In this spine-tingling (and side-splitting) episode of Loreplay, host Dayna Pereira dives deep into the unbelievable true story of the Greenbrier Ghost—the only documented case in American history where a ghost’s testimony helped convict a murderer. Yep. Court of law. Sworn statement. Medium-grade Victorian drama. Full-body chills.
Travel back to 1897 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, where newlywed Zona Heaster Shue dies under suspicious circumstances… and her mother refuses to buy the “it was natural causes” excuse that the town doctor offered while he was practically doing a speed-run autopsy in reverse. After four nights of bone-cracking ghostly visits, Zona reveals the truth: her husband killed her, and she wants justice.
This episode blends historical research, paranormal evidence, Appalachian folklore, and classic Loreplay humor, taking you through everything from the shady husband’s red flags to the séance-level mother-daughter determination that cracked the case wide open.
If you love haunted history, true crime with a paranormal twist, Appalachian ghost stories, or tales of women who refuse to be quiet even in death—this one’s a must-listen.
Perfect for fans of: ghost stories, historical hauntings, creepy folklore, murder mysteries, supernatural investigations, Appalachian legends, true crime meets paranormal podcasts.
📚 Sources for This Episode
Primary Historical Sources
- Greenbrier Independent Newspaper (January–April 1897) – Original reporting on Zona Heaster Shue’s death and the trial of Erasmus Stribbling Shue.
- West Virginia Archives & History: “The Greenbrier Ghost” – Comprehensive archival summary compiled from legal records, newspaper articles, and oral history.
- Court Records of the State of West Virginia vs. Erasmus Stribbling Shue (1897) – Trial testimony, including depositions referencing Mary Jane Heaster’s ghost encounters.
- Greenbrier County Historical Society – Local collected folklore and legal history of the case.
Books & Academic References
- Deitz, Dennis. The Greenbrier Ghost and Other Strange Stories. – The most commonly cited narrative collection including the events surrounding Zona’s death.
- Humphrey, Michael. Haunted West Virginia: Ghost Stories and Legends. – Contains a full retelling with historical context about Appalachian spiritual beliefs.
- Ruth Ann Musick. The Telltale Lilac Bush and Other West Virginia Ghost Tales. – Canonical Appalachian folklore source referencing the cultural backdrop of the case.
- Kenny, Hamill. West Virginia Place Names. – Provides regional and cultural context for the people, geography, and customs of Greenbrier County.
Articles, Essays & Museum Resources
- Smithsonian Magazine – “The True Story of the Greenbrier Ghost” (feature on folklore, legal precedent, and the trial).
- Appalachian History Journal – “How a Ghost Helped Solve a Murder in 1897.”
- National Registry of Historic Places – Greenbrier County Listings – Locations relevant to the case (courthouse, historical sites).
- West Virginia Folklore Journal – Entries referencing Mary Jane Heaster’s accounts and Appalachian ghost-belief traditions.
Local & Cultural Sources
- Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau – Historical markers + local oral histories.
- Meadow Bluff / Livesay’s Mill Region Historical Notes – Context for the Shue residence and community in the 1890s.
- West Virginia State Folklorists’ Oral History Projects – Interviews with descendants and locals retelling the Greenbrier Ghost legend.
