Skeptoid

Skeptoid #996: Murder in Hex Hollow

July 8, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The Hex Hollow murder, while sensationalized by media, highlights the persistence of folk magic and the dangers of moral panics fueled by sensationalism and fear of the 'other'. 
  • The case demonstrates how deeply ingrained magical thinking can be, even in the face of scientific advancement, leading to tragic consequences when combined with confirmation bias and a lack of critical thinking. 
  • The narrative of the Hex Hollow murder serves as a cautionary tale about how media can amplify fear and prejudice, turning marginalized practices and beliefs into targets for public outrage and derision. 

Segments

The Hex Hollow Murder
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(00:00:03)
  • Key Takeaway: A murder in rural Pennsylvania in 1928, initially dismissed as superstition, brought folk magic and the legacy of witch trials into public scrutiny.
  • Summary: This segment introduces the central event of the podcast: a murder that occurred on a chilly November night in 1928, involving a folk wizard and a curse, which would later be sensationalized by the media.
Roots of Folk Magic
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(00:02:58)
  • Key Takeaway: American folk magic, particularly the ‘powwowing’ or ‘hex’ practices, originated from European Christian traditions and was documented in grimoires like ‘The Long Lost Friend’.
  • Summary: The discussion delves into the historical origins of folk magic in America, tracing it back to European settlers and the practical, Christian-centered formulas found in ‘The Long Lost Friend’, explaining its syncretic nature and benevolent intent.
The Victim and the Accused
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(00:06:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Nelson Raymeyer, a respected hex practitioner, was murdered by John Blymeyer, who, convinced he was cursed, sought to break it by stealing Raymeyer’s hair and book.
  • Summary: This segment introduces the victim, Nelson Raymeyer, and the accused, John Blymeyer, detailing Blymeyer’s troubled life, his belief in a curse, and how he was led to target Raymeyer with the help of two others.
Moral Panics and Media
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(00:12:39)
  • Key Takeaway: The media’s sensationalized reporting of the Hex Hollow murder fueled a moral panic, portraying folk magic practitioners as ‘folk devils’ and amplifying fear disproportionately to the actual threat.
  • Summary: The podcast explores how the media coverage of the murder created a moral panic, drawing parallels to Stanley Cohen’s theories on ‘folk devils’ and ‘moral entrepreneurs’, and highlighting how sensationalism can distort public perception of marginalized groups and practices.