04:14,111 - There's no evidence of any kind of foul play 83 00:04:14,113 --> 00:04:15,555 Or bad weather. 84 00:04:15,557 --> 00:04:17,339 The ship is in such good condition, they're able 85 00:04:17,341 --> 00:04:19,625 To right the rosabelle and put it back to work. 86 00:04:19,627 --> 00:04:22,362 - [holly] and it has 50 years of fine service. 87 00:04:22,364 --> 00:04:26,140 - [dan] that is, until an unbelievable case of deja vu. 88 00:04:26,142 --> 00:04:28,351 - On October 30th, 1921, 89 00:04:28,353 --> 00:04:31,763 The ship is going out the next day with a load of lumber, 90 00:04:31,765 --> 00:04:33,072 But the captain, ed johnson, 91 00:04:33,074 --> 00:04:36,801 Is having a premonition of something terrible happening. 92 00:04:37,495 --> 00:04:40,146 - So, the captain is filled with dread 93 00:04:40,148 --> 00:04:41,414 And doesn't wanna board the ship 94 00:04:41,416 --> 00:04:43,733 And decides he doesn't feel right, can't explain it, 95 00:04:43,735 --> 00:04:45,677 Doesn't wanna get onboard the ship. 96 00:04:45,679 --> 00:04:47,495 - Less than 24 hours later, 97 00:04:47,497 --> 00:04:49,831 The ship is found floating upside down 98 00:04:50,575 --> 00:04:52,892 And the same exact thing happens. 99 00:04:52,894 --> 00:04:56,880 11 members are missing for the second time. 100 00:04:56,882 --> 00:04:59,407 - The odds of this particular event 101 00:04:59,409 --> 00:05:02,009 Reoccurring, the same exact ship, 102 00:05:02,011 --> 00:05:04,554 Same situation, same circumstances, 103 00:05:04,556 --> 00:05:07,073 No evidence, crew disappears. 104 00:05:07,075 --> 00:05:09,075 I mean, that's just too uncanny. 105 00:05:09,077 --> 00:05:10,727 The odds are impossible. 106 00:05:10,729 --> 00:05:14,080 So when people start hearing about this particular event, 107 00:05:14,082 --> 00:05:16,232 Even the skeptics are convinced. 108 00:05:16,234 --> 00:05:18,117 Something's going on out there. 109 00:05:18,119 --> 00:05:19,785 (loon calling) 110 00:05:19,787 --> 00:05:21,345 - Over the next hundred years, 111 00:05:21,347 --> 00:05:24,014 The triangle claims hundreds more ships, 112 00:05:24,016 --> 00:05:26,434 Prompting countless searches for evidence, 113 00:05:26,436 --> 00:05:29,019 But resulting in no definite answers. 114 00:05:29,021 --> 00:05:34,108 Then in 2007, archeologists make an astonishing discovery. 115 00:05:34,110 --> 00:05:36,019 (tense music) 116 00:05:36,021 --> 00:05:37,711 - A team of faculty and students 117 00:05:37,713 --> 00:05:41,031 From northwest michigan college begin doing sonar scans 118 00:05:41,033 --> 00:05:42,425 In order to find shipwrecks, 119 00:05:42,427 --> 00:05:45,403 But they find something they weren't looking for, 120 00:05:45,405 --> 00:05:48,598 A formation of rocks seemingly intentionally put there 121 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:51,267 By people under 40 feet of water. 122 00:05:51,986 --> 00:05:53,436 - [dan] what could these possibly be? 123 00:05:53,438 --> 00:05:57,140 - One of the stones appears also to have a carving on it 124 00:05:57,142 --> 00:05:58,441 Of a mastodon. 125 00:05:58,443 --> 00:06:01,235 Now, the mastodon went extinct about 10,000 years ago, 126 00:06:01,237 --> 00:06:04,330 Which would suggest that this is a really old rock formation 127 00:06:04,332 --> 00:06:06,740 And that maybe in fact, even though it's underwater now, 128 00:06:06,742 --> 00:06:07,951 It might've been on the edge 129 00:06:07,953 --> 00:06:10,411 Of what was lake michigan at the time. 130 00:06:10,413 --> 00:06:12,037 - [dan] the discovery is a sensation. 131 00:06:12,039 --> 00:06:15,658 Some dub it america's underwater stonehenge. 132 00:06:15,660 --> 00:06:19,162 But who put these stones here and why? 133 00:06:19,164 --> 00:06:20,571 (thunder rumbling) 134 00:06:20,573 --> 00:06:23,257 - One theory put forward by paranormal investigators 135 00:06:23,259 --> 00:06:26,502 Is that given the dark history of disasters in the lake, 136 00:06:26,504 --> 00:06:28,220 That this may be some sort of warning 137 00:06:28,222 --> 00:06:29,338 To people on shore. 138 00:06:29,340 --> 00:06:30,514 We don't know. 139 00:06:30,516 --> 00:06:33,259 - It's not just the water that's strange here. 140 00:06:33,261 --> 00:06:35,428 The next time you head to chicago, 141 00:06:35,430 --> 00:06:38,097 You might want to check your flight path. 142 00:06:38,099 --> 00:06:40,683 (tense music) (thunder rumbling) 143 00:06:41,452 --> 00:06:46,772 - On June 23rd, 1950, northwest orient flight 2501, 144 00:06:46,774 --> 00:06:49,742 Carrying 55 passengers and three crew, 145 00:06:49,744 --> 00:06:53,729 Leaves laguardia headed to minneapolis. 146 00:06:53,731 --> 00:06:55,031 - And the weather is not so great. 147 00:06:55,033 --> 00:06:56,957 It's raining. It's a bit stormy. 148 00:06:56,959 --> 00:07:00,787 At about 11:00 pm, the captain radios air control and says, 149 00:07:00,789 --> 00:07:02,705 "I'd like to drop down to 2,500 feet." 150 00:07:02,707 --> 00:07:04,782 Essentially, come under the storm. 151 00:07:05,451 --> 00:07:08,144 - Not strange request, perfectly natural, 152 00:07:08,146 --> 00:07:10,054 But at that point, 153 00:07:11,466 --> 00:07:14,684 The dc-4 completely disappears off the radar. 154 00:07:14,686 --> 00:07:17,795 (dramatic music) (thunder rumbling) 155 00:07:17,797 --> 00:07:19,480 Local witnesses explained 156 00:07:19,482 --> 00:07:23,233 That they had seen a huge flash in the night sky 157 00:07:23,235 --> 00:07:25,461 About the time when this would've happened. 158 00:07:25,463 --> 00:07:27,663 The coast guard goes out into lake michigan 159 00:07:27,665 --> 00:07:29,749 To find this plane has gone down. 160 00:07:29,751 --> 00:07:30,916 They see nothing. 161 00:07:30,918 --> 00:07:33,536 - And then, things start showing up, 162 00:07:33,538 --> 00:07:35,729 People's clothes, people's luggage. 163 00:07:35,731 --> 00:07:38,124 It gets a little grisly, because then bodies 164 00:07:38,126 --> 00:07:41,335 And moreover, parts of bodies start showing up. 165 00:07:41,337 --> 00:07:44,672 - [dan] the one thing they never find, the plane. 166 00:07:44,674 --> 00:07:47,041 - What's weird is that we found the titanic 167 00:07:47,043 --> 00:07:49,009 At the bottom of the atlantic ocean. 168 00:07:49,011 --> 00:07:50,553 This is only 60 feet deep. 169 00:07:50,555 --> 00:07:53,239 They can't find a jet airplane? 170 00:07:53,241 --> 00:07:56,684 - There's no fuselage, no chunk of wing anywhere. 171 00:07:57,612 --> 00:07:59,278 It's just gone. 172 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:00,780 - [dan] since flight 2501, 173 00:08:00,782 --> 00:08:03,416 Dozens more planes have disappeared here. 174 00:08:04,010 --> 00:08:06,452 But if you think you can avoid the triangle's pull 175 00:08:06,454 --> 00:08:09,179 By staying on dry land, think again. 176 00:08:09,181 --> 00:08:11,782 - Stephen kubacki, 23 year old college student, 177 00:08:11,784 --> 00:08:15,853 Hope college, is cross country skiing near saugatuck. 178 00:08:15,855 --> 00:08:16,962 A couple hours later, 179 00:08:16,964 --> 00:08:21,251 Some snowmobilists find his gear in the snow. 180 00:08:22,103 --> 00:08:24,753 The police show up, they arrive on the scene. 