She tried to hide it, but that made it WORSE | The Circleville Letters

[@diondixon7347]

Anybody else randomly stumble on this dudes channel and now can't leave it alone?

[@dowdee82]

🙋🏽‍♀️

[@reonlambert8297]

🙋‍♂️

[@musicisgoodforthesoul999]

🙋‍♀️

[@val6787]

It's like drugs😂

[@georges4292]

yep on Instagram and have been hooked since! even rewatch some episodes

[@davidkennedy9763]

1:35 whenever I hear that voice changer now I just think in my head, "Do you now how to get to Bell's canyon?"

[@melanielanphier]

So, do you??🤣

[@elisebentley1748]

Yesssss this made my day lol 😂

[@sarahr5452]

Same 😂

[@walmars3curity]

lmao

[@nickh1004]

That one was scary af

[@thecitizen6860]

As someone who lives in circleville. This town is awful and shady people all over.

[@kerrynicholls6683]

Get out

[@MissPrissKY]

Do tell!! 😐

[@brycegoode8935]

Best part is the Pumpkin Festival

[@ghostrider5103]

I can agree bc I live in Ohio and I've been to circleville for the pumpkin fest but I always had a feeling I was being watched

[@brycegoode8935]

@@ghostrider5103 I’m from Portsmouth u know where the abandon psych ward is out past Jackson

[@JessBisme123]

I love finding old Mr. Ballen videos and seeing how much he's progressed with his storytelling skills. The old videos are still great. Just fun to see how much he's improved his craft.

[@Nielsii]

I know right! Makes you appreciate his current work even more

[@KateTheMama]

I just came across this oldie and was thinking the same thing. Hes perfected his intro & his storytelling skills. I love it

[@heatherheintz1744]

I love watching him tell the stories!! Unfortunately for me the podcasts don't hold my attention as well and my mind wanders so I end up rewinding over and over but I have found that those are the perfect ones for bedtime.

[@JoeMama-fl9fb]

The old ones are way better. The new ones are too long winded, too much irrelevant information and he does ads in the middle

[@JandKWoodBurningEngravingLLC]

A true progressive Patriotic American former Navy seal !! Who followed his dreams happened so fast too!

[@pauldharmer]

When someone steals one of your guns, but they dont steal everything else, that person has been in your house before its someone in your circle of friends or your wife

[@nealparkinson6779]

Absolutely!

[@khaoticpenguin3945]

Exactly, nobody breaks into a house specifically looking for a gun that you would probably have well hidden.

[@xeeng10]

I think it’s possible that the guy who went to jail was in on it and was maybe counting on the justice system to prove his innocence therefore also knowing who the other players were. He just never ratted them out maybe because of some false sense of loyalty.

[@edwhite7078]

@@khaoticpenguin3945 um yeah people definitely break in to houses for guns. First they are valuable second have you never heard of criminals using stolen guns. That's like the number one way to get away with murder

[@Burialofagod]

No. They just wanted the gun

[@RetroJ3000]

Mary: Gets letters while not having an affair. Mary after getting letters: Better start that affair they've been talking about!

[@soa1]

It's a group that was formed out of a love for probably mystery lovers or a book group focused on mysteries and crime . Something like that I think. As they get to know each other they have commonalities like have to have power and they like to manipulate . So knowing one member like the woman another wants to have an affair u manipulate her into having an affair and manipulate by the phone call to get the husband to confront who he thinks is behind it unknown to him it's a group not one person . Then one gets in the truck others are waiting in a vehicle . The group knows the sheriff is corrupt and the other women wanted her husband in jail but not dead so group uses his gun to frame him. Then the letter in jail was personal . After the the group members move away but some stay or some get injured or sick and group gets weaker and the last letter to unsolved mysteries was a hollow threat which tells me the remaining members of the group were worried but not in a position to do anything bout them coming to the town

[@tmr4342]

I don't get it either.

[@catatouille]

Makes no sense at all to me. Why would she possibly do that

[@Catch22x2]

@Anna Doffy Fredrick ikr? wtf?

[@scooterdogg7580]

maybe they never met until the letters then said why not

[@Im-not-clever]

It's impressive as hell that he's only been doing this on youtube for 9 months and is on his way to 2 million subs...my man deserves it!

[@a.banana]

He writes his scripts very well, doesn't typically clickbait, and doesn't tell the stories in an overly dramatasized tone. Plus, he shows his face, which disguinguishes him very well among the many KZbinrs that do this sort of thing. I agree, he definitely does deserve it, you can tell he's worked very hard for this.

[@a.banana]

Channels that do this quality story telling usually have many editors, certain repeat actors, script writers, researchers, etc. I don't know if thats the case here, but from what I've seen it certainly seems he's doing this on his own.. Very impressive indeed.. This channel is definitely not done growing

[@Im-not-clever]

@@a.banana no he has help, editors etc. But I'm pretty sure he researches and chooses the story's himself. I agree, he's a great story teller regardless.

[@Chasing.Butterflies]

Thank god for reddit....

[@VVhistory]

He is known in reddit and other platforms before youtube. He have fans

[@GlennyRizzla]

I need to go to sleep but MrBallen and his stories keep me up all night shame on him 🙄

[@ilonagasiorska7112]

I know , right 😅

[@susanlett9632]

Same here! 😊

[@teresagott4745]

Me too! Sometimes when I do fall asleep I have nightmares. Do it anyway! Lol

[@Luwho]

As an Ohio resident, it scares me how often Mr.Ballen opens his videos with “in a small town in Ohio” XD

[@jzam3220]

Or Houston Texas

[@bubbles0216]

Small towns usually have corrupt legal systems, probably because there are so few people and so many connections.

[@lunarsugar]

It’s a corrupt state

[@ravensworn1210]

@@lunarsugar That’s also a true story lol

[@planetclownfishbrain7052]

A lot of bigguns in Ohio.

[@robertwelch7513]

I'm hooked. 6 days in and 80 videos down. This dude is amazing. Me and my sons could listen to him describe making a ham sandwich

[@kinggrawlix1072]

I'm completely in the same boat as you! I found him within the past week and I've watched most of his videos already. I fear for when I'm caught up and don't know what to do with myself 😂

[@tiggersmith501]

Have you seen one of his missing 411? Those are freaking. I enjoyed listening to the story so much.

[@iwannabeadinosaur6270]

same honestly

[@greatpower6063]

that is true he's got that radio voice.

[@gigibean70]

Mr. Ballen, please do a quickie video of you describing a sandwich. Its all I want in life now!

[@Cionaoith]

My wife is from Circleville; she said she recently heard that the investigation is going to be reopened to use modern tools to try to solve this case. (I'm from Columbus and never heard of this.)

[@forsomenotreally]

Would you mind updating us? I am very interested in this crime.

[@SJChronykSpookyBae]

Yes, an update, please

[@luci1368]

I'm leaving this comment in case there's an update

[@debragrieve7678]

@@luci1368 me, too!

[@AuspiciousIno]

@@debragrieve7678 me three

[@Nelle-uj3eg]

Paul or Pauls family should sue the hell out of the Ohio's Department of correction for false imprisonment!

[@abandonedaccount1231]

That's not what false imprisonment is

[@pamboger3729]

Definitely SUE! All those years, not being able to work, pay into a retirement fund, pay into social security. All the while, wrongly found guilty, did the DA supress evidence....did he share that tidbit of info to the defense? Or, Did the sheriff not share with the DA? Who suppressed it? Sounds like that lady was a key witness...and she was ignored. Omg.

[@JayyRaww4]

Didn't Mr. Ballen sayy that Paul died shortlyy after being released from prison?? Soo Paul wouldn't be able too sue anyonee anymoree... lol

[@davidroddick91]

No way she started the affair after getting the first letter. We're supposed to believe that she got a letter accusing her of having an affair with the superintendent of schools, and her reaction is, "I know what I'll do. I'll have an affair with the superintendent of schools." If the superintendent was married, did anyone consider his wife? She would certainly have the motive for breaking up the adulterous relationship.

