Northeast
Facing Maryland murderer who believed cellmate was Jesus was ‘like sitting with Satan’: former investigator
Lou Luciano has sat face-to-face with “pure evil” – and he hopes to never do it again.
“My work has taken me to every hole you can imagine in North Africa, East Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, you name it,” the retired FBI special agent told Fox News Digital. “I was around some of the most evil people on the planet. But this guy takes the cake. He is an aberration of humanity. He does not belong here.”
“It’s like sitting with Satan,” Luciano added.
‘GIRL ON THE MILK CARTON’ KILLER, FAILED GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE A ‘MONSTER’ WHO ‘TAUNTED’ COPS: DETECTIVE
Hadden Clark is the subject of a new true-crime docuseries, “Born Evil: The Serial Killer and the Savior.” (Investigation Discovery)
Maryland murderer Hadden Clark is the subject of a new Michael Bay docuseries on Investigation Discovery (ID), “Born Evil: The Serial Killer and the Savior.” It explores how the 72-year-old made shocking confessions to his cellmate, Jack Truitt, whom he believed was Jesus, which sent investigators on a search to solve cold cases linked to him.
“Born Evil” is Hollywood director Michael Bay’s first true-crime docuseries. (Investigation Discovery)
It features new interviews with Truitt, Clark’s brother Geoff Clark, loved ones of the victims, as well as others closely connected to the case.
Luciano, who took on the case in the 1990s, spoke out in the docuseries. He vividly remembers encountering “The Cross-Dressing Cannibal Killer,” as Clark was later coined.
Hadden Clark is currently serving two 30-year sentences in Maryland. (Investigation Discovery)
“I instantly noticed those ice-blue eyes,” said Luciano. “He’s soulless. You can feel evil brewing out of this guy. You feel right away that he’s a manipulator. The chief said, ‘If he ever gets out, we’ve got to put him on the ground.’ That’s exactly how I felt.
“When I saw this guy, my immediate reaction was to take out my gun, put it against his temple and pull the trigger. When you are in the presence of this guy, it’s just a negative aura of evil. It just emanates from him.”
Hadden Clark, seen here with his father, is a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic, retired FBI special agent Lou Luciano told Fox News Digital. (Investigation Discovery)
The docuseries revealed how Clark, a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic, began exhibiting strange behavior as a child. His brother recalled how Clark once rammed him with a bike and watched him bleed profusely from his head.
Their mother insisted that a bad forceps delivery, which caused a head injury, was to blame for Clark’s actions growing up. Doctors believed he had brain damage.
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Hadden Clark had a seemingly idyllic childhood, but things were different behind closed doors. (Investigation Discovery)
Growing up, Clark dissected animals and was bullied by other children. His parents, both reported as alcoholics, physically fought in front of him and his siblings. He was also caught wearing women’s clothing.
As an adult, Clark attended the Culinary Institute of America, but could not keep a job. Horrified co-workers once caught him chugging beef blood.
It was only the beginning.
Geoffrey Clark, Hadden Clark’s brother, spoke out in the docuseries. (Investigation Discovery)
“Hadden Clark has an incredibly explosive… vengeful temper when he doesn’t get his way,” Luciano explained. “He lashes out whenever there’s a weaker person in his grasp.”
Michele Dorr was killed in 1986. She was 6 years old. (Investigation Discovery)
On May 31, 1986, Michele Dorr had been staying with her father, Carl Dorr, whose home was near Geoff’s, where Clark had been staying at the time. She was last seen wearing a pink and white polka-dot bathing suit, heading to a pool in the backyard.
On that day, the 6-year-old disappeared. Carl, who had been going through a nasty divorce with his ex-wife, was initially viewed as the prime suspect.
The Clark brothers are seen here with their mother. (Investigation Discovery)
Clark later admitted that he killed the child and drank her blood. In 1999, he was found guilty of killing Dorr.
The docuseries revealed how Clark told Truitt he knew where Dorr’s body was. In 2000, he led police to the woods where her remains were found.
