Judy Garland's Death And Ted Bundy's Last-Meal
Welcome to That Got Dark! I'm Crystal, and I have a habit of going down deep and dark rabbit holes, which maybe isn't recommended for a good night's sleep, but hey, I just can't help myself!
Here's the thing: I love to share all the terrible, weird, and scary things I discover. So, every week, I'll gather the darkest and creepiest things I find on the internet (and beyond) to share just with you, my spooky-loving friend. So, tuck yourself in tight and get out that flashlight…it's about to get dark.
So, here's something I wish I had never learned — a teenage TikToker in Florida, known for his "high-speed" driving videos, recklessly killed six innocent people while driving 151 mph. What's even worse is the fact that he was sentenced to only 12.5 years in prison, just two years for each death.
Noah Galle, who was 17 years old at the time of the crash, was driving a BMW M5 when he violently crashed into the back of an SUV carrying six farm workers. The impact forced the back of their vehicle forward several feet into the passenger compartment, killing everyone in the SUV. Galle was known on TikTok for regularly speeding and asking his followers to guess how fast he was driving. In January 2025, Galle entered a plea deal to avoid his case going to trial and received a reduced sentence of 12 years and 180 days in prison.
Occasionally, I like to ask the BuzzFeed Community to tell me about the most mysterious, cult-like, bad-vibes towns in the United States they've ever been to. And you'd be shocked at how many responses I get each time (or maybe not). This week's spotlight: Island Pond, Vermont.
'My family and I visited friends there a few years ago. The town was very quiet and empty, which always creeps me out, but it wasn't that bad until we decided to go into a cafe that, I guess, was run by the same people as the Yellow Deli (which is run by the Twelve Tribes cult). The interior did not look like a cafe. It was an empty tarp-covered room, and they just had bread for sale, which the people I was with actually bought. I was so freaked out and thought they were going to get poisoned. Only one guy was working there, and he was creepy as hell and kept telling us to go to the Yellow Deli in Plymouth."—cwthree
Wikipedia is like the Wild West. It's vast, lawless, and sometimes you can find some extremely weird (and horrifying) things out there. This week's spotlight: a medieval 'punishment' device called a scold's bridle.
Used almost exclusively on women, this terrible mechanism was essentially an iron muzzle that went into your mouth and pressed down on your tongue, sometimes with a SPIKE, to prevent the wearer from talking. It was used to punish women whose speech or behavior was considered 'too offensive' or 'unruly' and was designed to inflict extreme pain and humiliation. You know, I would say it's hard to believe this thing was real, but then, humans (*cough cough* men) have been making diabolical devices for thousands of years, so…
Judy Garland — Died: June 22, 1969, Cause of Death: Barbiturate overdose
How she died: The iconic singer and movie star, who was just 47 years old at the time of her death, was found dead in her London townhouse by her fifth husband, Mickey Deans. Garland had a long history of substance abuse and struggled with addiction for much of her life, which was compounded by the pressures of fame, financial and career issues, as well as mental health challenges. Her death was ultimately ruled accidental.
Companion (2025)
What it's about: A weekend getaway at a remote cabin turns chaotic when one of the guests goes haywire.Why you should watch it: If you're in the mood for a less traditionally 'scary' horror film, Companion errs more on the side of sci-fi thriller bordering dark comedy. A good date night movie for those with a dark side.Where you can watch it: Streaming for free on Max or for rent for $5.99 on Fandango at Home.
Ted Bundy
Often remembered for the widespread media coverage of his trial and the self-proclaimed admiration of many women, Ted Bundy was a serial killer who kidnapped, raped, and murdered at least 30 young women and girls in the '70s. However, many believe there may have been over 100 victims. After several years in prison, Bundy was executed by electric chair in January 1989.
His last meal: Bundy declined to choose, so he was given the standard last meal provided at Florida State Prison: Steak cooked medium-rare, eggs over easy, hash browns, toast with butter and jelly, milk, and juice.
Well, it's another dark AF week in the books. In the next issue, I'll talk about a man who died from eating a hot fishcake (seriously!), a missing person Wikipedia page that will haunt you, and an impressive body horror film from Norway. Until then, stay safe, keep the lights on, and I'll see you for another horrifying trip down the rabbit hole…
Thirsty for more? Subscribe to the That Got Dark newsletter to get a weekly post just like this delivered directly to your inbox. It's a scary good time you won't want to miss.
