In the latest episode of Mysterious Universe, hosts Benjamin Grundy and Aaron Wright explore fascinating paranormal phenomena from around the world. The episode delves into the chilling tale of an antique screen that serves as a potential gateway to hell. After purchasing what she thought was a beautiful privacy screen from a persistent salesman, a woman discovers she received a different item altogether—one with sinister properties that the seller was desperately trying to offload.

The episode also features discussion of Stanley Milford Jr.'s new book "The Paranormal Ranger," which documents his experiences as a Navajo Ranger investigating unexplained phenomena. For over two decades, Milford worked in a special division—unofficially dubbed the "Navajo X-Files"—that handled bizarre cases including Bigfoot sightings, UFO encounters, and skin walker activity. The Navajo Nation, spanning the Four Corners region where Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico meet, has long been considered a hotspot for paranormal encounters.

Key Takeaways

An antique screen purchased at a shop becomes the focus of a supernatural portal investigation.
The Navajo Rangers established a special division to investigate paranormal phenomena across their territories.
Personal health challenges and strange doppelganger experiences connect to broader paranormal themes explored in the episode.

The Cursed Antique Screen

Unusual Encounter at a Thrift Store

A woman browsing through a secondhand shop found herself drawn to a beautiful privacy screen with an intricate mural. The craftsmanship was exceptional, and she immediately decided to purchase it. The screen's design complemented her home decor perfectly, making it an irresistible find.

The Overeager Vendor

The shop's salesman, a man of Indian descent, showed unusual resistance to selling the displayed screen. Despite the customer's clear interest in the item on display, he persistently tried to redirect her attention to "a better one" he had at home. His insistence grew increasingly uncomfortable, even suggesting she visit his residence to view the alternative screen. The woman politely declined, explaining she had a flight the next day and preferred the one in the store.

The Switched Merchandise

After returning home, the woman received a package several weeks later. Upon opening it, she discovered the salesman had disregarded her wishes completely. Instead of shipping the screen she had selected and paid for, he had sent the one from his home—the very item he had been so eager to offload. The switch was immediately obvious, but the full implications weren't yet clear.

An Unexpected Reaction

Most surprisingly, upon learning that the screen was reportedly a portal to supernatural realms, the woman made the bewildering choice to keep it. Despite the unsettling implications and the vendor's deceptive behavior, she decided the screen's aesthetic appeal outweighed any potential paranormal concerns. "It fits with my decor," was her practical justification for retaining what could be described as a doorway to otherworldly dimensions.

The screen remains in her possession to this day, though what experiences she might have had with this unusual artifact remain untold.

Navajo Rangers and Unexplained Phenomena

Special Division Formation

The Navajo Nation created a unique law enforcement unit to investigate paranormal phenomena across their extensive reservation lands. This specialized branch emerged in response to numerous unexplained incidents that traditional departments weren't equipped to handle. The rangers were given official authority to document and investigate everything from UFO sightings to unexplained creatures and mysterious lights.

The Bigfoot Livestock Incident

One of the most notable cases involved reports of a large, unknown creature stealing sheep from Navajo farmers. Multiple witnesses described seeing an unusually tall, hairy being that would quickly disappear into remote areas of the reservation. Rangers documented footprints and other evidence while interviewing community members who had encountered the entity.

Ranger Investigations and Tracking

Stanley Milford Jr. and his partner John became central figures in documenting these unexplained phenomena. They developed systematic approaches to investigating reports, often traveling to remote locations to interview witnesses and collect physical evidence. Their work created one of the most comprehensive databases of unexplained incidents on Native American lands.

Navajo Rangers' Community Function

The rangers served as crucial intermediaries between traditional Navajo beliefs and modern investigative techniques. They approached each case with cultural sensitivity while maintaining rigorous documentation standards. This dual approach allowed them to gain trust from community members who might otherwise be reluctant to report strange encounters.

Key Investigation Areas:

UFO sightings and aerial phenomena
Unknown bipedal creatures
Unexplained lights and energy manifestations
Time anomalies and dimensional disturbances

Their work continues to bridge cultural understanding while creating valuable records of phenomena that might otherwise remain unreported.

The Mirror Phenomenon

Shared End-of-Life Experiences

Medical professionals on the frontlines often witness extraordinary events as patients approach death. These shared death experiences occur when caregivers or family members perceive something remarkable alongside the dying person. Healthcare workers report sensations of accompanying patients partway through their transition, sometimes experiencing:

Shared visions of departed loved ones
Collective awareness of light or presences in the room
Synchronized perceptions of the patient's consciousness leaving their body

These experiences create profound shifts in how medical staff understand death. Many report feeling less fearful about mortality after witnessing these events, with some developing stronger spiritual beliefs regardless of their previous religious backgrounds.