Over the years, Clark made hundreds of artworks that seemed to depict his crimes.
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Hadden Clark detailed his heinous crimes to his former cellmate Jack Truitt, pictured here. Clark believed Truitt was Jesus. (Investigation Discovery)
“His drawings are mostly women and landscapes, maps,” said Luciano. “They almost look like postcards, like ‘Wish you were here so I could kill you.’ I’m featured in some of it… But it’s always wide-eyed girls with blue eyes.”
Hadden Clark worked as a gardener and handyman for Laura Houghteling’s mother, Penny. (Investigation Discovery)
In 1992, Laura Houghteling vanished from her home. At the time, Clark was working as a gardener for the 23-year-old’s mother.
A bloody fingerprint on the Harvard graduate’s pillowcase zeroed in on Clark. He led police to her shallow grave in 1993 after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, the Washington Post reported.
The docuseries said that Houghteling’s mother, Penny, showed kindness to Clark. However, when Penny’s daughter returned home from school, his demeanor changed.
Laura Houghteling was murdered in 1992. She was 23. (Investigation Discovery)
“Penny starts giving attention and affection to her daughter… she’s now the main focus,” said Luciano. “Clark didn’t take that rejection well at all. His immediate reaction was to lash out… and kill Laura.”
Clark insisted that his alter ego, Kristen Bluefin, was responsible for the slayings.
Hadden Clark said that his alter ego, Kristen Bluefin, was responsible for the slayings. (Investigation Discovery)
“When we interviewed him, he sometimes thought he was Kristen,” said Luciano. “He would wear a wig. He also had other personalities… all of his alter egos were women. And at his campsite, he had women’s clothes there. He would wear women’s clothes. But he loved the attention. He loved people looking at him.”
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Bradfield Clark has been behind bars since 1985. (Investigation Discovery)
Murder seemed to run in Clark’s family. His brother, Bradfield Clark, has been behind bars since 1985. He killed his co-worker, Patricia Mak, after inviting her to dinner. He later cooked and ate some of her body parts.
In 1984, Bradfield Clark murdered Patricia “Trish” Mak. (Investigation Discovery)
Luciano credited Truitt for helping investigators bring closure to the grieving loved ones.
“When Hadden started confessing to Jack because he thought he was Jesus, Jack was like, ‘Man, this guy’s talking about killing, gutting and cannibalizing little kids and cutting the throats of women,’” said Luciano.
“Jack did this at great risk… being locked up in a correctional institution. Calling the police can make a very bad entry to your health record while you’re behind bars. But Jack picked up the phone and made that call.”
Jack Truitt is seen here at home with his wife Jackie Truitt. (Investigation Discovery)
“Never once did I hear Jack utter, ‘If I help you guys, you’re going to help me get out of here, right? I’ve been down here now for some 30-odd years,’” Luciano continued. “He never once asked for anything. He never asked for consideration. He never asked for special favors. And Jack’s a tough guy. He was a big-time shotcaller in the system. He wasn’t a guy to be messed with. Today he’s one-eighth of the guy he was. But I have great respect for him.”
A young Jack Truitt after his arrest. (Investigation Discovery)
Luciano said you can never rule out the possibility that there are more victims out there.
“Hadden Clark is a spoiled brat,” he said. “When he doesn’t get his way, he doesn’t want attention. Then he gets angry… Hadden’s not a guy who does anything for free or out of the goodness of his heart. If he’s craving attention, he’ll do something to get it… Never say never, but I don’t see Hadden Clark as a deathbed confession kind of guy.”
It is unknown if Hadden Clark has killed other victims. (Investigation Discovery)
Luciano hopes the docuseries will show the tireless work of law enforcement eager to solve cold cases, but it also serves as a warning to women, he said.
Laura Houghteling’s friend is seen here looking at her childhood home. (Investigation Discovery)
“Never let your guard down,” said Luciano. “You never know where the next Hadden Clark is lurking right around the corner. Whether he was dropped on his head at birth, he’s just mentally sick, or claims that his father did all of these things to him, whatever it is, it doesn’t matter to the potential victims out there.”
