Jupiter Landing, Virginia
The United States of America
CLASSIFIED CASE FILE 04

In my stay, I’ve heard a local legend that long before the town was founded, sometime before the common era and birth of Christ, the area was home to two cooperating tribes. To my knowledge, they were supposed to be separate from the nearby Nottoway, Cherokee, and Saponi and tribes, but were perhaps a fairly small and derived group of loosely-related ancestors. Regardless, the two tribes' names and specifics have been forgotten to history. They usually intermarried as a sign of peace every few years, but one maiden whose pride outweighed her duty to her tribesmen decided that she would rather murder her new husband than relinquish her life on her own to be his wife. She fled back to her people, but they exiled her. However, the murdered husband’s tribe found his body and enraged, sought for the murderous woman to be avenged. When they approached the other tribe, they did not realize that they had already dealt with the murderer. Blinded by anger, they attacked, and sightless with maintaining their pride as warriors, the other tribe retaliated. A war broke out, and a great slaughter took place. However, after their deaths, as recompense for their rage and pride, all of the souls that had been killed were fused together into some monstrous amalgamation, somewhere deep underground in the caverns under the woods- tortured by their conflicting need for individuality until they learned to cooperate for the greater good.

I was interested by this story so I went to see if there really was any evidence of similar tribal activities prior to European colonization. A museum representative said that there are artifacts from unknown tribes in the area that date back to around the Neolithic, which is remarkable considering that some story potentially from nearly eight thousand years ago can translate across time. It might be something to do with the feeling of the area- that stories like this were passed down until they melded into part of the culture. It isn’t especially pertinent to my investigations, but I find it an interesting story. I wonder who kept it going for so long? 

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Jupiter Landing, Virginia
The United States of America
CLASSIFIED CASE FILE 03

Unfortuately, for whatever reason, Jupiter Landing seems to not only be attractive to ghosts but to serial killers as well (refer to the previously mentioned Black Dalhia Hotel as well) There are two that are active currently and known widely for their different killing styles, and many other theories concerning the troubling amount of bodies in the town's morgue.

The first type of body that is recovered usually has been carefully dissected, hinting at the possibility that the suspect has medical knowledge. The common carotid artery is usually severed, which is proof that the victim bleeds to death. However, upon the body's discovery, the victim has been almost completely drained of blood. To date, in Jupiter Landing, there have been fourteen reported killings that follow this style. Cases of this type of killing have been found in alleyways in town, and also near The Wreck.

The second type of killing is much more gruesome. Usually, the victim will be stripped down to near bones by rapid decomposition. The body is almost always highly radioactive. Faces of the individuals are usually bashed in or maimed. This type of killing suggests that the killer is enraged since the bodies are so carelessly dismembered. To date, only four of these cases have been reported, all of them coming almost exclusively from The Wreck. I can't help but wonder if the reason that the police won't let anyone near the Wreck is due to the fact that they- or someone they are protecting- are somewhat involved... but that is only my theory and I have no evidence. 

Other murder victims uncovered in the town's long and dark history include victims of strangulation, poisoning, blunt-force trauma as well as bodies that show hatchet wounds, bullet holes and a variety of stabbings. However, these cases date back to the town's founding and are of little concern as records indicate that the perpetrators are no longer active or are more than likely deceased.

There are also several other instances of unexplained deaths in the area. As previously stated, the Jupiter Landing Lake has been an attraction for those planning on committing suicide as at least thirty drowning victims have been pulled from the waters. However, there are multiple cases where the loved ones of the deceased claim that the victims were not unhappy in their lives, and had much to live for. This does not add up with the evidence, as none of the victims showed any sign of a struggle. The case is not being investigated. 

Additionally, however, there have been reports of dismembered body parts surfacing from the lake. However, the police believe these to be evidence of local criminal activity, likely related to the drug trade. They are not considered related to the previously mentioned case of the potential serial killer that drains their victims of blood, because of the less surgical precision in which the body parts have been dismembered. 

There are also several cases of people having heart attacks without high blood pressure. A common theory among the townspeople is that they had been scared to death. However, there is little evidence for this and the hypothesis has been commonly dismissed.

Unfortunately, the body count does not match exactly how many people go missing. It seems that the rest are either kidnapped, left on their own accord, met with an accident or... their body hasn't been found.

Obviously, these are troubling circumstances. While I plan to investigate the town further, I can't help but to grow troubled considering the sheer amount of unsettling material to deal with. Surely, no normal town would have such a history. Of course, I will continue to investigate as I have been instructed to do so. I fear for my well being though... More reports on the way

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Jupiter Landing, Virginia
The United States of America
CLASSIFIED CASE FILE 02 

Several sites, including the lake itself, have been claimed to be haunted. The following are some places of interest:

Strawberry Mansion; built in the 1890s by produce monopoly owner, Franklin Bolis, has received several complaints from the police department. Legends of booby traps in the abandoned West Wing and strange noises coming from the attic have many citizens concerned. However, the building is currently closed to the public because of it's residents, two twin girls who will remain unnamed due to their involvement in the seemingly unrelated amnesia incidents. I was not permitted an interview.

Jupiter Landing Museum; claims of poltergeists and strange occurrences have gotten this natural history museum much attention from paranormal experts. However, the only complaint that the museum curator has filed is for a missing amulet, presumed stolen. Reports of paranormal activity have lessened in recent years, which should be noted.

