What are the elements that make the most infamous ghost stories so scary in the most infamous ghost stories?

One of the most infamous ghost stories is that of the Bell Witch in Tennessee. It's said to have tormented the Bell family in the early 19th century. There were strange noises, physical attacks on family members, and even the witch was said to communicate with the family. Another is the Amityville Horror. The Lutz family claimed to experience all kinds of terrifying paranormal events after moving into the house where a mass murder had occurred. Things like doors slamming on their own, cold spots, and apparitions.

The unknown factor makes them terrifying. In many of these stories, like 'The Black Shuck' (a spectral black dog), we don't really know what the creature is or what it wants. It's this lack of understanding that sends chills down our spines.

One of the scariest ghost stories is 'The Bell Witch'. It's about a malevolent spirit that haunted the Bell family in Tennessee. There were strange noises, physical attacks on family members, and the entity would even speak to them. Another is 'The Conjuring' case. The real - life story of the Perron family's encounters with a dark presence in their farmhouse is truly terrifying. Items moving on their own, apparitions, and a sense of overwhelming dread.

The historical context. Many mysterious ghost stories are set in a certain historical period. For instance, the Tower of London has numerous ghost stories. These stories are often related to the historical events that took place there, like executions. The combination of history and the supernatural makes the stories more appealing. It gives a sense of connection to the past and makes us imagine what it was like to be in those situations with the added element of the paranormal.

The setting plays a crucial role. Take 'The Amityville Horror' for example. A large, old, and isolated house provides the perfect backdrop for a scary story. The creaking floors, dark hallways, and the feeling of being alone in such a place add to the fear.

One of the top carnage stories is the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. In 1572, thousands of Huguenots (French Protestants) were brutally killed in Paris and across France. It was a violent outburst of religious intolerance. Another could be the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, where around 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered in a 100 - day period. It was a tragic event that left the country in ruins.

One of the most infamous is the Richard Kuklinski case. He was a cold - blooded killer who used various methods to kill his targets. Another is the story of 'The Boston Strangler', Albert DeSalvo. Although not a traditional contract killer in the sense that he was paid for each kill, he was involved in multiple murders. And then there's the case of John List, who killed his entire family and had some aspects that resembled a contract - like killing in terms of premeditation and secrecy.

The unknown is a big factor. In true ghost stories, we don't really know what the entity is or what it wants. For example, in the story of the Enfield Poltergeist, the strange noises, moving furniture, and the children's claims of being attacked by an unseen force were terrifying because no one could fully explain it. It creates a sense of unease and fear of the unknown.

A really well - known scary story is 'The Girl with the Green Ribbon'. There was a girl who always wore a green ribbon around her neck. She refused to take it off, and when finally it was removed, her head fell off. It's a spooky tale that plays on the mystery of the unknown and our natural fear of the grotesque.

One element is the sense of the unknown. In true ghost stories, we don't fully understand what the entity is or what it wants. For example, in the Amityville Horror, the family didn't know why they were being haunted. Another is the historical context. If the haunting is related to a tragic event like in the Tower of London, it adds to the scariness. The thought of the ghosts of those who suffered still lingering.