Neighborhood killer does the unthinkable (*MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY*)

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.พ. 2023
  • Go to our sponsor betterhelp.com/MRBALLEN for 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help.
    Time Stamps:
    #1 -- "The Curse" -- 1:10 -- The plot twist in this story is so horrifying and unexpected, it'll keep you guessing until the end
    #2 -- Special Announcement! -- 34:41
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    For educational, documentary and entertainment purposes only. Based on actual events. The authoritative sources used for this story include interviews, newspaper articles, and TV news reporting meant to educate and memorialize notable cases in our history.
    Theme Song: "Something Wicked" - • ♩♫ Epic Horror Synth T...
    ('Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License')
    Theme Song by: @RossBugden
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ความคิดเห็น • 17K

  • @MrBallen
    @MrBallen  ปีที่แล้ว +881

    Go get your tickets to my first-ever LIVE SHOW at: www.Moment.co/MrBallen

    • @DatBoyJailbreak
      @DatBoyJailbreak ปีที่แล้ว +30

      I’m first to this comment

    • @chelsea545
      @chelsea545 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      💯 percent supporting this so you can go on tour sharing scary stories in person!

    • @angelwilson887
      @angelwilson887 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      🖤🖤🖤

    • @Rhionah
      @Rhionah ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @MrBallen is the message about a win and contacting you over telegram legit?

    • @dustincureton126
      @dustincureton126 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Plz tell me you've seen the ouija Mac song about you!!!!!

  • @totallyfrozen
    @totallyfrozen ปีที่แล้ว +10339

    Can you imagine being one of Mr. Ballen’s kids? Bedtime stories must be incredible!

    • @jaimestewart8295
      @jaimestewart8295 ปีที่แล้ว +785

      Yeah but you would never sleep.

    • @Yuk443i
      @Yuk443i ปีที่แล้ว +103

      @@jaimestewart8295 ikr lol

    • @AlexousTyKeishaCanSingAndRap
      @AlexousTyKeishaCanSingAndRap ปีที่แล้ว +81

      Lol I hope they mean that even if the story was little red riding hood, he would tell it in a way that would make up some of the best memories of their childhood, not lmao that he would tell THESE kinda stories 🤣🤣🤣🤣

    • @Yuk443i
      @Yuk443i ปีที่แล้ว +22

      @@danielprescott2880 then I shall watch since I'm out of mr ballen and disturban videos and mr disturban uploads sometimes and mr ballen once a week soo

    • @teeunyabaxter9232
      @teeunyabaxter9232 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      I agree he’s the best story teller !

  • @Bansheeman6100
    @Bansheeman6100 ปีที่แล้ว +11129

    The fact that he doesn't mention his service as a Navy SEAL very often (especially while talking about the depression and therapy thing) has always made me respect him that much more

    • @MrBallen
      @MrBallen  ปีที่แล้ว +1791

      🙏

    • @IchbinX
      @IchbinX ปีที่แล้ว +601

      He used to, but only because his stories involved diving. I remember binge watching him, and he'd vaguely mention it a lot.

    • @nathanielhorrigan2181
      @nathanielhorrigan2181 ปีที่แล้ว +596

      Agreed. I know guys that spent 4 years in the marines and it’s all they talk about. I was friends with this guy Timmy for about three years before I found out he spent ten years as a marines. And I asked him why I never knew that and he said “because I don’t need to find a way to bring it up in every conversation I have.” That made me love the dude so much more.

    • @jasonhoward9770
      @jasonhoward9770 ปีที่แล้ว +497

      @@MrBallen being that you are a Navy SEAL and always will be I think you have every right to mention it whenever you want. PS thank you for your service 🇺🇲💪. My bad on the wrong flag was just trying to show my support for our American heroes.

    • @franklinstower6721
      @franklinstower6721 ปีที่แล้ว +80

      I second that

  • @TwizzlerGirl
    @TwizzlerGirl 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +217

    After hearing about the tea cakes I knew how this story would go down from previous true crime story tellers. It was interesting how you flipped the whole story and catfished us into thinking she was a good person 😅

    • @J_L_A
      @J_L_A 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      He mentioned tea cakes several times! I'm catching onto his stories as well.😂

  • @kory_misun
    @kory_misun 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +350

    Being afraid of an evil curse is like throwing kindling on a fire that you wish would go out. I'm proud of Leonarda for taking back her life and finding her own peace through the good she did for others.
    *LATER AFTER I HEAR THE REST OF THE STORY:* Um... excuse the blazes out of me, what?

    • @katieann9026
      @katieann9026 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

      😂

    • @sarathompson6628
      @sarathompson6628 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Yeah, ditto everything you said.

    • @xXTwigManXx
      @xXTwigManXx 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Why the hell would you leave a comment on a video before you've finished watching it ESPECIALLY when at the very beginning it was told that there would be a twist

    • @kory_misun
      @kory_misun 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

      @@xXTwigManXx Because the change of my outlook was funny to me so I thought I'd share it after the fact.

    • @slaywitheestco
      @slaywitheestco 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      You had me in the first half I’m ngl lol but yea same

  • @markbrenzel9419
    @markbrenzel9419 ปีที่แล้ว +2875

    The fact that she got her friend's hopes up by, in essence, making their dreams come true is an extra layer of evil.

    • @angielee3365
      @angielee3365 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      atleast they died happy...um i mean if she took an out in a somewhat surprise attack move like a sneak shot b4 she did it so if any of them died quick & didnt see it or have time 2c it comin then I guess they woulda been happy when they died. AS LONG AS THEY DIDNT SEE OR KNO IT WAS COMIN &IT WOULDA ALSO HAD 2B SO FAST THAT THEY COULDNT HAVE REALIZED WTF JUS HAPPEN 2THEM SO IDK ID LIKE 2THINK NOBODY HAD 2SUFFER B4 THEY DIED. IT MAKES IT EASIER 2ACCEPT IN MY MIND. CUZ I CANT STAND WHEN SOMEONE HAS 2SUFFER FROM ANY KINDA TORTURE B4THEY CANT HOLD ON ANYMORE & DIET BREAKS MY HEART THINKIN HOW ITS THE VERY LAST THING THEY GOTTA EXPERIENCE B4 THEY GO SMH SO SAD

    • @ARedMotorcycle
      @ARedMotorcycle ปีที่แล้ว

      @@angielee3365 They didn't die happy, dunce.

    • @Grapezzzz
      @Grapezzzz ปีที่แล้ว +96

      It makes sense, though. She used their most vulnerable desires against them. She must have thought about doing such acts for a long time with the strategy she displayed. Maybe when her mother "cursed" her. She knew something about her daughter that the world had not yet known.

    • @akiraotoishi5756
      @akiraotoishi5756 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Prediction at 8,14:
      Im guessing the 'curse' does something terrible to her 4 children

    • @cynthiafondren1326
      @cynthiafondren1326 ปีที่แล้ว

      Totally agree

  • @thesandwichman9401
    @thesandwichman9401 ปีที่แล้ว +720

    This takes the quote “A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.” to a whole new level

    • @karsere853
      @karsere853 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      My thoughts exactly!

