The second you said that the walnut seller praised and recommended a different seller, I was suspicious. As an Asian, ain't no way that's normal. A street-side vendor will literally claim their product is the best in the universe, not one other seller has products like them, best price, best quality, most handsome walnuts, will cure your hair loss, save your marriage, make your kids doctors. Walnut seller is very suspect. Even if he didn't do it himself, I feel like this wasn't his first time directing people to Tietuo.
Yeah but he asked about other kinds of walnuts. They were ones the first seller didnt have and doesn't sell. Some Asian cultures might react very differently as well. Regional differences can vary widely also.
It always cracks me up when he does that in all of his videos… and it’s always for the most random things. Like he’ll be talking about little Billy wearing a particular pair of shoes or something like that and just throw in a random photo of a pair of shoes just because, for a visual I guess, and it’ll say in teensy little font “not the actual pair of Billy’s shoes” or something like that 😅 Idk, I just find those disclaimers so funny for some reason 🤷♀️😂
I made my wife watch one of your shows one night and she was hooked. So we spend one night each week watching them. We are both in our 70's, so we have a lot of extra time and millions of choices. Thanks for all the good work you all do to make this happen.
As someone who regularly hikes alone, I'd personally say it's more of a "don't change your plans without telling someone" and "don't go off marked trails" issue. (Maybe also a "don't spontaneously hike somewhere you've never gone without researching first" and "carry a weapon even if it's just a heavy stick" issue.) As a caveat, though, I hike in Colorado, not anywhere in China so idk the cultural/social rules for hiking over there.
The beauty of nature is to be enjoyed alone, through a mind that is unburdened by a need to keep a conversarion either about the weather, sports, or what have you going. Though it's safer in groups, what can ya do!
@@kats9755my brother hikes and hunts alone all the time in the desert and forests in new mexico. He always shares his Google maps location with me while he's on his trips in case anything ever goes wrong I can at least pin point where he was , at least the vicinity he was in. I do the same when I go out on my hikes too.
As long as someone knows where you are and you know what you're doing, hiking alone is not a bad thing. It's the over confidence to do something risky and unknown.
It must be the saddest thing for a family to never hear from their beloved ones, especially when the echoes of their absence resonate through every cherished memory and every moment of longing.
@@lea-anne9133not knowing gives space for wondering, and our creativity is really creative. I wouldn't like to know if something horrible had happen, though. Im talking having already been through that. But thats me, everyone is different
Logically, one should have found it strange how the walnut vendor on the 1st mountain basically sent a customer to a DIFFERENT vendor while singing THEIR praises. GO THERE....gets on the phone = " I got one on their way for you ".
Yeah, plus with the missing man's 4pm phone call, it means that somebody lied: Either the walnut guy about him going to the other mountain, the guy from the phone call who said the guy claimed he was coming down the 1st mountain, or the missing man himself lied on the phone call regarding where he was. It's also very interesting how the phone ended up 30 miles away at a bus station.
Most of these schemes are tracked back to the Chinese govt. They won't do anything to the walnut seller unless they need to sacrifice him in order to keep the body parts coming.
This sounds more or less like a serial killer situation. What we know) 1. Ren's phone was confirmed to be at the location he said he would be at around 4pm. 2. The note was in his handwriting but was not written in a way that reflected his typical way. 3. The last person who saw them was the person who supposedly directed him to the other location. (Walnut vendor) It could be that Ren was forced to write that letter and it isn't uncommon that a person under those circumstances would write it in a way that is not like them. Their abductor wouldn't know, but the victim knows those close to him would notice the oddity. It also isn't uncommon for serial killers to play with authorities. Perhaps the real killer had led them there because he got something out of the police finding his trophies.
Serial killer(s) seem one of the likelist situations, I was thinking the same thing with the note--though I don't think it's so much that the abductor wouldn't know. Writing in third person with a grammatically broken final line is pretty blatant. But in that scenario they might've thought it was the best they were going to get. For all we know, Ren was barely conscious already as he wrote Could also be organized crime, same principle. Concealed gambling debts or the like leading to the same outcome, with even better resources available for the people making him disappear
I think the officials should gather those hiker that saw a man with axe saying "are you alone" to the first mountain where there was the "walnut vendor" and see if they look alike. 🤔👀.....
I think the most obvious sign that there's a serial killer is the fact there's a collection of human bones in an area where several people have gone missing
I'm a native Chinese speaker. The first two words of the last sentence on his note actually mean 'entrust' instead of 'loved' (the two Chinese characters can look very similar), so the whole sentence reads: 'I entrust (my life) to anyone that passes by.' The fact that it was written in the third person perspective doesn't really register as an oddity in Chinese, as least to me. From unverified sources (local villagers), those bones belong to the people killed by Japanese soldiers in the Sino-Japanese and their bodies were dumped across the area. My guess is Ren accidentally fell into a ravine or a ditch on his way to seek help and is never recovered.
Maybe, but the contradicting stories say otherwise. The phone call, the campsite, his phone turning on in a train station etc. makes you think it was something more.
But how would his cellphone randomly turn on in a train station when he supposedly got lost in the mountain. How the hell did his phone get to that train station? Either someone took it or he was there
@@xlegoat23x45 I believe someone took it like maybe he dropped it after he fell into a ravine or a river. Doubt he will probably run away or escape to somewhere else when he's so close with his mum and her birthday is the next day
If I had to guess, I would say the guy selling walnuts could be a suspect. •They are from the area •They recommend that people go to the other mountain, but leave out that people go missing there • Could have stolen the man's things, read about him tying paper to trees in the news and then staged the other mountain to look like he was there • Came forward with info after a month, plenty of time for them to stage the other mountain and cover their tracks. Why didn't they come forward with info when everyone was there searching the mountain? Idk, there could be more links, but that's just my take from the info in the video. Thanks for the content Mr. B!
I lived in Mainland China for years, I lived in remote country towns. I was warned by locals that murderers would hide in corn fields patiently waiting for prey. At night in the countryside, a lot strange things happen there. There’s not a lot of police there (公安，派出所）so it can be dangerous
@@lorenfulghum2393 Out of curiosity, how does one pronounce it? Does it involve sounds westerners generally can't make? If so, are they the ones he's missing or is there more to it? As an Arabic speaker there are about 8 or so letters they can't pronounce.
@@ladansemacabre2394 It's the "R" sound...it's a sound that westerners CAN pronounce, but it's not one that's used in english at all. It's like halfway between an "R" and a "ZH" or soft "G" sound...or the "J" in french "jour". Almost a "Y" sound but not quite. Like go to pronounce an "R", but put your tongue forward slightly. Listen to a chinese speaker say it. If you just hear it without having studied any mandarin, it's easy to misinterpret the phoneme. It's a voiced retroflex sibilant. It also depends on what part of china you're in. In the north it's more like a regular "r" sound. In the southern mandarin speaking regions it's more like the "zh". In cantonese it's more like a "y".
@@OapyLIVE I guess it sort of is... Didn't really think of it like that at first, but isn't it freaking creepy that what's actually scary is another human being around you in the middle of nowhere instead of actually being the only one? Most animals we got covered in no problems, they're not gonna stalk us and watch from a distance for a while etc... But if another human wants to hurt you without you seeing them first, it's as easy as waiting until you walk by or go to sleep.
Given all the information laid out (especially the report of several suspicious people standing inside the woods up on Mt Tietuo,) it seems possible that there is a Killing Cult centered around Tietuo Mountain, the original walnut vendor being complicit, and wanting notoriety without getting caught. Perhaps the vendors conversation with Ren was a "tip off" to others near-by, indicating that Ren was to be followed as their next target. Sounds like Ren fell prey one of these folks on his original hike, who, under duress, took him back down the mountain (explaining his early descent and the location of the cell at that time) Was then taken by a cult member and hiked up Tietuo, forced to write the fake note, and then executed, likely ritualistically. Thus explaining the strange profusion of bones found up along that ridge. One of the cult members had Ren's phone when it came on for a few seconds at a train station a few days later. Ren's body is likely still up there somewhere, in some odd place. If it were me, I would be looking up into the trees for more suspended "trophy bundles"
If you’ve been to China, you know that there’s cameras even in the forest. It would be very difficult to have a hidden cult the woods that close to Beijing.
@@rinlo1424 so lets imagine he was walked down the first mountain. perhaps they noticed his habit of placing his tied paper and made him repeat that on tietuo for many reasons to make this murder even harder to solve. thats what i think but yea
The look in your eyes when you were talking about the "Are you alone" ax man was so scary. It was like you were embodying the horror. That was awesome. Thank you, John!
