What Terrifying True Story About Ruthie Mae McCoy Inspired Candyman?

TL;DR

Ruthie Mae McCoy was afraid in her apartment because severe paranoia and poor mental health intensified the real dangers of her deteriorating Chicago high-rise. In 1987, the 52-year-old lived on the 11th floor of a 15-story building where gangs held power and murders occurred nearly every week. Disability payments offered an escape, but mysterious whispers near her bathroom mirror deepened her fears. Read on to understand the true story that inspired Candyman.

Transcript

today's story inspired a popular horror movie and when you get to the reveal in this story you'll understand why it is literal nightmare fuel but before we get into that story if you're a fan of the strange dark and mysterious delivered in story format then you come to the right place because that's all we do and we upload once a week so if that's ... Read More

Key Insights

• Ruthie Mae McCoy was a 52-year-old Chicago resident whose severe fear and paranoia shaped her daily behavior. She checked neighbors’ doors, shouted at strangers to keep them away, distrusted her mail, and avoided eating in public because she feared someone would take her food.
• Ruthie’s apartment building was described as a dangerous, deteriorating 15-story high-rise where gangs held power and murder occurred nearly every week. Its long, dark hallways created hiding places for thieves and killers, giving a real basis to some of her concerns about unlocked doors.
• Ruthie was considered harmless by police despite behavior that alarmed and annoyed her neighbors. When she entered an unlocked apartment and refused to leave, officers removed her but did not arrest her because they knew her history and viewed her actions as a product of mental instability.
• Disability payments represented Ruthie’s opportunity to leave an unsafe environment. Approval brought an immediate $2,000 check and promised monthly payments, allowing her to search for another apartment and imagine receiving visits from her grandchildren, who had previously been kept away because her building was dangerous.
• Ruthie’s two grandchildren were the people she believed accepted and loved her unconditionally. Her expectation of spending more time with them after moving helped motivate her to improve other parts of her life, including education, unfinished art projects, and renewed religious involvement.
• Television preachers obtained some of Ruthie’s money by promising to help fulfill her requests for health-related miracles. They sent objects such as a blessed piece of wood and water said to come from the River Jordan, while instructing her to keep the items close and send additional money.
• Ruthie searched her bathroom mirror for visible evidence that a miracle had changed her appearance. She had covered her apartment with newspaper accounts about people who reportedly experienced restored teeth, removed tumors, or cures and recognized the supposed miracle after noticing that they looked different.
• Mysterious whispers became significant by April 22, about two weeks before Ruthie’s planned move. She told a friend that she heard distant voices while looking into her bathroom mirror and believed they might mean someone was targeting her, although the friend initially regarded this as familiar behavior.

Questions & Answers

Q: Who was Ruthie Mae McCoy?

Ruthie Mae McCoy was a 52-year-old woman who lived on the 11th floor of a dangerous Chicago apartment building in 1987. She struggled with poor mental health, intense fear, and paranoia, although police who knew her considered her harmless.

Q: Why was Ruthie Mae McCoy afraid in her apartment?

Ruthie’s severe fear and paranoia were intensified by the genuine dangers surrounding her. Her deteriorating 15-story building was controlled by gangs, had long, dark hallways where attackers could hide, and reportedly experienced a murder nearly every week.

Q: Why did Ruthie Mae McCoy check her neighbors’ doors?

Ruthie checked her neighbors’ doorknobs to see whether they had left their apartments unlocked. She believed unlocked doors were unsafe, but her intrusive approach, including entering one neighbor’s apartment and berating her, alarmed the people she intended to protect.

Q: Why did police not arrest Ruthie after she entered an apartment?

The responding officers already knew Ruthie and understood that her unusual behavior was connected to her mental instability. They considered her harmless, removed her from the neighbor’s apartment, and directed her to return home instead of arresting her.

Q: How did disability payments change Ruthie Mae McCoy’s plans?

Approval for disability payments gave Ruthie a realistic opportunity to leave the dangerous building. She was due an initial check for $2,000 followed by continuing monthly payments, so she began searching for safer housing.

Q: Why were Ruthie Mae McCoy’s grandchildren important to her?

Ruthie believed her grandson and granddaughter were the only people who accepted and loved her unconditionally. They could not visit her apartment because the building was unsafe, so moving promised her more time with them and motivated her to improve other parts of her life.

Q: Why did Ruthie Mae McCoy send money to television preachers?

Ruthie followed television preachers who promised requested miracles after receiving money. She paid them despite needing funds for her move and received objects presented as spiritual, including a blessed piece of wood and water said to come from the River Jordan.

Q: What did Ruthie Mae McCoy hear near her bathroom mirror?

While examining her reflection for evidence of a promised miracle, Ruthie heard distant whispers that she could not understand. By April 22, about two weeks before her planned move, she told a friend that the voices made her think someone was targeting her.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In early January 1987, 52-year-old Ruthie Mae McCoy lived on the 11th floor of a dangerous 15-story apartment building in Chicago. She checked neighbors’ doors, entered an unlocked apartment, and warned its resident about security. Police knew Ruthie as mentally unstable but harmless and sent her home.

• Ruthie wanted to escape the building but initially lacked enough money. After joining a psychiatric day program, she received approval for disability payments, including an initial check for $2,000 and continuing monthly support. She began seeking safer housing, pursuing a high school degree, returning to art projects, and anticipating visits from her grandchildren.

• Ruthie increasingly followed animated television preachers who promised requested miracles after receiving money. She kept supposedly spiritual objects nearby and searched her reflection for physical changes. By April 22, about two weeks before her planned move, she heard distant whispers near her bathroom mirror and told a friend someone might be targeting her.