Trace Evidence de Steven Pacheco

In September of 1982, seven people in the Chicago area died after ingesting over-the-counter Tylenol capsules that had been laced with lethal doses of potassium cyanide before being placed on store shelves. Although there was a massive investigation and multiple people were closely examined, no one has ever been charged with the hideous crime. Three months after the murders, an unknown man walked into a Catholic church in Boise, Idaho and swallowed a lethal dose of cyanide. He had gotten rid of all identifying documents and cards, leaving behind cash for a burial or cremation along with a note signed with the alias Wm. L. Toomey. Just last week, the Ada County Sheriff's Office announced they had officially identified the unidentified man, known as the Unknown Wanderer, as Dr. Matthew Francis Betkouski, a PhD scientist who suffered from mental health issues and had a deep fascination for chemistry. After identifying Betkouski, detectives began uncovering a series of incidents and pieces of evidence which…

In October of 2003, twenty year old Brandon Rumbaugh and his girlfriend, nineteen year old Lisa Gurrieri wanted to find a special way to celebrate their one year anniversary. When a trip to Disneyland was too costly, they decided to stay close to home. The couple decided to camp out beneath the stars in a small area north of Scottsdale, Arizona called Bumble Bee. Tucked into the Bradshaw mountains and just a few miles off I-17, it was the perfect spot to spend a romantic night. When the couple failed to return, their families grew panicked. After more than thirty hours of silence, Brandon and Lisa were found dead, the victim of a grisly double homicide. According to police, it appeared as though someone walked up on the scene, found the couple sleeping in their sleeping bags, and opened fired with a .25 caliber pistol at close range. The killer, nor their motive, have ever been discovered. However, new breakthroughs in DNA technology are paving a pathway forward and, according to the most recent statements…

Jerry Wolking was worried, but nobody knew why. He was fidgety, pacing and didn't want to talk about what was on his mind. Days later, her mysteriously disappeared after leaving his girlfriend's house. He has never been seen again. For decades his case grew cold, leaving behind family and friends who searched and did everything they could try and keep his story alive but the silence was all consuming. Then, more than twenty-five years later, investigators dropped a bombshell. They identified a suspect, Cornelius Sedam, the estranged husband of Jerry's girlfriend. Though Sedam had passed away years earlier, there was more to the story, with detectives suggesting that there may be others, still alive who were involved; and they might even be members of Sedam's own family. Moline Police Department Podcast Episode FollowTEPod.com Follow Trace Evidence on Social Media Twitter --- Instagram --- TikTok --- YouTube --- Like Facebook Page --- Join Facebook Group --- Threads --- Like MeWe Page --- Join MeWe Group ---…

On Friday, June 13th, 2008, just before 10 AM, an unknown assailant entered the Sundrop Bottling Company building in Concord, North Carolina. Inside were three employees including office manager Donna Barnhardt as well as Darrell Noles, a local man applying for a part-time job. During what police have called a robbery gone wrong, both Donna and Darrell were shot and killed. The shooter then walked out of the building, jogged across the road and disappeared into the tree line of a wooded area. He is alleged to have been carrying a box with him as he left the scene. Despite exhaustive search efforts launched by local and state police within twenty minutes of the crime, the killer escaped the dragnet. For nearly two decades investigators have searched for the killer, although they believed they always knew who it was. Following a full and thorough re-examination of all available evidence and leads, detectives from Concord in conjunction with Port Angeles police arrested forty-three year old Johnny Talbert in…

In part 2 we examine the greater conspiracy surrounding the Vanishing of Melanie Flynn. Lexington Police Officer Bill Canan, who claimed to be using Melanie as a confidential informant for his undercover work in the drug scene is fired from his job for a multitude of reasons related to insubordination. Canan denies any involvement in Melanie’s disappearance or in any illegal activities. However, his partner, Drew Thornton, dies while flying a plane carrying two hundred pounds of cocaine into the United States from Columbia. In the early 1990’s, former reporter Sally Denton releases a book entitled “The Bluegrass Conspiracy.” The book goes on to expose a massive drug and arm trafficking operation being carried out between South America and the US with local police as well as several federal agents working hand-in-hand with Pablo Escobar’s Medellin cartel. In addition to trafficking, there are cases of witness intimidation, theft, assault and even murder. Canan is eventually arrested, charged and convicted of…

On January 26th, 1977, twenty-four year old Melanie Flynn walked out from her Lexington, Kentucky job, climbed into her red, Ford Elite and drove off into the unknown. She has never been seen again. Immediately in the aftermath of her disappearance her father, former state senator Bobby Flynn, reached out a friend and police officer for help. He didn't expect the response he received. The Police weren't all that interested or concerned. They brushed aside the family's worries and assured them that Melanie had likely gone off with friends and would come back sometime soon. It wasn't until ten days later, when the missing woman's car was found, that a detective was finally assigned to the case. The initial investigation was described as poorly conducted and carried out by detectives who seemed indifferent to the plight of the Flynn's. When they received tips that the missing woman was seen in Florida they took that statements at face value and announced the case was closed. It remained that way until a cop,…

