Authorities have made various arrests in the area, particularly of Klu Klux Klan members, and other white supremacist groups. Check out this 1.1-mile out-and-back trail near Gainesville, Florida. I went to Port St. Lucie in search of this wicked oak but only found a few local people that had ever heard of it. police ID'd 48-year-old remains of a woman that might be linked to Schaefer. text-decoration: none; Its Miracle Monday, and today we meet a 14-year-old boy who is proving his doctors wrong. According to legend, on January 8, 1971, a serial killer mutilated two teenage girls and then hung them from the oak tree. Published: Aug. 20, 2023 at 10:06 AM PDT. The Devil Tree in Oak Hammock Park, Port Saint Lucie, FL. UrbanLegendsOnline.com, 15 Feb. 2019, urbanlegendsonline.com/the-devil-tree-in-oak-hammock-park-port-saint-lucie-fl/. I mean, who doesn't enjoy reading up on a scary story? In the comments below, share your hometown's legend and if there was any truth behind it! After all this, I found it interesting that growing up with this urban legend, especially as a kid without internet access at will to research, this story of a killer cop was perceived by many as the works of "cult" or "gang" members. Is it something within them, or an outside force that influences them? If you want to learn about this horrible man this site has basically all the information one would need and may contain virtually all the information available on the web about this topic. Black figures have been spotted near the tree at night, and the rumors and folklore say they are not all human. The appearance becomes more disturbing when some bloody histories and freaky local legends about this tree begin to . The definitive study of the case was written and published by an old friend of his. Does this anger you as much as it does me?? In the quiet Oak Hammock Park, there exists a tree that has more dubious intentions than one might first expect. With a muddy pool at the bottom, which is . Every year, tens of millions of people flock to Florida for its sunny beaches and world-famous tourist attractions. Just this month,police ID'd 48-year-old remains of a woman that might be linked to Schaefer. Schaefer was convicted of only two murders, well get to those, but investigators would later uncover a slew of possible victims and missing person reports that were most likely part of Gerards handiwork. : https://throne.com/miss_laylay Devil Tree - Florida's First Serial Killer - Miami Haunts Another theory, the one spread most by those who see them or hear the stories and are not as familiar with ghost television shows, is that these are demons or dark spirits who are drawn to the forest and feed of the negative energy there. Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! For me,. This oak tree, known as The Devils Tree, is a seemingly normal tree in a park at Port St. Lucie. a:visited { There are areas in the forest especially near the tree where vegetation doesnt grow. I am Praveen Mohan and this is located in Oak Hammock Park in Port St L. Five people are in jail after police say they tried to break into a home. Folks how have taken a piece of the tree, say a branch or bark, oftentimes come to some sort of misfortune immediately afterward. Found the Devils Tree! Easy to follow directions. - Tripadvisor Unlike other centuries old legends about ghostly oaks, I was surprised to learn that this legend is not really that old. While most of Port St. Lucie exploded after its founding, something made this area fail. It is no wonder then, all these years later, that the spot of one of one of his crimes should take on a life of its own and unfold as one of the most notoriously haunted locations in Florida. Florida Adventurers Episode 9: The Devil Tree - YouTube Author Keith Rommel, an expert on the subject, spoke to CBS12. The bomb went kaboom and Gerard decided to start his true calling he became a professional serial killer. A sadistic sex-beast by nature, Schaefer would lure young women off the roads with the help of his badge to rape, torture, mutilate and murder. Allegedly, the crazed killer returned on several occasions to have his way with the decomposing bodies. The man was a monster, the sort whose very presence makes Anti Death Sentence zealots re-thing their stance. Everything came to a head on that faithful year, 1966. The Devil's Tree, Weird U.S.. Accessed February 28th 2020. http://www.weirdus.com/states/florida/local_legends/devils_tree/index.php. This case was no different in terms of the victim selection but it went a little differently than his other crimes. Months later, after Schaefer had beaten the rap for kidnapping Nancy and Paula, a couple of hikers came upon the decomposing and mutilated remains of Place and Jessup. