On Thanksgiving Day in 2009, Paul Michael Merhige opened fire on his family after their joyful Thanksgiving celebration and dinner, killing 4 people - including his pregnant sister and the six year old daughter of his cousin. What brought him to this heinous act? Let's deep dive into the horrific murders that occurred in Jupiter, Florida on November 26, 2009 - now infamously known as "The Thanksgiving Day Massacre".

Today's sources include:

An unusual suspect: Merhige was likable honors student before he did the unthinkable - Adam Playford
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/crime/2012/03/31/an-unusual-suspect-merhige-was/7757281007/

Slain Girl's Parents to Sue Thanksgiving Killer's Mom and Dad for Negligence - Janie Campbell
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/parents-of-makayla-sitton-to-sue-thanksgiving-killer-paul-merhige-parents/2055945/?amp=1

Thanksgiving Massacre Witness: Paul Merhige Ate Dinner, Sang Songs Then Executed Family - Edecio Martinez
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thanksgiving-massacre-witness-paul-merhige-ate-dinner-sang-songs-then-executed-family/

A History of Violence: Merhige had been arrested once, in 1998 - Janie Campbell
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/a-history-of-violence/2055615/?amp=1

Man admits murdering 4 relatives on Thanksgiving, gets life in prison - CNN Wire Staff
https://www.cnn.com/2011/10/27/justice/florida-thanksgiving-killings/index.html

Murderer Paul Michael Merhige
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/noose-was-found-in-the-room-of-paul-michael-merhige-at-the-news-photo/112849404

Court: Parents Not Negligent in Thanksgiving Massacre
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/miami/news/court-parents-not-negligent-in-thanksgiving-massacre/

Knight v. Merhige (2014)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/fl-district-court-of-appeal/1657743.html

Parents of Thanksgiving Massacre Victim Welcome Baby Girl
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/parents-of-thanksgiving-massacre-victim-welcome-baby-girl/

10 Years After the Jupiter Thanksgiving Murders: A Family Remembers - Kelley Dunn
https://www.wptv.com/news/region-n-palm-beach-county/jupiter/10-years-after-the-jupiter-thanksgiving-murders-a-family-remembers

Murderpedia: Paul Michael Merhige

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Love alien stories? So do we! Join The Ghosty Girls as we chat about some alien abduction stories, and share some creepy tales from our own experiences. You do NOT want to miss this fun episode, Earthlings!

Today's Sources Include:

The Manhattan Alien Abduction - Netflix

Linda Napolitano: The Alien Abduction Case of the Century - YouTube

How Betty and Barney Hill's Alien Abduction Story Defined the Genre - Linda Lacina
https://www.history.com/news/first-alien-abduction-account-barney-betty-hill

A Honeymoon Hijacked by Aliens - Alien Abduction: Betty & Barney Hill - YouTube

Close Encounter: When Betty and Barney Hill's Alien Abduction Story Shocked the World - Shannon Leigh O'Neill
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/649683/betty-and-barney-hill-alien-abduction

Remembering Zimbabwe's Great Alien Invasion - Sean Christie
https://mg.co.za/article/2014-09-04-remembering-zimbabwes-great-alien-invasion/

The Ariel School Phenomenon, When Dozens of Schoolchildren in Zimbabwe Claimed They Met Aliens - Austin Harvey
https://allthatsinteresting.com/ariel-school-phenomenon

The Ariel School Phenomenon: What Really Happened When 68 Children Witnessed a UFO?
https://www.iflscience.com/the-ariel-school-phenomenon-what-really-happened-when-68-children-witnessed-a-ufo-63873

Like our podcast? Be sure to follow us on Facebook at The Ghosty Girls Podcast!

You can also leave us some love on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostyGirlsPodcast

Have feedback or an idea for a show? E-mail us at:
theghostygirlspodcast@gmail.com

On Sunday, May 1st, 2005 around 2:45 am, Aetna Hose and Ladder firefighters responded to calls reporting smoke at 81 Thorn Lane, located at The Towne Court Apartments in Newark, Delaware. There, they found the bound and strangled body of University of Delaware college student, Lindsey Bonistall in a bathtub.

Join us to discuss Lindsey's tragic and senseless murder as well as the aftermath of the monster who murdered her.

Today's sources include:

Murderpedia: James Cooke
https://murderpedia.org/male.C/c/cooke-james.htm

Ten years later, remembering Lindsey Bonistall - Jia Din and Cait Simpson
https://udreview.com/ten-years-later-remembering-lindsey-bonistall/

Bite-Sized Crime - Episode 082: Lindsey Bonistall
http://www.bitesizedcrimepod.com/episodes/episode-082-lindsey-bonistall/

PEACE OUTside Campus - The Lindsey M. Bonistall Foundation
http://www.peaceoutsidecampus.org

Defendant in 2005 rape and murder of UD student takes witness stand
https://whyy.org/articles/defendant-in-2005-rape-and-murder-of-ud-student-takes-witness-stand/

Jury Convicts James Cooke of Murder of Lindsey Bonistall
https://news.delaware.gov/2012/04/13/jury-convicts-james-cooke-of-murder-of-lindsey-bonistall-2/

Bonistall family: 'Here we are again' - Sean O'Sullivan
https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2014/05/07/bonistall-family/8821881/

Del. Supreme Court Nixes Ex-Death Row Inmate's Appeal in College Killing
https://www.wboc.com/archive/del-supreme-court-nixes-ex-death-row-inmates-appeal-in-college-killing/article_405683ca-6255-5546-ae2b-9baf996d8815.html

Twice-Sentenced-to-Death College Student Killer, Rapist Appeals Again
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/cooke-bonistall-death-row-appeal/2112263/