Sixteen year old Jennifer Persia had everything going for her. She played saxophone in the school band, was on the color guard and was becoming a breakout athlete. As a freshman, she was on the varsity track team and medaled in a competition against mostly seniors. Then one quiet, Monday night, someone stole away everything she hoped to be, shattered a family and rocked a small town. On April 4th, 1994, an unknown killer, or killers, entered Jennifer's home and brutally murdered the sixteen year old over a matter of just $200. UPDATE After more than 30 years, DNA has conclusively identified Jennifer's killer. Not only has her case been solved through the use of genetic genealogy, but it was also discovered that Jennifer was not the monster's only victim. Twenty-four year old Marebeth Welsh, murdered five months before Jennifer, has also been identified as the victim of thirty-nine year old Francis Schooley. Submit a Tip - https://camdencountypros.org/unit/49 Use promo code "Trace" to save 10% on your pass at…

On Friday, December 1st, 2017, seventeen year old Maggie Long finished up her day at school and drove home to pick up refreshments for a concert that night. She never returned. Hours later, firefighters and sheriff's deputies responded to a call about intruders and a fire at her family home. There, in the scorched husk of the home, they found Maggie's body. Maggie was a beacon in her community, a brilliant and kind young woman who dedicated her life to helping others and doing everything she could to make the world a better place. Investigators theorized she stumbled upon a robbery in progress and was killed as a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Evidence showed the intruders, numbering between 3 and 4, stole a large safe from the house which contained firearms, ammunition and jade figures. Neither the stolen items nor the safe has ever been found. Composite images of suspects have been released, but whether or not they are reliable has been debated by current law enforcement. Suspect…

In January of 1987, seventeen year old Joseph Helt mysteriously disappeared after leaving a high school party. When his close friend wasn't able to give him a ride, Joe had to hop in with three other guys and though they all made it home, he never did. According to his companions that night, their car got stuck in a ditch and Joe, frustrated and tired, decided to walk the five miles home in 8 degree weather without a coat, gloves or boots. He has never been seen again. Almost as quickly as Joe disappeared rumors began circulating that the teen hadn't gone missing at all, but instead was murdered by the trio he'd accepted a ride from. Nearly forty years later, Joe has never been found and the truth of his fate remains unknown. Use promo code "Trace" to save 10% on your pass at CrimeCon.com FollowTEPod.com Follow Trace Evidence on Social Media Twitter --- Instagram --- TikTok --- YouTube --- Like Facebook Page --- Join Facebook Group --- Threads --- Like MeWe Page --- Join MeWe Group --- Bluesky Suppport Trace…

In this special Q&A episode, host Steven Pacheco answers questions submitted by listeners about the show, cases and everything in between. Following the Q&A section, we enter the 2026 preview discussing plans to return to weekly episode releases and plans beyond that. Get involved with Trace Evidence, reach out with your ideas, questions and inspirations. Visit Trace-Evidence.com for more information and FollowTEPod.com to follow us on all social media platforms. 2026 is going to be a BIG year. FollowTEPod.com Follow Trace Evidence on Social Media Twitter --- Instagram --- TikTok --- YouTube --- Like Facebook Page --- Join Facebook Group --- Threads --- Like MeWe Page --- Join MeWe Group --- Bluesky Suppport Trace Evidence Patreon --- Paypal --- Cash App --- Buy Me A Coffee Trace Evidence Merch Shops TeePublic --- ShopTEPod --- Spreadshop All Other Links Official Trace Evidence Website --- LinkTree Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution…

On Saturday, November 16, 1996, thirty-six year old Sandra Jacobson and her five year old son, John, went mysteriously missing from Bismarck, ND. After arriving late for dinner at her parents home, Sandy left to fill her gas tank and never returned. Neither she nor John have been seen again. The following morning her car was found abandoned in a parking lot adjacent to the Missouri River, which was nearly frozen over. The initial investigation found claims that Sandy might have been suffering from a mental health crisis and may have jumped into the river with her child. However, it was soon learned that Sandy had called the Bismarck Police Department hours before her disappearance. She informed them that there was a satanic cult operating on a farm not far from her home and she felt her son was in danger from them. She hung up shortly thereafter and her claims were never investigated. A new investigator, nearly a decade later, would break the case open, wondering if perhaps Sandy's disappearance might have…

On Friday, May 8th, 1981, nineteen year old Long Island native Tammy Mahoney left her Oneida, New York apartment to visit friends twenty miles away in the town of Hamilton. She never arrived and her case was investigated as that of a missing person. Twenty years later, in May of 2001, law enforcement officials announced that witnesses had come forward stating that on the night of her disappearance, Tammy was taken to a remote area, assaulted and ultimately murdered by a small group of men. To date, none of them have ever been charged or even named as witnesses are too afraid to testify. Her family desperately hopes for justice and the chance to bring Tammy home where she may be laid to rest beside her parents. There are people who know the truth, but until they come forward, the case remains in limbo. Justice for Tammy Mahoney Facebook Page FollowTEPod.com Click here to Submit a Question for the Trace Evidence Q&A episode Follow Trace Evidence on Social Media Twitter --- Instagram --- TikTok --- YouTube ---…

