SERIAL ARSON AND DECAY : Whispering Pines Motel : Tasley, VA

[@evilwarcow]

when you said "This old house" I was half expecting Bob Villa to step on to the scene and say hello.

[@elysianfields49]

I swear - you're going to find a body someday in some ruins; it's just the law of averages...

[@sunnjin21]

elysianfields49 your punctuation - I like that...

[@amandahudson431]

Agreed!

[@elysianfields49]

"Whispering Pines" - sounds like a place where some soft-spoken serial killers live...

[@ssfinch4761]

elysianfields49 Sounds like an interesting asmr video

[@crowmigration8245]

"Yeah, it's fun. Ow ow ow ow... DAMMIT" - Dan Bell, 2016

[@elglom-o9645]

I stayed at the Whispering Pines a couple of times with my parents around 1970-1971. It was a nice one-off motel. One of those times, we were in the original house part.

[@svenskfox]

To anyone wondering, this place was torn down in May 2019. There are pics online

[@dorthymartin2425]

Good!

[@MrAmericanworkmule]

Even the bed bugs left. Notice all the Crap Materials used, No pressure treated lumber... cheapest of everything. Nice Job.. on the video.

[@FUNKRUBICON]

Oh my! The "wallpaper" in the hotel was the exact same as was in my parents bathroom! They had it in the bathroom until the mid 90's!! If I remember correctly, it wasn't wallpaper at all, it was paneling that was covered in the motif because the paneling also had textured grooves in the sheets. When I saw the design it was definitely a flashback moment.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Greg Funk I remember that stuff...my parents had black tree shadows on a white background.
I've had a similar deja vu about the creepy wallpaper in Ronald DeFeo's bedroom. The Amityville Horror, but the real backstory?
It was a strange primary color collage with a cartoon woman hidden behind the caption: Not Tonite, Darling. For some reason, my grandmother found old newspaper from the 70's. They have a decorating article featuring this weird wallpaper. They show some at the start of Conjuring 2, I think.

[@slayer7160]

Dan Bell balls of steel, skin of paper!

[@kristihardin-smith3515]

That wallpaper reminds me of the color scheme from Bewitched. Groovy!

[@wandalorentz9329]

This is Whispering Pines motel. This place has accommodated many young couples for their honeymoon. A couple of those honeymooners are in my family.

[@SweaterMittens]

I'm so happy I found this channel.

[@dellahicks7231]

In a video clip I watched on RUclips, Charles Smith said that he set this particular fire, because he wanted to 'See flames'. He was eventually sentenced to 15 years total, and his fiancee Tonya Bundick was sentenced to 17 1/2 years total, for the more than 70 fires they started!

[@Cristasphoto]

Della Hicks shouldve gottten life. Especially if it was occupied then tbey shouldve been hanged. Straight Up.

[@mystorymylife9998]

Looks cozy, warm , and a great place to stay.

[@cannycart]

What do we think.. Fixer upper weekend project?

[@DanBellFilmIt]

+cannycart damn! Where have you been?!

[@DARRENWALKERBIGD]

+Dan Bell / Film It you missed a whole lot while you were here message me sometime loved the videos and loved seeing my old century again

[@DARRENWALKERBIGD]

+Dan Bell / Film It and there were people living in this motel right up till the fire lols not closed so long lol

[@buggybug7084]

I THINK IT'S TO FAR GONE TO BE FIXED UP

[@penniesfromheavon]

I wish Dan went into that house!

[@miamidolphinsfan]

+penniesfromheavon
yep I was disappointed he didn't

[@Wild-Moonchild]

+penniesfromheavon me too

[@DARRENWALKERBIGD]

+penniesfromheavon it was full of great stuff presidents stayed here

[@markm-ci6rj]

+penniesfromheavon
Or the restaurant, you need to go back Dan

[@Touchofaweepingangel]

How did you not check out that two story house???

[@gabrielboorom9778]

I would NOT want to come up on this place at night time. It looks like the kind of place someone could get murdered in.

[@Wild-Moonchild]

I love how nature is taking over the places you go to. Like all the plants are reclaiming everything.