He did do that a little too well, didn't he? lol... Imagine him as a Navy Seal coming across an enemy that has spotted him and his cover is blown: "ARE YOU ALONE?"... lol
This is why you should ALWAYS be armed. Not only that, ALWAYS be on your guard. If someone like that comes up to you, make sure you're several feet away and are shouting communications and that you will defend yourself. Don't fall into the trap of just aimlessly walking like the world is a wondrous place with no dangers.
My dad went to a mountain to get firewood once...he came back home late with the heaviest tree trunks, couldn't remember how he got them or how he loaded them in the truck,he just said he remembered going through the same bridge three times and it seemed like he was going in circles.He couldn't remember what he did before getting home and when he came home he started doing what he did in the morning as if he was reliving the day he had all over again but if you asked him what he did in the morning he would say "i dont remember".I didnt sleep i kept watch of him all night and he kept repeating the same bridge story like he forgot he told us before.It was a weird night i will never forget.The next morning he was fine and five years later we never spoke of it and its as if it never happened.
I was doing my long drive home from Sydney one night, which is like a 3 hour drive. I remember being on this road at 9:30pm, and I kept ending up back on that same road until 12am before that trance was broken, not knowing how I kept ending up back on that road. So I spent 2 and a half hours trying to get home, and continuously going in circles or something ending up back on this road. It was really, really creepy, because I didn't know what was happening, and I have never forgotten that night.
@@LittleKikuyuhe was probably feeling pretty stumped… sorry, I couldn’t help myself. On a serious note tho maybe he hit his head on one of them big ass logs.
My mom had a concussion when she was little and she said she just acted normally but then later at night, she would start screaming. She “woke up” out of her trance 3 days later and doesn’t remember a thing except for falling off her bike and hitting her head.
I just want to praise your pronunciation of all the names. The respect you give the people you talk about. You’re so captivating. Been watching you for years now. Congrats on your success it’s well deserved
It’s more that they are being placed into sweatpants then tied up onto trees that’s the real creepy part! Gives the eerie feeling that the person or ppl are so advanced in their crimes that they aren’t scared of getting caught. It takes time and effort to kill the person, clean the bones, stuff them in sweatpants, climb up a tree, then tie it up there securely… Not only is that brave to do out in the open in a field where many others are hiking, but to put it up on display in a tree?!? 😳 If they didn’t want them to be found, they would’ve buried them or threw them in a cave or something, but surely wouldn’t put them up high in a tree for everyone to see out on display?!? Now THATS the terrifying part!!
I really believe that MrBallen needs to be narrating/presenting a his own TV show in the style of Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt, we need something like that
My grandma and I love listening to your videos, she’s almost blind so she enjoys just listening. Shes currently in the hospital and we’re passing the time by listening to them together ❤
He's got even more on spotify, there are exclusive stories that he doesn't have on yt. His Medical Mystery series is also insanely good but probably not the best choice while your grandma is in the hospital. I hope she gets better soon^^
I'm thinking maybe the walnut guy sold him some laced walnuts that had him thinking unreasonably. He could have been high and under the influence hence the letter written unusually but in his hand writing. Sent him to the walnut sellers near Tietua Mountain who sold laced walnuts too. Maybe they are all connected in the sadistic act of Ren's disappearance. Sent him up that Mountain to his death. This doesn't sound like cannibals in the wild but it does sound like ritualistic organized cannibalism. Bones clean as a whistle tied up in pants hanging from a tree like an ornament, haven't found a trace of his body to this day....😢
Even if thats the case why would the walnut dude testify? Leading the investigators to the mountain where all those dead bodies were found? Wouldn't that make him sus? It would've been better if he just didn't say anything or nah?
Not trying to be argumentative but I would venture so far as to say most people do get a chance to say goodbye, because most people these days die aged or sick in hospital beds, not in terrible accidents or horrible crimes 😅
Exactly why I don't say goodbye or I love you to my wife or kids. I've read too many news reports about widows who explained to investigators that their husband acted strangely on the day they died by saying goodbye or I love you because they have not said that in a long time. It some sort of premonition. So if I said that I'll be signing my own death warrant.
Man. I really wish it was a part two to this because I want the authorities to find him. And I really hate what happened to all those people up that mountain.
I agree. If there are any updates please do an update video, Mr Ballen. This is very sketchy and the note he left definitely shows something weird was going on.
Hey John. I recently watched your podcast with Shawn Ryan… I just wanted to sincerely say from the bottom of my heart thank you for your service. You are just such a positive individual that you’d never guess you went through everything you did. I’m just short for words. Not that it means much from me, but I have absolutely nothing but the UPMOST respect for you, and your experiences that you’ve gone through. I hope you are doing great these days John. I’ll never see your videos the same again. I always just thought you did TH-cam, but that couldn’t have been anymore wrong. Never again will I see you as MrBallen the TH-camr, but John the absolute hero. Again, thank you for your service and all the extraordinary experiences you’ve been through. I just.. had no idea. Hope this finds you well, have a great day/night 🤝🏼🫡
So I got to thinking, Mr. Ballen has so many subscribers, and has covered so many stories where the killer was never caught, I start to wonder if who ever got away with one of these crimes has ever listened to his own strange, dark and mysterious story?
8.86 MILLION subscribers!!! So happy for MrBallen and everyone who puts work and effort into making these videos and podcasts happen! We love what you do!
Mr. Ballen, I have an incredible true story suggestion that would make for a gripping episode - the harrowing tale of the Manjummel boys and their adventure in the Guna caves. In 2006, a group of friends from the Manjummel village in Kerala, India went on a trip to the famous Kodaikanal hills. While exploring the vast Guna cave systems, one of the boys tragically slipped and fell into a 600-foot deep pit. What followed was a remarkable rescue effort by his friends who refused to give up on him. Against all odds, they managed to get him out alive from the depths of that treacherous pit cave. This real-life incident made national headlines in India at the time and is considered one of the most incredible cave rescue stories ever. With your skill for dramatizing true events, I can already envision the tension and triumph you could capture. I hope you cover this incredible story on your channel...HUGE FAN HERE❤
I hope he becomes the next Mr.B... if he creates a channel.. tag me, send a link or something.. I'm gonna subscribe for sure.. bless his heart ❤️ love from Maldives 🇲🇻
I was one of those kids who hated school, so Friday night was the happiest part of my week and Sunday night the most depressing. Despite being grown up now and not working a Monday-Friday kind of job, I still feel Sunday evening depression, but the release of new Mr. Ballen every Sunday is starting to change that!
I know what you mean - particularly Sunday afternoons. A blank greyness compared to the sense of excitement and freedom on Friday night and Saturday. Now I am retired, weekends have become meaningless! It’s great!
I always loved Fall and Winter. They have always been my favorite seasons. I too, absolutely hated school. I struggled to finish high school. When I was younger, 60's and early 1970's, the new shows and TV seasons all started in the fall. It was a mixed blessing because school did also, along with all the homework my teachers loaded us down with. I hated school and the homework. In my early twenties, as an adult working and earning a living, I still loved Fall and Winter, yet each Fall, I had a terrible sense of dread. I could not figure out why. When I was about 23, it finally hit me. I was dreading the start of school. Once I consciously figured that out, the dread that engulfed me each Fall went away.
Wow it’s so cool to actually hear you tell a story about the mountain that I’ve actually been to! The Miaofeng mountain definitely has breathtaking sights but I never thought it would have such a creepy story. I went indeed into a rabbit hole researching on this case on Chinese internet, it’s just fascinating. The Tietuo mountain has abandoned villages and mines, people believe that the remains they found were from WW2 and lost villagers who got trapped in the mountain. A lot of people find it hard to believe though, that the Japanese soldiers in WW2 would hike deep in the mountains to kill a few villagers. Thank you for sharing and Tietuo mountain will definitely be my next hiking spot!
oh wow, that's fascinating! My thought was that there might be feral people living up there, which could explain the bizarre behavior of the ax man and others that hikers have encountered. Maybe some families hid so deep in the forest and mines during WW2 that they just never left, and their descendants have taken to killing anyone they find hiking alone in order to steal their supplies, or even cannibalism. The strange note and the walnut story are the most perplexing parts, though. The note could be explained as something he was ordered to write by his captors, and he worded things strangely in order to hint at that fact, which a group of feral people might not be able to read or realize how unnatural it sounded. But that doesn't explain why he went all the way there in the first place, because walnuts.. is really not a logical explanation. 30 miles on a whim like that is way too eccentric. But even if the walnut guy abducted or lured him, that's a point against the feral people theory. So damn strange...