Trace Evidence relaunches with the story of Judy Martins. Twenty-two year old Judy Martins was a bright and talented student attending Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. During the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 24th, 1978, Judy donned a silly red wig and visited multiple buildings on campus to hang out and joke around with friends. At approximately 2:30 AM she left Dunbar Hall to go back to her room in Engleman Hall, a little over 1000 feet away. She never made it back to her room and has never been seen again. Nearly fifty years later and not a single trace of Judy was ever found, no suspects were ever named and no answers have ever been found. Follow Trace Evidence on Social Media Twitter --- Instagram --- TikTok --- YouTube --- Like Facebook Page --- Join Facebook Group --- Threads --- Like MeWe Page --- Join MeWe Group --- Bluesky Suppport Trace Evidence Patreon --- Paypal --- Cash App --- Buy Me A Coffee Trace Evidence Merch Shops TeePublic --- ShopTEPod --- Spreadshop All Other Links Official…

Sunday, May 25th, 1980 -- Kokomo, Indiana. Twenty-nine year old special education teacher Janet Shirar doesn't show up for a pre-planned family gathering and birthday party for her nephew. After multiple calls to her apartment go unanswered, her mother, stepfather and friend arrive to check on her. They find her car in the parking lot, the door slightly ajar and her apartment cloaked in darkness. Entering, they notice several concerning details and items out of place. A small, bloody handprint is clearly visible on the wall beside her bedroom door. As they approached the bedroom, their eyes were drawn to the open bathroom door and there, lying face down on the cold tile floor, they discovered Janet's lifeless body. She had been the victim of a vicious knife attack. Over the course of the next sixteen months, investigators commit all of their time and energy to tracking an unidentified woman who has made bizarre statements about the crime and, possibly, her involvement it. However, when the case becomes a…

In this week's Case Updates, we look back on five cases previously covered which have had significant updates. We will also cover three smaller updates in which reward money for information has been increased in hopes of stirring up new tips and leads. Case Updates: 233 - The Murder of Paul & Melody Jones 017 - The Disappearance of Brandon Lawson Help Find Brandon Lawson FB Page Go Fund Me 091 - The Disappearance of Dail Dinwiddie 110 - The Vanishing of Paige Renkoski 137 - The Murder of Anita Knutson 011 - The Vanishing of Asha Degree 066 - The Mysterious Death of Mitrice Richardson 155 - The Disappearance of Traci Kegley Justice for Traci Pittman Kegley FB Page Use promo code "Trace" to save 10% on your ticket for CrimeCon Denver Follow Trace Evidence on Social Media FollowTEPod --- Twitter --- Instagram --- TikTok --- YouTube --- Like Facebook Page --- Join Facebook Group --- Threads --- Like MeWe Page --- Join MeWe Group --- Bluesky Suppport Trace Evidence Patreon ---...

As Christmas of 1995 drew near, many families in rural Ohio drew closer and felt themselves caught up in the joy and pageantry of the holiday season. Unfortunately, for one family, the holiday would forever be associated with pain and grief, loss and doubt, a disappearance and the unknown. John and Shelly Markley were devoted and loving parents to their five children. During a week already marked by a family tragedy, John and Shelly mysteriously vanished on the morning of Friday, December 15th. The last sighting of the couple was made by a bank teller who waited on them at the drive up window. In addition to John and Shelly, the woman saw a third individual, a man who has never been identified. Investigators found themselves caught up in a case with just one witness, almost no physical evidence and few in any clues. As the case unfolded, detectives would learn a lot about John and Shelly and everyone else in their lives. Within weeks an unknown caller began ringing the family home, demanding cash in exchange…

When thirty-four year old Sherri Holland never arrived at her north Atlanta home after a drive up from Florida, her family knew something was wrong. More than a week later, her car was found abandoned along the side of I-75, less than thirty miles from her home. The car was in good shape, but a nail had flattened the front tire. Days later, Sherri's beloved dogs were found less than three miles from the car but there was no sign of the missing woman. As investigators dug deeper into the case they found many people unwilling to cooperate and even noted the family were somewhat limited in what information they would provide. It wouldn't take long to uncover Sherri's involvement in an illegal business which opened the doors to a world of potential suspects and motives. Use promo code "Trace" to save 10% on your ticket for CrimeCon Denver Follow Trace Evidence on Social Media Twitter --- Instagram --- TikTok --- YouTube --- Like Facebook Page --- Join Facebook Group --- Threads --- Like MeWe Page --- Join MeWe…

Twenty-eight year old Peggy Anne McGuire was last seen dropping her son off for school in Canadian, Oklahoma on the morning of Monday, November 16th, 2015. Within hours of leaving the school, the single mother would mysterious disappear leaving behind a series of confusing clues which continue to cloud the truth. The day after her disappearance a local bar captured an unidentified individual on surveillance footage abandoning Peggy's truck in the early morning hours before disappearing into the pre-dawn darkness. That individual has never been identified nor has anyone been named a person of interest or suspect. For Peggy's family, there's only one suspect -- her ex-boyfriend and the father of her son, Thomas McIntosh. They claim McIntosh was a violent and abusive man who threatened Peggy's life on multiple occasions in the years leading up to her disappearance. McGuire's cell phone data shows she arrived home that morning and disappeared from somewhere surrounding the house she shared with her ex, Mr.…