181 00:08:24,755 --> 00:08:26,606 - They find footprints leading out 182 00:08:26,608 --> 00:08:28,591 Onto the ice of lake michigan, 183 00:08:28,593 --> 00:08:30,976 But then they sort of disappear. 184 00:08:30,978 --> 00:08:31,994 So, they can only assume 185 00:08:31,996 --> 00:08:33,963 That he fell through the ice and drowned, 186 00:08:33,965 --> 00:08:37,149 But there's no sign of any broken ice. 187 00:08:37,151 --> 00:08:39,561 - [sami] stephen kubacki is presumed dead. 188 00:08:40,504 --> 00:08:41,788 - There's memorial service 189 00:08:41,790 --> 00:08:45,141 And they decide to list him as an accidental drowning, 190 00:08:45,143 --> 00:08:48,987 Even though the ice wasn't broken. 191 00:08:50,282 --> 00:08:52,240 - 15 months later, 192 00:08:53,243 --> 00:08:56,535 Stephen kubacki awakens in a field 193 00:08:56,537 --> 00:09:00,973 In clothes that don't belong to him near his aunt's house, 194 00:09:00,975 --> 00:09:04,260 700 miles away in massachusetts. 195 00:09:04,262 --> 00:09:06,528 (suspenseful music) 196 00:09:07,090 --> 00:09:10,633 He has no recollection of how he got there at all. 197 00:09:10,635 --> 00:09:12,259 - It's a very strange story 198 00:09:12,261 --> 00:09:14,687 And he does talk to the press, talks to the newspapers, 199 00:09:14,689 --> 00:09:17,523 But at a certain point decides to go into radio silence 200 00:09:17,525 --> 00:09:18,600 And never talk about it again. 201 00:09:18,602 --> 00:09:19,833 So, it remains one of these 202 00:09:19,835 --> 00:09:22,361 Great lake michigan triangle mysteries. 203 00:09:22,363 --> 00:09:24,647 (tense music) 204 00:09:25,867 --> 00:09:29,335 - Today, steve lives a quiet life in the pacific northwest, 205 00:09:29,337 --> 00:09:34,282 Thousands of miles away from michigan's strange triangle. 206 00:09:37,779 --> 00:09:39,945 - The next stop on our strange places journey 207 00:09:39,947 --> 00:09:42,214 Takes us just outside of mexico city 208 00:09:42,216 --> 00:09:46,051 To an island overrun with... Dolls? 209 00:09:46,053 --> 00:09:48,629 (suspenseful music) 210 00:09:48,631 --> 00:09:49,705 - Outside of mexico city 211 00:09:49,707 --> 00:09:51,941 Is one of the strangest places on earth. 212 00:09:51,943 --> 00:09:57,897 Why? Because there are over 4,000 mutilated dolls 213 00:09:57,899 --> 00:10:00,575 Tied to the fences, to the trees, 214 00:10:00,577 --> 00:10:03,519 And spread around everywhere on this island. 215 00:10:03,521 --> 00:10:05,404 - [dan] but this area's strange origins 216 00:10:05,406 --> 00:10:08,066 Go back long before the dolls took over. 217 00:10:09,502 --> 00:10:12,654 - It's the 16th century 218 00:10:13,548 --> 00:10:16,181 And the spanish conquistadors 219 00:10:16,183 --> 00:10:19,994 Are invading the aztec empire. 220 00:10:19,996 --> 00:10:21,729 What's called tenochtitlan, 221 00:10:21,731 --> 00:10:24,290 Which would later become mexico city, 222 00:10:24,292 --> 00:10:26,809 Is the capital of the aztec empire. 223 00:10:26,811 --> 00:10:29,879 What we think of being in a high altitude basin 224 00:10:29,881 --> 00:10:34,324 Is actually a massive lake with manmade islands, 225 00:10:34,326 --> 00:10:37,436 Canals, and causeways all through it. 226 00:10:37,438 --> 00:10:38,829 (suspenseful music) 227 00:10:38,831 --> 00:10:40,740 - So, some of the earliest, darkest tales 228 00:10:40,742 --> 00:10:43,101 About these islands really emerge in this period, 229 00:10:43,103 --> 00:10:45,110 And they come from the conquistadors 230 00:10:45,112 --> 00:10:47,104 Who, when they fall off these islands, 231 00:10:47,106 --> 00:10:50,950 Because of their heavy armor, sink, never to be seen again. 232 00:10:50,952 --> 00:10:53,652 And this leads to some of the mythology about them 233 00:10:53,654 --> 00:10:57,440 Being haunted or spiritually guarded places. 234 00:10:57,442 --> 00:10:59,183 (tense music) 235 00:10:59,185 --> 00:11:01,327 By the 20th century, these islands are still attractive 236 00:11:01,329 --> 00:11:02,828 To people who want to be off the grid, 237 00:11:02,830 --> 00:11:05,915 And that's the case with don julian santana barrera, 238 00:11:05,917 --> 00:11:07,517 Who has a falling out with his family 239 00:11:07,519 --> 00:11:09,869 And decides to go to one of these islands. 240 00:11:09,871 --> 00:11:13,530 - [dan] and that's when things start to get a little weird. 241 00:11:13,532 --> 00:11:17,777 - The lore is that at some point, he finds the body 242 00:11:17,779 --> 00:11:20,888 Of a drowned child, a drowned girl, 243 00:11:21,615 --> 00:11:26,085 But he also finds a doll nearby that he believes is hers. 244 00:11:26,087 --> 00:11:29,731 And he hangs the doll up as this way to honor her. 245 00:11:30,641 --> 00:11:32,658 - He doesn't stop at this one doll. 246 00:11:32,660 --> 00:11:38,281 He decides to pay homage to the deceased young girl 247 00:11:38,283 --> 00:11:43,344 With a shrine of thousands upon thousands of dolls. 248 00:11:43,346 --> 00:11:46,914 - [dan] thousands of dolls hung from trees? 249 00:11:46,916 --> 00:11:49,416 What prompted this macabre memorial? 250 00:11:49,418 --> 00:11:52,545 - There is this sense that this discovery 251 00:11:52,547 --> 00:11:55,531 Of a deceased child, which would be harrowing for anyone, 252 00:11:55,533 --> 00:11:57,833 Is especially troubling to him 253 00:11:57,835 --> 00:12:00,169 And that this maybe has caused him 254 00:12:00,171 --> 00:12:02,321 To have some sort of break with reality 255 00:12:02,323 --> 00:12:03,639 Or some sort of issue. 256 00:12:03,641 --> 00:12:07,626 He also is said to hear spirits, 257 00:12:07,628 --> 00:12:10,045 Hers and possibly others. 258 00:12:10,047 --> 00:12:13,766 - He continues to hang dolls as part of superstition, 259 00:12:13,768 --> 00:12:17,778 Or to honor this young girl, or to ward off evil spirits. 260 00:12:17,780 --> 00:12:22,099 He is so moved and scared of the bad omens 261 00:12:22,101 --> 00:12:24,376 That go with this tragedy 262 00:12:24,378 --> 00:12:27,329 That we assume he went absolutely crazy. 263 00:12:27,832 --> 00:12:30,700 - [dan] even stranger is what happens to don julian 264 00:12:30,702 --> 00:12:32,635 In April of 2001. 265 00:12:32,637 --> 00:12:35,704 - His nephew comes to visit him on the island 266 00:12:35,706 --> 00:12:39,875 And he finds don julian barrera face down, 267 00:12:39,877 --> 00:12:42,645 Drowned in the canal at age 80 268 00:12:42,647 --> 00:12:45,397 In almost the same spot that he alleged 269 00:12:45,399 --> 00:12:49,769 That he found the original girl so many years before. 270 00:12:50,555 --> 00:12:52,071 - [dan] after julian's death, 271 00:12:52,073 --> 00:12:54,815 Tourists keep his peculiar tradition alive 272 00:12:54,817 --> 00:12:57,476 By adding their own dolls to the collection. 273 00:12:58,137 --> 00:12:59,821 - Dolls are created in our image, 274 00:12:59,823 --> 00:13:02,990 So it doesn't matter what your belief system is, 275 00:13:02,992 --> 00:13:07,829 To see 4,000 mutilated dolls hanging from trees. 276 00:13:07,831 --> 00:13:11,315 An island full of that would drive anybody crazy. 277 00:13:11,993 --> 00:13:15,527 - Today, gondola like boats called trajineras 278 00:13:15,529 --> 00:13:18,530 Take the curious out for a closer look, 279 00:13:18,532 --> 00:13:20,799 But only during daylight hours. 