Christina Chilin lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories

Christina Chilin - Lists at Ranker

Lists for fans who can't get enough of that sweet, sweet T.C.

True Crime on Screen

Unspeakable Times

The items on this list aren't for the faint of heart, so grab a tissue box if you haven't seen them. Warning: Major spoilers ahead!

The Saddest True Crime Docs Out There

Film

Christina Chilin

Weird History

The crime genre is hugely popular these days, with countless movies and books to choose from - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-movies-based-on-true-crimes/mike-mcgranaghan">some less well-known</a> than others. Often when crime is mixed with a bit of horror and jump scares, it makes for engaging entertainment. The only thing to change that is when we learn that our entertainment may not be complete fiction.Some of the most compelling movies and books are actually based on true stories - and sometimes, the true stories are scarier than what we see on the screen. Read on to discover the true stories behind some of the most well-known crime stories out there. Be warned, though - major spoilers ahead!

13 Fictional Crimes We Didn't Realize Were Based On Real Events

General

Fictional Crimes We Never Knew Were Based On Actual Events

Unclaimed human remains and <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/unsolved-missing-persons-cases/patrick-thornton?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">unsolved missing persons cases</a> are among some of the most heartbreaking. Investigators often hit dead ends for years when they attempt to identify Jane and John Does. As forensic science evolves, however, more cases are solved, and more Jane and John Does are<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jane-and-john-does-identified/patrick-thornton"> identified.</a>In 2022, after these unknown victims were identified, their cases were either solved or investigators <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/true-crime-updates-2022/patrick-thornton">made immense progress</a>.

Jane And John Does Who Got Their Names Back In 2022

Jane And John Does Identified In 2022

Graveyard Shift

We often encounter stories <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weirdest-true-stories/patrick-thornton">far stranger</a> than anything film or TV can make up. While all true crime stories have a way of capturing the public's imagination, some have<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/bizarre-true-crime-twists/chrissy-rose"> twists and turns</a> that even the most skilled writers could not imagine. From huge plot twists to cases that prompt endless theorizing, these cases made us want to dive in deeper and find out more.The cases on the list below are complex, tragic, and at times straight-up bizarre. Read on to take a nosedive into what makes these cases so strange and unsettling.

14 True Crime Cases That Took Us Down A Rabbit Hole

Weirdest True Crime Cases That Sent Us Down Rabbit Holes

Las Vegas

Most people know a steady diet of burgers and fries isn't the healthiest of options, and over the years, certain menu items and the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-fast-food-founders/tracey-graham"> CEOs of fast food</a> chains have faced their fair share of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/burger-king-controversies/sonja-ska">controversies.</a> One burger joint, however, probably takes first place in the controversy department: the Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas.The restaurant's menu items do a lot more than just satisfy a cheat-day meal. In some cases, they've been the reason for a 911 call. For this and many other reasons, the restaurant's founder, Jon Basso, and his highly caloric meals at the Heart Attack Grill have found infamy.

The Heart Attack Grill In Las Vegas Says Its Burgers Are To Die For… Literally

All About The Heart Attack Grill In Las Vegas

Mysteries

History is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/unsolved-ancient-mysteries-from-around-the-world/jeffrichard">filled with unsolved mysteries</a> that don’t have a plausible explanation. This means the public’s imagination can run wild with theories of what the answers might be.&nbsp;While there is hope some of these mysteries might be solved, most likely won’t be, and they still haunt us to this day.

Unsettling Unsolved Mysteries From History That Make Us Sleep With The Lights On

Unsettling Unsolved Mysteries From History

History

History from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/creepy-true-stories-from-the-world/rosa-pasquarella">around the world</a> is filled with unsettling stories, and that uneasiness can easily turn to horror. What fuels this horror is often the fact that most of the atrocious things in human history have been caused by, unsurprisingly, humans.Read on to discover some of the most unsettling and tragic facts people have faced throughout time.

