Something Offbeat: A vampire unearthed

Scary coffin backed by red light and fog, stock photo.
Photo credit Getty Images

More than 300 years ago, a woman in what is now Poland was buried with a sickle across her neck and a padlock on her foot. This summer, she made her way above ground and into headlines.

Researchers say the woman’s unusual burial is a sign that people back then believed she was a vampire.

Even today, some people believe that these immortal, blood-sucking creatures live among us, and stories about vampires continue to entertain on TV shows and in films.

Dacre Stoker, the great-grand nephew of “Dracula” author Bram Stoker – who is also an author and an expert on vampire lore – spoke with host Mike Rogers for this Halloween edition of the “Something Offbeat” podcast.

Abraham Stoker (1845 - 1912) the Irish writer who partnered Henry Irving in running the Lyceum Theatre in London from 1878 - 1905. He wrote the classic horror story 'Dracula' in 1897. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Abraham Stoker (1845 - 1912) the Irish writer who partnered Henry Irving in running the Lyceum Theatre in London from 1878 - 1905. He wrote the classic horror story 'Dracula' in 1897. Photo credit (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

At times in history people have even burned the heart of a suspected vampire and proceeded to “cook it, and then make a potion out of it, like a tea on steroids, and feed that to the people who were affected,” Stoker explained.

Listen in to travel even deeper through vampiric history and learn about what lead Stoker to create one of history’s most well-known vamps. If you have suggestions for stories the podcast should cover, send them to us at somethingoffbeat@audacy.com.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images