[@zeuxlaught2797]

what made you believe the troll letter writer more than her? she tried to admit an affair that she never done, in an attempt to stop those letters. but even after she admits that, the letters didn't stopped, which makes the intent of the troll clear , that it was to disturb her life. so if she ever complies with the troll's orders, it never mattered.

[@pinki8888]

@@zeuxlaught2797 I was thinking the same thing !

[@o0o-jd-o0o95]

Maybe the police should be looking for a jealous female. Maybe one of the teachers

[@kaywee4200]

I'd never have an affair even if someone said I was? I wouldn't do exactly what they're accusing me of? That weird I agree.

[@Pokerface-jpg]

@@zeuxlaught2797 she literally had an affair with superintendent, why would she do it after she was accused of it instead of just telling her husband?

[@maryhuhnke8496]

The letters were sent via the Postal Service. This case should have IMMEDIATELY been turned over to the Feds! It's a federal crime to use the Postal Service to make death threats.

[@runningthunder6923]

No kidding. Great idea. Bunch of stupid people working this case

[@We_Are_All_Vultures]

It was also a very long time ago... It would have been impossible to trace

[@joshuaarmijo3565]

Right and nobody checked out the return address or tried to find where outta Columbus it came from?? Nobody checked who purchased the billboards?? Nobody fingerprinted the letters?? Seems like police didn't do anything literally.. Its like they took a guess and that was all the evidence they need for Paul to do alot of time... Years and years...

[@danakin6207]

@@joshuaarmijo3565 I agree, this is not a mystery, this is obvious corruption.

[@TheMrBMH]

@@joshuaarmijo3565 were you not following? There wasn’t a return address on the letters.. He pointed this out with every letter mentioned.

[@urmaker]

My new addiction. Your channel.

[@mayckolgamez6027]

i watch your channel too wow

[@sheilam5248]

Urmaker - Welcome! I watched some of your videos before coming over here! I think my husband might now be a fan yours, as he was listening, too, while we were working. :)

[@delraelui4994]

Same

[@nevaeh5729]

Samee

[@freaknation1558]

Same

[@Cc07]

This reminds me of the bizarre unsolved case that they recently made a show about “the watcher” It’s all so messed up and shouldn’t be this easy..

[@ev2155]

Hey I lived in Circleville for 5 years my entire time in college at Ohio Christian University. Circleville is one of the weirdest places I have ever been. For such a small town there’s a lot of mysteries, unsolved murders, and alleged Hauntings there.

[@elsienicole5663]

Yes! That place is so freaking weird! I just posted a comment about what a creepy place it is! My husband and vowed to never go back because it freaked us out so bad!

[@Victor_Marius]

Sometimes is hard to fight crime if the cops are probably guilty of some of the crimes

[@Carla-qw2ux]

Interesting thought.

[@darrellboone9274]

Circleville=Eerie,Indiana?🤷‍♂️

[@lindal5303]

Lima is a weird place too!!

[@Silentbob1494]

Okay, mad props to Unsolved Mysteries who after recieving a credible threat, decide not only to do the story, but in fact that they HAVE to do the story. Unsolved Mysteries went hard as hell.

[@darkskinwhite]

well turns out it wasn't credible lol

[@drewfife5169]

Anyone else wonder how these people discovered Unsolved Mysteries was going to investigate this? These things are already in the can when the network starts pitching it. These investigations take months to complete. Then there's editing and legal considerations. Anything can go sideways along the way. The network is not going to pitch a program of an investigation they may not be able to complete.

[@JagoffCitizen]

@@darkskinwhite Just because it _didn't_ happen doesn't mean it wasn't believable that it _could_ happen.

[@neillscott4192]

Robert Stack fears nobody!!

[@frankmillar8190]

@@neillscott4192 After all, he stood up to Al Capone.

[@wtfconziez8190]

Mans the most wholesome person and u couldn’t get a better story teller😂

[@MrBallen]

😂 Thanks!!

[@wtfconziez8190]

MrBallen 🙂

[@mattgenovese3432]

Cool ass name too 😂 one of my new favorite channels. Great job @MrBallen

[@wtfconziez8190]

Matt Genovese yes!

[@wtfconziez8190]

Siiikw idk what ur saying but the smiley faces name is bob

[@RittingsTN]

Honestly can't believe I've only just gotten into this channel - and I've binge watched for hours upon hours now. Can't thank you enough for your absolutely brilliantly articulate storytelling style. I'd have never believed I would enjoy this format - and I think that's testament to the delivery!!

[@sherrellbennett1333]

Two things: Who could afford all those stamps? Couldn't they interview some postal employees? AND: If there were billboards, they have to be paid for and that trail could easily be followed.

[@leahwhiteley5164]

Yes, the cops were typically lazy.

[@yurmabeechaudits3522]

We're talking 1980s. Not 2000s. Cash transactions to large billboard companies weren't unheard of. Also stamps were only 10 cents then.

[@sherrellbennett1333]

@@yurmabeechaudits3522 and bread was under $1, as were eggs, gas was under $1.50 and you could buy a new car for around $7000. Even cash transactions had to have a paper trail (bank deposits) for a business to claim on taxes. So what is your point? BTW: stamps were 15 cents.

[@TheEudaemonicPlague]

@@sherrellbennett1333 Bank deposits/taxes would not constitute a paper trail to the customer. On the other hand, the billboard company would keep records of who was paying them. Those could have been obtained by law enforcement. Otherwise, you're more or less correct.

[@rockinrobbie1985]

They were homemade billboards. She was able to pull one out of the ground

[@mrianwonder6527]

It makes me so angry that the courts keep jailing people on zero evidence.

[@justsomeguy8385]

I mean, they had his gun and the handwriting expert said he was a match to the letters. You could argue against the validity of the evidence, but to say there was "zero evidence" is being disingenuous.

[@loulabelle5082]

It tends to happen in small town USA all the time. The judicial system in America is so hit n miss. Most of these cases wouldn't have even got to trial in the UK due to insufficient evidence. Also, in the UK the judge can instruct the jury to only convict if the evidence is there and he can throw it out if he believes otherwise. Half the time in these small towns the guy shouldn't even have been charged due to insufficient evidence. It's like the town puts so much pressure on police to find the guilty party and the police panic and charge ANYONE.

[@cheery-hex]

not courts. people. some ppl on juries will convict with little evidence, or they are easily convinced. sad really

[@sweetaking1395]

It’s about meeting their quota. Someone has to go down for it.

[@sweetaking1395]

@@justsomeguy8385 he should have reported it stolen.

[@MicheleRBrown]

Paul was a very good friend of mine. He was the sweetest man I ever met. I still miss him and think about him all the time. I was shocked when I seen that you did this story. I had just recently started watching your storytelling so what a small world we live in. Everyone up here in this area loved paul he would give his shirt off his back...sad

[@snes09]

Paul was majorly screwed over

[@youtubeSuckssNow]

What happened to him is so horribly fucked up

[@BrottenGuy]

@MrBallen needs to pin this comment

[@ladyofthelightv1781]

😥

[@factoryelite]

+1 pinned for paul

[@natashakorsko8436]

Yep! Me! I listened to one episode on my way home from work in my car at midnight one night and now it’s a regular habit of mine. My hours are all over the place, I’m a HR manager at a retail company so when I get out of work that late I’m not trying to listen to music, but also need to be interested enough to keep me awake for my 45 mins commute home! So glad I found this guy! He’s awesome! I’ve actually tuned a ton of coworkers and my husband on to his channel and podcast! Keep them coming! Love the stories!

[@smmusicplus96]

The fact that Mary didn't go to the authorities upon receiving the first letter told me she was indeed having an affair.

[@TheWazzoGames]

Yup. Her husband was a fool.

[@nicolasgamant7389]

yeah, because unfounded rumors never stick to you ......for most people perception is reality,....