Mary "Bobo" Shinn was a well liked, friendly and talented artist and teacher living in her native Magnolia, Arkansas. Teaching classes out of a small art studio she purchased north of the town square, she made strong connections with many people, both children and adults, as she guided them to find their artistic abilities. On Thursday, July 20th, 1978, the twenty-five year old was supposed to get together with friends when she received a call from a man interested in purchasing a house she'd recently remodeled. Bobo agreed to pick the man up, since his car was in the shop, and left her art studio. She was spotted around town several times and then she mysteriously vanished. Her car was found abandoned in a grocery store parking lot hours later. The keys dangled from the ignition and scratches and scrapes suggested the vehicle had been driven off road. Despite an assortment of eye witnesses, no one has ever been able to identify the man Bobo was seen with that afternoon and nearly 50 years later her case…

In this Special Episode, we take a look back at 2024 and answer listener submitted questions about the show, specific cases and anything that you want to know. Following the Q&A there is a short "state of the podcast" segment in which we discuss plans for 2025, new ideas for the show and different ways to get you, the listener, more involved. Regular episodes will return next week as we enter our 8th year of Trace Evidence with the release of episode 246. Follow Trace Evidence on Social Media Twitter --- Instagram --- TikTok --- YouTube --- Like Facebook Page --- Join Facebook Group --- Threads --- Like MeWe Page --- Join MeWe Group --- Bluesky Suppport Trace Evidence Patreon --- Paypal --- Buy Me A Coffee Trace Evidence Merch Shops TeePublic --- Threadless --- Spreadshop All Other Links Official Trace Evidence Website --- LinkTree Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" & "Wounded" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/…

In this special Update episode, we look back on six cases previously featured on Trace Evidence which have had major updates. We begin with the case of Charles and Catherine Romer who disappeared more than forty years ago during a drive from Florida to New York. In addition to new discoveries in that case, we'll look into new searches and developments in the disappearance of Asha Degree, the Murder of Justin Turner, the abduction and murder of Jessica Gutierrez, the disappearance of Branson Perry and the murder of Faith Hedgepeth. If you would like to submit a question for the year end, 2024 Wrap-Up Q&A, you can submit them here through the 2024 Q&A Form The full length episodes of each of these updates is available for listening as well: 173 - The Vanishing of Charles & Catherine Romer 011 - The Vanishing of Asha Degree 170 - The Murder of Justin Turner Part 1 171 - The Murder of Justin Turner Part 2 097 - The Abduction of Jessica Gutierrez 089 - The Vanishing of Branson Perry 023 - The Murder of Faith…

On a cold, rainy spring night in April of 1987, seventeen year old Martha Leanne Green mysteriously vanished. After the car she and her brother were driving ran out of gas, Leanne remained behind in the car while her brother went to get help. Returning less than fifteen minutes later, the car was empty and Leanne has never been seen again. Investigators determined the seventeen year old had been abducted and several suspects were identified. One, in particular, was thought to have taken Leanne and committed similar crimes throughout the area. Law enforcement never collected enough evidence to charge the man and he took his secrets to his grave. What happened to Leanne Green? Was she abducted by a stranger or perhaps taken by someone she knew and believed she could trust? Or did the seventeen year old encounter a ruthless and brutal killer all alone on a dark, deserted highway? Trace Evidence LinkTree & Social Media Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative…

When twenty-nine year old Loy Evitts failed to return to her Kansas City, MO office job after taking a late lunch, her co-workers were concerned. When they found her car, parked in its assigned spot, but could find no trace of the woman, that concern transformed into worry. They quickly called her home and spoke to her husband, Don, who immediately knew something had to be wrong. The next day, Kansas City Police kicked off a massive search for Loy. They interviewed co-workers and friends, they went around town and established a timeline which showed everywhere and everything the woman had done. But they couldn't fill in a small window of time, five to ten minutes, and it's believed that is when she vanished. When an anonymous caller claimed responsibility for the crime, police quickly located and questioned him but they could never confirm whether he had knowledge of the crime or was just a sick prank caller. Forty-seven years later, Loy has never been found and her abductor has never been identified. To…

When thirty-two year old Shirley McAvoy didn't show up for her youngest daughter's birthday everyone knew something was wrong. After being unable to reach her, Shirley's estranged husband, Brian, reported her missing to the Pittsfield Police Department in Maine. Initially, investigators found nothing to indicate a crime had been committed and did little other than issue a statewide bolo for Shirley and her car. Thirty-four days later, a massive puddle of blood was discovered in Shirley's home. Friends and neighbors told a strange tale about a man who called himself "Jerry." Jerry moved into Shirley's home just days before her disappearance and gave many different, contrasting stories about his background. He was missing, too. Detectives soon learned that Jerry had been involved in an accident in Shirley's car in Boston the day after she was last seen alive. One month later, the mother of two was found dead in a rural area of Virginia. For detectives, solving the disturbing case appears to hinge entirely on…

