Urban Legends - Slaughterhouse Canyon in Arizona

If you are in any way interested in the paranormal, you must have some level of love for urban legends. Deep down, we know that they are all more about cautionary tales or creepy campfire stories than actual lore, but they are still fun to talk about. For this one, why don’t you all join me in a trip to Arizona for a closer look at Slaughterhouse Canyon.

The True Facts About the Canyon

Located in northwestern Arizona luting southeast of Kingman, the actual name of the place is Luana’s Canyon. The name comes into play when we get to the urban legend, but more about that in a moment. You can get to this desert spot quite easily, although expect a rough ride along rugged roads. It is a popular spot for hikers and adventurers, many of whom visit the area to explore the abandoned mines scattered throughout the region. It is those people who keep the urban legend alive by recounting their experiences within the canyon.

Let’s Talk About the Urban Legend

Before I get into it, I should warn those of you with a sensitive disposition that this story is not entirely pleasant. This is especially true if harm coming to kids is a trigger, so read on at your own peril.

To get to the heart of the story, we need to go all the way back to the 1800s during the Gold Rush. A miner settled in the canyon with his kids and his wife, Luana. The man would head out for weeks at a time, hunting for food and gold in the surrounding area. His trips were common and frequent, but he eventually never made it home from one such trip.

During his absence, Luana became more desperate, with she and her kids both beginning to feel the effects of loneliness and hunger. Luana fell into madness, the desperate wails of she and her family echoing around the canyon. At the height of her mania, the story says that she put on her white wedding dress, grabbed and axe, and set upon her children. After the deed was done, she tossed their parts into a nearby river and then waited for death to come for her in the form of starvation.

This is one of the more unpleasant urban legends I have ever heard, and it’s one where you really do wish for it to be nothing more than a creepy campfire tale.

What About the Alleged Hauntings?

The stories that visitors to the canyon relate all tend to fall into the same category. The most common tale told is that of disembodied screams in the night, although that could possibly be more to do with the wildlife in the area than the disembodied wailings of the long since dead.

Besides the screams, visitors often talk about a general feeling of sadness and grief sweeping over them when they visit. The question you have to ask here, though, is if they were aware of the history of the place before they visited. If there were, it would make sense that such a story would make you feel a certain way. You can’t think about the alleged events and not feel some level of sadness at how things played out.

Is The Story True?

All signs would certainly appear to this urban legend having no real basis in fact. There are no records to indicate that a family lived in this place, especially not one with a woman named Luana. The feeling among many is that this story has been adapted from the La Llorona legend. The name sounds the same, as do the details. Of course, you can still go and visit Slaughterhouse Canyon yourself. Maybe when you are there, Luana and her kids will call out to you, looking for help that will never come.