Episode 178 - The Disappearance of Roanoke

Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror

This week Abby and Alan discuss the real history of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island, from the first English expeditions to the colony’s unexplained disappearance in 1590.

We talk through the major historical theories, including integration with Indigenous tribes, disease, violence, the supernatural and failed rescue attempts. Finally, we explore how this mystery shaped modern horror, including references in Storm of the Century by Stephen King and American Horror Story.

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More description

This week Abby and Alan discuss the real history of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island, from the first English expeditions to the colony’s unexplained disappearance in 1590.

We talk through the major historical theories, including integration with Indigenous tribes, disease, violence, the supernatural and failed rescue attempts. Finally, we explore how this mystery shaped modern horror, including references in Storm of the Century by Stephen King and American Horror Story.

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2026-02-17 43 min Transcript 20 chapters
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Chapters

1. Acknowledgment And Framing 2. Why Roanoke Grips The Imagination 3. Sources And Setup 4. Early Expeditions To Roanoke 5. John White And The 1587 Colony 6. The Empty Settlement And “Croatan” 7. Interpreting The Clues And Missed Search 8. Integration Theories And Early Sightings 9. DNA Projects And Their Limits 10. Alternative Explanations And Conflicts 11. Disease, Starvation, And Cannibalism Claims 12. Witchcraft Myths And Spiritual Lore 13. The Dare Stones Controversy 14. Lessons For Jamestown 15. Roanoke’s Grip On Horror Storytelling 16. Stephen King’s Storm Of The Century 17. AHS: Roanoke And Modern Retellings 18. Wider Pop Culture: Film, TV, Games 19. Personal Theories And Plausible Endings 20. Why The Mystery Endures
Acknowledgment And Framing 0.0s
Why Roanoke Grips The Imagination 52.0s
Sources And Setup 105.0s
Early Expeditions To Roanoke 248.0s
John White And The 1587 Colony 367.0s
The Empty Settlement And “Croatan” 523.0s
Interpreting The Clues And Missed Search 685.0s
Integration Theories And Early Sightings 784.0s
DNA Projects And Their Limits 924.0s
Alternative Explanations And Conflicts 1013.0s
Disease, Starvation, And Cannibalism Claims 1152.0s
Witchcraft Myths And Spiritual Lore 1262.0s
The Dare Stones Controversy 1337.0s
Lessons For Jamestown 1443.0s
Roanoke’s Grip On Horror Storytelling 1476.0s
Stephen King’s Storm Of The Century 1678.0s
AHS: Roanoke And Modern Retellings 1866.0s
Wider Pop Culture: Film, TV, Games 2043.0s
Personal Theories And Plausible Endings 2226.0s
Why The Mystery Endures 2360.0s