By: Courtney Mroch

A sailboat on Percy Priest Lake at sunset near the dam. Was this the area where the mermaid in Nashville was seen?

One of the episodes that caught my eye in discovery+’s paranormal programming highlights for Feb. 1 through the 14 was Paranormal Caught on Camera’s “Mermaid in Nashville.” It began streaming on Friday, Feb. 5.

I’d never watched an episode of Paranormal Caught on Camera before then because it had always aired on Travel Channel. We’d cut ties with cable years ago, so I may be one of the few who was excited that all of Discovery Inc.’s various networks were now accessible via their new streaming service that I could get on my Roku. I definitely kept the subscription after the trial period!

Anyway, that’s how I was able to watch my first Paranormal Caught on Camera episode.

Or, I should say part of one. I fast-forwarded until it got to the part I was interested in: the story about the mermaid in Nashville.

Let’s explore the episode, the lake the mermaid in Nashville was seen at, and why I’m excited it was that lake in particular.

The Paranormal Caught on Camera Footage

I was super curious to know which lake the mermaid was spotted in. One of the boating lakes, like Percy Priest or Old Hickory? A smaller one like Radnor? Maybe even Center Hill or Tim’s Ford? Neither of which are in Nashville, but it’s the closest big city to each so maybe they were saying Nashville to simplify things.

Selfishly, I was hoping for Percy Priest Lake, which I’ll get to. However, because I live in Nashville, I was excited by the prospect of a mermaid being in any of the lakes. I’d take a jaunt to go mermaid hunting. (I would have preferred more of a Nessie-type lake monster, but as we say around our house: you get what you get and you don’t pitch a fit!)

As fate would have it, the footage that a Middle Tennesse woman named Wayuana Demonbreun caught was at Percy Priest.

But I have to say the stock footage of the lake at the start of the segment was not PPL. Sadly. It showed a cool lakeside path and park with a nice marina in the background that had both my husband and I asking, “Where is that and how come we haven’t been there yet?”

I was the first one to point out the mountain in the background. That’s not Nashville.

Anyway, sure enough, the footage Demonbreun filmed on her cell phone showed a mermaid diving around in the lake. But which part?

It sort of looked like Demonbreun might have been parked at the overlook by the dam. Her reaction while watching the mermaid was great, but also perplexing. She said it seemed like no one else was phased by the sight of the mermaid surfacing and diving and flapping her tail.

However, that would be an unusual sight in the lake, even on a hot summer day. Especially if she was near the dam because swimming isn’t allowed right there. That should have raised eyebrows.

Then again, it happened in 2020. Maybe people were like, “Eh. After all we’ve seen so far this year? A mermaid fits right in.”

Or maybe they had seen a woman strap on a mermaid tail, dive in, and that’s the part Demonbreun missed?

Who knows? But I’m now on a mission to find out. If I can track down Wayuana Demonbreun I’d love to have her on the podcast. Even better, I’d love to meet her at the lake so she can show me exactly where she was when she saw the mermaid.

Speaking of the lake, let’s discover a bit more about it.

Nashville’s Percy Priest Lake

Percy Priest Lake in Nashville, Tennessee, isn’t normally one of the top tourist attractions people flock to see when they visit Music City. Unless they come during the summer and decide they either want to rent a boat or cool off at Nashville Shores, the local water park, that is.

In fact, I’m willing to bet most visitors would be surprised to learn that Nashville has two decent-sized lakes. I think Percy Priest is a bit larger than Old Hickory (I may be wrong about that), but OH has access to the Cumberland River. Some boaters want that so that they can do the Great Loop. (Essentially traveling America’s rivers until they reach the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic.)

Anyway, something I always find interesting about the lake, which is really a reservoir operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, was that it was created when the Stones River was dammed up. The project started in 1963 and was completed in 1968.

In order to do it, however, families and businesses where the lake would be were relocated. I’ve heard tell that most structures were moved, but that a few remain, now submerged. There’s also a cemetery under the lake, but allegedly the bodies were moved before the waters rose too. (I hope so!)

And what about its name? Where does that come from? It was named after J. Percy Priest, a Tennessee congressman.

Percy Priest Lake offers a lot, including a few swimming beaches, camping, fishing, picnic spots, and great hiking trails.

Depending on which side of the lake and part of it you go to, it’s not far from downtown. If you go to the dam and the Stones River Greenway, it’s about 15-20 minutes from downtown (depending on traffic). Same with Nashville Shores. To get to someplace like Long Hunter State Park, which is a little further down on the lake and on the other side, it’ll take you about 30 minutes from downtown. (Again, traffic permitting.)

However, it’s also a blessing in disguise that more people don’t know about PPL because it’s most definitely a hot spot for locals. Especially in the summer. Parking at the recreation, public use areas, marinas, and state parks fills up fast unless you get there early in the morning, luck out, or have a slip at one of the marinas with a parking pass.

Speaking of marinas, now we’re getting to the part why I’m excited the mermaid in Nashville was spotted at Percy Priest Lake.

Why I Care About a Mermaid in Nashville

Last year, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I found ourselves drawn to Percy Priest a lot more than normal. We knew our favorite method of jaunting (cruising) wasn’t going to happen anytime soon, but we’re both water dogs at heart and were experiencing withdrawals. The lake was the closest water we could get to. Depending on which part we visit, it’s only about 25-30 minutes from our house.

