MrBallen is a force to be reckoned with. Not only was he a navy seal but he holds the power of the strange, dark, and mysterious in his hands... and he can pull off any flannel shirt.
@@ramonaloco these two might be even connected since a lot of mental disorders are or can be caused by physical damage to the brain, so the brain injury could have triggered the disorder
Wow. Imagine how many people could have been saved if the police weren’t so corrupt. When you tell these events, it’s like “watching “ a movie. Great job as usual.
'Inept' is a better description. They showed an utter incapability to think. It got one of theirs killed, firstly. The mayor in charge of hiring the police chief was likely corrupt...
The police still should be imprisoned, threatening surviving murder victims with arrest for reporting their murderer, Russia truly is one of the most corrupt places on earth. What a fucking shit hole of a country!!!
@@LandondelGamer He said maddest, not worse. Its not very mad for a serial killer to kill as that's normal for them but it is very mad for police to threaten the survivors and let him carry on killing when they are supposedly there to protect us from serial killers...
That totally blew me away when Mr Ballen said that!! It is totally unimaginable to me that a police force would continue covering for a serial killer!? That entire police force should be held accountable for every one of those deaths also.
The woman who realised what he was about to do, I can't imagine her fear, such a terrible case that could have been solved sooner and saved so many of the victims xx
@@2Bad4YOUuu I don’t think they were protecting him. I think they were just very dumb, ignorant, and lazy. Because of their incompetence so many innocent people died by the hands of a monster.
@@2Bad4YOUuu Yeah, they weren't protecting him, they were just utterly useless! It's shocking how bad they were. I wish they could have been fired! I can't imagine anyone at all would be able to trust them again!
His voice, his clear English and his ability to not "over sell" a story by far make him the best narrator on line. He holds your attention but doesn't change his voice or pace and it is just fantastic to listen to him.
It's great that you pointed out the clear English.... His diction makes it so much easier for us non-native speakers to understand it without a problem
I'd disagree, I find him overly dramatic, and his voice/pace does not remain the same, it varies, adding to this overly dramatic style of "story-telling"... reminds me of Rik Mayall, when he done Jackanory... lol, how apt... ;o) btw, slightly autistic in that for years, up until my early 30's, I didn't quite 'get' facial-cues, and/or peoples' tone, so I pay a bit more attention, and now I can pick up on the subtlest of things... It's stange, like how a persons' voice changes when they're lying, or trying to put one over on ya, it's subtle, barely noticeable, but it's there...more noticeable if you know the person really well.. Add to that I've took an interest in Statement Analysis, which has only made that 'can-o-worms' much worse, lol, cos now I can analyse what's being said, even if the tone isn't a give-away... Oh, and don't get me started on his pronunciation, "Moscow" as he says it, is a wee village in Ayrshire... ;o)
What really disturbed me about this case is how Alexander preferred to know his victims. Have a conversation, be friends, play chess, emotionally connect. It speaks volumes to how sadistic he was and possibly how betrayed he wanted his victims to feel, like he felt in life. Thank you Mr Ballen your story telling is unbelievable.
Man, the way you tell stories is truly special. You had me thinking at first that Alexander was gonna be another victim but then the twist came and I legit got goosebumps. You describe things in vivid detail that I couldn’t help but visualize the stories in my head.
For someone with “no social skills,” he sure was able to charm people enough to follow him into a place publicly famous for several dozen murders, even if they were friends.
Could probably be for that exact reason, if people looked upon him as a bit "dim", they might just feel a bit sorry for him and never even thinking he could be capable of those kinds of thoughts
@@alexdaland Just watched some of his interviews in Russian. He did NOT come across as a gentle soul; quite the opposite, in fact, as the way he spoke produced the impression of him being what we call in Russian a "bydlo", which is the name that we give to uncultured, rude, and often aggressive people. I couldn't imagine others taking his tameness for granted.
its not uncommon for psychopaths and regular people alike to display excessive friendliness especially when theyre up to something.. You could fake friendliness better when you know you have nothing to lose, like dignity or respect from a person when rejected because the stakes are higher for them, i mean youre taking their lives and the most youre gonna wager are their opinions and feelings about you.. "like, oh you do respect me.. thank you but youre dying today.."... psychopaths become predatory once they feel the need to satisfy the urge... the satisfaction they get over a kill is way more important to them than respect, or love, or friendship, sometimes, they turn on their own families.. like that boy in india who kills little children.. what they dont understand is the emotional value in losing a person thats why absence or lack of remorse is noted in these individuals..
I like how you dropped the big reveal in this one. Tell two different stories - one about a depraved serial killer and one about a shy, bullied, and disadvantaged young man who finally found a place where he could fit in - and keep them apart until the last possible moment. Makes for an effective twist in a story or an effective punchline in a joke.
Yeah, I dug it too. I just went with it and assumed he was giving us the backstory on the guy that would eventually thwart the killer. At first I was confused during the reveal of this; how could we know what Larissa's reaction was when she realized he was the killer and all that, etc etc... But I'm sure these details just come from the killer himself after his capture.
Hey 👋 I’m Russian and I have been multiple times in and around Bitsevskiy park. Today it is very organised and beautiful area of Moscow with very expensive property. There are small parks and malls all over the place and the roads are huge. The park is still huge and still looks like a forest, that is still the case. Moreover, due to how much Moscow has grown, this area isn’t a suburb anymore. However, in the early and late 90s as well as early 2000s it was truly crime infested.
What makes me mad is that this guy finally found a place at this park playing chess and then started killing his own people that made him feel safe. I wonder how scary it was being some of the old gentlemen that knew him and his grandfather that walked with him in those woods with no worries and then to realize they have been friends with a killer the whole time. Its just sad and scary to think about. What makes me even more mad is so many people would have been saved if the police weren't so careless.
You told this story incredibly well. So well, in fact, that the killer’s identity actually took me by surprise even though I’ve heard this story before. Really, really well structured and delivered.
@isabelco2011 Me too. When he was describing the woman’s face and reaction, I was thinking that she saw someone behind him, or even that she had already been struck in the head. I honestly didn’t realize what was happening until he directly revealed it. MrBallen just does such an outstanding job of humanizing the people he speaks of, even when they turn out to be more inhuman than we could have imagined. The guy has a gift.
I’ve always wanted to say how I really appreciate that you label the images as real or not real. It just adds to the credibility of your stories, so thank you
Ballen is the best narrator of all time. It’s crazy how good he is. I find myself not giving other narrators a chance because Ballen has put the bar at such a high level.
He uses tricks and manipulation. This is a well knoen case so i was able to follow what he does. He misdirects us so to make artificial surprise, just like the chessboard killer did. Navy seal training makes one akin to a serial killer thats why he gets them and lures his audience into a trap. Its a routine for them.
@@pepefrogic3034tricks and manipulation? All he does is save the outcome till the end but builds it as a whodunnit exactly like how crime dramas do. Has literally nothing to do with being a serial killer.
I work as a disability carer, and one of my patients is absolutely obsessed with your channel. We spend overnights together and your content gives him and I some much needed entertainment and thrills each week. Thank you as always Mr B!
Poor Larissa, she probably realized Alexander was the serial killer too late into the woods. My heart just sank when I heard how she just grabbed the tree realizing she did a grave mistake and she was going to die a horrible death, alone and crying. It's just that time that you know you are done in and you can't do nothing about it, this is absolutely horrible. Waiting to be killed without no one there to save you. My heart truly goes to all of his victims. May the rest in peace
She was the one and only victim who figured it out so it's even more tragic as, yeah she was unarmed but had she reacted differently and with an adrenaline rush she could've stood a slim chance at fighting her way out as he normally relied on the element of surprise.
@@LillyaSorrowssong right in a situation like that u gotta try something. Still could die or die trying. Or survive. Some people fight, others not even flight they just stay frozen in shock and fear.
I’m extremely surprised that she went into the Bitsevski park after 40 people had been killed there that too when it was getting very dark with someone she never interacted with before that
Mr. Ballen, this is simply amazing. Your ability to take information and turn it into a story is unmatched. This we know, but the way reveal the killer here, is the top of its class.
I was feeling so bad for this guy at first after you said he had a brain injury, was bullied, didn't fit in with other kids... then I combined them all together and realised ahh yes.. the three ingredients for 90% of serial killers 🤦♂️
@@thurin84 nah you lose pity when you choose murder over seeking therapy. guy had a good support group of chess players but chose to kill them. he deserves every roast coming to him
@@LionWithAGun oh i understand and agree he deserves whatever punishment he gets. i would sentenced him to death were it me. but i still feel sorry for him none the less.
@@thurin84 - your compassionate nature is recognized. Imagine ... if that swing had not hit at a young age ... these murders would not have happened. Yeahhh, death for sure ... to protect society.
Can anyone say why they didn't investigate the 2 survivors & tell them to go away or they would press charges??? That's like they already knew & honestly did care...🤷♂️SO MANY QUESTIONS
Same comment I gave to someone else: Ballen definitely has great stories but if he's such a great storyteller how come he can't go ten seconds without a cut?
This story is positively horrific. The police literally enabled this serial killer. It boggles the mind. Thank you Mr Ballen for an incredible job as usual.
Average police force tbh. Weird how they’re the same regardless of country. Here in America I was threatened by an officer after my abuser ripped my hair out by the root, and a witness even backed me and showed the hair. The officer said he could throw me in jail for the weekend if I interfered with him letting my abuser in the home (me and the witness were trying to explain why we couldn’t let the abuser in… the abuser claimed they owned the house without evidence). I immediately went to get emergency restraining order, and a different cop asked if it was really serious because it would be a lot of paperwork. I demanded one and they let me speak to a judge that immediately granted me emergency restraining order. But they still wouldn’t let me into MY house, all they would do is let me grab my things. So my abuser (is it surprising to know he is friends with the local police?) got away with assaulting me, lying about owning my house, and continued to live in the house while I was homeless. I was writing up evidence for my attorney at a Starbucks since they had free WiFi in between showering at a gym and couch surfing at friends’ places. I still live in fear of this abuser killing me, because my restraining order now is just paper. And the police? Well I guess the good thing is they might not be as bad as Russia’s cops but that’s like comparing solid shit and diarrhea.
It's not quite what it is. First survivor, she agreed to steal photo cameras with Alexander and share profits. He said that he stashed everything in the park and lured her in. He didn't use a hammer, he just shoved her into the well. She didn't go to the police at all because she was an illegal immigrant and also stole stuff. A kid who survived actually thought that he fell by himself. He knocked his head and remembered that he was asked to help, tripped and fell into the well. He was asked by the police and wasn't able to help. The third victim, who was asked to drink for a dog- survived too. He swam to the next well and climbed up the shaft. He lost his memory and became disabled, unable to say anything.
If the people there were super poor AND the police there were known for being corrupt, it was to their advantage for not finding the killer. They were probably making more money and scamming people to "protect" them like the Mafia used to do.
this kind of hit home to me as in 2004 I was in Moscow working on my Russian language, right in the middle of his killing spree. I just shared this video with my good russian friend and he said the apartments we stayed at in 2004 was not too far from this park. that's a little unsettling. we also missed a suicide bomber at one of the subway stations in 2004 by one day as we were at the station the day before the attack. today I am counting my blessings!