I'm from China! This is an amazing retelling of Ren's story. However, I would like to point out "Ren" is pretty much pronounced "ren". I was confused as to what he was called for a bit haha
Something “historically” to note is that a lot of phones will still ping a signal after it dies. This occurred 2022 and onward as a Trend for phones to follow.
Easiest way to get through my shifts. I just throw in my earbuds in and grind away while pleasantly listening to strange, dark, and mysterious stories. 🤘 You're the best John.
I'm from Massachusetts and had a very disturbing incident while at in a building on the Tewkesbury state hospital that was corroborated by a roommated. Still haunts me I was only 27 it happened in 2018
@@GregHaibon-h3t I woke up with this demonic creature in the room I was in. It had me paralyzed and was just staying back and forth looking at me then growled twice zoomed across the room into me and I instantly felt it's power hit me and got jolted and it was gone and i could move. My roommate where it was and growled twice before it came for me told my friend something growled by him last night and he is freaked out. He told him that before I told anyone what happened so it confirmed to me not that I needed confirmation
So, let's say there's a tribe of people in those mountains. Depending on certain details, to them, that mountain may be considered a sacred location. Based on that idea, they don't like outsiders and try to either scare them or potentially kill them if they feel the area was tainted or disrespected.
you have come a long way buddy ….and you have not just created such a fantastic channel but now books and merch….im so incredibly happy and proud for you dude honestly …..I love seeing people succeed ….you are one of the BEST story tellers and I love watching your episodes just as much as I did when I first started watching you ….thank you for bringing me happiness ….my life has not been easy and for the past year its probably been the worse but you manage to keep me motivated and I just wanted to express my gratitude….please don’t stop what you are doing …..you’ve created something so beautiful for people such as myself …..cheers to you buddy….much love from Canada 😊😊😊❤❤❤❤
Mr. Ballen, you are one of the GREATEST storytellers of all time! Please do a video about all the scary-ass hauntings goin' on at Nellis Air Force Base!
Thank you for always making my travels on the road so much more interesting. My 62 year old aunt who finally got her first cell phone ever like 3 years ago put me on to your channel. Just shows you're reach
I'd normally read comments simultaneously as i'm watching other contents on youtube, even while listening to songs. But Mrballen, you are a gamechanger to the way i'm on youtube. I watch and listen to your stories attentively.. Plus, reading comments while listening to the stories would spoil the excitement, of course. Btw, i love the way how you shape the story plots interestingly.
I honestly always get chills when John gets closer to the camera with his eyes wide open and repeatably asks something like "are you alone?" Or "do you know how to get to bells canyon"
Thank you for not doing anymore sponsorship from Better Help. i signed up for it using your link and the only thing I got from them after paying a hefty $40 monthly subscription is more heartache. They were dismissive, rude, and did not felt like they were interested in doing their jobs. That's $40 I won't ever get back. Staring at the walls or ceiling of my room is more cathartic than talking to those people.
Total scam, i am glad u done with these morons. Best of luck with your issues, - as long as u dead honest with yourself u b fine :)) Hope u have a friend to lend you an ear - that is ALL therapy really is! Talk it out with someone who cares.
"Dear Mr. Ballen, Please bring back the *scary diving series.* Your videos always inspire me and give me hope. I dream of becoming a detective and telling stories about my discoveries of different crimes, much like the captivating tales you share. Unfortunately, I have to drop out of college, but I trust in God that one day my dream will come true. Thank you for your amazing content and for being such a positive influence in my life.
There's a deep hole or cave underwater. It's either unexplored or has a sign warning off drivers not to enter or venture any further. There's a guy, or group of guys that are either very experienced or diving with novice experience and either way think they're good enough to survive and they just HAVE to go see this dumb hole in case it's somehow incredibly interesting or maybe they think it's the gateway to Narnia so they gear up and swim into the darkness. Someone gets lost or stuck. They either panic or calmly accept their inevitable fate, air runs out, they drown. Either someone retrieves their body or it's so dangerous they leave it there. People put up a warning sign, maybe a locked gate to warn off future divers and it mostly works until the inevitable cocky diver comes along again.... There, that covers pretty much Every. Single. Diving. Story. EVER.
Please Mr. Allen look into the case of Yellowstone Actor Cole Brings Plenty. Can you do a video on his case? He's a tribal who went missing after he was attacked & his hair was cut off. He's not getting the attention on his case as he needs. Coco was a beautiful person & deserves justice as all indigenous people do.
I'm so glad I found this Channel couple years ago. It legit changed my life. I was always bored and then I found this ch. Spent a few months watching every single episode. I know sometimes life can be hard and all but just watching these vids makes everything better. You the best Mr. B !!!!!
Wow. This has to be one of the most disturbing and mysterious stories I've heard from Mr. Ballen. What makes it even better is the dark ambient music that was added. I hope that type of music is used more often it literally set the mood 👍🏻
There was that one time around 3 yrs ago when you said we should give a warm hug to like button because it's been through a lot on your channel and I think it's about time like button got another warm hug 😊
Maybe one of us needs to solve the dark mystery of why Mr. Ballen has such a vendetta against the like button. Is it because his mommy and daddy didn't love him enough? I don't have a clue.
Bruh, I've watched enough Mr. Ballen to read between the lines and it is clear to me that Jien (Ren) is a serial killer. The mountain he frequently hikes is his burial ground and is not likely to be his hunting ground, since nobody had really gone missing in the mountain before (not 10+ people.) That all the bones were stashed in sweatpants from trees is obviously pointing to a pattern of a repeated killer. He writes about himself in the 3rd person and slips grammar at the end as if schizophrenically shifting personalities. His interaction with the walnut vendor shows his mental instability and break from reality. The phone shows his getaway at the train station when he switched his phone back on. Seems like Ren could be anywhere... even standing right behind you... o.O
Yep, this was my first thought too. Although looking at his picture I don't get a bad guy feeling but if he has multiple personalities that could be explained. I think that the person who saw all the people was actually witnessing the spirits buried up there. They were asking for help so their souls can rest. They need a medium and to be set free.
Baffles me, that such an amazing odd story, and yet all the comments I saw were just about how fantastic Mr. Ballen is. What a weird group of groupies.
Yeah I was kinda frustrated too, like don't get me wrong I absolutely love Mr Ballen stories and the way he tells them, but on every single video of him, the majority of comments always relate of his story telling instead of the case/story. Is weird.
@@fionahireland Totally, I was so excited to read the comments and see some discussion/theories of what could've happen, but nope. Pretty few talked about the case.
This is why it's so important to alert the authorities to shady or dangerous looking people. Had the hikers who had come across the axe-wielding man reported him, countless lives could have been saved.
There was supposedly an update to this case as well in 2023, Ren’s family found a note that read, "I'm looking for you," while sorting through his belongings, just like the title. Sparks up more lots of more mysteries
_I first watched your video some 2-3 years ago. I was really into your storytelling. Then, I searched YT, found your channel, and subscribed. And for some TH-cam channel, they tend to get boring after a few years. But for Mr Ballen, until now, your stories still amazes me. Especially in the way you tell them to your viewers. Keep up Mr Ballen. I'm looking forward to stories that came form a true story or with real pictures. I will continue to support you. All the best~_
I did something today I haven't done in years: I bought a flannel shirt! For an event I just came back from, and on the way out the door earlier today, I simply couldn't resist looking in the mirror, grab my right fist with my left hand, and say "... delivered in story-format" 😁
I’ll always recommend if you’re able please sign up with missing people and help search in your area if there is a missing person. It’s so incredibly important trying to find them soon, or to get closure for the families! 💜
Signed up for CERT in my area. Haven’t finished the course yet, (caregiver for mother). Yes, I agree that everyone’s community needs assistance and support.
MrBallen, I absolutely love your videos, this is the only TH-cam channel that does videos in what I like. I really like the way you tell the stories, and it all makes a lot of sense.
Speaking of scams and such, I knew an elderly lady who was in her 90s and still living alone. She was starting to become confused at this time and was later diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She used to be a nun so was used to helping those in need. One day a scammer called her and gave her some sob story that they needed help and being the good person that she was, she said yes. I don't know exactly what they said to her but they somehow knew the right buttons to push and they ended up getting over 30 grand away from her! These "people" are heartless and don't care who they hurt as long as they get what they want. Beware!
