On May 24, 1990. Paige Renkoski drove her mother to the airport, she stopped and visited a friend. After that she parked her car on the shoulder of I-96, exited the car leaving behind her purse and shoes. Paige Renkoski vanished. She has never been seen or heard from again. Join Already Gone as we explore one of the most compelling missing person’s cases in Michigan history.
In 1981 23 year old Gretchen was a senior at Arizona State University. White, originally from Livonia MI loved the warmth and sunshine of Tempe.
On a March evening, someone broke into her garden level apartment and led her away. Her remains were found in the parking lot of a local high school. It would take decades to bring her killer to justice. LISTEN NOW
One of the many MDOC images of Leslie Allen Willams.
In the early 1990’s a monster was hunting the women and girls of Oakland County. That monster was serial killer Leslie Allen Williams. This is his story – LISTEN NOW
February 2010, newlyweds John and Carolyn Tarwacki don’t show up to work, no calls, nothing. When John’s dad stops by their home in Niles, Michigan to check on them, he comes across a bloody and chaotic scene. Who would want them dead? What motive was there to kill the music loving pair?
at their “lucky day” wedding 07-07-07
The case took years to solve, but the work of a dedicated investigator and a prosecutor who didn’t give up finally brought their killer to justice.
#Michigan #Niles #ColdCase
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On November 10, 1975 one of the best known maritime tragedies in modern history occurred on Lake Superior when the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank during a strong storm. Because I (Nina) have such an emotional reaction to this story, this week’s episode was written by Gemma Harris, audio editing by Chaesare Gray.
This incident was immortalized in song, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was written, composed and performed by Gordon Lightfoot, who is out on tour again this year.
The wreck is also taught in some grade school Michigan history classes.
LISTEN NOW
While the podcast gives a history of the ship and details of her last days, there is far more to the lives and stories of these fathers, sons, brothers, husbands and their families. If you’d like to know more, I encourage you to explore the individual stories of the Fitzgerald’s crew as follows:
37 year old Michael Armagost,
the third mate from Iron River, Wisconsin
56 year old Frederick Beetcher,
a porter from Superior, Wisconsin
23 year old Thomas Bentsen, an
oiler from St Joseph, Michigan
47 year old Edward Bindon, a
first assistant engineer from Fairport Harbour, Ohio
40 year old Thomas Borgeson, a
maintenance worker from Duluth, Minnesota
41 year old Oliver Champeau, a
third assistant engineer from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
55 year old Nolan Church, a
porter from Silver Bay, Minnesota
53 year old Ransom Cundy, a
watchman from Superior, Wisconsin
50 year old Thomas Edwards, a
second assistant engineer from Oregon, Ohio
40 year old Russell Haskell, a
second assistant engineer from Millbury, Ohio
60 year old George Holl, a
chief engineer from Cabot, Pennsylvania
22 year old Bruce Hudson, a
deck hand from North Olmsted, Ohio
43 year old Allen Kalmon, a
cook from Washburn, Wisconsin
30 year old Gordon MacLellan, a
wiper from Clearwater, Florida
59 year old Joseph Mazes, a
maintenance worker from Ashland, Wisconsin
62 year old John ‘Jack’
McCarthy, the first mate from Bay Village, Ohio
63 year old captain Ernest
McSorley, from Toledo, Ohio
50 year old Eugene O’Brien, a
wheelsman from Toledo, Ohio
20 year old Karl Peckol, a
watchman from Ashtabula, Ohio
59 year old John Poviach, a
wheelsman from Bradenton, Florida
44 year old James Pratt, the
second mate from Lakewood, Ohio
62 year old Robert Rafferty, a
steward and cook from Toledo, Ohio
22 year old Paul Riippa, a deck
hand from Ashtabula, Ohio
62 year old John Simmons, a
wheelsman from Ashland, Wisconsin
59 year old William Spengler, a
watchman from Toledo, Ohio
21 year old Mark Thomas, a deck
hand from Richmond Heights, Ohio
58 year old Ralph Walton, an
oiler from Fremont, Ohio
22 year old David Weiss, a
cadet from Agoura, California
52 year old Blaine Wilhem, an
oiler from Moquah, Wisconsin
Resource list –
ARTICLES
Hultquist, T., Dutter, M. & Schweb, D. (2006). Re-examination of the 9-10 November 1975 ‘Edmund Fitzgerald’ Storm Using Today’s Technology. American Meteorological Society.