[@elio4972]

I wish you'd still do this stuff. I miss it! :(

[@chipbush0111]

There should be a "Come on Will, Don't Do That!" series.

[@Lisa_the_Cottage_Witch]

"Dan keeps Will in Line." lol

[@pizzola7319]

+Lisa Mulloy Lol!!

[@jessloo5969]

I'm LOVING the second channel Dan! Especially these long videos!

[@jennicase]

shout out to The Shining at the end there haha

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Dan Bell meets "Life After People". Maybe someday there will be an urban explorer who is at a location--and at a safe distance--just at the moment a floor caves in or a wall falls. On the first floor I saw what seemed to be an unbroken mirror in the back and one of the second floor rooms whose floor had fallen also had an unbroken mirror.

[@BFagan]

3:00 That's one tough tv!! These flat screens today wouldn't of survived that.

[@LethaWolfStudios]

I wonder if that tv would still come on if you took it and plugged it in

[@HappyQuailsLC]

Oh my gosh! I just read an article about this and it mentions that there are 600 vacant buildings in that county where Whispering Pines is located...yikes!!!

[@DanBellFilmIt]

+HappyQuails there are tons of old abandoned homes all throughout Virginia. Literally everywhere you drive you'll see them.

[@HappyQuailsLC]

+Dan Bell / Film It That is shocking! And with so many people who would love to not only have a home but it's lovely land!

[@thephilpott2194]

+MissRandomwriter You speak the truth! We just haven't this luxury any more.

[@stvkomer]

+Danny Danko yea especially old state routes in the eastern half of the state!

[@Anonymousey44]

+MissRandomwriter Agreed 👍

[@kathyd8738]

seems to me i watched this one when it was new. All those little red lines that should be here, aren't....watching some of these again and still love every single one. Thanks for existing, Dan and Will. ps...this looks like an ideal Another Dirty Room...lol

[@terrisue4059]

pretty wild how the trees are claiming their space back, would love to see in years to come.

[@SteveInScotland]

For some reason the finding of rogue underwear always makes me laugh.

[@joshsmellsfunny]

Dan, you are wonderful. Thank you for sharing these messed up vids.

[@Milcom34]

Red Rum.....Red Rum....Red Rum....Red Rum.....

[@karenseymour7860]

Hi, i really enjoy your videos, and the way you present them. Love history and would love to explore

[@kokristin]

Great picture quality on this new cam.

[@moviecrazy8129]

I think the pines stopped whispering at this joint a long time ago.

[@biofall38]

rooms looks like my room when I'm trying to find my keys

[@TheJillbeaner]

I just love your videos. you and will are great...

[@daves8483]

will makes your videos so much better!!!!

[@Mom2decandcy]

I kept expecting it to pull a Poltergeist and fold up and suck itself into non-existents.

[@ajmoody457]

That ugly "Colonial Style" wallpaper was probably highly discounted by the time it was put up there, no later than the mid 1970"s,.

[@citronquartz2779]

ajmoody i got the 70's vibe when I saw the wood paneling on the walls, neat that we came to a similar conclusion

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Citron Quartz the paneling could also be 1960's. I remember there being paneling in the 70's but I dont remember anyone ever having it installed so it was already there. :)

[@themastermindwithahat607]

This should've been a Dirty Room episode

[@goingslightlymad7172]

Wow Dan, what a find. From the postcards, it looks like it was a nice place years ago. Please keep the cool vids coming!

[@lildumplin9905]

It should be called weeping pines now lol

[@BollingHolt]

LOL!!!

[@2snowgirl520]

Too bad there wasn't a pool. I love abandoned pools, they are just so sad.

[@trippyracks6837]

There is a outside pool. Not sure if he shows it in in this vid or not as i haven’t finished the vid. But there is a pool. This motel was actually partially open in 2000. The first part shown in this vid that’s extremely dilapidated was in use (most rooms not all) and actually had a bit of renovation being done.. But the other half he shows (with the bungalow) and the middle part (the part that was severely burned from arson) were not used at this time and sat abandoned. Even though from watching this vid you would have though the opposite.
I explored around 1999/2000 and The pool was not in use and looked more like a pond even back in 2000. @ 11:23 when he pans the camera to the building with the bench. The pool is just a bit further right. Hard to see because it was already overgrown even in 2000

[@Amyco3167]

Will looks thrilled to be with you on this one. Lol.