Sadly it's only gonna get worse as AI tech evolves. Phony voice emulators and even phony video chats are already being worked on and scammers will be all over them soon. Now people are starting to talk about having verification passwords with their trusted friends & relatives in case they get asked for money by an impersonator.
Were the walnut vendors ever questioned? It's strange that 1 vendor would recommend another vendor for something as trivial as walnuts. Additionally, we had the phone call that placed him LEAVING the first mountain around 4pm and the friend confirmed everything seemed normal. We know by this phone call he was definitely at that mountain around 4pm, so he couldn't have gone straight to the mountain where his note was found. What if he did a hike on the first, then grabbed walnuts, then went to the next mountain, and the "vendors" were more than just walnut salesmen. What if it was a ruse to get him there and rob or murder him? Furthering this theory is that ping from his cellphone at the train station, if someone simply found the phone, why would it be off and stay off aside from a couple of seconds to ping? Certainly seems more suspicious that it was only on for seconds. Additionally, cameras were checked and there was no sign of him at the station, likely because someone else had the phone
Lastly, he was a HUGE nature fan and hated waste so much his journal was scraps of paper from the school. I highly doubt he would've left the newspapers on the mountain, instead opting for retrieving them on his way back down the mountain. Seems like he either didn't leave the mountain, didn't leave it of his own free will, or didn't take the path he took up.
I wonder, even if he was either lost or under duress, writing that note made reality hit him that much harder and he somewhat lost his composure. Almost like regressing or dissociating and trying his best to get any words out that made any sense. He may have even been running from those people or ran into them and he realized he needed to write even faster.
Some people have theorized that maybe he was actually the murderer, and he was feeling guilty, what if he was writing it and it was getting worse because he was feeling so guilty, and it was really getting to him, or if he was being tormented by the spirits of the people he murdered? Just another thought :-)
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The second you said that the walnut seller praised and recommended a different seller, I was suspicious. As an Asian, ain't no way that's normal. A street-side vendor will literally claim their product is the best in the universe, not one other seller has products like them, best price, best quality, most handsome walnuts, will cure your hair loss, save your marriage, make your kids doctors. Walnut seller is very suspect. Even if he didn't do it himself, I feel like this wasn't his first time directing people to Tietuo.
Walnut Guy 🚩🚩🚩
make my kids doctor? no way I'm refusing them as an asian
Yeah but he asked about other kinds of walnuts. They were ones the first seller didnt have and doesn't sell.
Some Asian cultures might react very differently as well. Regional differences can vary widely also.
That's what I was thinking. He set him up.
I thought it was a 🚩 too! Also, this comment is hilarious. 😂
I'm glad you told me that that was a real photo of walnuts, I was skeptical.
I’m still questioning its authenticity. There’s no way
Through all my extensive research conducted, I have come to a conclusion that this is somehow a real photo of walnuts.
@m_emetube Well I’ll be damned 👀🧐😅
It always cracks me up when he does that in all of his videos… and it’s always for the most random things. Like he’ll be talking about little Billy wearing a particular pair of shoes or something like that and just throw in a random photo of a pair of shoes just because, for a visual I guess, and it’ll say in teensy little font “not the actual pair of Billy’s shoes” or something like that 😅 Idk, I just find those disclaimers so funny for some reason 🤷♀️😂
@@michellegallia9361 yes! Or it’ll say ”real photo of another pair of shoes” lol
I made my wife watch one of your shows one night and she was hooked. So we spend one night each week watching them. We are both in our 70's, so we have a lot of extra time and millions of choices. Thanks for all the good work you all do to make this happen.
DEEZ NUTZ!
@@hollyperrin7353please stop harassing the elderly
@@hollyperrin7353bro 💀 grow up 💀💀💀
@@firesquad8222 haha
@@hollyperrin7353 deez walnuts
This just further reinforces the fact that you should never hike alone.
As someone who regularly hikes alone, I'd personally say it's more of a "don't change your plans without telling someone" and "don't go off marked trails" issue. (Maybe also a "don't spontaneously hike somewhere you've never gone without researching first" and "carry a weapon even if it's just a heavy stick" issue.)
As a caveat, though, I hike in Colorado, not anywhere in China so idk the cultural/social rules for hiking over there.
The beauty of nature is to be enjoyed alone, through a mind that is unburdened by a need to keep a conversarion either about the weather, sports, or what have you going. Though it's safer in groups, what can ya do!
@@kats9755my brother hikes and hunts alone all the time in the desert and forests in new mexico. He always shares his Google maps location with me while he's on his trips in case anything ever goes wrong I can at least pin point where he was , at least the vicinity he was in. I do the same when I go out on my hikes too.
As long as someone knows where you are and you know what you're doing, hiking alone is not a bad thing. It's the over confidence to do something risky and unknown.
@@kats9755what are some good hikes in CO for beginners?
Sad to think of his poor mother, in her 90's, worrying about her son; never enjoying his anticipated arrival and sharing her birthday again. 😢
It must be the saddest thing for a family to never hear from their beloved ones, especially when the echoes of their absence resonate through every cherished memory and every moment of longing.
@igor-xadrezxadrez8541 okay Edgar Allen Poe, pop off with your poetry
It's the NOT knowing that is so terrible. If they'd found his body they could at least, have some closure and be able to put him to rest 😔
It’s my birthday today
@@lea-anne9133not knowing gives space for wondering, and our creativity is really creative.
I wouldn't like to know if something horrible had happen, though.
Im talking having already been through that.
But thats me, everyone is different
Logically, one should have found it strange how the walnut vendor on the 1st mountain basically sent a customer to a DIFFERENT vendor while singing THEIR praises. GO THERE....gets on the phone = " I got one on their way for you ".
Yup! 💯
That was my thoughts too. Hopefully they investigated them.
Yeah, plus with the missing man's 4pm phone call, it means that somebody lied: Either the walnut guy about him going to the other mountain, the guy from the phone call who said the guy claimed he was coming down the 1st mountain, or the missing man himself lied on the phone call regarding where he was. It's also very interesting how the phone ended up 30 miles away at a bus station.
Most of these schemes are tracked back to the Chinese govt. They won't do anything to the walnut seller unless they need to sacrifice him in order to keep the body parts coming.
I was thinking the same thing!!! I see you! 😊
This sounds more or less like a serial killer situation.
What we know)
1. Ren's phone was confirmed to be at the location he said he would be at around 4pm.
2. The note was in his handwriting but was not written in a way that reflected his typical way.
3. The last person who saw them was the person who supposedly directed him to the other location. (Walnut vendor)
It could be that Ren was forced to write that letter and it isn't uncommon that a person under those circumstances would write it in a way that is not like them. Their abductor wouldn't know, but the victim knows those close to him would notice the oddity.
It also isn't uncommon for serial killers to play with authorities. Perhaps the real killer had led them there because he got something out of the police finding his trophies.
I think he may have been the opposite if you get my drift....
Serial killer(s) seem one of the likelist situations, I was thinking the same thing with the note--though I don't think it's so much that the abductor wouldn't know. Writing in third person with a grammatically broken final line is pretty blatant. But in that scenario they might've thought it was the best they were going to get. For all we know, Ren was barely conscious already as he wrote
Could also be organized crime, same principle. Concealed gambling debts or the like leading to the same outcome, with even better resources available for the people making him disappear
I think the officials should gather those hiker that saw a man with axe saying "are you alone" to the first mountain where there was the "walnut vendor" and see if they look alike. 🤔👀.....
makes sense. maybe it's the walnut vendor
I think the most obvious sign that there's a serial killer is the fact there's a collection of human bones in an area where several people have gone missing
I'm a native Chinese speaker. The first two words of the last sentence on his note actually mean 'entrust' instead of 'loved' (the two Chinese characters can look very similar), so the whole sentence reads: 'I entrust (my life) to anyone that passes by.' The fact that it was written in the third person perspective doesn't really register as an oddity in Chinese, as least to me.
From unverified sources (local villagers), those bones belong to the people killed by Japanese soldiers in the Sino-Japanese and their bodies were dumped across the area.
My guess is Ren accidentally fell into a ravine or a ditch on his way to seek help and is never recovered.
Maybe, but the contradicting stories say otherwise. The phone call, the campsite, his phone turning on in a train station etc. makes you think it was something more.
well we always want it to be something more. and especially so being on this channel, it primes us for a twisty mystery.
I skimmed your comment and thought you wrote it was a twistery. @greghuffman3061
But how would his cellphone randomly turn on in a train station when he supposedly got lost in the mountain. How the hell did his phone get to that train station? Either someone took it or he was there
@@xlegoat23x45 I believe someone took it like maybe he dropped it after he fell into a ravine or a river. Doubt he will probably run away or escape to somewhere else when he's so close with his mum and her birthday is the next day
If I had to guess, I would say the guy selling walnuts could be a suspect.