[@nikkilyne36]

I thought so to

[@nicolasgamant7389]

@@nikkilyne36 and that's called " projecting, since people very often react differently than us, it's a rather small minded POV to think people should react just like you, in case you missed that part, everybody is different.

[@smmusicplus96]

@@nicolasgamant7389 Hmmmm. Who's projecting here?

[@AcenPhina]

Mary: **not having an affair with the superintendent** Also Mary: **receives blackmail letter** Still Mary: "Now there's an idea."

[@michelehenne2477]

🤣🤣🤣

[@RelaxingUnderYourSkin]

Right!🤣

[@onpointsg35]

Smh sluts gets people killed

[@yeemawheaver1387]

Right, I don't believe Mary.

[@OikPoinFive]

! bloody mary

[@desireedasilva2750]

MR BALLEN: yours is the first KZbin channel that I like enough to turn on notifications for. Honestly, you're the best!!

[@user-ws5jy5vk7w]

That's because he doesn't give us bullshit posts like the majority of KZbinrs do plus it helps to be able to see the face behind the voice

[@imurgodsgod]

Same

[@zachbeers8340]

Same!

[@tylerlienau7548]

Yes me too!!

[@stephenlamley541]

Deffo one of my favourites

[@MissyBlongs2God]

I saw the Unsolved Mysteries episode of this story and it was so obvious then that Paul, that was accused of this crime and sent to jail, was not the writer of those letters. The fact that the guy w/the El Camino, who law enforcement knew of it being a small town, was never questioned is mind boggling! And like you said, John the letters continued while Paul was in solitary confinement without any writing materials at all, I remember the show said he had NO way of writing anything in jail. It's terrible this man spent 10 yrs in jail for something he didn't do. May Paul R.I.Paradise! Thanks, John.🙏

[@dragonfly961]

I always suspect the cops because they are not trustworthy. The sheriff himself was in on it I would bet money.

[@dragonfly961]

I always suspect the cops because they are not trustworthy. The sheriff himself was in on it I would bet money.

[@MissyBlongs2God]

@@dragonfly961 You're probably right about the cops being in on it. It's scary that you can go to jail or prison for something you had no part in. Frightening really!!

[@relent-lass7510]

It’s also on Top 10

[@jalonnfinesse8098]

Link?

[@braedondavies9592]

This is beyond insane. Sadly, there's a lot of innocent people who get wrongly/falsely accused of stuff.

[@jacksonclayton9686]

Yup. Fighting a dui charge rn. No breathalyzer. Nothing on me or in my car. No criminal record. Multiple witnesses supporting my alibi

[@theeunknown3988]

@@jacksonclayton9686 that sucks, hope you work that shit out, make sure you have your attorney say those facts, and have the witnesses come up.

[@dogzebra2708]

@@jacksonclayton9686 Friend of mine went to his grave fighting that shit.

[@alfredagain]

If I had a dollar for every time workplace middle management personnel with less intellect than myself had falsely accused me of misdeeds, I'd be a rich man.

[@NCCEVANS]

One day, a 42 year old man, with a busy life style, fell into disarray after he stumbled upon a KZbin page which became a Black Hole of non stop amazing and terrifying stories. Stories which seem to be endless in their volume. This poor man was found years later surviving only on soda pop and potato chips and the fear from these unstoppable videos. The narrator is said to not even be human but actually a demon disguised as a lore dealer. His charm and story delivery feeds off your souls.

[@leahmarshall1593]

In a land not too far away from this 42 year old man was a 31 year old woman whose life had slowly been overcome by the soul-sucking lore this demon man was delivering via KZbin! It arose almost like a contagion and once the stories had reached the bloodstream she was officially hooked.

[@HipHopAn0n]

MrBallen: Is anyone here a fan of the strange dark and myster- Everyone: NO

[@cokaneds]

@@leahmarshall1593 In a land very far away a 30 year old Australian outdoorsman slowly stopped boxing kangaroos in his backyard and dodging drop bears in the outback to trap himself indoors just so he could listen to a strange moustached man wearing only flannel shirts tell him about the strange, dark and mysterious all while making him more and more paranoid about ever setting foot in the wilderness again.

[@leahmarshall1593]

@@cokaneds Love it

[@DespondentDragon]

@@cokaneds okay now Ballen is sitting there naked aside from the hat and flannel

[@billykersh7061]

Why didn’t someone find out who paid for the billboards?

[@davidpierce9949]

Absolutely. That seems like a key thing to check.

[@h.fierro9156]

Well I don’t think is was actual billboard is in an old town in 1976

[@kathleenmuchka2559]

They aren't cheap.

[@Jazzykatt23]

That was my first thought.

[@jodyknight]

@@h.fierro9156 Yes if it were real commercial billboards someone wouldn't be seen erecting it them self and Mary would not have been able to pull it out of the ground herself. They must have just been home made signs that have been put onto posts/stakes that were hammered into the ground by whoever was seen in the yellow car or perhaps even someone that was paid to put them up to throw the investigation off.

[@zoeylammers3820]

This story partly shines light on how silly and dismissive the justice system is and that's sad. People like Paul go to jail for something he definitely didn't do (him being in prison and still being accused of sending letters) is the reason I don't really trust the justice system nowadays. Edit: Now that I've watched the whole episode, my opinion still stands. The justice system failed in this case and they ultimately got people killed by their negligence and ignorance.

[@TRex-fu7bt]

Yeah they want to lock people up so they can “close” cases.

[@teehee90005]

A lot of these videos have similar themes with police negligence

[@cwisted5308]

It makes me so sad to know there is innocent people in jail. One story that really pissed me off was some girl who made up a story that this guy she knew raped her and he literally lost years of his life and a full scholarship to play football i think. It could have been a different sport but basically he lost everything and his shot to play in college and possibly professional. I personally think if someone makes up something like this they should be taken out after being proved innocent and the person who made it up should serve the maximum penalty for that crime. She ended up admitting it in the end and i think it was because she was jealous of him and he wouldn't date her or something.

[@doginababyseat5127]

@@cwisted5308 I heard of a similar case, but it involved two college students who had a threesome with a girl and lied about being raped. She lied because she wanted to get the attention of the guy she really liked and believed he would go out with her after hearing she was raped. Well it wasn’t her, but her friend who told the truth that the girl lied after she told her best friend she lied about the whole thing. The girl came out later after the jig was up and the boys still lost their scholarships and were not allowed to play sports despite being innocent of the crime. The girl, nothing. Scott free!

[@alicialyons3356]

I listened to another story earlier today About Juan Catalana.Wrongly accused and sentenced to death.The arresting officers admitted they knew he was not guilty but wanted to solve the crime.Sad,sad,sad that police work even needs to be questioned.

[@theshape3988]

Binge watching this guy. The only story format is unique. Bc this narrator allows you to not only see him? But does it with emotion. Big fan here

[@thefeatheredhag4279]

The Shape I’m binge watching myself, it sure is nice to see a normal face, then someone hiding behind a mask! Mr Ballen is the real deal.

[@ananimity7332]

It's a relief to not have the robot voice as well

[@Icarus_Qwq]

I have a feeling you would love BuzzFeed Unsolved. They aren’t the usual Buzzfeed bullshit channel. They do stuff like this and more

[@davidvader687]

By 4 minutes in, I'm wondering why Mary didn't go to the superintendent and tell him about the letters.

[@mike-hunt8848]

And he talks in a normal voice

[@Arizona-ex5yt]

The moral(s) of the story: -File a police report if you get a threatening letter even if it's embarrassing. -always Always ALWAYS report if your gun is missing without delay. -Don't have affairs. -Don't talk to police unless in the presence of your attorney or submit anything (like a handwriting sample) unless ordered by the court

[@Theheart_part1]

-dont get married

[@Persequimur_Umbras]

If they did that, then there would be no story

[@jeannineduncan2982]

Yes!! I wonder what goes through people's head's?? I guess it's fear that keeps them from thinking logically 🤷

[@HaplessOne]

@@Theheart_part1 agreeeed

[@patrickholland6848]

@@jeannineduncan2982 Embarrassment more that anything else.