Twenty-three year old Randy Church was a bright, talented and driven student attending Montana State University. Majoring in electrical engineering, Randy was excited for what opportunities the future would afford. Living off campus in Bozeman at the time, Randy picked up a part time job at a local Pizza Hut. He quickly was promoted to the position of shift supervisor. On the evening of Saturday, February 9th, 1985, Randy was scheduled on a closing shift. Locking up just after midnight, he stayed behind with one other employee to clean and prep for the next day's business. At approximately 3 AM, Randy's co-worker left and sometime shortly thereafter, an armed individual gained entry to the restaurant. The next morning, co-workers discovered Randy's body. The college student had been shot two times during what appeared to have been a robbery gone wrong. No one has ever been charged, no suspect officially named, no motive confirmed. Was he the victim of a random crime, perhaps committed by two escaped…

Ten year old Amber Barker was riding her bike home from a friend's house. It wasn't a long distance, just over half a mile through neighborhood roads she was highly familiar with. Unfortunately, she never arrived. Within hours, the Oklahoma City Police Department descended upon the neighborhood and began searching. The next day they were joined by more than 30 FBI agents. It was clear that something sinister had occurred. While investigators maintained optimism in the beginning, the discovery of a disturbing trail of clues suggested the child was in grave danger. Closing in on a person of interest, detectives were devastated when the man died, taking everything he knew with him to the grave. Trace Evidence LinkTree & Social Media Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence…

Two days after Christmas of 1993, thirty-eight year old nurse and mother of two, Latricia White failed to show up for work. Hours later, her father went to her home and was devastated to find her lifeless body lying in bed. It would later be determined she had been shot multiple times in the head as she slept. Investigators soon learned of Lee Wackerhagen, Latricia's live in boyfriend, who was nowhere to be found. Not only was Lee missing, but so was his nine year old son, Chance. Days later, Lee's abandoned truck was found in east Austin, the bed smeared with blood. It didn't take long for detectives to determine Wackerhagen had killed Latricia and fled, abducting his son in the process. For twenty long years that is exactly as the case remained until a cold case investigator with the Texas Rangers found several problems with the original investigation. In 2016, the Texas Department of Public Safety officially announced they now believed that Lee and Chance were both victims of foul play, likely at the hand…

On a warm spring night in March of 1975, thirty-two year old John Harden completed an emergency call for a client and returned home. Less than an hour later, he'd be shot dead in his driveway. After finishing his shower, John glanced out the window and saw his work truck engulfed in flames. Running outside to try and snuff out the blaze, his killer got his opening and fired a single blast from his gun. John fell to the pavement and died from his wounds less than twenty minutes later. Investigators would later determine that the fire had been purposefully set to lure the father of five outside and into the kill zone. They recovered the murder weapon, though they could never identify it or the owner. As years wore on, the case grew increasingly cold. In October of 1991 an episode of Unsolved Mysteries revitalized interest in the yet solved homicide. Not by focusing on the murder and investigating the case, but by chasing alleged ghosts around the house in which John had been killed. Was John Harden the victim…

On November 13th, 1993, twenty-eight year old Lola Katherine Fry attended a party at a northeastside Indianapolis apartment owned by a friend. She has never been seen again and more than thirty years later the mystery of her disappearance haunts family and friends. Reported missing, the Indiana State Police began their investigation by interviewing everyone who had been at the party. They all told the same story, that Kathy left with her former boyfriend, John Ryker. Ryker would tell authorities that, the next morning he ran out on a job call and when he returned Kathy and her car were gone. For seven long years the case grew cold until a new investigator took up the casefile and began unraveling years worth of lies and deception. Two men who had been present at the party finally confessed; they had lied in 1993. Kathy hadn't left voluntarily with John Ryker - she'd been taken out, wrapped in a blanket and unconscious. Did Kathy Fry accidentally overdose leading her alleged friends to dispose of her body or…

On Friday, September 24th, 1971, sixteen year old Cathy Moulton disappeared while walking home in downtown Portland, Maine. Despite the desperate pleas of her family, local law enforcement treated the case as that of a runaway and did almost no investigation whatsoever. For more than twenty years, the Moulton family did their best to investigate the case themselves. They followed leads, interviewed witnesses and hired private investigators but could get no closer to the truth. Finally, in 1995, a new detective looked at the case and was determined to find answers. Detective Kevin Cady would quickly uncover a series of eyewitnesses who were able to track the missing teen's movements out of Portland and to the northern tip of the state before she disappeared across the Canadian border. Perhaps what was most disturbing was the realization that, had investigators in 1971 taken the case seriously, they might have been able to bring Cathy home alive. Social Media and Subscription Link Tree Music Courtesy of: "Lost…