Mysterious Duplicate Encounters

Perhaps most perplexing are cases involving mysterious duplicates appearing in healthcare settings. Medical staff document instances where exact copies of patients materialize beside the original person. These duplicates sometimes:

Mirror the patient's actions in real-time
Anticipate movements before the patient makes them
Complete tasks the patient intends but cannot physically perform

One particularly strange pattern involves these duplicates appearing just before significant health events. Witnesses describe the duplicate as appearing more vibrant or energetic than the physically declining patient, sometimes interacting with the environment in ways the patient cannot.

The phenomenon extends beyond medical settings into the wider community. Reports from Native American reservations, particularly in the Four Corners region, document similar occurrences where individuals encounter exact copies of themselves or others. These experiences often precede significant life changes or health events.

Personal Challenges

The Difficult Tuesday Broadcast

The Tuesday show proved particularly challenging for the hosts. Benjamin Grundy expressed appreciation toward Aaron for covering the broadcast, acknowledging that 2024 had been an exceptionally difficult year. The situation in Queensland had been especially troubling, with Benjamin noting several acquaintances suffering from aggressive, fast-moving cancers in their community.

Benjamin struggled with a persistent cough that had previously affected Aaron months earlier. Despite undergoing numerous medical examinations and blood tests, healthcare providers couldn't identify the specific cause of his illness. The cough created significant broadcasting difficulties, as Benjamin explained, "When you're coughing, you can't do a show." This respiratory issue had similarly affected Benjamin's daughter, who continued experiencing symptoms for nearly four months.

Medical Mysteries and Concerning Illnesses

The hosts discussed several unexplained health issues affecting them and their community. Benjamin described the persistent cough as something he "still hasn't beaten" despite trying various remedies and seeking medical attention. The condition proved severe enough to force him to leave a previous broadcast.

Multiple concerning health patterns emerged during their conversation:

Unexplained persistent coughs lasting several months without clear diagnosis
"Turbo cancers" affecting multiple people in their Queensland community
Inability to diagnose despite comprehensive medical testing

Benjamin's voice remained slightly affected during the recording, though he felt well enough to continue with the broadcast. These health challenges created significant disruption to their regular production schedule and personal lives, though they remained determined to continue delivering content to their audience.

Paranormal Investigations and Unexplained Phenomena

Stanley Milford Jr's Paranormal Encounters

Stanley Milford Jr. documents his extraordinary experiences as a Navajo Ranger in his book "The Paranormal Ranger." For over two decades, Milford served in a specialized division specifically created to investigate unexplained phenomena on Navajo land. This division emerged after an incident involving a rancher who reported seeing a Bigfoot stealing one of their sheep.

The creation of this specialized unit came after Rangers initially dismissed the report, leading to a stern reprimand from the Chief. This watershed moment established a new protocol: all reports, regardless of how implausible they might seem, would be treated with respect and thoroughness. The division handled numerous cases involving Bigfoot sightings, UFO encounters, and skin walker activity.

Investigator's Background

Milford brings a unique perspective to paranormal investigation, having grown up with both Western and Indigenous influences. He is half Cherokee and half Navajo, though he was raised in a small Oklahoma town rather than on a reservation. His connection to his heritage remained strong through regular visits to his grandparents who lived on Navajo Nation territory.

His professional training included SWAT tactics and other specialized skills that proved valuable in his unconventional role. Unlike typical law enforcement positions, Navajo Rangers handle diverse responsibilities including:

Protection of archaeological sites and artifacts
Wildlife and animal control
General policing duties
Investigation of paranormal phenomena

Four Corners Paranormal Activity

The Navajo Nation territory spans the Four Corners region where Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico meet—an area long recognized as a hotspot for paranormal activity. Navajo Rangers initially formed to protect ancient ruins and artifacts from tourists who might take "souvenirs" from sacred sites.

This region has garnered attention for several categories of unexplained phenomena:

Bigfoot sightings: Multiple reports of creatures stealing livestock
UFO encounters: Documented aerial phenomena across the territory
Skin walker activity: Including Milford's personal experience with these entities
Other unexplained events: Various phenomena unique to this geographic area

The intersection of ancient land, cultural beliefs, and modern investigation techniques makes this region particularly significant in paranormal research circles. The Rangers' approach combines respect for traditional knowledge with rigorous investigation methods.

Skinwalkers Exposed: Navajo Ranger Reveals Shocking Encounters With Supernatural Entities in the Four Corners