Under Fear’s Spell: Witchcraft and Murder in Southern Utah

The true story of Mary Parker’s murder, the man they said she bewitched, and the fear that haunted Southern Utah.

This episode of What Once Was unravels one of Southern Utah’s most chilling frontier murders: the killing of Mary Parker in 1880 just outside of what would later become Zion National Park.

This story covers the rumors of witchcraft that surrounded her, and the trial of the man accused of her death. Through historical newspapers, family records, and Mormon folklore, we explore how fear, faith, and superstition collided in these small desert towns along the Virgin River and impacted the towns of Rockville and Springdale.

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The stories I share are based on old records, newspapers, local legends, and oral histories. While I do my best to tell them truthfully, some details may be lost to time.

Please remember—many of the places we mention are on private land. Don’t trespass or go exploring without permission. Let’s keep history alive without disturbing what’s left of it.

Intro music is "A Calm Hellfire" by the Wayward Hearts