I can’t wrap my head around murdering the very people who opened their arms to you and befriended you when you were being bullied. Absolutely despicable
Exactly….this dude got off on killing people, who actually liked and accepted him. I initially felt bad for him, until it was revealed he was a psycho!
@@ayopriede632 good point actually! I wonder how many of his victims realized what was to come vs were blind sided and never knew what happened after that impact...
I suspect that the brain damaged, prepubescent boy was molested or worse by one of his grandfather’s chess buddies. He killed primarily men like his abuser.
Best TH-cam channel, grown so FAST, amazing quality via editing AND storytelling, now you have a podcast, and branching out. I am so proud to see the achievements you have accomplished, also thank you for your service as always. You are a legend
@@Lunaeincola no but when I used to watch him he would sometimes make a video every day of the week. It’s just that we were used to getting a least 2 uploads a week now to only 1-2 every 8-9 days. Is till love the videos just wish there were more of them to watch
@@UAPReportingCenter I agree. We used to get places you can’t go. And other things like that. I would assume it can’t be that much harder to pump out one more video a week but I have no clue
I've gone through so many crime/horror channels and none of them compare to this one. The work and quality you put into your videos is unmatched. And your podcast is just as impressive. Thank you Mr Ballen :)
@@maycasper2661 yes, Mike is really good. A little bit lighter in his storytelling but, almost as thorough as Mr Ballen. I love when Mike calls out B.S. or gives his own opinion of the "piece of shite" killers.
My Dad used to tell me about how life can suck in Russia For example : The cosmonaut who pretty much knew he was going on a suicide mission to wring some bugs out of the system. I thought it was a lie to give the USSR bad press.
I’ve heard this story 100 times from 100 different sources. Somehow, despite knowing the ending, Mr B. Allen still has me on the edge of my seat this whole time.
Holy crap, man!...I'm a radio personality and I've been told that I tell great stories...Sir, I can't even lace your boots when it comes to storytelling...You had me thinking that Alexander and the woman were both about to be victims and that twist caught me completely off guard...Keep up the amazing work!
All this could've been prevented if A) the parents had the means to get their child checked B) Better police. The fact that the 2 victims tried to out the criminal but got rejected and threatened by the police...I can only imagine how helpless they felt.
That's what happens when police is paid peanuts, when there are not enough officers, and when there are too many cases to deal with, as was the case after the "wild 90s" when Russia was still recovering from them. If you don't know what that is, it basically is a period after the fall of the Soviet Union when crime suddenly skyrocketed and many criminal organisations bribed police to "cover them up".
When he was young it was 70s-80s. People didn't think like nowadays. Children fall, get hurt and they recover. No one checked kids into ER for extended tests, they just determined that they are physically fine and moved on. They didn't overanalyze like people do now
@@NewBuildmini also after the collapse of the Soviet Union police still had to maintain a good reputation and statistics. So they underreported crimes, didn't release information to the public and maintained an "everything is fine" facade
So, that's the bit of this story that I don't get. 1:) All of his victims were people he knew. 2:) The two survivors were his victims, and knew who he was, and tried to out him to the police. The police threatened them if they continued to pursue charges. Here's what I don't get: The 2 survivors went through a very traumatic ordeal, and had to have known they were lucky to be alive! Imagine what that must have been like, being lured into the woods by someone you believed was your friend, only to find out that he was the reason people were disappearing. Then to wake up, presumably with a horrible headache, in a strange, dark place, where you had no idea what was at the bottom (unless they had the presence of mind to take something out of their pockets and throw it, and could hear a splash, or could hear the water flowing or something). They would be totally disoriented, but I'm guessing the lid wasn't probably very far above, and they could probably see light coming through it, which is how they probably knew to climb up. In any case, it would be a horrifying and traumatic ordeal. Presumably, these people would want to do whatever they could do to keep others from being victimized th same way. So why, when they were threatened by the police, did they just give up completely? Why didn't they tell anyone else, maybe get a crew of people together to go and seal the well, so that he couldn't throw anyone else in? Maybe tell everyone they knew not to go into the park with him, and tell them to spread that along to everyone they knew? Maybe make posters with his picture, and the sentence "DO NOT WALK ALONE WITH THIS MAN, ESPECIALLY IN THE PARK", and put those posters up all over the park, plus anywhere he hung out or worked, or anywhere large numbers of people would see it? It just seems really weird to me that when the police wouldn't help, the 2 survivors didn't do anything to help keep anyone else from meeting the same fate they almost met!
I have to admit, I’m a true crime addict and I’m subscribed to many channels with extremely talented narrators but you, MrBallen, are definitely the top-tier of them all!
I can't believe you actually had me thinking he himself was going to be a victim! I know too much about true crime to not have seen that coming especially with the head trauma!🙈 Great narrating and truly a disturbing story.
Mr.Ballen is an incredible storyteller, but his stories are partially fictional. He adds rumor, his opinions, & his own fiction in his stories. They contain verifiable errors. His stories are loosely based on what really happened, except for his stories based on myth, which are mostly fixtional.
@@mariehaidara8972 No. I think many of his stories are mostly real, except the stories about mythological creatures. His mostly real stories are partially conjecture. That partial conjecture part may or may not be real, we just can't possibly know. I'm only going to address the mostly real stories here, not the myth type stories. I've found an example of him using a unknown mythological sea creature & him presenting it as fact. I've found instances of him using rumor in his stories & not saying it was rumor. I found examples of him presenting highly significant detailed facts, that weren't actually facts. I've found examples of misquotes & fabricated quotes. Some of the less significant little details he fills out his stories with, are made up off the cuff. Mr.Ballen tells his stories for entertainment, not to be factually correct. I don't take issue with that, but I do take issue with the viewers that take everything in his stories as gospel.
@@mariehaidara8972 I started watching Mr.Ballen's videos about 1 week ago. Now after watching more & researching more his stories, some stories he's only a little off on the facts, but I've come across others where he absolutely butchered the facts & fabricated important details. I stated only the mythical creature ones were largely fabricated, but that extends to his other mystery creatures, aliens & ghost stories as well that he tells.
When I discovered this master storyteller, he had less than 50K subscribers. In no time, he has over 5 million. I’m so happy for you Mr Ballen. Very well done.
I for once did not see the killer coming. Bravo! What a storyteller! It's really sad and baffling, though, that this could've been ended so much sooner had the police not been so corrupt.
I had a clue when he kept going in the forest and told his mom he’d be ok. When he asked Larissa to go walk in the park with him I knew it was 100% him
Me too! I got so engrossed in the story just didn't see the signs. I thought he's gonna be one of the victims who survived and helps with the investigation or sumn like that!
I love Mr Ballen’s storytelling. I’ve been rewatching a lot of his videos lately, and the twists are so amazing. I’ve seen this video before, but the fact he used certain wording to make Alexander seem innocent made the twist so much better!
MrBallen humanises the victims in these stories in a way no other TH-camr does. Something that's always bothered me. But MrBallen remembers that these victims weren't just victims - they were real people who had families, loved ones, lives. He treats them with dignity. I have mad respect for that. Good on you MrBallen
I know enough about true crime to know that some of the details you mentioned early in the story pointed to Alexander as the killer, but you told it so well that I actually thought Alexander AND Larissa would both be killed, and I was completely caught off guard by how perfectly you revealed the truth. This is my favorite video of yours, I revisit it time after time and it's the first one I show anyone who I introduce to your channel.
It was easy I'm surem because the victims were thought to be alone when walking thru the park and the people probably thought there was no threat because they were not walking alone. Just a thought.
The most mind blowing part of the story that was two people were able to survive a vicious attack be thrown down a well and then are able to crawl their way back up get the lid off and make it out all with a severe head injury then make it to the police station only to be treated like they were the criminals. I can’t imagine what they went through.
As soon as Mr. Ballen mentioned Alexander’s head injury, I knew where the story was headed. But I was still completely captivated by his storytelling, like usual. No one else compares! What a tragic story. All those people who knew and trusted Alexander. And the infuriating initial utter lack of police response.
When this story became famous after they caught him, nowhere in Russian media was it mentioned that he had a head injury. He was described as an average man with an OK childhood and no problems while growing up. They said that he was just a sadist with an obsession to become the most prolific serial killer in Russian history. Now everyone says he had this injury making him seem as a victim of the system. Oh how times have changed..
Well, you have to remember. When USSR fell it was not an over night thing. Communism breeds corruption. You must be corruptible to get anywhere in that society and will not mend its ways quickly. So, if one knows about the society then one will not be surprised that the authorities were, in a sense, complicate in ever murder after the first survivers account.
To be absolutely fair though, that's kind of the format Mr Ballen does. He either tells the perpetrator's background first, a victim's background first, the setup or explain necessary bits for the story, but the next time he specifies someone and starts telling their story about half way through, they're either the one who survived, the main culprit for the situation at hand, or the actual killer themselves. It's not a bad format, it just gets a bit predictable like a Hallmark Movie.
I absolutely LOVE seeing you blow up like you have!! I am missing the 2-3-4 uploads- but you've made it WORTH THE WAIT!!! I am loving the podcast too!! We just can't get enough!! Can't blame us when the stories are SOOOOO awesome!!
Found Mrballen a few months ago. Catching up on all the stories. Probably listened to over 100. I feel like he gets better as I move forward chronologically. This story was the chef’s kiss. Interesting topic, but the storytelling is world class. So good
I suspected it was him from the beginning because it was like why talk so much about this particular person but then I said 'nah' but then when it got to him taking the woman into the park I knew for sure that it was him.
@@positivepessimist6853 I knew it had to be someone people were friends with. Serial killers are almost never some weirdo that you see that gives you the creeps. They are likeable. They're the guy who makes you chuckle and smile. The guy who you think would be great to hook up with your single friend. They're mostly single, usually have had the same job for a very long time, have some type of routine they follow and have followed for years, etc... Everyone has a demon or secret, and if you sit back and watch them long enough, you can usually figure out what it is.
Really? None of y’all thought: high school loner who is a grandmaster at chess after 2 days and can’t connect with anyone is most definitely the damn killer?! Really?! I’m so glad I’m black. It’s like black people have a natural aversion to danger. I don’t know HOW anyone can say “oh I’m surprised, I never saw that coming!” and y’all had a thousand clues!
Me and my wife used to watch Mr.Ballen together it was one of our favourite things that we did together. And since she has passed its nice to still watch then and remember its a nice memory to have eveytime I watch so thank you so much man for your content.
My deepest sympathy & condolences. Look, it may not mean much coming from a stranger, but I’m proud of you. Men don’t often survive the loss of their women. That you’re still here, carrying on her memory… nothing finer can be spoken. Carry on, citizen.
I feel so sorry for all the men who lost their lives to this man. Thank god the pregnant woman and 13 year old survived that attack. I hope she was able to deliver a healthy baby.
@@liliivanova2920 So where did you come up with that lie? I've checked several online sources that stated between 20%-25% of Serial Killers had head injuries. That is definitely NOT most.
Its astounding to realize he could have kept going until even now if he maintained his original methods. The Russian police are shamefully lazy and corrupt
I mean keep in mind the fact this is in the poorest area. The police don't really have the monetary incentive to investigate. And not all police have the sense of upholding justice they should. So they probably didn't investigate cause they'd still get paid sitting there in the PD.
@Clone Biker That still makes no sense. That's the same thing as saying as a nurse I will still get paid the same if I pass medications out or not. Because I am lazy and don't want to walk into their rooms...IT'S APART OF THE JOB!!
