Today: November 22, 2024
Today: November 22, 2024

Latest From Mia Wallace

World|WrittenByLAPost

Missing pilot finally found after six decades

For nearly six decades, the fate of a Vietnam War missing pilot had become an unsolvable mystery. But thanks to modern science and hours of investigative efforts, that pilot has now finally been accounted for, and his remains have been identified after vanishing without a trace in 1967.   On August 22, 1967, 35-year-old pilot John C.G. Kerr’s aircraft simply went dark without any radio calls on a covert night time armed reconnaissance mission over the jungles of Laos. There were no distress signals or last communications, and Kerr and his plane seemed to have completely disappeared into the thick foliage.

Missing pilot finally found after six decades
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Brain-dwelling worm found in patient - no one saw it coming

An Australian woman’s harrowing medical saga sounds too bizarre to be true – doctors shockingly discovered a live, wriggling worm parasite inhabiting her brain. In this world-first case, surgeons in Canberra extracted the 8cm-long roundworm from the 64-year-old patient’s skull. Typically found in pythons, the Ophidascaris robertsi specimen represented an unprecedented instance of this brain parasite infesting a human host. The patient’s journey from common symptoms to this grotesque revelation contains important lessons about emerging health threats. Initially, the woman from southeastern New South Wales experienced relatively routine issues like abdominal pain, diarrhea, coughing, fever and night sweats. But as

Brain-dwelling worm found in patient - no one saw it coming
Travel|WrittenByLAPost

Airbnb scam turns home into digital kidnapping nightmare

Have you ever had your home violated in the most disturbing way? An Airbnb scams nightmare descended upon one unsuspecting homeowner in the famous Hamptons. Sarah Stewart, a real estate agent, was horrified to learn that her luxurious beachfront estate had been fraudulently listed on Airbnb without her consent or knowledge. Someone was trying to illegally rent out her private residence for a staggering $25,000! Stewart faced a dizzying ordeal to remove this fraudulent Airbnb listing that represented a severe breach of her privacy and security. As rental scams escalate, her harrowing experience serves as a cautionary tale about the

Airbnb scam turns home into digital kidnapping nightmare
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

“I knew I would end up dead”- A widow’s double life cost her more than just the $1.5m he took from her accounts

In today’s digital age, online romance scams have emerged as one of the most insidious and traumatic forms of fraud. In this horrifying reality, ruthless predators lurk behind carefully curated fake profiles, spinning intricate webs of lies and fiction to exploit the lonely, the vulnerable, and the heartbroken. The devastating impact and merciless psychological torment inflicted by these cruel deceptions is laid bare in the grim case of Laura Kowal, a 57-year-old widow who fell prey to an elaborate $1.5 million romance fraud scheme perpetrated through the popular dating app Match.com. Like countless others who have sought human connection and

“I knew I would end up dead”- A widow’s double life cost her more than just the $1.5m he took from her accounts
Environment|WrittenByLAPost

Hatchery of horrors: Teen's evil act kills 18,000 baby salmon

A young man’s evil act and reckless choice to pour harsh chemicals into a fish tank has left the community of Reedsport, Oregon, shaken to its core. The senseless Chinook salmon hatchery vandalism has led to the tragic deaths of 18,000 juvenile Chinook salmon, dealing a devastating blow to local endeavors to protect this iconic Pacific Northwest species.   Joshua Alexander Heckathorn, a 20-year-old residing in the nearby town of Gardiner, faces accusations of illegally entering the Winchester Bay Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) hatchery and purposefully emptying bleach into one of the rearing ponds, snuffing out thousands of pre-smolt Chinook

Hatchery of horrors: Teen's evil act kills 18,000 baby salmon
News|WrittenByLAPost

Guests terrified as bear's hunting instincts kick in during zoo party. Watch the video.