[@blindspotspotter.2352]

I remember hearing that story on Unsolved Mysteries when I was in my 20s. I watched it with my grandparents. I remember my Grandfather saying "Yep, cops are like accountants. They just want their books to balance. They don't much care where the credits or debits come from. " Words of wisdom

[@riotgrrrl5924]

#1312

[@We_Are_All_Vultures]

I found the mindless bootlicker ⬆️ @@RickinFLA07 my pa was a federal detective and would say basically the same thing. It is what it is. An unbiased fact.

[@We_Are_All_Vultures]

#FACTS

[@blindspotspotter.2352]

@@RickinFLA07 No, he was a retired DA.

[@steveradcliff4636]

@@RickinFLA07 or a wise man ?

[@summerellisonartsandcrafts]

I think it was the superintendent, Paul’s ex wife, and her boyfriend. The letter never threatened the superintendent, even though he was involved in the accusing act. Paul’s ex wife knew his handwriting, his career, and her boyfriend was spotted by the sign.

[@chunkypandeynet6443]

You have sense in your logic.

[@indianfan1029]

It was Paul, his wife, and her future bf, they all seem to be involved.

[@veronicav575]

What motive though?

[@sabrinac1998]

The super intendents wife..

[@juliemanarin4127]

I agree...definitely Paul's ex and the bf and probably the superintendent too

[@OldSoul_0113]

I live about 20 minutes from Circleville. The pumpkin show is amazing every year! But every time we go the spooky vibe is there because of those letters. It's definitely still talked about

[@exploitedfight8081]

So what do ppl there think, who did it?

[@OldSoul_0113]

@@exploitedfight8081 i don't know why no one investigated the superintendents family or possibly wife if he had one. Thats always been my opinion. I dont know what everyone else thinks

[@MJW238]

I can’t find a credible source online, however, which indicates that any of this even happened.

[@annabethsmith-kingsley2079]

The first person you would have to suspect is the superintendent's wife.

[@paling1872]

Or the superintendents wife's side chick

[@CheesePoutine]

this makes the most sense to me .. she was jealous and wanted it to end

[@CheesePoutine]

this makes the most sense to me .. she was jealous and wanted it to end

[@yeetism31]

Yeah but what if it was the shcool

[@andredunhos4097]

Or a plot between Mary and her lover to kill the husband, while making the wife seem innocent since she would otherwise be the main suspect

[@lashandajordan6923]

The fact that the letters went from “me and I” to “we” definitely points to the supers wife. She felt alone in this until her boyfriend came along. Then it turned into a team effort. That’s what it sounds like to me.

[@tiadoran]

Yeah, I keep wondering why no one is asking about who the super was in a relationship with, especially if the super wasn't receiving the same letters. Seems like an obvious suspect. Did I miss something?

[@CheesePoutine]

@@tiadoran i was thinking the same thing 🤔

[@jagermain8875]

the ex wife would have known where that stolen gun was, so she could have stolen it easily. She also has a bit of anger towards the super because of the whole EX thing. that explains the taunting letter for me. i also assume the wife became the ex wife after the affair, meaning she’s out for revenge against the person who slept with her husband. that person being Mary. The El Camino, and figure from the eyewitness seal that case for me.

[@jordanblaquehulkbox1291]

I think so to

[@andrewhoyle1521]

@@jagermain8875 i dnt think she wrote the first letters. A journalist investigating this said that its now thought that a janitor from the school wrote the first set, then the ex wife used it as a way to get at ex husband. Question is who wrote all the letters while he was their

[@lorrainegriffin1443]

can't stop listening, he can really tell a story. So glad I found him.

[@shaymcdowell4054]

It was incredibly selfish for her to keep lying about the affair when it was threatening the safety of her family.

[@nicolasgamant7389]

did you not listen to this story ? it only got worst when she gave in to their demands.....wich was an easy prediction, that's the first thing that came to my mind, earing the firsts letters

[@Dvadarling]

Right I was thinking how disgusting of her, like dude even if I didn’t do anything at that point I would act like I did just to get that person to back off

[@nicolasgamant7389]

@@Dvadarling and like this story show us, you would be wrong to do so, and would only make it worst on yourself...those people sending the letters were getting off on controle, once you give them what they want, they will only want more

[@Dvadarling]

@@nicolasgamant7389 sir, I think that happened after ignoring it first over and over. Just saying...

[@Dvadarling]

@@nicolasgamant7389 she also never even stopped the affair, or went to the police. All she did was try to hide it. That’s just insane

[@stephanieclark1487]

Paul got framed. He should have sued them for imprisoning him so long.

[@willwinn8559]

Crooked cops and judges make real justice IMPOSSIBLE. Unless you are very RICH.

[@thomasswafford250]

I wish they would take a new look at this using DNA. Paul is dead, but whoever did this needs to be exposed. Even if the statutes of limitations has lapsed, they need to have to face the public.

[@glowhoo9226]

He wouldn’t have been able to until he was actually proclaimed innocent

[@nunya3163]

@@willwinn8559 Even when you are rich, they will cover up for one another.

[@thetexastickler5698]

@@thomasswafford250 oh yea and what DNA evidence would that be..they had 0 evidence to test

[@nicolemadden3178]

For them to think that Paul was writing the letters from solitary confinement is ridiculous as jails monitor mail and they're the ones that have to get the letters from the inmates to mail out. I mean c'mon!

[@AS-ri1mb]

He could’ve had accomplices

[@brendenmattkost]

Yeah, Paul's youngest daughter believes that it was her older sister writing them on behalf of her dad. She has memories of them supposedly collaborating. If not Paul's eldest daughter, it could have been someone else. There are also memories of finding letters in the home prior to the handgun incident. Paul was also supposedly a master manipulator. Obviously nothing is certain, but there's more to the story than what's told in this video.

[@theoriginal7264]

I was thinking the same thing like you guys could've certainly figured out if he was writing all these letters and remembering all these addresses and if he bought a substantial amount of stamps etc like wtf

[@Jeremy_the_bot]

Easily could have been an accomplice. It was Paul or someone really close to Paul. I cant get past the gun. Ok maybe it is my gun and it really was stolen. But because my family was targeted, someone close that had access to my home had to be the one that took the gun.

[@olidean8527]

@@Jeremy_the_bot but someone who had spent so much time and effort with all the crap that happened would surely spend the time to get a gun not registered in their own name or even if they couldn’t for whatever reason they would at least spend the time to remove the serial number properly

[@keenanlarsen1639]

Imagine being Ron, standing by your wife, when all the while she was lying to you about the affair and you end up dying from the whole ordeal.

[@missladybob4208]

Keenan Larsen Dam that Sucks, Seriously

[@alesonthomas2098]

She belong to the streets 🙏

[@xConoooR1]

She belong to the streeeeeeeeeeeeeets 🤣🤣

[@pollypockets508]

@B He never found out

[@pollypockets508]

I knew she was having the affair when she didn't tell her husband at the first letter. If I got a letter like that, I'd show my boyfriend right away and then took it to the police.

[@Paraplegicoctopus-jh3mn]

There were so many ways to actually investigate this, just mind-boggling how lazy these cops were!

[@peggypeggy4137]

Especially since Paul stayed in jail for years. This is a little off topic but it brings to mind the lack of professionalism back in the day. In the seventies when John Wayne Gacy was killing all those teenagers, the cops would ignore the parents of these kids when they would file Missing Persons reports. Saying the kids had "run away" No computer systems to speak of to link him to his previous convictions. It wasn't until the last victim who was a 15 yr old kid being picked up by his mother that they finally started looking at Gacy seriously. It's amazing what the guilty got away with and the innocent got charged with.

[@rjh6037]

Unless a cop was somehow involved or protecting someone.