280 00:13:20,801 --> 00:13:25,087 The island is strictly off limits to visitors after dark. 281 00:13:25,840 --> 00:13:29,850 If an island of chuckys doesn't make your spine tingle, 282 00:13:29,852 --> 00:13:31,443 Our next place will. 283 00:13:31,445 --> 00:13:34,279 20 miles off the coast of brazil is an island 284 00:13:34,281 --> 00:13:37,567 That visitors are prohibited from setting foot on. 285 00:13:37,569 --> 00:13:39,026 Why? 286 00:13:39,028 --> 00:13:41,428 The answer is unbelievable. 287 00:13:41,430 --> 00:13:43,072 (snakes hissing) (tense music) 288 00:13:43,074 --> 00:13:46,433 - There's approximately five snakes per square meter. 289 00:13:46,435 --> 00:13:48,527 That is a ton of snakes. 290 00:13:48,529 --> 00:13:49,870 - By all accounts, 291 00:13:49,872 --> 00:13:53,749 It is essentially a moving carpet of serpents. 292 00:13:53,751 --> 00:13:55,801 (snakes hissing) 293 00:13:55,803 --> 00:14:00,272 - Snake island is formed at the end of the last ice age 294 00:14:00,274 --> 00:14:05,177 When rising ocean waters isolate what had been a peninsula 295 00:14:05,179 --> 00:14:07,596 Off the coast of brazil and they make this island. 296 00:14:07,598 --> 00:14:11,642 And in doing so, they isolate a population of snakes. 297 00:14:11,644 --> 00:14:14,519 - [dan] specifically, one of the most venomous snakes 298 00:14:14,521 --> 00:14:17,756 In the world, the golden lancehead viper. 299 00:14:17,758 --> 00:14:19,442 - The golden lancehead population 300 00:14:19,444 --> 00:14:21,568 That's left on snake island 301 00:14:21,570 --> 00:14:24,262 Quickly goes through all the available prey. 302 00:14:24,264 --> 00:14:26,549 And then, the only thing left to eat are birds, 303 00:14:26,551 --> 00:14:28,308 Which they don't normally eat. 304 00:14:28,310 --> 00:14:29,743 And that forces them 305 00:14:29,745 --> 00:14:32,988 Into some pretty tremendous evolutionary pathways. 306 00:14:32,990 --> 00:14:35,933 Now when a golden lancehead, which is a venomous snake, 307 00:14:35,935 --> 00:14:37,826 Attacks its normal prey, a mammal, 308 00:14:37,828 --> 00:14:41,163 It bites it, the mammal walks away, doesn't get too far, 309 00:14:41,165 --> 00:14:42,798 And the snake can easily find it. 310 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:45,575 But with birds, the bird can fly away 311 00:14:45,577 --> 00:14:47,153 And the snake doesn't get a meal. 312 00:14:47,155 --> 00:14:49,639 So, evolution favors golden lanceheads 313 00:14:49,641 --> 00:14:52,582 With more potent venom, so that they can bite a bird 314 00:14:52,584 --> 00:14:54,851 And have it die instantly. 315 00:14:54,853 --> 00:14:56,687 - The snakes on that island have a venom 316 00:14:56,689 --> 00:15:00,199 That is estimated to be five times as deadly 317 00:15:00,201 --> 00:15:03,002 As the venom for mainland snakes. 318 00:15:03,004 --> 00:15:05,187 - So, it's creating this kind of super snake 319 00:15:05,189 --> 00:15:07,639 On this island that can thrive. 320 00:15:08,542 --> 00:15:10,843 - [dan] you would imagine no one in their right mind 321 00:15:10,845 --> 00:15:12,511 Would ever set foot on this island. 322 00:15:12,513 --> 00:15:15,831 Rumor has it that sailors prefer to stay on burning boats 323 00:15:15,833 --> 00:15:19,943 Rather than swim ashore here, but some have tried. 324 00:15:19,945 --> 00:15:22,137 (dramatic music) 325 00:15:22,139 --> 00:15:23,864 - And in the early 1900s, 326 00:15:23,866 --> 00:15:27,927 A group of entrepreneurial banana farmers 327 00:15:27,929 --> 00:15:29,762 Go to snake island 328 00:15:29,764 --> 00:15:32,473 In the hopes of establishing a banana plantation. 329 00:15:32,475 --> 00:15:35,125 They burn down a bunch of vegetation 330 00:15:35,127 --> 00:15:37,219 To plant the banana fields 331 00:15:37,221 --> 00:15:41,056 And that's when they see all the snakes. 332 00:15:41,058 --> 00:15:43,609 They realize immediately this is not a place, 333 00:15:43,611 --> 00:15:45,410 Not only not for a banana plantation, 334 00:15:45,412 --> 00:15:48,380 This is not a place for human beings to stay. 335 00:15:48,916 --> 00:15:50,866 - So in 1910, they decided to build a lighthouse 336 00:15:50,868 --> 00:15:53,902 To warn people to steer clear of this island. 337 00:15:53,904 --> 00:15:56,997 - It's probably a pretty difficult job description 338 00:15:56,999 --> 00:15:58,231 In that here you are invited 339 00:15:58,233 --> 00:16:01,393 To inhabit a very picturesque lighthouse on an island 340 00:16:01,395 --> 00:16:05,581 Inhabited by one of the most venomous snakes in the world 341 00:16:05,583 --> 00:16:06,899 And a lot of them. 342 00:16:06,901 --> 00:16:08,584 - So, they do find a lighthouse keeper 343 00:16:08,586 --> 00:16:09,993 Who's willing to take this job 344 00:16:09,995 --> 00:16:13,088 And he brings his family to snake island. 345 00:16:13,090 --> 00:16:16,158 - [dan] according to local lore, life on snake island 346 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:18,644 Goes about as well as you think it would. 347 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:21,930 - The legend is, one night, 348 00:16:21,932 --> 00:16:25,117 Supposedly someone left a window open, 349 00:16:25,119 --> 00:16:29,346 The snake slithered in and killed the entire family. 350 00:16:29,348 --> 00:16:31,056 (snake hissing) 351 00:16:31,058 --> 00:16:36,461 Snake island is basically communicating to mankind, 352 00:16:36,463 --> 00:16:38,205 "you are not welcome here. 353 00:16:38,207 --> 00:16:39,448 You will die here." 354 00:16:39,450 --> 00:16:40,766 (snakes hissing) 355 00:16:40,768 --> 00:16:43,169 - [dan] the lighthouse on snake island still stands today, 356 00:16:43,171 --> 00:16:45,421 But it is automated, so no human 357 00:16:45,423 --> 00:16:48,048 Has to set foot anywhere near it. 358 00:16:48,050 --> 00:16:50,176 (snake hissing) 359 00:16:52,263 --> 00:16:55,681 - Caves, most people think of them as a fun place to visit, 360 00:16:55,683 --> 00:16:57,966 But the ancients believe they were portals 361 00:16:57,968 --> 00:17:00,894 Connecting the living to the dead. 362 00:17:00,896 --> 00:17:03,055 When it comes to one cave in new zealand, 363 00:17:03,057 --> 00:17:05,490 The ancients may be right. 364 00:17:05,492 --> 00:17:07,743 (dramatic music) 365 00:17:08,412 --> 00:17:11,279 - If you were to look at the north island of new zealand, 366 00:17:11,281 --> 00:17:16,084 You would see rolling hills, sheep pastures, 367 00:17:16,086 --> 00:17:18,487 Essentially the landscape of "lord of the rings." 368 00:17:18,489 --> 00:17:22,458 However, just below the surface, there are a series 369 00:17:22,460 --> 00:17:27,004 Of limestone caves known as the waitomo caves. 370 00:17:28,073 --> 00:17:32,359 - [dan] in the light of day, it's lovely, almost inviting. 371 00:17:32,361 --> 00:17:34,703 - But when night falls, waitomo cave 372 00:17:34,705 --> 00:17:38,098 Becomes an entirely different kind of atmosphere. 373 00:17:38,100 --> 00:17:40,993 Strange, blue, neon lights, one at a time, 374 00:17:40,995 --> 00:17:42,936 Begin to shine on the walls 375 00:17:42,938 --> 00:17:45,922 Until you're looking at millions of them. 376 00:17:45,924 --> 00:17:48,359 (gentle music) 377 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:51,945 - [dan] what could account for this unearthly glow? 378 00:17:51,947 --> 00:17:56,659 Is it a strange new power source or something more sinister? 