The evening of August 3, 1989 Lawrence J. DeLisle was out driving around with his wife, Suzanne and their four children: 8-year-old Bryan, 4-year-old Kathryn, 2-year-old Melissa and 8-month-old Emily.
Lawrence lost control of the car and it flew off the road into the Detroit River. The car sank quickly. Lawrence and his wife swam to safety, but all four children drown. What appeared to be a tragic accident evolved into a horrifying story. Had Lawrence done the unthinkable? Had he intentionally driven the car into the murky waters of the Detroit River in an attempt to kill himself and his family?
October 25, 1994, 23-year-old Susan Smith ran to a house near John D Long Lake in Union, South Carolina. She pounded on the door, calling for help, crying, nearly hysterical. Her babies, she said, her boys age 3 and 14 months, they’d been taken. A call was placed to 9-1-1 and police mobilized. What law enforcement learned over the next nine days was chilling. Susan Smith would finally confess. She had done the unthinkable.
David Smith wrote a book about his experiences. Find it here.
In the early morning hours of March 2, 1996 Jody LeCornu was shot while sitting in her parked car. Despite video evidence, eye witness testimony, ballistic evidence and fingerprints, no one has ever been arrested or charged in her death.
Case overview and an interview with Jody’s twin sister, Jenny Carrieri.
This is the second episode in a series about the Oakland County Child Killer.
Between 1976 and 1977 four children were abducted and murdered. Mark Stebbins, Jill Robinson, Kristine Mihelich and Timothy King. They were held from 3.5 – 19 days. Their deaths were considered the work of a killer or perhaps a team of killers working together.
Forty years later and law enforcement is no closer to closing the case. We look at the victims, the crimes, the investigators and the families left behind.
If you would like to take a closer look at happenings around the periphery of the case:
Oakland County, Michigan. Between 1976 and 1977 four children were abducted and murdered. Mark Stebbins, Jill Robinson, Kristine Mihelich and Timothy King. They were held from 3.5 – 19 days. Their deaths were considered the work of a killer or perhaps a team of killers working together.
Forty years later and law enforcement is no closer to closing the case. We look at the victims, the crimes, the investigators and the families left behind.
On a January afternoon in 1983 Janette Roberson was the victim of a brutal attack at her workplace in Reed City Michigan. Despite being killed while working at a busy store, her body was undiscovered for hours and her killer was never caught.
In this episode I talk with author and Reed City resident Jeni Decker about the Roberson case, the challenges of investigating older cases, and other unsolved murders in the area. You can read more about unsolved crime in Reed City at Decker’s blog: http://jenidecker.blogspot.com/ You can also find her on Twitter @Jeni_Decker
In March 1979 17 year old Holly Branagan was murdered in her family home in Bethlehem, PA. No one was ever arrested or charged with her murder. Part one of a series on this baffling and engaging story.
Special thanks to Marissa of The Vanished Podcast @thevanishedpod for suggesting this case.
In January of 1980 the body of 14 year old Bill Comeans was found at the side of the road a few blocks from his home. He’d been strangled. This wasn’t the first time Bill was assaulted, he’d been attacked twice previously. Also, who was leaving the menacing notes in his school locker? Who was threatening his friends?
Bill lived in New Rome, Ohio. Car and Driver magazine did a story about corruption in their police force and city government.
Bill’s murder was investigated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. Learn about the Supreme Court Case Berkemer vs McCarty.
Continuing our look at women who work in the true crime genre. This week I talk with Charlie, she’s 1/2 of the duo that hosts the In Sight Podcast. You can learn more about her show on Facebook or on their website.
The theme this week is motherhood, and, of course, Michigan. We explore four lesser known cases from Michigan of missing persons, including a mother and her young son.
Kim Larrow was last seen in Canton, Michigan June 1981. Her half sister and cousin are still hoping she will be found.