“Born Evil: The Serial Killer and the Savior” premieres Sept. 2 at 9 p.m.
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New Hampshire residents are being encouraged to check their voter registration status ahead of upcoming elections, according to information provided by the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire.
Any U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old and resides in the state has the constitutional right to vote. However, residents who have moved, changed their name or not voted recently may need to re-register. Even those who believe they are registered are advised to confirm their status, as voters can occasionally be removed from rolls without notice.
Voters can check their registration by visiting their local town or city clerk’s office or by using the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s online voter information lookup tool.
Under updated procedures effective June 2, 2026, residents may register to vote either in advance at their clerk’s office or on Election Day at their polling place. New Hampshire does not offer online voter registration.
To register, voters must provide proof of identity, age, residency and citizenship, such as a driver’s license, passport, utility bill or birth certificate.
When voting in person, a government-issued photo ID is required. Absentee voting remains available for those unable to appear at the polls due to illness, disability, work obligations, travel or religious reasons, though additional identification requirements for absentee ballots have been in place since 2025.
The League of Women Voters encourages residents to verify their registration early to avoid delays or complications on Election Day.
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No One Walks Alone: NJ abortion clinic escorts talk about their why
A new documentary shows how clinic escorts make a difference for those visiting reproductive care centers, often flanked by anti-abortion protesters.
Anne-Marie Caruso, NorthJersey.com
In a rare unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a New Jersey-based anti-abortion group on Wednesday, April 29 in its efforts to challenge a subpoena by the state Attorney General’s Office to disclose donor information.
The nine justices ruled that the subpoena violated the First Amendment rights of First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, since the court has long held that disclosing affiliation with an advocacy group could be a restraint on the freedom of association.
The conflict dates back to 2023 when Matt Platkin, New Jersey’s attorney general at the time, opened an investigation into First Choice, a religious nonprofit organization that has provided counseling and resources to pregnant women in New Jersey since 1985. It does not perform or refer pregnant women for abortions, according to its website.
Story continues below photo gallery
Among the documents demanded in a subpoena were the names, phone numbers, addresses, and places of employment of donors.
First Choice, which has locations in Montclair, Morristown, Newark and Jersey City, filed a lawsuit in federal court to prevent investigators from receiving donor information, arguing that it would discourage donors from associating with it by removing their anonymity.
Both a lower court and appellate court dismissed First Choice’s lawsuit, but the Supreme Court decided in June of 2025 to hear the case.
Platkin defended his subpoena
Platkin defended his decision last year, saying his office issued a “lawful subpoena in November 2023 to ensure that First Choice was complying with all relevant state laws.
“Non-profits, including crisis pregnancy centers, may not deceive or defraud residents in our state, and we may exercise our traditional investigative authority to ensure that they are not doing so — as we do to protect New Jerseyans from a range of harms,” he said in the statement.
Crisis pregnancy centers provide services to pregnant women with the goal of dissuading them from having an abortion. Such centers often do not clearly advertise their anti-abortion stance, and abortion rights advocates have called them deceptive.
The backdrop to this case is the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision that overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide. It effectively allowed state legislatures to decide whether to outlaw abortions.
Not long after, Platkin’s office issued a consumer alert that warned the public that crisis pregnancy centers do not provide abortions and noted that such facilities “may also provide false or misleading information about abortion.” A year later the subpoena was issued.
But the question of whether the facilities acted deceptively was not before the Supreme Court. Rather, the case explored whether First Choice has the legal basis to bring a constitutional challenge to the subpoena in federal court, or if it must continue litigating the matter in state court, where the case is ongoing.
Among those celebrating the decision was the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, which said groups like First Choice should be able to challenge subpoenas that may be used to target them because of their stances on social issues.
“It is crucial for advocacy organizations — wherever they fall on the political spectrum — to have a legal path to fight retaliatory conduct by government officials,” Jeanne LoCicero, legal director of the group, said in a statement.
This article contains information from Reuters.