379 00:17:57,361 --> 00:18:00,796 - Their scientific name really says it all. 380 00:18:00,798 --> 00:18:04,808 They are called arachnocampa luminosa. 381 00:18:04,810 --> 00:18:07,035 - [dan] also known as the glow worm, 382 00:18:07,037 --> 00:18:09,129 Larvae of the fungus gnat. 383 00:18:09,131 --> 00:18:12,708 Their bioluminescence may seem beautiful from afar, 384 00:18:12,710 --> 00:18:15,344 But up close, it's anything but. 385 00:18:15,346 --> 00:18:19,623 - They combine these enzymes in their abdomen 386 00:18:19,625 --> 00:18:22,401 To form a chemical reaction that creates 387 00:18:22,403 --> 00:18:27,489 This urine tinged goop with this greenish blue glow. 388 00:18:27,491 --> 00:18:31,827 And they lower down tentacles, if you will, 389 00:18:31,829 --> 00:18:35,414 Of this goop, literally in the scientific literature 390 00:18:35,416 --> 00:18:37,416 Are called fishing lines. 391 00:18:38,135 --> 00:18:42,388 And then if a fly or a moth or some other insect 392 00:18:42,390 --> 00:18:44,807 Gets tangled up in those sticky lines, 393 00:18:44,809 --> 00:18:47,993 The grub reels the line in and devours them. 394 00:18:49,004 --> 00:18:53,399 - [dan] their radiance is quite literally captivating. 395 00:18:53,401 --> 00:18:56,509 - And I have to say that I think horror movie directors 396 00:18:56,511 --> 00:18:58,554 Have missed a great opportunity here. 397 00:18:58,556 --> 00:19:02,774 They often rely on the sort of giant spider routine 398 00:19:02,776 --> 00:19:03,833 And the big web. 399 00:19:03,835 --> 00:19:05,185 That's nothing. 400 00:19:05,187 --> 00:19:10,340 Imagine a moth being dragged up to the ceiling of the cave 401 00:19:10,342 --> 00:19:13,585 To be eaten alive by a glowing worm! 402 00:19:13,587 --> 00:19:17,072 Now, that's truly horrifying. 403 00:19:19,010 --> 00:19:21,726 - Strange? I'd say so. 404 00:19:21,728 --> 00:19:22,828 But if you can believe it, 405 00:19:22,830 --> 00:19:26,040 This glowing death trap isn't the strangest cave out there. 406 00:19:26,042 --> 00:19:29,952 That honor belongs to a killer cave in africa. 407 00:19:29,954 --> 00:19:31,887 (suspenseful music) 408 00:19:31,889 --> 00:19:33,655 - Situated between kenya and uganda 409 00:19:33,657 --> 00:19:36,408 Is a volcano called mount elgon. 410 00:19:36,410 --> 00:19:37,793 At the base of this mountain, 411 00:19:37,795 --> 00:19:42,214 There is a lush, green jungle and the opening to a cave. 412 00:19:42,216 --> 00:19:43,966 This is kitum cave. 413 00:19:44,876 --> 00:19:48,387 The cave mouth is very wide, but this is totally deceiving 414 00:19:48,389 --> 00:19:52,107 Because once you get inside, there are steep drops 415 00:19:52,109 --> 00:19:54,659 And low ceilings that make it very, very difficult 416 00:19:54,661 --> 00:19:55,611 To navigate. 417 00:19:55,613 --> 00:19:57,195 - When you walk into kitum cave, 418 00:19:57,197 --> 00:20:00,049 You're pretty much guaranteed to encounter wildlife, 419 00:20:00,051 --> 00:20:02,651 Everything from leopards and hyenas 420 00:20:02,653 --> 00:20:05,971 To buffalo and even elephants. 421 00:20:05,973 --> 00:20:08,415 - [dan] in fact, elephants are part of the reason 422 00:20:08,417 --> 00:20:10,567 The cave is 700 feet deep. 423 00:20:10,569 --> 00:20:14,012 - Elephants have learned 424 00:20:14,014 --> 00:20:16,681 That kitum cave is a source of salt. 425 00:20:16,683 --> 00:20:20,102 And for hundreds or perhaps even thousands of years now, 426 00:20:20,104 --> 00:20:22,345 They have visited that cave, 427 00:20:22,347 --> 00:20:27,476 Raking their tusks against the walls to pry off these stones 428 00:20:27,478 --> 00:20:29,861 That are rich in salt to the degree 429 00:20:29,863 --> 00:20:33,048 That they have enlarged that cave. 430 00:20:33,050 --> 00:20:35,425 (suspenseful music) 431 00:20:36,120 --> 00:20:38,595 - [dan] but something far more frightening than salt 432 00:20:38,597 --> 00:20:40,297 Lurks in this cave. 433 00:20:41,058 --> 00:20:44,827 - In 1980, a 57 year old frenchman visits the cave 434 00:20:44,829 --> 00:20:48,605 And leaves in awe of its beauty and grandeur. 435 00:20:48,607 --> 00:20:50,623 He also leaves with something else. 436 00:20:50,625 --> 00:20:52,293 (dramatic music) (coughing deeply) 437 00:20:52,295 --> 00:20:56,672 - In a couple days time, he starts feeling intensely sick 438 00:20:58,192 --> 00:21:01,176 And he starts noticing facial paralysis. 439 00:21:01,178 --> 00:21:06,064 In seven days, he starts vomiting a black bile. 440 00:21:06,066 --> 00:21:08,475 (dramatic music) 441 00:21:09,020 --> 00:21:13,055 His nose, ears, and eyes start bleeding uncontrollably. 442 00:21:13,057 --> 00:21:16,692 So, he immediately hops on a plane to nairobi, 443 00:21:16,694 --> 00:21:19,803 The nearest major hospital. 444 00:21:19,805 --> 00:21:22,281 (suspenseful music) 445 00:21:24,160 --> 00:21:27,069 - He somehow manages to get to the hospital 446 00:21:27,071 --> 00:21:30,581 Where he starts just vomiting up massive amounts of blood 447 00:21:31,408 --> 00:21:33,208 And finally dies. 448 00:21:34,761 --> 00:21:36,995 - [dan] his devastating symptoms are consistent 449 00:21:36,997 --> 00:21:39,048 With those caused by a rare virus, 450 00:21:39,050 --> 00:21:41,216 One even deadlier than ebola, 451 00:21:41,218 --> 00:21:44,428 The marburg virus, named after the german city 452 00:21:44,430 --> 00:21:46,121 Where it was first found. 453 00:21:46,123 --> 00:21:48,265 - Marburg is a viral hemorrhagic fever. 454 00:21:48,267 --> 00:21:50,775 In fact, marburg is one of the deadliest viruses 455 00:21:50,777 --> 00:21:51,927 Known to mankind. 456 00:21:51,929 --> 00:21:54,580 And in the military oftentimes, they refer 457 00:21:54,582 --> 00:21:57,949 To marburg and ebola viruses as crash and bleed. 458 00:21:57,951 --> 00:22:00,844 Meaning that it is such a dangerous virus 459 00:22:00,846 --> 00:22:06,291 That it has the ability for you to bleed out, essentially. 460 00:22:06,293 --> 00:22:10,762 - Every doctor is terrified that this could spread. 461 00:22:10,764 --> 00:22:14,466 Medical authorities retrace the frenchman's steps 462 00:22:14,468 --> 00:22:17,469 And they lead it back to kitum cave. 463 00:22:17,471 --> 00:22:20,689 - Investigators visit the cave, but they can't find any clues. 464 00:22:20,691 --> 00:22:23,592 They can't find any indication of a virus. 465 00:22:25,054 --> 00:22:27,462 And the trail goes cold. 466 00:22:27,464 --> 00:22:29,822 (suspenseful music) 467 00:22:29,824 --> 00:22:31,433 - Flash forward seven years, 468 00:22:31,435 --> 00:22:35,804 It's 1987 and a very similar thing is happening. 469 00:22:36,473 --> 00:22:38,323 - [dan] a danish boy living in kenya 470 00:22:38,325 --> 00:22:40,258 Mysteriously bleeds to death. 471 00:22:40,260 --> 00:22:43,462 When he dies, scientists retrace his movements. 