St. Stephen's Hospital; claims of missing blood bags and of randomly appearing medical assistants has St. Stephen's hospital more attention as a possible haunted area then as a medical facility. On occasion, a doctor described as wearing an eyepatch and gloves will assist the patients in blood donation. However, many of these donations have gone mysteriously missing and the hospital has no records of hiring a doctor with an eye problem. However, the staff at St Stephen's does not seem concerned. One of the leading doctors can be quoted, "We need all the help we can get. The patients don't seem to mind the added intrigue. Maybe we have some less then malevolent visitors that just want to do some good. Last time I checked, that wasn't a sin. Probably illegal, though, but it's not like this town has any other options." Then he laughed, which I thought was odd. 

Robertson Theatre; considered a somewhat high-end theatre in town, it is actually the older and more popular of two available, it's newer counterpart being closer to the outskirts and closer to the forests. Located in the more expensive part main street, amid the antique shops, boutiques, restaurants, and restored Victorian-style townhouses and low-level apartments, the Robertson Theatre has been in operation since the late 1800s. Though it has fallen in rather rough times since the dam broke and the rich and well to do townspeople have mostly moved away, it still holds viewings for movies faithfully. Moviegoers sometimes complain of hearing sounds from 'downstairs'. The owners have no idea what this is referring to, as the only downstairs they are aware of is a cramped storage closet. There are, however, rumors of a secret entrance to a long-forgotten prohibition-era speakeasy somewhere in the theatre.

The Wreck; A train that ran off its track in 1927 and killed thirty passengers, The Wreck is now a desolate and crippling reminder of the bustling train town that Jupiter Landing once was. Known as a paranormal hotspot in town, none of the police force nor the residents of Jupiter Landing dare to go near it. For safety reasons, The Wreck is off-limits to tourists and visitors of any kind, and that includes me, I suppose.

The Old Wreck Woods; area of about fifteen acres around the actual site of the Wreck. Refer to the above mention of problems surrounding the Wreck.

Summit House Forest; the beginning section of the forest that mostly surrounds Jupiter Landing (save for a single road and an old set of unused rail tracks) and named as such because of its closeness to Strawberry Mansion, an expansive house built high on a hill. There are stories of ghosts, demons, witches, cryptids, and anything supernatural imaginable in these woods. Though they are likely false and the police don't take them seriously enough to close the forest off to the public, unlike a few other places in town.

Old Grain Mill; the titular mill went out of existence in the late 1900s, but the land it once held has been transformed into a park for mobile homes and trailers. The majority of the spots are empty, but a few of its residents complain of hearing things out by the near woods and neighboring lake. The lot closest to the lake contains a resident who swears that she hears the lake singing. Another resident is rumored to be a witch.

Red Dahlia Hotel; a Victorian hotel that is located on the back end of Main Street. Two people have jumped from its dark windows and ceiling to commit suicide, and three bodies that appear murdered have been found in the hotel, including stuffed into the walls. Is considered incredibly haunted. The building used to be a mansion and doubled as a boarding home, but since the 1940s, the building has fallen on hard times.

The Lake; At least thirty bodies have been pulled from this deep and dark freshwater lake (according to records kept from the late 1950s). Those who live near it say that on occasion, singing can be heard coming from its misty waters. Rumor has it that there are several buildings sunk into the lake during a dam break in the 1800s. Local legend says that it is an attraction for those planning on committing suicide, and the body count does not lie. Even more troublingly, there have been reports of dismembered limbs washing up on shore, most commonly the arms and hands. Some think that they are from a possible graveyard that was submerged with the rest of the sunken section of town that were somehow preserved from the cold water temperature in the depths. According to the police, they are suspicious that the dismembered limbs have something to do with the local drug trade or possibly medical malpractice from St. Stephens, but they do not consider them related to the reports of a possible serial killer elsewhere in town. Which isn't exactly comforting, but I took note of it regardless. 

I don't really believe in spirits, but I feel I should mention that hearing the stories and the legends passed down through the generations makes me wonder if more catastrophes than the flood occurred here. I did manage to visit the Lake, and there is a certain weight of sadness there, I must say. More reports on the way

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Jupiter Landing, Virginia
The United States of America
CLASSIFIED CASE FILE 01

Jupiter Landing, a small town located in a dense forested area in Virginia's rolling hills, has been the picturesque background of several unexplained murders, cases of disappearing persons, citizens turning up with amnesia and paranormal conspiracy theories.

The town, founded in 1739, was named so because the town's largest lake, located in the middle of town, perfectly reflects the planet Jupiter on the winter solstice. However, Jupiter Landing is now a shadow of itself, with a fraction of its former residence and wealth. Considered a ghost town by anyone who does not live in it and a dead zone for travelers. The town has roughly 1,200 citizens and a small police force. Most people who live in this town have no idea of what dark secrets lie in the history of this picturesque ex-train station hub. Supposedly. 

I have been exploring the town a bit since my assignment, however immediately nothing sticks out to me as being out of the ordinary. There is a somewhat persistent feeling of being watched, however, I am not entirely sure what I am to be looking for. I think I will ask around and look over some of our records.  More reports on the way. 

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