Forty-seven year old Bill Dwayne Shipley was making final preparations for a multi-state trip for work. Operating as a contract painter, Bill would leave his home in Goldsby, Oklahoma, heading east into Arkansas, north into Missouri, west into Kansas and finally back home. It was set to be a fun and lucrative trip, but Bill never made it. In fact, no one can say with any certainty what exactly happened to him after July 19th, 2011. When Bill failed to contact his family or return calls, his parents decided to stop by his home and check in on him. Instead of answers they found an empty home, with the doors left unlocked and clear indications that Bill had never actually left. Both of his trucks were gone, but his work clothes and computer had been left behind while a packed suitcase lie on the bed. When the McClain County Sheriff's Office was notified, they quickly found themselves ten steps behind in a case already growing cold. Soon they would discover that Bill's disappearance was not the only mystery. His…

In today's special update episode we cover breaking news revolving around two infamous cases. First we look into the announcement that the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office has officially charged Victor Lee Turner and Megan Turner with the 1989 murder of five year old Justin Turner whose body was found inside of a camper on his father and stepmother's property. WCBD News 2 Archival Footage In addition to this, we tackle breaking news regarding the closing of a case which had drawn national interest. Dexter Stefonek was murdered and his car burned at a rest area in Montana in November of 1985. Now investigators believe they know the man who committed this odious crime. Social Media and Subscription Link Tree Music Courtesy of: "Wounded" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation…

Twenty-five year old Sigrid Stevenson left her home in California to attend one of the country's most prestigious and respected music programs at Trenton State College in Ewing Township, New Jersey. Tragically, at the beginning of her second year pursuing her master's degree, she would become the victim of a brutal and violent murder. Nearly fifty years later, and her case remains unsolved. On the night of Sunday, September 4th, 1977, campus police found Sigrid's body lying in a pool of blood on the stage of Kendall Hall. It was a grisly and bloody scene and ultimately it was determined that the pianist had been beaten to death while playing, her nude body discovered just a few feet from her blood stained sheet music. While investigators believed they'd crack the case quickly, they soon discovered that there was little if any evidence to suggest who her killer may have been. Some suggested a jealous lover, others considered another musician with a vendetta. However, what little evidence there was, seemed to…

On the morning of Monday, December 13, 2004, twenty-six year old Stephan Adams mysteriously vanished while driving south from Tahlequah to Keys in eastern Oklahoma. The divorced, father of one, spoke to his girlfriend on the phone and informed her that he was giving an unnamed individual a ride to the area. He has never been heard from again nor has his truck ever been found. Stephan's disappearance came at a turning point in his life. For the previous four years he had been embroiled in a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife and had been accused of crimes against his daughter. After charges were dismissed, Stephan returned to fighting for custody and a new hearing was scheduled to address the arrangement. Stephan disappeared just eight days before this court date. For nearly twenty years rumors have spread about what may or may not have been the missing man's fate. While some believe he had an accident and crashed into a body of water, others theorize he was the victim of foul play. His family and…

On December 21st, 1988, in rural Ware County, Georgia, investigators were called to a disturbing scene. Down a dirt road, in a dusty turn around utilized as a makeshift, illegal dump, a truck driver found the remains of an unidentified child. The child, a black female, had been wrapped in a blanket, placed inside a duffle bag and covered over with concrete. That bag was then put inside a footlocker or trunk, which was also then filled with concrete. The trunk was then wrapped in tape, sealed in thick plastic and shoved inside an old, broken television console. For more than thirty years investigators with multiple departments, including the GBI, have worked to uncover the child's identity. Now, it appears, they have broken the case open. Just yesterday, the GBI held a press conference to announce the child has been positively identified as Kenyatta Odom of Albany, GA. In addition to her identification, her biological mother, Evelyn Odom has been arrested alongside her former live-in boyfriend, Ulyster…

On the morning of May 5th, 1983, a horrified mother entered the home shared by her daughter and son-in-law and came upon a grisly scene. Her son-in-law, twenty year old Paul Jones, lay dead on the bedroom floor the victim of a stabbing. Despite her desperate search she could find no trace of her nineteen year old daughter, Melody. Investigators with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office and the OSBI theorized that intruders had entered the couples' home during the night, murdered Paul and abducted Melody. Working with a severe lack of evidence, they struggled to put the pieces together and a lack of tips left them devoid of suspect. More than forty years later, Paul's killer has never been identified and Melody has never been located. While some believe it to be a random crime, perpetrated by a sick and desperate criminal, others wonder if the truth might be found closer to home. UPDATED - Melody's body located and positively identified. Social Media and Subscription Link Tree Music Courtesy of: "Wounded"…

On Wednesday, December 21st, 1988, a timber truck driver making his way through rural Georgia made a horrifying discovery. Just off US Route 82, down at the end of a long dirt road, in a dusty turn out which doubled as an illegal dumping ground, he found the remains of an unidentified toddler wedged inside of an old television console. Investigators would later reveal that the child, described as a young black girl, was estimated to be between the ages of 3 and 4 and had likely been dead for thirty to sixty days. Whoever had dumped her in that spot had first wrapped her in a blanket, placed her inside of a duffel bag, filled that bag with concrete, and then put it inside of a metal foot locker which was also filled with concrete. It was a scene so bizarre, so disturbing, it continues to haunt the investigators who worked it. Despite their sincerest efforts, the case grew cold and the child's true identity remained illusive. Twenty-one years later, in 2009, an anonymous tipster claimed that the child might…

