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Wundery Plus subscribers can listen to Cold Leader early and ad-free right now. Join Wundery Plus in the Wundery App or Apple Podcast. You're listening to a morbid network podcast. Halloween is just around the corner, but hulu is here. Hulu is the streaming home to fresh fall releases that'll creep under your skin, like Immaculate starring Sidney Sweeney, FX's American Horror Stories, the new thriller film Hold Your Breath starring Sarah Paulson, and FX's Chilling Horror Thriller, grotesque fury, so snuggle into your couch with a pumpkin spice latte and watch all your scary favorites. Turn your Halloween into huluine and stream till you scream on Hulu. Is this story giving you chills? Warm up with a heater from Vornado. Their products are built to last and backed by industry-leading warranties. Vornado stands by their products, and they communicate this to every consumer. Their packages literally use the wording, "We expect this product to be perfect. If not, we'll make it right." And you can be assured their customer service is provided by real people in their and over Kansas headquarters. When customers call in or chat on vornado.com, they can be confident that they'll speak with a real person. For podcast listeners only, save 15% off their entire catalog at vornado.com with promo code Wundery15. That's 15% off their entire catalog at vornado.com with promo code Wundery15. Engage your airflow with a vornado and experience perfect comfort. The show you're about to listen to may contain themes of violence, occult activities, strong language and other sensitive material. With an emphasis on cult's murder and other adult matters, listener discretion is advised. On cult leader I strive for telling stories in a truthful matter, though press media and other resources cannot always be verified. Sources can be found in the show notes. Hello and welcome back to cult leader. I'm your cult leader, Spencer Henry, and I don't know about you guys, but I'm definitely in the Halloween mood. The spirit is alive, it's starting to get a little chillier at night, and what screams Halloween more than a terrifying haunted house attraction. But today we're not talking about just any haunted house, we're talking about an extreme haunted house that's been making headlines everywhere. This place isn't just designed to scare you, it's designed to completely break you down, both mentally and physically. Imagine stepping into a place where your darkest fears aren't just faced, they're instead crafted into a living nightmare you can't escape. Welcome to Mckamey Manor, often described as the world's most extreme haunted house. But calling it a haunted house doesn't quite capture its true nature. Mckamey Manor defies traditional definitions crossing into something far more sinister. It's a place where the lines between reality and horror movie blur, and the typical jump scares of Halloween are replaced by hours of relentless psychological torment, torture, and brutal physical challenges. The experience is so intense that no one has ever completed it. For those who dare to enter Mckamey Manor, they're offered a journey of humanity's worst fears, including miles long zip lines over perilous drops, underwater haunted houses and rooms filled with snakes, spiders, rats, you name it. But beyond the physical challenges, what truly unnerves participants is the overwhelming sense that they could die at any moment. So what would drive a person to seek out these types of extreme experiences? For some, it's the thrill of testing their limits to see how much they can endure. Others come to confront and conquer their deepest fears. And then there's those who simply crave the adrenaline rush. People who heard about this experience and were like "God, I gotta do that" for whatever reason, whether they were trying to build an online audience in the horror community, or just see what everyone was talking about. It's like stepping into a survival horror video game in real life. In these games originating in video games with classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, you're thrown into wild situations where you have to outsmart monsters, solve tricky puzzles, and somehow stay alive with barely any supplies, all while you're trying to keep calm and concentrate on the final goal. Meaning, the thrill comes from constantly being on edge, knowing that every move could be your last. I myself, I mean I wouldn't consider myself a gamer by any means, but at one point someone very close to me worked for Playstation and they gave me a Playstation 5 when it came out. And I downloaded a game that one of my friends was playing called Dead by Daylight, and you guys I loved it, still love it, it's so much fun and it's very much a horror themed game where you're trying to escape from a killer by opening up the exit gates, you gotta repair all these generators in order to do so, and most importantly, survive. And I love it, you get a little rush, it's a little thrill, I'm also someone who loves a haunted house, but we'll have more on that later. And just like these games test your nerves, places like Makaimi Manor push people to their breaking point, making them face their worst nightmares up close and personal in a mixture of fear and adrenaline that blurs the line between what is just a game and what's real. There is no off switch. Another major draw is the lore of an alleged $20,000 cash prize for those who can complete the tour. Grand activities like zip lining, tightroaping, encounters with wild animals would cost thrill seekers a ton of money, so the potential to get paid rather than pay has been a big draw for a lot of consumers, but as more and more quote unquote survivors speak out, it's becoming clear that the real cost of Makaimi Manor is far greater than any potential reward. And Makaimi Manor isn't the