In fact, my husband is an avid swimmer. One of his favorite Sunday morning summer activities when we’re in town is heading to the swimming beach at Elm Hill Recreation Area. He’ll swim laps and, if I’m feeling ambitious and bushy-tailed enough (he leaves by 6 a.m.), I’ll accompany him and walk on a nearby trail.

Well, all our trips were canceled so he was able to get in his swims every Sunday. (The same can’t be said for my walks.)

Something my husband has always wanted is a sailboat. He spent quarantine watching YouTube sailing shows and I was over it.

“Just look and see if you can find a boat already!” I said.

I didn’t think he would. He’s a terrible tightwad. He’d been making excuses for not buying a boat for 20 years, so I was shocked —and thrilled— when we both fell head-over-heels in love with the second boat we saw and he bought it! Especially when I saw the patio dock that came with it.

Which happens to have a perfect view of the dam. So if that’s where the mermaid was spotted, I’ll be scanning the water from our patio even more carefully now!

There’s our boat and some of her neighbors!

Our patio at Percy Priest with a view of the dam in the background.

Another shot of our boat. I’m both intimidated by her but also madly in love with learning how to sail her.

Sailor-In-Training

I must admit, sailing scares the bejesus out of me. I’m lazy and it’s a lot of work —and physics! (Not one of my best subjects.)

However, a funny thing has happened the more time we spend on the boat: I’ve started catching the sailing the vibe.

first time steering her with the sails up!

I love, love, love being on the water. Always have. I’m still intimidated by the masts and the sheets and all the new lingo I’m trying to learn, but being on the water…it’s my happy place.

And now that I know there’s something new to look for as we’re cruising from cove to cove? I thought the fact that there’s a cemetery under the lake and a little spot that I call Dragonfly Cove (because they come and land on my hand!) was exciting.

This is why I call this spot Dragonfly Cove. The dragonflies are so friendly!

But if I see a mermaid? Well, I always have at least three cameras with me on the boat, including a water-proof action cam one I take in the water with me. Hopefully, I’ll be able to grab one in time and start filming!

Where You’ll Find a Mermaid Skeleton in Nashville

I don’t know if there’s a mermaid in Percy Priest Lake, but I do know where you might spot a mermaid skeleton —as well as other skeletons. Skales, along with our pirate skeleton, Skullywag, live on our boat!

And Smalls…that clown had a big time out on the water with us this past summer too. Here are some pictures of the Skeleton Crew enjoying the sailing life at Percy Priest Lake this past summer.

Skales striking a pose on the boat. She’s not the best sailboat crew member. At least not topside. She’s great if we need her help in the water bringing up the anchor or cleaning the keel though!

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Possible ‘Winged Man or Angel’ Seen After Motorbike Accident

2 friends witness a serious accident at night involving 2 motorbikes in Marquez, Philippines. The main witness saw a figure that looked like a winged man. Was it an angel?

The following account was recently forwarded to me:

“This story happened when I was in college (in Marquez, Philippines). When I was in college I lived in a separate house from my parents, my step dad and my mom. They bought a house for me, close to where they lived. My friends always did sleep over at my house.

One night a friend of mine visited me and asked me if he can sleep at my house for the night. So I said yes, because they always do that. We chat for a moment and then we decided to go out and buy some drinks and cigarettes. When we go out we noticed that the night is so beautiful, with clear sky. You could see the stars and the moon shines so bright. So we decided to walk from my house to the convenience store. Like 7/11, but it’s not 7/11 because we don’t have 7/11 before here when I was in college.

So were walking and chatting at the side of the road when suddenly, we heard a loud sound. the sounds of speeding motorbikes. So we looked at the road where the sound is coming and we saw two motorbike’s racing each other. The passenger of one motorbike is a man, a little girl and a pregnant woman. And 2 adult men are riding the other motorbike. So they are racing. Then suddenly the other motorbike gets too close to the other one and hit the back and they crashed. When we saw that happened me and my friend ran towards them to help.

I ran towards the motorbike where the little girl is riding because I’m concerned about her. As I get closer to where they are all I can see is smoke. Then suddenly I saw a figure standing. This figure looks like a man. I thought that it’s just one of the riders. But as I looked carefully this figure had wings. All I can see is this figure’s back his not facing towards me. Then it disappeared. So I continued helping.

The first one that I pulled to the side of the road is the father. He’s awake but had a big cut on his forehead and I can smell the alcohol and he keeps on saying ‘I’m sorry, I’m drunk. Help my daughter and wife.’ Then the second I pulled is the little girl. I carried the little girl and put her at the side of the road beside his father. When I looked at the little girl, she had a broken right leg and right arm and pass out. So I go back to get the mother and I’m shocked when I saw her. She was standing at the spot where I saw the winged figure. But she’s not there when I’m helping his husband and daughter or maybe I just don’t see her because of the smoke.

I ran to her and first thing that I do is asked her if she is wounded or injured. But she’s just crying. She’s not responding to any of my questions. So what I did is I checked her hands and head if she had any wounds or injuries but to my surprised I don’t see any wounds, blood or even a scratch on the pregnant woman. Then the ambulance arrived and helped them.

After that my friend and I went to the convenience store and buy what we need. We smoked a lot that night. Then in the morning we got invited to the police station to give our testament to what happened and I asked the police what happened to the family. They told me that the pregnant woman is okay but the father and daughter are still recovering. The police informed us that the other 2 motorbike riders that the involved in the accident are friends of the injured man. They came from the same party that night and that they were all drunk that time.

My only question is…how come his husband and daughter are injured but the pregnant woman doesn’t have any injuries? B

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Phantoms & Monsters