A Movie Theater Kept a ‘Prop Body’ for 28 Years — A YouTuber Discovered It Was a Missing Actor
In the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, an abandoned theater held a chilling secret for nearly three decades. The Regal Theater, a once-thriving hub of entertainment, closed its doors in 1996, leaving behind whispers of ghostly legends and eerie tales. It was here that urban explorer Jamal Carter stumbled upon a discovery that would unravel a mystery shrouded in darkness and deception.
The Abandoned Regal Theater
On October 15, 2024, Jamal Carter, a 23-year-old urban explorer with a passion for documenting forgotten places, ventured into the Regal Theater. With 47,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, Jamal sought to capture the haunting atmosphere of what many claimed to be one of Memphis’s most haunted locations. For six months, he had been putting off this exploration, haunted by stories of voices echoing from Theater 7 and the unsettling feeling of being watched in the empty seats.
The Regal Theater, with its Art Deco facade from 1947, had a rich history, serving as a space for Black audiences during segregation and later showcasing horror films in an attempt to survive the decline of downtown Memphis. However, it abruptly closed its doors in September 1996, just days after the disappearance of local actor Terrell Jackson, who was set to star in a film premiere at the theater.
The Chilling Find
As Jamal navigated through the dilapidated lobby, filled with graffiti and remnants of a bygone era, he finally reached Theater 7. The heavy metal doors creaked ominously as he pushed them open, revealing a pitch-black room adorned with horror movie props. Yet, it was the glass display case at the back of the theater that caught his attention—a figure inside, a black man in his mid-20s, dressed in tattered and bloody clothes, seemingly frozen in a scream.
The placard in front of the case read: “Original prop from Chamber of Horrors 1989-96. In memory of Terrell Jackson, forever part of the show.” Jamal, initially captivated by the lifelike detail of the figure, filmed the scene, unaware that he was documenting a real-life tragedy.
The Internet Reacts
After posting his video, titled “Exploring Memphis’s Most Haunted Theater: Something Wrong in Theater 7,” Jamal was flooded with notifications. Within hours, the video garnered over 73,000 views, and the comments section exploded with viewers insisting that what Jamal had found was not a prop but a real body. As he reviewed the footage, doubt crept in. The skin texture, the hair, even the fingernails—all seemed too realistic to be fake.
A link to an old newspaper article revealed the shocking truth: Terrell Jackson, a local actor, had been reported missing just days before the theater’s closure. Jamal’s heart raced as he pieced together the horrifying possibility that the figure in the display case was indeed Terrell Jackson.
A Desperate Search for the Truth
Determined to uncover the truth, Jamal returned to the Regal Theater armed with a better camera and a high-powered flashlight. This time, he noticed details he had missed before—the skin was not painted latex but rather mummified human skin, preserved with formaldehyde. The realization hit him like a cold wave: he had discovered a body that had been missing for 28 years.
With evidence in hand, Jamal called the police, but his pleas were met with skepticism. The dispatcher dismissed his claims, insisting that it was merely a prop. Frustrated and feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, Jamal posted an update video, explaining the situation and pleading for help. But instead of support, he faced backlash, with many accusing him of faking the story for views.
A Sister’s Heartbreak
Amidst the chaos, a message arrived from Diana Jackson, Terrell’s sister. She had been searching for her brother for 28 years and recognized his face in Jamal’s video. They arranged to meet, and when Diana saw the photos Jamal had taken, her heart shattered. “That’s him,” she cried, recognizing the gold tooth and wedding ring that belonged to her brother.
Diana recounted the night Terrell disappeared, revealing how he had called her before heading to the theater for a rehearsal. The police had closed the case, assuming he had left town voluntarily, but Diana knew her brother would never abandon his family. Together, they decided to confront the police, hoping that Diana’s presence would lend credibility to their claims.
Confronting the Authorities
At the Memphis Police Department, Jamal and Diana faced resistance. The sergeant on duty recognized Jamal from his viral video and dismissed their concerns. “That’s a prop,” he insisted, refusing to investigate further. Diana’s emotional appeal fell on deaf ears as they were threatened with charges of filing a false report and trespassing.
Feeling defeated but not willing to give up, Jamal and Diana sought to go public with their story. With the help of social media, their plight gained traction, leading to national news coverage. The pressure mounted on the Memphis Police Department, and they finally announced a reopening of the investigation into Terrell Jackson’s disappearance.
Unraveling the Truth
Detective Sarah Williams was assigned to the case and quickly recognized the significance of Jamal’s evidence. She met with him, reviewed the photos, and agreed to accompany him back to the Regal Theater. This time, they entered with a warrant, and the grim reality of Terrell Jackson’s fate was confirmed. The body had been preserved and displayed as a macabre tribute, hidden in plain sight for 28 years.
As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that the theater’s owner, Gerald Briggs, had a dark secret. A tape recorded the night of Terrell’s death revealed a chilling confession: after a heated argument, Briggs had pushed Terrell, causing him to fall and fatally injure himself. In a desperate attempt to cover up the incident, Briggs had preserved Terrell’s body and displayed it as a prop.
Justice at Last
With the evidence mounting, authorities arrested Mitchell Briggs, Gerald’s son, who had inherited the theater and kept the secret buried. The truth came to light, and justice was finally served for Terrell Jackson. The Memphis Police Department publicly apologized to Diana and Jamal, acknowledging their failure to investigate properly in 1996.
Jamal’s video went viral, amassing millions of views and transforming him into a sensation overnight. However, amid the newfound fame, Jamal struggled with the reality of what had transpired. Terrell Jackson had been a victim of a horrific crime, and his family had suffered for nearly three decades without answers.
In January 2025, Mitchell Briggs pleaded guilty to charges of accessory after the fact and obstruction of justice. At his sentencing, Diana delivered a powerful statement, confronting him with the pain and suffering his actions had caused. The judge sentenced him to 15 years in prison, ensuring that the truth would not be forgotten.
A Legacy of Hope
As Terrell Jackson was laid to rest next to his wife, Jamal reflected on the journey that had brought him to this moment. He had entered the Regal Theater seeking adventure and had emerged as an unwitting hero, shining a light on a dark chapter of history. Diana handed him an old photo of Terrell, a reminder of the man who had been lost but was finally remembered.
The story of Terrell Jackson serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of looking twice, asking questions, and never accepting the easy answer. In a world where shadows often conceal the truth, it takes courage to seek justice and bring light to the darkness.
Jamal Carter learned that exploration goes beyond abandoned buildings; it is about uncovering the stories that lie within. And sometimes, the most haunting discoveries are the ones that reveal the humanity behind the forgotten.