only extreme haunt out there, but it's certainly the most infamous. Other haunts like the 17th door and blackout also push boundaries, but they stay within the realm and boundaries of entertainment. Like when you go to a haunted house, you know, okay this person's probably not gonna actually touch me if they're scare actors in there, you know they're not gonna attack you or try and rip out your fucking teeth, but this is why Makaimi Manor has earned itself a reputation as the ultimate test of endurance, a place only the most fearless thrill seekers dare to enter. Stories even circulate about participants suffering heart attacks, panic attacks, broken bones, and there's even a rumor of one person allegedly dying by drowning. And again, I'm all about a haunted house, okay? I go to Halloween events every year, I try to hit all the usual LA haunts, we've got Halloween horror nights at Universal Studios, not Scary Farm, the Los Angeles haunted hayride, the Queen Mary, I mean I love a good scare. But Makaimi Manor has always seemed like a bit much, again I think it's the concept of knowing that when you go to like a Universal Studios, right, no one's gonna touch you, no one's gonna hurt you, you're just there to get scared. But this feels like you're going in to get abused. And I also just have to note, because when I was researching people, like the haunt community is very much anti Makaimi Manor. And I guess an organization spoke out against Makaimi Manor basically saying like no, they are not a haunt, we don't consider them a haunt, that's like torture. Even if you wanted to sign up to try out Makaimi Manor for yourself, gaining entry as an experience unlike any other haunted attraction. It's not as simple as going online and buying a ticket, the process is far more involved. Prospective participants undergo a rigorous screening, including video calls with Russ Makaimi himself, the mastermind behind the Manor. And the entry fee is just a bag of dog food, which is either used to feed Russ' numerous dogs or donated to a local animal shelter, which we love that. But the real cost is your sanity, your safety, and possibly your life. So let's talk about the application process. So okay, your name comes up on the waiting list, there's more than 20,000 people on there, which Russ loves to talk about. Participants must go through a rigorous vetting process that includes a detailed questionnaire designed to unearth their deepest fears and vulnerabilities. He really wants to provide you a unique experience. And Russ uses this information to tailor each participant's experience, ensuring that the challenges they face trigger what terrifies them most. So even if you go online and you're reading about other people's experiences or watching videos on other people's experiences, you still don't know what's going to happen to you personally. So say you're accepted. Well, participants must then sign a non-disclosure agreement and a 40 page waiver that details over 100 terrifying scenarios, including teeth being pulled, eating animal feces, nails being ripped out, encounters with venomous creatures, and even being buried alive. The waiver is extensive and leaves no doubt that what awaits inside McCamie Manor is far more than a haunted house. It's a legally sanctioned nightmare. However, some lawyers have disagreed. So I was reading more about McCamie Manor online. And I came across this article from abovethelaw.com that said for lawyers, McCamie Manor's waiver is even more frightening than the extreme haunted house. And I've seen lawyers online debate its credibility and basically say like the waiver can only go so far. And apparently one user wrote online that in addition to the $20,000 prize, he now deducts $500 for swearing or failing a challenge, and they're also allowed to drug you. Participants are also required to provide proof of health insurance, pass a drug test, and undergo a full physical and psychological evaluation. They're also instructed to record a "before" video stating that they are entering the Manor of their own free will, fully aware of the dangers that lie ahead. This video, along with footage that McCamie records during the experience serves as his protection against any future lawsuits, however, we'll see later on, that's not always the case. When the day of the tour finally arrives, participants are instructed to wear an animal onesie and meet at a designated point. The experience begins the moment participants step out of their car. They're abducted right from the parking lot or the front yard, blindfolded, bound, and thrown into a van. You're getting the full experience here. From this point on, they are stripped of any semblance of control. The abductors, Russ, and his team, many of whom have questionable backgrounds, by the way, immediately begin the process of breaking down the participants' sense of self. They're expected to adhere to a strict set of instructions that must be followed throughout the entire ordeal, including, as I mentioned, the ban on cursing, and these rules are deliberately crafted to strip away their sense of control, reinforcing the powerlessness they will experience. They're made to wear upside-down goggles that distort their vision, which leaves them disoriented and confused, and to intensify this disorientation, their mouths are often sealed with duct tape, and they're forced to listen to disturbing sounds, or Russ's unsettling soundtrack through headphones. This sensory isolation cuts them off from the outside world, intensifying their sense of vulnerability, but it's once you actually enter the doors of the manner that the real horror begins. Each room or area is designed to push participants to their absolute limits. They might find themselves submerged in freezing water, with someone holding them down, just long enough to induce panic, but not quite enough to drown. In other