@@detrajackson5992 When it's in a poor community, people don't care if it's part of the job or not. They will do whatever they want, and there are plenty of corrupt people in all occupations all over the world and in the USA.
@@detrajackson5992 yeah its part of the job but its not like they care, guarantee the higher ups in the department condone these actions, or sanctioned them in the first place
If Ballen was my history teacher, I’d have learned soooo much more! The “story format” is what my Mom used to do! And I’m a true crime lover, & he puts a different spin on all! I’ve binged practically every episode he put out over a weekend 🤦🏼♀️ But his retelling is extraordinary!!! Thanks for another epic video/case coverage because I’ve heard this story frequently enough that I knew who the culprit was, but it was SUCH a different style that also fleshed out more of this case! ! We appreciate you very much!
Can you believe living in a country where it’s so poor and corrupt that two people survive a murder but police refuse to follow up on their suspect, even telling the victims to leave them alone or they will be prosecuted. That has to hurt, at that point what do you do? You will feel less than a human, you will feel so beaten so helpless you would think it would have been better if you had died. It’s truly sad. Many people could have been saved but the police treated them like they were a common commodity
When prostitutes are nearly killed by a serial killer and they survive some of them have reported when they tried to tell the police this is exactly the response they got from our police force and that's how the serial killer man is to go right on with his killing. He get a chance to see the show on Hulu I survived a serial killer you'll see a couple of incidences of that. If you are considered less than human in America you get exactly that response from our police. What matters in America is how much money and fame you have. In other countries that may be more formal a caste system or blue blood vs peasant but it amounts to the same thing
Not only do l enjoy listening to your stories, but I also scored 8 in my ielt speaking by imitating your choice of words and vocabularies. I have never and will never regret listening to you. Love you bunch 💓
Mr Ballen: captivates his audience by telling stories of murder, stabbings, kidnappings, and more gruesome content Also Mr Ballen: Censors a swear word
This was the most obvious killer identity reveal ever lol That has nothing to do with his amazing story telling, but come on, you didn’t suspect the dude who was the only one not afraid of the woods? Lol
@@sidda3262 Not really. The very fact that he had a brain injury made me think his responses were not like normal people who had fears concerning the woods. The fact that he played chess on the outskirts of the woods, his happy place. My thought was that he was going to become a victim but a survivor to live and tell the story of the secret of the woods.
The way you tell these stories is captivating! As soon as you said Alexander was stubborn & would go to the park even when his mother didn’t want him to I said to myself that he’s the killer! The victims must have been terrified…this whole story is wild
Actually, we just learned about this is my Psychology class. Damage to the Pre-frontal cortex can make a "criminal brain" it prevents the person from having any brakes on their actions and can have the effect of not feeling remorseful. There is some pretty cool imaging of serial killers brains and a lot of them have similar activity in the Pre- Frontal cortex. (this can be caused by an injury to the head)
Yeah TBIs (traumatic brain injury) are horrible. I was in a car crash in Dec of 2015 and to this day I need meds.for anxiety (I developed PTSD on top), I can barely remember anything. I constantly forget where I put things, etc. Then on top of that I feel irritable the majority of the time. My focus is so bad I haven't been able to work. At the age of 4, I can easily see a TBI causing someone to kill. God forbid.
I don't know if Mr. Ballen has mentioned it, but in a similar way of storytelling of horrific murders, Bailey Sarian has spoken about the emotional tole it takes to sort of be, living with the constant research of awful things all the time. To your point she spoke early on about the connection between early frontal lobe damage and serial killer behavior. I know he's a former Seal and an incredibly fascinating storyteller but maybe he's feeling a bit of burnout as well. It would make sense, both of their channels rose so quickly in popularity and they both began with such a fast pace of output. I hope they can still keep things going awhile longer. But the impact on themselves and those they love around them will have to ultimately take priority over the entertaining and informative value they provide us viewers. I wish Ballen and Sarian peace and hope if their channels remain around they can find a way to balance their own personal lives. Just my two cents.
that’s crazy to think about because I was also in a car crash in 2012 that caused massive hemorrhaging and trauma to my prefrontal as well. The only difference is due to an unknown reason I was able to fully recover. I later went through a series of tests at Stanford Hospital and luckily there was never any sign of brain damage. Strange things happen in life
I have tbi in frontal lobe and not a criminal not violent so it’s not that simple!!! My symptoms are crying and not know why, problems with voice tone, executive function, and time management and navigation and very poor fine motor skill, cognitive issues. At work I need someone to remind me it’s time for lunch
“But everything would change with person #41 ???” Talk about the laziest most corrupt police force on earth! Chess. It’s like when that swing hit him he was possessed by an evil spirit that did not gain full control until years later. Mr. Ballen is the best! Another beautifully concise breakdown.
Not every serial killer gets hit by something in their childhood, its just an evil tendency some people have just like all of us have some evil tendancies, but it just depends upon whether we act upon it or not ...There is definetly a mental barrier they must cross before being able to act upon these evil lusts,but once they do there is no stopping it...The person is fully responsible for what he did and should be punished severely and in this case he has been...
You told that story soooo well! I love how you introduce Alexander as this innocent guy and we sympathize with him at first and then by the end you feel almost betrayed because of how twisted and merciless he is!
I just love how John talks with his hands. So charismatic! His gesturing always matches the message well, it is not distracting at all. This is the fine art of story telling. :)
Mann I do miss the days of 4 or 5 strange dark and mysterious episodes every week but I respect that Mr.Ballen must enjoy his beautiful family!! And I still feel sooooo appreciative of the 1 or 2 A week and enjoy his new podcasts
Nah the uptick in quantity definitely sacrificed in quality. I'd rather hear weekly incredible and perfectly told stories like this one than have daily good stories with decent presentation. Quality>Quantity all day
I'm a truck driver and your stories are awesome to listen to! I listen to your page for 14 hours a day everyday. I spread your page to other drivers and they now listen to you as well. Keep them coming!!
That's funny I'm a OTR Driver and listen to his stories driving around as well. I'm just glad he has so many good stories . I'm parked at the loves now.
It’s gotta get boring on the road at times! Glad you found him. I always imagine truckers listening to Bob Segers Turn the Page and Marshall Tuckers 24 Hours at a Time ❤️
The frontal lobe is the area where empathy, affection, sympathy and other feelings of compassion for someone. Damage to the frontal lobe can make someone heartless.
My ex works at a TBI facility & it's incredibly heartbreaking. She doesn't take it personal but damn, she's dealt with fucked up shit. One woman brags that she's the spawn of Hitler & can't fly on planes & everytime she sees my ex she says "Farrah-warrah cocksucker, motherfucker _____ _____" I don't remember the last part of the rhyme but every day the woman says this to her. One patient broke a male coworkers femur!! Do you know how much force it takes to break a femur? Also, she was working when she was 8 months pregnant & a pt broke her nose. It's not their fault, they've been in terrible car accidents, shot in the head (stray bullets in drive bys & suicide attempts). I'll never forget this young gentleman, he was about 20 but mentally was about 6. He tried killing himself when he was like 12 but just blew a part of his face/head off. He knows that he did this & he freaks out when thinking about it.
SAME!? OMG I THOUGHT IT WAS ME. I've heard so many stories about the unexpected being the killer and I'm just assuming the unexpected are the killers everytime.
Your story telling skills are second to none! My husband is an English, Speech, and literature teacher…and he absolutely loves listening to you, too. He’s hard to win over, but he loves your channel! I can only imagine the amazing bedtime stories your kids must get! 😁 Thanks for always entertaining us!
We are able to be as critical as we please of our peace officers…which by and large is good for a society where an individuals opinion counts. But reading about corrupt and lazy police elsewhere should cause us to count our lucky stars for the fine officers who serve across our country. I never forget they really are “The thin blue line” that protects us from predators and even monsters.
Hello from Russia! I was only a teenager when the Bitsevsky maniac(as we call him) was active. This was really huge around that time. I really advise you to watch Russian true crime series “Sledstvie veli “ , they did great on covering this and lots of Soviet/Russia true crime cases.
I'm always absolutely amazed by the fact that, despite multiple clearly connected murders/deaths, people in these stories seem to always continue going into the risky areas.
Mr. Ballen is one of the very few you tubers that can make a half hour long story go by in the blink of an eye. Truly a generational story teller. I’m glad to say that I have definitely become a huge fan of the strange, dark, and mysterious.
Scary dude! I wonder if the accident with the swing when he was a kid really was behind all that destruction. I'm pleased the boy and the pregnant woman survived but shame on the police for not investigating him when they had a chance.
@@bgee461 we really tend to bash these american things like constitution and other fundemental things but the founders crreated a brilliant colonization and evenn cities are built for example to not a lion or beear comes to the city u know
There is definitely a correlation between brain injuries and violence. There are several studies that have shown that violence is three times more likely in people with brain injuries. Many serial killers out there have had some form of brain injury: Richard Ramirez, John Wayne Gacy, Fred West, David Berkowitz, Ed Gein, Albert Fish, Glen Rogers, Henry Lee Lucas, Peter Sutcliffe, Dennis Rader to name a few. It's not a prerequisite to become a serial killer, there are many other factors, including being abused as a child, but brain injuries definitely don't help.
I knew as soon as you brought up the trauma to Alexander’s head when he was a child that he was the maniac all along! What a tragic story, but well delivered.
You do know that many people have head trauma or brain damage and are 100% harmless, right? And that there are lots of serial killers without any kind of head trauma or brain damage? And you did hear the part about how no one actually KNOWS if the brain damage actually had anything to with the murders in this case, right? It's an idle theory put forward by people trying to assign explanation and meaning to a string of atrocities, not verifiable fact. I'm not saying brain damage can never be an exacerbating factor to erratic behavior, but "I assumed this guy was a murderer as soon as you told me he was mentally disabled" isn't some brilliant insight to be boasted about. It's actually really harmful ableism that ignores the fact that 1) the brain damage in this instance hasn't been (and possibly can't be) proven to have caused the murderous behavior at all, and 2) that people with zero mental disabilities can be and often have become monsters. All in service of a kneejerk assumption that people with brain damage are somehow inherently more dangerous. (When, in fact, it's much more likely - and common - for people with mental disabilities to be victimized by the fully abled than the other way around. But those cases get a lot less attention, for some mysterious reason - maybe because the disabled aren't really viewed as being as much ~real people~ as 'normal' folks, and are harder for the abled majority can easily sympathize with because no fully abled person *wants* to picture life as a disabled person, even if they could adequately do so.) So, as delicately as possible - don't do that. I was totally shocked by the revelation in this story because, y'know, when I heard a little kid ended up brain damaged, my reaction was sympathy, not "ooh I bet he grows up to be a monster later!" Please examine your biases because they can be very harmful, and remember that just because cases like these are wildly sensationalized doesn't mean they're not INCREDIBLY statistically rare. It's not that people with brain damage or mental issues are inherently dangerous, and that's why you hear all these stories about people with those problems doing horrible stuff; it's that nobody makes shocking news stories about the hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities that live completely harmless, unremarkable lives. You're viewing statistical anomalies through a lens of journalistic tragedy rubbernecking. And that's not necessarily a bad thing...as long as you're conscious of how what you're viewing is skewed.
I can see why you got 5 mill+ subs in just under 3 years. Best quality storytelling videos i have ever come across. When i saw your Spotify podcasts i nearly screamed out of exitment so i put some on.
