Here at The Echo Of Darkness (TEOD) we generally try to find a bit more information on subjects, and it is whilst doing some digging that we normally discover that a vast amount of these viral photos aren't so authentic and factual after all...
Here are a few of the most famous viral photos that we have managed to shed some more light on.
More info: Facebook
1. The Last Photo of Charlie Noonan
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
Charlie Noonan was an amateur folklorist who travelled throughout the USA during the early years of the 20th century, collecting tall tales and stories of the supernatural. According to his wife, Ellie, Charlie was told a story one day by an Oklahoma farmer about a strange woman who lived alone on an isolated property.
The farmer claimed the woman was not a woman at all, but something else, something that hid its true nature beneath a headscarf and was never seen without a large dog by its side. Noonan was apparently intrigued enough to try searching for the woman during one of his research road trips.
He was never seen again.
Ellie Noonan was later contacted by a Tulsa pawnbroker who remembered reading about her husband’s disappearance in the papers, after finding his name engraved on a camera sold to him by an unidentified traveller. The pawnbroker returned the camera, and Mrs. Noonan had the film inside developed in the hopes of finding a clue to Charlie’s whereabouts.
This was the only photo on the roll. Unfortunately, neither the location of the property, nor the name of the farmer who told him the story was recorded in Noonan’s notes.
Charlie Noonan was an amateur folklorist who travelled throughout the USA during the early years of the 20th century, collecting tall tales and stories of the supernatural. According to his wife, Ellie, Charlie was told a story one day by an Oklahoma farmer about a strange woman who lived alone on an isolated property.
The farmer claimed the woman was not a woman at all, but something else, something that hid its true nature beneath a headscarf and was never seen without a large dog by its side. Noonan was apparently intrigued enough to try searching for the woman during one of his research road trips.
He was never seen again.
Ellie Noonan was later contacted by a Tulsa pawnbroker who remembered reading about her husband’s disappearance in the papers, after finding his name engraved on a camera sold to him by an unidentified traveller. The pawnbroker returned the camera, and Mrs. Noonan had the film inside developed in the hopes of finding a clue to Charlie’s whereabouts.
This was the only photo on the roll. Unfortunately, neither the location of the property, nor the name of the farmer who told him the story was recorded in Noonan’s notes.
TRUTH :
This photo originates from a 2009 article on a blog titled “Strong Women”, sharing fascinating stories of the lives of native people. This particular article was about a woman named Virginia Romero, a Tiwa Indian living in Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. The original photo (see comment section) was flipped, and scary eyes and a large dog was added.
This photo originates from a 2009 article on a blog titled “Strong Women”, sharing fascinating stories of the lives of native people. This particular article was about a woman named Virginia Romero, a Tiwa Indian living in Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. The original photo (see comment section) was flipped, and scary eyes and a large dog was added.
VERDICT :
Fiction
...Ellie, you can stop looking for Charlie now.
Fiction
...Ellie, you can stop looking for Charlie now.
2. American soldier with his legs blown off
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
American soldier sits in a chair, smoking a cigarette while in shock after his legs were blown off during battle
American soldier sits in a chair, smoking a cigarette while in shock after his legs were blown off during battle
TRUTH :
What the real story is:
The person seated in the chair is in fact an actor which plays part of the Medical Trauma Lane - an exercise aimed to train soldiers the correct procedure to follow in efforts to save fellow wounded soldiers during war.
What the real story is:
The person seated in the chair is in fact an actor which plays part of the Medical Trauma Lane - an exercise aimed to train soldiers the correct procedure to follow in efforts to save fellow wounded soldiers during war.
VERDICT :
Fiction
Fiction
3. X-ray of a live snake inside a woman's stomach
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
This x-ray shows the case of an unfortunate woman who happened to have a snake crawl into her vagina, slither through the fallopian tube, and out past the ovary into her body cavity. It survived unknown for three days until the snake started eating her appendix.
This x-ray shows the case of an unfortunate woman who happened to have a snake crawl into her vagina, slither through the fallopian tube, and out past the ovary into her body cavity. It survived unknown for three days until the snake started eating her appendix.