Unsettling Facts From History That Are Keeping Us Up At Night

Whoa Facts

Black history is full of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/claudette-colvin-true-story/quinn-armstrong">courageous</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/henry-box-brown-facts/amandasedlakhevener">brilliant individuals</a> who often don't get enough attention in history lessons in average classroom settings. However, Black history has shaped current society more than many people realize.This list features some of the most inspirational people and moments in Black history that made an impact we still see and feel today.&nbsp;

14 Little-Known Black History Facts That Changed Our Understanding Of The US

13 Little-Known Black History Facts That Changed Our Understanding Of The U.S.

Wholesome

Once in a while we'll hear stories about some of our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sweet-stories-about-nostalgic-actors-2021/mallory-weiler">favorite artists that make us like them even more.</a> The stories prove that some artists are just as great off-screen or stage as they are on it. Whether it's <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/inspiring-stories-of-actors-helping-actors/molly-weinfurter">helping out fellow actors </a>or standing up for social causes, these nice celebrity stories prove that fame and money don't necessarily change a person's core.The list below contains just a few accounts of some famous figures that are sure to make them more beloved than they already are. Let us know which of these heartwarming stories make your day a little brighter and make you stan a little harder.

Sweet Stories About Beloved Nostalgic Figures That Made Us Love Them Even More

Person

Heartwarming Stories About Beloved Nostalgic Figures

Sleep is something that&nbsp;everyone does&nbsp;and everyone needs. In fact, most people tend to enjoy it, and getting enough of it helps keep us healthy and mentally balanced. But what happens when something we need in order to survive becomes a source of terror in our lives? And what really happens when we dream?The truth is far stranger than we might think - mainly because there's so much about sleep and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/reddit-stories-dreams-that-came-true-premonitions/amandasedlakhevener">dreams </a>that remains unexplained. From nightmare disorders to the possibility of never waking up, the dream world has plenty of things that can keep us up at night.Vote up the facts about the dream world that creep you out the most.

Creepy Facts About Dreams That Kept Us Up At Night

Miniseries

True crime stories often have a way of catching the public's attention like no other stories can. Series like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/michelle-carter-case-things-you-didnt-know/jodi-smith ">Hulu's The Girl From Plainville </a>are big hits because they peel the layers away on cases that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weirdest-true-stories/patrick-thornton">seem too strange to be true.</a> This past spring Hulu added one more true crime tale to their ever-growing library.The series Candy premiered in May 2022 and is based on the true story behind the 1980 death of Betty Gore. A young mother and housewife, Betty was the last person anyone in the small town of Wylie, Texas believed would be the target of a vicious killing. Yet on June 13, 1980 Betty Gore was brutally slain by none other than another suburban housewife named Candace Montgomery. The subsequent trial that unfolded shocked a small town and left many feeling that, for Betty, justice wasn't served.&nbsp;

The True Story Behind 'Candy' And The Killing Of Betty Gore

The True Story Of The Candace 'Candy' Montgomery Case

Watchworthy

There's little doubt humankind is the number one <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-products-that-hurt-the-environment/nathan-gibson">threat to the wellbeing of the planet</a>. As humans evolve from one stage of civilization to the next, we force the world around us to change as well. This results in a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/worlds-most-endangered-foods/keshvaralikhani ">loss of plants,</a> animals, and even our own inventions.Ask yourselves when the last time you left a note in cursive was, or when you last saw a payphone. It might take a minute to recall that memory. The loss of pay phones and cursive writing may not have a huge impact on the world but some of the other things on this list surely will. Take a look below and let us know which of things you really wouldn't want to see go.&nbsp;

16 Things We Didn't Realize Are Disappearing

16 Things We Didn't Realize Are Dying Out

A closer look at mysterious disappearances that continue to baffle detectives.

Gone Missing

In 2011, the world came to know baby Lisa Irwin when the media began reporting every parent's worst nightmare: A 10-month-old had vanished from her crib in the middle of the night.&nbsp;Baby Lisa's parents went public to beg for her return, and an anonymous benefactor even offered a $100,000 reward. Yet more than 10 years after her disappearance, authorities still don't know what happened that night. Conflicting stories and timelines have led to various Lisa Irwin theories. Regardless, Lisa's family and those invested in her case still hold out hope for her safe return.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dean-and-tina-clouse/christina-chilin">Missing children have been found decades after</a> they initially went missing, which gives hope to those who continue to search for baby Lisa. Also, technological advances can lead to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/true-crime-updates-2022/patrick-thornton ">new information</a>. Read on to find out what we know about baby Lisa Irwin's disappearance and any updates on the case.&nbsp;

Baby Lisa Disappeared In The Middle Of The Night, And No One Can Figure Out What Happened

Behind Baby Lisa Irwin's 2011 Disappearance

Lists about seemingly innocent people who no one considered a danger or threat—until they got caught.

