Jenny Ashford is a horror, true crime, and paranormal writer, graphic designer, and podcaster. Her most recent books are a three-volume true crime compilation collectively known as The Faceless Villain: A Collection of the Eeriest Unsolved Murders of the Twentieth Century. Volume One was published in 2017, Volume Two in 2018, and Volume Three in 2019. Her other books include four paranormal nonfiction books: The Unseen Hand: A New Exploration of Poltergeist Phenomena, The Mammoth Mountain Poltergeist (with Tom Ross), House of Fire and Whispers: Investigating the Seattle Demon House, and The Rochdale Poltergeist (both with Steve Mera); as well as three horror novels, Red Menace, Bellwether, and The Five Poisons; two short story collections, Hopeful Monsters and The Associated Villainies; and a graphic novel, The Tenebrist. A second edition of The Associated Villainies was published in 2019, featuring four new stories, an enhanced print layout, and an audio book version. A second edition of The Five Poisons was published in 2020. Her short stories have appeared in several anthologies, including The Nightmare Collective, History Is Dead, 2012AD, ChimeraWorld #3, and ChimeraWorld #4. Her horror blog, Goddess of Hellfire, contains writing news, short stories and articles, and her reviews and opinions on horror films and books. She also co-hosts a podcast with Tom Ross called 13 O'Clock, on which they discuss true crime, unexplained mysteries, paranormal weirdness, horror movies and books, food, and other fun, creepy topics. They recently collaborated on a 13 O'Clock cookbook. Jenny's graphic design work can be seen on everything from books and business cards to posters and packaging. She runs an online store called Gravecake selling products with her designs, and also has a board-and-card game concern called Giallo Games, which produces games based around the beloved Italian horror/crime genre, among many other themes.
Just before one a.m. on the morning of February 8th, 2004, an unknown assailant or assailants entered the Mirage Spa, a massage parlor located on Warden Avenue in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Inside the establishment were forty-one-year-old Zhu Xia Lin, who managed the spa; thirty-five-year-old employee Yan Jun Liu; and forty-year-old Walter Xian Chen Zhang, a … More The Mirage Spa Shooting
Twenty-four-year-old Melanie Dawn Geddes was a mother of three daughters—Tiara, Katie, and Chloe—who was born in Lestock, Saskatchewan, and was a member of the George Gordon First Nation. She moved to Regina, where she worked hard to support her young family and had recently landed a new job. On the night of August 12th, 2005, … More Melissa Dawn Geddes
Seventeen-year-old Pauline Ivy Dudley was a shy, quiet, but happy and adventurous young woman who lived with her parents in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. At around ten p.m. on August 20th, 1973, Pauline left her family home to go visit her boyfriend in Milton. Earlier that evening, Pauline had called her best friend Ilona Pallagi to … More Pauline Ivy Dudley
The Htoo-Maw family had escaped a life of hardship and uncertainty in a Thai refugee camp, arriving in Canada as Karen refugees from Myanmar. They had only been in Regina, Saskatchewan, for two years, hoping to build a better life in a safe and welcoming country. But that dream came to a horrifying end sometime … More The Htoo-Maw Family Murders
Nineteen-year-old Samantha Berg had faced numerous challenges from a young age. She became involved in the sex trade and struggled with substance use. Despite these hardships, those who knew her described her as a vibrant individual with hopes for a better future. These hopes, sadly, were never to be realized. On January 25th, 2005, Samantha’s … More Samantha Berg
Thirty-four-year-old Laura Lee Cross lived at 18 Middle Street in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She was last seen on July 12th, 2001, and reported missing on August 1st. Reports suggest that Laura had a troubled history, including substance use, and may have been involved in sex work. These factors potentially contributed to a delayed and limited … More Laura Lee Cross
Thirty-six-year-old Tanya Jean Brooks, a Mi’kmaq woman from Millbrook First Nation, lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was known as a tenacious, headstrong, and artistic individual. Despite facing personal challenges, including struggles with addiction and homelessness, she was a loving mother striving to regain custody of her five children. On the evening of May 10th, … More Tanya Jean Brooks
Thirty-five-year-old Melissa Chaboyer worked as a taxi driver in the quiet city of Thompson, Manitoba, Canada, and was a devoted single mother to her seventeen-year-old son, Anthony. She was also a compassionate caregiver who worked full-time with developmentally challenged adults. Over the years, she opened her home to dozens of foster children, often maintaining relationships … More Melissa Chaboyer
Fifteen-year-old Kerrie Ann Brown was described by family and friends as kind-hearted, independent, and artistic. She lived with her family in Thompson, a mining city in northern Manitoba, Canada. Kerrie was passionate about horses and nature, and she had dreams of becoming a veterinarian. She was known for her strong-willed personality, a sense of justice, … More Kerrie Ann Brown
On the morning of July 13th, 1972, nineteen-year-old Ursula Schulze was abducted while waiting for a bus on Marie-Victorin Boulevard in Brossard, Quebec. Witnesses observed a man forcibly grab her and push her into a red or burgundy car, possibly a Buick Skylark or Toyota. The assailant was described as stocky, between five-foot-six and five-foot-eight, … More Ursula Schulze