•They are from the area
•They recommend that people go to the other mountain, but leave out that people go missing there
• Could have stolen the man's things, read about him tying paper to trees in the news and then staged the other mountain to look like he was there
• Came forward with info after a month, plenty of time for them to stage the other mountain and cover their tracks. Why didn't they come forward with info when everyone was there searching the mountain?
Idk, there could be more links, but that's just my take from the info in the video. Thanks for the content Mr. B!
this is my theory as well
And me! Anyone know if it was looked into? 👀
Interesting, I really didn’t give it that much thought but now I’m starting to rethink that entire scene
Right Differently a Serial Killer or The guy went missing.Crazy story
Yep...was thinking along same lines.
I lived in Mainland China for years, I lived in remote country towns. I was warned by locals that murderers would hide in corn fields patiently waiting for prey. At night in the countryside, a lot strange things happen there. There’s not a lot of police there (公安，派出所）so it can be dangerous
Are guns legal in China?
Lmao bro they're communist, what do you think ?@@atsylor5549
Of course not!你在想啥呢老铁😂@@atsylor5549
Organ harvesters
@@atsylor5549 not now, only for police officers.
I really appreciate how you make such an effort to pronounce everything correctly, Mr B. Its very respectful.
he's pronouncing Ren wrong . I know it's not easy to pronounce correctly, but he's way off.
I was thinking the same! It's not easy to pronounce Chinese names! I think he did pretty great!
@@lorenfulghum2393 Out of curiosity, how does one pronounce it? Does it involve sounds westerners generally can't make? If so, are they the ones he's missing or is there more to it? As an Arabic speaker there are about 8 or so letters they can't pronounce.
@@ladansemacabre2394His name in Chinese is 任, you can copy and paste this onto Google translate to see how its pronounced
@@ladansemacabre2394 It's the "R" sound...it's a sound that westerners CAN pronounce, but it's not one that's used in english at all.
It's like halfway between an "R" and a "ZH" or soft "G" sound...or the "J" in french "jour". Almost a "Y" sound but not quite. Like go to pronounce an "R", but put your tongue forward slightly. Listen to a chinese speaker say it. If you just hear it without having studied any mandarin, it's easy to misinterpret the phoneme. It's a voiced retroflex sibilant.
It also depends on what part of china you're in. In the north it's more like a regular "r" sound. In the southern mandarin speaking regions it's more like the "zh". In cantonese it's more like a "y".
People think it's scary to be alone in the woods, but what they should be scared of is not being alone in the woods.
Thats a deep quete damn
I agree. Any isolated place creeps me out, but only because I'm so vulnerable to a human predator in an isolated place, should one show up.
@@OapyLIVE I guess it sort of is... Didn't really think of it like that at first, but isn't it freaking creepy that what's actually scary is another human being around you in the middle of nowhere instead of actually being the only one? Most animals we got covered in no problems, they're not gonna stalk us and watch from a distance for a while etc... But if another human wants to hurt you without you seeing them first, it's as easy as waiting until you walk by or go to sleep.
Me and 9mm stuck together like books 😂
@CornPopWazABadDude I love your username
Given all the information laid out (especially the report of several suspicious people standing inside the woods up on Mt Tietuo,) it seems possible that there is a Killing Cult centered around Tietuo Mountain, the original walnut vendor being complicit, and wanting notoriety without getting caught. Perhaps the vendors conversation with Ren was a "tip off" to others near-by, indicating that Ren was to be followed as their next target. Sounds like Ren fell prey one of these folks on his original hike, who, under duress, took him back down the mountain (explaining his early descent and the location of the cell at that time) Was then taken by a cult member and hiked up Tietuo, forced to write the fake note, and then executed, likely ritualistically. Thus explaining the strange profusion of bones found up along that ridge. One of the cult members had Ren's phone when it came on for a few seconds at a train station a few days later. Ren's body is likely still up there somewhere, in some odd place. If it were me, I would be looking up into the trees for more suspended "trophy bundles"
But then what would explain the newspaper tied to trees on the 2nd mountain?
If you’ve been to China, you know that there’s cameras even in the forest. It would be very difficult to have a hidden cult the woods that close to Beijing.
@@rinlo1424 And rens friend said he talked to him at 4 after he came down from the mountain hmmmm
@@rinlo1424 so lets imagine he was walked down the first mountain. perhaps they noticed his habit of placing his tied paper and made him repeat that on tietuo for many reasons to make this murder even harder to solve. thats what i think but yea
@@lonminati2752 well his friend said ren was coming down not that he had already come all the way down so idk
MrBallen is the best storyteller on TH-cam
Everywhere!!!
@@nellafay5485 you’re right, can’t forget about all the streaming services
Yes sir!
You eaten my subscription
Agreed MrBallen 🐐
Honorable mention to
-Beyond Creepy
-What Lurks Beneath
-Missing Enigma
Can’t beat MrBallen content on a Sunday
🙌🙌🙌
@@MrBallenlittle do you know the like button enjoys the sound of deep bass thumps of human exertion...
Can’t beat DEEZ NUTZ!!!
@@hollyperrin7353lmao
Sundays = best days
Poor guy. Mr. Ren seems like such a lovely guy, may peace be upon him. Also, beautiful nature out that way. I can see why he loved hiking out there.
Me too, I love the wild.
"Real photo of walnuts" crushed me 😂😂😂
I “cracked” up.
I’ll see myself out.
@@Minotaur-ey2lgLMMFFAOO
A complete nutcase of a post! 😆🥜🥥
I was shell shocked to get clarity on it 😂
Definitely took balls…
The look in your eyes when you were talking about the "Are you alone" ax man was so scary. It was like you were embodying the horror. That was awesome. Thank you, John!
He did do that a little too well, didn't he? lol... Imagine him as a Navy Seal coming across an enemy that has spotted him and his cover is blown: "ARE YOU ALONE?"... lol
This is why you should ALWAYS be armed. Not only that, ALWAYS be on your guard. If someone like that comes up to you, make sure you're several feet away and are shouting communications and that you will defend yourself.
Don't fall into the trap of just aimlessly walking like the world is a wondrous place with no dangers.
I had to look away 😆🥵😧💀👻
I noticed that too.
Thanks!
My dad went to a mountain to get firewood once...he came back home late with the heaviest tree trunks, couldn't remember how he got them or how he loaded them in the truck,he just said he remembered going through the same bridge three times and it seemed like he was going in circles.He couldn't remember what he did before getting home and when he came home he started doing what he did in the morning as if he was reliving the day he had all over again but if you asked him what he did in the morning he would say "i dont remember".I didnt sleep i kept watch of him all night and he kept repeating the same bridge story like he forgot he told us before.It was a weird night i will never forget.The next morning he was fine and five years later we never spoke of it and its as if it never happened.
😮 woah
Maybe he got a head injury? Hitting his head on the steering wheel or something similar can absolutely give you problems with your short term memory 🤔
I was doing my long drive home from Sydney one night, which is like a 3 hour drive.
I remember being on this road at 9:30pm, and I kept ending up back on that same road until 12am before that trance was broken, not knowing how I kept ending up back on that road.
So I spent 2 and a half hours trying to get home, and continuously going in circles or something ending up back on this road.
It was really, really creepy, because I didn't know what was happening, and I have never forgotten that night.
@@LittleKikuyuhe was probably feeling pretty stumped…
sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
On a serious note tho maybe he hit his head on one of them big ass logs.
My mom had a concussion when she was little and she said she just acted normally but then later at night, she would start screaming. She “woke up” out of her trance 3 days later and doesn’t remember a thing except for falling off her bike and hitting her head.
I just want to praise your pronunciation of all the names. The respect you give the people you talk about. You’re so captivating. Been watching you for years now. Congrats on your success it’s well deserved
This has to be one of the creepiest stories you’ve shared. The fact that they found piles of human bones is so unnerving.
It’s more that they are being placed into sweatpants then tied up onto trees that’s the real creepy part! Gives the eerie feeling that the person or ppl are so advanced in their crimes that they aren’t scared of getting caught. It takes time and effort to kill the person, clean the bones, stuff them in sweatpants, climb up a tree, then tie it up there securely… Not only is that brave to do out in the open in a field where many others are hiking, but to put it up on display in a tree?!? 😳 If they didn’t want them to be found, they would’ve buried them or threw them in a cave or something, but surely wouldn’t put them up high in a tree for everyone to see out on display?!? Now THATS the terrifying part!!
