Tag Archives: #Michigan

The Oakland County Child Killer – Part Two

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

The Oakland County Child Killer

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.

True Crime Broad Cast – Author Jeni Decker

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.

Janette was small and lovely, almost “angelic”.

Listen now

Four Stories – The Missing

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.
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.
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.
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.
Kellie was close with her mother but her step father made her home life difficult.

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Who killed me? Janet Rohrer – Bay County Michigan

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.

Who murdered Janet Rohrer?
Who murdered Janet Rohrer?

MLive Story from 2011 

Music courtesy of Luke Superior.

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s2 e1 You’ve got an uncle in the furniture business

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.

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Episode 12 – The Skelton 3

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
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.

John Skelton remains in prison.
John Skelton remains in prison.

LISTEN NOW 

For a deep dive into this case, check out Shattered Podcast, they did an entire season on the Skelton Brothers.