logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
28m 10s

Ep. 54 | Root of All Evil

Wondery | Ballen Studios
About this episode

Doctors were sure they could help a man who was suffering from severe swelling in his spine. But nothing worked, and as the man slipped away, doctors could only scratch their heads. They had no way of knowing the problem was far worse than any of them imagined. 


Follow MrBallen's Medical Mysteries on Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes publish for free every Tuesday. Prime members can binge episodes 49-56 early and ad-free on Amazon Music.


Wondery+ subscribers can listen ad-free--join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Sep 11
Fan Favorite | Darkness in Donora
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.In the 1940s, the people of Don ... Show More
29m 12s
Sep 9
Fan Favorite | Culture Clash
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.When a quiet town in Oregon is ... Show More
31m 22s
Sep 4
Fan Favorite | The Carancas Curse
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.In September 2007, a meteor str ... Show More
30m 36s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
The Butcher’s Block | 3
Charlie excels at her new job, which has devastating consequences for two women who pay the price. And one of them won’t let Charlie get away with it. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are some resources:The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can ... Show More
32m 42s
Sep 15
Medical Mysteries - "17 Doctors"
This story is a fan favorite from MrBallen's Medical Mysteries.During the COVID pandemic, a boy starts experiencing sudden, inexplicable bursts of pain. At first, his symptoms seem psychological – but then doctors say he may need brain surgery to fix the problem. That’s when the ... Show More
21m 40s
Feb 2025
Ask Me Anything! | Bonus Episode
Surprise! In this special AMA episode, I’m answering your burning questions about true crime, podcasting, and everything in between. From the cases that haunt me most to the behind-the-scenes of creating True Crime Cases with Lanie, nothing is off-limits! Plus, I’m sharing my sec ... Show More
27m 26s
Sep 7
True Crime This Week: Unsolved Murders
In 1980, Roger Atkison and Rose Burkert were found bludgeoned in an Iowa motel room: no forced entry, no suspects, and a message scrawled on the mirror. And in 1943, rising Hollywood actor David Bacon was stabbed mid-drive, bleeding out as his car idled on a quiet LA street. "Tru ... Show More
45m 34s
Aug 11
SERIAL KILLER: "The Killer Boy" Pt. 1
In the 1870s, a wave of brutal attacks rocked Boston. The shocking culprit? A 12-year-old boy named Jesse Pomeroy. In Part 1, we examine the origins of his violent behavior—from childhood trauma to disturbing fantasies—and the warning signs that signaled a killer was emerging. Ki ... Show More
44m 4s
Aug 4
True Crime This Week: Crimes of Passion
What happens when love turns lethal? This episode explores two unforgettable crimes of passion: the brutal 1892 axe murders that made Lizzie Borden a household name, and the 2013 murder of Jennifer Alfonso—photographed and posted on Facebook by her own husband. Two cases, a centu ... Show More
41m 55s
Jan 2025
A look back...
The Missing released its first episode in December 2020. In the four years since, we’ve covered more than seventy missing person cases, across the UK and Ireland. In the course of our work, we’ve spoken to hundreds of people, whose brave and unvarnished testimonies have shone a l ... Show More
52m 49s
Aug 15
Doctor’s Orders | 3. Dirty and Scummy
While detectives are investigating Juliana’s murder, they stumble upon a whole other web of crimes occurring all over Southern California, involving, they say, botched surgeries, fake doctors, and fraud to the tune of $150 million. Doctor’s Orders is produced by Western Sound for ... Show More
40m 7s
Mar 2025
Negotiation with the Devil | 5
Charlie finally has a plan to save her brothers from the scam factory when she gets a chilling phone call. Now, she must race to rescue them before it’s too late.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wonder ... Show More
28m 32s
Aug 18
MURDEROUS MINDS: The Killer Step-Brother Pt. 1
When Becky Watts vanished, her family begged the public for help. But no one expected her stepbrother could be the culprit. In Part 1, we uncover the disturbing psychology of Nathan Matthews—his fixation on control, violent fantasies, and the moment that obsession turned deadly.K ... Show More
44m 56s