That’s so disgusting that the police let this happen. Imagine the trauma of surviving that and then to be left isolated. Knowing what was happening. All those police have blood on their hands
I was wondering about the two victims that survived what were they like afterward? All that brain damage must have made them mentally incompetent and severely damaged to function on any level.
As I was listening to this story I kept thinking “didn’t he do an episode on this guy already? I remember the dog and the vodka from somewhere” then I remembered Bailey Sarian did an episode on this guy! The tone and story format was so different I got completely sucked in and didn’t even realize it. Can’t expect anything less from Mr.Ballen!
This guy's ability to tell stories is really unmatched. He makes you feel as if you were there when it was happening just by the way he describes the scenario, the scenery and the people who the events happened to. Truly a master of hi craft. With that being said, I find it really messed up that it took them finding a dead body before they took the matter seriously. How many people could've lived had they just taken it seriously from day 1
I agree! I love hearing him tell stories. I listen to a podcast and the guy taking is just like Mr. B. I’m not a fan of women telling stories, it’s just not that enthralling to me. Love him!
I was born in Moscow in 1991 and have been living here for my whole life. My home is not that far from this park. I remember going near its fence and talking to my friend how really scary this park is because of the maniac. Many years passed but I don't remember walking there because this place is strongly associated with those killings.
Same. I grew up on the opposite side of Moscow but last year moved closer to the park. I still haven’t been there after all those years because of the bad reputation attached to it.
Every time I get a notification from Mr. Ballen i feel like I'm about to huddle around a camp fire with a bunch of others an listen to him tell us a scary story!
Someone else has probably already made this connection, but I was talking to a family member about your video and she said, "well it makes sense that he had a preference to killing men but killed two women (attempted on the one who survived) when he was the chessboard killer, those were the two queens." 😬 soooo my family member thinks like a serial killer lmao EDIT** This is just a fun theory guys! Obviously not the actual reason, but just an odd coincidence that I felt like mentioning :)
Could also be that he had a harder time leading women into the woods alone. Men feel a lot less scared than they should about going places alone with someone than women rightfully do
Woman’s intuition is a hell of a thing. RIP to all the victims. Imagine all the lives that would’ve been saved had the police taken the reports seriously
@@awesomeman8385 right. And plus everyone he attacked were well acquainted with him so maybe there was somewhat of a trust that came with the familiarity
The storytelling is so compelling that even though somehow we had who the killer was coming, it was still a shock when he revealed who he was. Bravo Mr. Ballen! I absolutely adore your content, thank you so much for your commitment to your stories!
MrBallen is a force to be reckoned with. Not only was he a navy seal but he holds the power of the strange, dark, and mysterious in his hands... and he can pull off any flannel shirt.
😂
You are so right!!💜💚
Absolutely!
He wasn't a Seal... He is a Seal. Get that right. Once you earn the title you are it....
@@MrBallen you are the man of men
Frontal lobe damage has often been a trait of serial killers. It’s truly scary how a few damaged neurons can turn a person into a monster.
I hit the front of my head pretty hard a few days back.....now I'm scared
@@krittikabiswas8500 🤣😉😋
True, but don't overlook Cluster B Personality Disorders. Particularly Anti-Social PD. This dude checks all the boxes.
So I bang my head and suddenly I'm a cereal killer? Interesting hold my milk I'm going to kill some coco pops 😆
@@ramonaloco these two might be even connected since a lot of mental disorders are or can be caused by physical damage to the brain, so the brain injury could have triggered the disorder
Wow. Imagine how many people could have been saved if the police weren’t so corrupt. When you tell these events, it’s like “watching “ a movie. Great job as usual.
That is an interesting point of view and I will give it much thought.
It’s like watching a movie*
'Inept' is a better description. They showed an utter incapability to think. It got one of theirs killed, firstly. The mayor in charge of hiring the police chief was likely corrupt...
@@b_uppy No. Corrupt. "Inept" carries the idea of inability. This was pure, conscious negligence and corruption.
@@AmazingRofa what is the link on Mr Ballen you've put up?
The maddest thing about this story, isn’t Alexander, its the fact the police turned away two survivors who came forward and could ID their attacker.
No I think the killer is worse
@@LandondelGamer the killer is the worst for sure. I’m just shocked at the police incompetence
The police still should be imprisoned, threatening surviving murder victims with arrest for reporting their murderer, Russia truly is one of the most corrupt places on earth. What a fucking shit hole of a country!!!
Police in my country is the same. They arrest the victim
@@LandondelGamer He said maddest, not worse. Its not very mad for a serial killer to kill as that's normal for them but it is very mad for police to threaten the survivors and let him carry on killing when they are supposedly there to protect us from serial killers...
Imagine a police force being so corrupt that they could positively identify a serial killer, and being told “we literally don’t care”, WTAF
@dash what is even the relevance of this?
EXACTLY. Like, the victims did almost ALL the work for you. Just cuff him!
You uh, see the news recently? No one in power there gives a single fuck about life.
That's Russia for you
That totally blew me away when Mr Ballen said that!! It is totally unimaginable to me that a police force would continue covering for a serial killer!? That entire police force should be held accountable for every one of those deaths also.
The woman who realised what he was about to do, I can't imagine her fear, such a terrible case that could have been solved sooner and saved so many of the victims xx
Yea, and why were police protecting him 🤔 such a strange case
@@2Bad4YOUuu I don’t think they were protecting him. I think they were just very dumb, ignorant, and lazy. Because of their incompetence so many innocent people died by the hands of a monster.
@@2Bad4YOUuu Yeah, they weren't protecting him, they were just utterly useless! It's shocking how bad they were. I wish they could have been fired! I can't imagine anyone at all would be able to trust them again!
@@Chelle8847 OK. But to horribly threaten 2 witnesses into remaining quiet sounds like protection to me
I don't know how she knew he was gonna kill him?
His voice, his clear English and his ability to not "over sell" a story by far make him the best narrator on line. He holds your attention but doesn't change his voice or pace and it is just fantastic to listen to him.
It's great that you pointed out the clear English.... His diction makes it so much easier for us non-native speakers to understand it without a problem
Yes, good points. Nor does he undersell. His infliction of emotion always seems the correct amount. Makes it so easy to pay attention
I'd disagree, I find him overly dramatic, and his voice/pace does not remain the same, it varies, adding to this overly dramatic style of "story-telling"... reminds me of Rik Mayall, when he done Jackanory... lol, how apt... ;o)
btw, slightly autistic in that for years, up until my early 30's, I didn't quite 'get' facial-cues, and/or peoples' tone, so I pay a bit more attention, and now I can pick up on the subtlest of things...
It's stange, like how a persons' voice changes when they're lying, or trying to put one over on ya, it's subtle, barely noticeable, but it's there...more noticeable if you know the person really well..
Add to that I've took an interest in Statement Analysis, which has only made that 'can-o-worms' much worse, lol, cos now I can analyse what's being said, even if the tone isn't a give-away...
Oh, and don't get me started on his pronunciation, "Moscow" as he says it, is a wee village in Ayrshire... ;o)
Yeah he and Kendal Rae are my favorite story tellers in TH-cam
I totally agree. In fact I think he has me spoiled. I've tried listening to other popular story tellers since him and continue to be disappointed.
What really disturbed me about this case is how Alexander preferred to know his victims. Have a conversation, be friends, play chess, emotionally connect. It speaks volumes to how sadistic he was and possibly how betrayed he wanted his victims to feel, like he felt in life. Thank you Mr Ballen your story telling is unbelievable.
Indeed disturbing
Freaky as FRICK
Man, the way you tell stories is truly special. You had me thinking at first that Alexander was gonna be another victim but then the twist came and I legit got goosebumps. You describe things in vivid detail that I couldn’t help but visualize the stories in my head.
You're welcome th-cam.com/video/ThewiqUqBf4/w-d-xo.html
For real, I really thought he was going to be the one to fight of the killer, and make him get lock up. What a twist😎
Ya I'm fairly certain he could read an instruction manual & it would be enthralling. The fear of like buttons everywhere...
@@missy4804 yeah right lol except if this is the first mr ballen video you saw. Because the person he starts talking about is always the killer
@@Ajesen lol ikr
For someone with “no social skills,” he sure was able to charm people enough to follow him into a place publicly famous for several dozen murders, even if they were friends.
Most infamous criminals are like that
Chicago's devil in the white city.
Could probably be for that exact reason, if people looked upon him as a bit "dim", they might just feel a bit sorry for him and never even thinking he could be capable of those kinds of thoughts
@@alexdaland Just watched some of his interviews in Russian. He did NOT come across as a gentle soul; quite the opposite, in fact, as the way he spoke produced the impression of him being what we call in Russian a "bydlo", which is the name that we give to uncultured, rude, and often aggressive people. I couldn't imagine others taking his tameness for granted.
its not uncommon for psychopaths and regular people alike to display excessive friendliness especially when theyre up to something.. You could fake friendliness better when you know you have nothing to lose, like dignity or respect from a person when rejected because the stakes are higher for them, i mean youre taking their lives and the most youre gonna wager are their opinions and feelings about you.. "like, oh you do respect me.. thank you but youre dying today.."... psychopaths become predatory once they feel the need to satisfy the urge... the satisfaction they get over a kill is way more important to them than respect, or love, or friendship, sometimes, they turn on their own families.. like that boy in india who kills little children.. what they dont understand is the emotional value in losing a person thats why absence or lack of remorse is noted in these individuals..
I like how you dropped the big reveal in this one. Tell two different stories - one about a depraved serial killer and one about a shy, bullied, and disadvantaged young man who finally found a place where he could fit in - and keep them apart until the last possible moment. Makes for an effective twist in a story or an effective punchline in a joke.
Yes exactly why Mr Ballen is awesome!!! Living for the twist! Also RIP to all the people he talks about 😔
They should unleash him and send him to Putin. They could then go on his death walk to the forest.
The infographics show did the same thing already
Yes hes very good at using that economy of space to still build a good turnaround
Yeah, I dug it too. I just went with it and assumed he was giving us the backstory on the guy that would eventually thwart the killer. At first I was confused during the reveal of this; how could we know what Larissa's reaction was when she realized he was the killer and all that, etc etc... But I'm sure these details just come from the killer himself after his capture.
Hey 👋 I’m Russian and I have been multiple times in and around Bitsevskiy park. Today it is very organised and beautiful area of Moscow with very expensive property. There are small parks and malls all over the place and the roads are huge. The park is still huge and still looks like a forest, that is still the case.
Moreover, due to how much Moscow has grown, this area isn’t a suburb anymore.
However, in the early and late 90s as well as early 2000s it was truly crime infested.
I read this in a deep man's voice with a Russian accent
@@megurineziam5900😂same
@@megurineziam5900 haha me too!
it's haunted now
Thanks for that update/info
What makes me mad is that this guy finally found a place at this park playing chess and then started killing his own people that made him feel safe. I wonder how scary it was being some of the old gentlemen that knew him and his grandfather that walked with him in those woods with no worries and then to realize they have been friends with a killer the whole time. Its just sad and scary to think about. What makes me even more mad is so many people would have been saved if the police weren't so careless.
I have a feeling/theory he was abused by his grandpa and maybe others like grandpas friends.
@Chelsea Miles Is that theory based on anything? I didn’t hear anything that even hinted at that..