    • @torihanabi
      @torihanabi ปีที่แล้ว +24

      I knew her superstition would be her downfall from the start. I see it too often 💀 yet no one ever listens lol

    • @caitcasali3207
      @caitcasali3207 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I have never heard that one but. I love it! I was thinking manifest destiny gone awry or be careful what you wish for...

    • @nhmooytis7058
      @nhmooytis7058 ปีที่แล้ว

      Appointment in Samarra.

    • @IlaughedIcried
      @IlaughedIcried ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Definition of dramatic irony!

  • @dougthelatenightthugbrookf4379
    @dougthelatenightthugbrookf4379 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +133

    17:34 into the video right now. It's definitely Loenarda. She was abused throughout her life and still holds all that, all the people she is helping are disappearing, and "a beautiful gift" to the universe definitely sounds like a Euphemism for a human sacrifice. What gave it away was how the second person she helped left town and was also sending postcards. Maybe I'm wrong, we'll see. Love your videos man, looking forward to whatever it is

    • @user-dt2mz3ru5j
      @user-dt2mz3ru5j 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      She was making soap out of the people she killed

    • @zoegriffin6
      @zoegriffin6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Cs😊

  • @nathandrake459
    @nathandrake459 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +71

    The moment I heard the words "occult and spell-book" I knew this story wasn't going to end well for the mother.

    • @danastewart9281
      @danastewart9281 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yeah I kept wondering why she didn’t go to a Priest to have the “curse” lifted.

    • @user-vc1hn8fu7x
      @user-vc1hn8fu7x หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      ​@@danastewart9281
      I'm not going to a catholic priest to remove a santeria curse.
      Depends where it came from.
      Christianity isn't a cure all.

    • @furiousfiregaming
      @furiousfiregaming 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@user-vc1hn8fu7x Well....yeah it is. (Biblically speaking) God gave the power to the disciples to drive out demons. Demons are associated with the occult stuff in every way. The most dangerous part is kinda what the woman experienced, she didn't know that demons inhabited her life. She needed a Priest desperately.

    • @user-vc1hn8fu7x
      @user-vc1hn8fu7x 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@furiousfiregaming
      Nah.
      Religion is a human construct with an all-too-convienient escape hatch (cAnT kNoW tHe MiNd Of GoD), and used to control weak minded individuals, commit horrific atrocities and make stupid amounts of money.
      Plus, if God's real, he's in full cahoots with satan.
      Ridiculous fairytales

  • @AcousticKitty
    @AcousticKitty ปีที่แล้ว +966

    I always love the "NOT a real photo" parts... in this one, showing a woman holding an axe high, "NOT a real photo of Leonarda" and all I picture is her setting up her camera and taking a selfie of herself holding the axe up high 😆

    • @smalltowngirlbigcityheart3724
      @smalltowngirlbigcityheart3724 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      😂😂😂

    • @glamdolly30
      @glamdolly30 ปีที่แล้ว

      I give Mr Ballen full credit for recognising how dumb most of his viewers are! 🤣🤣🤣

    • @misstinahamilton5714
      @misstinahamilton5714 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      😂😂

    • @Joel-zz5wx
      @Joel-zz5wx ปีที่แล้ว +2

      🤣

    • @SunRabbit
      @SunRabbit ปีที่แล้ว +8

      She would have had to have taken the selfie with something like a Brownie, one of them box-looking things. LOL.

  • @MsEnglishtea
    @MsEnglishtea ปีที่แล้ว +1425

    I remember my grandmother telling me this story when I was 12. I told her to tell me a scary story, she did after she finished telling me, my grandmother said it was a true story which made it all the more frightening. I didn't eat tea cakes for years.

    • @deathmauler181
      @deathmauler181 ปีที่แล้ว

      Not to be...that person but what the fuck. Why did your grandmother tell you this at 12..

    • @BEAUTYnIQ
      @BEAUTYnIQ ปีที่แล้ว +36

      lol good ole grandma..
      memories to hav nightmares by..!

    • @leighwhite544
      @leighwhite544 ปีที่แล้ว +43

      Makes you think twice about hand made soaps too😂

    • @maryriley6163
      @maryriley6163 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Right on.

    • @tomaslove9416
      @tomaslove9416 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      were you also didnt bathe with soap? 😂

  • @karonxls
    @karonxls 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +22

    Mr. Ballen, I was so engrossed with this story that I believed this woman was genuinely helping people by giving good to protect against evil; the story's ending was spectacular and unbelievably true. 🤪

  • @paulobustamante8638
    @paulobustamante8638 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

    When I heard Leonarda Cianciulli, I knew it right away. But Mr. Ballen is really good setting up this plot twist : )

  • @jessicafardig4962
    @jessicafardig4962 ปีที่แล้ว +804

    Confession:
    Sometimes I take a break from watching you just to save up episodes so I can binge watch later cuz I get so sad when it's over

    • @mynew859
      @mynew859 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      Lol, me too

    • @internetsnail
      @internetsnail ปีที่แล้ว +12

      similarly i draw while i listen to mr ballen and ill literally save videos for when im drawing and i wont watch them until then

    • @Verrill82
      @Verrill82 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I would when he was uploading 3 times a week but can't wait now it's only once.
      If I need a binge I'll listen to his podcast to fall asleep!

    • @Aoichi_
      @Aoichi_ ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Same! 😅

    • @rosamariagalvan465
      @rosamariagalvan465 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      So do I!!@

  • @mouseyvay
    @mouseyvay ปีที่แล้ว +824

    I was having such a lovely time listening to this wholesome story about Leonarda that I forgot I was supposed to be looking out for a neighborhood killer and that this was in fact a strange, dark, and mysterious sort of story 🥴

  • @carissadgraham
    @carissadgraham 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +32

    I imagine MrBallen telling stories to his fellow Navy Seals, either in a cabin or around a campfire, and everyone but him is hiding under blankets, arms wrapped around their knees and clutching each other in pure fear. This mental image helps me get through these stories 😅😂

    • @nikkid8367
      @nikkid8367 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Is this meant to be a compliment? You just insulted Navy Seals resilience and said that insult in and of itself is what helps you get through the content, like it's a chore to hear vs. standing on its own as good material 😕

    • @carissadgraham
      @carissadgraham 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      @@nikkid8367 that's not it at all. His story telling is SO. GOOD. that I can't listen to some stories if it's at night or if I'm home alone.
      Since a lot of the stories he tells truly scare me, I picture the toughest, burliest, manliest men being just as scared as I am because it's a funny mental picture.
      Think of a group of kids listening to ghost stories in a forest around a campfire in the middle of the night. Now just replace those kids with the toughest men on the planet and there's your mental image!

    • @VLONELI23
      @VLONELI23 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      @@carissadgraham You Shouldn’t Have to explain yourself. It obviously wasn’t an insult just a really good compliment .

    • @user-vc1hn8fu7x
      @user-vc1hn8fu7x หลายเดือนก่อน

      You're being purposefully dense and it's not a good look.
      ​@@nikkid8367

    • @justarandomperson2786
      @justarandomperson2786 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      @@nikkid8367 you're looking for reasons to be offended here. It's clear as day this was meant as a HIGH praise for Mrballen's storytelling, not as some sort of insult against the "Resiliance" of the Navy. Fear is human... People in the military are full of fear. The thing that makes them "brave" is going up against that fear head-on. The idea that simply admitting that someone in the military can experience fear is "insulting" in some way is ridiculous.
      Also, yes, hearing scary stuff is by some definitions a "chore" to hear because it's frightening - that doesn't mean you dislike it. Being frightened is fun BECAUSE it's so close to being a negative emotion, but yet its still exciting and leaves you wanting more.