472 00:22:43,464 --> 00:22:46,465 They learn he was a recent visitor to, 473 00:22:46,467 --> 00:22:48,741 You guessed it, kitum cave. 474 00:22:48,743 --> 00:22:51,186 (suspenseful music) 475 00:22:51,188 --> 00:22:52,954 - All the ailments line up 476 00:22:52,956 --> 00:22:56,675 And medical authorities are again perplexed and terrified 477 00:22:56,677 --> 00:22:59,628 That we've got an infectious disease on our hands. 478 00:22:59,630 --> 00:23:01,596 - [dan] a team is sent to investigate. 479 00:23:01,598 --> 00:23:04,424 Can they find out what's happening inside kitum cave 480 00:23:04,426 --> 00:23:07,928 Without contracting whatever's inside kitum cave? 481 00:23:09,715 --> 00:23:11,490 - Just picture this job. 482 00:23:11,492 --> 00:23:15,927 I mean, you're suiting up in a biohazard suit 483 00:23:15,929 --> 00:23:16,979 To go look for evidence 484 00:23:16,981 --> 00:23:22,000 Of perhaps the most dangerous illness known to mankind 485 00:23:22,002 --> 00:23:23,702 Inside of a cave. 486 00:23:23,704 --> 00:23:27,238 - Rocks and caves tend to come in two types, 487 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:29,258 Super slippery and super sharp. 488 00:23:29,260 --> 00:23:32,594 So, think about what could happen to a hazmat suit. 489 00:23:32,596 --> 00:23:36,448 The risk is just very high being on this team. 490 00:23:36,450 --> 00:23:38,533 - [dan] and it isn't just scientific experts 491 00:23:38,535 --> 00:23:40,419 Putting their lives on the line. 492 00:23:40,421 --> 00:23:43,188 - In addition to gathering samples, 493 00:23:43,190 --> 00:23:46,942 The scientists leave behind literal guinea pigs, 494 00:23:46,944 --> 00:23:50,803 Hoping that perhaps they will contract this virus. 495 00:23:50,805 --> 00:23:51,788 - [dan] after seven days, 496 00:23:51,790 --> 00:23:54,541 The team leaves kitum cave unscathed. 497 00:23:55,386 --> 00:23:57,369 - This is a good news, bad news scenario. 498 00:23:57,371 --> 00:24:01,147 On one hand, nobody on the team has contracted marburg. 499 00:24:01,149 --> 00:24:03,542 The bad news is they couldn't find any evidence 500 00:24:03,544 --> 00:24:05,444 Of the disease inside the cave. 501 00:24:06,997 --> 00:24:10,165 - [dan] for 20 years, the source of this deadly virus 502 00:24:10,167 --> 00:24:11,474 Remains a mystery. 503 00:24:12,227 --> 00:24:16,437 Until 2007, when miners near kitum gets sick. 504 00:24:17,141 --> 00:24:20,316 - The kitaka mine joins kitum cave. 505 00:24:20,318 --> 00:24:23,461 So there, all of a sudden, we've got it. 506 00:24:23,463 --> 00:24:24,855 Finally, scientists go in 507 00:24:24,857 --> 00:24:27,799 And they find a species of egyptian bat 508 00:24:27,801 --> 00:24:30,827 Whose waste holds this virus. 509 00:24:30,829 --> 00:24:32,854 (dramatic music) 510 00:24:32,856 --> 00:24:33,755 - [dan] as it turns out, 511 00:24:33,757 --> 00:24:38,334 The mysterious killer at kitum is bat poop. 512 00:24:38,336 --> 00:24:40,454 - In the depths of the cave, 513 00:24:40,456 --> 00:24:44,282 There is a roosting site for the egyptian fruit bat. 514 00:24:44,284 --> 00:24:46,434 It looks sort of like a flying teddy bear, 515 00:24:46,436 --> 00:24:51,439 But it's also potentially a host for the marburg virus. 516 00:24:51,441 --> 00:24:53,358 And it seems possible then 517 00:24:53,360 --> 00:24:56,261 That people might contract the virus 518 00:24:56,263 --> 00:25:01,166 By inhaling the desiccated droppings of these bats. 519 00:25:02,586 --> 00:25:05,787 - [dan] and there may be more killers inside the cave. 520 00:25:06,523 --> 00:25:08,456 - There's a lot of unknowns in kitum cave. 521 00:25:08,458 --> 00:25:11,843 We have no idea, you know, what other viruses, 522 00:25:11,845 --> 00:25:14,112 Or bacteria, or fungi live there 523 00:25:14,114 --> 00:25:15,872 That we are yet to discover. 524 00:25:15,874 --> 00:25:19,893 It is a cave that many call the hellhole for a reason. 525 00:25:20,913 --> 00:25:24,164 - Believe it or not, guided tours of kitum are available, 526 00:25:24,166 --> 00:25:27,985 But if you do plan a visit, bring a hazmat suit. 527 00:25:29,663 --> 00:25:30,112 (suspenseful music) 528 00:25:30,481 --> 00:25:32,380 Do you believe in ghosts? 529 00:25:32,382 --> 00:25:34,283 For me, it's never been a question. 530 00:25:34,285 --> 00:25:38,136 My great-grandfather was a spiritualist psychic researcher 531 00:25:38,138 --> 00:25:41,139 And my father wrote a book about mediumship. 532 00:25:41,141 --> 00:25:42,224 It's what inspired me 533 00:25:42,226 --> 00:25:44,592 To write the screenplay for "ghostbusters." 534 00:25:44,594 --> 00:25:46,669 I've had my own weird experiences, 535 00:25:46,671 --> 00:25:50,406 But none compare to a place in louisville, kentucky, 536 00:25:50,408 --> 00:25:53,852 Dubbed the most haunted building in america. 537 00:25:53,854 --> 00:25:56,221 (suspenseful music) 538 00:25:58,509 --> 00:26:01,125 - The waverly hills sanatorium was built in 1910 539 00:26:01,127 --> 00:26:04,112 And it's one of many such sanatoriums across the country, 540 00:26:04,114 --> 00:26:08,233 Because it deals with patients suffering from tuberculosis. 541 00:26:08,235 --> 00:26:10,335 - Tb is a bacterial disease, 542 00:26:10,337 --> 00:26:14,038 And so before the invention of antibiotics, 543 00:26:14,040 --> 00:26:16,015 The treatment was to isolate people. 544 00:26:16,017 --> 00:26:19,285 - They don't have an effective vaccine for tuberculosis 545 00:26:19,287 --> 00:26:21,329 And so, they have these sanatoriums 546 00:26:21,331 --> 00:26:23,865 That are set up to essentially isolate 547 00:26:23,867 --> 00:26:27,126 And quarantine individuals that have tuberculosis. 548 00:26:27,128 --> 00:26:28,854 Give them rest and fresh air 549 00:26:28,856 --> 00:26:31,006 That they consider treatment back then. 550 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:34,593 - Because tuberculosis has a 50% mortality rate, 551 00:26:34,595 --> 00:26:38,471 Tens of thousands of people will take their last breath 552 00:26:38,473 --> 00:26:39,972 At waverley sanatorium. 553 00:26:39,974 --> 00:26:42,267 (tense music) 554 00:26:43,461 --> 00:26:45,887 - Some days are so bad at the sanatorium 555 00:26:45,889 --> 00:26:48,890 That six people a day are dying. 556 00:26:48,892 --> 00:26:51,376 - [dan] with statistics like these, 557 00:26:51,378 --> 00:26:53,362 Death is a constant presence. 558 00:26:54,639 --> 00:26:57,215 - When people die from tuberculosis, 559 00:26:57,217 --> 00:27:01,036 The staff carts the bodies through a particular tunnel 560 00:27:01,038 --> 00:27:04,247 To keep them out of sight from all the other patients 561 00:27:04,249 --> 00:27:06,375 So as to not lower morale. 562 00:27:07,411 --> 00:27:10,545 - And this underground tunnel is given the name 563 00:27:11,248 --> 00:27:14,833 The body chute, or death tunnel. 564 00:27:14,835 --> 00:27:17,469 It is a downhill sloping tunnel 565 00:27:17,471 --> 00:27:21,239 And it is about 500 yards long. 566 00:27:21,241 --> 00:27:25,184 Essentially taking the dead bodies from the morgue 567 00:27:25,186 --> 00:27:28,105 To where they are going to be disposed. 568 00:27:28,107 --> 00:27:31,566 And that tunnel sees 569 00:27:31,568 --> 00:27:34,527 Thousands of dead bodies 570 00:27:34,529 --> 00:27:38,556 Moving through it throughout the tb outbreak. 