You expect to see animals at the zoo, but did you ever imagine you’d witness a bear devouring ducklings at the zoo? That’s exactly what happened during a child’s birthday party at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. A brown bear named Juniper stunned guests by pouncing into the water and devouring several ducklings right before their eyes. The incredible, yet disturbing, scene unfolded as parents and children celebrated the young birthday kid. Little did they know, they were about to get an up-close look at a bear’s predator behavior at the Seattle zoo. As excited party goers filmed the

Guests terrified as bear's hunting instincts kick in during zoo party. Watch the video.
News|WrittenByLAPost

Teen on magic mushrooms stabs NJ mom, his chilling final words unveiled

Donna Ongsiako’s routine of letting her cat out one summer night quickly turned into a nightmare fueled by the mind-altering magic mushrooms effects. When she opened her door to the warm New Jersey air, the unsuspecting mom came face-to-face with a knife-wielding teenager. Little did she know, her attacker was in the throes of a terrifying mushroom-induced psychosis brought on by ingesting hallucinogenic psilocybin mushrooms. What followed were chilling final words from the delusional teen before he plunged a knife into Ongsiako’s chest – “You dead bitch.” Though seriously hurt, the heroic mom mustered the wherewithal to phone 911 before

Teen on magic mushrooms stabs NJ mom, his chilling final words unveiled
News

Caught on camera: Cop's leg shatters from kicking car, lies exposed! Watch the video.

In a twist of events that defies logic, a Texas traffic cop falsely accused a driver of a hit-and-run after wildly kicking the man’s moving vehicle and shattering his own leg. Witness video cleared the driver and exposed the officer’s inexplicable actions and fabricated story.   On April 27th, in the Houston suburb of The Woodlands, a bizarre incident unfolded that could have led to an innocent man’s conviction—until video evidence proved otherwise. Veteran Montgomery County officer Toby McLaughlin was directing traffic for an Ironman event when he took the inexplicable step of kicking a passing vehicle driven by David Wargetz. 

Caught on camera: Cop's leg shatters from kicking car, lies exposed! Watch the video.
Lifestyle|World

From guard to inmate: The unbelievable reason why

A former prison correctional officer found himself incarcerated after brazenly pocketing hefty sums from an affluent inmate under his watch. The employee flagrantly defied protocols, accepting large payments in exchange for bestowing preferential treatment upon the moneyed prisoner – a flagrant ethical transgression and stark abuse of public trust. William Tidwell was previously employed as a prison officer at the Federal Medical Center Devens, a federal correctional institution in Ayer, Massachusetts. Amongst those under Tidwell’s control was Raj Rajaratnam, the erstwhile hedge fund magnate who created Galleon Group. Rajaratnam, formerly a known Wall Street figure, received an 11-year sentence for

From guard to inmate: The unbelievable reason why
News

Behind bars, inmate coordinated chilling hit on unsuspecting mother

In a chilling case that highlights the grave security risks of illegal prison cell phones, a South Carolina inmate used a smuggled mobile device to orchestrate a hit on a woman’s life from behind bars. The foiled murder plot has reignited calls for prison cell phone jamming technology to crack down on such threats. York County Solicitor Kevin Brackett is advocating for jamming capabilities after the inmate, Preston Hicks, used a contraband phone to hire a hitman named Jerry Kinard to kill Amaiya Givens’ romantic rival out of jealousy. Kinard forced his way into the woman’s Fort Mill apartment in

Behind bars, inmate coordinated chilling hit on unsuspecting mother
Lifestyle

Mile-high mayhem: Shady seat swap goes Viral

A viral TikTok video has sparked heated debate over airplane seat swap etiquette after a father allegedly duped a fellow passenger during a seat swap gone wrong, turning it into a game of mile-high musical chairs.  TikTok user Alex Bennett claimed she witnessed the “most insane plane behavior” on a recent flight while sitting behind a man who agreed to change seats with a father traveling with his two children. Bennett said the father approached the man in the aisle seat behind her, asking to trade aisle seats so he could sit together with his kids in the middle and

Mile-high mayhem: Shady seat swap goes Viral
News

Bizarre twist in missing Florida diver leaves more questions

A diver’s disappearance off Florida’s coast took a puzzling turn when search teams chanced upon a different body adrift in the waters. Virgil Price, aged 39, went missing on May 12th while free diving near Fort Pierce Inlet. However, the following day, while searching for the missing Florida diver, crews made an unsettling find – retrieving the remains of an unidentified man from the Atlantic. Authorities state the recovered body around 16 miles northeast of the inlet is not that of the missing diver Price. The deceased individual weighed an estimated 200 to 225 pounds and seemed over 50 years