  • @Greenbean1318
    @Greenbean1318 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    Can you imagine being told a story in-person , by Mr. Ballen? If I were rich I’d hire him for a monthly storytelling session in my house for the kids and myself. We are HOOKED!

  • @blackfire762
    @blackfire762 ปีที่แล้ว +1908

    Hearing about Leonarda gives me chills every time. Telling people about her is like telling a Grimm tale someone made up its unreal.

    • @SalemElloit
      @SalemElloit ปีที่แล้ว +21

      Should find beyond belief fact or fiction videos. There are a lot of stories they cover that one wouldnt believe to being true.

    • @danielagiorno4993
      @danielagiorno4993 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      Don't laugh, my family had the evil eye cast on us in 1996 when we went to visit family in Italy. They literally destroyed our family, full effect & results hit when we returned to Australia

    • @SalemElloit
      @SalemElloit ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@danielagiorno4993 dang. There is one story i know of, where this mans mother tried to curse him and it didnt work. The person his mother went to, ran out to his mother and demanded she left her building when she went to her altar to curse him.

    • @Skyflakes05
      @Skyflakes05 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      its like El Pozolero but more twisted that people rubbed the body parts on themselves in the form of the human soap

    • @justincraig398
      @justincraig398 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      How many times have you heard this story ?

  • @perfectlyimperfect_8528
    @perfectlyimperfect_8528 ปีที่แล้ว +611

    Give this man a Netflix special already!!! Doesn’t matter how many times I hear a story, if MrBallen is the storyteller, then I’m all in. Any story is so much better when he tells it ❤❤
    PS thank you for your service ❤ and thank you to any other veterans old or young, I deeply appreciate you

    • @shuffman8094
      @shuffman8094 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      He’s on Amazon music podcast

    • @becky6997
      @becky6997 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      He should have a series on Netflix or Disney +

    • @paulwright8378
      @paulwright8378 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      hell no you have to pay for Netflix, TH-cam is free why would you want to pay for his story telling

    • @cbowers318
      @cbowers318 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Well he is part of the Amazon family now so I doubt we ever get that Netflix special.

    • @mommys3bratz
      @mommys3bratz ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I'm sure as a veteran he wouldn't want his stories to be supported by Netflix or Disney! Lmao🤣🤣🤣

  • @ava.artemis
    @ava.artemis 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +58

    You’re a good man, Mr. Ballen. I wasn’t sure at first- I mean I’m always skeptical- but you’ve won me over. You clearly actually care about doing good in the world, and I appreciate you.

    • @BlazeBuds
      @BlazeBuds 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      Yeah not many out there these days, most are just in this stuff for money, but he actually does care, plus if he was all about money he would do more than 1 a week

    • @00z53
      @00z53 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      What are you guys on about?

    • @josephlilley9249
      @josephlilley9249 9 วันที่ผ่านมา

      You know Mr ballen is a killer???

  • @karenmarlatt2540
    @karenmarlatt2540 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    Your stories - and “like button” antics - are top rate!

  • @mistyd6059
    @mistyd6059 ปีที่แล้ว +921

    I literally did a report on her in my junior year of high school. As soon as I heard ‘shop’ & ‘Leonarda’ I immediately remembered her story cause it’s so crazy. Not a lot of people talk about her, which is weird cause her story is so crazy.

    • @crystalh450
      @crystalh450 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      Yeah, I heard about her from another true crime story person on TH-cam quite some time ago. It is hard to not remember a lady who made cakes out of people. I also think that whole "curse" thing was a self fulfilling prophecy but I kind of also feel a bit bad for her because I don't think she felt she deserved to be happy in her younger years and her mom didn't help. That doesn't excuse what she did, but the whole thing sounded really messed up; I can't imagine ever disowning a child just because I didn't like who they picked, not to mention the rest.

    • @YSIDROMAC
      @YSIDROMAC ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @Crystal H Yeah poor old murderering lady lol I have been deemed mentally ill by society and I am realizing I'm probably one of the few safe people on this planet to be around...near impossible to dodge psychotics the freaking doctors and nurses themselves have mental illness a lot of times I'm finding out that's why they get interested. .

    • @crystalh450
      @crystalh450 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @@YSIDROMAC you can have sympathy for people without condoning their actions. Things are often more complicated than someone just being a "bad guy" or "good guy."

    • @cynthiakeller5954
      @cynthiakeller5954 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@crystalh450 Her mother set her up to be this monster. Had her mother treated her with genuine love, Leonarda would have been different. Mothers, love your babies and cherish them forever.
      In turn Leonarda's grandparents were equal in this crime.

    • @porenasianparapino812
      @porenasianparapino812 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @Witty Witty This has nothing to do with gender roles, they should have given Leonarda a death sentence because this is beyond evil, even if she didn't confess I know very damn well they would have given her son the same sentence as Leonarda trust me, the justice system will never give the dead women rest

  • @mydreamwindow1721
    @mydreamwindow1721 ปีที่แล้ว +361

    This story gives the term, "body soap" a whole new meaning.

  • @jaclynbruske37
    @jaclynbruske37 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    i’m gonna guess all these friends she’s sending away, aren’t really being sent away and she’s just murdering them as sacrifices and then forging letters to make it seem like they’re okay

  • @tilbecristofori
    @tilbecristofori 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    Me and my family live close to where it all happened.(Italy, Coreggio) And I heard this story from hundred different people but hearing the same story from Mr. Ballen literally gave me chills! You are an amazing story teller! And thanks for covering our town's strange story!!

  • @ikpergerard7558
    @ikpergerard7558 ปีที่แล้ว +605

    Should I be more proud I began following this channel before it had a million, and still diligently wait for every upload to this day. That is the power of this man's compelling and captivating story telling

    • @Abbieejenkins
      @Abbieejenkins ปีที่แล้ว +56

      I'm with you 🤣 I found his channel after about 20 uploads.. and I sat there and binged them all in 1 day! So jealous of new comers getting to listen to them all for the first time 😩

    • @heatherlynn4652
      @heatherlynn4652 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Probably not. His channel grew fast and was pushed in the algorithm because people thought it was good. The algorithm pushing it to you before other people doesn't mean you're better or worse than anyone. Besides being the biggest super stan of anyone, from TH-cam or mainstream media, is pretty cringe

    • @ikpergerard7558
      @ikpergerard7558 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@Abbieejenkins often times I go to his podcasts, and a few minutes I discover it's a familiar story and I have to cut them half way

    • @karenlafrentz
      @karenlafrentz ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Same here! When they were uploading 3 or 4 times a week. He is an awesome story teller!

