Legal Disclaimer & Editorial Policy

Purpose & Scope

Shadow Archive is a digital repository dedicated to documenting significant true crime cases, cultural folklore, and unexplained phenomena. Our purpose is educational and historical—to preserve these stories for research, study, and public knowledge. We approach all subjects with respect for those affected and commitment to factual accuracy.

This website serves as a resource for researchers, students, true crime enthusiasts, and anyone interested in understanding dark chapters of history through a serious, fact-based lens. We are not entertainment media, and we do not sensationalize tragedy or exploit victims for engagement.

Content Accuracy & Limitations

While we maintain rigorous research standards and verify information through multiple sources, we acknowledge the inherent limitations of historical documentation:

Historical Records: Many of the cases we document occurred decades or even centuries ago. Historical records can be incomplete, contradictory, or lost. Contemporary newspaper accounts may contain errors or reflect the biases of their time. Court records, while authoritative, represent legal findings rather than absolute truth in all cases.

Conflicting Information: Different sources sometimes provide conflicting accounts of events. When this occurs, we present the competing versions transparently and explain our reasoning for favoring one account over another. We do not claim omniscience or perfect knowledge of past events.

Ongoing Cases: For cases that remain under investigation or in legal proceedings, information may be incomplete or subject to change. We update articles when significant new developments occur and note the date of updates.

Folklore & Legends: Our horror section covers cultural folklore and urban legends. We clearly distinguish between documented historical events (such as mass panic or police responses) and supernatural claims. We never present folklore as verified fact, but rather as cultural phenomena worthy of study.

No Legal Advice or Professional Findings

The content on Shadow Archive is for educational and historical documentation purposes only. Nothing on this website should be construed as:

• Legal advice or legal opinion
• Professional investigative findings
• Expert testimony or forensic analysis
• Medical or psychological diagnosis
• Recommendations for action in any legal or personal matter

If you require legal advice, investigative services, or professional consultation, please consult qualified professionals in the relevant field.

Victim Sensitivity & Ethical Standards

Shadow Archive is committed to ethical coverage of sensitive subjects:

Respect for Victims: We approach all true crime cases with deep respect for victims and their families. We do not include graphic descriptions of violence, crime scene details, or autopsy findings. Our focus is on investigation, legal proceedings, and historical significance—not gratuitous detail.

No Glorification: We do not glorify perpetrators of crimes or present them as anti-heroes. When covering criminal cases, our emphasis is on victims, investigators, legal processes, and societal impact.

Presumption of Innocence: For cases involving legal proceedings, we respect the principle of presumption of innocence. We clearly distinguish between allegations, evidence presented, and legal findings. When covering controversial cases, we present multiple perspectives fairly.

Privacy Considerations: We rely exclusively on publicly available information. We do not publish private information, contact details, or current locations of individuals. Our coverage focuses on historical events and matters of public record.

Folklore & Horror Content Notice

The horror section of Shadow Archive covers cultural folklore, urban legends, and documented mass panic events. This content is presented from an anthropological and sociological perspective:

Folklore as Cultural Artifact: We treat legends and folklore as valuable cultural phenomena that reveal collective anxieties, cultural values, and historical context. We do not endorse supernatural claims or present folklore as factual events.

Clear Labeling: We clearly distinguish between:

• Documented historical events (police responses, school warnings, media coverage)
• Cultural beliefs and folklore narratives
• Supernatural claims (which we do not verify or endorse)
• Psychological and sociological explanations for phenomena

Educational Context: Our horror content is intended to educate readers about cultural history, mass psychology, and the evolution of folklore in different societies. It is not intended to promote belief in supernatural phenomena.

Corrections & Updates

Shadow Archive maintains a commitment to accuracy and welcomes corrections:

Correction Policy: If you identify a factual error in any of our articles, please contact us with the specific claim and supporting documentation. We will investigate promptly and issue corrections when errors are verified.

Updates: We update articles when significant new information becomes available—such as arrests in cold cases, new evidence, or scholarly research that changes understanding of events. All articles include a "Last Updated" date.

Transparency: When we make corrections, we note them rather than silently editing content. Significant corrections are acknowledged in the article.

User Responsibility

Readers of Shadow Archive are encouraged to:

• Verify Independently: Review the sources listed at the bottom of each article and conduct your own research. We provide citations specifically to enable independent verification.
• Think Critically: Approach all historical accounts, including ours, with critical thinking. Consider the limitations of sources, the possibility of bias, and the complexity of historical truth.
• Respect Those Affected: Remember that the cases we document involve real people who suffered real tragedies. Engage with this content respectfully.
• Use Appropriately: This content is for educational purposes. Do not use information from this site for harassment, defamation, or any harmful purpose.

Copyright & Fair Use

All original content on Shadow Archive is protected by copyright. The historical facts, court records, and public domain information we reference are not subject to copyright, but our original research, writing, and analysis are our intellectual property.

We make fair use of historical photographs, public domain images, and brief quotations from sources for educational and documentary purposes. All images and quotations are properly attributed.

External Links

Shadow Archive may include links to external sources, archives, and reference materials. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of external websites. Links are provided for research purposes only and do not constitute endorsement.

Changes to This Disclaimer

We reserve the right to update this disclaimer as our editorial policies evolve or legal requirements change. Significant changes will be noted with an updated revision date. Continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated disclaimer.

Contact

For questions about this disclaimer, our editorial policies, or to report errors, please use the contact information provided on our About page. We welcome constructive feedback and take all concerns seriously.

Last Updated: January 15, 2026