@@weeshirley5934 just intuition and probability. Im sure no on would know as the guy wouldnt have told anyone
he even blamed the cops for not working hard enough to catch him...
@@iwasbornalive you're assuming with no evidence. Not all killers have been sexual abused.
You told this story incredibly well. So well, in fact, that the killer’s identity actually took me by surprise even though I’ve heard this story before. Really, really well structured and delivered.
Thank you!!
I agree. I was just like what!!! I've not heard the story either. I totally thought he was going to be victim #41.
@isabelco2011 Me too. When he was describing the woman’s face and reaction, I was thinking that she saw someone behind him, or even that she had already been struck in the head. I honestly didn’t realize what was happening until he directly revealed it. MrBallen just does such an outstanding job of humanizing the people he speaks of, even when they turn out to be more inhuman than we could have imagined. The guy has a gift.
th-cam.com/video/sF6c-JkrVU0/w-d-xo.html
@@MrBallen watch this story is like yours no lie th-cam.com/video/ThewiqUqBf4/w-d-xo.html
I’ve always wanted to say how I really appreciate that you label the images as real or not real. It just adds to the credibility of your stories, so thank you
Ditto. Mr. B has true talent and I love his videos (and I'm a grandmomma in her 70's, lol.)
Absolutely!
TOP 2 STORIES THAT SOUND REAL BUT OUR REALLY 100% FAEK
@@OneHunnitNoCapStannitOnBidnisz TPO 10 STOIRES HTAT SOUD REEL BUT IS AUCTUAYLL 101% FAEK
At this point i dont even care if they true or not hes just nice to listen to.
Ballen is the best narrator of all time. It’s crazy how good he is. I find myself not giving other narrators a chance because Ballen has put the bar at such a high level.
He uses tricks and manipulation. This is a well knoen case so i was able to follow what he does. He misdirects us so to make artificial surprise, just like the chessboard killer did. Navy seal training makes one akin to a serial killer thats why he gets them and lures his audience into a trap. Its a routine for them.
Me. Ballen is definitely numero uno. then second has to be The Fat Electrician lol he's good as well
@@pepefrogic3034tricks and manipulation? All he does is save the outcome till the end but builds it as a whodunnit exactly like how crime dramas do. Has literally nothing to do with being a serial killer.
I work as a disability carer, and one of my patients is absolutely obsessed with your channel. We spend overnights together and your content gives him and I some much needed entertainment and thrills each week. Thank you as always Mr B!
@dash 🤭
You sound like a great carer 💚
Not trying to be rude or anything but I'm not sure how your patient is going to feel about this video.
Did you fill out their mail in ballot?
So happy about this!!
Poor Larissa, she probably realized Alexander was the serial killer too late into the woods. My heart just sank when I heard how she just grabbed the tree realizing she did a grave mistake and she was going to die a horrible death, alone and crying. It's just that time that you know you are done in and you can't do nothing about it, this is absolutely horrible. Waiting to be killed without no one there to save you. My heart truly goes to all of his victims. May the rest in peace
I would've at least started running..
She was the one and only victim who figured it out so it's even more tragic as, yeah she was unarmed but had she reacted differently and with an adrenaline rush she could've stood a slim chance at fighting her way out as he normally relied on the element of surprise.
who just gives up though, it's 50/50 you dodge and counter a critical strike.
@@LillyaSorrowssong right in a situation like that u gotta try something. Still could die or die trying. Or survive. Some people fight, others not even flight they just stay frozen in shock and fear.
I’m extremely surprised that she went into the Bitsevski park after 40 people had been killed there that too when it was getting very dark with someone she never interacted with before that
My heart sank a little bit when he mentioned Marina Moskalyova grabbing the tree and asking if he's the killer. I feel so bad for her, poor woman.
Not the same person
Larissa.
*Larissa
I know I was like oh no I hope the killer doesn’t kill then both. But I guess he was the killer. So sad
@@thedopestshow5504 same
Mr. Ballen, this is simply amazing. Your ability to take information and turn it into a story is unmatched. This we know, but the way reveal the killer here, is the top of its class.
I was feeling so bad for this guy at first after you said he had a brain injury, was bullied, didn't fit in with other kids... then I combined them all together and realised ahh yes.. the three ingredients for 90% of serial killers 🤦♂️
i still feel sorry for him. but i feel more sorry for his victims.
@@thurin84 nah you lose pity when you choose murder over seeking therapy. guy had a good support group of chess players but chose to kill them. he deserves every roast coming to him
@@LionWithAGun oh i understand and agree he deserves whatever punishment he gets. i would sentenced him to death were it me. but i still feel sorry for him none the less.
@@thurin84 - your compassionate nature is recognized. Imagine ... if that swing had not hit at a young age ... these murders would not have happened. Yeahhh, death for sure ... to protect society.
@@LionWithAGun what if his brain injury is why he didn’t seek therapy?
I’ve heard this story before, but I’ve never heard it told like this. Mr. Ballen truly has a gift for storytelling.
Wow! What a story, I could almost see in my mind everything he described
Can anyone say why they didn't investigate the 2 survivors & tell them to go away or they would press charges??? That's like they already knew & honestly did care...🤷♂️SO MANY QUESTIONS
Same comment I gave to someone else: Ballen definitely has great stories but if he's such a great storyteller how come he can't go ten seconds without a cut?
This story is positively horrific. The police literally enabled this serial killer. It boggles the mind. Thank you Mr Ballen for an incredible job as usual.
In Russia in a super low income area, Shit they probably just figured it was population control.
Average police force tbh. Weird how they’re the same regardless of country. Here in America I was threatened by an officer after my abuser ripped my hair out by the root, and a witness even backed me and showed the hair. The officer said he could throw me in jail for the weekend if I interfered with him letting my abuser in the home (me and the witness were trying to explain why we couldn’t let the abuser in… the abuser claimed they owned the house without evidence). I immediately went to get emergency restraining order, and a different cop asked if it was really serious because it would be a lot of paperwork. I demanded one and they let me speak to a judge that immediately granted me emergency restraining order.
But they still wouldn’t let me into MY house, all they would do is let me grab my things.
So my abuser (is it surprising to know he is friends with the local police?) got away with assaulting me, lying about owning my house, and continued to live in the house while I was homeless. I was writing up evidence for my attorney at a Starbucks since they had free WiFi in between showering at a gym and couch surfing at friends’ places.
I still live in fear of this abuser killing me, because my restraining order now is just paper.
And the police? Well I guess the good thing is they might not be as bad as Russia’s cops but that’s like comparing solid shit and diarrhea.
It's not quite what it is. First survivor, she agreed to steal photo cameras with Alexander and share profits. He said that he stashed everything in the park and lured her in. He didn't use a hammer, he just shoved her into the well. She didn't go to the police at all because she was an illegal immigrant and also stole stuff. A kid who survived actually thought that he fell by himself. He knocked his head and remembered that he was asked to help, tripped and fell into the well. He was asked by the police and wasn't able to help. The third victim, who was asked to drink for a dog- survived too. He swam to the next well and climbed up the shaft. He lost his memory and became disabled, unable to say anything.
If the people there were super poor AND the police there were known for being corrupt, it was to their advantage for not finding the killer. They were probably making more money and scamming people to "protect" them like the Mafia used to do.
@@McSnezzly won’t all true owners of the property be available at county records?
this kind of hit home to me as in 2004 I was in Moscow working on my Russian language, right in the middle of his killing spree. I just shared this video with my good russian friend and he said the apartments we stayed at in 2004 was not too far from this park. that's a little unsettling. we also missed a suicide bomber at one of the subway stations in 2004 by one day as we were at the station the day before the attack. today I am counting my blessings!
I can’t wrap my head around murdering the very people who opened their arms to you and befriended you when you were being bullied. Absolutely despicable
Pure evil
Exactly….this dude got off on killing people, who actually liked and accepted him. I initially felt bad for him, until it was revealed he was a psycho!
Brain injuries make people do crazy things.
People kill their own kids. Humans stink.
@UC_al_vJZNSXQbZ6fr9ZJIbA yeah both show biz dictators.
the amount of betrayal his victims must’ve felt is overwhelming. why? rest in love .
TOP 2 STORIES THAT SOUND REAL BUT OUR REALLY 100% FAEK
most of them actually didn't feel the betrayal since he hit everyone after they turned their back on them
@@OneHunnitNoCapStannitOnBidnisz stop doing drugs bro. You sound illiterate.
@@ayopriede632 good point actually! I wonder how many of his victims realized what was to come vs were blind sided and never knew what happened after that impact...
I suspect that the brain damaged, prepubescent boy was molested or worse by one of his grandfather’s chess buddies. He killed primarily men like his abuser.
Best TH-cam channel, grown so FAST, amazing quality via editing AND storytelling, now you have a podcast, and branching out. I am so proud to see the achievements you have accomplished, also thank you for your service as always. You are a legend
I wish he'd go back to 3 full videos per week, or at least 2. Oh well.
Are you this guys' manager or something?
@@Lunaeincola no but when I used to watch him he would sometimes make a video every day of the week. It’s just that we were used to getting a least 2 uploads a week now to only 1-2 every 8-9 days. Is till love the videos just wish there were more of them to watch
He's really gotten off track lately imo. The story choices and the lack of uploads. Just my opinion
@@UAPReportingCenter I agree. We used to get places you can’t go. And other things like that. I would assume it can’t be that much harder to pump out one more video a week but I have no clue
The way he casually said “which means ‘the a**hole of the world’” had me outwardly cackling 😂😂😭
I've gone through so many crime/horror channels and none of them compare to this one. The work and quality you put into your videos is unmatched. And your podcast is just as impressive. Thank you Mr Ballen :)
Thank you!!!
Master storyteller. I’ve heard others do some of the same stories and it’s just not the same. It’s like he was there.
Try That Chapter. He's really good. Not immersive like MrB, but really good.
@@MrBallen pish pish pish im jack with 5 milion subss from USA
@@maycasper2661 yes, Mike is really good. A little bit lighter in his storytelling but, almost as thorough as Mr Ballen.
I love when Mike calls out B.S. or gives his own opinion of the "piece of shite" killers.
My heart goes out to the victims that survived and were silenced by the police, I hope they get the justice they deserve.
My Dad used to tell me about how life can suck in Russia
For example : The cosmonaut who pretty much knew he was going on a suicide mission to wring some bugs out of the system.
I thought it was a lie to give the USSR bad press.
There's no such thing as justice in Russia.
Nyet
I’ve heard this story 100 times from 100 different sources.
Somehow, despite knowing the ending, Mr B. Allen still has me on the edge of my seat this whole time.
It's the background music
It's the background music.
Rest In Peace to everyone who became victims of Alexander, what a messed up story and a crazy twist.
Dang man, how long have you had your check?
how do I find you in every video I watch
Hey where is "Some Guy With a Mustache"?
You're here too!??
All but 1 victim, Micheal deserve his end, went out to kill someone got killed himself
Holy crap, man!...I'm a radio personality and I've been told that I tell great stories...Sir, I can't even lace your boots when it comes to storytelling...You had me thinking that Alexander and the woman were both about to be victims and that twist caught me completely off guard...Keep up the amazing work!
Hey, what's the station name? Would love to listen to you!
Yeah bro what station?