[@VidGirl88]

So old the notices were typed on a typewriter. I recognize that wallpaper, my Nan had a cabin with very similar (in green). Predated electricity and indoor plumbing. Sadly, my uncle has neglected it for the last 20 years. Slowly decaying.

[@ladylakemusic5958]

Love the wallpaper!! All they need is a couple of wagon wheels!!

[@beachtan]

I recently passed this place on my way to Virginia Beach from Delaware & this place is still there... barely.

[@trippyracks6837]

It’s been demolished now. Finally.

[@buggybug7084]

IT,S SAD REALLY IT LOOKED LIKE A NICE PLACE TO STAY

[@hattiem.7966]

I thought this was the famous Pines in upstate N.Y. Its gone now along with all the other hotels from the old days.If you drive from DC/ Maryland to and thru Va.on hwy 301,you will see many little motels still standing and in good shape.There are many of them.

[@fire58372001]

Watch the movie "CRASH". It's about this group of people who get off on auto accidents.

[@slurmitshighlyaddictive5641]

"this is the creepiest motel i've ever been in"
you say that about every single hotel you go in lol

[@gloriaamaya9031]

I really love your videos God bless everyone that hotel look so old look beautiful place but need alot repair i really love it all your videos

[@chornobylreactor4]

It's way too late for the hotel the structure is gone the second floor is the first floor and the first floor is in the basement the roof is shot it will have to be demolished

[@greyeaglem]

The second motel is colonial style, and based on the interior trim it was built some time ago. The first motel was newer, so it was probably built later to accommodate more travelers. People driving cars on a large scale is what drove the motel and motor court business. Motels started popping up in the middle 20s when the highways developed and people took motor trips. Later, the interstate freeway system by-passed some of the areas previously served by the highway system, causing a lot of the motels to close. That's probably what happened here, because it's obvious this place had a lot of business at one time. Interior designs look to be from the late 60s to early 70s, which was probably when the newer part was built. The older part was probably remodeled at that time to update it. I found an article that says parts of the motel date back to the 30s. There's several videos on this site. www.publicsafetyreporter.com/2013/03/14/over-65-arson-cases-in-accomack-county-vacant-whispering-pines-motel-and-old-mallards-restaurant-latest-cases/ The last video has some history of the place. They also say there was a woman living in the far right unit of the first building at the time of the fire. Hard to believe anyone would be living in that wreck! The first room you went into or the one above it was where she lived. The couple torched the motel on I think April 12 2013 and torched the restaurant the next night. They were setting a fire about every other night in this area.

[@willt8006]

You are actually correct. My Mom worked there in the 70's and I used to romp around the place as a kid. The first part shown was built many years after the second part that was shown.

[@CemeteryDaisy]

I'm really loving this second channel. Also, watch for thorns! XD

[@pizzola7319]

Oh my god. I LOVE YOU DAN BELL.

[@pnk878251]

that is a tremendous amount of decay....incredible.The houses were cool tho...alot of structures in the vicinity. so sad to see it just waste away.

[@Paul99ca]

How many years ago did the motel shut down? $30 would have been a cheap room rate.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

+Paul Blonski
Not 30 years ago.....would have been about typical for a rural motel

[@trippyracks6837]

All I know is I last stayed at this hotel around the year 1998-1999. We stayed in the first section he showed. I’m not sure if all rooms were in use, I don’t think all rooms had working tvs, and ACs. So only select rooms were available to stay in or they were used for storage of old furniture fixtures ect. The part that dan showed that was burned down (restaurant part) was in decent shape. I remember even finding paint cans in a lot of the rooms where they had started to paint. I remember the main office in this building looked to already have been fixed up. I’m guessing money was the reason things were never maintained or fully restored. The section dan showed with the fire that didn’t spread was also not occupied either but was in good shape as well. I had never returned there since I last left so pretty crazy seeing these buildings looking like this. And weirdly enough, I too explored this whole property and most rooms that I could get into but I didn’t check out that house he showed near the beginning either.