Rice, D. 10 Nov 2015. ‘40 years ago, the ‘Witch of November’ sank the Edmund Fitzgerald’. USA Today.
McLeod, J. ‘Beware of the “November Witch!” Farmers Almanac.
BOOKS
Brissette, J. & Newton-Matza, M. (2014). Disasters & Tragic Events, by M. Newton-Matza, (ed). ABC-CLIO.
In January of 2012, Grosse Pointe Park resident Jane Bashara was found dead in her Mercedes SUV, the vehicle abandoned in a Detroit alley miles from her home.
The first week of October, 1981, Aida Marie Calfee was traveling with her boyfriend and coworker, James Pruitt. Pruitt would tell authorities that they argued and she left his car, announcing she would “hitch a ride” back to her home.
Calfee would never be seen again. Oddly enough, her disappearance happened days before she was set to testify against Pruitt for a July 12, 1981 assault against her.
Terrifying and prolific are two words used to describe American Serial Killer Coral Eugene Watts. Join us as we explore his life and many crimes.
This week’s episode sponsored by Better Help. Visit Betterhelp.com/gone and use code GONE at check out for a discount on your first month.
If you are looking to expand your podcast queue, check out True Crime Island. Grab a beer, pull up a deck chair and listen to True Crime Island on your favorite podcatcher.
This episode looks at the 1982 murder of Cathleen Schlosser Krauseneck, a Mt Clemens native (and graduate of Mt Clemens HS, class of 1970) in Brighton, NY. In November of 2019, her husband, James Krauseneck Jr was arrested and charged in her death.
We also explore the as yet unsolved February 1991 murder of Jill Holzbach in the parking lot of the Jackson Ohio police department.
Both of these women were 29 years old at the time of their deaths. Each had one child, a daughter, and in each case, the husband was the prime suspect, although, in the murder of Jill Holzbach, there is more to consider.
August 1994, Piqua Ohio. 18 year old Shaylene Farrell invites her siblings to come to the store with her for a quick errand. They decline so she heads out on her own, a trip from which she will never return. While there are a pair of suspects in her disappearance and presumed murder, no one was ever named publicly. In 25 years of searching and investigation, police have yet to make an arrest in her case.
Shaylene Farrell, forever 18 years old.
If you have information on the disappearance of Shaylene Farrell, please contact Piqua police. 937-778-2027
Also mentioned this episode, the unresolved disappearance of 26 year old George Gall. The unexplained death of Paul Barrett.
In this week’s episode we feature the work of Private Investigations for the Missing. An organization founded by Bruce Maitland, his daughter, Brianna, vanished in 2004.
34 year old Tonia Stiles (also known as Renee Whitehill) was last seen in Grass Lake Michigan (near Jackson) on November 10, 2010.
Tonia had struggled with alcohol addiction in the past, but in late 2010, she was sober and getting her life in order. Tonia was a mother of two young children from her first marriage
At the time of her disappearance, Tonia was sharing a home with her boyfriend, Scott S Cassidy and a roommate.
The room mate told police that Scott and Tonia were arguing about finances the day she went missing.
On November 24, 2010, police arrested Scott Cassidy for auto theft. Because he had a record, including drug offenses and home invasion, he was jailed. On December 3, 2010, Cassidy died by suicide.
At the time of her disappearance, Tonia was about 5’5 with long brown hair, blue eyes and an average build.
In the summer of 1992, 15 year old Akita Ervin lived in a mobile home in White Lake Township, Michigan with her mother and her mother’s live in boyfriend. While Akita had a history of running away, there was more to the story, and that became terrifyingly clear when her decomposed remains were discovered in late June.
This is another Missing in Michigan episode, covering two cases that need more attention, but lack information to make them appropriate for a stand alone episode.
This young woman introduced herself as “Bill” less than 24 hours before she died in a Highland Park home.
Tammy Sue Clements is missing, details in her case are hard to find.
