The Vault

This is part 7, the final episode in the series on the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith, and the investigation that followed.   In this episode, we explore new information brought to light through listener contributions, including potential suspects and insight into the day Belinda went missing.    We also discuss Belinda's troll necklace, which contained a white stone. A white jewelry stone was recovered from Timothy Crosby's home during the 2009 search warrant execution. Is there a connection? Find out in this episode.    Finally, we hear from Belinda's siblings about who Belinda was, and the impact her disappearance had on the entire family.    You can find all of our work on this case at inforum.com/Belinda. There, you’ll discover our print stories that accompany every podcast episode. Those stories include images from the casefile, and photos of Belinda, Timothy Crosby and others mentioned in this story. You can also visit our Facebook Group, The Vault: True Crime from the Upper Midwest to discuss the case with others who are listening or reading the series.    If you have any information related to this case, email Trisha Taurinskas at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com   

This is part 6 in an ongoing series on the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith, and the investigation that followed.   In part 6 of this series, reporter and host Trisha Taurinskas sits down to interview the main suspect, Timothy Crosby, at the secure Moose Lake Sex Offender Treatment Program facility, where he is locked up indefinately.    This episode we examine how Belinda's investigation led to Timothy Crosby's involuntarily commitment as a dangerous sexual offender and a danger to society.    To learn more about what was discovered during Belinda's investigation, listen to this episode.    You can find all of our work on this case at inforum.com/Belinda. There, you’ll discover our print stories that accompany every podcast episode. Those stories include images from the casefile, and photos of Belinda, Timothy Crosby and others mentioned in this story. You can also visit our Facebook Group, The Vault: True Crime from the Upper Midwest to discuss the case with others who are listening or reading the series.    If you have any information related to this case, email Trisha Taurinskas at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com   

This is part 5 in an ongoing series on the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith, and the investigation that followed.   In this part of the series, we explore the cold case review of Belinda's case, which took place from 2008 to 2014. During that time, investigators with the Wright County Sheriff's Office, the Minnesota BCA and the FBI conducted a number of thorough searches in their effort to find Belinda.    Those searches included the execution of multiple search warrants, the use of cadaver dogs, excavations and more.    To find out what they discovered, listen to this episode.    You can find all of our work on this case at inforum.com/Belinda. There, you’ll discover our print stories that accompany every podcast episode. Those stories include images from the casefile, and photos of Belinda, Timothy Crosby and others mentioned in this story. You can also visit our Facebook Group, The Vault: True Crime from the Upper Midwest to discuss the case with others who are listening or reading the series.    If you have any information related to this case, email Trisha Taurinskas at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com   

This is part 4 in an ongoing series on the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith, and the investigation that followed.   In part 4 of this series, we explore an alleged confession related to Belinda's disappearance.    In January 2002, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota received a call from a woman who claimed she had information about a confession in Belinda’s case.    The woman told investigators her sister was riding in the back of a truck one to two years prior when she heard their aunt say Belinda’s distant cousin confessed to the crime at some point between 1987 and 1989 while drunk.   The distant cousin arrived at the aunt’s house and allegedly told her that he and a friend forced Belinda into their car while she was walking down the road on a dark and foggy night. Then, he claimed things “got out of hand,” according to the case file.   To learn more about what investigators did next, listen to this episode.    You can find all of our work on this case at inforum.com/Belinda. There, you’ll discover our print stories that accompany every podcast episode. Those stories include images from the casefile, and photos of Belinda, Timothy Crosby and others mentioned in this story. You can also visit our Facebook Group, The Vault: True Crime from the Upper Midwest to discuss the case with others who are listening or reading the series.    If you have any information related to this case, email Trisha Taurinskas at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com   

This is part 3 in an ongoing series on the disapperance of Belinda Van Lith, and the investigation that followed.   In part 3 of this series, we explore the criminal history of Timothy Crosby, the main suspect in the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith.    After being released from a state insitution for sexually violent individuals for the December 1974 kidnapping and sexual assault of a young woman, two more women escaped from Timothy Crosby.    In 1983, a young woman escaped from his vehicle after being held at knifepoint. In 1987, Timothy Crosby held a young woman captive in his St. Paul apartment for 16 hours. The young woman, who endured hours of violent sexual assault, threw herself out of Timothy Crosby's apartment window. Two men witnessed her escape, and authorities were called in.    For the full details on Timothy Crosby's criminal history, listen to this episode.    You can find all of our work on this case at inforum.com/Belinda. There, you’ll discover our print stories that accompany every podcast episode. Those stories include images from the casefile, and photos of Belinda, Timothy Crosby and others mentioned in this story. You can also visit our Facebook Group, The Vault: True Crime from the Upper Midwest to discuss the case with others who are listening or reading the series.  If you have any information related to this case, email Trisha Taurinskas at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com   