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Motor 1
8 hours ago
- Motor 1
'I've Been Home All Day:' Woman Gets a Call From the Police. Then They Tell Her Her Yellow Kia Soul Has Been Involved in a Crime
If you're going to steal a car, maybe it shouldn't be the brightest one you can find. Content creator Madison ( @sauceaccount06 ) recently shared the unfortunate fate of her beloved bright yellow Kia Soul, which she's had for six years and affectionately calls Vivian. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . In the TikTok, Madison explains that she picked up a call with no caller ID and was surprised to find out it was the police calling her to let her know her Kia Soul was just involved in retail theft. 'What was she doing out there?' Madison says, referring to her car. It turned out that her car was stolen. Madison says she had no clue because she'd been home all day. 'They stole a yellow Kia Soul to go commit a crime, which I just think is crazy. Not conspicuous at all, in fact. But I'm devastated because I love that car,' Madison says. The thieves didn't keep her Kia, thankfully. She says they left it behind after driving it recklessly. 'So we'll see if it's in one piece when I get it back,' Madison adds. Her TikTok has 3 million views as of this writing. What Happened to the Kia? In a series of follow-up videos (plus info from her GoFundMe ), Madison reveals that the thief dumped everything that was in her car, which was mainly keepsakes from her childhood, like a shirt she had from kindergarten and her senior prom dress, committed robbery, and then totaled it. In a video Madison posted, you can see that a chunk of the front of the Kia is gone and there are dents and scratches all over it. People noted that Madison was pretty calm given the situation. She seemingly credits this to the fact that this is her fourth car-related incident, so nothing really fazes her. Madison adds that she has full coverage insurance and 'a good sense of humor.' She says she's been hit by a tractor-trailer driving home in the snow, hit as a pedestrian by an older lady, and hit from behind while yielding because the driver 'didn't know you had to stop.' Madison says she developed a neurological disorder from that, but didn't even sue. What she's most devastated by is the fact that she might not be able to find the car again in her signature yellow color. She says that specific shade has been discontinued but didn't specify Kia has reportedly discontinued a popular shade of yellow it used to offer for the Soul. Are Kias Easy to Steal? Trending Now 'What in the World Should I Do?': Woman Takes Her Chevrolet Into the Body Shop to Fix a Dent. Then She Gets It Back 'It Doesn't Do Anything:' Woman Buys 2024 Hyundai Elantra. Why Can't She Figure Out This Feature? Madison says that the thieves broke her window, pulled out the start/stop button, and used a USB to get it started. In 2022, stealing Kias was a trend that went viral on TikTok and YouTube because of how easy it was to hijack a Kia or Hyundai that has push-to-start. Thieves were dubbed 'The Kia Boys.' This had been an ongoing issue that affected Kia models from 2011 to 2021 and Hyundai models from 2015 to 2021, a local news station reported. The issue was that many of these models didn't come with engine immobilizers. This makes it possible to plug the cord into a certain spot and start the powerplant without needing the key or fob. Both manufacturers have since updated the cars to have engine immobilizers. 'Made For a Life of Crime' People were largely sympathetic to Madison over her beloved yellow Kia Soul. Some were surprised that the thieves chose such a conspicuous shade of car to go on a crime spree. 'They picked a highlighter for a getaway vehicle?' one wrote. Perhaps inspired by Madison's lighthearted attitude, some brought brevity to the comments. 'Vivian was made for a life of crime,' a person joked. Another wrote, 'For just .39 cents a day you can help this girl get a new car.' To one outlier, the stolen Kia Soul wasn't the craziest thing Madison shared. 'Answering a call with no caller id is the wildest part of this story,' a third said. Motor1 reached out to Madison for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. We'll be sure to update this if she responds. More From Motor1 'I Hope This Covers It:' Woman Sees $40 and a Note Under Her Windshield. Then She Sees What Happened to Her Kia Kia K4: Pros & Cons The Kia Sportage PHEV Gets a Tiny Price Increase for 2026 'Fine Print:' Should You Really Buy Kia Dealer's 'Million-Mile' Warranty? Here's What You Need to Know Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Miami Herald
13 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Influencers urged to steer clear of hot topics during US immigration crackdown
Avoid politics. That's the advice lawyers are increasingly giving U.S.-based content creators who aren't citizens as an immigration crackdown spreads across the country. "Every chance I get to tell them to scrub their socials even for likes and reposts of innocuous content - like JD Vance or anti-war memes - I do," said Genie Doi, an immigration lawyer who works with influencers. In the combative, anything-goes world of digital media, internet personalities tend to gravitate toward hot-button, controversial subjects, not shy away from them. But in the current political climate, lawyers are telling their clients that weighing in on topics like Palestine or the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles, can come with serious risks, including unwanted scrutiny from authorities or unfriendly competitors. Last month, Khaby Lame, a Senegalese-Italian influencer with millions of followers on TikTok, was detained by immigration agents in Las Vegas after overstaying the terms of his visa, according to a Department of Homeland Security senior official. Lame, who has partnered with many mainstream brands, including Pepsi and Hugo Boss, has since voluntarily left the country. Afterward, Bo Loudon, a conservative influencer who is friends with President Donald Trump's son Barron, took