The Mantawauk Caves

He was pulled beneath a speeding train… and awakened to something beyond this world.

David Ditchfield was saying goodbye to a friend when his coat became trapped in the closing doors of a train. He was dragged under the moving cars, suffering massive trauma and blood loss. As surgeons fought to save his life, David left his body—and entered another realm entirely.

In his near-death experience, David encountered guides who enveloped him in peace, love, and a sense of cosmic belonging. When he returned, everything had changed. Despite having no formal training in art or music, he began composing symphonies and painting vivid works inspired by what he saw on the other side.

This episode explores the mystery of where creativity comes from, and how a brush with death can awaken something extraordinary within us.

Story producer: Kate Sweeney.

For more on David and his symphony, you can read his book, “Shine On: The Remarkable Story Of How I Fell Under A Speeding Train, Journeyed To The Afterlife, And The Astonishing Proof I Brought Back With Me”

Or visit David’s Website, and check out his social medial links:
David on Instagram
David on Threads
David on YouTube
David on Facebook
David on SoundCloud
David on X

Warning: This series contains graphic descriptions of trauma, violence, abuse, and other content that may not be suitable for certain listeners.

* If you have a transformative experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at [email protected] 

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James Fincher’s time on death row has been anything but routine. Julien receives a warning. Ominous forces are closing in, and time is running out to stop Fincher’s execution.

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Julien struggles to connect the dots between the Hadley murders and the dark history of the caves. His investigation takes him back to the Fowler estate, where he meets unexpected visitors and discovers a new lead.

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Despite the worsening nightmares and blackouts, Julien continues his investigation, connecting the dots between James Fincher’s fascination with the Mantawauk Caves and their disturbing history. The true identity of James Fincher’s nephew is revealed.

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With the help of Jill Campbel, a mitigation specialist working on Fincher’s case, Julien acquires logs from the Hadley brother’s murder investigation and picks up a mysterious trail left by Detective Solomon Smith. He soon realizes he's up against more than he bargained for.

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Series Premiere. When Julien Solas receives word that James Fincher’s execution date has been set, he returns to Mantawauk County after 14 years to reconcile his past and uncover the truth behind the killings of two teenage boys.

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Lera Lynn once again entices the listener into her dark, twisted indie rock world with her new composition “A Killer Inside,” The Mantawauk Caves anthem. With echoes of her work from True Detective, “A Killer Inside” seduces the listener to the macabre with its strikingly arranged strings, driving drums, and Lynn’s signature electric guitar. Each spin of the song reveals new twists in melody and meaning.

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Julien Solas, an aspiring writer, returns home to save his friend, James Fincher, from a death sentence fourteen years after he was convicted for the gruesome murder of two teenage boys. As Julien digs into the past, uncovering dark truths about himself and his family, he must work through his own psychosis while trying to uncover the mystery behind what happened in the caves of Mantawauk County. Jonathan Tucker (Westworld) and Edi Gathegi (The Harder They Fall) star in this original, immersive audio experience that weaves together the narrative threads of social drama, supernatural horror, and psychological thriller.

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