    • @RealLukifer
      @RealLukifer ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@heatherlynn4652 he's praising him saying he still loves the channel after so long

  • @GrandmaLoves2Scuba
    @GrandmaLoves2Scuba ปีที่แล้ว +142

    This is my first time hearing this story. Wow.
    Edit: It took me 3 years after my husband's death to finally admit I needed help. That I couldn't do it alone. Therapy was the best thing I ever did. Thank you for sharing your experience. It helps to share.

  • @earthling148
    @earthling148 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    MrBallen, I've commented before how much I enjoy your show. But even more impressed by you promoting therapy and divulging your own past issues. And it's so good to see these are professional therapists not these bogus "life coach " crap. You are actually a bit like my therapist because you give me a break from all the toxicity in the news. So thank you !

  • @jackivan7632
    @jackivan7632 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

    not only is it terrible to curse your daughter, but blaming their poverty on her daughter, when its her own fault she got pregnant is so infuriating

    • @CompulsingFate
      @CompulsingFate 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Some people can just be so insufferable...

  • @guyanesegyal8953
    @guyanesegyal8953 ปีที่แล้ว +370

    I knew it was her once she got a "job" for the second woman with her mother's side of the family. They disowned her mom to the point her mom blamed her for everything her whole life . NO way these people would of been willing to do ANY favors what so ever for her. Everything was too good to be true. That was a crazy twist ! Wow

    • @Jadaunique2
      @Jadaunique2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ‼️ same

    • @Unpopularity
      @Unpopularity ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You love the twist?

    • @guyanesegyal8953
      @guyanesegyal8953 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Unpopularity sorry didn't mean to say love because that was horrible .

    • @JustinOhio
      @JustinOhio ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Yup, exact same spot for me too...I knew the soap was going to be something to do with their bodies too. I was actually hoping for more of a twist.

    • @solzayas9038
      @solzayas9038 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Same here. It became very obvious to me

  • @StephanieMoondance
    @StephanieMoondance ปีที่แล้ว +398

    I appreciate the way Mr. Ballen describes things by adding gestures and footnotes for clarity, but without creating a feeling of condescension.

    • @sozzysucks
      @sozzysucks ปีที่แล้ว +9

      right, i feel like he's almost trying to communicate with children but im ignorantly forgetting that people who speak all kinds of languages watch these videos. A huge part of them is the immersion and delivery and if you can't tell what he's saying or don't understand it, you mind as well be on reddit

    • @danaperry3900
      @danaperry3900 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I was going to say the same thing! He defines or explains things without being condescending. Yeah, I might know what that word means, but others might not!

    • @sozzysucks
      @sozzysucks ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@danaperry3900 Explained perfectly!

    • @danadoozer9990
      @danadoozer9990 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I have always admired him for doing that, not everyone knows some of the terms he refers to, and I love the way he explains it in an educational manner!

    • @glamdolly30
      @glamdolly30 ปีที่แล้ว

      Far too many air quotes!

  • @oscarpacker817
    @oscarpacker817 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I figured it out the second you said the name Leonarda Cianciulli. I did a presentation on her for my criminal justice class last year. I chose her specifically to shock my whole class.

  • @Kashmerega-fs1vg
    @Kashmerega-fs1vg 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    This is a real life witch. Because come on, she made potions, told the future had a caldron of human remains, and poisoned people.

  • @roughriderfishing7755
    @roughriderfishing7755 ปีที่แล้ว +436

    You’ve outdone yourself with this one MrB. This is a HECK of a story with a serious heck of a twist.

    • @MinuteManClips
      @MinuteManClips ปีที่แล้ว

      His mom writes his scripts and he makes things up when he doesn't know something. He's openly admitted to these things

    • @MinuteManClips
      @MinuteManClips ปีที่แล้ว

      Oh and charges 20 dollar to see him go live on his phone and 10 dollars to ask a question. Ppl have ordered his merch and haven't received their orders or a refund. This guy really sucks bro don't support him

    • @cjkrash
      @cjkrash ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@MinuteManClips so?

    • @candicetaylor2043
      @candicetaylor2043 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Facts

    • @dragonfly4500
      @dragonfly4500 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@MinuteManClips ur a meanie! Stop clowning clown. Mr. Ballen brings interesting stories to us.

  • @Ipnodemas
    @Ipnodemas ปีที่แล้ว +153

    I’m Italian so I already knew Leonarda Cianciulli’s case, but since you tell stories so well, I enjoyed it like it was the first time

    • @tonypage9302
      @tonypage9302 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Im not Italian but i have heard of this case, same i enjoyed the way he tells the story..

    • @rexthegamergembox
      @rexthegamergembox ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I'm glad I've never heard this story before and enjoyed so much so that without any doubt this story is by far the best I've ever heard not just from mr.ballen but from anyone.

    • @oyasumi1703
      @oyasumi1703 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Idem

  • @karenray248
    @karenray248 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    You are amazing!!! I watched one of your videos and now I'm happily obsessed. Firstly I want to Thank you for your service and keeping us all safe. Secondly I want to thank you for advocating for depression. I have suffered from Major Depression for over 60 years and it's not easy. To encourage people to seek help is so important and I truly hope people will listen to you. We all need a little help from time to time and it's nothing to be ashamed of.

  • @HR-nq8ys
    @HR-nq8ys 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I swear i guessed the ending😁 thanks to all your stories that I've heard 🤣

  • @alyssahooper
    @alyssahooper ปีที่แล้ว +82

    This story really gives a new meaning to “body soap”

    • @scottanonymous798
      @scottanonymous798 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Don’t forget the full body tea cakes, Leonardas friend says hmm how do you get the red colour to the tea cakes, blood dude it’s bloode😱

  • @nymom8204
    @nymom8204 ปีที่แล้ว +618

    Nothing makes a bad day better like a new Strange Dark and Mysterious MrBallen

  • @scottsthoughtschannel9538
    @scottsthoughtschannel9538 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    This has been a really great rendition of this story!!! BRAVO!!!

  • @redxross
    @redxross 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    One of the most important people in my world is a lifelong fan of true crime stories, the more gruesome the better. At the time of this writing, they are dying of Alzheimer's disease. As you can imagine, this is a painful time for me. But Mr. Ballen's channel helps me a lot because hearing these stories makes me feel closer to the person who is going away. As an added bonus, his storytelling doesn't rely on images, so I'm able to follow along while I'm working.
    So, thank you Mr. Ballen for your kindness, and please, restock your merch shop so I can try to return the favor!

  • @seraphik
    @seraphik ปีที่แล้ว +64

    i love how mr ballen sometimes first tells the story in a way that deliberately misleads you but somehow doesn't make you feel duped after the reveal. i think it's cuz he'll tell the story first the way it seemed to the world... not just total BS, but basically the "public face" everyone saw. and then he'll flip it around and tell you what ACTUALLY happened. it's absolutely riveting.

  • @BSJ-Unparalleled
    @BSJ-Unparalleled ปีที่แล้ว +173

    I’ve heard this story before. The way Mr.Ballen tells stories intrigues me, because somehow he told this story in such a captivating way that it felt I was hearing it for the first time.

    • @ades8427
      @ades8427 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Same here. Heard it before. Not as good as this

    • @brianbonnet3170
      @brianbonnet3170 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Same

    • @jeffwrightsman7797
      @jeffwrightsman7797 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      The Florida guy that ate the persons face. I knew about that but when he told the story, it was completely new to me but I also learned that the initial national news got a lot wrong. I thought it was a homeless bum and not a college kid.

