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.
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.
