On November 26th 1980 John Welch checked into room 101 of the Swallow Hotel in Newcastle – but he would never check out.
Welch was found murdered in his room the same evening. Nothing had been taken, no weapon ever found. Half a cup of tea and a half-eaten sandwich next to his body.
After 40 years, the murder is still unsolved .
We also take a look at the Rendlesham Forest Incident, where aliens briefly invaded Suffolk, and the Southern Television Broadcast Interruption when Vrillon from Galactic Command commandeered children’s cartoons to warn viewers of a coming apocalypse. We’re genuinely surprised you don’t remember.
Along the way, we remember punk rock provocateur GG Allin and his unlikely role in “He’s All That”, Clarks Hardware and inflatable armchairs and Gareth is attacked with a melon.
You remember the 1993 sitcom The Lion and the Unicorn, right? You must do.
You can reach us on email everyonediesinsunderland@gmail.com, on Twitter at @everyonediespod, on Facebook and Instagram.
Everyone Dies in Sunderland explores some of the darkest moments of North East history, and includes jokes. These jokes will never be at the expense of victims or their families and will always be at the expense of people who deserve to be mocked, robbed of their power and shown up for the idiots they really are. If you’re easily offended or personally connected to the events we’re discussing though,you probably shouldn’t listen.
If anyone does have information that could help this or any other historic investigation then they can call police on 101 or report it anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Our theme music is the song “Steady Away” by Pete Dilley and can be found on his album Half-truths and Hearsay which you can/should buy/stream here:
https://petedilley.bandcamp.com/album/half-truths-and-hearsay