TRUTH :
This image originally appeared on Cyberium, a website dedicated to digital artwork, which is often accompanied by comical captions.
That being said, there have indeed been a few cases where live animals, such as snakes and eels, have been removed from a person’s body…
This image originally appeared on Cyberium, a website dedicated to digital artwork, which is often accompanied by comical captions.
That being said, there have indeed been a few cases where live animals, such as snakes and eels, have been removed from a person’s body…
- A man from China admitted himself to a hospital when he accidentally got a live eel stuck inside his anus. He said that he was inspired by the porno world so much that he wanted to try something unique. Doctors claim that the eel was alive when the man was being operated, but it died shortly after it was removed.
- Maria Tsotetsi, a 49 year old woman from Johannesburg in South Africa, believed she was going to be a mother given that she had all the symptoms of being pregnant, imagine the shock she had when she discovered that what she had inside her womb wasn’t a child, but a snake.
It all began when Maria went to the hospital and the diagnosis was that due to blood loss she needed surgery, but because of her low income she could not afford it, and was only in the hospital for a few days, she received some medication and was sent home.
Her boyfriend back then, whom she had been with for 14 years, took her to see a witch doctor where she drank a potion, in the days after she became more ill and her teeth started falling out. Her boyfriend left her shortly after and since then she's been alone, she blames the snake she has in her stomach and believes that the potion she drank was what put the snake in her.
Ntsimbi Ngema, another witch doctor from the region says “These things are done by jealous lovers, there is no way that Maria can get a boyfriend now given that anyone who has sex with her could die”
It all began when Maria went to the hospital and the diagnosis was that due to blood loss she needed surgery, but because of her low income she could not afford it, and was only in the hospital for a few days, she received some medication and was sent home.
Her boyfriend back then, whom she had been with for 14 years, took her to see a witch doctor where she drank a potion, in the days after she became more ill and her teeth started falling out. Her boyfriend left her shortly after and since then she's been alone, she blames the snake she has in her stomach and believes that the potion she drank was what put the snake in her.
Ntsimbi Ngema, another witch doctor from the region says “These things are done by jealous lovers, there is no way that Maria can get a boyfriend now given that anyone who has sex with her could die”
- A very small fish once got into an Indian boy’s bladder by entering through his penis. The fish found refuge there when the boy was cleaning the tank. Not surprisingly the fish had to be surgically removed.
- Australian Dylan Maxwell, returned home from his vacation in Bali,where he found a red trail from his navel all the way up to his chest. Thinking he’d been bitten by an insect, he went to the doctor to have it checked out. The doctors informed him that the red mark was actually the trail of a small tropical spider. The thing had burrowed itself inside of his body and survived for several days.
VERDICT :
FICTION (based on Fact)
FICTION (based on Fact)
4. Madam Violet, Queen of the Edinburgh Vampire Hive
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
Madam Violet, Queen of the Edinburgh Vampire Hive: She was voted scariest woman alive in England in 1882 and 1884.
Madam Violet, Queen of the Edinburgh Vampire Hive: She was voted scariest woman alive in England in 1882 and 1884.
TRUTH :
This is a photo of a life-size paper mache and plaster mannequin, taken in 2008, originates from the "Storydress II" photo series by Christine Elfman.
This is a photo of a life-size paper mache and plaster mannequin, taken in 2008, originates from the "Storydress II" photo series by Christine Elfman.
VERDICT :
Fiction
Also, Edinburgh is not in England..
Fiction
Also, Edinburgh is not in England..
5. Frozen Horses
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
Horses frozen to death after a blizzard in 1950
Horses frozen to death after a blizzard in 1950
TRUTH :
This photo is a screenshot from the movie My Winnipeg, a 2007 mockumentary about the director Guy Maddin's home town, Winnipeg.
This photo is a screenshot from the movie My Winnipeg, a 2007 mockumentary about the director Guy Maddin's home town, Winnipeg.