[@ladyravenswood147]

If there is a category past WORSE this would be it.

[@DerMartexus]

That seems to have been a pretty nice place some decades ago. Sad, that it's gone that way.

[@KyleInOklahoma]

I'd say this was a beautiful spot one time, looks like it's at least a bit of the road

[@pnk878251]

i love the film it stuff....its great.

[@aheimdahl5201]

(Commenting while watching, lol)
Those two blue chairs look like possibly mid/late 70's at 08:55
That wallpaper is REALLY ancient.
The yellow chair at 09:22 is definitely 70's

[@chaosdemonwolf1]

+A Heimdahl Looks like the place was abandoned in the 70's and the second place abandoned way before that. On second thought, the wall paper's the same so maybe not

[@trippyracks6837]

ChaosDemonwolf1 ehh I actually stayed in the first section of the motel he showed around 1998-1999. Somewhere around there. The second section wasn’t used anymore but it could have been, it wasn’t in that bad of shape.

[@LikaLaruku]

It's not every day you get to see the 2ed floor on the first floor.
I thought the difference between this & your main channel was the length of the video. That's why I'm surprised it was on this one.

[@LikaLaruku]

***** ::Looks it up:: So cute & tiny. They should rename it the Teacup Castle.

[@tigerann4941]

Loving these mini motel vids! Keep them coming.

[@Jo71603]

We had a Pines here in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, it looks just like that, it's being torn down.

[@aMAXproduction]

Was this motel part of the arson? What would cause the motel to decay so much? It doesn't look that old.

[@brittanybpeterson1]

aMAX flooding, vandals etc. the eastern shore of VA gets hit by hurricanes often

[@mariag4677]

So sad to see in such decay! Why do they leave these buildings standing if they are so far gone??? Nice piece of land for maybe a new motel!

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Maria G There's no one there to support it. Which is how it got abandoned. You never see this in rich areas for that reason :)

[@2snowgirl520]

Arsonists scare me. Not the ones that do it for financial reasons, but the ones that do it for sexual gratification. In nursing school Psych rotation they were called firebugs.

[@somberrose85]

Something's whispering alright...and it ain't the goddamn pines! :P

[@miamidolphinsfan]

What I don't get is, someone owns this property....how can they just let it go like this ? Does a bank own it ? A private person ? If a bank why didn't they sell it and get ANY money for it instead of letting it fall apart ? If a private person, why wouldn't you sell it.....what am I missing ?

[@StephanieBadAzz]

It's probably either bank or county/city owned depending on why it closed. Demolition is incredibly expensive.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

Stephanie Ann
true, didn't think of that....demo & removal is expensive

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Nice touch with the "The Shining" reference at the very end.
Do NOT go in there!

[@lynne99]

thats a weird way to get your jollys off...

[@lynne99]

***** it probably is

[@tonychand4789]

Dan your commentary is hilarious.

[@monkeywkeys3916]

Looks like a awesome spot back in the day! Never find a needle under the beds back then,

[@seanz6397]

Some 409, duct tape and elbow grease should do the job. You'll be open in no time !

[@pittsburghsarah7008]

😂😂😂

[@forslavjo]

Optimist here... hah

[@johnny-becker]

That motel is totally salvageable. The main support structure, as you can see the cinder blocks behind the drywall, just need to take the trash and rubbish along with, yes, the intact parts as well leaving the bare cinder block. Get to work. Whole thing can be completed in a year.

[@Wruff]

it would cost more then it's worth, they could sell it to a developer for more then they would spend to get it redone

[@johnny-becker]

+Kaleb33497 I guess you're right. Developer for sure, if he plays his business practice cards right.

