The most famous American vampire is that of nineteen-year-old Mercy Brown, who died in Exeter, Rhode Island in 1892. Her father, assisted by the family physician, removed her from her tomb two months after her death, cut out her heart, and burned it to ashes. Her community blamed her for the deaths of many family members who died from tuberculosis in the late 1800s. Like many myths and legends, Vampirism is based partly on fact. A blood disorder called porphyria, which has been with us for millennia, became prevalent among the nobility and royalty of Eastern Europe. It is an inherited blood disorder that causes the body to produce less protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues. Some of the symptoms include pigment changes in the skin. Thus, the skin becomes highly sensitive to sunlight, causing blistering, erosions, and ulcerations. Over several centuries, there have been reports and allegories of encounters with certain humans that exhibited supernatural abilities akin to the vampire legend. I will present several of these accounts, both historical and contemporary. Please feel free to comment on the accounts and let me know your opinions. Welcome to Phantoms & Monsters 'Personal Reports' - Real cryptid and unexplained reports directly from the archives of Phantoms & Monsters, and the Phantoms & Monsters Fortean Research team. Narrated by Lon Strickler. Join us in the chat, discuss, and ask me questions about the accounts. Hi. My name is Lon Strickler. I hope that you enjoy listening to Phantoms & Monsters Personal Reports. I have a question for you. Have you ever had an unexplained sighting or encounter? Do you have photographic and/or video evidence of your experience? Would you like to share your unique story with our readers and listeners? Please feel free to forward your account to me, either through my email lonstrickler@phantomsandmonsters.com or call me at 410-241-5974. You can also visit my website at https://www.phantomsandmonsters.com and use the contact link on the homepage. Your personal information will be kept confidential if requested. I have been a paranormal and anomalies researcher & investigator for over 45 years. My reports & findings have been featured in hundreds of online media sources. Several of these published reports have been presented on various television segments, including The History Channel's 'Ancient Aliens,' Syfy's 'Paranormal Witness', 'Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files,' Destination America's 'Monsters and Mysteries in America,' and, more recently, 'Unsolved Mysteries' on Netflix for 'The Mothman Revisited' episode. I have been interviewed on hundreds of radio & online broadcasts, including multiple guest appearances on 'Coast to Coast AM.' One of my encounters was featured on Destination America's 'Monsters and Mysteries in America' television show for 'The Sykesville Monster' episode. I am a published author of 9 books on various cryptid & supernatural subjects. In addition, I am an intuitive who has worked with hundreds of clients who sought help with their personal hauntings and unexplained activities. I never charge for my services. If you feel that I can help answer your questions, please feel free to contact me. Thanks for your consideration. Do you have a report or encounter that you would like to be read on 'Personal Reports' & featured on the Phantoms & Monsters blog? Contact me at lonstrickler@phantomsandmonsters.com Find me at https://linktr.ee/phantomsmonsters Would you like to help us out? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lonstrickl0 Phantoms & Monsters Homepage & Blog - https://www.phantomsandmonsters.com Books by Lon Strickler - https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B009JURSD4 You can also support us by using PayPal at https://bit.ly/4bXQgP8 Credits: All content licensed and/or used with permission.