That being said, such an event is said to have happened in Russia in 1942 during the Siege of Leningrad. In Italian journalist Curzio Malaparte's book "Kaputt", he writes :
"While attempting to escape a wildfire, the horses tried to swim across the Lake Ladoga. But their entrance in the water, which was in the supercooled state, caused the sudden freeze of the lake."
Another source on the above says :
“When that happens, if water is very pure it can drop below the point of freezing, without freezing,” Murch said. “Then all it takes is some agitation or impurity to tap the water on the shoulder and say, ‘You should be frozen now,’ and it will suddenly, instantly freeze. So during the Siege of Leningrad there happened to be a forest fire, and hundreds of Soviet horses ran into the lake, and that was enough to cause the lake to freeze. In the morning, it was like a diabolical Greek sculpture garden, with horses in a position of agony, having been flash-frozen."
VERDICT :
Fiction (based on fact)
Link to the movie's trailer below (frozen horses at the 1:22 mark)
Fiction (based on fact)
Link to the movie's trailer below (frozen horses at the 1:22 mark)
Image credits: www.youtube.com
6. The Possessed Nun
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
The story is that this specimen, amongst others, was collected by a scientist named Thomas Merrylin in the 1800's.
Thomas was said to be rather eerie, due to the fact that he didn't seem to age, and when he disappeared from the public eye during the early 1900's at the age of 80, people say he still looked like he was in his mid 40's.
Supposedly, in 1942, a middle-aged man contacted town officials stating his wish to donate a large house to be used as an orphanage. When a newspaper reported on the man's generous donation, his name was revealed to be Thomas Theodore Merrylin. An old resident of the town insisted that it was Thomas, but was startled because if that was the case, he was calculated to be at least 160 years old.
Later the man told the orphanage workers that they were not allowed to enter the basement and that the house no one was permitted to sell the house again.
The man once again disappeared, and the promise was kept until the 1960's when the basement was partly demolished and collection was rediscovered sealed behind two brick walls.The crates was said to contain over 5000 specimens of plants and animal specimens,most of which is now on display at the Merrylin Cryptid Museum.
The story is that this specimen, amongst others, was collected by a scientist named Thomas Merrylin in the 1800's.
Thomas was said to be rather eerie, due to the fact that he didn't seem to age, and when he disappeared from the public eye during the early 1900's at the age of 80, people say he still looked like he was in his mid 40's.
Supposedly, in 1942, a middle-aged man contacted town officials stating his wish to donate a large house to be used as an orphanage. When a newspaper reported on the man's generous donation, his name was revealed to be Thomas Theodore Merrylin. An old resident of the town insisted that it was Thomas, but was startled because if that was the case, he was calculated to be at least 160 years old.
Later the man told the orphanage workers that they were not allowed to enter the basement and that the house no one was permitted to sell the house again.
The man once again disappeared, and the promise was kept until the 1960's when the basement was partly demolished and collection was rediscovered sealed behind two brick walls.The crates was said to contain over 5000 specimens of plants and animal specimens,most of which is now on display at the Merrylin Cryptid Museum.
TRUTH :
This is in fact part of an amazing compilation of artwork by Alex CF, a London-based illustrator, writer, and sculptor.
This is in fact part of an amazing compilation of artwork by Alex CF, a London-based illustrator, writer, and sculptor.
VERDICT :
Fiction
Fiction
Image credits: www.merrylinmuseum.com
7. The Forest Of Chairs
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
These chairs were laid out for a wedding in 1939 in Poland. The wedding was abandoned, and so were the chairs due to the German invasion. They were found again after the war with the trees growing through them. Every year they are repainted.
These chairs were laid out for a wedding in 1939 in Poland. The wedding was abandoned, and so were the chairs due to the German invasion. They were found again after the war with the trees growing through them. Every year they are repainted.
TRUTH :
This is in fact an art installation, entitled “The Four Seasons of Vivaldi”, produced by French artist Patrick Demazeau. This scene was created along the road between Haut-bois and Faulx in Namur, Belgium, in 2001.
It is meant to symbolize “how the trees, who spend their whole lives standing, offer seats with the walkers and dreamers who come across them.”