rooms, they might be buried alive, the crushing weight of the dirt above them. Some rooms are filled with snakes, spiders, or even rats. Creatures that participants specifically have listed as their worst fears during the intake process. Participants are also subjected to various forms of humiliation and fetish-like rituals, all while being filmed and broadcasted on Facebook Live. And honestly, I feel like the word fetish is something that encapsulates so much of this entire experience, because I cannot imagine wanting to actually endure all of these things. I mean, they can range from being forced to wear bizarre costumes to enduring degrading tasks, like eating revolting substances or participating in activities designed specifically to mean and degrade the participant. The psychological torment is relentless, with McCamey and his team seizing every opportunity to break down the participant's will. In one particularly infamous scenario that I feel like a lot of people have talked about, this might be forced to eat something repulsive, like raw animal organs or feces, and if they vomit, they're forced to eat that too. It's so fucking foul, I can't even imagine. And also, I mean, can't you get sepsis or something? You would get so sick from this. I just can't imagine being able to say you went through it or get the $20,000 prep. You could not pay me. Could not pay me. Truly could not pay me. All of this while being verbally abused or interrogated or physically restrained or forced to endure hours of intense exercise until they collapse from exhaustion. Or think you might have your head locked in a cage with venomous spiders or you could be water boarded for hours. I mean, it's really a gamble. Throughout the entire experience, participants are led to believe that they have the power to stop the ordeal at any time by saying "I quit" as their version of a humiliating safe word. However, many survivors have reported that they're pleased to quit, were ignored. Instead of bringing an end to their suffering, the safe word is often met with laughter and mockery from makami in the team. This disregard for the safe word only heightens the sense of helplessness and fear, making participants feel as though there is no escape from the torment. I mean, this is truly torture at the end of the day. And for most participants, or rather victims, the experience ends when they reach their breaking point. Whether from physical pain, exhaustion, or sheer terror. When they are finally released, they're often in a state of shock. Their bodies and minds reeling from the trauma they've endured. But before they can leave, they're required to film an exit video, which must state that they were not harmed and that the experience was as advertised. Then makami extends an offer to grab some pizza with them, and they, of course, don't want to 99% of the time. Cult leader is sponsored by BetterHelp, alright, cult babes, Halloween is around the corner. This is our time to have fun with what scares us. But what about those fears that don't involve zombies or ghosts? Well, you know me. My health anxiety scares the shit out of me. I'll take a demonic ghost over a doctor's office any day. But honestly, it's gotten a lot easier thanks to therapy. Therapy is a great tool for facing your fears, because sometimes the scariest thing is not facing our fears in the first place, thus holding ourselves back. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. It's entirely online, designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with a licensed therapist, and you can switch therapists at any time for no additional charge. Overcome your fears with BetterHelp, visit betterhelp.com/cultleader today to get 10% off your first month. That's BetterHelp, h-e-l-p.com/cultleader. Did you know that at any given time, 61% of adult women say they want to lose weight, but for many women, that's easier said than done. If you've had trouble losing weight, don't lose hope. Let me introduce you to MIDI Health, where they create personalized weight loss solutions using a deep understanding of women's hormones combined with weight loss medications. MIDI Health's expert team will customize your treatment plan, ensuring you get the right blend of hormones and medication to fit your unique needs. Together, these solutions can help you lose weight and look and feel great. So, if you're ready to combine the power of hormones with proven weight loss medications, visit joinmidi.com today. Discover how this innovative approach can lead you to lasting success. That's joinmidi.com. What time is it? It's harvest time. Join Sarah Jessica Parker in the ultimate challenge of Solitaire Grand Harvest. Experience the thrill of strategic play as you navigate through exciting levels and reap the rewards of your skills. Are you prepared to crack the cards and harvest your weight to victory? Okay, now let's crack the cards. Enjoy a head start with 10,000 free coins. Download Solitaire Grand Harvest now and harvest the rewards. That's free, available for download on Google Play and the App Store. Even after leaving the Kamey Manor, the effects of the experience lingers. Both physically and mentally, many participants have noted that they suffered from nightmares and flashbacks and other symptoms of PTSD long after their tour is over. The psychological trauma is made worse by the fact that they're left with physical scars to remind them of it. These aren't just bruises and scratches, but sometimes serious injuries that require medical treatment such as burns, lacerations, fractured bones, deep wounds and damaged teeth. One participant even reported having her hair pulled out, leaving bald patches, while another mentioned sustaining deep, painful scratches from being dragged across rough surfaces. One woman had her head completely shaved without her consent, and some have emerged from Kamey Manor