The hiker who turned and left after seeing the group in the Forrest. He is my spirit animal.
the hiker is a human tho
Plenty of people have little Chinamen as spirit animals. @@lemting2264
The group of people might've been ghosts, as a number of bodies were found there.
@@lemting2264humans are animals
@@lemting2264 Humans are animals tho
I really thought the axe man was going to say, "Do you know how to get to Bells Canyon?!"
😂
Ha, that’s what I was thinking!
HA!😂
hhhhhhhhh xd
BAWLLIN
I really believe that MrBallen needs to be narrating/presenting a his own TV show in the style of Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt, we need something like that
I'd watch it if I could
The podcasts are great, but there's nothing better than seeing MrBallen "in-person"! Thank you, Sir.
I totally agree. Watching him is a whole experience in itself🤗
@@KizzleCakes-cq4itWhich is why I watch the video more than the podcast. I love to see MrBallen in person.😊😊😊
Yes I enjoy watching his hand gestures and I also like to see what color plaid shirt he’s wearing.
he couldnt talk if he sat on his hands...
The searchers face grew pale because on the piece of fabric it read "Im not a fan of the strange, dark, and mysterious."
😂
It’s the like button’s revenge 🤣
😂😂😂Perfection!
awesome
You won the best YT comment of the day award.
My grandma and I love listening to your videos, she’s almost blind so she enjoys just listening. Shes currently in the hospital and we’re passing the time by listening to them together ❤
Cheers! And God bless you both. 💕
He's got even more on spotify, there are exclusive stories that he doesn't have on yt. His Medical Mystery series is also insanely good but probably not the best choice while your grandma is in the hospital. I hope she gets better soon^^
Me and my dog too 💀🤣
So many grandmas love these. Just goes to show that us girlies, no matter the age, are fascinated by true crime
I'm thinking maybe the walnut guy sold him some laced walnuts that had him thinking unreasonably. He could have been high and under the influence hence the letter written unusually but in his hand writing. Sent him to the walnut sellers near Tietua Mountain who sold laced walnuts too. Maybe they are all connected in the sadistic act of Ren's disappearance. Sent him up that Mountain to his death. This doesn't sound like cannibals in the wild but it does sound like ritualistic organized cannibalism. Bones clean as a whistle tied up in pants hanging from a tree like an ornament, haven't found a trace of his body to this day....😢
Even if thats the case why would the walnut dude testify? Leading the investigators to the mountain where all those dead bodies were found? Wouldn't that make him sus?
It would've been better if he just didn't say anything or nah?
they musta been laced with something good!
"i just realized i love walnuts! where can i find more?!"
The only bad thing about Sunday is that tomorrow is Monday, however Mr. Ballen's show makes Sunday something I look forward to every weekend.
3 things of life. Someone to lookup to, someone to look forward to and the hero you're chasing
It's bank holiday in the UK
I'm looking forward to Wednesday so I can watch this without being at work
It's Tuesday in New Zealand 🇳🇿
As an introvert who loves their job, I see Monday as an absolute win 😂
Atleast his wife got to say i love you and goodbye. Most of us dont get that chance to say goodbye to ones we love.
Not trying to be argumentative but I would venture so far as to say most people do get a chance to say goodbye, because most people these days die aged or sick in hospital beds, not in terrible accidents or horrible crimes 😅
Exactly why I don't say goodbye or I love you to my wife or kids. I've read too many news reports about widows who explained to investigators that their husband acted strangely on the day they died by saying goodbye or I love you because they have not said that in a long time. It some sort of premonition. So if I said that I'll be signing my own death warrant.
Man. I really wish it was a part two to this because I want the authorities to find him. And I really hate what happened to all those people up that mountain.
I agree. If there are any updates please do an update video, Mr Ballen. This is very sketchy and the note he left definitely shows something weird was going on.
Cannibalism, He is gone
Hello ❤
@@DangThiPhuong. Hello Bot 👋 👋
@@Diablo_CST how are you ❤️❤️❤️
Hey John. I recently watched your podcast with Shawn Ryan… I just wanted to sincerely say from the bottom of my heart thank you for your service. You are just such a positive individual that you’d never guess you went through everything you did. I’m just short for words. Not that it means much from me, but I have absolutely nothing but the UPMOST respect for you, and your experiences that you’ve gone through. I hope you are doing great these days John.
I’ll never see your videos the same again. I always just thought you did TH-cam, but that couldn’t have been anymore wrong. Never again will I see you as MrBallen the TH-camr, but John the absolute hero.
Again, thank you for your service and all the extraordinary experiences you’ve been through. I just.. had no idea. Hope this finds you well, have a great day/night 🤝🏼🫡
I agree!!
I vastly prefer the videos with you actually narrating them in person. Your facial expressions and enthusiasm really add to the experience.
There are a lot of fake mr ballen TH-cam channels that upload only audio, usually stealing from his podcasts or even these videos.
@@judyshinohara Damn false prophets (joking, here)
Yes!!!
So I got to thinking, Mr. Ballen has so many subscribers, and has covered so many stories where the killer was never caught, I start to wonder if who ever got away with one of these crimes has ever listened to his own strange, dark and mysterious story?
Now that right there’s a strange, dark and mysterious question! I’d love to hear the answer told in story format 😉
hmmmmm
Yes 🧐
With the law of averages being what it is, probably several.
Even more, if any of those perps sent him a letter...
8.86 MILLION subscribers!!! So happy for MrBallen and everyone who puts work and effort into making these videos and podcasts happen! We love what you do!
9.19 subscribers now!!
Mr. Ballen, I have an incredible true story suggestion that would make for a gripping episode - the harrowing tale of the Manjummel boys and their adventure in the Guna caves. In 2006, a group of friends from the Manjummel village in Kerala, India went on a trip to the famous Kodaikanal hills. While exploring the vast Guna cave systems, one of the boys tragically slipped and fell into a 600-foot deep pit.
What followed was a remarkable rescue effort by his friends who refused to give up on him. Against all odds, they managed to get him out alive from the depths of that treacherous pit cave.
This real-life incident made national headlines in India at the time and is considered one of the most incredible cave rescue stories ever. With your skill for dramatizing true events, I can already envision the tension and triumph you could capture. I hope you cover this incredible story on your channel...HUGE FAN HERE❤
Oh wow! Maybe part of the "places you can't go & people who went anyways" stories!
A fellow malayali Mrballen fan rooting for this story ♥
Boring 🥱🥱
poo slingers, no one cares
@@Diablo_CSTrude
Great storytelling!
On a side note, thanks for saying a date, along with how much time elapsed from an event...helps me keep it straight in my head
Gotta give that context! Thanks!
I myself cannot believe within these few years you've become this enormously big. Genuinely proud and happy for you.
Mr Ballen must be the only TH-camr that can make mid-episode adverts sound interesting.
Harry Mack raps his ads which is very cool 😀
My oldest son loves you! He's only wearing plaid and wants to be a TH-cam story teller just like you. Thank you John ❤ he idolizes you so much
I hope he becomes the next Mr.B... if he creates a channel.. tag me, send a link or something.. I'm gonna subscribe for sure.. bless his heart ❤️ love from Maldives 🇲🇻
Hold on a second. You mean to say that your youngest son DOESN'T love Mr. Ballen?!?!?! What is wrong with your parenting style?!?!?
@dima76 my youngest son is 8 so?????? Lol I think the channel would scare him
W❤😊
Can we take a second to appreciate that this man stood out in the high desert mountains just to tell us this story?
He didn't stand he floated. He's beyond our comprehension. Maybe he's the one who's kidnapped Ren.
I was one of those kids who hated school, so Friday night was the happiest part of my week and Sunday night the most depressing. Despite being grown up now and not working a Monday-Friday kind of job, I still feel Sunday evening depression, but the release of new Mr. Ballen every Sunday is starting to change that!
I know what you mean - particularly Sunday afternoons. A blank greyness compared to the sense of excitement and freedom on Friday night and Saturday.
Now I am retired, weekends have become meaningless! It’s great!
I always loved Fall and Winter. They have always been my favorite seasons. I too, absolutely hated school. I struggled to finish high school. When I was younger, 60's and early 1970's, the new shows and TV seasons all started in the fall. It was a mixed blessing because school did also, along with all the homework my teachers loaded us down with. I hated school and the homework.