    • @maryjane4432
      @maryjane4432 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      He always does.

    • @sidneyglymp624
      @sidneyglymp624 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Exactly like he always details the little things out so u get a feel for everything that’s happening better

  • @makesap
    @makesap ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for the recommendation TH-cam. I’m hooked on this channel

  • @magdalenacruz684
    @magdalenacruz684 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow I’m just now hearing about the live show and I had been thinking about how cool it would be to sit at a camp ground and tell some of these stories. Look forward to it!

  • @CynfulArts
    @CynfulArts ปีที่แล้ว +429

    As soon at you said "soap" and "tea cakes" I knew exactly what this story was. That's just because I'm a true crime junkie, that's saying nothing against your story telling. Excellent narration and suspense building as always

    • @anandhugopan
      @anandhugopan ปีที่แล้ว +31

      Even before that, when he mentioned about her going through the occult and fortune telling books looking for a solution was a dead giveaway for me. No sane person would expect something worthy out of those books lol.

    • @kimelkins9147
      @kimelkins9147 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      So, this is the one I was thinking of. I remembered hearing about this.

    • @MrCardigansGorliePops
      @MrCardigansGorliePops ปีที่แล้ว

      Me too

    • @ceciliafarias4642
      @ceciliafarias4642 ปีที่แล้ว

      Same

    • @irishcream227
      @irishcream227 ปีที่แล้ว

      Me as well... heard it quite a few times

  • @papillonnoir255
    @papillonnoir255 ปีที่แล้ว +284

    The mark of a Master Storyteller is when he can take a story I've heard and make it just as enchanting as the first time. Bravo Mr.Ballen 💜💜

    • @marlenewiggins4084
      @marlenewiggins4084 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      SAME

    • @clintonleonard5187
      @clintonleonard5187 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I've heard him recount stories I've heard multiple times before, and didn't even know it was the same story until the end. He's so good.

    • @mattjack3983
      @mattjack3983 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@clintonleonard5187 me too

  • @kurl8699
    @kurl8699 18 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Bro you be makin bank explaining stories with such vigor much praise 👏

  • @michellec.guillory-kuhn730
    @michellec.guillory-kuhn730 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I LOVE HOW YOU TELL THIS! YOU ARE SO AWESOME!

  • @courtneyorr742
    @courtneyorr742 ปีที่แล้ว +206

    I would listen to this man read a newspaper! I just LOVE how amazing his voice and storytelling are❤

    • @teschchr122
      @teschchr122 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I like watching him as well, very emotive!

  • @snakethejake97
    @snakethejake97 ปีที่แล้ว +825

    Honestly it’s kind of scary knowing the extreme lengths a parent would go to in order to protect their children.

    • @beastly.warner
      @beastly.warner ปีที่แล้ว +47

      I can understand that sentiment. Ya...we have an animal instinct that cannot be explained.

    • @beastly.warner
      @beastly.warner ปีที่แล้ว +38

      @1EY3King lol right! I mean don't get me wrong I'm a mama bear thru-and-thru and I love my son more than anything in this world I would do pretty much anything for him but when it comes to this kind of s*** I just can't keep riding on that bandwagon. I have a very strict rule with my children and it's one of my only no-nos. If you harm another person do not call me. If you end up in jail do not call me. I expect you to have control over your actions. If there ever comes a point where you feel like you're about to lose that control you come to me first before anything happens. I can save you from many things but I cannot save you from yourself. I'm the parent that shows up to talk with the teacher and the first thing out of my mouth is what did he do? And believe me the problem gets solved within about 5 minutes. But this this I could never do. My boys are going to grow up and go off and do whatever the hell they're going to do I just expect them to be good people and I pray for them and their well-being and safety. But as a parent you have to understand that many things are out of your control at a certain point

    • @p5eudo883
      @p5eudo883 ปีที่แล้ว +31

      It's not really scary to me that a parent would go to extreme lengths to protect their child. It's that there are parents who would believe such superstitious nonsense and act on it as though it were reality that is frightening.
      These were completely unnecessary and cruel acts done not because a mother cared about her son, but because a mother was foolish enough to believe in supernatural/religious/superstitious/occult nonsense.

    • @beastly.warner
      @beastly.warner ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@p5eudo883 100% agree.

    • @beastly.warner
      @beastly.warner ปีที่แล้ว +13

      @1EY3King I'm not entirely sure that murdering innocent people is the way to go about it. Yes we would do anything to protect our child from real dangers but we're talking about somebody who has delusions and the leaves for a fact that some stupid made-up curse is real and that she has to kill somebody to keep her son safe. In the end what did it really do? He ended up without a mother and possibly dying in the long run. So by doing what she did she was no longer there to actually protect him from anything at all if anyting she calls her children more grief and pain than she could possibly imagine in the first place.

  • @Drtbykr1
    @Drtbykr1 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    As someone with MDD for my entire life I really appreciate your candour. My go to became alcohol, but at 30 I was newly divorced, chronic anxiety attacks drinking myself to death. Two years of therapy with a Psychiatrist and medication saved me. 32 years dry.

  • @muldoone6920
    @muldoone6920 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    From the moment she said her grandparents who disowned her mother and ruined her life, SOMEHOW agreed with entheusiasm. i knew she was the killer of the story.

  • @babyfry4775
    @babyfry4775 ปีที่แล้ว +255

    When you said the mother had neglected then abused her I thought she’s going to be crazy. Then when you mentioned soap, I thought she made it from body parts. I thought it would be from her children and not her best friends. What a sinister woman. Such a tragic story.

    • @Jay_Mc_Baby
      @Jay_Mc_Baby ปีที่แล้ว +30

      @@SouthAfricanGirl03if they are in a John B Allen's story you can bet someone is gonna be crazy. Gtfoh with that super sensitive crap

    • @alicenthightower9161
      @alicenthightower9161 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      @@SouthAfricanGirl03 not really 'super sensitive' as the other person said, but if the person is on a true crime channel then theyre obvs crazy LOL

    • @torihanabi
      @torihanabi ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I though it may be from her kids too 🤣 who knows maybe that’s true too but since they were smaller and it would be easier to hide the evidence or play along until she could retrieve their bodies and because of that she just didn’t get caught.

    • @TheUKisThere
      @TheUKisThere ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Jay_Mc_Baby bruh shut up

    • @morticiajusz3179
      @morticiajusz3179 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@SouthAfricanGirl03 I think it's more sad that you don't see it that way. Abuse and neglect will always impact you in some way.

  • @keywilliam1
    @keywilliam1 ปีที่แล้ว +61

    I remember when Mr Ballen used to start telling the story before the intro music finished and he had less than 10k followers. It's been so awesome to watch this channel grow into such a great community.

    • @rebeccacardy6070
      @rebeccacardy6070 ปีที่แล้ว

      He is such a talented story teller for sure!

  • @suehart5294
    @suehart5294 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Love your stories!!! And love your humorous antics to get us to subscribe

  • @bracing_brooke
    @bracing_brooke 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    That story was wild. Great video as always

  • @ojosdediamante
    @ojosdediamante ปีที่แล้ว +103

    When Mr. Ballen starts the story, everyone is silent and mesmerized. It's like he was talking to you directly. This is my fave youtube channel.