with swollen, bloodied lips from the infamous fish hooking technique where their mouths are forcibly stretched by fingers or dental tools. Even the mere act of moving can trigger memories of the torment, as their bodies struggle to heal with the abuse inflicted during their "tour". But the fear of talking about what happened at Kamey Manor is just as terrifying as the experience itself. As I mentioned, you're forced to sign an NDA. Many survivors are too scared to share their stories, fearing retaliation from Russ Mccamey's loyal fans and Facebook group moderators, who are known for their aggressive tactics. These followers often resort to doxying and harassment to silence critics online. As Mccamey Manor started to gain notoriety, Russ cultivated an online cult following as intense and dedicated as the haunt itself. By posting the extreme experiences to YouTube and other platforms, he drew in this fan base that idolized both him and the manor, and these fans became active participants in defending Russ and the haunt over the years, labeling the people who come out against it as haters and going to great lengths to silence any negative commentary. This environment of fear and intimidation became a huge roadblock for anyone trying to reveal the truth about Mccamey Manor. But let's talk about how this all started, and meet the owner Russ Mccamey, the twisted mastermind behind Mccamey Manor. Russ was born on January 28, 1959 in Fullerton, California. He developed a love for Halloween and all things spooky from a very young age. His father, Russ Mccamey, was a Marine who was injured in the Nevada nukes testing, leaving him with lasting radiation damage, and the two remained close even after his parents divorced in 1971. Russ, staying with his mother at the time. They often bonded over their shared love of Halloween and horror, which would later inspire the creation of Mccamey Manor. So Russ goes to school, pretty normal upbringing, it sounds like. He graduates from Sunny Hills High School in 1977, and then follows in his father's footsteps and joins the US Navy around 1979. He ended up serving for 22 years, holding various administrative roles including working as a drug and alcohol advisor on the USS Independence. His military service heavily influenced the operations at Mccamey Manor, where techniques reminiscent of military interrogation and torture methods became central to the experience. But Russ considers himself as much a showman as a Navy man. Before turning to the horror scene, he worked as a wedding DJ and singer performing under the name Musical Excitement with Russ at venues like the Velvet Turtle in Fullerton. And Russ has even referred to himself as the PT Barnum of the Haunt World. To say he has an ego is understated. But before Mccamey Manor became synonymous with extreme horror, it started as a simple neighborhood haunt in Rancho Pinyasquitos, San Diego. Russ Mccamey and his wife, Carol Schultz, created the attraction in their backyard as a community event during Halloween. They're like we're doing this for the neighbors, all that you gotta do to enter is bring us four cans of dog food, which was donated to a local Greyhound rescue. For years, Mccamey Manor was just this fun, slightly spooky experience reflecting on Russ's passion for Halloween. He was just Russ. As Mccamey Manor gained popularity, Russ decided it was time to take things up a notch. People loved it and he wanted to give them more. So in the early 2000s, he moved the haunt to Hazy Meadow Ranch, a location he was familiar and friendly with due to his frequent work as a wedding DJ there. This move would allow him to expand the haunt's operations and create more elaborate setups and themed rooms. Still, primarily a traditional "boo" haunted house, but more extreme than what most people were used to. After the Hazy Meadow Ranch location was shut down, before even getting the opportunity to open due to legal issues and community backlash, Mccamey Manor returned to Russ's home. In this return to the backyard marked a significant shift in the nature of the haunt. It was here that Mccamey Manor began to evolve into the notorious experience it's known for today. Russ was inspired by military interrogation techniques and documentaries on places like Guantanamo Bay. So he introduced new elements that went far beyond simple jump scares, waterboarding forced feedings and intense psychological manipulation became part of the experience. Mccamey Manor did away with their teenage volunteers, because again, initially this started as just like a neighborhood haunted house, they had kids working there, but then it was like eh, things are starting to get more intense, but also they got rid of the teenage volunteers mostly because one of their adult volunteers groomed and molested one of the female teenage volunteers, and instead Russ began to employ ex-military men, heads and felons. The haunt was no longer just a place to be scared, it became a place to be broken. Mccamey Manor began operating year round, with visitors subjected to military-style kidnappings, interrogation and a range of torture tactics. What was once a traditional haunted house had now fully transitioned into something far more terrifying. The scenarios that participants endured became increasingly brutal, militarized and the lines between what was real and what was staged began to blur. The haunt's guests were no longer just visitors, they'd come out victims feeling the experience was far more than what they bargained for, with many leaving the haunt deeply traumatized. However, some convinced themselves they loved it and returned as volunteers, eager to inflict that same pain on others that they had endured. And media coverage started to grow beyond just the simple "next door" type post online. It fueled the fire and the ever-growing waitlist. The travel channel even featured it as the