In my early twenties, as an adult working and earning a living, I still loved Fall and Winter, yet each Fall, I had a terrible sense of dread. I could not figure out why. When I was about 23, it finally hit me. I was dreading the start of school. Once I consciously figured that out, the dread that engulfed me each Fall went away.
Dont have children and a spouse yet and you can have as much freedom as you want.
When someone with an AX asks you if you are alone..YOU SAY NOOOOOOO!
Wow it’s so cool to actually hear you tell a story about the mountain that I’ve actually been to! The Miaofeng mountain definitely has breathtaking sights but I never thought it would have such a creepy story. I went indeed into a rabbit hole researching on this case on Chinese internet, it’s just fascinating. The Tietuo mountain has abandoned villages and mines, people believe that the remains they found were from WW2 and lost villagers who got trapped in the mountain. A lot of people find it hard to believe though, that the Japanese soldiers in WW2 would hike deep in the mountains to kill a few villagers. Thank you for sharing and Tietuo mountain will definitely be my next hiking spot!
oh wow, that's fascinating! My thought was that there might be feral people living up there, which could explain the bizarre behavior of the ax man and others that hikers have encountered. Maybe some families hid so deep in the forest and mines during WW2 that they just never left, and their descendants have taken to killing anyone they find hiking alone in order to steal their supplies, or even cannibalism. The strange note and the walnut story are the most perplexing parts, though. The note could be explained as something he was ordered to write by his captors, and he worded things strangely in order to hint at that fact, which a group of feral people might not be able to read or realize how unnatural it sounded. But that doesn't explain why he went all the way there in the first place, because walnuts.. is really not a logical explanation. 30 miles on a whim like that is way too eccentric. But even if the walnut guy abducted or lured him, that's a point against the feral people theory. So damn strange...
"abandoned villages and mines" Oooooh (shudder)
If you do go, go armed and don't go alone.
If it's your next hiking spot, go with a decent group. It's not sensible to check on such a thing alone.
With how my country faced japanese brutality, nothing seems impossible of their evilness
Cannibalism is my guess, would explain the bones and the people sighted up there. No Ren as he was eaten
Damn 😮
thats exactly what i thought. even commented before i saw this
Same
Yep! There’s a feral human group; they probably weren’t done with his bones yet.
@@jennachester5588yep they probably boiled them to get the marrow and made bone broth
I'm from China! This is an amazing retelling of Ren's story. However, I would like to point out "Ren" is pretty much pronounced "ren". I was confused as to what he was called for a bit haha
Thanks for this! And ya, I realllly struggled with Ren
I took a break from your vids / podcasts for a while but you’re still on top of your game. Thanks for what you do Mr. Ballen.
I got this to work on my Xbox finally. So I'm in a recliner with a blanket watching Mr. Ballen. Life is good.
Love this for you!
Sometimes, I will skip Mr. Ballen videos, so if I am having a really bad week, I can watch a new episode halfway through it to get me by.
Lol I did same thing few months back cuz I was planning to go on a trip and then I watch all videos together on my journey 😅
“Real photo of walnuts”, thanks Mr. Ballen, love your subtle humor. 😊
Something “historically” to note is that a lot of phones will still ping a signal after it dies. This occurred 2022 and onward as a Trend for phones to follow.
Hello ❤
Mr Ballen on a rainy Sunday afternoon is the best!!
It's not raining everywhere. No rain in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada!!!
It’s raining in VT, and I love it.
Mr. Ballen on a rainy Sunday afternoon is DEEZ NUTZ!
Snowy here ... 😏 and enjoying story as well ..
@@hollyperrin7353 haha
Easiest way to get through my shifts. I just throw in my earbuds in and grind away while pleasantly listening to strange, dark, and mysterious stories. 🤘 You're the best John.
Am one of the addicts to this channel watching from Zambia 🇿🇲👍
I'm from Massachusetts and had a very disturbing incident while at in a building on the Tewkesbury state hospital that was corroborated by a roommated. Still haunts me I was only 27 it happened in 2018
What happened?
Hey, fellow masshole, I'm curious now too.
@@GregHaibon-h3t I woke up with this demonic creature in the room I was in. It had me paralyzed and was just staying back and forth looking at me then growled twice zoomed across the room into me and I instantly felt it's power hit me and got jolted and it was gone and i could move. My roommate where it was and growled twice before it came for me told my friend something growled by him last night and he is freaked out. He told him that before I told anyone what happened so it confirmed to me not that I needed confirmation
So, let's say there's a tribe of people in those mountains. Depending on certain details, to them, that mountain may be considered a sacred location. Based on that idea, they don't like outsiders and try to either scare them or potentially kill them if they feel the area was tainted or disrespected.
I'm guessing every country has crazy mountain people.
you have come a long way buddy ….and you have not just created such a fantastic channel but now books and merch….im so incredibly happy and proud for you dude honestly …..I love seeing people succeed ….you are one of the BEST story tellers and I love watching your episodes just as much as I did when I first started watching you ….thank you for bringing me happiness ….my life has not been easy and for the past year its probably been the worse but you manage to keep me motivated and I just wanted to express my gratitude….please don’t stop what you are doing …..you’ve created something so beautiful for people such as myself …..cheers to you buddy….much love from Canada 😊😊😊❤❤❤❤
My Sunday has just been made!
Same. I clicked super fast!!😄
Same here 😂🎉
Mr. Ballen, you are one of the GREATEST storytellers of all time!
Please do a video about all the scary-ass hauntings goin' on at Nellis Air Force Base!
“Real photo of walnuts” thanks I had no idea! 😂
😂
😂😂
I pray Mr. BALLEN is still posting when I am in my 70's. I'm 51 right now! Best storyteller on YT!
This is the first Ballen presentation in a while that really fascinated me. Finally, a story that hasn't been done to death on YT.
The way u deliver ur stories is top notch, u perfect set it up for us to stay to the end, never change
Thank you for always making my travels on the road so much more interesting. My 62 year old aunt who finally got her first cell phone ever like 3 years ago put me on to your channel. Just shows you're reach
The Killer change his dialogue from 'are you alone' to 'you want to buy some walnuts'.
Yeah I think walnut guy had something to do with his disappearance.🤔
I'd normally read comments simultaneously as i'm watching other contents on youtube, even while listening to songs. But Mrballen, you are a gamechanger to the way i'm on youtube. I watch and listen to your stories attentively.. Plus, reading comments while listening to the stories would spoil the excitement, of course.
Btw, i love the way how you shape the story plots interestingly.
I honestly always get chills when John gets closer to the camera with his eyes wide open and repeatably asks something like "are you alone?" Or "do you know how to get to bells canyon"
Thats horrible ,especially for his family having no answers .
Imagine hiking along and finding multiple pants tied up in trees full of bones 😵 Nightmare fuel for life 😵
If I were hiking and saw some pants on a tree I seriously doubt I’d even touch it.
Sounds like Blair Witch shit
@@nataliethomas444 only this was real
Thank you for not doing anymore sponsorship from Better Help. i signed up for it using your link and the only thing I got from them after paying a hefty $40 monthly subscription is more heartache. They were dismissive, rude, and did not felt like they were interested in doing their jobs. That's $40 I won't ever get back. Staring at the walls or ceiling of my room is more cathartic than talking to those people.
Total scam, i am glad u done with these morons. Best of luck with your issues, - as long as u dead honest with yourself u b fine :)) Hope u have a friend to lend you an ear - that is ALL therapy really is! Talk it out with someone who cares.
I'm so sorry
Hope Mr. Ballen replies to you??
"Dear Mr. Ballen,
Please bring back the *scary diving series.* Your videos always inspire me and give me hope. I dream of becoming a detective and telling stories about my discoveries of different crimes, much like the captivating tales you share. Unfortunately, I have to drop out of college, but I trust in God that one day my dream will come true.
Thank you for your amazing content and for being such a positive influence in my life.
There's a deep hole or cave underwater. It's either unexplored or has a sign warning off drivers not to enter or venture any further. There's a guy, or group of guys that are either very experienced or diving with novice experience and either way think they're good enough to survive and they just HAVE to go see this dumb hole in case it's somehow incredibly interesting or maybe they think it's the gateway to Narnia so they gear up and swim into the darkness. Someone gets lost or stuck. They either panic or calmly accept their inevitable fate, air runs out, they drown. Either someone retrieves their body or it's so dangerous they leave it there. People put up a warning sign, maybe a locked gate to warn off future divers and it mostly works until the inevitable cocky diver comes along again....
There, that covers pretty much Every. Single. Diving. Story. EVER.