This is in fact an art installation, entitled “The Four Seasons of Vivaldi”, produced by French artist Patrick Demazeau. This scene was created along the road between Haut-bois and Faulx in Namur, Belgium, in 2001.
It is meant to symbolize “how the trees, who spend their whole lives standing, offer seats with the walkers and dreamers who come across them.”
VERDICT :
Fiction
Fiction
8. The Decomposing Body
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
A real crime scene photo depicting a decomposing body.
A real crime scene photo depicting a decomposing body.
TRUTH :
This is in fact a full body silicone creation for the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. The goal here was to create an accurate duplication of the human body in mid decomposition for a realistic look in a training atmosphere.
Created by Vincent Van Dyke Effects.
This is in fact a full body silicone creation for the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. The goal here was to create an accurate duplication of the human body in mid decomposition for a realistic look in a training atmosphere.
Created by Vincent Van Dyke Effects.
VERDICT :
Fiction (based on fact)
Fiction (based on fact)
9. A Photo of Edward Mordake
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
Actual photo of Edward Mordake.
Actual photo of Edward Mordake.
Edward Mordake (Mordrake) was the name given to an apocryphal 19th-century heir who was said to have suffered from a form of diprosopus. He was considered a bright and charming man – a scholar, a musician and a young man in possession of profound grace. He was said to be quite handsome when viewed from the front – yet, on the back of his head there was a second face, twisted and evil.
According to sources, the extra face which could neither eat nor speak out loud, although it was described as being able to laugh and cry. Mordake reportedly begged doctors to have his "Demon face" removed, claiming that it whispered to him at night, but no doctor would attempt it.
The story has always concluded with young Edward Mordake committing suicide at the age of 23.The method of his death also differs, sometimes poison does him in and in other versions a bullet ‘between the eyes of his devil-twin’ puts him out of his misery. In both versions Edward Mordake leaves behind a letter requesting that the ‘demon face’ be destroyed before his burial, “lest it continues its dreadful whisperings in my grave.”
TRUTH :
This popular image of Edward Mordake, is nothing more but a mere wax interpretation of Edward that was created long after his demise.
This popular image of Edward Mordake, is nothing more but a mere wax interpretation of Edward that was created long after his demise.
VERDICT :
Fiction (based on fact)
The true tale of Edward Mordake has been lost to history. His unusual case occurred early in medical history and is referenced only in accounts handed down. The story of his life has become so muddled through the passage of time that no solid date of birth or death is evident to modern researchers.
Fiction (based on fact)
The true tale of Edward Mordake has been lost to history. His unusual case occurred early in medical history and is referenced only in accounts handed down. The story of his life has become so muddled through the passage of time that no solid date of birth or death is evident to modern researchers.
Of course, there is some truth to his story as there have been documented cases of two-headed boys, two-faced human curiosities, one-of-a-kind people and other unique individuals such as Chang Tzu Ping.
10. The Abandoned House in Virginia
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
An abandoned house in Virginia where satanic rituals take place.
An abandoned house in Virginia where satanic rituals take place.
TRUTH :
This was a location used for a movie (Gdzie diabeł mówi dobranoc) BUT it's not located in Virginia at all, rather in Borowo, Poland.
This was a location used for a movie (Gdzie diabeł mówi dobranoc) BUT it's not located in Virginia at all, rather in Borowo, Poland.
VERDICT :
Fiction
A link to the movie's trailer is below (Enter room at 28.38)
Fiction
A link to the movie's trailer is below (Enter room at 28.38)
Image credits: www.youtube.com
11. Hooded Figures
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
A wedding photographer in New Orleans, attempting to capture an aerial shot of the entire congregation, noticed something odd in the background of the picture. When they zoomed in, they noticed a group of eerie hooded figures standing on the balcony.
A wedding photographer in New Orleans, attempting to capture an aerial shot of the entire congregation, noticed something odd in the background of the picture. When they zoomed in, they noticed a group of eerie hooded figures standing on the balcony.
TRUTH :
But in fact, the courtyard in question is that of the Brulatour House in the French Quarter, built in 1816. The French Quarter is the oldest part of New Orleans, rich with legends.