The Last Suspect

True Crime

When religious leaders commit crimes, the impact on their communities <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/kids-of-famous-cult-leaders-where-are-they-now/jacob-shelton">and families</a> tends to be especially painful. People place their trust and faith in religious institutions and the men and women who lead them, yet time and time again, we've seen people abuse that power for their often twisted gain.The last few years have seen <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/religious-documentaries-crime/christina-chilin ">an influx of documentaries </a>shedding light on some of the most horrifying examples of violence and crimes committed in the name of religion.This list showcases a few of the leaders of these religious movements that have been accused of committing grave crimes.

10 Religious Leaders Who Have Been Accused Of Crimes

Religious Leaders Who Have Been Accused Of Crimes

Crime Entertainment

For many, the intersection of crime and religion has long been a source of intrigue. Sometimes,<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-documentaries-about-cults/ranker-film "> </a>groups who find themselves in this intersection are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-documentaries-about-cults/ranker-film ">labeled as cults</a> and have a history of red flags that members ignore.While across the world, people practice a wide array of religions safely and peacefully, some of history's most atrocious crimes have been committed in the name of religion. Many people looking for salvation, community, and acceptance have instead found themselves lost in the web of an extreme religious group or cult that discourages freethinking.Today, thanks to streaming platforms like Netflix, we can all delve into true crime documentaries that expose the dark side of religion. These also include examples and warnings of what can happen when religious leaders take their beliefs to the extreme - and when their members willingly follow them <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-episodes-of-into-the-dark/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">into the dark</a>.

11 Dark Documentaries About Crime And Religion

Dark Documentaries About Crime And Religion

Any victim of a violent crime deserves justice. For some, unfortunately, not only do they never receive that justice, but their identities often remain a mystery. This is the case for Julie Doe, a transgender woman whose identity has remained a mystery for over three decades.While society at large may have generally come to accept the LGBTQ+ community,<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/ncvs-lgbt-violence-press-release/"> crimes against this group are still higher </a>when compared to non-LGBTQ+ persons. Transgender victims in particular face an uphill battle due to mis-gendering and investigators' general lack of knowledge about LGBTQ+ issues. Julie's case has grabbed the attention of many around the country, yet who she was and what happened to her remains a mystery. Read on to find out what we do know about her.

Who Was 'Julie Doe'? All About The Search To Identify A Murdered Trans Woman

Who Was "Julie Doe"? The Search To Identify A Murdered Trans Woman

Motorcycle clubs often bring to mind images of guns, drugs, bikes, and leather. From afar <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/life-of-bikers/philgibbons">their lives seem mysterious and full of danger</a>. The US has many motorcycle clubs all over the country, and most are harmless enough, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/biker-rules/nathan-gibson">with rules that denote what members can and can't do</a>. In general, it's believed 99% of these clubs are law-abiding groups of people brought together by a particular passion for riding. Unfortunately, that leaves 1% of clubs that aren't interested in following the rule of law.Out of the many motorcycle gangs in the US, few are as feared as the Pagans Motorcycle Club. The group has been causing mayhem and frustration for law enforcement since the mid-1960s. Read on to find out more about one of most notorious and deadly motorcycle gangs in America.&nbsp;

14 Facts About The Pagans Motorcycle Gang

Pagans Motorcycle Gang: 14 Facts About The Biker Outlaws

Musicians and artists often exude confidence and seemingly lead glamorous lives. This can often contrast the hardship and trauma many have faced in their personal lives. Biopics aim to create generally truthful accounts of an artist's life, though it isn't unusual for writers to overdramatize certain moments in order to create a more compelling narrative.&nbsp;There are some moments that don't need over-dramatization. Some artists really have had very dramatic, shocking, and sometimes even tragic moments shape their lives. The list below contains some of the most dramatic scenes in recent musical biopics, many of which seem made up - but definitely aren't.&nbsp;

