On a warm September night in 1951 the brutal murder of nurse Pauline Campbell stunned the community. The attack was one in an escalating series of assaults on nurses in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The identity of the killers would rock the community to it’s core.
A fascinating vintage crime in a college town.
Link to photo of Walter DeDula
Girls crowded the courthouse to see William R. Morey III at his trial.
In 1985 Debbie Wolfe was a 28 year old nurse living just outside of Fayetteville North Carolina. She left work on December 26, and headed home to care for her two dogs. She would not be seen alive again.
On January 1, 1986 her remains were discovered in a pond near her home. Was her death a terrible accident or did someone get away with murder?
On Thursday November 9, 2007 Kyle joined his mother, sister and best friend at a Dane Cook show in Charlotte, North Carolina. By 4a on Friday November 10, Kyle had vanished and wouldn’t be seen again.
Where is Kyle?
June 25, 1968, the Robison family is 10 days in to a relaxing summer “Up North” at their wood and stone cottage on Lake Michigan.
That night a killer or killers fired on the house, wounding Richard Robison, they then entered the house and executed the entire family. Who would do such a thing? Why would anyone want the family dead? We still look for answers to a brutal mass murder.
Read Mardi Link’s Book When Evil Came to Good Hart for a deeper look at the case.
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?
Thanks to Frank for suggesting this story.
This episode is cohosted and cowritten by Nate Hale of The Conspirators Podcast.
Music courtesy of Luke Superior.
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.
Linda Russell also wrote a book. My Daughter Susan Smith.
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.
If you have information about Jody’s murder Crime Stoppers is offering a $32k reward.
Music courtesy Luke Superior
Thank you to @Melodile2015 for suggesting this case.
In 1952 Marquette Michigan was rocked by the murder of a barkeep by an airman from KI Sawyer AFB. In 1988 another murder shocked the community.
Join us as we discuss the murder of Maurice Chenoweth and the stabbing death of Paul Girard.
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:
North Fox Island – When history turns out to be not so nice
Catherine Broad – A blog run by the sister of Timothy King
A father’s story – Written by Barry King, father of Timothy King
Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper holds a press conference in response to $100M lawsuit.
Listen to PART TWO
Or, for a deep dive into this case, check out Don’t Talk to Strangers, also hosted by Nina Innsted.
Music: Luke Superior https://soundcloud.com/lukesuperior
Season 3, episode 1
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.
Listen to PART ONE
Or, for a deep dive into this case, check out Don’t Talk to Strangers, also hosted by Nina Innsted.
The Already Gone Podcast will return on Thursday January 12, 2017.
thank you for listening!
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
Ms Decker now hosts the Down and Away Podcast.
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.
Listen to PART ONE
Listen to PART TWO
Listen to PART THREE
Listen to CONCLUSION
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.
Insight is now CRIMELINES
Two women, women with families, careers and bright futures. They are forever linked by the brutal actions of a violent sexual sadist.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
I hope you enjoy them!
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.
Music courtesy of Luke Superior.
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.
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.
Follow the case on Facebook: Remembering Shane and Sally
Music courtesy of Luke Superior.
What do Atom Egoyan, the Buffalo Sabres, one trip to the Stanley Cup, three fatal shootings and Palm Beach County, Florida have in common? Brian “Spinner” Spencer.
Martin O’Malley’s book Gross Misconduct
Special guest this episode: James W. Weirick. Weirick is a podcaster on various shows, you can follow him @JamesWWeirick
Music courtesy of Luke Superior.
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.
Tip Hotline: (708) 444-5394
Tip Email: lanebryant.tipline@tinleypark.org
In 1989 Dana Stidham vanished while running errands for her father. Her badly decomposed body was discovered months later.
The investigators tasked with bringing her killer to justice found themselves entangled in the aftermath of another senseless shooting.
Music by Luke Superior
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.
His murder remains unsolved.
Additional Reading: Downriver Things
Classic Joshua Doore ad from 1973
Modern Joshua Doore ad from South Africa 2014
Music provided by the talented Luke Superior.
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.
Murderpedia entry on Stephen Grant
How big is Detroit?
Blog maintained by the family. Help Find Nikki Wells
Facebook page — Help Find Tamala ‘Nikki” Wells.
Nikki’s entry on The Charley Project.
Please take a moment to share these links with friends and family in the Detroit area. Her family would appreciate it.
Perry Otto Corlew on The Charley Project. Check out the age progression photo.
The woods along I-75 near Grayling
Robert Richard Lepsy on The Charley Project.
Buy the book on Amazon.com
Be sure to check out the CanCrime podcast episode on the unique challenges faced by those who represented Russell Williams.
Music by Luke Superior – Find him on SoundCloud
Part Two – LISTEN NOW
I highly recommend that you watch his confession. Jim Smyth was masterful.
Part One – LISTEN NOW
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.
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.
For a deep dive into this case, check out Shattered Podcast, they did an entire season on the Skelton Brothers.
The Find Eric Lee Franks Facebook page.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Department produced a short video about this open and unsolved homicide.
View James Cooper’s entry at The Charley Project.
A small clip of audio from this segment was used in episode seven.
The Winnipeg Free Press put together a chart and map of missing and murdered aboriginal women. The results are startling.
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