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

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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
Story Music by: @co.agmusic
Intro video by :
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DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for entertainment purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. If you are, or represent, the copyright owner of materials used in this video, and have an issue with the use of said material, please send an email to [e-mail]
Copyright © 2023 MrBallen. All rights reserved.
#plottwist #italy #mrballen

[@MrBallen]

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

[@DatBoyJailbreak]

I’m first to this comment

[@chelsea545]

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

[@angelwilson887]

🖤🖤🖤

[@Rhionah]

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

[@dustincureton126]

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

[@totallyfrozen]

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

[@jaimestewart8295]

Yeah but you would never sleep.

[@Yuk443i]

@@jaimestewart8295 ikr lol

[@AlexousTyKeishaCanSingAndRap]

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]

@@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]

I agree he’s the best story teller !

[@Bansheeman6100]

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]

🙏

[@IchbinX]

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

[@nathanielhorrigan2181]

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]

@@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]

I second that

[@TwizzlerGirl]

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]

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

[@kory_misun]

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]

😂

[@sarathompson6628]

Yeah, ditto everything you said.

[@xXTwigManXx]

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]

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

[@slaywitheestco]

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

[@markbrenzel9419]

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]

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]

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

[@Grapezzzz]

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]

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

[@cynthiafondren1326]

Totally agree

[@AcousticKitty]

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]

😂😂😂

[@glamdolly30]

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

[@misstinahamilton5714]

😂😂

[@Joel-zz5wx]

🤣

[@SunRabbit]

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

[@dougthelatenightthugbrookf4379]

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]

She was making soap out of the people she killed

[@zoegriffin6]

Cs😊

[@nathandrake459]

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

[@danastewart9281]

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

[@user-vc1hn8fu7x]

​@@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]

@@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]

@@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

[@thesandwichman9401]

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

[@karsere853]

My thoughts exactly!

[@torihanabi]

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

[@caitcasali3207]

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]

Appointment in Samarra.

[@IlaughedIcried]

Definition of dramatic irony!

[@jessicafardig4962]

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]

Lol, me too

[@internetsnail]

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]

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_]

Same! 😅

[@rosamariagalvan465]

So do I!!@

[@karonxls]

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. 🤪

[@carissadgraham]

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]

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]

@@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]

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

[@user-vc1hn8fu7x]

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

[@justarandomperson2786]

@@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.

[@mydreamwindow1721]

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

[@ashort5299]

🤣

[@K9Lee_TheBombDog]

body Body soap??

[@brandyseverin4077]

@@K9Lee_TheBombDog LMAO 🏆

[@St.Linguini_of_Pesto]

..and a whole new definition to the term "friend".

[@smalltowngirlbigcityheart3724]

I noticed that!!! I wonder if that’s where they got the name from? 🫣🧐🤓

[@MsEnglishtea]

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]

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

[@BEAUTYnIQ]

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

[@leighwhite544]

Makes you think twice about hand made soaps too😂

[@maryriley6163]

Right on.

[@tomaslove9416]

were you also didnt bathe with soap? 😂

[@paulobustamante8638]

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

[@Greenbean1318]

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]

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

[@SalemElloit]

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

[@danielagiorno4993]

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]

@@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]

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

[@justincraig398]

How many times have you heard this story ?

[@mistyd6059]

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]

Yeah, I heard about her from another true crime story person on KZbin 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]

@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]

@@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]

@@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]

@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

[@ava.artemis]

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]

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]

What are you guys on about?

[@josephlilley9249]

You know Mr ballen is a killer???

[@karenmarlatt2540]

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

[@ikpergerard7558]

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]

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]

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 KZbin or mainstream media, is pretty cringe

[@ikpergerard7558]

@@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]

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

[@RealLukifer]

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

[@perfectlyimperfect_8528]

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]

He’s on Amazon music podcast

[@becky6997]

He should have a series on Netflix or Disney +

[@paulwright8378]

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

[@cbowers318]

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

[@mommys3bratz]

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

[@tilbecristofori]

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!!