Dramatic Scenes In Musical Biopics That Seem Made Up - But Aren't

Solving the mystery of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jane-and-john-does-identified/patrick-thornton ">who a Jane or John Doe is</a> can bring a sense of relief and closure to the victim's family, friends, and people invested in the case. Unfortunately, sometimes knowing who the victim is simply leads to more questions and frustration. This is the situation that arose for Harold Dean Clouse and Tina Gail Linn, a couple whose remains were found in the early '80s in Texas.&nbsp;For decades, the remains were unidentified, leaving authorities with no choice but to focus on higher priority cases. Hope to resolve the case, however, was reignited in 2011, thanks to genetic genealogy. The past decade has seen genetic genealogy resolve many cold cases and<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jane-does-identified/christina-chilin "> give the nameless their identities back.</a> Finding out the couple's identity solved one part of the case but opened up an entire new set of questions. Unknown to authorities, the couple had a baby daughter around 1 year of age when they were found dead. Another piece of the puzzle was answered in 2022, when <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/missing-baby-found-17230033.php">their daughter was found alive</a> after nearly 42 years.

The Missing Daughter Of This Jane And John Doe Was Found Alive After 42 Years 

The Missing Daughter Of A Jane And John Doe Was Finally Found

Lists about the pre-historic, ancient, medieval, olden, and not-that-long-ago days of medicine, when doctors made bizarre assumptions and prescribed totally insane treatments that made sense at the time...

We Didn't Know Any Better

Medicine

The history of medicine is long and full of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/bizarre-items-actually-used-as-medicine/robert-wabash ">bizarre concoctions</a>. Humans have stopped at nothing to find solutions to their ailments, which has led to questionable experiments, poisons used as medicines, and other <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-medical-practices/mike-rothschild">strange medical practices</a>.But to find treatments and cures, sometimes scientists have needed to experiment with dangerous and sometimes deadly compounds. You might be surprised to find that some toxic substances in history are still in use today.

12 Toxic Substances That Have Been Used As Medicine

Toxic Substances That Have Been Used As Medicine

For some investigators, nothing is quite as haunting as not being able to determine the identity of a John or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jane-does-identified/christina-chilin">Jane Doe. </a>Not knowing a victim's identity means they will not receive a proper burial, justice, or closure for their families. While some of these cases may remain unsolved, thanks to the hard work and perseverance of investigators, family members, genealogists, historians, and true crime sleuths, these people were finally able to get back their names and identities.It might be hard to wrap on mind around the fact that no one knew who these John Does were for decades. In many cases, the victims were found far from home, while in others, family and test friends believed (or were told) that their loved one had vanished of their own volition. In some historical cases, evidence was only able to be tested a century after the fact. While their stories ended tragically, thanks to advances in forensic science and genetic genealogy, these men have had their identities restored.&nbsp;

10 John Does Who Got Their Names Back Decades Later

John Does Who Got Their Names Back Decades Later

Death has been a subject of fear and fascination&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/bizarre-deaths-ancient-world/notable-famous-deaths">since ancient times.</a>&nbsp;The concept of our lives ending and not knowing what lies ahead, if there is anything at all, is enough to make most people uncomfortable.The only thing that is maybe more uncomfortable to talk about are the ways in which we pass on. While we all wish for a gentle and painless death, there are some&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/bizarre-21st-century-deaths/notable-famous-deaths">that are downright bizarre.&nbsp;</a>Read on to find out about some of the most <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/bizarre-21st-century-deaths/notable-famous-deaths?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">curious and unusual deaths</a> in history that, without a doubt, will have you thankful you weren’t in that person's shoes.&nbsp;

The Strangest Deaths In History That Made Us Glad That Wasn't Us

The Strangest And Most Unusual Deaths In History

Death

While many true crime cases from decades past remain unsolved, these tragedies are only compounded when <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jane-and-john-does-identified/patrick-thornton">a victim is unable to be identified</a>. Many families of John and Jane Does never have the closure of knowing what happened to a missing loved one, and victims' real names and stories remain unknown.&nbsp;Fortunately, however, we have come a long way in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-to-identify-a-mysterious-dead-body/jonathan-sherman">developing and using technology to identify victims</a> and give them the justice and recognition they deserve. Genealogical research, nonprofit organizations like the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dnadoeproject.org/">DNA Doe Project</a>, and even social media have changed everything and have helped crack hundreds of cases. Though some of these cases still have many unknowns, and continue to be investigated, these Jane Does finally had their real names returned decades later, proving that justice and closure can still be found even in the coldest of cases.