[@shajanjacob1576]

So, cops are corrupt and stupid everywhere!

[@BZ1610]

Cops have historically been lazy and inept.

[@tylerk4641]

Weren't necessarily lazy they seem corrupt

[@JimV90]

Paul was done so dirty. I'd be pissed.

[@hahaha-.-]

Paul has a stolen gun and he didnt even report - isnt that suspicious? Arent you required to report that? He might still be part of this.

[@hahaha-.-]

The sheriff is also suspicious for not acknowledging the witness... maybe it was a big group of people like a cult in this town.

[@mayalackman7581]

@@hahaha-.- no. Your not required to report a stolen gun. It is a really good idea though.

[@cursednapmiuq2571]

@@mayalackman7581 yeah well now we know if that happens someone might get framed

[@jamespedersonchaysendestyn2042]

if your stolen gun is used in a crime you are suspect number 1. report it no matter what

[@Dorianfaer93]

I have literally gone to the pumpkin show every year and am super familiar with the area. Lived in Ohio 30 mins away from Circleville my whole life and love mysteries and Ohio history. Never heard this story and was surprised to see it. Very interesting. Love the content.

[@LouieD85]

The fact that no one in law enforcement wanted to dive deeper into this is so bizarre to me.

[@restgalaxy4285]

It is a clue.

[@oldsnookie]

That struck me as strange too! Ron's family said he didn't drink and u ignored that? Come on that's fishy..and u can't follow up who paid for the billboards really?;those things are not cheap. And while Paul is in jail and the letters are still being sent. The prison system knows what mail comes and goes from their facilities. Come on law enforcement really?! Its like they know or suspect who it is but don't want rock the boat w them, whoever it is. And that usually means they are the main money of the town. Someone who has big pockets and influence so they don't wanna touch it. I almost forgot they had a witness to something and totally disregarded it. Bizarre!

[@eddierodriguez8463]

@@oldsnookie hmm your onto somethin

[@nervous-wreck367]

Because they are involved

[@LouieD85]

@@nervous-wreck367 exactly

[@johnjohnson5930]

Am I the only one who asked: "well is she having an affair?" And then she follows it up with "it started after the letters". C'mon man, we ain't stupid. This was the superintendent trying to force a divorce of the married couple.

[@diogenessinope5109]

Nah, husband's family member. The billboards stink of a mother.

[@fanniewilliamson1833]

My uncle was going to Circleville buying cattle around that time.

[@shapecharge4091]

@trip sticks Good detective work, however I suspect someone's involvement with satanism.

[@jmalave62]

Am I the only one who hopes he doesn’t receive a letter

[@WyattRyeSway]

aviato287 x .....her kids went to school there and her job was there.

[@cannonb873]

this entire story hits so many different emotions. the fact that nobody believed paul, the betrayal, the mind-f*ck... your channel is tragically beautiful

[@randym9147]

tragically beautiful ... Is a perfect description.

[@rosewater3]

@@randym9147 I concur 💯

[@joeschmo622]

One particularly nauseating "feature" of the parole system is that they (the parole board) look for remorse, which is predicated on your being guilty and admitting as much. If you have the audacity to maintain your innocence, well, clearly you're not feeling remorse (for something you didn't do), so no parole for you.

[@oliviablyan1593]

Wow. I am officially addicted. This channel has consumed my life for 3 straight days now. I wake up and listen all day long. Even when I walk my dog he comes with me. When I go to bed 🛌 he comes with me.

[@ngud_gaming267]

RIP to Marys husband, he believed his wife to the bitter end but his faith was misplaced 💔

[@We_Are_All_Vultures]

So sad

[@rainluna9765]

She lied to her husband.

[@ngud_gaming267]

@@rainluna9765 yes

[@zaytovenvids236]

@@ngud_gaming267 his faith got him killed only if he relied on awareness and suspicion

[@GF93725]

So what, the wife lied to the husband and she did what she did. There's nothing wrong with a man still loving his wife because of that. We don't know all the facts. I don't have to be with her.

[@Elephant_Juice74]

The moral of the story is to immediately report a stolen firearm

[@wizardofahhhs759]

If you watch it on Unsolved Mysteries he didn't immediately know the pistol was missing, it had been years since he had seen it. The only thing he's guilty of is being an irresponsible gun owner.

[@d_manoil1647]

Or keep your legs closed

[@SK-me9by]

@Stjerneby Stjerneby It's called freedom and a basic right of protection you commi..

[@theladyinblack3055]

@@SK-me9by I’m not against gun ownership. I’m not American, but I do understand that it’s a basic right under the second amendment of your constitution and found by SCOTUS to mean that it guarantees the right of an individual to own a gun for self defence. That being said, I think that owning an AK-47 or similar or any semi-automatic assault weapon might be pushing things a bit. It’s certainly not something used for hunting and it’s a bit overboard to claim you need it for self defence. Banning private ownership of this type of weapon might help prevent some of the mass shootings that occur. Of course there are some that will always find a way to get something if they want it badly enough, but to me, at least, there’s no point in making it easy for them! 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ Thats just my opinion, but I’d be interested to know your thoughts on the subject. I’m always willing to learn by listening to the reasoning behind other people’s opinions.

[@SK-me9by]

@@theladyinblack3055 The second amendment doesn't give us the right it only recognizes the right and has nothing to do with hunting. It has everything to do with the right of a person to protect from Tyranny/harm with equal measure meaning not limited to any one kind of firearm. So yes we should have machine guns as pre-1980's law understood. There is not one gun law anywhere that stops a criminal from getting a weapon of choice. Gun laws only endanger lives. That's why in America we are seeing shootings in Gun Free Zones cause the bad guy knows very little chance of resistance. A armed society is a polite society.. If one does not like guns that's fine but who are they to take that choice away from another? I don't drink so then out law all alcohol beverages cause it kills and has no real positive purpose and cars kill every day so better out law cars that go faster then 25mph that would be silly correct? Hold people responsible for their actions cause I never seen a gun or a bottle of booze run around harming anyone it's the person. Taking guns away from good people is like putting the parents of bad people in jail, it solves nothing.

[@Fivshr]

That's insane! I'm from Circleville, Ohio and have lived there for 32 years and just moved to N.C. I have watched almost every video you have made and then upon looking for new ones, I see this.

[@brittney5566]

I literally live 20 minutes from Circleville! It's crazy to hear someone speak on our little town with such a following! Thank you for covering this!!

[@larsvonrinpoche1229]

Usually ppl want GOOD things said about their town. You seem like the " any publicity is good publicity "! Haha..you seem genuinely proud your little town is bring talked about! Even tho everyone else that has commented is like " omg!! I know that town...we vowed to never EVER go back to that God forsaken town"!

[@brittney5566]

Yeah! I just never hear anyone on KZbin talk about us. So it made me really excited to see it

[@atozhandymanservices5562]

Ashville here!

[@user-tr2dh4xx6u]

@@larsvonrinpoche1229 you act as if this story makes the ENTIRE town bad

[@AmbyJeans]

@@larsvonrinpoche1229 she’s excited to hear her town being talked about, she’s not thinking about “publicity.” Calm down 😂

[@loriegosnell5938]

I knew Mary was having that affair from beginning because I would definitely have went straight to my husband for protection showing him the first letter right away

[@sarahoshea9603]

Yeah it does seem odd that it takes her a while to go to him, and as a wife I couldn't imagine asking anyone else to protect you than your man. Tho she also admitted she DID have a brief affair! So maybe she rly hoped it was a bad prank.

[@SusanWillful]

Except if she and that guy had some chemistry going on but no affair... Feeling a little guilty without having done anything.

[@Stydimples]

He said she got the first letter right after the affair started. So who else knows who’s fucking who unless you got a stalker or the person himself spills the beans.

[@daniellemorcom8750]

That's what i thought x

[@kevinwilliams8687]

It’s very obvious, her first move was to hide it from her husband, guilt does that not love

[@Nick-xi6fc]

It’s crazy how one of the writers could literally be watching this rn laughing their asses off

[@MarieJohanna760]

Is definitely very old today.