[@oscarpacker817]

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.

[@mouseyvay]

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 🥴

[@dezitavi]

Lol me too !!

[@shericharlesworth9215]

Love the name mama firefly

[@TyeArtisik]

Same 😹

[@garronborrum1831]

ikr im lol

[@bonniebloom5824]

Omg I am shocked.what a weird woman. Love your way of telling stories. Awesome !

[@guyanesegyal8953]

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]

‼️ same

[@Unpopularity]

You love the twist?

[@guyanesegyal8953]

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

[@JustinOhio]

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]

Same here. It became very obvious to me

[@HR-nq8ys]

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

[@earthling148]

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 !

[@alyssahooper]

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

[@scottanonymous798]

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😱

[@GrandmaLoves2Scuba]

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.

[@scottsthoughtschannel9538]

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

[@karenray248]

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.

[@snakethejake97]

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

[@beastly.warner]

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

[@beastly.warner]

@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]

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]

@@p5eudo883 100% agree.

[@beastly.warner]

@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.

[@CynfulArts]

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]

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]

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

[@MrCardigansGorliePops]

Me too

[@ceciliafarias4642]

Same

[@irishcream227]

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

[@magdalenacruz684]

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!

[@makesap]

Thanks for the recommendation KZbin. I’m hooked on this channel

[@babyfry4775]

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]

@@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]

@@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]

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]

@@Jay_Mc_Baby bruh shut up

[@morticiajusz3179]

@@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.

[@StephanieMoondance]

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

[@sozzysucks]

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]

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]

@@danaperry3900 Explained perfectly!

[@danadoozer9990]

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]

Far too many air quotes!

[@redxross]

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!

[@jackivan7632]

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]

Some people can just be so insufferable...

[@nymom8204]

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

[@russelljr4026]

For sure!

[@vinnyClipz]

100%

[@nailahlemaitre2503]

@@russelljr4026 8i

[@albuquerquehotspot7835]

Hope your day gets better.

[@jennialoro4485]

I agree

[@seraphik]

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.

[@michellec.guillory-kuhn730]

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

[@kurl8699]

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

[@roughriderfishing7755]

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

[@MinuteManClips]

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

[@MinuteManClips]

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]

@@MinuteManClips so?

[@candicetaylor2043]

Facts

[@dragonfly4500]

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

[@passionsquietrage]

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]

Thanks for ruining the guessing game.

[@omega9492]

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

[@jonb2756]

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

[@MajesticViking]

@@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]

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

[@therealmrs.dowdell7062]

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

[@Kashmerega-fs1vg]

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

[@indiasky]

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

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

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]

Gimme

[@mystery_sauce]

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]

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

[@kimberlyshepherd270]

Thank you for your service Mystery Sauce ❤️🎗️

[@lisareynolds9889]

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

[@jdeighan]

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

[@likebutton3136]

😷

[@suehart5294]

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

[@catherinerose2208]

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

[@mrfrundles4645]

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

[@killeanmcchesney5138]

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]

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]

Deep like an axe to the chest

[@blipblop7560]

I have a bad feeling that’s gonna be me

[@registeredjopper]

@@Ballen1182 why disturbing?

[@yoyoglock4]

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]

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

[@trashcatlinol]

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]

Can’t wait for the live stories!

[@belmum1689]

@@LevitheLegend Evil

[@LevitheLegend]

@@belmum1689 a sinister type of evil at that

[@jaclynbruske37]

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

[@oofoof2304]

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

[@nicolemadden3178]

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

[@messhauhnar1311]

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

[@RandyStoker1964]

Same

[@Ipnodemas]

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]

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

[@rexthegamergembox]

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]

Idem

[@bracing_brooke]

That story was wild. Great video as always

[@The_finestsocialworker]

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

[@BSJ-Unparalleled]

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]

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

[@brianbonnet3170]

Same

[@jeffwrightsman7797]

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]

He always does.