11 Jane Does Who Got Their Names Back Decades Later

Every song <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-songs-weird-back-stories/sean-kelly">has a backstory</a>. Some stories are happy, some sad, and others are something in between. The emotions that certain songs evoke are often what keep people replaying them. The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-songs-with-stick-in-the-title/ranker-music?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">songs that stick</a> at the top of the charts tend to be the ones that really manage to touch our emotions and stay with us long after we're done listening.&nbsp;While some songs are very obviously tragic, some are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/upbeat-songs-dark-lyrics/elle-tharp">deceptively upbeat</a>. We might be caught off guard when a song that we've been singing along to for years turns out to have a very different meaning than we thought. While the songs on this list have been popular for decades, many are unaware of the true story behind their lyrics. Read on to find out the not-so-happy backstories on some of the most popular and beloved songs of all time.&nbsp;

The Dark True Stories That Inspired 14
 Famous Songs

Song

Dark True Stories That Inspired Famous Songs

Music History

Many artists and creatives draw inspiration for their art from their personal lives, and musicians are certainly no exception. In many cases, some of their biggest hits were written about other people, who become immortalized in song, whether they like it or not. Sometimes the person turned inspiration is <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/songs-about-other-celebrities/matt-manser">another celebrity, </a>like in the case of Eric Clapton's song “Layla.” In other instances, the famous name from a song, like Sharona of “My Sharona,” is a regular person who leads an otherwise normal life.&nbsp;When singing along to many of these name-filled songs, we often don't even realize they are about actual people. From the love stories, to the humorous tales, to the darker inspirations, the people <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-songs-weird-back-stories/sean-kelly">behind these songs</a> turned out to be surprisingly real.

14 Famous Songs We Didn't Realize Were About Actual People

Famous Songs We Didn't Realize Were About Actual People

Pop Culture

Disco music, bell bottom jeans, Rocky Balboa, and Fleetwood Mac&rsquo;s Rumors album. It&rsquo;s hard to look at the 1970s and not feel some sort of appreciation. A lot of actors and musicians who <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/80s-heartthrob-facts-whoa/olivia-pasquarelli" target="_blank">still have an impact</a> on today&rsquo;s entertainment began their careers back then. While <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-facts-90s-heartthrobs/elle-tharp" target="_blank">younger generations</a> may be hard pressed to recognize the pictures of some 1970s actors in their heyday, they&rsquo;re definitely worth a peek. Not only did their looks spark a fire in many hearts, but sometimes their bold&nbsp;temperaments were just as fiery. Here are just a few freaky-deaky stories about 1970s hunks that even huge fans might not know.

15 Things We Never Knew About 1970s Heartthrobs

Things We Never Knew About 1970s Heartthrobs

Language

Nothing is quite as memorable as the sting of an&nbsp;insult. Whether between friends or between enemies, some&nbsp;shady comments are so outlandish that it's easy to think that <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-clapbacks-that-sound-fake-but-are-true/melissa-sartore">they're completely made up.</a>&nbsp;These insults prove that some people truly have the gift of wit and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/savage-history-quotes/melissa-sartore">savagery</a>&nbsp;while others can only try and hide so as to not be the target. If you've ever been the target of a savage sting, then you'll know what that means. On the other hand, if you are the one delivering these cuts then hopefully whoever it's aimed at deserves it.While some comments are only enough to make us laugh and move on, there are others&nbsp;that are able to transcend time and continue to sting even today. So take a look at some of the most savage comments made throughout history and let us know which ones still make you flinch.&nbsp;

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