We’re talking about the unidentified person known only as “Bill” who was found in Highland Park in March of 1976, and the unresolved disappearance of Tammy Sue Clements who vanished from….Michigan, or maybe Nebraska, or possibly California in 1980. Or was it 1981? 1982? We simply don’t know, but we’d like to find out! #MISSING #DOE #UNRESOLVED #DETROIT #MICHIGAN #NEBRASKA #UNIDENTIFIED #DNA
in 1991 Vicki Harshman was worked the overnight shift at the Holiday Inn (Holidome) in Lebanon Indiana. In the course of her shift, she would be robbed, attacked and murdered.
Her death bore several strange similarities to the Days Inn Murders of 1989, (I-65 killer) but her death was the work of an as yet unidentified killer.
If you have information on her death, please contact Det. DIckerson of the Lebanon Police 765-482-8879
This episode is a trip in the way back machine, because we’re going way, way back to the late 1930’s for a disappearance that baffles Detroiters to this day!
Artie Maybe, 42, Margaret Reddon, 35 and Thomas Lorimer, the 24 year old married father of a two year old girl, vanished after a night out at a local tavern.
Despite years of searches, offers of cash rewards and trips across the country to run down leads, no sight of the Melvindale Trio was ever found.
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The last weekend of June, 2013, 25 year old Jayme Vaughn Bryant disappeared from downtown Kalamazoo. In the six years since he was last seen, there have been no sightings.
Jayme suffered injuries sustained in a fall, but his glasses were not broken. This is one of the last known pictures of Jayme V. Bryant
If you have information on his whereabouts, please contact Detective Rivard of the Kalamazoo Public Safety Dept. at (269) 337-8139
There is a Facebook group dedicated to Jayme’s case. View it here.
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December 12, 1991 24 year old Greg McRoberts leaves home on his bicycle to repair a broken down car. When he doesn’t return home, searches are organized to find him, but there is no sign of the young father.
24 year old Greg McRoberts
When his body is discovered a month later, there are more questions than answers.
In 2005 a letter arrives at the home of Greg’s parents, written by the person who struck Greg with their car on a dark December evening.
Check out our sponsor! MagellanTV – a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of true crime documentaries available anywhere. The service includes over 1500 documentary movies, series, and exclusive playlists. Check out the crime and mystery genre, designed with you in mind. Claim your first two-month free trial, only available at magellantv.com/alreadygone
In 2013, Teleka Patrick had it all, the beautiful, young doctor was settling in to Kalamazoo Michigan, Borgess Hospital, where she would do her residency.
Sadly, in private, she was unraveling, and in December, she was gone.
Check out our sponsor! MagellanTV – a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of true crime documentaries available anywhere. The service includes over 1500 documentary movies, series, and exclusive playlists. Check out the crime and mystery genre, designed with you in mind. Claim your first two-month free trial, only available at magellantv.com/alreadygone
The summer of 1983 was a special time in the life of Shawn Raymond, he graduated from high school, came out to his family, and disappeared without a trace. It would take decades, and the work of one state trooper to bring Shawn home. His death and disappearance remain unsolved. If you have information about the death of Shawn Raymond, contact Lt. Young of the Michigan State Police, Flint Post.
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In March of 1993 Carmen Van Huss invites an unknown male back to her studio apartment in Indianapolis, the two have a beer, share a meal and Carmen pays for this dinner with her life.
Check out our sponsor! MagellanTV – a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of true crime documentaries available anywhere. The service includes over 1500 documentary movies, series, and exclusive playlists. Check out the crime and mystery genre, designed with you in mind. Claim your first two-month free trial, only available at https://www.magellantv.com/
July 2013, Northern Michigan native Kelly Boyce Hurlbert is taking her bike home after work when she is struck by a vehicle and dragged. Her injuries will prove fatal. Was this a hit and run? Or something more sinister? This episode written by Micheal Whelan.
If you have tips or information email: TCPDTips@traversecitymi.gov or contact contact the Traverse City Police Department at 231-995-5150.
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Labor day weekend, 1973. Fifteen year old Terry Sutter sets out for a party, he’s last seen entering the woods near Frankfort, Michigan with a six pack of beer.
