Welcome to Strange Weekly.

Your source for news of the paranormal, the unexplained, and the genuinely strange — reported with care, context, and skepticism.

I’m Toby Sells — author, veteran journalist, and lifelong student of the unexplained.

These stories are real.

The truth behind them remains elusive.

What you believe… is up to you.

🔹 A giant of the ancient-alien movement passes

The death of Erich von Däniken, whose 1968 book Chariots of the Gods reshaped popular thinking about humanity’s past — and sparked decades of debate between believers and skeptics.

🔹 Exorcism allegations at a New Zealand boarding school

A respected Methodist school is under investigation after claims that spiritual practices crossed into exorcism-style rituals involving students.

🔹 The Slender Man case returns to court

Authorities in Wisconsin move to block the conditional release of one of the women involved in the infamous 2014 stabbing — after an unauthorized escape from a group home.

🔹 Exploding Head Syndrome — and an unexpected treatment

A medically documented condition that sounds impossible, involving terrifying sounds during sleep — and a case report suggesting relief from low-dose ketamine.

🔹 Betting on Bigfoot

Oddsmakers weigh in on where Sasquatch is most likely to appear across North America — mapping mystery onto wilderness.

Erich von Däniken obituary (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/obituaries/erich-von-daniken-dead.html

Wesley College investigation (Stuff, New Zealand):

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360922901/wesley-college-investigation-includes-allegations-spiritual-exorcisms

Slender Man conditional release reporting (AP / NBC Chicago via MSN):

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/authorities-seek-to-block-slender-man-attackers-conditional-release-after-escape-from-group-home/ar-AA1RinIW

Exploding Head Syndrome case report (Medscape UK / Cureus):

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/man-exploding-head-syndrome-responds-ketamine-2026a10000w7

Bigfoot betting odds (Canada Sports Betting):

https://www.canadasportsbetting.ca/north-america-bigfoot-sightings-odds/

🌍 This week’s stories:🔗 Sources & Reporting

The most haunted restaurant burned last week. The German UFO sighing agency reported more calls last year than ever before.