[@Knosferatu]

are you one of the writers?

[@NotDopeSickJustDopeAsFuq]

@@Knosferatu 😉🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@darkregentt]

We caught you!!

[@oliverbond3526]

Shhhhh Don’t say anything

[@arialavellen8779]

I live in Chillicothe a town just south of Circleville. I have never heard of this before, but it happened before I was born. Mr. Ballen you should check out the missing women of Chillicothe from 2014. 6 women went missing, 4 were found dead, only 1 woman's killer was found the other 5 cases remain unsolved.

[@victorscribner402]

He’s my favorite true story teller. I cannot get enough.

[@rainluna9765]

Totally agree

[@Xo.Harvey]

Insane how both Ron and Mary became concerned only when threatened with having their dirty laundry aired, but not when threats were made to the safety of their children...🙄

[@quentelhill5074]

They wouldn't have done anything remember the dr Ramsey story

[@Xo.Harvey]

@@quentelhill5074 never heard of that story. What is it about?

[@quentelhill5074]

@@Xo.Harvey about a man who stalked a family mainly the little girl you should look it up on KZbin dr Ramsey made my skin crawl

[@Xo.Harvey]

@@quentelhill5074 yes I remember that case! Absolutely mad!

[@cosyisconflicted]

I’ll put your grandma in the fridge

[@shiol_lee]

Listening to Mr. Ballen is like receiving a huge comforting hug from dark strange dark and mysterious story format.

[@christycoalson36]

Right... I even listen to him while going to sleep 😴

[@danielwilliams8271]

Omgosh I’m from circleville Ohio!! This story still gives me the creeps 👀 so cool that you are doing a story about our hometown 😊 🎃

[@jayvct]

I been to the pumpkin show in circle villa lmao

[@myassisdraggan4732]

@Daniel Williams, I know your comment is older but I still have to ask, what is the running theory of who was behind all of this? Did the wife continue on as if nothing happened or did she leave?

[@heatherdinkins3721]

If you’re from there you must have an opinion on who did it. Who do you think was involved?

[@redxross]

I went to a terrific thrift store in Circleville one day in 2015 but was never able to find it again. A mystery!

[@MrGuell282]

See if you can find that car

[@joshpointoh]

How did they explain the fact that he was in jail for most of the letters sent? They can't just say "doesn't matter you were in solitary while these letters were sent"

[@degrelleholt6314]

There are similar stories where people are so incredibly thick and willfully blind. These folks really needed to have some sense slapped into them.

[@WhyYoutubeWhy]

They might have been pre-posted.

[@dubiousinformation1756]

Corruption. They knew he didn't do it. Literally anyone could tell he didn't do it. But they wanted him in there for personal reasons. Whether they just didn't like the guy, or that they know the actual killer and don't want them in jail to the point they're willing to throw other people under the bus. No one is likely ever going to know the actual reason. But clearly a lot of people were pulling the strings or it wouldn't have been possible.

[@PickyMcCritical]

The police could've suspected that people helping Paul were trying to trick the police to make him look innocent. I also second the reply that starts with the word "corruption."

[@ruralbrewery6585]

​@@dubiousinformation1756 motivation could also have been to do with taking the path of least resistance to quell possible unrest in their small town. Some cop positions are elected, giving political motivation to cops to be seen to be effective, even when they're not. Cockup leads to conspiracy, is my take.

[@breannastrickland2393]

It’s only been a year since he made this video but his story telling skills have improved even more! MrBallen is so amazing 🤩 he hardly says “um” and small pauses are completely gone in his newer videos. Like, you have to try hard to improve these skills and it’s so cool he put the time and work in.

[@kilmenypl]

Right? In his recent videos people comment that this is a gift that he has that makes him such a great storyteller. Maybe partially it is, but even more so this is a result of a lot of practice to improve. He is much better now at research as well!

[@breezy3725]

I could tell immediately that was a jealous woman writing those letters.

[@jamiedecker7853]

Exactly my thoughts. I wonder if superintendent had a wife???

[@DDStriker-qf3ne]

Not a wife,a child. A kid did this.If it were an adult,they would have just confronted the husband directly.

[@theconcan2753]

@@DDStriker-qf3ne Haha it seems it hit you in the feels. No it wasnt a child, it was a woman.

[@ksinclair-garcia2092]

Depending on the age of the superintendent maybe it could be a grown child.

[@giantdanio]

You’re right. Only two things would fuel this type of long-standing behaviour. The first is jealousy. The second is political. It doesn’t seem political so it must be a vindictive, jealous person. Who’s SO messed up that they start to involve new boyfriend - because he’s so outraged by the hurt that’s been caused to this person and angry that he’s not getting all the attention from the jealous person, that he decides to play a part in all the madness too.

[@tflo4sho]

This channel is how I center myself.. it’s how I destress

[@CoinsAndCapsaicin]

County jails check your mail before it's sent out. There is not a single way he was sending those letters from solitary confinement

[@MrTech226]

Someone talked to Parole Board to denied Paul's parole. These letters should have been sent to FBI's Crime Lab for analysis because any threats to be delivered thru Mail Service is major Federal Crime. I think Sheriff's mishandled of this case is very suspicious! He or She should have called another Law Enforcement or even FBI because I am curious if Sheriff knew the group and Superintendent. If so, take himself or herself away from the case due to personally connection to the case.

[@timgreen2426]

@susan ivy without handwriting analysis who knows

[@rachelc8715]

I can’t speak on federal prison but I did a year in state prison in MS and in 3 different facilities, they never screened our outgoing mail. Just our incoming. And they didn’t even actually “read” it, just opened it up and shook it and the envelope out to make sure there wasn’t anything in there that shouldn’t be. But that was just my experience at these few jails/prisons in MS 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@christycoalson36]

The system is corrupt... You could easily pay off someone one way or the other to send stuff you're not supposed to while in jail. It's not unheard of. Just a thought 🤔

[@falconsfamily6402]

There are plenty of way to get letters out without someone knowing. Inmates are resourceful

[@amandaross823]

This man could read the phone book to me and I would listen. He has a way of drawing you in and keeping your attention. I love the content of his page and hope he never stops, or at least no time soon♡

[@rolondal8948]

Agree!

[@dirtyfrogs4540]

What’s a phone book??

[@malte2483]

@@dirtyfrogs4540 a fat catalouge with thousands of numbers,adresses and names...its a thing from the 19hundrets🤣👍

[@loef27]

They still make the yellow pages paper phone book.

[@lynnetrathen4587]

It’s the way he tells it...he makes them so interesting and doesn’t use ifs, buts, ummm, etc

[@cindykq8086]

She gets not one but two of these threatening letters and doesn't tell her husband?? Very suspicious.

[@angelatheriault8855]

CindyKQ I think she didn’t tell her husband about the letters because they were true; she was having an affair with the superintendent. If she showed her husband the letters he might get suspicious so she was hoping the whole situation would just go away.

[@ifacecamp717]

@@angelatheriault8855 his point was that once the husband confronted her and she said she also got letters, the husband shouldve questioned why she didnt tell him about the 2 letters until he confronted her. This shouldve told him that maybe she was having an affair

[@nickark4807]

Because she really was cheating

[@mercedesball1490]

Right, oh my gosh

[@Kenshiroit]

Probably it was her doing it. Has she been tested for schitzofrenia?

[@Ash-nk8lk]

I LOVE this channel. Just found it not long ago and I’ve watched full playlists already. So I encourage all of you, watch the ads to the very end to support his channel.

[@virginiaboudreaux1407]

I am hooked. This is my new binge addiction.

