427: The 1949 Exorcism That Inspired "The Exorcist" w/ Troy Taylor

In 1949, a quiet neighborhood in St. Louis became the center of one of the most controversial religious cases in American history. A 13-year-old boy began exhibiting disturbing symptoms including violent outbursts, strange markings on his body, and other troubling episodes, leading Catholic priests to perform a series of secret exorcism rites. The case would later inspire The Exorcist, but the real story was far more complex than the film. My guest is Troy Taylor, author of The Devil Came to St. Louis: The Uncensored True Story of the 1949 Exorcism, who takes a careful look at the case, its origins, and how fact, faith, and folklore became intertwined in one of America’s most enduring mysteries. The author's website: Become a Most Notorious Patron here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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427: The 1949 Exorcism That Inspired "The Exorcist" w/ Troy Taylor is an episode from Most Notorious! A True Crime History Podcast by Erik Rivenes.

This episode is 76:22 long.

This episode was published on Feb 24, 2026.

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