credit for tipping off DHS. Even though Lame typically doesn't speak in his TikTok videos, which come across as entirely apolitical, Loudon has since described him as a "far-left influencer." Lame didn't respond to a request for comment. "No one is above the law!" Loudon wrote on X. For many social-media personalities around the world, the U.S. is a desirable place to work due to the big marketing budgets of U.S. brands, as well as the proximity to dealmakers and casting directors in Hollywood. But for anyone with a large following on social media, coming into the U.S. these days isn't without potential hazards. In May, Hasan Piker, a popular, far-left political commentator and U.S. citizen, was stopped and questioned by U.S. border agents at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport about his views on Palestine, which he regularly shares on Inc.'s livestreaming site Twitch. In an interview with Bloomberg News, Piker said he believes DHS interrogated him to send a message to others in his position. "The goal was to threaten people who might also want to speak out and go to protests regardless of their citizenship status," he said. "It's a threatening environment they want to cultivate to stop people from exercising their First Amendment rights." "Our officers are following the law, not agendas," DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin responded via email. "Upon entering the country, this individual (Hasan Piker) was referred for further inspection - a routine, lawful process that occurs daily, and can apply for any traveler. Once his inspection was complete, he was promptly released." Earlier this year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection revoked Piker's Global Entry privileges - a program in which approved individuals get expedited clearance on their return to the U.S. Doi, the immigration lawyer, is now advising clients who aren't U.S. citizens to avoid international travel altogether. At ports of entry, CBP has broad authority to search and seize electronic devices of incoming travelers though the agency says that fewer than .01% of all international travelers were subject to such searches last year. "Every entry at the border is an opportunity for CBP to inspect your electronics without a warrant," Doi said. One in five Americans get their news from influencers, according to a 2024 Pew Research survey, with 27% of news influencers identifying as conservative or pro-Trump, versus 21% as left-leaning. So far in his second term, Trump has directed most of his attacks on the media at mainstream outlets, ranging from CNN and CBS News to the New York Times - all of which have full-time legal departments poised to respond to such threats. By contrast, even the most popular online creators tend to have much slimmer operations, potentially leaving them more vulnerable to aggressive legal tactics. David Rugendorf, an immigration attorney, said he now advises content creators, regardless of their citizenship status, that anything they have ever posted online could be used against them. As a result, he said, some are opting to delete old posts. "This government," Rugendorf said, "is particularly attuned to the power of social media" and "wants to counter" certain positions. In early June, Derek Guy, a fashion critic whose popularity has soared on social media for mocking the sartorial choices of conservative politicians, revealed his own status as a longtime, undocumented resident of the U.S. "The lack of legal immigration has totally shaped my life," he wrote on X, where he has more than 1 million followers. "It has taken an emotional toll, as this legal issue hangs over your head like a black cloud." Afterward, some conservatives suggested online that the Trump administration should kick Guy out of the country. Before long, Vice President Vance weighed in on X, posting a meme of the actor Jack Nicholson nodding his head up and down menacingly. Guy didn't respond to requests for comment for this story. In mid-June, Mario Guevara, an independent, Spanish-speaking journalist with a sizable online following, was arrested while livestreaming anti-Trump protests outside of Atlanta. He was subsequently handed over to ICE. Guevara, who moved to the U.S. from El Salvador in 2004 according to the New Yorker, is currently facing deportation hearings. The Committee to Protect Journalists has said that Guevara "has authorization to work" in the U.S. DHS said that he entered the country illegally. Guevara's lawyer didn't respond to a request for comment. "Following his arrest by local authorities, ICE placed a detainer on him," DHS's McLaughlin said. "Following his release, he was turned over to ICE custody and has been placed in removal proceedings." Scrutiny from immigration authorities isn't the only potential risk for politically outspoken influencers. In recent years, a growing number of large advertisers have been shying away from politically active creators, said Crystal Duncan, an executive vice president of brand engagement at Tinuiti, a marketing firm. In recent months, many brand managers have grown even more wary. "In general, brands have been less vocal about political and social issues since the change in administration, given shifts in the political climate and heightened polarization," said Jasmine Enberg, principal analyst at eMarketer. David Melik Telfer, a lawyer in Los Angeles, said that most international influencers come to the U.S. on O1-B visas, under the same category as traditional entertainers. Lately, he said, the U.S. State Department has been scrutinizing applications more closely and challenging them more often. "They are examining everybody's social media," he said. "If your number one priority is not being detained and remaining in the U.S., I would certainly not attend any protest." Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Mom Captures Moment Between Two Sons—No Idea It Will Be Their Last Together