[@76erschamps59]

I often google the stories after listening

[@danieldorsz1047]

Ok

[@truthylucy7068]

This little town has serious issues starting with the sheriff's dept. It seems to me they're covering for someone. Paul should've been released as soon as the letters started up again especially after one was sent to him in jail. There's something called handwriting analysis. They for whatever reason wanted the blame to stay with Paul even though obvious inconsistencies were apparent. Good video! ✌

[@istudios225]

The only one telling the truth is Paul. An innocent man jailed is the worst kind of injustice by law enforcement and the courts. Tragic but it happens all too often. Everybody else was lying. Including the bus driver co-worker of Mary who saw the man with the yellow vehicle near the poster. She didn't say she actually saw him putting up the poster. It was also her word that she told the police that she saw him and they did nothing. For all we know, she never told anyone anything until the TV station came around. Or maybe she never even saw him. She may be mixed up in the whole mess herself. Maybe another lover of the superintendent, could even be the culprit. Mary was the first and main target of the letters and was also named as a cheater in the posters. Could be a jealous rival. The timing of when the letters started and ended is important. If we can correlate the dates of all the letters with the dates of when every incident, event, phone call, witnessing, affair, breakup, marriage, divorce, court trial and incarceration of Paul took place, we should be able to see a few suspicious co-incidences pop up. Also need to check how each person is connected to everyone else, to see if some revelations turn up there. Surely only a handful of people work in or travel to Columbus daily or frequently, not all of them. Even in the 70s, they could've taken fingerprints off the letters, the posters and the gun. We also aren't told what the Martin reporter came up with. And what was the cause of death of Ron? They just said he was found dead. This whole case stinks of a big-time small-town cover-up.

[@ryanmrowka8970]

Poor Paul :^(

[@marcoslaureano5562]

Maybe she was bangin the whole dept. Just sayin....

[@BeeJae78]

I was a true crime show addict. I confess I now watch MR BALLEN instead. I have never been able to tolerate spoken stories I lose interest or they’re corny. This is the first time I have ever been addicted to a KZbin channel lol

[@shoh1541]

Try Stephanie harlowe’s channel ...she’s really good

[@nancanhol]

@@shoh1541 omg she’s sooooo good!!! Highly recommend her.

[@kevingilchrist3188]

I love Mr. Ballen the way he tells us the truth and stories ❤️ 😊

[@thebamboozlerette1824]

Ron: “We’ll ignore it, and it will go away.” Narrator voice: “But it did not go away.”

[@MasonBarker-iy6kb]

*its always sunny music* The gang gets more letters

[@CivilizedWarrior]

Cops: We’ll ignore it, and it will go away

[@ginaunger2399]

Narrator voice: It did not go well. : )

[@justsomepersononyoutube9271]

Ron weasely

[@Homiloko2]

The most terrifying part is the guy who was imprisoned even though he didn't do anything

[@rocketgrunt5252]

That's pretty common actually

[@pressure1982]

Tons of exonerations have happened after the introduction of D.N.A. a billions have been paid out the most recent to make it did 33yrs the long recorded sentences carried out by an innocent man F.B.I. should showcase the real data on crime 13%-50% ratio is highly inaccurate

[@We_Are_All_Vultures]

@@pressure1982 they also try to cover up cases where they were wrong but really really pushed it.. to save money and save face

[@joshuaarmijo3565]

Right he did lot of time

[@joshuaarmijo3565]

@@rocketgrunt5252 Its actually not that common anymore...

[@alexanderzadoroznyj]

You and That Chapter are the only 2 storytelling channels I can actually make it fully through in a binge lol

[@KatlynJShute]

If you are interested in true crime I highly suggest checking out: Jimmy Can’t Swim (JCS) he does interrogation videos where he will break down police interrogations and talk about the strategies used by investigators Stephanie Harlowe. her videos are incredibly detailed and are sometimes in multiple parts. She does her research! Bailey Sarian. She does make up while telling you about a case. Even if you don’t do makeup or care about it, her videos are absolutely fantastic. Well researched and detailed. If you like podcasts definitely check out Last Podcast on the Left. They do a ton of cases. Been around for a long time so they have hundreds of episodes.

[@johnkirkhart4]

Tirtytree. Chapters. Lol

[@Skyscraper2015]

It seems every time I click on one of Mr Ballen's videos, there is a comment on the top which goes something like this "I was on KZbin and somehow stumbled over this video and now this channel and now I am hooked" or "Anyone else randomly come across this video and can't get off?" As much as it is true, it is fascinating that this is the case. And fascinating that I see it on almost every video I see of his.

[@Baalzz302]

When it comes to crimes, no coincidence should be ignored. Sounds to me like Paul’s wife should be looked into. A possible motive? She wanted to covertly leave her husband for another man.

[@ED-fo1pe]

My thoughts exactly. And she probably wanted someone to pay for her brother's death.

[@donniethedealer2623]

She also had motivate to write the original letters to Mary who was literally cheating on her brother

[@Elise-dq5cn]

She and Paul started the letters to get rid of Mary for cheating on her brother then she wanted to leave Paul so why not frame him for the whole thing

[@daphventurer7475]

Definitely. It also explains how Paul's gun ended up at the billboard. She must have been the one who easily stole it from him. It also explains why the letters changed course after the death of her brother, Ron, accusing the Sheriff of covering up something. She was trying to find some justice for her brother. First against his cheating wife and then against the unclear accident. And it also explains keeping her husband, Paul in prison as she was able to leave him and get with this other man, whom she was probably collaborating with the entire time with the letters.

[@920WASHBURN]

What if she was also banging the sheriff. So he knew he couldn't go after the superintendent because he would just rat out the sheriff. Small towns get down like that.

[@masonbricke4568]

I think you have solved it right here. You have also demonstrated how small-town law enforcement couldn't pick the winner of a one-horse race.

[@dcd9565]

Law enforcement in general have trouble solving cases. Just look at the statistics on it. Like 40% of murders are unsolved, over 80% of rapes. Police aren't good at their job.

[@willwinn8559]

@@dcd9565 Small town CROOKED cops are worse than incompetent. , they are complicit .

[@AB-uz1tl]

@@willwinn8559 I would say good luck to anyone trying to find a small town police force not covered in corruption.

[@willwinn8559]

@@AB-uz1tl I didn't believe it could be so blatant and no one seems to care , as long as they're rich or " a brother " 😒 ( not a racist remark , They call it a Brotherhood )

[@AB-uz1tl]

@@willwinn8559 Every one knows everyone and they make their little circles. Small town America has a Hollywood appeal of the perfect place to start a family. But it's much better off being in a city big enough to be a nobody any given day. Nothing but snobby ass ego elites than run in small town government and friends.

[@Deadplantssociety]

i have alot of respect for this guy. he appeared on my youtube just somehow, and he works on this channel every day of the week. he was also a navy seal.

[@CTuna-uo3pq]

Somehow? Hahahahahaha

[@joeSwain-i6z]

Lol. Love your content. Also love how many times you say Circleville OH is the most obscure area in the country. I live like 30 mins from Circleville.

[@GargiJD]

guess when you're in a tiny town like Circleville with nothing much to do, it also affects your investigative skills. poor paul... jailed due to laziness of his town.

[@AIMgoofy]

This is scary because I just moved 5 mins out of Circleville a week ago after living in the town for years

[@LauraWilliams-ij9vy]

I feel like the police are corrupt here. The detective had no interest in actually getting to the bottom of everything and was quick to send Paul down.