Take a virtual ride on ‘Wildcat’s Revenge,’ set to debut at Hersheypark
Hersheypark will have a hybrid roller coaster. A new steel track has been added to the existing wooden framework, the company announced Wednesday.
York Daily Record
Pennsylvania is one of the top places in the country for theme parks and water parks, according to USA TODAY readers, and all the best attractions are just close enough to South Central Pennsylvania for a day trip.
Seventeen of the winners in USA TODAY’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Theme Parks and Water Parks are in Pennsylvania. There are 18 if you include Great Wolf Lodge, which has a location in the Poconos.
With 24 winners, only Florida tops the Keystone State with top-10 attractions. No other state comes close to the top two.
But how do you measure which is the best? Florida has the most attractions on the list, but Pennsylvania is home to the most No. 1’s (roller coaster, water slide, theme park hotel, theme park restaurant). Florida attractions don’t even top a single category, and both states are missing from two categories.
Here are the Pennsylvania attractions that won USAT’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Theme Parks and Water Parks. Start planning that day trip — we included each attraction’s travel distance from Chambersburg.
No. 5: Splash Lagoon, located in Erie, is a Polynesia-themed indoor water park that is home to one of the biggest indoor wave pools in the Eastern U.S. It also features nine water slides — in one tube, slides can go as fast as 40 mph — as well as on-site restaurants, bars and shops. Distance from Chambersburg: 277 miles; about 4 hours, 23 minutes
No. 8: Aquatopia Indoor Water Park, located at Camelback Resort, Tannersville (the Poconos), boasts seven pools, 13 slides, an adventure river, a water play structure with gadgets and interactive elements. Thrill-seekers will love Storm Chaser, one of the longest indoor uphill water coasters in North America. The 125,000-square-foot indoor park has a transparent roof, so indoor guests can work on their tan no matter the season. Distance from Chambersburg: 175 miles; about 2 hours, 55 minutes.
Best Lazy River: Runaway River, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom
No. 10: Runaway River at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown is a relatively serene, meandering float. Riders can enjoy fun elements like mushroom rain umbrella fountains, cascading waterfalls and surprising blowholes. The course is made up of a nice balance of peaceful stretches and sections of gentle rapids, so the ride is both relaxing and entertaining. Distance from Chambersburg: 130 miles; about 2 hours
Best Roller Coaster: Phoenix at Knoebels, Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood, Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer and Water World, Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark
No. 1: The Phoenix at Knoebels, Elysburg, is a classic wooden roller coaster that proves that newer, taller and faster aren’t always better. Phoenix offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills, as well as thrills in the form of a double out-and-back layout and speeds of 45 miles per hour. Distance from Chambersburg: 121 miles; about 2 hours
No. 2: Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood, West Mifflin, features a 3,365-foot-long track that brings visitors frighteningly close to another of the park’s coasters, Thunderbolt. A hair-raising highlight is the ride’s second drop — a 232-foot thriller at 85 miles per hour. Distance from Chambersburg: 148 miles; about 2 hours, 40 minutes
No. 5: Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer and Water World, Erie, is the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Pennsylvania, featuring an exhilarating 120-foot first drop and a top speed of 60 miles per hour. The coaster crosses over Pennsylvania Route 832 via a huge bridge, mimicking the path of the original Ravine Flyer from 1922. This hybrid coaster boasts airtime hills, tunnels and a 90-degree banked turn, delivering a relentless and thrilling ride. Distance from Chambersburg: 282 miles; about 4 and a half hours
No. 10: Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark, Hershey, mixes past and present. Hersheypark added steel to an existing wooden track to come up with an entirely new hybrid ride that opened in 2023. This coaster climbs to the dizzying height of 140 feet, hits 62 miles per hour, and takes riders through four inversions and an 82-degree drop. The coaster also boasts the world’s largest underflip inversion for even more thrills. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes
Best Theme Park: Knoebels, Kennywood, Hersheypark