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); The lady In Black Theres a small cemetery in Central City, Colorado known as the Masonic Cemetery thats known for having a peculiar visitor, theghost of a woman in black. The following notable deaths in the United States occurred in 2023.Names are reported under the date of death, in alphabetical order as set out in WP:NAMESORT.A typical entry reports information in the following sequence: Name, age, country of citizenship at birth and subsequent nationality (if applicable), what subject was noted for, year of birth (if known), and reference. People in the area, including the historical society, have no idea what the foundations are from, but their place in the area lead to the story that one of these was Schaefers house and was the location where the evidence was found. Edison Restaurant to stay, but with renovations, Collier County School Board members plan to eliminate ideologies from classroom, Five people arrested after breaking into Cape Coral home, Wrongfully convicted man spends 22 years in prison, now lives in SWFL, Soccer fields torn apart by two dirt bikes, Replacing more than 50,000 tons of sand on Sanibel beaches washed away by Hurricane Ian, Miracle Monday: teen survives brain-eating amoeba, Woman arrested for threatening to kill Trump via menacing emails to FL school. Twin Paranormal make up wild theories that'll only cause - YouTube All the teeth fell out of the saw blade when they tried to cut it down with a two-man cross-cut saw. Thankfully, they both managed to escape, and then they reenacted the incident for his sentencing as shown below: Schaefer was killed in prison by a fellow inmate. More rumors circulated about how after the murder, satanic rituals were done at the tree. For many people in . More than 4 women were found near the tree in shallow graves. Here is one of the most famous haunted locations in Florida, called the Devils Tree. The man in question was named Gerard John Schaefer: a police officer (and later serial killer). The crimes were similar enough, and Schaefers rapidly deteriorating image was tainted enough, that he was brought in for questioning on the murders. The trees reputation began in January 1977 when two girls skeletons were found with nooses tied around their necks under the tree. And they dont mind telling you quickly why their best friend should be the one to die.. A father and son looking for aluminum cans came across the decomposed and dismembered bodies poking through the burial site. a:hover { The story begins on January 8, 1971, long before Hammock Park was built, when a serial killer sexually molested and mutilated two teenage girls and then hung them from the oak tree. Your email address will not be published. The tale begins in a most bloody and shocking manner when a serial killer sexually attacks and mutilates two teenage girls. The tree is now famous. In Port St. Lucie on canal C-24, there's beautiful 150-year-old oak tree located in Oak Hammock Park called the Devil's Tree. The Stories on this site are just the tip of the iceberg. They had escaped when he was called on his police radio, and after they had made their way to the police station, the very station he worked at, he claimed he had done all of it to scare them into never hitchhike again. Schaefer bound, gagged, raped, hanged, then buried 19 year olds Collette Goodenough, and Barbara Ann Wilcox at the Devils Tree. Evidence of attempts to set the tree on fire remain, but all were unsuccessful. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_John_Schaefer, https://www.history101.com/the-devils-tree-florida/, https://www.miamighostchronicles.com/the-devil-tree.html. Especially urban legends! DNA identifies remains of Florida teen who disappeared in 1972 Supposedly, years ago, two girls were raped and hung at this tree. Locals pass along stories of cold spots in certain areas of the park and the park ladys bathroom being haunted by the dead girls. The tree where Schaefer allegedly tortured and killed his victims is known in south Florida as the "Devil Tree." Authorities say Schaefer was implicated in up to 30 deaths. Being honest, though, I marked this down as goofy teens carving into a tree. Hes done extensive research on the tree as well as on Schaefer himself. A sadistic sex-beast by nature, Schaefer would lure young women off the roads with the help of his badge to rape, torture, mutilate and murder.. Just getting to it is spooky. Florida's First Serial Killer The story of the Devil Tree begins on January 8, 1971, way before Hammock Park - where the mighty oak now stands - was created. Schaefers actions, how many women he killed, how he killed them, what his motives were, are the sort of lies and blurry area serial killers often build around themselves after they are caught. In 1973, before the park or any houses were built in the area, the serial killer Gerard John Schaefer. It has been the site of numerous murders, bizarre sightings, and other strange activity. The tree is said to be tied