571 00:27:38,558 --> 00:27:40,600 - [dan] this probably doesn't shock anybody, 572 00:27:40,602 --> 00:27:45,630 But an abandoned hospital with a body count of more than 6,000 573 00:27:46,466 --> 00:27:50,209 Is the perfect recipe for one hell of a haunted house. 574 00:27:50,211 --> 00:27:52,403 (tense music) 575 00:27:53,206 --> 00:27:58,593 - The belief is that there is so much psychological trauma 576 00:27:58,595 --> 00:28:01,053 Trapped by these dead souls 577 00:28:01,055 --> 00:28:05,558 That they now haunt the waverly hills sanatorium. 578 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:09,312 People who go there report seeing shadow people, 579 00:28:09,314 --> 00:28:11,456 Seeing apparitions. 580 00:28:11,458 --> 00:28:14,217 - There are people who say that they see orbs 581 00:28:14,219 --> 00:28:15,310 That they've witnessed. 582 00:28:15,312 --> 00:28:18,096 That there are these strange spirits lurking around. 583 00:28:18,098 --> 00:28:21,566 And there are even reports that the lights are coming on 584 00:28:21,568 --> 00:28:24,201 At a time when there isn't working electricity 585 00:28:24,203 --> 00:28:25,370 In the building. 586 00:28:27,257 --> 00:28:29,991 - [dan] but that is just a small sampling of the hauntings 587 00:28:29,993 --> 00:28:31,326 At the sanatorium. 588 00:28:31,328 --> 00:28:33,569 Depending on what you're into, 589 00:28:33,571 --> 00:28:37,332 Room 502 is a place you either want to visit 590 00:28:37,334 --> 00:28:39,134 Or avoid like the plague. 591 00:28:40,770 --> 00:28:42,153 - You have the case of mary lee. 592 00:28:42,155 --> 00:28:44,764 She's a nurse at waverley hills at the sanatorium. 593 00:28:44,766 --> 00:28:46,749 She contracts tuberculosis. 594 00:28:46,751 --> 00:28:50,011 She also becomes pregnant by one of the hospital's doctors 595 00:28:50,013 --> 00:28:53,348 And she can't cope with the fact that she's sick 596 00:28:53,350 --> 00:28:56,217 And the fact that she's also with child, 597 00:28:56,219 --> 00:28:59,187 And so she ends up hanging herself in room 502. 598 00:28:59,189 --> 00:29:02,491 Mary lee's body is not found for days. 599 00:29:03,476 --> 00:29:05,643 Two years later, there's another nurse 600 00:29:06,454 --> 00:29:10,106 That jumps to her death from the window of room 502. 601 00:29:10,851 --> 00:29:14,886 So, people that are studying hauntings at waverly hills 602 00:29:14,888 --> 00:29:17,254 Say that room 502 is the epicenter 603 00:29:17,256 --> 00:29:19,223 Of a lot of this negative energy. 604 00:29:19,225 --> 00:29:21,510 (tense music) 605 00:29:22,312 --> 00:29:23,811 - There was a photo taken 606 00:29:23,813 --> 00:29:26,431 And standing in the doorway of room 502 607 00:29:26,433 --> 00:29:32,020 Is the figure of a woman looking baleful and scary, 608 00:29:33,089 --> 00:29:35,056 Maybe even a little angry. 609 00:29:35,692 --> 00:29:38,818 And the resemblance to mary is uncanny. 610 00:29:39,412 --> 00:29:42,305 - [dan] if you prefer your ghosts a little less frightening 611 00:29:42,307 --> 00:29:45,992 And a little more friendly in a creepy sort of way, 612 00:29:46,995 --> 00:29:49,512 There's always timmy. 613 00:29:49,514 --> 00:29:51,314 (tense music) 614 00:29:51,316 --> 00:29:54,225 - Timmy's appeared in two different photos 615 00:29:54,227 --> 00:29:58,630 And people report hearing child's laughter. 616 00:29:58,632 --> 00:30:02,083 People report hearing a ball bouncing. 617 00:30:02,085 --> 00:30:06,162 If you go there and bring a rubber ball 618 00:30:06,164 --> 00:30:08,664 And roll it down a hallway, 619 00:30:09,259 --> 00:30:12,769 Timmy will supposedly roll it back to you. 620 00:30:13,605 --> 00:30:15,497 - [dan] is it possible these encounters 621 00:30:15,499 --> 00:30:17,440 With timmy and mary are real? 622 00:30:19,068 --> 00:30:22,228 - There is a theory that some physicists posit 623 00:30:22,230 --> 00:30:26,232 That human beings are these bio electromagnetic beings 624 00:30:26,234 --> 00:30:29,143 And that our bodies, when we're in a place, 625 00:30:29,145 --> 00:30:33,631 Leave a sort of marker or shadow behind. 626 00:30:33,633 --> 00:30:36,751 - Maybe what are perceived as ghosts or spirits and things 627 00:30:36,753 --> 00:30:38,770 Are actually just sort of residuals 628 00:30:38,772 --> 00:30:40,088 From that electrical activity. 629 00:30:40,090 --> 00:30:41,280 That's what they say. 630 00:30:41,282 --> 00:30:42,790 Even if people don't believe in all that stuff, 631 00:30:42,792 --> 00:30:45,217 It certainly is a place that if you were to walk into, 632 00:30:45,219 --> 00:30:46,811 It would give you a funny feeling. 633 00:30:46,813 --> 00:30:49,163 - There's a reason so many years later, 634 00:30:49,165 --> 00:30:52,517 Paranormal investigators are drawn to spaces like waverly. 635 00:30:52,519 --> 00:30:55,319 People want to know, if there's an afterlife, 636 00:30:55,321 --> 00:30:57,455 Where's the best place to uncover it 637 00:30:57,457 --> 00:31:00,025 And it's generally at sites of mass death. 638 00:31:01,152 --> 00:31:04,162 - Now, that's a place I genuinely wanna visit. 639 00:31:04,164 --> 00:31:07,449 I'll just need to remember my proton pack and a trap. 640 00:31:12,347 --> 00:31:15,339 - It's September, 1942, and high up in the himalayas, 641 00:31:15,341 --> 00:31:17,900 Indian forest ranger h.K. Madhwal 642 00:31:17,902 --> 00:31:20,812 Is collecting samples of local flowers. 643 00:31:20,814 --> 00:31:25,091 That's when he stumbles on a small, glacial lake. 644 00:31:25,093 --> 00:31:27,344 (dramatic music) 645 00:31:29,139 --> 00:31:31,931 - As the lakes water has receded, 646 00:31:31,933 --> 00:31:36,019 This indian forest officer noticed bones, 647 00:31:36,754 --> 00:31:38,313 And then more bones. 648 00:31:39,315 --> 00:31:41,282 - He's seeing skulls. He's seeing hands. 649 00:31:41,284 --> 00:31:43,318 He's seeing all kinds of features 650 00:31:43,320 --> 00:31:47,105 And he realizes he's looking at human skeletons. 651 00:31:47,107 --> 00:31:50,075 Skeletons upon skeletons upon skeletons. 652 00:31:51,227 --> 00:31:54,712 - Eventually, about 500 skeletons 653 00:31:54,714 --> 00:31:57,298 Are discovered in roopkund lake. 654 00:31:57,300 --> 00:31:58,382 - [dan] from this moment on, 655 00:31:58,384 --> 00:32:01,670 Roopkund lake is forever known as skeleton lake 656 00:32:02,547 --> 00:32:04,956 For 500 obvious reasons. 657 00:32:04,958 --> 00:32:07,241 But that still leaves one question. 658 00:32:07,944 --> 00:32:10,295 How on earth did the bodies get there? 659 00:32:10,297 --> 00:32:12,514 - When he reports back that he's found this, 660 00:32:12,516 --> 00:32:14,332 The first thing people start thinking 661 00:32:14,334 --> 00:32:17,635 Is that this is a japanese invasion force. 662 00:32:17,637 --> 00:32:19,387 This is a time when great britain 663 00:32:19,389 --> 00:32:21,164 Is still in control of india. 664 00:32:21,166 --> 00:32:24,408 So, the thinking is that the japanese were attacking india 665 00:32:24,410 --> 00:32:26,410 As a way to strike great britain. 666 00:32:26,412 --> 00:32:27,745 But that doesn't really hold up, 667 00:32:27,747 --> 00:32:30,365 Because when you actually look at the various accoutrements 668 00:32:30,367 --> 00:32:31,366 That are with these skeletons, 669 00:32:31,368 --> 00:32:34,252 They're not contemporary military gear. 670 00:32:34,254 --> 00:32:37,037 - It doesn't look like modern tools or modern clothing. 