In this special update episode we examine major breaking news that the previously unidentified victim found adjacent to I-40 in Orange County, NC in September of 1990 has finally had her name returned to her. Twenty year old Lisa Coburn Kesler was identified through genetic geneaology and now investigators want to find anyone who knew her. They also hope, that by unlocking Lisa's past, they can uncover the person behind her murder. Listen to the full, original episode 207 - New Hope Jane Doe. In addition, we take a look at three cases previously covered on Trace Evidence which have had smaller updates in recent months. The cases we review are: 082 - The Vanishing of Andrew Gosden, 168 - Kelly Moriarty and Doris Carter and 213 - The Disappearance of Dori Ann Myers. Social Media and Subscription Link Tree Music Courtesy of: "Wounded" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes…

The last time anyone spoke to LaTonya Roberts was the last night she was ever seen alive. Around 11 PM on Friday, December 16th, 1994, she called her sister and asked if she wanted to go to the club. In the end, LaTonya seemed set to head off on her own but when she didn't come home, everyone knew something was terribly wrong. Her father found her abandoned car two days later, on Sunday. It was parked half a mile from the club she was supposed to attend. The doors were locked and there was no sign of forced entry, although one tire was flat. Whether this was accidental or sabotage has never been determined. Police found themselves with an utter lack of evidence and few investigative avenues to explore. Then they learned the grim truth; that LaTonya had been a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her boyfriend, a man who just one month earlier, had threatened to kill her and bury her in a citrus grove. Did LaTonya's boyfriend make good on his threat or is someone else responsible for her mysterious…

On an unseasonably warm night in Northwest Indianapolis, nineteen year old Trisha Meredith made the two minute walk from her new apartment to the laundry room. Accompanied by her boyfriend, he went back to make a call while Trisha stayed behind. Sometime during the thirty minutes, an unknown killer entered the room and attacked Trisha. Evidence at the scene showed Trisha had fought, tooth and nail, against her assailant. She sustained multiple defensive wounds before she sought shelter, trying unsuccessfully to squeeze behind a washing machine to avoid the blade of her attacker. When her boyfriend returned, he found Trisha bleeding profusely after being thrown into a utility closet. The crime occurred in broad daylight, at a busy time of day, in a wide open laundry room with a massive set of windows in front, giving passersby a clean and unimpeded view. Yet, there were no witnesses to either the murder or the killer's escape. Nearly four decades later, the truth of that bitter evening remain unknown and…

Eighteen year old Colleen Perris had the world at her fingertips and couldn't wait to chase down her dreams whether they led to Hollywood or American Idol, she was game. Then, on a lazy Saturday afternoon her cell phone rang and she quickly left the house. She has never been seen again. Six days later her car was found in a strip mall parking lot, resting in a space beside an abandoned fast food restaurant. Her purse was inside, though her wallet and phone were missing and bad weather had completely erased any forensic evidence from the exterior. It was another bright avenue that terminated in a dead end. For more than twenty years Colleen's parents have fought to discover the truth of her fate. Friends, family and the community as a whole came together to pass out fliers, raise rewards and bring awareness to he vibrant and loving young woman's terrible disappearance. Police were left with the belief that Colleen had been a victim of foul play. The only question was: had it been a random encounter or a…

On a hot and humid tuesday night in September of 2002, Great Bend, Kansas was rocked by a brutal and senseless double murder. Twenty-four year old Mandi Alexander was working her third day in her new job at the Dolly Madison Bakery when she was brutally murdered. Seventy-nine year old Mary Drake, a lifelong resident of Great Bend, dropped in to the bakery that night to pickup a loaf of bread. Authorities theorize that she walked in either right after or in the middle of Mandi's murder. When the killer saw her, he couldn't allow her to escape alive. For more than twenty years the mystery behind these brutal and heinous crimes have haunted the friends and family who continue to grieve without answers. Was this a targeted attack, a robbery gone wrong or a completely random act of violence? The Dolly Madison Murders Documentary \|/ Aaron Mull's YouTube Channel Social Media and Subscription Link Tree Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0…

In this week's special update episode we'll address three cases previously covered on Trace Evidence. First we'll begin with the arrest and conviction of Isaac Moye in the murder of Unique Harris, previously covered in Episode 30. Then we'll turn our attention to one of the most infamous disappearances in American history - Tara Calico - and the announcements of the Valencia County Sheriff's Office that charges are pending. Then, we look into the horrifying murder of an unknown child referred to at Little Jane Doe or the St. Louis Jane Doe. Recently, a social media post has reinvigorated investigators who are hoping for their first major break in 40 years. Finally, after the fantastic news that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the four Gilgo Beach victims, we'll take a few minutes to summarise the case and examine some thoughts surrounding the arrest of Rex Heuermann, the case as a whole and what this may mean about additional unsolved cases and future investigation. Social Media and…