Bizarre twist in missing Florida diver leaves more questions
Health

"If I kept hitting that vape pen, I'd be a goner" - Mom shares vape horror story

Hannah Roth picked up vaping to help deal with the stress of the COVID-19 lockdowns. The 30-year-old Tennessee mother of two had never touched a cigarette before turning to vaping. She thought it was a safer alternative to smoking. Roth couldn’t have been more wrong about the dangers of vaping. Last month, she ended up in the emergency room, struggling to breathe. Doctors broke the shocking news – her vaping habit had severely damaged her lungs, even worse than a lifetime smoker’s. One physician was blunt: her lungs looked like they had been “fried like hot chicken” from all the

"If I kept hitting that vape pen, I'd be a goner" - Mom shares vape horror story
Technology

Defying dismissive cops, sibling sleuths catch cyberstalker

When intimate photos of 24-year-old Madison Conradis appeared online without her consent over a decade ago, she became a victim of a cyber stalker and felt violated and afraid, unsure of how the images were obtained or who was responsible. The leak of private photos she had taken as a model in college threatened her reputation and peace of mind. Despite reporting it to the police, she was informed that what had happened did not constitute a crime under the law. Little did Madison know several other women had fallen victim to the same anonymous cyber stalker online. Alongside her

Defying dismissive cops, sibling sleuths catch cyberstalker
Technology

Dating site predator scams $2.8M from Holocaust survivor

An 87-year-old Holocaust survivor experienced great sadness and financial loss when he became the target of an online romance scam that took away his entire savings of $2.8 million over a period of several years. That is the tragic story unfolding in a Manhattan courtroom as prosecutors have charged Peaches Stergo, also known as Alice, with wire fraud for allegedly orchestrating an elaborate ruse that took advantage of the elderly gentleman’s desire for companionship.  As laid out by prosecutors, Stergo initiated contact with the victim after meeting him on a dating website around 6 or 7 years ago. She gained

Dating site predator scams $2.8M from Holocaust survivor
Health

Loneliness: The Silent Epidemic and How One County is Fighting Back

Loneliness – a feeling that weighs heavy on the hearts of many, even in our hyper-connected digital age. It’s a paradox that while technology binds us virtually, true human bonds often fray. San Mateo County took a bold stand, becoming the nation’s first to declare loneliness a public health crisis demanding urgent action. The physical and mental toll loneliness extracts is staggering. Medical experts link sustained separation from others to premature death risks on par with puffing 15 cigarettes daily. The Surgeon General’s 2023 landmark report outlined how lack of community ties and social support heightens threats like heart disease,

Loneliness: The Silent Epidemic and How One County is Fighting Back
News

Father Shatters Community in Brutal Triple Murder-Suicide

The small town of Surprise, Arizona, has been rocked by an unconscionable act of violence – a murder-suicide! 34-year-old Brock Mater reportedly shot and killed his 7-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter inside his home over the weekend before taking his own life. The brutal crime was discovered during a welfare check on Monday after the kids missed school and their mother couldn’t reach Mater.  The children’s distraught mother called the police when her kids didn’t show up for classes following their weekend visit with their dad. She requested officers to perform a wellness check after numerous attempts to contact Mater

Father Shatters Community in Brutal Triple Murder-Suicide
Health

Stressed and unfocused? Try chewing gum, according to science

You know that feeling when you just can’t seem to focus, no matter how hard you try? Or when stress has you feeling tense and wound up tighter than a top? Well, believe it or not, exploring the benefits of chewing gum might help get your head right again. Quite weird, right?  While it may sound odd, multiple studies suggest chewing gum could offer some legitimate cognitive and mood-boosting benefits. From increasing alertness and productivity to reducing anxiety, the simple act of chewing on a piece of gum may provide more brain gains than you’d think. The idea of gum

Stressed and unfocused? Try chewing gum, according to science
News

Ex-wife and husband charged in chilling murder plot of former exec

In a Duval County, Florida court, the alleged plot to murder Microsoft manager Jared Bridegan was revealed during a bond hearing for Shanna Gardner. Gardner and her husband Mario Fernandez are accused of planning Bridegan’s murder. A witness testified that Fernandez allegedly wrote ‘good luck!’ on a check to the alleged hit man. Detective Chris Johns from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department revealed this information, stating that the check in question was dated April 4, 2022, and issued by Gardner’s and Fernandez’s company, First Choice Home Rentals. The check, worth $5,000, was allegedly the first payment towards a larger sum