671 00:32:37,039 --> 00:32:40,658 There's these leather slippers, there are these spearheads. 672 00:32:40,660 --> 00:32:44,004 What army is using spears in world war ii? 673 00:32:44,764 --> 00:32:46,430 - [dan] as the war comes to an end, 674 00:32:46,432 --> 00:32:47,674 Investigators turn their attention 675 00:32:47,676 --> 00:32:50,993 Back to the skeletons in skeleton lake. 676 00:32:50,995 --> 00:32:54,997 - The first serious study of what these skeletons are 677 00:32:54,999 --> 00:32:57,500 Really happens in the 1950s after the war. 678 00:32:57,502 --> 00:33:00,261 The first theory is that these are some sort of holy men 679 00:33:00,263 --> 00:33:02,263 Who committed a mass suicide. 680 00:33:02,265 --> 00:33:03,931 But when they look closer at the bones, 681 00:33:03,933 --> 00:33:05,941 I mean these are men, women, and children, 682 00:33:05,943 --> 00:33:07,802 So that's not likely. 683 00:33:08,547 --> 00:33:10,905 - There is also an idea that these people 684 00:33:10,907 --> 00:33:13,591 Were all part of some huge epidemic 685 00:33:13,593 --> 00:33:15,226 And that they are trying to stay away 686 00:33:15,228 --> 00:33:18,429 From the rest of the population for everyone else's safety 687 00:33:18,431 --> 00:33:20,999 By all moving to this lake area. 688 00:33:22,043 --> 00:33:23,084 This doesn't really hold up either 689 00:33:23,086 --> 00:33:25,920 Because none of the evidence on those skeletons 690 00:33:25,922 --> 00:33:28,857 Suggest the kind of, like, degradation or disease 691 00:33:28,859 --> 00:33:30,482 That would've been part of that story. 692 00:33:30,484 --> 00:33:33,377 So, that's one more that we can, (clicks) right out the window. 693 00:33:33,379 --> 00:33:36,297 - Based on an evaluation of some of the skulls, 694 00:33:36,299 --> 00:33:37,807 They showed damage, 695 00:33:37,809 --> 00:33:42,287 Unhealed wounds that happened to the skull. 696 00:33:42,289 --> 00:33:44,355 - A theory that's a little more lore bound 697 00:33:44,357 --> 00:33:48,226 That adds a layer to that is that the goddess nanda devi 698 00:33:48,228 --> 00:33:51,296 Strikes down pilgrims, who were not behaving 699 00:33:51,298 --> 00:33:54,198 And that this is evidence of her wrath. 700 00:33:54,200 --> 00:33:56,408 - Perhaps there was a once in a century, 701 00:33:56,410 --> 00:34:00,671 Once in millennium hailstorm of giant hail 702 00:34:00,673 --> 00:34:02,673 And people were just caught out in the open 703 00:34:02,675 --> 00:34:04,000 And they were hit on the head 704 00:34:04,002 --> 00:34:06,035 By these giant hailstorms and passed away. 705 00:34:06,037 --> 00:34:08,095 - [dan] what caused these mysterious deaths 706 00:34:08,097 --> 00:34:10,665 Remains, well, a mystery. 707 00:34:10,667 --> 00:34:15,077 Then in 2019, investigators tried dna testing, 708 00:34:15,079 --> 00:34:16,571 Hoping for answers. 709 00:34:16,573 --> 00:34:20,691 - What this turns up is completely unexpected. 710 00:34:21,527 --> 00:34:24,662 It turns out that their origins were from widespread places 711 00:34:24,664 --> 00:34:27,598 Across the globe, southeast asia, india, 712 00:34:27,600 --> 00:34:30,251 Around the mediterranean, greece. 713 00:34:30,253 --> 00:34:34,255 The other problem, it stretched over centuries. 714 00:34:34,257 --> 00:34:36,858 - The biggest mystery of skeleton lake 715 00:34:36,860 --> 00:34:41,453 Is the fact that this wasn't one mass death event, 716 00:34:41,455 --> 00:34:42,938 But numerous events 717 00:34:42,940 --> 00:34:45,749 Spread across as long as a thousand years, 718 00:34:45,751 --> 00:34:50,304 Involving people from as far away as southeast asia, 719 00:34:50,306 --> 00:34:52,907 As well as people from several locations 720 00:34:52,909 --> 00:34:54,492 In the island of crete. 721 00:34:54,494 --> 00:34:56,978 - [dan] rather than solving the mystery, 722 00:34:56,980 --> 00:34:59,046 The results just deepen it. 723 00:34:59,048 --> 00:35:00,623 - So, what is it about skeleton lake 724 00:35:00,625 --> 00:35:03,901 That made this strange phenomenon happen? 725 00:35:03,903 --> 00:35:05,319 Why did these people come 726 00:35:05,321 --> 00:35:06,962 And why did all these skeletons 727 00:35:06,964 --> 00:35:09,357 End up at the bottom of this lake? 728 00:35:09,359 --> 00:35:12,502 - In the world of science and engineering, we have a phrase, 729 00:35:12,504 --> 00:35:14,653 Data solves argument. 730 00:35:14,655 --> 00:35:15,588 Not here. 731 00:35:15,590 --> 00:35:17,674 The data has only made it a deeper mystery. 732 00:35:17,676 --> 00:35:22,228 So if you have any ideas, please let us know. 733 00:35:22,939 --> 00:35:25,940 - [dan] even after 70 years of speculation, 734 00:35:25,942 --> 00:35:29,502 Skeleton lake defies explanation. 735 00:35:31,831 --> 00:35:35,324 - Sunday, July 13th, 1980, nottinghamshire, England, 736 00:35:35,326 --> 00:35:39,904 A seemingly normal place on a seemingly normal day. 737 00:35:39,906 --> 00:35:43,849 That is, until something bizarre begins to unfold. 738 00:35:43,851 --> 00:35:46,185 (suspenseful music) 739 00:35:46,187 --> 00:35:47,428 - On this particular Sunday, 740 00:35:47,430 --> 00:35:50,106 They're having a marching band competition. 741 00:35:50,108 --> 00:35:51,440 This is a mining community, 742 00:35:51,442 --> 00:35:53,184 So there's hundreds of people there. 743 00:35:53,186 --> 00:35:56,362 Families having picnics, hanging out with each other. 744 00:35:56,364 --> 00:35:58,006 It's a joyous gathering. 745 00:35:58,008 --> 00:36:00,541 - And all of a sudden, some of the young people 746 00:36:00,543 --> 00:36:03,344 Start to feel sick and to faint. 747 00:36:03,346 --> 00:36:05,913 First, it's one or two children, 748 00:36:05,915 --> 00:36:08,291 But then, it really picks up. 749 00:36:08,293 --> 00:36:10,025 - It's men, it's women, 750 00:36:10,027 --> 00:36:13,329 And it's children fainting all at once. 751 00:36:14,023 --> 00:36:16,441 - People start dropping right there in the field. 752 00:36:16,443 --> 00:36:18,968 Four, five, six people just fall to the ground 753 00:36:18,970 --> 00:36:20,962 And this starts to happen more and more. 754 00:36:20,964 --> 00:36:23,147 No one really understands what's happening, 755 00:36:23,149 --> 00:36:25,892 But people keep fainting all over the place. 756 00:36:26,961 --> 00:36:30,638 - [dan] what could possibly be causing these fainting fits? 757 00:36:30,640 --> 00:36:32,715 - 300 people faint overall 758 00:36:32,717 --> 00:36:35,509 And 259 of them have to go to the hospitals. 759 00:36:35,511 --> 00:36:39,397 The symptoms are almost as strange as the fainting itself, 760 00:36:39,399 --> 00:36:41,983 Vomiting, sore throat, irritated eyes. 761 00:36:41,985 --> 00:36:45,453 Some kids report that they can't feel their bones. 762 00:36:45,455 --> 00:36:47,822 - Even paralysis is described. 763 00:36:47,824 --> 00:36:51,175 - [dan] at around 1:00 pm, people stopped collapsing 764 00:36:51,177 --> 00:36:53,419 Almost as suddenly as they started. 765 00:36:54,196 --> 00:36:56,522 Terrified locals want to know why. 766 00:36:56,524 --> 00:37:00,001 - One theory is that there were pesticides that were in use 767 00:37:00,003 --> 00:37:01,961 That could have caused people to faint 768 00:37:01,963 --> 00:37:04,505 From inhaling the fumes of the pesticide. 