[@sidneyglymp624]

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

[@papillonnoir255]

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]

SAME

[@clintonleonard5187]

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]

@@clintonleonard5187 me too

[@laurapechonis9172]

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.

[@chantel2594]

Loved this story!

[@alicewilloughby4318]

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]

WORD!!!

[@vitalucas9452]

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]

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]

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

[@dreamcrone]

Or the tea cakes he ate!!!

[@keywilliam1]

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]

He is such a talented story teller for sure!

[@santasclaws]

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!

[@xjoeschx]

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

[@angelicamendoza9910]

The fact that the fortune teller knew everything is the coolest part of this story.

[@crystalh450]

If she "knew everything" then she probably should have warned her not to make cakes out of people and stuff, though, right? I mean it almost sounds like the fortune teller was an accomplice if they "knew everything" and let it happen anyway.

[@crystalh450]

@Witty Witty probably because as much as you would like to believe that is true, it doesn't ONLY magically happen to men. I am sure there are many instances where the wrong person pays for someone else. I never said the justice system wasn't flawed, but the right answer isn't "sending more women to prison". It should be a higher standard to require actual evidence that you have the right person who committed the crime. We shouldn't "believe all men" anymore than we should "believe all women." Both of those suggestions are ludicrous and immature. If you accuse someone of a crime, then the burden of proof is on you. "Innocent until guilty" isn't a standard for no reason. You can't let anyone's life be ruined by false accusations and their gender should not be a factor at all.

[@daphneglasurus7886]

The original fortune teller said all the kids would die but they didn’t. She just heard this and made it all come true.

[@pandahsykes602]

Fortune tellers are just incredibly good empaths and people readers . She clearly saw that our killer was mentally unstable and made a few quick general deductions based on that , Sherlock Holmes style .

[@crystalh450]

@@pandahsykes602 sometimes they are just frauds that make things up. Perhaps she wasn't mentally unstable until a fortune teller told her all her kids would die and it pushed her over the edge. We may never know.

[@snaxolotl2.0]

Mr. Ballen is the epitome of "He talks with his hands." The physically animated story-telling makes you feel like your sitting across the table from him.

[@litatorres7762]

Yesss. 💯💯💯 Love It. Thee Best StoryTeller

[@ginamcbride09]

I DM him about this, once. I am a little old Sicilian woman who talks with my hands, too. It works!

[@EatingAnElephant]

I thought that too, I know it's because he is animating the story and using it for emphasis, but I wondered if he would be able to talk if he did not use his hands. LOL

[@xzonia1]

@@EatingAnElephant I had a friend in high school who talked with her hands. I asked her to sit on her hands one day to see if she could talk without waving them about, and she literally started stuttering and losing her train of thought. She couldn't do it! X)

[@Bruce1983]

Went to senior school and a girl in my class was exactly the same. She was really bright too. She didn’t suffer fools gladly either. Always tutting and rolling her eyes at people including the teachers

[@Vvt.86]

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.

[@Drtbykr1]

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.

[@mandim1772]

I have finally met my match when it comes to the number of hand gestures made during a single story telling session. If I tried talking with my hands tied behind my back, I'd fall flat on my face.

[@okiefarmerswife7154]

Thank you! I love his stories, but his hand gestures are so distracting

[@ojosdediamante]

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]

Same! Love Thoughty 2 and that Chapter also 💙

[@bentonrp]

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

[@jamercemydudes3375]

Same 😂

[@mdeysenroth]

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]

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.

[@victoriacaldwell6135]

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

[@colinsparrow0625]

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

[@lindas42961]

As the story progressed, I wrote down several vague outcomes. One of them was "she uses human body parts to make soaps." Was early on in the story when i thought it and was just a shot in the dark but, totally nailed it😁

[@deepg7084]

Same here! Anytime I hear about homemade soap I immediately think of Fight Club lol. It's one of my favorite movies of all time. As he was telling the story I was thinking "this woman sounds way too sweet for a Mr Ballen story".