most outrageous amateur home haunt in the country. And the Netflix documentary "Haunters", the "Art of the Scare", which featured disturbing footage of participants being pushed to their breaking points and highlighted the psychological and physical torment, brought its attention to an even wider audience. And I came across this thread on Reddit, it's one of those "ask me anything" type post and David Farrier, who is the filmmaker and TV presenter who took on Mckamey Manor for the Netflix show "Dark Tourist", didn't ask me anything and I wanted to share some of the questions that people ask cause a lot of them are questions that I had as well. And somebody wrote, "Based on the footage that Mckamey Manor puts out themselves, there's countless footage of people begging for the haunt to end, people who have black eyes, bruises and people who look like they're going into shock. One, how are they able to not allow a safe word or allow guests to stop the haunt when they feel like they've had enough? Holding people against their will and abusing people is illegal, is it not?" And David wrote, "You're going in that the safe word is there, but he will decide if he uses it or not. It's all psychological warfare, he's good at this." Their next question was, "Rest claims that he personally selects who enters the haunt. What is the basis of his selection process?" And David said, "I think his reasons for picking people are all personal to him. There are not thousands applying anymore. It's not as big as he says it is. It's all the cult of personality." Which is true, I've read that before and that also is what makes me so interested in him cause he does have that cult leader type personality. They asked, "Does anyone working at the haunt have any medical training considering they are using such extreme measures on people?" And David's like, "Not that I'm aware of." They said, "Did you go through the Mckamey Manor experience? If so, do you think you got a toned down version because you were filming a Netflix show?" And he says, "I bailed after the introduction. Once I was in his van alone, I wanted out. Then we just shot with other people going through it." Someone asked, "What was the most surprising thing you saw in the waiver you had to sign?" And David said, "There was basically a line in there about death and Mckamey Manor not being responsible." But, I mean, you get that when you skydive, don't you? Teeth being extracted was in there. I mean, the whole thing is part of the haunt. It's designed to freak you out. Part of the act. So when you're blindfolded and pushed around, that three hours worth of waiver. You just read out. Is circling your brain. Someone said, "Is the Mckamey Manor as bad as everyone makes it out to be? How far did you make it through? What was the worst part of it in your opinion?" And he said, "I was a pathetic coward. I did three hours of waiver and then got kicked around by Russ while having all my senses taken away. Blindfolded, mouth strapped open, headphones playing stuff. By the time I was going to be left alone in the van with him, I freaked out. The rest of the weekend I spent listening to people go through the manor. We were not allowed to film, but Russ was mic'd so we could listen in. Look, I'm glad I bailed. Mckamey Manor has nothing to do with the place or the props or the size of it all. It's all Russ. As long as Russ has you bound and gagged, that's the manor. Does that make sense? And someone said, in my opinion, watching videos of Mckamey Manor, the guy that runs the place seems to be a sadist, gaining joy from torture that is handed down. I do not see this as a haunted house. What are your views on this? Also, do you think the $20,000 prize is legit? Or would he keep it going until someone finally quits to keep from paying out? David said there's so much unverified trash floating around online about this place now it's not even funny, social media's made it worse. No one checks any random allegations floating around, which is what Russ wants, I imagine. And look, no one finished the manor, that's the gimmick, he won't let you the rules shift. Who even has a VCR anymore? Or a film projector? Legacy Box allows you to revisit those memories without those antiquated machines. As easy as one, two, three. Get in your Legacy Box filled with old VHS tapes, camcorder tapes, and pictures. Their team professionally digitizes everything by hand, right here in the USA. You'll get it back on a thumb drive or the cloud along with your originals. It's so simple, it's like magic. For a limited time, get started preserving your past and, say 50%. Go to LegacyBox.com/wondry to revisit, and share special memories from your past. That's LegacyBox.com/wondry. Time is a luxury for us, especially if you're a mom. 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So, as the manners notoriety grew, so did the controversies. The hot had become too extreme for San Diego, with many neighbors complaining about the constant screams emanating from the McKamey house. I've seen and heard things that neighbors had to call the police on multiple occasions because they would hear screaming coming from inside they didn't know what was going on, and also, I mean, imagine how annoying that would be. Your neighbor. It's not like, oh, they're just having a party. It's like, oh, there he goes, he's psychologically and physically torturing people again. City officials started to take notice, particularly of the unpermitted structures Russ had built on his property, which led to mounting fines and the city eventually forcing him to tear everything down. However, the final nail in the OG manners coffin wasn't just the legal issues. It was also personal. Russ's marriage to Carol, his partner both in life and in building McKamey Manor, was falling apart. The final straw came when Russ allegedly had an affair with Holly Shalido, a