But in fact, the courtyard in question is that of the Brulatour House in the French Quarter, built in 1816. The French Quarter is the oldest part of New Orleans, rich with legends.
Today, the Brulatour house belongs to the HNOC museum and serves as an art gallery which was housing an installation by Dawn DeDeaux at the time.
Dawn’s exhibit featured dark imaginings of John Kennedy Toole’s novel, A Confederacy of Dunces.
“Robed mannequins in dunce caps on the surrounding balcony - a disturbing confederacy of dunces - bring to mind visions of the occult, looming with a sinister Klan-like presence... a one-of-a-kind sensory experience”
“Robed mannequins in dunce caps on the surrounding balcony - a disturbing confederacy of dunces - bring to mind visions of the occult, looming with a sinister Klan-like presence... a one-of-a-kind sensory experience”
VERDICT :
Fiction
Fiction
12. Eerie 1982 Photo Found Behind Dumpster In Georgia
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
1982 photo found behind a dumpster in Georgia, depicting the last moments of a struggling victim as she's being dragged off by an insane bunny mascot. Which, by the way, has never been solved by the FBI.
1982 photo found behind a dumpster in Georgia, depicting the last moments of a struggling victim as she's being dragged off by an insane bunny mascot. Which, by the way, has never been solved by the FBI.
TRUTH :
It is in fact a photo taken during a 2010 photoshoot which was intended to be used as artwork for a music album.
The original, colour version, depicting the woman wearing a rather crazy chicken mask, can be found in the comment section.
Someone took to photoshop to make it appear older and grainier.
It is in fact a photo taken during a 2010 photoshoot which was intended to be used as artwork for a music album.
The original, colour version, depicting the woman wearing a rather crazy chicken mask, can be found in the comment section.
Someone took to photoshop to make it appear older and grainier.
VERDICT : Fiction
13. The Wolf Pack
ORIGINAL CAPTION :
A wolf pack: the first 3 are the old or sick, they give the pace to the entire pack. If it was the other way round, they would be left behind, losing contact with the pack. In case of an ambush they would be sacrificed. Then come 5 strong ones, the front line. In the centre are the rest of the pack members, then the 5 strongest following. Last is alone, the alpha. He controls everything from the rear. In that position he can see everything, decide the direction. He sees all of the pack. The pack moves according to the elders pace and help each other, watch each other.
A wolf pack: the first 3 are the old or sick, they give the pace to the entire pack. If it was the other way round, they would be left behind, losing contact with the pack. In case of an ambush they would be sacrificed. Then come 5 strong ones, the front line. In the centre are the rest of the pack members, then the 5 strongest following. Last is alone, the alpha. He controls everything from the rear. In that position he can see everything, decide the direction. He sees all of the pack. The pack moves according to the elders pace and help each other, watch each other.
TRUTH :
This photo can originally be found as part of a BBC Frozen Planet album, along with the caption:
This photo can originally be found as part of a BBC Frozen Planet album, along with the caption:
“A massive pack of 25 Timberwolves hunting bison on the Arctic circle in northern Canada. The wolf pack, led by the alpha female, travel single-file through the deep snow to save energy. The size of the pack is a sign of how rich their prey base is during winter when the bison are more restricted by poor feeding and deep snow. The wolf packs in this National Park are the only wolves in the world that specialise in hunting bison ten times their size. They have grown to be the largest and most powerful wolves on earth”
VERDICT :
Fiction
So, while the picture does not depict how the old & weak members of the pack take the lead, ultimately sacrificing themselves to potential approaching danger, it does illustrate these beautiful creatures’ sense of teamwork - the stronger wolves are first in line, carving a trail in the snow, making the journey a bit easier for the rest.
Interesting nonetheless.
Fiction
So, while the picture does not depict how the old & weak members of the pack take the lead, ultimately sacrificing themselves to potential approaching danger, it does illustrate these beautiful creatures’ sense of teamwork - the stronger wolves are first in line, carving a trail in the snow, making the journey a bit easier for the rest.
Interesting nonetheless.