Social Media and Subscription Link Tree On a humid, Florida night in March of 1982, forty-one year old Charles David Hope walked out of a popular seafood restaurant and mysteriously vanished. His truck was later found parked at his real estate business with the doors locked and windows rolled up. Inside police found several personal affects but no signs of a crime. At the time it was theorized that Charles might have fled the state, perhaps to take on a new adventure, or maybe, in fear for his life. However, as decades have rolled on, other more sinister theories have risen to the surface. Might Charles have killed by drug traffickers? Could he have been hunted down by an angry husband who didn't appreciate the way the notorious flirt talked to his wife? Or, is it possible, that Charles was himself involved in illegal acts that eventually led to his disappearance? Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License…

On a hot and humid summer afternoon in North Texas, a twenty-four year old woman seemingly vanished in broad daylight. Just before 4 PM, Kristen Charbonneau stepped out from beneath the pink canopy of Baby Doll's, a gentleman's club located on the border between Euless and Fort Worth. She has never been seen again. For years her family have waged a dedicated campaign to bring attention to her case, to locate the missing woman and to see the man responsible placed behind bars. Just when the case was beginning to grow cold everything changed when a suspect was arrested and charged with first degree murder. Unfortunately, after a prime witness recanted her statement, he walked free, leaving both investigators and the Charbonneau family to continue the search for Kristen while wading through a murky pool of lies, deception and immeasurable grief. Charbonneau Family Website Trace Evidence Facebook Instagram Twitter Official Website Official Merch Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)…

In early April of 1994, twenty-three year old Karen Denise Wells received an urgent call from a dear friend. This friend was in a bad place and was really struggling so Denise decided to make the 1,400 mile drive from Oklahoma to New Jersey to visit. Tragically, she would never return. Less than three days after embarking on her trip, Denise would mysteriously vanish. Investigators found themselves struggling to put the pieces together as almost none of the story made sense to them. It didn't take long to realize something more sinister had occurred and that Denise's own friend may have been involved. Nearly thirty years later and Denise's fate has never been determined. While details are scarce and the official timeline is full of holes there is one thing investigators agree on; someone knows exactly what happened to the bright, loving single mother who hasn't been heard from in nearly three decades. Trace Evidence Facebook Instagram Twitter Official Website Official Merch Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time"…

On a cold winter night in January of 2001, thirty-one year old Anthony Guy Urciuoli Jr left his family's Poughkeepsie home to go play pool with a friend. He never made it back. His family reported him missing the next day but were met with investigators who seemed disinterested and initially argued that Tony had left of his own volition. More than twenty years later, the truth of Tony's fate remains unknown. While law enforcement says they have never found evidence to show he was the victim of a crime, his family believes his disappearance must be connected to foul play; possibly over a large sum of money. The family believes their son's disappearance might be connected to an ex-girlfriend, or perhaps, a co-worker who paged Tony the night he vanished. Trace Evidence Facebook Instagram Twitter Official Website Official Merch Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ #truecrime…

In this week's special update episode, we look back on two cases previously covered that have seen developments inside of the last month. First, we begin with the Disappearance of Ylva Hagner (Episode 179.) The forty-two year old vanished from Belmont, California in October of 1996. Now, nearly thirty years later, a new search is underway at the home of a familiar name. Then, we turn our attention towards the Disappearance of Tionda and Diamond Bradley (Episode 055.) Ten year old Tionda and Diamond, her three year old sister, went missing from their South Chicago Neighborhood in July of 2001. Now, more than twenty years later, someone has come forward claiming she is Diamond Bradley. Trace Evidence Facebook Instagram Twitter Official Website Official Merch Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ #DiamondBradley #YlvaHagner #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #truecrimestory #crimestory…

Nineteen year old Susan Wolff Cappel was in the middle of a divorce and custody battle, but she wasn't going to let that slow her down. After moving back in with her parents she picked up two jobs, started purchasing supplies to take care of her son and had just begun repainting her childhood bedroom for him. Then, she mysteriously vanished. Just hours after a call from her lawyer that a date had been set for the custody hearing, Sue was elated. She couldn't wait to get her son back into her arms. She left her parents home smiling, heading off to a short shift at work. At approximately 9pm, she exited the store and was met by an older model, light blue car as she was walking toward her own. After the exchange of a few words, Sue got into the car and has never been seen again. That was more than 41 years ago, on the night of Tuesday, March 16th, 1982. For more than four decades her parents have fought to bring their daughter home. They've been met by disinterest from the media, an abhorrantly handled case by…

Thirty-three year old Ann Riffin was searching for something. She'd never found a place where she felt she truly belonged, and after so many years, she believed she may have found her new home in the small village of Ruidoso, New Mexico. A poet, writer and artist, Ann fell in love with the beautiful scenery, bustling community and local art scene. For three months she seemed to thrive until one quiet weekend in September of 1982 when she mysteriously vanished. Weeks later, Ann's car was found abandoned in an area frequently referred to as the middle of nowhere. There was no evidence of a crime, in fact there was no evidence at all. No one had any clue as to where Ann may have gone, or what tragedy might have befallen her. Now, more than forty years later, the search for Ann continues though her case has long grown cold. Trace Evidence Facebook Instagram Twitter Official Website Official Merch Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0…