No. 2: Knoebels, Elysburg, is a vintage amusement park in Pennsylvania’s coal country. The rare amusement park that’s still free to enter (rides require old-school tickets), Knoebels is home to Phoenix, one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the United States. And it’s a virtual museum of still-operating classic rides like Whipper, Flying Turns and the Haunted Mansion dark ride. Add in some modern thrills and water rides, and you have the perfect mix for a relaxed yet thrilling day in the park. Distance from Chambersburg: 121 miles; about 2 hours
No. 4: Kennywood, West Mifflin, brings history and iconic rides together in one place. Witness over 120 years of innovation in classic favorites that include wooden roller coasters like the side-by-side Racer, the intense Thunderbolt and the circa-1920 Jack Rabbit. Plus, there’s an unmatched collection of dark rides like the Old Mill and the last-of-its-kind Noah’s Ark, as well as modern thrill rides like the Steel Curtain coaster. Distance from Chambersburg: 148 miles; about 2 hours, 40 minutes
No. 10: Hersheypark, Hershey, is the amusement park of every chocolate lover’s dreams. Hersheypark features 121 acres with more than 70 rides (including 15 coasters), a water park and an 11-acre zoo — all accessible via a single admission. Wildcat’s Revenge, the first hybrid coaster manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction in Pennsylvania, boasts four inversions, including the world’s largest underflip. Candymonium — the park’s tallest, fastest and longest hyper coaster — debuted in 2020. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes
No. 1: The Hotel Hershey in Hershey provides a sweet spot to lay your head, whether you’re in town to take the Hershey’s Chocolate factory tour, check out Hersheypark or you’re just in the mood for a little pampering with a cocoa-infused spa treatment. A member of Historic Hotels of America, the four-star Hotel Hershey is an elegant retreat and offers a wide range of sports and recreation facilities where you can work off all those tasty treats, including a fitness center, golf, tennis, hiking trails and a pool with waterslides. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes
No. 1: The Alamo at Knoebels, Elysburg, is as friendly to the pocketbook at it is to families. The menu at this eatery, located on the park’s main boulevard, includes everything from hamburgers and hotdogs to heartier options like deep-fried crab cakes, chicken and waffles, and spaghetti and meatballs. Distance from Chambersburg: 121 miles; about 2 hours
Best Water Coaster: Storm Chaser at Aquatopia, Breakers Edge at Hersheypark’s Boardwalk
No. 6: Storm Chaser at Aquatopia Indoor Water Park, Tannersville (in the Poconos), is one of the longest indoor uphill water coasters on the continent. The ride features five steep plummets and loads of twists, turns and blasts. Guests can ride solo, but Aquatopia recommends riding the coaster in pairs for maximum fun. Distance from Chambersburg: 175 miles; about 2 hours, 55 minutes.
No. 8: Breakers Edge Water Coaster at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark, Hershey, is a fast-paced, hydromagnetic water coaster that launches four-person rafts through a series of exhilarating drops, high-speed tunnels and uphill climbs powered by linear induction motors. Riders experience airtime, g-force curves, tunnels, saucers and lots of splashes. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes
No. 1: VR Waterslide at Kalahari Resorts, Pocono Manor, brings virtual reality to water slides. Choose from a safari adventure, space exploration or a dragon experience, then get ready to slide on down for 40 seconds of thrills that will have you feeling out of this world. Distance from Chambersburg: 175 miles; about 2 hours, 45 minutes
Best Wave Pool: The Shore at Hersheypark’s Boardwalk, Wave Pool at Dorney Park’s Wildwater Kingdom
No. 6: The Shore at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, Hershey, is a 378,000-gallon wave pool that is the perfect place to cool off in the summertime with your entire crew. Lounge in the shallow end, or venture into the waves in the 6-foot deep end — the choice is yours! Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutesNo. 10: The Wave Pool at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown, holds over 560,000 gallons of water and is as large as a football field. With depths ranging from 0 to 6 feet, you’ll enjoy waves on a five-minute on, five-minute off cycle so you can enjoy some excitement and then some downtime under the sun. Distance from Chambersburg: 130 miles; about 2 hours
Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.
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