We had originally planned to produce four episodes in this series. But, because we continue to uncover and receive new information and insight, we are expanding the series. This episodes includes a preview of what's to come.  We will be picking up this series with a new, extended episode next week. Until then, you can find all of our work on this case at inforum.com/Belinda. There, you’ll discover our print stories that accompany every podcast episode. Those stories include images from the casefile, and photos of Belinda, Timothy Crosby and others mentioned in this story. You can also visit our Facebook Group, The Vault: True Crime from the Upper Midwest to discuss the case with others who are listening or reading the series.  If you have any information related to this case, email Trisha Taurinskas at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com 

This is part 2 in an ongoing series on the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith, and the investigation that followed.   Six months after Belinda went missing, Timothy Crosby, the last known person to see her was arrested for abducting a young woman in St. Paul and taking her to his family's cabin on Eagle Lake, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her.   The victim escaped to tell investigators her story — and provide insight into the mind and capabilities of Timothy Crosby.   What did investigators do when they discovered the last person to see Belinda carried out such a henious attack at the very location where Belinda was last seen? Listen to find out.   This episode is written, narrated and produced by Trisha Taurinskas. The Vault's editor is Jeremy Fugleberg. To read the full story, with images related to the case file, go here: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/he-was-the-last-to-see-belinda-van-lith-alive-when-he-later-attacked-a-woman-he-finally-became-a-suspect  

Belinda Van Lith (also referred to in various media outlets as Belinda VanLith) was 17 years old when she went missing from a home she was house sitting on Eagle Lake, just outside of Monticello, Minnesota.  Over the past several months, Forum News Service has worked with the Van Lith family, delved into the roughly 1,200-page police file and conducted an exclusive interview with the main suspect in the case. The investigation reveals the details and impact of a thorough yet stalled investigation that spanned decades and included multiple detectives, investigative agencies, search warrants, detailed interviews and land excavations. This series is written, narrated and produced by Trisha Taurinskas.  The Vault's editor is Jeremy Fugleberg.  For the full story, including images related to the case, visit this link: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/belinda-van-lith-vanished-in-1974-her-family-assumed-the-case-was-cold-then-they-got-her-1-200-page-file  

Kevin Mahoney vanished from a known party house in Fargo on Oct. 2, 1993. Some party-goers told investigators that he left on foot for his brother's house in nearby Moorhead. His brother wasn't home that night, and there's no indication he made it to his destination.  Others believe Kevin never left the party house.  Kevin's sisters are dogged advocates for their brother's case. They, along with the Fargo Police Department, believe foul play was involved.  In part 2 of this series, find out what Kevin's sisters believe happened to their brother that night -- and why Fargo investigators dug up the party home's basement in search of Kevin.  Will someone finally come forward with what really happened the night Kevin Mahoney vanished?  Click here for the full story: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/this-missing-mans-sisters-wont-rest-until-someone-speaks-up-what-happened-to-kevin-mahoney This episode is narrated, produced and written by Trisha Taurinskas

This year marks thirty years since Kevin Mahoney went missing from a once-notorious party house in Fargo, North Dakota. His sisters believe that somebody in the Fargo area knows something. They’re after one thing: They want the person -- or people -- who know what happened to come forward before their memories are carried to the grave.  This Fargo missing persons case has gone cold, yet the details of the investigation will make you wonder why.    For the full story: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/this-missing-mans-sisters-wont-rest-until-someone-speaks-up-what-happened-to-kevin-mahoney   Written, narrated and produced by Trisha Taurinskas

Donald Blom.  His name creeped into Minnesota households through newscasts when he was arrested and charged for the abduction and murder of 19-year-old Katie Poirer in 1999. Find out why investigators consider him a person of interest in the 1993 stabbing and murder of 19-year-old Holly Spangler -- and how new DNA technology could determine if Donald Blom was, in fact, involved.  Written, narrated and produced by Trisha Taurinskas  You can find the full story here: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/a-minnesota-detectives-final-mission-prove-who-killed-holly-spangler

Holly Spangler’s body was discovered in a Minnesota park, with a single stab wound to the chest on July 20, 1993.  After five days of being exposed to the elements, her body was in a state of decomposition. Little evidence was discovered nearby – and, since that day, her case has gone cold.  Now, one detective is hoping she can crack the case, put an end to the mysterious death and deliver a sense of peace to Holly’s family. Narrated, writen and produced by Trisha Taurinskas. Full story can be found here: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/a-minnesota-detectives-final-mission-prove-who-killed-holly-spangler  