    • @mattboyce3276
      @mattboyce3276 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Same! Love Thoughty 2 and that Chapter also 💙

    • @bentonrp
      @bentonrp ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Not me. When I heard Leonarda and Raphael, all I could think was: When does the evil Shredder attack? 😃

    • @jamercemydudes3375
      @jamercemydudes3375 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Same 😂

    • @mdeysenroth
      @mdeysenroth ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes. I always feel like he is talking just to me. I am glued to my computer and a half hour goes by in the blink of an eye. One of only a few channels that I immediately hit the like button before I even start watching the story.

    • @robinmcinarnay7827
      @robinmcinarnay7827 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Um no I didn’t fan girl it up cos I’m 34 lol. I was silent tho bc I fell asleep (twice) and restarted it (I mean, it’s Sunday). Plus I already knew all about the soap maker of Correggio, I merely listened for entertainment.

  • @indiasky
    @indiasky ปีที่แล้ว +69

    I knew she was going to do some human sacrifices. It was too good to be true her helping everyone. Insane story.

    • @ANPC-pi9vu
      @ANPC-pi9vu ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Part of what is so tragic is it seems like she really did try to help people up to a point, but her first two victims were people who seemed beyond help, so she thought if she sacrificed them she might be able to save her son while ending their suffering, but when their soap turned black she thought her sacrifice was rejected, that she had to sacrifice someone who was not miserable, and that the sacrifice had to be a personal loss to her, so she murdered her best friend, the opera singer. It was eventually discovered that breathing in the acid she used to make her soap for so many years had also caused holes in her brain that may have contributed to her state of mind as well. It's all very horribly sad, as she had been known to be a kind person even to those who were outcasts of society. Stephanie Harlow did a great deep dive on her case and I couldn't hate Leonarda for what she did despite how awful it was, because the circumstances leading to her frame of mind were so extreme that it's just sad at every level.

    • @Gh0stGaminginc
      @Gh0stGaminginc ปีที่แล้ว

      Gimme

  • @therealmrs.dowdell7062
    @therealmrs.dowdell7062 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love ur videos and the way you tell the story! Thank you for being so good at what u do!!!

  • @Donnie_Turt
    @Donnie_Turt หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Funny enough Leonarda is a several-times great-grandmother of my ex-girlfriend. She learned this story from her maternal grandmother, whose parents were from Italy. Their surname is Cianciulli, and the living family in the US is under the surname Beckwith. They currently live in Ellington, Connecticut.

  • @dotesondots
    @dotesondots ปีที่แล้ว +79

    I didn't have a clue what Leonarda was doing. It's sad her mother abused her and destroyed her. This was one of the best ones! It was thrilling, dark, strange, and mysterious!!! You are The best storyteller MrBallen. I love to open YT and see a story waiting to be heard, and it makes my day. This story was so captivating and entertaining. Thanks much for your unique talent.

  • @rebeccadorianmills7678
    @rebeccadorianmills7678 ปีที่แล้ว +85

    Half way through I literally yelled, "It's the soap lady!!" Love your storytelling of this crazy case.

    • @kelliewhyte_85
      @kelliewhyte_85 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      6 minutes in and I already knew.
      Her face looked familiar but as soon as I heard teacakes and soap, I knew it was her.

    • @shelby7912
      @shelby7912 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Ahhh i just started and my first thought was “isn’t this the soap lady!?!” I’m so glad I’m not the only one who said “soap lady” 😂😂

    • @wolverineuncovered
      @wolverineuncovered ปีที่แล้ว

      Same! I was like, the soap maker story. Stephanie Harlowe did it a while back and remembered it very well from her lol. But his version did it justice as well.

    • @theguy8275
      @theguy8275 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It took me 12 mins

    • @rewatteefroimchuk8589
      @rewatteefroimchuk8589 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes! Me too!

  • @The_finestsocialworker
    @The_finestsocialworker หลายเดือนก่อน

    I think I remember seeing this story on "Deadly Women". Crazy story! Great story telling!

  • @santasclaws
    @santasclaws 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I might just have listened to a bit too many stories, but I wasn't surprised at all by the ending, but a great story!

  • @passionsquietrage
    @passionsquietrage ปีที่แล้ว +210

    As soon as you mentioned the caustic soda and what it was used for, I realized what this woman had done. Getting her friends and neighbors hopes up like that was super sinister.

    • @MajesticViking
      @MajesticViking ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for ruining the guessing game.

    • @omega9492
      @omega9492 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      @@MajesticViking should watch the video before reading the comments... unwritten rule on the internet bro

    • @jonb2756
      @jonb2756 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @Omega he said try to guess what happens, not say what happens after hearing the full video.

    • @MajesticViking
      @MajesticViking ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jonb2756 really though, I was about to write my guess, and I was right apparently, but it really takes the fun out of it. And it would be very easy to edit that comment to remove the spoilers but this guy's just a dick.

    • @g4mernick4
      @g4mernick4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@MajesticViking never read the comments before finishing the video if you dont want spoilers

  • @mystery_sauce
    @mystery_sauce ปีที่แล้ว +367

    I got the like button as a hostage right now. Thanks for considering the request of the fans and doing a paranormal story. I look forward to being creeped out by this one! Thanks also for being a positive influence, I started my own true crime channel and still working on my storytelling technique but thanks for the motivation. From one combat vet to another, thanks for your service!

    • @mista_ke
      @mista_ke ปีที่แล้ว +14

      RELEASE IT IMMEDIATELY, OR WE WILL SEND TEAM 6 ON YOUR 6!!!

    • @kimberlyshepherd270
      @kimberlyshepherd270 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Thank you for your service Mystery Sauce ❤️🎗️

    • @lisareynolds9889
      @lisareynolds9889 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Thank you so so much for your service! Active Duty here. 💜

    • @jdeighan
      @jdeighan ปีที่แล้ว +5

      the interactivity from him/his team makes it feel like you're friends or aquaintances =D

    • @likebutton3136
      @likebutton3136 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      😷

  • @victoriacaldwell6135
    @victoriacaldwell6135 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    the death music: “DAYWALKER”. John is the only person I actually like listening to. He’s a really good storyteller.

  • @Vvt.86
    @Vvt.86 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The advice at the end is very accurate. I enjoy riding a motorcycle and been doing it for years but I'm terrified when I see someone doing a wheelie at 60 mph. Well its about time to face my fears. Wish me luck guys.

  • @heatherwild350
    @heatherwild350 ปีที่แล้ว +143

    I've actually heard a lot of Mr ballens stories before, but never ever hear them in such an elaborate way. The way he tells the stories, he humanizes the characters, and you become personally involved in their outcome. I have followed him for about a year now and enjoy every video!

    • @brettshrekington
      @brettshrekington ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Agreed. Not many channels can do good narration videos but mrballen nails it every time.

    • @annedrieck7316
      @annedrieck7316 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@brettshrekington mrbeast could do this for 1 million.