[@nhmooytis7058]

Ivory Soap is....PEOPLE!

[@thebestfrom361]

I guessed that she was a serial killer early on, but I also thought she killed her own children. Glad I was wrong about that part though.

[@jannelldemmons4641]

She was killing the women of the village because to protect her son when he got drafted to military. She believed that this would keep him safe

[@rebeccadorianmills7678]

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

[@kelliewhyte_85]

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]

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]

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]

It took me 12 mins

[@rewatteefroimchuk8589]

Yes! Me too!

[@TheZedianMusic]

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

[@darrinlorentzii3834]

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

[@ilanamouser3811]

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]

Really? No spoiler alert? Smh

[@mrsauce9307]

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

[@emilym9211]

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

[@cade377]

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....?

[@ValkyrieofNOLA]

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]

Lol

[@freedombro6502]

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

[@Parksandsoul]

When you were talking about helping the 3rd friend i knew ot was Leonarda. The how she did it was WILD!

[@siansomers8351]

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

[@nicholasmathews]

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

[@chrisgordon307]

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]

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]

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

[@TeddyLovesAxl]

I want an invite! Please. ❤

[@Divine_Bebe]

I wish i did this with my family🤣🤣❤️🙏

[@lydianauen5247]

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

[@caroliner3567]

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

[@astridlynden4589]

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

[@arturolopez450]

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

[@lovejesus7775]

@@arturolopez450 bruh. How much they paying you😂

[@MrChumpus]

@@arturolopez450 My first encounter with a hispanic BOT

[@late-bloomstrategy9694]

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

[@ericasimonson8737]

Have you heard of the Alexander murders?

[@impalamama7302]

Totally didn't see that one coming, but the mention of her obsession with sorcery, divination, and the occult knew that the end would be grizzly. On New Year's Eve, I had to go to urgent care center for an abscess tooth (and of course not dentist were open) and I was listening to a Mr. Ballen vid when the Med Assistant came in to give me a shot. She was like "Oh wow, you listen to Mr. B, too? I never met anybody else who listens to him!" So fortunately, I did not have a strange, dark, or mysterious ending to my story, because I told her right away that I was NOT the "Like" Button!

[@mikkayo]

Omg we have (me and my friends group) have a whole MrBallen group chat going on haha Last December we went and stayed two nights at an 1800s old nunnery. In the middle of the night we were out sitting around a fire pit when one of the girls all of a sudden said “do you know how to get to Bells canyon” we all packed up and had to go inside 😂😂😂😂😂

[@faithfulpoet2810]

That reminds me of the time I met a mid age woman at a Bigfoot Museum and found out she was a MrBallen fan

[@impalamama7302]

@@faithfulpoet2810 at least she wasn't coming at you with a needle bruh

[@NotMolly-jf2rh]

Great episode! And LOVE that shirt!

[@sethmartija4236]

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

[@dotesondots]

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.

[@courtneyorr742]

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

[@teschchr122]

I like watching him as well, very emotive!

[@Onimass]

Dang! I should've thrown my guess in! Great story

[@mauricemosley8380]

Wow, I was not expecting this at all.

[@heatherwild350]

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]

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

[@annedrieck7316]

@@brettshrekington mrbeast could do this for 1 million.

[@thomasgriffin2326]

No one cares

[@Vinsonah_luvsShandie1989]

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

[@GlassesnMouthplates]

The moment the soap storefront was brought up near the beginning, my brain immediately jogged up by the morbid familiarity of this story.

[@shelby7912]

Yep! Mine too. The soap lady!

[@pattylovett4682]

I knew exactly who it was at that point

[@maryanncutarm]

Mr.Ballen you are a good ❤ story teller,just putting out there