woman he had met online. After discovering the affair, Carol divorced Russ and took all the shit she paid for were talking props, were talking equipment, effectively shutting down the San Diego location. It also didn't help that Russ had a massive IRS lien of $252,000 against his property for unpaid income taxes, interest, and penalties for the tax year of 2012. With his resources depleted, his reputation deteriorating, his scare actors long gone and his marriage over, Russ and Holly, the woman he had allegedly been having an affair with, decided to make the move to Tennessee, with its less stringent rules and regulations as a chance to revive McKamey Manor and they relocated to Summertown, a small, unincorporated community. The perfect place for a fresh start, but as much as the setting changed, the core of McKamey Manor remained the same, well, actually it became even more extreme. With Holly's help, Russ started running the tours out of his front yard and a large red barn on the property, and although more secluded than his last location, he still kicked up some dust in town. The local authorities quickly became familiar with his activities. In fact, it got to a point where before they started any tour, Russ had to notify the local police to avoid unnecessary confrontations. This started after an incident during one of his first tours in Tennessee, when the police were called in response to reports of a screaming woman being dragged from a vehicle. The woman was participating voluntarily, and the waiver she signed proved it. Eventually, the barn caught the attention from authorities who noticed the barn wasn't up to fire code. They warned Russ that if he continued to run the haunt out of the barn, he would need to install exit signs, sprinklers, and other safety measures. But Russ, defiant, ignored these warnings, continuing to run his extreme haunt without making any of the required changes. At his new location, participants were once again subjected to hours of physical and psychological torment. The tours involved waterboarding, power tools being brought frighteningly close to participants' faces, and hours of forced exercise and humiliation rituals broadcast live online for Mikaimi's growing number of fans. Russ's showmanship and his unique take on the extreme haunted house genre eventually cultivated this bigger audience online, and his videos of the Mikaimi Manor experiences shared on social media and YouTube attracted a very loyal fan base, and Russ has said, on record, that being able to film the entire experience is very important to him. These followers, many of whom, had never even been to Mikaimi Manor, idolized Russ and attacked anyone who dared to criticize him. This online army became known for its aggressive tactics. They would dawks and harass former participants, critics, and anyone who spoke out against the manor, and they were a key part of Russ's efforts to maintain control over the narrative surrounding Mikaimi Manor. However, not everyone was under Russ's spell. Around 2014, as more stories started to come out about the horrific experiences that Mikaimi Manor and anti-Mikaimi Manor groups began to form online, and these groups were composed of former participants, concerned citizens, and others who were determined to expose the darker side of this haunt. Members of these groups began to gather and share evidence of abuse, including testimonials, photos, and videos documenting their experiences, and they used social media platforms like Facebook, Reddit, and Twitter, all probably the most popular at the time, to organize and disseminate information, creating pages and threads dedicated to warning potential participants about what they might face at Mikaimi Manor. Even with all the hurdles like Russ's followers sneaking in to spread lies and discredit survivors, these groups kept getting stronger and bigger. Gaining momentum as people shared their own stories, and they even started a change.org petition that racked up 200,000 signatures calling for the manor to be shut down. One of the most prominent figures in the anti-Mikaimi Manor movement is Justin "The Wolf" Wolfstar, known as Hader #1. Justin was the first to publicly challenge Russ Mikaimi for the $20,000 prize, accusing him of creating a rigged environment where participants were set up to fail. Justin was an expectant father and thought the $20,000 could be useful. He decided to take a try at completing the infamous Mikaimi tour, followed all the rules, did every action, went through hours of Russ's rituals and exercises, but he didn't budge. This took the fun out of it for Russ and he ended the tour. Justin was like, "Okay, then give me the $20 grand." Russ refused and said he was ending the tour early and that he didn't actually complete the mission. This led Justin to the conclusion that the $20,000 prize was a myth, a mere ploy for Russ to attract thrill seekers into his web, and when it was no longer fun for him or his followers, if they weren't providing enough entertainment, he'd end the tours citing safety concerns or some other excuse. Even though Russ's followers harassed him non-stop, Justin stayed strong. He was determined to expose what he believed was the real story behind Mikaimi Manor and inspire others to speak out against the haunt. As the true nature of Mikaimi Manor started to become more widely known, public opinion began to turn sharply against Russ Mikaimi. What had once been seen as an extreme but legitimate haunted house was increasingly viewed as a dangerous and abusive operation, people online saying things like this dude went from jump scares to trying to create saw in real life. Former participants like Laura Brotherton came forward with harrowing stories of their experiences, describing the haunt as nothing less than a legal torture chamber. Laura claims that she was water boarded, tased, and repeatedly hit