    • @thomasgriffin2326
      @thomasgriffin2326 ปีที่แล้ว

      No one cares

    • @Vinsonah_luvsShandie1989
      @Vinsonah_luvsShandie1989 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes your so right he gives us such a glimpse of the people in the stories he shares with us he has a talent he makes it look so easy and there is no telling how much research, time and work goes into just one video ❤️❤️him

  • @ValkyrieofNOLA
    @ValkyrieofNOLA ปีที่แล้ว +174

    I admire your ability to humanize characters involved, even the ones responsible for heinous acts. Yet, you don’t inappropriately justify their actions or invalidate the trauma they caused. That clearly shows the strength of your character and your integrity as a person. Though I desperately miss your frequent uploads each week, and the wildly diverse nature of your different series, I’m grateful to have new content every Sunday!

    • @thomasgriffin2326
      @thomasgriffin2326 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Lol

    • @freedombro6502
      @freedombro6502 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah I'd rather one dope episode a week then several boring stories a week

  • @xjoeschx
    @xjoeschx ปีที่แล้ว

    I was pretty close! These stories are awesome, keep them coming!!

  • @amphibeingmcshpongletron5026
    @amphibeingmcshpongletron5026 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Yeah, got REALLY suspicious once the rich family was mentioned again and it worked out so well. Something tells me there never even was a curse that her mother gave her. I bet she made it up. That said, if the mother was truly abusive, that in itself could act as a "curse". In reality it was Leonarda's trauma, potential metal disorders, and superstition guiding her actions...or not.
    Wonderfully told story!

  • @food4thoughttt
    @food4thoughttt ปีที่แล้ว +248

    I like how you gave us her background which had lead to such an outcome and yet in some way not justifying her actions...
    You're an amazing storyteller 🤞🤞

    • @mamapoch1915
      @mamapoch1915 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Her background doesn't at all justify what she did. Not in any way, shape, or form.

    • @food4thoughttt
      @food4thoughttt ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@mamapoch1915 yes it doesn't.. I'm saying this in a sense that other storytellers would have opted to just go straight and talk about her crimes but Mr Ballen obviously kinda humanizes her, not to justify or excuse her but for context i guess and i think to just help us understand that even seemingly normal people can do such things..

  • @astridlynden4589
    @astridlynden4589 ปีที่แล้ว +171

    This is, without a doubt, the craziest murder mystery story that I have ever heard. Flabbergasting. Thank you for posting.

    • @arturolopez450
      @arturolopez450 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Your welcome like and subscribe for more and turn on all notifications

    • @lovejesus7775
      @lovejesus7775 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@arturolopez450 bruh. How much they paying you😂

    • @MrChumpus
      @MrChumpus ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@arturolopez450 My first encounter with a hispanic BOT

    • @late-bloomstrategy9694
      @late-bloomstrategy9694 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@lovejesus7775 he wasn't, i can confirm. I'm the money.

    • @ericasimonson8737
      @ericasimonson8737 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Have you heard of the Alexander murders?

  • @ryanmac3134
    @ryanmac3134 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I felt so sorry for Raphael and Leonarda and their kids Donatella and Michelangialini

  • @catherinerose2208
    @catherinerose2208 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you, B Allen, for the informing entertainment. 🎉🎉

  • @michellewest4796
    @michellewest4796 ปีที่แล้ว +225

    I knew this case from a true crime tv show, but I love the breath of life you gave to it. Leonarda was abused, unwell and desperate. She lost so much in her life and couldn't stand to lose any more. I love how you take a story this awful and gave it a new focus.

    • @bernadettegardunio4865
      @bernadettegardunio4865 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I have heard this story before also and its driving me crazy trying to remember where. I could have sworn Mr.Ballen had told it already but I guess not. Where did you hear it?

    • @michellewest4796
      @michellewest4796 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@bernadettegardunio4865 I'm not certain but I think it was the show Deadly Women. It's the only show that I watch that makes sense to have seen it.

    • @DBoone123
      @DBoone123 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes when you understand the back story it is that much more sad

    • @Earthling.7
      @Earthling.7 ปีที่แล้ว

      You feel bad for her because you share same gender
      If it was a men you will just call him monster right???

    • @michellewest4796
      @michellewest4796 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Norbert no, but thank you for the assumption that my empathy is limited to sharing genitals with someone. I'd like to think that I would never be desperate enough to do horrible things, but when you humanize both victim and perpetrator you realize that any of us can be put in a desperate situation.

  • @nicholasmathews
    @nicholasmathews ปีที่แล้ว +48

    This story brings a whole new meaning to the term “body wash” 😳

  • @colinsparrow0625
    @colinsparrow0625 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I love super long videos by this man he's the damn king been here since day one man.

  • @ashleighcrichton8096
    @ashleighcrichton8096 20 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Leonardo clearly read dark magic instead of light/good and sadly didn't seek optimistic advice from other fortune tellers.

  • @nicolemadden3178
    @nicolemadden3178 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    Man I miss the 4-5 uploads a week. I feel like an addict feening for Mr. Ballen stories all week!

    • @messhauhnar1311
      @messhauhnar1311 ปีที่แล้ว

      Me too. But that was then and this is now. The sad part is when he's run out of stories.

    • @RandyStoker1964
      @RandyStoker1964 ปีที่แล้ว

      Same

  • @ilanamouser3811
    @ilanamouser3811 ปีที่แล้ว +234

    I wasn’t too sure who was going to be the villain in this story at first, the son crossed my mind at first. The first extravagant “gesture” towards the universe flipped the suspicion towards her. Then the gestures and good deeds got more and more “too good to be true” but the body’s being put into soap and tea cakes was more than I could imagine. I just thought she was trying to poison her son and “save” him before something out of her control could take him
    You did it again! Great video

    • @valleytothebay4891
      @valleytothebay4891 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Really? No spoiler alert? Smh

    • @mrsauce9307
      @mrsauce9307 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@valleytothebay4891why are you reading the comments before watching the video?? Come on man..

    • @emilym9211
      @emilym9211 ปีที่แล้ว

      I thought that Leonarda was killing them in each place.
      BUT PUTTING TH BODIES IN SOAP IS CRAZY

    • @cade377
      @cade377 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I got a little suspicious when she was going to reach out to her mom to help her friend get a job. The mom that cursed her....?

  • @laurapechonis9172
    @laurapechonis9172 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Wow. Just wow. That's LITERALLY all I can say in response to this horrific story. It seems that the only word able to come out of my mouth is "Wow". And that's wicked strange for me as I am usually commenting with plenty of insight and opinions and intelligent and logical thoughts on every subject but, again, just WOW.

  • @oofoof2304
    @oofoof2304 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow!😳 You told the story wonderfully, but WOW!

  • @mrfrundles4645
    @mrfrundles4645 ปีที่แล้ว +311

    The story of the 70 year old lady who just wanted a husband. Hit me sooo deep.

    • @killeanmcchesney5138
      @killeanmcchesney5138 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      I feel her pain……I just want a unicorn and I don’t think it’s all that much to ask for I mean Jesus

    • @Ballen1182
      @Ballen1182 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      I saw em all the time on a singles site i was on. It's pretty sad and disturbing. Of course i wish them the best.

