Charlotte Harper, the new host of American Shadows, takes listeners on a journey into one of maritime history’s most enduring enigmas: the mysterious disappearance of the Mary Celeste's crew. The episode chronicles the ship's voyage, beginning with its departure from New York in November 1872 under Captain Benjamin Briggs, accompanied by his family and crew. The ship was well-provisioned and in excellent condition for its journey to Genoa, Italy.

However, the Mary Celeste was discovered abandoned in December 1872 by the Canadian brig Dei Gratia, drifting aimlessly in the Atlantic. Despite signs of a hasty departure—missing ship papers, a lifeboat, and open hatches—the ship was seaworthy, with untouched cargo, personal belongings, and fresh provisions. Investigators found no evidence of foul play, piracy, or natural disaster severe enough to justify the crew abandoning ship.

Charlotte explores various theories about the crew's disappearance, from plausible explanations like alcohol fumes causing a temporary evacuation or natural phenomena such as a seaquake or waterspout, to more dramatic ideas involving mass hysteria or supernatural forces. Despite extensive investigations, the mystery remains unsolved, cementing the Mary Celeste as a legendary "ghost ship."

The episode reflects on the story’s lasting legacy in maritime lore and popular culture, highlighting our enduring fascination with unsolved mysteries. Harper closes with an invitation to continue exploring history's enigmatic tales on American Shadows.

The American Shadows podcast recounts the haunting disappearance of the Sodder children in 1945 Fayetteville, West Virginia. On Christmas Eve, a fire consumed the Sodder home, but no remains of five children were found. With strange occurrences like cut phone lines, missing ladders, and delayed fire response, the case spiraled into a web of mystery. Theories ranged from accidental death to mafia involvement and kidnapping. Decades of investigation, sightings, and public appeals kept the story alive, but the truth remains elusive.

Tonight, we’re journeying across continents and through time to unravel what might be the oldest solved cold case in human history. Imagine this: a murder so ancient, the evidence lay frozen for over five millennia. A victim whose story remained hidden until modern science unearthed the chilling truth.

This isn’t just any cold case—it’s literally the coldest. A 5,300-year-old mystery of betrayal, survival, and violence preserved in the icy grip of the Alps. Tonight, we uncover the haunting tale of Ötzi, the Copper Age man whose life ended abruptly and violently, only to resurface in 1991 as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of all time.