during her tour, which left her with physical and psychological damage, saying that she left in need of medical attention. The tide of public opinions began to turn against Mikaimi Manor as more and more stories of this abuse and trauma began to surface, and comment sections went from "well, you signed up for it" to "oh my god, this needs to stop." But as more haters emerged and media coverage intensified, the true nature of Mikaimi Manor was revealed. The haunt was not just a place of legalized torture, it was a carefully crafted con. Russ had built a myth around the $20,000 challenge, enticing thrill seekers with the promise of a cash prize that was never meant to be won. It was part of the game. No one had ever completed the full tour because the experience was designed to be impossible to complete. Participants were just broken down, tortured until they were forced to quit. And did you notice in this story, there was never a place large enough to house a two-mile long zip line, an underwater haunted house, a tightrope over a steep drop or wild animals? Well, it's because there wasn't any of that. Russ just wanted people to think that's what they'd be experiencing. Really, it was just him and his lackeys in a barn using brainwashing skills and torture tactics. But you wouldn't know this online. I saw one video where a participant went through this extreme underwater experience. Allegedly. It's a video of this girl afterwards, and she's being hung by her hair and pepper sprayed in the face, doused with water. All to make it appear as if she had undergone something different. The final blows to the notorious McKamey manners, already crumbling facade and Russ's ego, came from a pretty unlikely source. Two YouTubers, known as Reckless Ben and Danny Burke. Ben Schneider, a self-proclaimed professional infiltrator, set his sights on McKamey Manor, and uncovered the truth behind the haunt. Ben's videos revealed that the horrors advertised by Russ were in fact largely fabricated. There was no $20,000 prize, no two-mile zip line, no haunted house filled with a hundred rats. Instead, participants were subjected to a series of degrading and painful experiences in a setting that fell far short of the advertised spectacle. His video showed that the haunt was more about Russ's need for control and inflicting pain, rather than providing a genuine horror experience. But Ben and Danny and crew absolutely trolled Russ to the ground during his stunt. He signed up for a tour in a series of videos Ben and his collaborators visited the haunt and documented their experiences. They altered the waiver Russ required participants to sign, granting themselves the right to share their own footage online. Ben even started an LLC called McKamey Manor and took over the legal rights to the name after Russ's representatives threatened legal action. It's worth a watch if you go looking for the infamous videos we're talking about in this episode. Anyway, during this stunt, it came to Ben's attention that there was a long missing hard drive that allegedly contained raw footage of all of Russ McKamey's victims starting all the way back in San Diego, implicating Russ in numerous violations and possibly even crimes. As Ben sifted through the raw footage, the reality of what happened at McKamey Manor was evident. It featured proof of non-consensual activities, the safe word being ignored, Russ dragging people from the back of his car over gravel roads and more, including proof he had been violating fire codes and running the haunt out of his barn even when he was asked to implement all those changes by the fire department. Well, as you can imagine, these videos went viral and those coupled with the Hulu documentary Monster Inside America's most extreme haunted house in which former participants ex-girlfriends, even former employees, came and detailed the twisted operations of McKamey Manor, painting a damning picture of the entire operation. Now, in response to the growing backlash, the Tennessee Attorney General announced an investigation into McKamey Manor, focusing on the abuse allegations that had been brought to light. This investigation marked the beginning of the end for McKamey Manor, as legal and public pressure mounted against Russ McKamey. With the heat on, Russ picked up and set up shop again, this time moving to Huntsville, Alabama. Okay, but wait, so remember Holly, who had joined Russ on his journey to Tennessee and was apparently responsible for the dissolution of his marriage? Well, she eventually saw through the facade herself and left him, reportedly due to his abuse of behavior. Both Carol and Holly, along with other women who had been close to Russ, began to speak out about the horrors they endured under his hand, painting a disturbing picture of a man who was as controlling in his personal life as he was in his haunted house. These women described Russ as a dangerous predator who thrived on control and manipulation, and claimed that behind the scenes, Russ was not just orchestrating the sadistic experiences of McKamey Manor, he was also subjecting those close to him to similar emotional and psychological abuse. And allegations ranged from verbal and psychological torment to physical aggression. These accusations about Russ's personal life were disturbing enough, but things took a darker turn when he was arrested, just two months ago. It was July 19th, 2024, at approximately 4am, when 65-year-old Russ McKamey was arrested and charged with domestic assault against his 25-year-old girlfriend Shailin at his Tennessee home. Just a couple of days later, new charges of attempted second-degree murder and rape were added to the list, deepening the legal quagmire Russ found himself in. His bond was set at $60,000 and Russ managed to bond out of jail on July 23rd, 2024, and he was ordered to have no further contact with Shailin. In a move