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. There are some moments you never forget, and for Alli Skrbek, that will always be the moment she read a message informing her that her eldest son had taken his life. While she was unable to save him, she's on a mission to break the stigma around depression and to urge others to seek help when they need it. As a mom-of-four, Skrbek of Prescott Valley, Arizona, knows when her children are unwell or unhappy. Over the last year, she saw many of those signs in her eldest son, Alex Fornerod, but there was no way of knowing just how much he was struggling. He was facing many internal battles, but Skrbek told Newsweek that she "thought he was doing really well." Four years ago, Fornerod moved to Florida with his grandparents and he "started getting into trouble." As a result, he moved back in with his mom for six months and she was very concerned by what she saw. "He would get angry, accuse us of doing things (like talking about him, taking his wallet or keys), and he became very paranoid," Skrbek said. Alex Fornerod, 22, with one of his younger brothers during the Christmas holidays in 2024. Alex Fornerod, 22, with one of his younger brothers during the Christmas holidays in 2024. @alli_mom / TikTok Skrbek and her husband assumed his behavior was caused by alcohol and tried to address that. Nonetheless, Fornerod convinced them he was fine and that he'd ease up on the drinking. "Something shifted in Alex, and he wasn't the same. He was always angry, agitated, or drunk. We thought it was alcohol—we didn't know he was struggling with depression," she said. Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting over 22.5 million adults in the U.S. This accounts for more than 8 percent of the adult population, according to statistics from Mental Health America. People with depression experience persistent sadness, lose pleasure and interest in activities they once enjoyed, become irritable, feelings of guilt or hopelessness, and in some instances, thoughts of suicide. Mental Health American suggests that 5.2 percent of U.S. adults experience suicidal thoughts. While it may not always seem like it, depression is treatable. Most commonly with antidepressants, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. Early treatment is more effective, and the majority of those who received treatment showed vast improvements. But despite help being available, over 28 million adults with mental illness have not received any treatment. Seeing her son go through that was so hard for Skrbek, who said it was "hard to watch." She wanted to help, but he was convinced he didn't have a problem. The Final Holiday Together Shortly after, he moved out without telling anyone and got a new job. He'd finally got back on track, or so Skrbek thought. He told her that he wasn't drinking much and when she went to visit, he seemed well. But after moving in with his aunt and three cousins in November 2024, Fornerod's behavior spiraled. He started taking cocaine and nitrous oxide, though his mom had no idea. When Christmas 2024 swung around, he returned home for the holidays. It's always been the family's favorite time, and it was wonderful to have everyone back together. "During that visit, he hardly drank and we laughed like old times. He was very loving—that was my son. He always had such a beautiful heart and deep love for his brothers and his momma. It was so nice to have happy Alex again," Skrbek continued. She captured a wonderful moment of her eldest son joking around with his younger brothers. They were just playing around, but it meant the world for Skrbek to see her son happy. She never could have imagined that would be one of the last times her boys would be together. "The Thursday before he took his life, he said he was going to move back to his friend's house. He was having problems with his cousins. They partied too much, and he needed to get away from it," she said. On March 30, Skrbek received a text from her eldest son that read: "I'm so thankful I have you. I love you mom." That was the last time she'd ever hear from him, because on March 31, he shot himself at the age of 22. His body was discovered the following day. Looking at her phone on April 1, Skrbek was in "complete shock" when she read a message that said her son had killed himself. How could this be real? She thought he was doing so well. The Aftermath of Her Son's Death When Skrbek was given access to her late son's phone, she realized he'd been living in a completely different world to what he portrayed. He was doing drugs, drinking heavily, and behaving recklessly with his gun. Skrbek told Newsweek: "Alex was clearly crying out for help. He wrote notes on his phone talking about his life and how angry he was. He kept that side very hidden, so we had no idea the last four months of his life was so dark." While grieving her son's life, Skrbek is determined to raise awareness by creating a platform on TikTok (@alli_mom). She posts about his experience, what people can do if they need help, and how her family is coping. On May 18, she shared the video of her sons playing together last year, showing how he appeared perfectly fine while battling depression. The video has gone viral with over 12.3 million views and 943,800 likes on TikTok at the time of writing. Not only does that video warm Skrbek's heart, but it also breaks it. Skrbek struggles with anxiety and feels like part of her is missing. Knowing she can never hug or speak to her son is a loss unlike any other. Her younger sons are aged 13, 8, and 20 months, and they're all processing the grief differently. From anger, breaking down, to closing themselves off, she's having to help them through it all. "We don't have enough awareness surrounding depression and suicide," she said. "My son was not happy when he took his life—he was angry. Many think suicide is a choice, but it's not. My son just wanted the pain to stop. "Had I known that would be the last time I'd hug my son, or known he was struggling with depression, there are so many things I would go back and change. I'd like to portray that life is fragile. If someone is struggling, please reach for help." If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to