I was expecting the woman to kill him
@LeeRon Bradshaw Hahaha. You are nothing close to a radio personality, just a clown
SPOOOILER
All this could've been prevented if A) the parents had the means to get their child checked B) Better police. The fact that the 2 victims tried to out the criminal but got rejected and threatened by the police...I can only imagine how helpless they felt.
That's what happens when police is paid peanuts, when there are not enough officers, and when there are too many cases to deal with, as was the case after the "wild 90s" when Russia was still recovering from them. If you don't know what that is, it basically is a period after the fall of the Soviet Union when crime suddenly skyrocketed and many criminal organisations bribed police to "cover them up".
@@NewBuildmini that's what happens when you hire power hungry psychopaths for your police force. That kind of job attracts them. Military too.
When he was young it was 70s-80s. People didn't think like nowadays. Children fall, get hurt and they recover. No one checked kids into ER for extended tests, they just determined that they are physically fine and moved on. They didn't overanalyze like people do now
@@NewBuildmini also after the collapse of the Soviet Union police still had to maintain a good reputation and statistics. So they underreported crimes, didn't release information to the public and maintained an "everything is fine" facade
So, that's the bit of this story that I don't get. 1:) All of his victims were people he knew. 2:) The two survivors were his victims, and knew who he was, and tried to out him to the police. The police threatened them if they continued to pursue charges. Here's what I don't get:
The 2 survivors went through a very traumatic ordeal, and had to have known they were lucky to be alive! Imagine what that must have been like, being lured into the woods by someone you believed was your friend, only to find out that he was the reason people were disappearing. Then to wake up, presumably with a horrible headache, in a strange, dark place, where you had no idea what was at the bottom (unless they had the presence of mind to take something out of their pockets and throw it, and could hear a splash, or could hear the water flowing or something). They would be totally disoriented, but I'm guessing the lid wasn't probably very far above, and they could probably see light coming through it, which is how they probably knew to climb up. In any case, it would be a horrifying and traumatic ordeal. Presumably, these people would want to do whatever they could do to keep others from being victimized th same way. So why, when they were threatened by the police, did they just give up completely? Why didn't they tell anyone else, maybe get a crew of people together to go and seal the well, so that he couldn't throw anyone else in? Maybe tell everyone they knew not to go into the park with him, and tell them to spread that along to everyone they knew? Maybe make posters with his picture, and the sentence "DO NOT WALK ALONE WITH THIS MAN, ESPECIALLY IN THE PARK", and put those posters up all over the park, plus anywhere he hung out or worked, or anywhere large numbers of people would see it? It just seems really weird to me that when the police wouldn't help, the 2 survivors didn't do anything to help keep anyone else from meeting the same fate they almost met!
I have to admit, I’m a true crime addict and I’m subscribed to many channels with extremely talented narrators but you, MrBallen, are definitely the top-tier of them all!
High praise which is well deserved!
I can't believe you actually had me thinking he himself was going to be a victim! I know too much about true crime to not have seen that coming especially with the head trauma!🙈 Great narrating and truly a disturbing story.
Me too
Mr.Ballen is an incredible storyteller, but his stories are partially fictional. He adds rumor, his opinions, & his own fiction in his stories. They contain verifiable errors. His stories are loosely based on what really happened, except for his stories based on myth, which are mostly fixtional.
@@_MjG_so most aren’t real then
@@mariehaidara8972 No. I think many of his stories are mostly real, except the stories about mythological creatures. His mostly real stories are partially conjecture. That partial conjecture part may or may not be real, we just can't possibly know. I'm only going to address the mostly real stories here, not the myth type stories.
I've found an example of him using a unknown mythological sea creature & him presenting it as fact. I've found instances of him using rumor in his stories & not saying it was rumor. I found examples of him presenting highly significant detailed facts, that weren't actually facts. I've found examples of misquotes & fabricated quotes. Some of the less significant little details he fills out his stories with, are made up off the cuff.
Mr.Ballen tells his stories for entertainment, not to be factually correct. I don't take issue with that, but I do take issue with the viewers that take everything in his stories as gospel.
@@mariehaidara8972 I started watching Mr.Ballen's videos about 1 week ago. Now after watching more & researching more his stories, some stories he's only a little off on the facts, but I've come across others where he absolutely butchered the facts & fabricated important details.
I stated only the mythical creature ones were largely fabricated, but that extends to his other mystery creatures, aliens & ghost stories as well that he tells.
When I discovered this master storyteller, he had less than 50K subscribers. In no time, he has over 5 million. I’m so happy for you Mr Ballen. Very well done.
I think I got to him around there or like 100k and that's when it kinda started to get more people
Same !!!! He grew sooo fast !i
I dident Even realise it went up that much lol
I for once did not see the killer coming. Bravo! What a storyteller! It's really sad and baffling, though, that this could've been ended so much sooner had the police not been so corrupt.
The thumbnail spoiled it though, not that I mind. I just thought with his face being shown and all, people would've known who the killer was.
I had a clue when he kept going in the forest and told his mom he’d be ok. When he asked Larissa to go walk in the park with him I knew it was 100% him
Ngl when Mr Ballen began explaining Alexander's childhood it kinda gave it away.
Me too! I got so engrossed in the story just didn't see the signs. I thought he's gonna be one of the victims who survived and helps with the investigation or sumn like that!
That looks like howard's stern engineer
I love Mr Ballen’s storytelling. I’ve been rewatching a lot of his videos lately, and the twists are so amazing. I’ve seen this video before, but the fact he used certain wording to make Alexander seem innocent made the twist so much better!
MrBallen humanises the victims in these stories in a way no other TH-camr does. Something that's always bothered me. But MrBallen remembers that these victims weren't just victims - they were real people who had families, loved ones, lives. He treats them with dignity. I have mad respect for that. Good on you MrBallen
Yes. I also like the respect Bedtime Stories pays to the victims.
Try, “This is Monsters.”
So well said💚
@@bentonrp I love bedtime stories. The animations and narration are top notch
I agree with you but I think you're being a little over dramatic about him being the ONLY person that humanizes the victims.
I know enough about true crime to know that some of the details you mentioned early in the story pointed to Alexander as the killer, but you told it so well that I actually thought Alexander AND Larissa would both be killed, and I was completely caught off guard by how perfectly you revealed the truth.
This is my favorite video of yours, I revisit it time after time and it's the first one I show anyone who I introduce to your channel.
If you knew some of the details, how could you not know that he was the killer?
Shut up you’re just a drunk. I know you’re secretly the “like button”! You can’t fool me…. *Spits* ….. like button!
@@tianshi2006 He's talking about crime in general, not about this particular case.
thats crazy how he coaxed that many people out there. even with everyone knowing there is a serial killer on the loose.
It was called the "asshole of Russia" for a reason.
The fact that he was partially mentally challenged probably helped him lure ppl into the woods because they didn’t see him as a threat
I am not sure how you learn of these stories, but you are a great story teller. Great job and thank you for what you are giving us.
That's what I thought! For a shy guy he sure knew how to be persuasive!
It was easy I'm surem because the victims were thought to be alone when walking thru the park and the people probably thought there was no threat because they were not walking alone. Just a thought.
The most mind blowing part of the story that was two people were able to survive a vicious attack be thrown down a well and then are able to crawl their way back up get the lid off and make it out all with a severe head injury then make it to the police station only to be treated like they were the criminals. I can’t imagine what they went through.
That was the craziest story delivery ever! I can't believe I didn't see the killer reveal coming! You, Sir, are a true pro!
Was it putin
Son
True. Until last moment I thought it would be her.
I had it figured out when he was describing his background and mentioned the head injury. Still a good delivery, but that gave it away
As soon as Mr. Ballen mentioned Alexander’s head injury, I knew where the story was headed. But I was still completely captivated by his storytelling, like usual. No one else compares! What a tragic story. All those people who knew and trusted Alexander. And the infuriating initial utter lack of police response.
You're welcome th-cam.com/video/ThewiqUqBf4/w-d-xo.html
Where it was headed?! Lol bad dum tis (get it?!)
When this story became famous after they caught him, nowhere in Russian media was it mentioned that he had a head injury. He was described as an average man with an OK childhood and no problems while growing up. They said that he was just a sadist with an obsession to become the most prolific serial killer in Russian history.
Now everyone says he had this injury making him seem as a victim of the system. Oh how times have changed..
Well, you have to remember. When USSR fell it was not an over night thing. Communism breeds corruption. You must be corruptible to get anywhere in that society and will not mend its ways quickly. So, if one knows about the society then one will not be surprised that the authorities were, in a sense, complicate in ever murder after the first survivers account.
To be absolutely fair though, that's kind of the format Mr Ballen does. He either tells the perpetrator's background first, a victim's background first, the setup or explain necessary bits for the story, but the next time he specifies someone and starts telling their story about half way through, they're either the one who survived, the main culprit for the situation at hand, or the actual killer themselves. It's not a bad format, it just gets a bit predictable like a Hallmark Movie.
I absolutely LOVE seeing you blow up like you have!!
I am missing the 2-3-4 uploads- but you've made it WORTH THE WAIT!!!
I am loving the podcast too!!
We just can't get enough!!
Can't blame us when the stories are SOOOOO awesome!!
what about teenage crisis with weird boys like myself ?
@@jcs-theclevvercamp1952 ….uhh, what?
@@jcs-theclevvercamp1952 wrong comment section?
Mr. Ballen is probably the best storyteller I've ever heard. So well-spoken, clear, and just easy to listen to.👍
Found Mrballen a few months ago. Catching up on all the stories. Probably listened to over 100. I feel like he gets better as I move forward chronologically. This story was the chef’s kiss. Interesting topic, but the storytelling is world class. So good
So jealous. I wish I could listen to his stories for the first time again ..
Envious. Hopefully I'll forget some of his stories so I can go relisten to them again.
@@camilleshearon5120 same. I hate not being able to binge anymore. Have watched everything and have to wait for a new video. It sucks :(
Ur a very lucky man
Welcome to the club
The fact the police had the killer's name and info and did NOTHING might be the most disturbing part of the story.
On gahd
Oh it definitely is . Fuck Russia
Um...Russia
Yea, and probably not true.
@@takeachillpill2954 you know he lists his sources so that you can fact check the information.
My heart literally sunk when mr ballen revealed who the killer was. He's truly a great storyteller👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Dude that was a good fucking twist
honestly i thought he was the one who had survived and the girl was the actual killer , that twist was like 😦
I suspected it was him from the beginning because it was like why talk so much about this particular person but then I said 'nah' but then when it got to him taking the woman into the park I knew for sure that it was him.
@@positivepessimist6853 I knew it had to be someone people were friends with. Serial killers are almost never some weirdo that you see that gives you the creeps. They are likeable. They're the guy who makes you chuckle and smile. The guy who you think would be great to hook up with your single friend. They're mostly single, usually have had the same job for a very long time, have some type of routine they follow and have followed for years, etc... Everyone has a demon or secret, and if you sit back and watch them long enough, you can usually figure out what it is.
Really? None of y’all thought: high school loner who is a grandmaster at chess after 2 days and can’t connect with anyone is most definitely the damn killer?! Really?! I’m so glad I’m black. It’s like black people have a natural aversion to danger. I don’t know HOW anyone can say “oh I’m surprised, I never saw that coming!” and y’all had a thousand clues!
