A haunting tale of a mysterious castle, occult practices, and a tragic end in rural Georgia
Corpsewood Manor, nestled in the remote woodlands of Chattooga County, Georgia, is a site shrouded in mystery, occult practices, and tragic events. The story of this peculiar estate and its owners, Dr. Charles Scudder and his companion Joey Odom, is a blend of eccentricity, alternative lifestyles, and a horrific crime that shocked the local community.
Scudder, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago, and Odom, embarked on this life-altering journey in 1976, fueled by Scudder’s modest inheritance. They envisioned a self-sufficient, secluded life, which led them to purchase 40 acres of land in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Here, amidst the wilderness, they painstakingly built Corpsewood Manor brick by brick, devoid of modern conveniences like electricity, to escape the trappings of urban life and embrace a return to nature.
The construction of the manor was an unusual endeavor. Scudder and Odom built the structure using bricks and lumber salvaged from old buildings. The architectural style of Corpsewood Manor was eclectic, reflecting a blend of medieval and gothic influences, complete with turrets and stained glass windows. The interior of the manor was equally unique, adorned with antiques, artwork, and a variety of occult paraphernalia.
Their lifestyle and beliefs were unconventional. Dr. Scudder and Odom lived a reclusive life at Corpsewood Manor, largely isolated from the surrounding community. Scudder, a member of the Church of Satan, expressed his atheism and hedonistic views through the decor of the manor, which included a stained-glass window of Baphomet and various gothic paraphernalia. The couple’s two mastiffs, named after a demon and an H.P. Lovecraft character, guarded their forest sanctuary. The manor became a venue for their expressions of freedom, including hosting parties in the infamous “pink room,” filled with mattresses, candles, whips, and chains, where guests were encouraged to indulge in their base desires.
The couple’s lifestyle, combined with their open homosexuality, made them stand out in the conservative rural area. Despite this, they were able to maintain a degree of friendly relations with some locals, inviting them to the manor for social gatherings.
However, this idyllic existence came to a horrific end on December 12, 1982. The openness of Scudder and Odom led them to befriend Kenneth Avery Brock and Samuel Tony West, among others. Misunderstandings and possibly malicious intentions fueled by homophobia, greed, and the influence of drugs led Brock and West to brutally murder Scudder and Odom in their own home. The killers believed, mistakenly, that the couple hoarded a fortune. The investigation and trial that followed did not only seek justice for the murders but also became a spectacle, mired in prejudice and sensationalism, partly due to the victims’ lifestyle and beliefs.
The crime at Corpsewood Manor quickly became a major news story, drawing attention to the isolated estate and the lives of its owners. The investigation into the murders was extensive, involving local law enforcement and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Brock and West were apprehended and charged with the murders. The trial garnered significant media attention, with details of the victims’ lifestyle and beliefs becoming a focal point. Both Brock and West were found guilty and received life sentences for their crimes.
The story of Corpsewood Manor and its tragic end has become a part of local lore in Chattooga County. The manor, now in ruins, is often the subject of ghost stories and paranormal investigations. The tale of Corpsewood Manor has also been explored in various books and articles, examining the complex interplay of social norms, alternative lifestyles, and the dark undercurrents of rural life.
image via Abandoned Southeast