typical of his manipulative nature, Russ took to social media shortly after his release, posting a screenshot of his lawyer's statement regarding the charges. In the post, Russ attempted to downplay the situation. Now, one of the biggest questions that comes up is how much does it actually cost to participate? Well, it doesn't cost anything. And as we know, Russ was getting paid in dog food by the participants who did come. So, what was he really getting out of it? Well, besides personal gratification of some kind, he was probably breaking in some money through YouTube. I can't imagine that his videos haven't since been demonetized. I don't really know about that world too much. I think he might have shown just enough to not get banned, but still shocking enough to go viral. I don't know if he was getting money from his supporters somehow. I know he's trying to collect money from lawsuits because this dude sues everyone. In 2024 alone, he tried to sue the Tennessee Attorney General. There's an article from WKRN.com that said, quote, "The owner of a haunted house known for its intense tactics to frighten guests is now suing Tennessee's attorney general over his investigation into the attraction's practices. In a 32-page lawsuit filed in late March 2024, Russ McCamey claims Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Scrametti's request for information in the investigation and recent inspections of his property by another state agency are in violation of his first, fourth, fifth, and 14th Amendment rights. Scrametti began raising concerns about McCamey Manor's operations following the release of a 2023 Hulu documentary in which past participants claimed there was no way to stop the tour of the haunted attraction. In a statement provided following the filing of McCamey's lawsuit, a spokesperson for the Attorney General's office said, "Attorney General Scrametti's focus is protecting Tennesseans. When the Attorney General's office hears of allegations of serious consumer harms, we work hard to respond quickly." McCamey is asking the court to issue a preliminary injection keeping Scrametti and his agents from forcing him to comply with the request for information regarding McCamey Manor, as well as a preliminary injection putting a stop to inspections on his property. And regarding the Hulu documentary, according to the Tennesseean.com, McCamey Manor, Tennessee owner, files $8.4 million lawsuit against Hulu documentary participant. It says, quote, "The man behind McCamey Manor has filed a new multi-million dollar lawsuit against Hulu, a production company, and a participant in the documentary about the popular Tennessee haunted attraction. Coming two weeks after he filed against Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Scrametti, seeking a court order to ensure he won't have to testify in a state investigation, he believes is politically motivated." So perhaps he's suing everyone to try and cover his ass, and not only cover his ass, but also pay off some of that quarter million tax lien. I don't know, it just seems like one big scam to me. It feels like there's this weirdo who wants to psychologically torture people and get out this abuse, but it also just feels like a scam. To me, the stories of physical harm and psychological manipulation and the erosion of personal boundaries paint a picture of a place that was less about scaring people for fun and more about breaking them down for content. And I think that's what drew a lot of people in. I think in addition to the prize money, I think aside from being thrill seekers, people wanted to go so that they could talk about their experience online. For many people who are still afraid to come forward, the manner is not remembered as a place of entertainment for them, but as the sight of a real and lasting harm against them. The emotional scars left on participants, along with the shocking revelations of abuse and manipulation by Russ McCamey, have secured McCamey's manners place in horror history. Not as a legendary haunt, but as a serious cautionary tale. I can't imagine reading and seeing all of these things online and still be willing to go through this process. But maybe it's not built for me. I mean, again, love a haunted house, love a thrill, but just not for me. The rise and fall of this twisted attraction serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the fine line between thrill seeking and abuse. Russ McCamey's obsession with pushing boundaries created an experience that crossed into the realm of torture, leaving countless people both physically and emotionally scarred. And McCamey's manners also proved that pursuing fear for entertainment could sometimes lead to places far darker than anyone could have imagined. So, thrill seekers, beware, you all have been asking me to talk about this since 2019. I feel like it was when I first started getting emails about this, but in the years that I've followed so many people have reached out. And at the end of the day, I guess my thoughts are, again, I think it's just a scam. And I think it's something to avoid. I love the idea of a haunted house. I love an escape room with live actor. Like, I love that. I'm all about it. But I feel like he just crosses the line. And it's not this high value production that he makes it seem like. It's just like, it's some weird fucking guy who's like, I'm gonna hang you from your hair and make you eat dog shit and pepper spray you in the face. So if you want to sign up for that, go ahead. Feel free to write in about your experience. But that's where I'm leaving it. I recommend you probably don't go. And that's it for the week. So I will see you next time. And until next time, if you walk into a haunted house and they pull out the mace, it's probably time to pick up the pace. Get the hell out of there. Okay. Goodbye. 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