Introduction of New Co-Host and Case Overview

• 🎙️ The episode begins with Josh introducing Austin as the new permanent co-host of the Lights Out podcast.
• 🏠 The main topic is the Corpsewood Manor murders, a largely unknown case involving an eccentric man named Charles Scudder and his off-grid property.

Charles Scudder and the Origins of Corpsewood Manor

• 👨‍🔬 Charles Scudder, a brilliant scientist with degrees in various fields, was involved in government experiments with LSD as part of MK Ultra.
• 🏳️‍🌈 Scudder was an openly gay man who, after personal tragedy and disillusionment with city life, sought an off-grid existence.
• 🌲 He purchased 40 acres in the North Georgia woods, naming the property Corpsewood Manor after finding a dead horse on the land.
• 🏠 Scudder and his partner, Joey Odom, built a main house and a "chicken house" with a "pink room" for entertaining.

Satanism, Sexuality, and Rumors

• 🤘 Charles Scudder identified as a Satanist, a member of the Church of Satan, which, contrary to popular belief, does not worship the devil but is atheistic and anti-establishment.
• 🤫 The manor became a place of rumors involving homosexuality, the occult, and drug-fueled gatherings, partly due to Scudder's open lifestyle and use of Satanic imagery.
• 🚪 Scudder was known for his welcoming nature, inviting visitors to his property, often with explicit personal letters, but never forcing anyone to partake in activities.

The Arrival of Tony West and Avery Brock

• 🔪 Tony West, a man with a troubled past including accidental manslaughter and violent crime, met Avery Brock, a troubled 17-year-old.
• 🤝 The two formed a bond over shared hardship and drug use, specifically huffing paint thinner and glue.
• 💰 Avery convinced Tony that Charles Scudder was wealthy and that they should rob and kill him and Joey to take over the manor.

The Corpsewood Manor Murders

• 🩸 On December 12, 1982, Tony West, Avery Brock, and two teenagers (Joey Wells and Teresa Hudgins) went to Corpsewood Manor.
• 🔫 Avery and Tony, after consuming wine and drugs, tied up Charles Scudder and then murdered Joey Odom and Charles's two Mastiffs.
• 💀 Charles Scudder was then brutally murdered, enduring multiple gunshot wounds.
• 🚗 Tony and Avery stole valuables and Charles's Jeep, leaving the scene with the two teenagers.

Aftermath and Investigation

• 🏃‍♂️ The teenagers, Teresa Hudgins and Joey Wells, eventually contacted the police after being held captive by Tony and Avery.
• 🚗 The stolen Jeep was found abandoned, and the body of a third victim, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Kirby Phelps, was discovered near a rest stop, also killed with a .22 caliber bullet.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The discovery of the bodies at Corpsewood Manor by a visitor revealed the extent of the massacre.
• ⚖️ Avery Brock pleaded guilty and received life in prison, while Tony West, after an initial death sentence was overturned, also pleaded guilty to a life sentence.

Lingering Mysteries and Paranormal Activity

• 🤔 Charles Scudder's last words, "I asked for this," remain open to interpretation, possibly reflecting his awareness of the risks of his lifestyle or a premonition.
• 🖼️ A disturbing portrait of Scudder, depicting him gagged with bullet wounds, was created months before his death, fueling speculation of premonition or occult influence.
• 👻 Visitors to the property have reported paranormal activity, including sounds of gunshots, barking dogs, and sightings of glowing eyes, suggesting a residual haunting.
• 🏡 The manor itself was eventually destroyed by arson, leaving only rubble, but the legend of Corpsewood Manor persists.