Wow. I literally listen to these stories while I work. It makes my day go by so easily. What a great teller of stories. Love the channel. Thank you
Me and my wife used to watch Mr.Ballen together it was one of our favourite things that we did together. And since she has passed its nice to still watch then and remember its a nice memory to have eveytime I watch so thank you so much man for your content.
I’m so sorry about your wife 🙏🙏🙏
Sorry for your loss .🙏🙏🙏
My deepest sympathy & condolences. Look, it may not mean much coming from a stranger, but I’m proud of you. Men don’t often survive the loss of their women. That you’re still here, carrying on her memory… nothing finer can be spoken. Carry on, citizen.
Sorry for your loss 🙏🏽🕊
Sorry for your loss!
I feel so sorry for all the men who lost their lives to this man. Thank god the pregnant woman and 13 year old survived that attack. I hope she was able to deliver a healthy baby.
But what happened to them? Did they too become serial killers due to the head trauma?
@@shadowParadox96 just because someone has head trauma or any trauma doesn’t make someone a monster 🙄
@@shadowParadox96most killers have had head trauma. Not all head trauma people become killers!
@@liliivanova2920 So where did you come up with that lie? I've checked several online sources that stated between 20%-25% of Serial Killers had head injuries. That is definitely NOT most.
@@_MjG_ it was my opinion. I’m not statistic biro! If you got offended, do your research but don’t spit your anger!
Its astounding to realize he could have kept going until even now if he maintained his original methods. The Russian police are shamefully lazy and corrupt
I mean keep in mind the fact this is in the poorest area. The police don't really have the monetary incentive to investigate. And not all police have the sense of upholding justice they should. So they probably didn't investigate cause they'd still get paid sitting there in the PD.
remove russian, and ur text makes sense. russian police cares as much, as american, or whatever police about u.
spoiler.
they dont.
@Clone Biker That still makes no sense. That's the same thing as saying as a nurse I will still get paid the same if I pass medications out or not. Because I am lazy and don't want to walk into their rooms...IT'S APART OF THE JOB!!
@@detrajackson5992 When it's in a poor community, people don't care if it's part of the job or not. They will do whatever they want, and there are plenty of corrupt people in all occupations all over the world and in the USA.
@@detrajackson5992 yeah its part of the job but its not like they care, guarantee the higher ups in the department condone these actions, or sanctioned them in the first place
Thank you, John, for many hours of the best storytelling ever. Also thank you for your service, I’m so sorry you were injured.
If Ballen was my history teacher, I’d have learned soooo much more! The “story format” is what my Mom used to do! And I’m a true crime lover, & he puts a different spin on all! I’ve binged practically every episode he put out over a weekend 🤦🏼♀️ But his retelling is extraordinary!!! Thanks for another epic video/case coverage because I’ve heard this story frequently enough that I knew who the culprit was, but it was SUCH a different style that also fleshed out more of this case! ! We appreciate you very much!
And every Math teacher. Lol
Somehow. Math teachers are so boring
…and that names, was adolf hitler.
I genuinely thought the plot twist would be that SHE was the killer and that she had lured all these men to the woods…
I thought that too. I had her down as a black widow!
Yes me too
Me too!
Yes! Same.
Damn. I did too...
Can you believe living in a country where it’s so poor and corrupt that two people survive a murder but police refuse to follow up on their suspect, even telling the victims to leave them alone or they will be prosecuted. That has to hurt, at that point what do you do? You will feel less than a human, you will feel so beaten so helpless you would think it would have been better if you had died. It’s truly sad. Many people could have been saved but the police treated them like they were a common commodity
Yeah, good ole USA 🙄
When prostitutes are nearly killed by a serial killer and they survive some of them have reported when they tried to tell the police this is exactly the response they got from our police force and that's how the serial killer man is to go right on with his killing. He get a chance to see the show on Hulu I survived a serial killer you'll see a couple of incidences of that. If you are considered less than human in America you get exactly that response from our police. What matters in America is how much money and fame you have. In other countries that may be more formal a caste system or blue blood vs peasant but it amounts to the same thing
@@maryjane5754 This likely wouldn't happen in the US lol
They did the same to sex workers in BC when the butcher was picking them up and murdering them. It's appalling.
I 'm surprised no one is saying just give him his own MEDICINE say look over there watch ............sleep tight goodbye !
Not only do l enjoy listening to your stories, but I also scored 8 in my ielt speaking by imitating your choice of words and vocabularies. I have never and will never regret listening to you. Love you bunch 💓
Mr Ballen: captivates his audience by telling stories of murder, stabbings, kidnappings, and more gruesome content
Also Mr Ballen: Censors a swear word
and bless him for that
Good. I would rather see a dead body over hearing a swear word.
🤣😆😂😅😄😂🤣😅😆😂😃🤣
lmfao!! now that's funny shit!
TH-cam has rules about what can be said. They demonetize videos that violate the rule, keeping MrBallen from earning ad money.
John’s perfected story telling through his hand gestures and the way he emphasizes certain words. Great content
I've never seen anyone tell a story this well, the killers identity actually took me by surprise. Love this channel so much
This was the most obvious killer identity reveal ever lol
That has nothing to do with his amazing story telling, but come on, you didn’t suspect the dude who was the only one not afraid of the woods? Lol
@@sidda3262 Not really. The very fact that he had a brain injury made me think his responses were not like normal people who had fears concerning the woods. The fact that he played chess on the outskirts of the woods, his happy place. My thought was that he was going to become a victim but a survivor to live and tell the story of the secret of the woods.
You're not that bright are you?
@@donnawatkins8404 Exactly what I thought
@@donnawatkins8404 I thought he was gonna become a victim and lived to tell the tale too.
The way you tell these stories is captivating!
As soon as you said Alexander was stubborn & would go to the park even when his mother didn’t want him to I said to myself that he’s the killer!
The victims must have been terrified…this whole story is wild
Actually, we just learned about this is my Psychology class. Damage to the Pre-frontal cortex can make a "criminal brain" it prevents the person from having any brakes on their actions and can have the effect of not feeling remorseful. There is some pretty cool imaging of serial killers brains and a lot of them have similar activity in the Pre- Frontal cortex. (this can be caused by an injury to the head)
Yeah TBIs (traumatic brain injury) are horrible. I was in a car crash in Dec of 2015 and to this day I need meds.for anxiety (I developed PTSD on top), I can barely remember anything. I constantly forget where I put things, etc. Then on top of that I feel irritable the majority of the time. My focus is so bad I haven't been able to work. At the age of 4, I can easily see a TBI causing someone to kill. God forbid.
You can see where that swing mashed his forehead in the video clips too 😳
I don't know if Mr. Ballen has mentioned it, but in a similar way of storytelling of horrific murders, Bailey Sarian has spoken about the emotional tole it takes to sort of be, living with the constant research of awful things all the time. To your point she spoke early on about the connection between early frontal lobe damage and serial killer behavior. I know he's a former Seal and an incredibly fascinating storyteller but maybe he's feeling a bit of burnout as well. It would make sense, both of their channels rose so quickly in popularity and they both began with such a fast pace of output. I hope they can still keep things going awhile longer. But the impact on themselves and those they love around them will have to ultimately take priority over the entertaining and informative value they provide us viewers. I wish Ballen and Sarian peace and hope if their channels remain around they can find a way to balance their own personal lives. Just my two cents.
that’s crazy to think about because I was also in a car crash in 2012 that caused massive hemorrhaging and trauma to my prefrontal as well. The only difference is due to an unknown reason I was able to fully recover. I later went through a series of tests at Stanford Hospital and luckily there was never any sign of brain damage. Strange things happen in life
I have tbi in frontal lobe and not a criminal not violent so it’s not that simple!!! My symptoms are crying and not know why, problems with voice tone, executive function, and time management and navigation and very poor fine motor skill, cognitive issues. At work I need someone to remind me it’s time for lunch
I watch a lot of dark stories being voiced on TH-cam. Mr. Ballen is the only one I don't get side tracked. Plus, I listen to his podcasts as well
“But everything would change with person #41 ???” Talk about the laziest most corrupt police force on earth! Chess. It’s like when that swing hit him he was possessed by an evil spirit that did not gain full control until years later. Mr. Ballen is the best! Another beautifully concise breakdown.
Not every serial killer gets hit by something in their childhood, its just an evil tendency some people have just like all of us have some evil tendancies, but it just depends upon whether we act upon it or not ...There is definetly a mental barrier they must cross before being able to act upon these evil lusts,but once they do there is no stopping it...The person is fully responsible for what he did and should be punished severely and in this case he has been...
Them cops are at least giving it to him now, in the last pic his head looked beat up and kinda crooked tbh lmao.
Think there are is much corruption in many pollice forces but this one was exeptional
@@moltoforte4450 everyone can be killers under the right circumstances yes. It's no evil spirit or brain damage. Circumstances, trauma, personality.
They're not the most corrupt police force trust me
This one got me offguard. I literally had my eyes wet when you explained alexander's ordeal growing up. Those story telling skills are way too good.
You told that story soooo well! I love how you introduce Alexander as this innocent guy and we sympathize with him at first and then by the end you feel almost betrayed because of how twisted and merciless he is!
th-cam.com/video/sF6c-JkrVU0/w-d-xo.html
I just love how John talks with his hands. So charismatic! His gesturing always matches the message well, it is not distracting at all. This is the fine art of story telling. :)
Very Italian thing to do
Mann I do miss the days of 4 or 5 strange dark and mysterious episodes every week but I respect that Mr.Ballen must enjoy his beautiful family!! And I still feel sooooo appreciative of the 1 or 2 A week and enjoy his new podcasts
Same but nothing quite compares to watching him as his hand gestures & facial expressions just make listening that bit more entertaining & engaging.
Yea i have seen every single one and at least half of them more than once
Same here. Also same with respect to him needing time with his family and friends. Can't have this amazing guy burn out because of these stories.👍
Nah the uptick in quantity definitely sacrificed in quality. I'd rather hear weekly incredible and perfectly told stories like this one than have daily good stories with decent presentation. Quality>Quantity all day
Didn´t see that twist coming... Well done!
I'm a truck driver and your stories are awesome to listen to! I listen to your page for 14 hours a day everyday. I spread your page to other drivers and they now listen to you as well. Keep them coming!!
his podcast is nice to listen also, plus he has many more new stories
That's funny I'm a OTR Driver and listen to his stories driving around as well. I'm just glad he has so many good stories . I'm parked at the loves now.
It’s gotta get boring on the road at times! Glad you found him. I always imagine truckers listening to Bob Segers Turn the Page and Marshall Tuckers 24 Hours at a Time ❤️
Mrballen is going to go down as one of the greatest story tellers of all time
So true
Oh yeah!
You're welcome th-cam.com/video/sF6c-JkrVU0/w-d-xo.html
The fact that MrBallen without hesitation just blurted out "жопа мира" shows how well he actually did his research
Being a Russian myself I can appreciate his good Russian accent :) this guy is talented at everything he does! 😆
Time stamp?
Ballen always comes across as a very honest and humble next door person..
Not his story, he just stole it
The second you said Alexander had head trauma, I knew it was him. A history of head trauma is incredibly common in serial killers.
The frontal lobe is the area where empathy, affection, sympathy and other feelings of compassion for someone. Damage to the frontal lobe can make someone heartless.