to one of Florida's first serial killers, according to. I have heard of people feeling cold spots along the trails during the hottest days in July. When the city built the park, they decided to include nature trails, and they also made plans to cut down the tree to prevent local Satanists from holding ceremonies near the tree. The abandoned house at the end of the street that's haunted. --> Review of Oak Hammock Park Reviewed July 30, 2018 One school board member wants Collier County schools to denounce specific ideologies, and he plans to bring it up at the next board meeting. I have always been a fan of the spooky and abnormal. In Port St. Lucie there's a big oak in a county park on canal C-24 that has an evil reputation. Oak Hammock Park (Port Saint Lucie) - Tripadvisor . Freaky Florida: The Wonderhouse, the Devil's Tree, the Shaman of Philippe Park, and More (American Legends) Paperback - Box set, September 10, 2018 . as we go and explorer , an area where numerous horrible murders took place. text-decoration: none; text-decoration: none; More importantly, why was there a battle for the land between the town and a religious school which tried to use the area for their school. When the men came to cut down the tree with their chainsaws, their chainsaws malfunctioned. Schaefer was fond of killing two girls at the same time and did this on numerous occasions. Among the items found were fictional stories filled with details of unsolved murders, including the death of his former neighbor, personal effects and jewelry from crime scenes, and a torn ID and a book of poetry belonging to a. Former President Donald Trump plans to skip the first Republican Presidential Primary debate on Wednesday. On January 8, 1971 a cop by the name of Gerard John Schaefer finds two teenagers hitchhiking the town. Would You Willingly Buy A House That Was Supposedly Haunted? Satanists heard about the killings and chose the Devils Tree as a new sacrificial site and meeting place. The Devil's Tree is located in a corner of Oak Hammock Part in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and has been deeply rooted in the area since before there was even a park. The area is filled with ghost sightings. It felt so out of place and haunting that I found myself just staring at it. In Port St. Lucie, along Florida's east coast, there is said to be a place known as the Devil Tree. Take a step back though. A mighty oak, an ordinary tree, nothing to write home aboutexcept the fact that thing might as well growl and snatch up little old ladies and unsuspecting kids and gobble them up like a throwback from a Grimm Fairy tale. Located on a quiet stretch of road in the heart of the city, this tree has become a popular spot for paranormal enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike. 6) Evil Never Leaves The Devil's Tree. This oak tree is said to be owned by Devil himself, and is impossible to cut it down. THE DEVIL TREE ( Port Saint Lucie Florida) - YouTube What drives someone to kill? (unverified by https://urbanlegendsonline.com, this statement was part of the original, submitted email) For those of you with animals or small children. At the park of Whispering Pines, there is a commonly known tale of The Devil Tree. The tale begins in a most bloody and shocking manner when a. Easy to follow directions. MORE: For more information about his story, head to our sister station CBS12s website. Somehow, in spite of everything, Schaefer managed to post his bail and was released from prison. Keep in mind, this is a 100-degree, sunny morning in Florida, but where the tree is located, it is almost fully covered in its own shadow via its branches and surrounding trees. a:active { If someone gave you the opportunity to live, The Bird Cage Theater Tombstone The Bird Cage Theater in Tombstone, Arizona is known as the most iconic locationof the American Wild West. Many showing signs of having been tied or chained to a tree and violently abused. Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images/iStockphoto, This, however, is not the case. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. These figures, sometimes referred to as shadow people or shadowmen, are somewhat common in areas where there is heightened paranormal activity. The places themselves might even just be evil. } In 1966, the man tried to enter the priesthood; he was rejected because he lacked faith. Throughout the woods near the tree are the, This points at something perhaps tainted about the area. There's this place in Port Saint Lucie,Florida that's called The Devil's tree; You can google it but essentially its local lore that girls/nuns (there's different versions after it telephoned its way around) were raped and hung at this tree in a small forest, as well as satanic rituals being preformed at the base of this tree and in the woods as.

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