On June 7 – a little over two months after Madeline "Maddi" Kingsbury went missing – her body was found in a remote area near Mabel, Minnesota — her boyfriend's hometown. Inside a fitted sheet, enclosed with Gorilla tape, investigators discovered Madeline Kingsbury's body, with a knotted towel wrapped around her head and neck, according to court documents. An autopsy report later revealed she died by homicidal violence. It was a devastating end to the search for the loving mother of two young children – and the beginning of an investigation that revealed the true nature of the domestic abuse inflicted on Madeline Kingsbury by Adam Fravel.  Adam Fravel has been arrested and charged on two counts of second-degree homicide. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years. Adam Fravel is slated to appear in Winona County Court on Sept. 22.  This episode is written, narrated and produced by Trisha Taurinskas The Vault's editor is Jeremy Fugleberg The Vault's audience engagement specialist is Madison Hunter For the full story, visit: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/madeline-kingsbury-case-boyfriend-adam-fravels-troubling-texts-and-fascination-with-gabby-petito

In this episode, Tracy Briggs dives into the story of a man knonwn as the "Dakota Desperado," who left his mark on North Dakota through a life of crime and murder.  Written and narrated by Tracy Briggs Edited by Kris Kerzman Hosted by Trisha Taurinskas

In part two of this two-part series, learn what happens when a Minnesota father and husband is let off the hook for the death of his first wife. Does he remarry in Texas and repeat the pattern? Find out.    Written and produced by Trisha Taurinskas   

Hours before Helen Lundstrom’s death, she and her husband sat at the dining room table, preparing Sunday school lessons for the weekend. It was a normal Saturday night — a weekend ritual for the church leaders. Yet what came next was anything but routine. Written, narrated and produced by Trisha Taurinskas  

Kate Richards O’Hare was sentenced to a five-year sentence of hard labor at the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City. Her crime? Violating the Espionage Act of 1917 for making an anti-war speech in Bowman, North Dakota, just two years earlier. Full story: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/she-delivered-her-anti-war-speech-all-over-the-u-s-but-north-dakota-threw-her-in-prison-for-it  

This episode focuses on the book, "Vanished in Vermillion," written by award-winning journalist Lou Raguse.  “Vanished in Vermillion,” peels back the layers of complexity that hide behind headlines. Through years of added research and interviews with those involved, Raguse tells the story in a way that captures the nuances of it all. True crime books often focus on the crime itself and the investigation, or lack thereof, that follows. This story shows what happens when law enforcement makes critical mistakes in the investigation, and how those errors can impact the lives of those caught in the tangled web. In this episode, Trisha Taurinskas shares her thoughts on the book, along with parts of her interview with Lou Raguse.  Full story: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/vanished-in-vermillion-peels-back-layers-of-complexity-in-infamous-south-dakota-cold-case?ajs_aid=da7b69ca-81f8-41d5-90bb-fd7337a4d74e

Court documents newly obtained by Forum News Service show the man who was acquitted in the 1981 brutal murder of his girlfriend, 18-year-old Karla Jo Nieland, at a farm party had first asked a judge to dismiss second-degree murder charges on the grounds that he did not intend to kill her. The newly obtained Minnesota Supreme Court documents relate to appeals the defense team filed prior to the trial of John Keep. They argue damage to Nieland caused by the horsehoe ring Keep wore on his right hand shows Keep made “backhand slaps," not "bludgeoning blows." Keep's legal team also argued he was drunk and not in a state of mind to kill Nieland. In addition to arguments that Keep should not stand trial for second-degree murder, his legal team also appealed to have him tried as a juvenile, based on arguments that he wasn’t a threat to the public. Keep was 17 years old at the time of Nieland's death. Full story: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/karla-jo-nieland-was-murdered-at-a-1981-minnesota-farm-party-now-new-documents-reveal-complexities-in-case Written and narrated by Trisha Taurinskas 

In less than a week, 18 pipe bombs packed with lead shot and nails were either found or detonated in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and Texas. At least six people were injured in Iowa, four of whom were mail carriers . With a country still reeling from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the FBI got involved and began the task of putting the pieces together. This time, the war on terror would lead investigators not to foreign lands but to Minnesota and neighboring Wisconsin. Full story: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/21-years-ago-a-midwest-pipe-bomber-tried-to-make-a-smiley-face-on-national-map?ajs_aid=da7b69ca-81f8-41d5-90bb-fd7337a4d74e Written by: Mark Wasson Hosted by: Trisha Taurinskas