My ex works at a TBI facility & it's incredibly heartbreaking. She doesn't take it personal but damn, she's dealt with fucked up shit. One woman brags that she's the spawn of Hitler & can't fly on planes & everytime she sees my ex she says "Farrah-warrah cocksucker, motherfucker _____ _____" I don't remember the last part of the rhyme but every day the woman says this to her. One patient broke a male coworkers femur!! Do you know how much force it takes to break a femur? Also, she was working when she was 8 months pregnant & a pt broke her nose. It's not their fault, they've been in terrible car accidents, shot in the head (stray bullets in drive bys & suicide attempts). I'll never forget this young gentleman, he was about 20 but mentally was about 6. He tried killing himself when he was like 12 but just blew a part of his face/head off. He knows that he did this & he freaks out when thinking about it.
SAME!? OMG I THOUGHT IT WAS ME. I've heard so many stories about the unexpected being the killer and I'm just assuming the unexpected are the killers everytime.
yeah, head trauma can cause psychopathy
Too sad
I wish I could re-find MrBallen and rewatch all of his videos for the first time again. All caught up on videos and podcasts! He’s amazing!
You're welcome th-cam.com/video/ThewiqUqBf4/w-d-xo.html
Your story telling skills are second to none! My husband is an English, Speech, and literature teacher…and he absolutely loves listening to you, too. He’s hard to win over, but he loves your channel! I can only imagine the amazing bedtime stories your kids must get! 😁 Thanks for always entertaining us!
AND those bedtime stories are strange, dark, and mysterious ☺
This has to be one of the most infuriating cases you've covered.
The police threatening the victims?! 😒
Love watching the Strange, Dark, and Mysterious delivered in story format! Always the highlight of my week
incredible how the police could have saved countless lives if they weren’t so corrupt
not corrupt, lazy.
Police: Bums got lost in the forest. 40 lost people. That is a lot of lost bums
incompetent first.
And two people positively identified Alexander to them, but the police threatened them!
We are able to be as critical as we please of our peace officers…which by and large is good for a society where an individuals opinion counts. But reading about corrupt and lazy police elsewhere should cause us to count our lucky stars for the fine officers who serve across our country. I never forget they really are
“The thin blue line” that protects us from predators and even monsters.
Hello from Russia! I was only a teenager when the Bitsevsky maniac(as we call him) was active. This was really huge around that time. I really advise you to watch Russian true crime series “Sledstvie veli “ , they did great on covering this and lots of Soviet/Russia true crime cases.
Are you actually in Russia right now? I’m assuming you are using a VPN to access TH-cam videos. Stay safe!
Go invade Ukraine
@@brabel0401 thank you! Indeed, I’m using vpn. Getting used to the new reality kinda.😔
@@brabel0401 why? has someone attacked them??
Slava el vuche
I'm always absolutely amazed by the fact that, despite multiple clearly connected murders/deaths, people in these stories seem to always continue going into the risky areas.
I’ve been told this story by Russian language teacher in late 2000s- early 2010s.
Truly horrific story.
same /:
i thought Russians were tough as heck
@@studynow6615 Tough does not mean emotionless... Russians are the same people just like everyone else.
@@Akirasip no
Mr. Ballen is one of the very few you tubers that can make a half hour long story go by in the blink of an eye. Truly a generational story teller. I’m glad to say that I have definitely become a huge fan of the strange, dark, and mysterious.
&9r
Delivered in story format?
@@ZeroReaver11 of course friend hahah
Scary dude! I wonder if the accident with the swing when he was a kid really was behind all that destruction. I'm pleased the boy and the pregnant woman survived but shame on the police for not investigating him when they had a chance.
police system in US is thee wisest and most effeective anywhere in the world
@@jcs-theclevvercamp1952 sarcasm, I hope? Lol
@@bgee461 police system in US is thee wisest and most effeective anywhere in the world
@@bgee461 we really tend to bash these american things like constitution and other fundemental things but the founders crreated a brilliant colonization and evenn cities are built for example to not a lion or beear comes to the city u know
There is definitely a correlation between brain injuries and violence. There are several studies that have shown that violence is three times more likely in people with brain injuries. Many serial killers out there have had some form of brain injury: Richard Ramirez, John Wayne Gacy, Fred West, David Berkowitz, Ed Gein, Albert Fish, Glen Rogers, Henry Lee Lucas, Peter Sutcliffe, Dennis Rader to name a few. It's not a prerequisite to become a serial killer, there are many other factors, including being abused as a child, but brain injuries definitely don't help.
This one gave me anxiety and the creeps 😅 but you’re storytelling is so captivating. Great work
I knew as soon as you brought up the trauma to Alexander’s head when he was a child that he was the maniac all along! What a tragic story, but well delivered.
The darn swing
@@PiglipsMaximus The swing was the real serial killer all along.
I thought that too but got confused when the girl suddenly started crying.
Couldn't figure out it was a extremely realistic reaction.😬
@@prajjwaltiwari8644
Kll. Ooop
You do know that many people have head trauma or brain damage and are 100% harmless, right? And that there are lots of serial killers without any kind of head trauma or brain damage? And you did hear the part about how no one actually KNOWS if the brain damage actually had anything to with the murders in this case, right? It's an idle theory put forward by people trying to assign explanation and meaning to a string of atrocities, not verifiable fact.
I'm not saying brain damage can never be an exacerbating factor to erratic behavior, but "I assumed this guy was a murderer as soon as you told me he was mentally disabled" isn't some brilliant insight to be boasted about. It's actually really harmful ableism that ignores the fact that 1) the brain damage in this instance hasn't been (and possibly can't be) proven to have caused the murderous behavior at all, and 2) that people with zero mental disabilities can be and often have become monsters. All in service of a kneejerk assumption that people with brain damage are somehow inherently more dangerous. (When, in fact, it's much more likely - and common - for people with mental disabilities to be victimized by the fully abled than the other way around. But those cases get a lot less attention, for some mysterious reason - maybe because the disabled aren't really viewed as being as much ~real people~ as 'normal' folks, and are harder for the abled majority can easily sympathize with because no fully abled person *wants* to picture life as a disabled person, even if they could adequately do so.)
So, as delicately as possible - don't do that. I was totally shocked by the revelation in this story because, y'know, when I heard a little kid ended up brain damaged, my reaction was sympathy, not "ooh I bet he grows up to be a monster later!" Please examine your biases because they can be very harmful, and remember that just because cases like these are wildly sensationalized doesn't mean they're not INCREDIBLY statistically rare. It's not that people with brain damage or mental issues are inherently dangerous, and that's why you hear all these stories about people with those problems doing horrible stuff; it's that nobody makes shocking news stories about the hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities that live completely harmless, unremarkable lives. You're viewing statistical anomalies through a lens of journalistic tragedy rubbernecking. And that's not necessarily a bad thing...as long as you're conscious of how what you're viewing is skewed.
I can see why you got 5 mill+ subs in just under 3 years. Best quality storytelling videos i have ever come across. When i saw your Spotify podcasts i nearly screamed out of exitment so i put some on.
And has kitty cat powers. meow meow MEOW MEOW PUUUUU=RRRRRR=RRRR
You told this story so well I honestly didn't even expect him to be the killer until you said it
He literally revealed the killer in the beginning.
@@badbunny6572 no he didn't
That’s so disgusting that the police let this happen. Imagine the trauma of surviving that and then to be left isolated. Knowing what was happening. All those police have blood on their hands
I was wondering about the two victims that survived what were they like afterward? All that brain damage must have made them mentally incompetent and severely damaged to function on any level.
What else is new?
They sure do
Do you think they care?
Never happens in the rest of the world, though, does it? Us westerners have wonderfully non corrupt police.
As I was listening to this story I kept thinking “didn’t he do an episode on this guy already? I remember the dog and the vodka from somewhere” then I remembered Bailey Sarian did an episode on this guy! The tone and story format was so different I got completely sucked in and didn’t even realize it. Can’t expect anything less from Mr.Ballen!
I was thinking the same thinggggg.
This was a really good one
Same! They both do a good job at story-telling!
Bailey Sarian is good. I listen to her too. Still like Mr Ballen better though.
Right !
This guy's ability to tell stories is really unmatched. He makes you feel as if you were there when it was happening just by the way he describes the scenario, the scenery and the people who the events happened to. Truly a master of hi craft.
With that being said, I find it really messed up that it took them finding a dead body before they took the matter seriously. How many people could've lived had they just taken it seriously from day 1
I agree! I love hearing him tell stories. I listen to a podcast and the guy taking is just like Mr. B. I’m not a fan of women telling stories, it’s just not that enthralling to me. Love him!
Definitely especially if you haven't herd of the story he is telling they are awesome to listen to...This guy is solid for sure
Check it! You're welcome! th-cam.com/video/sF6c-JkrVU0/w-d-xo.html
I was born in Moscow in 1991 and have been living here for my whole life. My home is not that far from this park. I remember going near its fence and talking to my friend how really scary this park is because of the maniac. Many years passed but I don't remember walking there because this place is strongly associated with those killings.
Thank you for your comment.
It feels affirming to hear from a resident how the fear persisted through the years
Same. I grew up on the opposite side of Moscow but last year moved closer to the park. I still haven’t been there after all those years because of the bad reputation attached to it.
Every time I get a notification from Mr. Ballen i feel like I'm about to huddle around a camp fire with a bunch of others an listen to him tell us a scary story!
Someone else has probably already made this connection, but I was talking to a family member about your video and she said, "well it makes sense that he had a preference to killing men but killed two women (attempted on the one who survived) when he was the chessboard killer, those were the two queens." 😬 soooo my family member thinks like a serial killer lmao EDIT** This is just a fun theory guys! Obviously not the actual reason, but just an odd coincidence that I felt like mentioning :)
Whoa holy heck didn't even think of that.
Could also be that he had a harder time leading women into the woods alone. Men feel a lot less scared than they should about going places alone with someone than women rightfully do
@@johnwhite1534 oh definitely, I agree with you there, it just feels like sometimes things can't just be a coincidence you know?
One full chess board worth!
He counted his attempted murder of victim 16, so that makes 3. Neat theory though.
Woman’s intuition is a hell of a thing. RIP to all the victims. Imagine all the lives that would’ve been saved had the police taken the reports seriously
Yeah a hell of a thing but only after she agreed to go walking in a park with the creepiest dude you’ve ever seen. Hell of a thing
@@nighthawkarts 😆🤣😂
@@nighthawkarts I think he came off as slow. He had speech problem. So she probably took him as harmless
@@nighthawkarts yeah sure blame the victim, she was probably trying to nice as women are conditioned to do for fear of what will happen if they aren’t
@@awesomeman8385 right. And plus everyone he attacked were well acquainted with him so maybe there was somewhat of a trust that came with the familiarity
The amount of red flags someone has to ignore to WILLINGLY walk into a forest where dozens of people have recently gone missing is WILD.
I really admire how his editing is done. It’s so smooth and can’t even tell it’s cut periodically. Kudos to MrBallen!
Beautifully smooth transitions from cuts, mr ballen & his team are great for sure!
The storytelling is so compelling that even though somehow we had who the killer was coming, it was still a shock when he revealed who he was. Bravo Mr. Ballen! I absolutely adore your content, thank you so much for your commitment to your stories!
How not
This was a really squeaky, I mean *freaky* story! Even John was on the edge of his seat!
I've found more that are good . th-cam.com/video/sF6c-JkrVU0/w-d-xo.html