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.
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.
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.
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
**note audio updated and rereleased on Monday August 22**
S2 E2 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.
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.
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
Detroit Free Press Story.
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
I highly recommend that you watch his confession. Jim Smyth was masterful.
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.
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.
Bernice Catcheway has created a Go Fund Me to help finance their trips north to search for Jennifer. Can you help?
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Cindy was last seen driving on 14 Mile Rd in her sporty, silver and black 1984 Ford Tempo.
Cindy Moore NAMUS
Podcast news clip courtesy of 9 and 10 News