@@TheWickkit😂😂😂
You’ll do great work. Just keep putting your faith in our Lord and Savior.
@@kathydavenport4422 Hail satan!
@@kathydavenport4422 thank you
Please Mr. Allen look into the case of Yellowstone Actor Cole Brings Plenty. Can you do a video on his case? He's a tribal who went missing after he was attacked & his hair was cut off. He's not getting the attention on his case as he needs. Coco was a beautiful person & deserves justice as all indigenous people do.
My day is made!!!!!! MrBallen is THE BEST storyteller online…. imo
I'm so glad I found this Channel couple years ago. It legit changed my life. I was always bored and then I found this ch. Spent a few months watching every single episode. I know sometimes life can be hard and all but just watching these vids makes everything better. You the best Mr. B !!!!!
Literally discovered his channel during Covid and online school, the best decision ive made so far in my life 😂
Go outside also guys! 👍🏼😊
@@KierstenA-ue8mo Whats that? oo..oo...out siiiiiddeeee... Nope never heard of it 😆
Wow. This has to be one of the most disturbing and mysterious stories I've heard from Mr. Ballen. What makes it even better is the dark ambient music that was added. I hope that type of music is used more often it literally set the mood 👍🏻
Mr. JB Allen, I really appreciate your chosen line of work , not many have your gift. The best storyteller I have ever heard. Keep on trucking!
Hello ❤😊
There was that one time around 3 yrs ago when you said we should give a warm hug to like button because it's been through a lot on your channel and I think it's about time like button got another warm hug 😊
Facts
Maybe one of us needs to solve the dark mystery of why Mr. Ballen has such a vendetta against the like button. Is it because his mommy and daddy didn't love him enough? I don't have a clue.
I forgot what vid tho
At this stage in the game I feel that the Button would say, "I'm suddenly supposed to trust all this new affection?" ...and promptly run away far
@@user-ug1dh1zy4v 🤣
Bruh, I've watched enough Mr. Ballen to read between the lines and it is clear to me that Jien (Ren) is a serial killer. The mountain he frequently hikes is his burial ground and is not likely to be his hunting ground, since nobody had really gone missing in the mountain before (not 10+ people.) That all the bones were stashed in sweatpants from trees is obviously pointing to a pattern of a repeated killer. He writes about himself in the 3rd person and slips grammar at the end as if schizophrenically shifting personalities. His interaction with the walnut vendor shows his mental instability and break from reality. The phone shows his getaway at the train station when he switched his phone back on. Seems like Ren could be anywhere... even standing right behind you... o.O
😖
just made a comment just like yours, woops.
Yep, this was my first thought too. Although looking at his picture I don't get a bad guy feeling but if he has multiple personalities that could be explained.
I think that the person who saw all the people was actually witnessing the spirits buried up there. They were asking for help so their souls can rest.
They need a medium and to be set free.
That is a plausible theory. Bravo.
please people finally learn that schizophrenia is NOT multiple personalities. thats is Dissociative Identity Disorder.
Baffles me, that such an amazing odd story, and yet all the comments I saw were just about how fantastic Mr. Ballen is. What a weird group of groupies.
Yeah I was kinda frustrated too, like don't get me wrong I absolutely love Mr Ballen stories and the way he tells them, but on every single video of him, the majority of comments always relate of his story telling instead of the case/story. Is weird.
@@fionahireland Totally, I was so excited to read the comments and see some discussion/theories of what could've happen, but nope. Pretty few talked about the case.
Yeah. It’s a bit annoying.
Every.single.week
Not real comments
This is why it's so important to alert the authorities to shady or dangerous looking people. Had the hikers who had come across the axe-wielding man reported him, countless lives could have been saved.
There was supposedly an update to this case as well in 2023, Ren’s family found a note that read, "I'm looking for you," while sorting through his belongings, just like the title. Sparks up more lots of more mysteries
Got it. MrBallen is the serial killer.
_I first watched your video some 2-3 years ago. I was really into your storytelling. Then, I searched YT, found your channel, and subscribed. And for some TH-cam channel, they tend to get boring after a few years. But for Mr Ballen, until now, your stories still amazes me. Especially in the way you tell them to your viewers. Keep up Mr Ballen. I'm looking forward to stories that came form a true story or with real pictures. I will continue to support you. All the best~_
Thanks for the content and your service John Ballen
25:25 That's was a scary demo man. For real I don't know how to react with somebody looking like that.
I just forgot it’s Sunday. I’m sad because it’s almost Monday but I’m glad because it’s Mrballen day
Right now, it is monday where I am. It's okay, you will get through this.
@@Bambi-xg3kr have a great week :)
@@BIANCA_YAOWA it is now Monday. What are we going to do 😮
@@ericduncan7266 I’m going to cry hby
@@BIANCA_YAOWA I guess cry with you..
This has become my Sunday afternoon ritual… little down time.. just one adult man telling another adult man a story 🙏🏻 thanks MrBallen!
I'm ready for my weekly dose of the strange, dark, and mysterious delivered in story format. Hit me with the good stuff, Mr. B!
Are you ready for your weekly dose of … DEEZ NUTZ!
@@hollyperrin7353 Always.
I did something today I haven't done in years: I bought a flannel shirt! For an event I just came back from, and on the way out the door earlier today, I simply couldn't resist looking in the mirror, grab my right fist with my left hand, and say "... delivered in story-format" 😁
I love when Mr Ballen posts on Sundays, really brings a good end to the weekend
I’ll always recommend if you’re able please sign up with missing people and help search in your area if there is a missing person. It’s so incredibly important trying to find them soon, or to get closure for the families! 💜
Signed up for CERT in my area. Haven’t finished the course yet, (caregiver for mother).
Yes, I agree that everyone’s community needs assistance and support.
@@AimeeAimee444 love that you do that! Volunteering your time is I feel also rewarding for oneself and you feel that what you do is important! 🙏
"Real photo of walnuts," 😂
😅
Almost laughed out loud.
Sike, it’s cake.
MrBallen, I absolutely love your videos, this is the only TH-cam channel that does videos in what I like. I really like the way you tell the stories, and it all makes a lot of sense.
I wait patiently every Sunday for Mr Ballens videos! 😭
Xen be coming down the mountain when he comes
Speaking of scams and such, I knew an elderly lady who was in her 90s and still living alone. She was starting to become confused at this time and was later diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She used to be a nun so was used to helping those in need. One day a scammer called her and gave her some sob story that they needed help and being the good person that she was, she said yes. I don't know exactly what they said to her but they somehow knew the right buttons to push and they ended up getting over 30 grand away from her! These "people" are heartless and don't care who they hurt as long as they get what they want. Beware!
Sadly it's only gonna get worse as AI tech evolves. Phony voice emulators and even phony video chats are already being worked on and scammers will be all over them soon. Now people are starting to talk about having verification passwords with their trusted friends & relatives in case they get asked for money by an impersonator.
Were the walnut vendors ever questioned? It's strange that 1 vendor would recommend another vendor for something as trivial as walnuts. Additionally, we had the phone call that placed him LEAVING the first mountain around 4pm and the friend confirmed everything seemed normal. We know by this phone call he was definitely at that mountain around 4pm, so he couldn't have gone straight to the mountain where his note was found. What if he did a hike on the first, then grabbed walnuts, then went to the next mountain, and the "vendors" were more than just walnut salesmen. What if it was a ruse to get him there and rob or murder him? Furthering this theory is that ping from his cellphone at the train station, if someone simply found the phone, why would it be off and stay off aside from a couple of seconds to ping? Certainly seems more suspicious that it was only on for seconds. Additionally, cameras were checked and there was no sign of him at the station, likely because someone else had the phone
Lastly, he was a HUGE nature fan and hated waste so much his journal was scraps of paper from the school. I highly doubt he would've left the newspapers on the mountain, instead opting for retrieving them on his way back down the mountain. Seems like he either didn't leave the mountain, didn't leave it of his own free will, or didn't take the path he took up.
I wonder, even if he was either lost or under duress, writing that note made reality hit him that much harder and he somewhat lost his composure. Almost like regressing or dissociating and trying his best to get any words out that made any sense. He may have even been running from those people or ran into them and he realized he needed to write even faster.
Some people have theorized that maybe he was actually the murderer, and he was feeling guilty, what if he was writing it and it was getting worse because he was feeling so guilty, and it was really getting to him, or if he was being tormented by the spirits of the people he murdered? Just another thought :-)
Perfect time for a study break to clean. Thanks Mr B 🦅
Bro this video was so good 10/10 would rewatch