[@kjewell232]

Great video

[@EagleEyes4us]

This would be a phenomenal movie!!! If backstories of others were developed as well. I'm sure some interesting ones are untold. I did Google and found just a quick read on it.
And Tonya (oddly resembling Lori Daybell) was a attractive and fell in love w a drug addicted mechanic makes it interesting. The backdrop is located in what was one of the "richest rural counties in the nation until farming jobs disappeared, people fled in search of work, education levels fell and poverty levels rose" per Monica Hesse's book. This is a great true story

[@bevyk777]

Mother Nature definately checked in to that place! I am sitting here laughing at those walls because I could swear that is the same awful paneling that was in an upstairs room in my old house when I bought it... I'm going to look in a closet that I think it might still be in! Neat viddy :)

[@kellireeves4527]

This place is screaming to be demolished,although I like the tacky wallpaper.It is also one of your creepier locations for some reason.I like this one and the Pine Bluff one.Good stuff.

[@Gia_Mc_Fia]

I love the bench covered in english ivy leaves at the end. And you are so right about the hideous horse auction wallpaper Dan. Maybe that is what gave the psycho couple the first initiative to burn it down.

[@denisemarie2360]

Will is so adorable. ☺️

[@KMills84]

What model camera are you using?

[@simonfea2]

Why didn't you get the sweet old decrepit house in the back??

[@EphemeralProductions]

Damn! This has gotta be the most broke-up hotel you've been to! Been sitting open and vacant for quite a while, obviously. Place is done torn up. LOL

[@whattheheck1000]

Only about 20 years abandoned and it's this bad. And while some of this is due to arson, even in places where the fire never reached there's massive decay. I'm thinking poor maintenance and construction.
January 21, 2021 3:37 am

[@chornobylreactor4]

The roof maybe it's a likely cause

[@porridgesilt]

A classic triple D scenario around there:
Decrepit, Depressing, and D-angerous.

[@angelaness3129]

you would think that they would have torn it down I hate to drive by places and they are either boarded up are not used it makes the town look ugly

[@winterman63]

Very cool. Thanks

[@chornobylreactor4]

If the wind pokes the motel it will fall over

[@DesireeV1002]

Dan, I LOVE this video! And here's why. Remember Twister? Well it's one of my all time favorite movies. It's an absolute classic. That's almost where this motel takes me. The absolute destruction of it makes it so theatrical in a way. I see why it's on Film It, rather than your main channel. But I appreciate it nonetheless. Great find!!

[@dwedekind0001]

Man I can't wait until your videos are shot with a vr camera! It would take the creepy factor to a whole new level. Keep doin what u do Dan!

[@BobbyOlmsted]

My god that is insane you would think the fire department would do the world a favor and let that place just burn

[@Wruff]

the owners probably font want it to be burned, they probably want it to stay there

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

theres houses close by. Right across the street. And by the time they found out about this (I'm reading a book on it now) they DID let it burn as it is structurally too dangerous to even go in (never good to walk into sloping buildings). This is 20-30 years of abandonment. They just contained the fire. That was the objective.

[@kelleegracee]

Wills laugh brings me joy😂❤️

[@jerseytomato100]

They must have had a HUGE-ass roll of that ugly wallpaper and did the whole place

[@jbncnow]

Dan i found these pictures of what it was like back in the 1960s

[@jbncnow]

+jay bradley c1.staticflickr.com/9/8301/7798882760_0a58fd6eb8_b.jpg

[@jbncnow]

+jay bradley www.cardcow.com/images/set385/card00147_fr.jpg

[@suaveray]

Dan, nice touch with the 237 :)

[@ChooseLanes]

look at the face on the board @ 5:27

[@ChooseLanes]

amazing

[@lilyvasques940]

What face? I don't see one.

[@ChooseLanes]

+Lily Vasques on the wood board looks like a man with a beard when you see it its so sick its crazy

[@ChooseLanes]

+Lily Vasques i mean a mustache not beard

[@somberrose85]

+Kevin M
There's two of them...and they don't look too happy :P

[@9patriko]

Why didn't they just tear it down for crying out loud!!

[@Fannysadventures]

Have you ever been scared or found anything that's scared you? like a ghost or something similar?

[@Wruff]

he was in an abandoned apartment and, whole he was in there he found out it was a Crack house, and a bunch of druggies came in and he almost died