Kim Larrow was staying with her mother in Canton, Michigan the summer of 1981. She said she was meeting a friend for ice cream, or possibly headed to a party at Hines Park. Kim was never seen again.
Dawn Silvernail was recovering from the birth of her second child, a son, when she vanished from her Hazel Park home in 1991. Her disappearance wasn’t reported for years. Her husband is a person of interest in her case.
Dawn Silvernail was discharged from Providence Hospital after delivering her second child. She was never seen alive again. Her husband is a person of interest in her disappearance.
Carolyn Martin reunited with her boyfriend, Hamparsoum Kirezian and he planned a move to Texas with Carolyn and their toddler son, Mark. Carolyn never arrived in Texas. She and her son haven’t been seen since.
Carolyn and Mark Martin disappeared on the way to Texas.
Kellie Brownlee had a difficult home life and often stayed with friends. In May of 1982 she skipped school to apply for jobs at Twelve Oaks Mall, she would never be seen again. Was she killed by her stepfather or did a well known predator come through the area and end her life?
Kellie was close with her mother but her step father made her home life difficult.
Continuing our look at women who work in the true crime genre. This week I talk with Heidi Galore, a crime analyst and former police officer. We talk serial killers, Halloween and what it’s like working among like minded women focused on a dark subject!
Starting something new this week. I sat down with Deana, host of the Twisted Philly podcast, to talk about her show, Jon Benet, Lori Erica Ruff, Halloween and more.
These interview episodes are in addition to my usual episodes about the murdered and missing.
A squad car sits outside the restaurant November 19, 1978
Jayne, Mark, Ruth and Daniel.
On November 17, 1978 a robbery at the Burger Chef restaurant in Speedway Indiana went horribly wrong. It ended with four murders, two suspects and no arrests. The case remains open and unsolved.
In 1973 Janet Rohrer disappeared on the way to school. Her body would be discovered one year later. Was her death the work of a serial killer? Could she be linked to the Oakland County Child Killer? While we are focusing on Janet Rohrer, this episode covers four unsolved murders in Bay County between 1972-1973.
Investigators search for evidence near where McNelly and Stewart’s remains were found.
July 4, 1988 high school sweethearts Sally McNelly and Shane Stewart are enjoying the holiday. Dinner, fireworks, hanging out. They crossed paths with a monster. Their murders remain unsolved.
Shane and Sally
The episode contained excerpts from a You Tube Video published by Pat Wade, the mother of Sally McNelly, on the 25th anniversary of her daughter’s murder.
Investigators encourage anyone with information about the case to contact Detective Lowe at 325-655-8111, ext. 109, or Detective Mellas at ext. 115.
The city of Tinley Park, IL has a dedicated place on their website with information about the massacre. You can listen to a heavily edited version of the 9-1-1 call that isolates the voice of the perpetrator.
The five women who were murdered February 2, 2008.
In 1974 Harvey Leach was young, handsome, successful and the Chairman of the Board for Joshua Doore furniture. His gruesome gangland style murder was overshadowed by the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa one year later.
Tara and Stephen Grant were living what appeared to be a charmed life. Two lovely children, a house in the suburbs, an au pair to help with childcare, they were the envy of the neighbors. Until February of 2007 when Tara walked out on Stephen and vanished.
The Grants in happier times
Stephen Grant after his capture in northern Michigan.
Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton were last seen on Thanksgiving Day, 2010 in Morenci Michigan. Their mother let them visit their father for the holiday. They haven’t been seen since.
Photo with age progression
Their father, John Skelton claims that he gave the boys away to a group that will protect them. He was sent to prison for custodial interference, if the boys are found alive, he could be released.
Tina Biggar, the girl next door.Hogan’s Restaurant (now closed) as it looked in 1995. This is where Kenneth Tranchida first saw Tina Biggar, calling her the most beautiful woman he’d ever met.Kenneth Tranchida pled guilty to murdering Tina Biggar.