    • @radnwavy5531
      @radnwavy5531 ปีที่แล้ว

      Deep like an axe to the chest

    • @blipblop7560
      @blipblop7560 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I have a bad feeling that’s gonna be me

    • @registeredjopper
      @registeredjopper ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@Ballen1182 why disturbing?

  • @UnicornzRreal92
    @UnicornzRreal92 ปีที่แล้ว +75

    I don't even wanna guess, johns storytelling is so good that it warms my heart when there's a big twist to a story.

    • @privatenoneofyourbusiness5292
      @privatenoneofyourbusiness5292 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Exactly, I just want to listen, not guess.

    • @sarahoberling4436
      @sarahoberling4436 ปีที่แล้ว

      I knew when I saw her eyes, altho I'm not of the 144,000....but I a green eyed man can see evil a mile away. (Gets murdered)

  • @siansomers8351
    @siansomers8351 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love you're attacks on the like button!!
    Sometimes the most simple are the most funny!!
    Top guy, Mr. B!!

  • @caroliner3567
    @caroliner3567 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    completely unrelated to the main topic… I don’t like better help at all for many reasons- BUT i can’t help but thank you for how eloquently you described the utility of therapy as a whole during that ad! we truly can’t know how we will act in stressful situations (ex: this video), but therapy is a great too for preparation and prevention of negative outcomes

  • @chrisgordon307
    @chrisgordon307 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    I started a thing at my house where whenever Mr. Ballen drops a new video or podcast, there were 7 of us that gather in the living room and it became an event. That was over a year ago and now there is 12 of us that gather for the strange dark and mysterious! Thank you for all the content you put out and all the hard work and research throughout the years!

    • @angelasmith5351
      @angelasmith5351 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      What a great idea! Brings to mind the stories of people in the " old days" gathering around the radio to listen to stories. I luv the idea of making an event of listening to John's stories. Brilliant!!!😊

    • @Nyctophora
      @Nyctophora ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That's awesome. I love how he brings your household together!

    • @TeddyLovesAxl
      @TeddyLovesAxl ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I want an invite! Please. ❤

    • @Divine_Bebe
      @Divine_Bebe ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I wish i did this with my family🤣🤣❤️🙏

  • @diegobtv2514
    @diegobtv2514 ปีที่แล้ว +144

    Listening the beliefs and experience of Leonarda about sorcery and then the letters of gratitude coming from Faustina I thought "if he continues telling stories about other people helped by Leonarda no way she is not just killing them to 'save' his son".
    Thank you for your storytelling Ballen :)

    • @AimeeAimee444
      @AimeeAimee444 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Yes! That’s my assumption. Leonarda was killing women for her son’s safety.

    • @m118lr
      @m118lr ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ..THAT’S the solution.

    • @ralenebates7769
      @ralenebates7769 ปีที่แล้ว

      Right, this is our guess. She’s “giving the universe something beautiful” somehow and it involves killing the women?

    • @robinmcinarnay7827
      @robinmcinarnay7827 ปีที่แล้ว

      I mean, this is true crime. Hasn’t everyone stumbled across the soap maker of Correggio? I watched Georgia Marie’s video years ago. The soap part always makes me think of Fight Club lol.

  • @chantel2594
    @chantel2594 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Loved this story!

  • @darrinlorentzii3834
    @darrinlorentzii3834 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow this is fantastic! I actually guessed most of the twist, because of the soap. I love myself a big reveal or plot twist.

  • @alicewilloughby4318
    @alicewilloughby4318 ปีที่แล้ว +252

    This is a minor point, but I can't help imagining how the son must have felt when he learned what that soap his mother had bathed him in really was.

    • @Woodsheather37
      @Woodsheather37 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      WORD!!!

    • @vitalucas9452
      @vitalucas9452 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      What a thing to try to process. How could you put that behind you. I hope he changed his name, left his homeland and started fresh.

    • @VeracityLH
      @VeracityLH ปีที่แล้ว +13

      I thought the same about being bathed with that soap. And to be fed the teacakes as well! For the first time in my life teacakes do not sound appetizing.

    • @ambermitchell1237
      @ambermitchell1237 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      This was my very first thought. That and of eating all the teacakes made from blood

    • @dreamcrone
      @dreamcrone ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Or the tea cakes he ate!!!

  • @juliewander3234
    @juliewander3234 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    I totally agree. He has never tooted his own horn. When he speaks of his own mental health, he makes it relatable to everyone. He seems to be very genuine and kind... Not to mention, funny and easy on the eyes, as a bonus☺️

    • @secretone8606
      @secretone8606 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hey be careful… the woman in the story was also “genuine and kind”…😮… just playing

    • @robinmcinarnay7827
      @robinmcinarnay7827 ปีที่แล้ว

      Placing content behind a paywall is tooting your own horn but whatever.

  • @TheZedianMusic
    @TheZedianMusic 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    This story is a "wowww!" never anticipated the outcome

  • @lydianauen5247
    @lydianauen5247 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Woah. That was one of the craziest stories I’ve ever heard. 😵‍💫

  • @yoyoglock4
    @yoyoglock4 ปีที่แล้ว +104

    I figured she was killing them, but turning them into soap and tea cakes, I didn't see that coming. Great story! Thank You!

    • @LevitheLegend
      @LevitheLegend ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Not soap and tea cakes???? Bro that's wild beyond imagination... How twisted does one have to be to do that to people

    • @trashcatlinol
      @trashcatlinol ปีที่แล้ว +3

      He did a great job keeping her involvement obscured. What I know of the occult and witchcraft it seemed unsurprising to me.
      I honestly thought maybe there was mental illness in the family when he said the son started coming home and isolating.
      That her decisions seemed logically sound considering her trauma... I find that disturbing. She basically made her fortune self-fulfilling.
      That she could so readily trade her community members, even her friends just to save her son, though. And she was okay to do it two more times!? So many holes in so many lives... I could never justify taking life for myself in such a way. Very tragic tale for all involved, but especially the victims and their families.

    • @teschchr122
      @teschchr122 ปีที่แล้ว

      Can’t wait for the live stories!

    • @belmum1689
      @belmum1689 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@LevitheLegend Evil

    • @LevitheLegend
      @LevitheLegend ปีที่แล้ว

      @@belmum1689 a sinister type of evil at that

  • @michelleisaac9258
    @michelleisaac9258 ปีที่แล้ว +261

    I really prefer your TH-cam videos over the podcasts, it’s so interesting getting to see the pictures of the people and places while listening. You rock!❤️

    • @craig8406
      @craig8406 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      He’s also extremely talented at hand gesturing. Unlike 99% of people who do them.

    • @somefellowontheinterweb
      @somefellowontheinterweb ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I do prefer the videos, but when you're at work, doing your thing (Opening and inspecting furniture in my case), those podcasts are time-/stress-savers!

    • @gwendolynthompson2093
      @gwendolynthompson2093 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I especially enjoy how he talks with his hands

    • @WhimsicalDaisys
      @WhimsicalDaisys ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Same here! For me it is better being able to watch his animated storytelling.

  • @sethmartija4236
    @sethmartija4236 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I really like this one , but some of your best material to me is the stories about the camping 🏕️ in the National forests 🌳 and in the woods stories (: keep up the great work