769 00:37:05,358 --> 00:37:07,492 - Another theory has to do with the fact 770 00:37:07,494 --> 00:37:10,979 That nottinghamshire is an old mining area 771 00:37:10,981 --> 00:37:14,440 And there are a number of old abandoned mines. 772 00:37:14,442 --> 00:37:18,119 These mines sometimes have gasses in them 773 00:37:18,121 --> 00:37:19,770 And the gases can escape 774 00:37:19,772 --> 00:37:23,024 And make people feel sick and pass out. 775 00:37:23,026 --> 00:37:25,100 - Another theory was that it had something to do 776 00:37:25,102 --> 00:37:27,720 With the portable toilets that were in the field. 777 00:37:27,722 --> 00:37:32,875 Maybe a mixture of cleaning supplies created some toxic gas 778 00:37:32,877 --> 00:37:34,419 That led to people fainting. 779 00:37:34,421 --> 00:37:37,647 People are affected across the entire field, 780 00:37:37,649 --> 00:37:38,964 Not just near the toilets. 781 00:37:38,966 --> 00:37:41,075 So, that doesn't make any sense either. 782 00:37:41,077 --> 00:37:44,404 - [dan] even stranger, it happens just once. 783 00:37:44,406 --> 00:37:47,790 Is there something about the field itself that's to blame? 784 00:37:47,792 --> 00:37:50,067 - They still don't know what has happened 785 00:37:50,069 --> 00:37:53,021 And there's no real, satisfying answer. 786 00:37:53,982 --> 00:37:58,150 - [dan] our final strange place is beside a beautiful lake, 787 00:37:58,152 --> 00:38:00,361 One hiding a deadly secret. 788 00:38:02,273 --> 00:38:03,947 - It's a pretty average day 789 00:38:03,949 --> 00:38:06,758 For this young cameroonian on his bicycle 790 00:38:06,760 --> 00:38:10,254 Riding from his village to the neighboring village of nyos. 791 00:38:10,256 --> 00:38:13,107 Well, he's riding down the road with his wagon behind him 792 00:38:13,109 --> 00:38:14,892 And he encounters a dead antelope 793 00:38:14,894 --> 00:38:16,151 Right in the middle of the road. 794 00:38:16,153 --> 00:38:18,913 "great," he thinks, "that's free meat to feed my family." 795 00:38:18,915 --> 00:38:21,932 Straps it to his wagon, continues on his way, 796 00:38:21,934 --> 00:38:24,510 Only to encounter another dead antelope, 797 00:38:24,512 --> 00:38:27,421 And then dead rats, and dead cows, 798 00:38:27,423 --> 00:38:30,516 And all kinds of livestock are dead all around him 799 00:38:30,518 --> 00:38:32,776 And this isn't looking right at all. 800 00:38:32,778 --> 00:38:34,445 - And as he approaches the village, 801 00:38:34,447 --> 00:38:37,431 He realizes that it is freakishly silent. 802 00:38:37,433 --> 00:38:39,341 - So, he goes into one of the neighbor's houses 803 00:38:39,343 --> 00:38:41,519 And finds that all those people are dead. 804 00:38:41,521 --> 00:38:43,178 He goes to another house, same thing. 805 00:38:43,180 --> 00:38:46,849 - He begins seeing dead bodies around cooking fires, 806 00:38:46,851 --> 00:38:51,695 Dead bodies sitting at tables, dead bodies in their homes. 807 00:38:51,697 --> 00:38:54,131 - He rides his bike to lake nyos, 808 00:38:54,133 --> 00:38:55,666 Where that village is named for, 809 00:38:55,668 --> 00:38:58,169 And finds hundreds of dead bodies 810 00:38:58,171 --> 00:38:59,954 Lying along the lake shore. 811 00:38:59,956 --> 00:39:01,296 (dramatic music) 812 00:39:01,298 --> 00:39:05,701 - Stranger still, there are no flies buzzing around. 813 00:39:05,703 --> 00:39:06,977 They're completely gone. 814 00:39:06,979 --> 00:39:09,447 - The buildings are all intact, everything looks fine 815 00:39:09,449 --> 00:39:12,475 Other than this weird, silent death scene. 816 00:39:15,221 --> 00:39:19,524 - What you find here is 1,700 dead people, 817 00:39:19,526 --> 00:39:21,876 Thousands of dead livestock. 818 00:39:21,878 --> 00:39:23,177 There's nothing left living, 819 00:39:23,179 --> 00:39:28,241 And even the tiny insects that feast on the dead 820 00:39:28,243 --> 00:39:30,117 Are not even present. 821 00:39:30,119 --> 00:39:31,743 Everything has been killed off. 822 00:39:31,745 --> 00:39:33,971 What can you imagine is going on here? 823 00:39:33,973 --> 00:39:37,082 Has there been some sort of new weapon tested 824 00:39:37,084 --> 00:39:38,325 That does not leave a trace, 825 00:39:38,327 --> 00:39:40,161 But yet kills every living thing? 826 00:39:40,163 --> 00:39:42,163 It's the stuff of science fiction. 827 00:39:42,982 --> 00:39:46,016 - [dan] scientists from across africa, the u.S., 828 00:39:46,018 --> 00:39:48,261 And France are sent to investigate. 829 00:39:49,756 --> 00:39:52,498 What could cause such mass casualties? 830 00:39:53,250 --> 00:39:58,345 - Lake nyos is sitting on top of a magma pool 831 00:39:58,347 --> 00:40:02,424 Where carbon dioxide is venting continuously 832 00:40:02,426 --> 00:40:05,653 Into the waters in the depths of the lake 833 00:40:05,655 --> 00:40:09,281 And reaching super high concentrations. 834 00:40:09,283 --> 00:40:11,709 - All these incredibly deadly gases 835 00:40:11,711 --> 00:40:14,695 Are trapped in the more dense cold water 836 00:40:14,697 --> 00:40:16,046 At the bottom of the lake. 837 00:40:16,048 --> 00:40:19,107 There is a layer on top of that of warm water, 838 00:40:19,109 --> 00:40:20,751 Which is less dense, 839 00:40:20,753 --> 00:40:23,704 But it acts like a cork sealing a bottle. 840 00:40:23,706 --> 00:40:27,366 - [dan] until something causes that cork to pop. 841 00:40:27,368 --> 00:40:30,319 - So, what happens at lake nyos is that there's a landslide 842 00:40:30,321 --> 00:40:34,306 And the landslide displaces some of the water at the surface 843 00:40:34,308 --> 00:40:37,901 Allowing the carbon dioxide that's trapped below to escape. 844 00:40:37,903 --> 00:40:42,439 - That's what causes a limnic eruption to occur. 845 00:40:42,441 --> 00:40:44,408 Limnic meaning a lake eruption. 846 00:40:44,410 --> 00:40:48,412 And then, all of that trapped gas surges to the surface 847 00:40:48,414 --> 00:40:53,825 And suffocates any living thing that's caught in the cloud. 848 00:40:53,827 --> 00:40:55,903 (tense music) 849 00:40:55,905 --> 00:40:57,238 - [dan] but what are the chances 850 00:40:57,240 --> 00:40:59,273 A tragedy like this could happen again? 851 00:40:59,275 --> 00:41:04,578 Experts worry that it's a question of not if, but when. 852 00:41:05,239 --> 00:41:07,155 - There's another lake, lake kivu, 853 00:41:07,157 --> 00:41:10,934 That has 2 million people living around it. 854 00:41:10,936 --> 00:41:14,262 - If a similar disaster occurs there, 855 00:41:14,264 --> 00:41:16,857 Estimates state that it could result 856 00:41:16,859 --> 00:41:20,728 In the deaths of 4 million people. 857 00:41:21,931 --> 00:41:24,365 Lake kivu is without question 858 00:41:24,367 --> 00:41:29,403 And in no exaggerated terms, a ticking time bomb. 859 00:41:31,107 --> 00:41:33,674 - Yet another reminder that the world we live in 860 00:41:33,676 --> 00:41:36,410 Can be as dangerous as it is fascinating. 861 00:41:36,412 --> 00:41:39,121 In fact, all these places trigger curiosity. 862 00:41:39,123 --> 00:41:42,783 We find ourselves drawn to the strange, the peculiar, 863 00:41:42,785 --> 00:41:45,086 And the downright unbelievable.