Ex-wife and husband charged in chilling murder plot of former exec
Health

New study finds women with PCOS are eight times more likely to attempt suicide

A startling revelation has come to light, casting a spotlight on the mental health challenges faced by those living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Conducted in Taiwan, this study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine looked at data from over 18,000 women. The results highlight a significant mental health risk associated with PCOS, a condition already linked to issues such as acne, unwanted hair growth, and infertility. According to Yahoo Life, previous studies have also identified a connection between PCOS and mental health challenges. A Swedish study from 2016 found that women with PCOS had a 40% greater likelihood

New study finds women with PCOS are eight times more likely to attempt suicide
Travel|Local

California’s top lakes for houseboating, serenity, and scenic vistas

Sun, sand, and surf may define California for many, but some of the Golden State’s most beloved gems actually lie inland— the gorgeous lakes in California. From local weekend retreats to far-flung getaways, these shimmering waters promise everything from thrilling water sports to blissful relaxation amid pine-scented Sierra air or desert breezes. John Smith, director of the California Tourism Board told CNN Travel that “while known for its Pacific Ocean beaches and ritzy coastal towns, California harbors over 1,400 pristine lakes and reservoirs where visitors can bask in the summer sun.” The largest lake in California, Shasta Lake, offers perfect

California’s top lakes for houseboating, serenity, and scenic vistas
News

Sheriffs investigate YouTuber's claims of desert 'crime scene'. Watch the video.

Did a Hiker Accidentally Stumble Upon a Serial Killer‘s Gruesome Crime Scene in the Colorado Desert? That’s the chilling question on everyone’s mind after a man’s viral videos showed what appears to be numerous discarded high-heeled shoes scattered across a remote desert landscape. When Levi Comstock was off-roading in western Colorado, he could never have imagined the creepy scene he was about to encounter – at least ten pairs of high heels carelessly left behind, prompting fears a serial killer was using the desolate area as a personal dumping ground for victims. Comstock captured footage of the eerie discovery, with

Sheriffs investigate YouTuber's claims of desert 'crime scene'. Watch the video.
World|News

Titanic explorer planning new voyage with "safest submersible ever built"

Nearly a year after the tragic submersible accident that claimed five lives, an Ohio billionaire is planning a new mission to explore the Titanic wreck. Larry Connor, a prominent Dayton real estate investor and head of the Connor Group, is dedicated to making sure their voyage to the famed shipwreck is safe and successful. Forbes estimates Connor’s net worth at $2 billion, and he’s teaming up with Patrick Lahey, co-founder and president of Triton Submarines. Lahey is an experienced submersible designer with a history of safe deep-dive expeditions. He was the second Canadian to descend nearly 36,000 feet to the

Titanic explorer planning new voyage with "safest submersible ever built"
Lifestyle

Wheels Off: Fed-up passenger dismantles suitcase to avoid Ryanair's excess baggage charges

We’ve all been there—you get to the airport, figuring you packed everything perfectly, only for the agent to warn you that your checked luggage is over the authorized weight limit and you’ll need to pay an overweight baggage fee. For most of us, that means begrudgingly opening our wallets. But one fed-up traveler adopted a completely different technique that’s both hilarious and provocative. The Sun reported that the bag incident occurred at the airport in Palma, Mallorca, where a guy named Daniel was prepared to catch a short flight to mainland Spain on the low-cost airline Ryanair. As he went

Wheels Off: Fed-up passenger dismantles suitcase to avoid Ryanair's excess baggage charges
News

Black teen wrongfully executed in 1931; Family sues 90 years Later

The youngest prisoner in Pennsylvania history was mistakenly executed, marking a dark chapter in the state’s history and a serious miscarriage of justice. According to NBC 10, the accused, Alexander McClay Williams, an African-American teenager was wrongfully convicted of a gruesome murder he did not commit. After decades of tenacious efforts by his family, that heinous wrong is finally being addressed through legal action. The outlet reported that on October 3, 1930, the bloody murder of 34-year-old Vida Robare at the Glen Mills School for Boys, where she worked, sent shockwaves through the local community. The prime suspect quickly became

Black teen wrongfully executed in 1931; Family sues 90 years Later

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