[@tomlee3084]

Detective- “So it appears a tree came running at him 78Mph and collided with his truck killing him instantly and scaring a round off out of his highly anxious firearm” *Drinks some scotch on the job and leans in to smell victims corpse* “yup, just as I thought, A drunk driver as well.I can smell it on his breath.” “All right bois, we are taking this tree in for the murder of...” (Next case) “It’s this guy’s gun? So he did it, case closed”

[@Setapart_jay]

Fr they didn't even interview some people when if they did it could've cracked the case. Maybe it could've been one of the police setting people up🤔🤔

[@darrellboone9274]

Who paid for those billboards?🤨

[@adamwhite202]

3 word government cover up

[@rkn3zdesign]

Isint that jsut how police works in this country if you aint rich we dont care

[@doolinramlakan9816]

I am hooked and loving your stories

[@chemartini7887]

I just watched the Circleville OH. It was a very intriguing story. The one thing that bothered me was the fact that Paul himself received a warning letter while in prison. Was that ever investigated? I suppose being denied parole the letter probably wasn’t. It’s incredibly sad that Ron was killed on his way to confront someone. That would mean it would have to have been someone in Ron and Mary’s inner circle. It’s also very strange that another bus driver saw the likely suspect but was never brought in as a crucial witness. Unfortunately, the law didn’t take this seriously enough to thoroughly investigate. It begs the question, we’re they involved in this bizarre and deadly activity or, did they play a part in the events of this mystery. I don’t think anyone will ever know. Perhaps anyone investigating this crime was threatened as well. It puts a whole new spin on “don’t ask don’t tell”.

[@Nastyboiguy1]

I’ll look ou Ikr

[@Twistedwolf-ru2qk]

Most likely suspect was David Longberry. He was another bus driver and coworker of Mary Gillespie. The initial letters to the superintendent warned him to stay away from his "girls" He is the one mary and Ron initially suspected. They sent him a letter and the letters stopped for several weeks. It's also important to note he eventually raped a 11 year old girl and then committed suicide in 1999. No further letters were ever sent past 1994. Some of the letters indicate the writer was attracted to "pimple faced girls." He had access to all the information about the other drivers that were written too including addresses. Another thing to note is the letters to the superintendent threatened to cut his brake lines. I think David called Ron and told him to meet him somewhere but he had already cut his brake. When Rob got in the car his brakes failed and he crashed. He was taunting the police as many sociopaths do in the letters because he knew he cut the lines yet the cause of death was ruled drunk driving.

[@peggypeggy4137]

Very bad investigative work to put and keep Paul in jail for all those years. Obviously he wasn't writing while in solitary confinement. This was back in 1983. Now they would be able to solve this so much easier with new technologies, touch and ancestry DNA, etc.

[@NightmarezInc]

Pumpkin festival, I actually live near circleville. I have family there and those letters are actually still happening just to different people.

[@jessicadorrell6751]

who is it happening to? is it happening in the same way as this story?

[@roryb240]

Pumpkin show* not pumpkin festival

[@DinkyMax]

Wooow really!? The perpetrator would have to be old by now...

[@taylorjohnson9321]

No way the stalker has to be old af by now

[@DinkyMax]

@@taylorjohnson9321 if you believe what the stalker said it seems to have been going on for generations. So maybe the kid of the stalker in the story

[@KwellsCaldwellVEVO]

She never even admitted it to her husband before he died she was lying the whole time wow

[@corlenajames1381]

I doubt she actually cheated on her husband. I think after her husband died behind all that, her back was against the wall & she was willing to admit to anything if that meant there was an opportunity to put everything behind her & moving forward. Unfortunately, she was wrong.

[@raywcksn]

@@corlenajames1381 I don’t buy that

[@XFizzlepop-Berrytwist]

@@raywcksn I dunno, people have confessed to crimes they didnt commit to get less worse sentences, or even to get out of jail early.

[@Cptraktorn]

@@corlenajames1381 She decided not to even warn her husband about the letters, that tells me everything i need to know

[@shav12]

There’s men out there unknowingly raising kids that aren’t even their’s. It’s sad

[@missy87jones]

I started watching this channel recently, I love it!! But I was surprised when this video come up on my feed! The video is from a couple years ago, but I'm just now seeing it. I was surprised again because this case centers a lot around my family! Mary is my grandmother. My father is Ron and Mary's son. There are A lot of podcasts that have covered this story as well. It's frustrating and upsetting to me. I don't tell my father and grandmother, Mary, about all the coverage this case still gets...to this day! I don't want to open old wounds. I don't know really...why even make this comment, not sure. I love this channel, The Circleville Letters is an interesting story ....just hits close to home for me! Thanks, keep Ballen

[@abford03]

Let’s go I’ve already gently annihilated the like button. Absolutely loving the uploading consistency man. Your videos are so well done and entertaining. Keep it up man ❤️❤️

[@warmmilk4558]

i have never been so addicted to someone’s videos before. i’ve literally never done this idk why he’s so captivating

[@thatchedstudios4768]

So, according to the wife, she decided “if I’m getting accused of cheating with the superintendent, I may as well actually do it!” That’s absurd. There’s absolutely no way she cheated with him AFTER the letters started. That’s crazy.

[@runningthunder6923]

Wonder if she just said that to see if it would stop the bs

[@sarahoshea9603]

Nah, that is pretty typical actually. At least for a certain type of person

[@rainluna9765]

The whole thing doesn't make sense. The fact Mary did what she did and her husband died defending her. Also that man Paul locked up for many years when the authorities knew he didn't send the letters out. And not bothering with a key witness.

[@HeavenlyZanpakuto]

also who cheats with a principal, you couldn't hire a prostitute or something

[@immir6647]

It was going on before that. She only confessed to it after she lost her husband.

[@mamalives6938]

From Ohio to Missouri there is a darkness that is a heavy depression . When I moved from Indiana to Texas, I felt that depression lift off me. It is heavy and sucks the will to live right out of you. Since I moved to Austin the will to live and love for life now consume my heart and mind. For me it was a matter of life and death to leave that place.

[@alexandriageiler687]

Yup I live in Missouri and there’s definitely a heavy feeling of depression here. We don’t call Missouri “misery” for nothing

[@investigator77]

I love Mr. Ballen!! Now when my husband and I are both working at home, I ask if he wants Mr Ballen to tell us a story! LOL My husband says "sure", so I put the speakers on my laptop, and we both get into it. He does tell stories very well, and the content is always great. He's a retired Seal, easy on the eyes, and is respectful of the people involved in these stories. He's awesome

[@deehuffman5760]

I so agree. He is a cutie.

[@investigator77]

@@deehuffman5760 ikr? 🦭🥰♥

[@meghansebek4888]

Definitely easy on the eyes lol

[@investigator77]

@@meghansebek4888 absolutely! Very cute, like your first big romance in school. 🥰♥

[@Silkendrum]

By 4 minutes in, I'm wondering why Mary didn't go to the superintendent and tell him about the letters.

[@TheGoddessRises]

He wasn’t in the story at all... where was he during all this, and why didn’t he get a letter? Who was he related to, and what’s his story

[@inthelandofmorethansmall7582]

@@TheGoddessRises yes, the very first letter said, I know you're having an affair with the superintendent of the school.

[@fqidz]

what if it was the superintendent's wife/lover

[@patkmrpatkmr1718]

I thought the affair was true,that after Mary’s husband had “died”🙄(suspiciously) she admitted that they had had a maybe “brief” affair,yet now they weren’t that I got,it was a one time thing or,something? Either way to much drama,it seemed the whole town was in on this sh*t if you ask me,or at least made it worse by feeding/hiding this drama that effected a lot of ppl’s lives.

[@christinecole6565]

Exactly! I saw ppl saying Paul's wife but I kept thinking did the superintendent have a wife!? THAT wld make a LOT more sense. And yes i DO believe the affair started before the letters, WAY too coincidental!

[@PFFLisaMC]

3rd Year Criminology student here. I've justfound this channel. Yes, I went down the rabbit-hole while I was researching for uni. I can't even remember what I was researching! Looking forward to more mysteries. I'm going back to the Samanthat Koenig case to look for the clue. I nissed it first time through. Solving cold cases is my forte!

[@MrGuell282]

I tend to do that too and then I remember I’m not a criminology student

[@roberthartfield3505]

Yep, totally accidentally stumbled on MrBallen and am hooked! I have read many of the books his stories come from but still am captivated listening to him tell his stories.

[@sylviasdad]

Just found this channel this past week and I am obsessed... these stories are all great and very addictive. I will keep watching, I mean I can't stop, so...