The next morning, his brutally beaten and partially dressed body will be found at the bottom of a bluff on the edge of Lake Michigan.
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On Valentine’s Day 2018 45 year old Lauren Stuart of Keego Harbor, Michigan set in motion a plan that would lead to the violent destruction of her entire family.
On June 1, 1990, 24 year old Connie Royce went to the Hayloft Bar in Mt Clemens, Michigan. She was on a date with a new guy, Greg, and Greg’s friend, “Brad” tagged along.
About 11pm, while Greg was in the restroom, Connie fled the bar, carrying her shoes. She left her handbag behind. Connie would never be seen again.
On a Sunny day in July 2016, 31 year old Alexandra “Ally” Brueger was out for a 10 mile run in the community near the home she shared with her parents in Rose Township, Michigan. The quiet afternoon was shattered by four blasts from a shotgun, the last shot reaching it’s mark, striking Ally Brueger and ending her life. Her case remains unsolved. #Murder #Michigan #Unsolved #Shotgun
In 1951, Toronto Maple Leaf player, 24 year old Bill Barilko scored the game winning goal in overtime during the last game of the Stanley Cup Finals. He flung himself across the ice, tucking a quick backhand over the shoulder of the Montreal goalie, giving the Leafs their fourth Stanley Cup win in five years.
A few months later, Barilko disappeared, taking the Leafs winning streak with him. The Leafs would not win another cup until 1962, within weeks of Barilko’s return home.
On January 3, 2018 Justin Holt returned home after visiting with his brother. He made it inside the house because his shoes, glasses and cigarettes were found there. Justin Holt has never been seen again.
August, 1981 27-year-old Cynthia Jane Miller of Beckley West Virginia is shot to death in her home just hours before her wedding. Who murdered her? Why has the case gone unsolved for so long?
Her slaying wasn’t the only violent death in Beckley that year.
Raleigh County Magistrate Nancy Sparks McMillan was murdered in her home, just one block away from where Miller resided, in December, 1981.
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Yearbook photo of Cynthia Jane Miller
Nancy Starks McMillan was murdered in December 1981
On December 7, 1995 13 year old Barbara Barnes left her Euclid St apartment in Steubenville Ohio on her way to school. She never arrived. Her body would be found two months later, 40 miles away in Pennsylvania. Her killer has never been caught.
Episode 106 – Memorial Day weekend, 1994. Sixteen year old Jody Lynn Brant leaves her home in Gwinnett County Georgia to make the 12 hour drive north to Oakland County Michigan.
Jody Brant, age 16, 1994.
She’s planning to spend the long weekend with her cousins in the Pontiac area. Jody never arrives and days later, her car is found torched in a remote part of Monroe County Michigan.
If you have information about Jody’s case, please contact the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.
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On August 16, 1987 Northwest Airlines Flight 255, traveling from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Phoenix Arizona crashed 14 seconds after take off.
At the time of the accident, it was the second deadliest crash in US aviation history. Here is the story of the flight, her passengers and why this tragedy was avoidable.
aftermath
Four year old Cecilia Cichan would survive the crash, but her parents and brother were not as fortunate.
In July of 1993 15 year old Becky Stowe disappeared from her friends house near Niles, Michigan. While law enforcement, her family and the community searched for her, a teenage boy, a “friend” of Becky’s, knew the truth.
On the morning of December 26, 1991 Bernice Gray dropped her toddler daughter off at day care and headed for work. Gray didn’t arrive at work, and wouldn’t be seen again. Days later her bloodstained car was found abandoned in Detroit.
Bernice Gray was last seen on December 26, 1991 in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
It would take a decade for the man responsible for her disappearance and murder to be brought to justice.
On a warm August night in 2010, 15 year old Carlee Jade Morse of Westland stepped out of her apartment to speak with a friend. She would never be seen alive again.
Justin Yoshikawa and Nick Cottrell are currently in prison for her murder, but no sign of the missing teenager has ever been found.
Carlee Morse, just weeks before she vanished.
Special thanks to Westland Police for their assistance in creating this episode. If you have information as to the whereabouts of Carlee Morse’s body, please contact them at 734-722-9600
