The Fronczak Files

Disruption. Hardship. Fracture.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey dig into Jack’s maternal roots, a family story shaped by strong Polish Catholic ties, isolation in the Tennessee mountains, and the post-war boom in Ohio. Together these forces helped mold Marie Duncan Rosenthal.What pushed the Duncan family to leave Tennessee for Ohio? Who became involved with an evangelical TV church? And how did a nomadic upbringing leave lasting consequences for Marie? Join Jack and Tracey as they trace the Duncan line back to its Appalachian beginnings and uncover what the journey north changed forever. Join Jack and Tracey as they:• Summarize Marie Duncan’s genealogy • Detail the family move from Tennessee to Ohio• Explore how frequent moves affected Marie’s life and stability   💬 Share your reactions 🔔 Subscribe for new Season 3 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube ⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trauma. Pain. Horror. In this episode of The Fronczak Files, we turn our focus on Jack’s biological father, Gilbert Rosenthal. As we trace the path of his life, we uncover a story shaped by poverty, relentless physical pain, and an escalating hunger for control.How does a man enlist in the military while facing what may have been a serious medical condition? How does he endure chronic pain while his family grows around him? And what could drive someone to erase the existence of his own twin children? Tune in as Jack and Tracey unravel the disturbing legacy Gilbert left behind, and explore how his choices may have set the stage for everything that followed. Join Jack and Tracey as they:• Revisit Gilbert’s early beginnings• Break down his medical and military history• Theorize how these events may have led to the abandonment of Jack and Jill 💬 Share your reactions 🔔 Subscribe for new Season 3 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube ⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Love. Scandal. AbandonmentIn this episode of The Fronczak Files, we continue our walk through Jack’s family tree with a deeper look at his paternal lines. As we trace these branches, we uncover deep religious roots, stark cultural divides, and a beginning marked by turmoil.Why would a man choose circumcision in adulthood? Why would a woman drink poison in front of her husband? And what drives a man to abandon his wife and two children? Tune in as we follow the record trail and connect the dots behind the headlines. Join Jack and Tracey as they:• Dig into Gilbert Rosenthal’s roots• Explore the major differences in religion and culture across the lines • Provide context for Gilbert’s chaotic upbringing 💬 Share your reactions 🔔 Subscribe for new Season 3 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube ⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Secrets. Lies. The making of monsters.In this Season 3 premiere, The Fronczak Files takes you back to the beginning. While many know about the 1964 kidnapping of Paul Joseph Fronczak and Jack’s abandonment in Newark, few understand the full scope of Jack’s genetic beginnings, and what they reveal. For the first time, we will walk through Jack’s full family tree, starting with his immediate Rosenthal family and tracing back generations to add context to the events of the 1960s that set his journey in motion.Where did Jack come from? What does his family tree really look like? And how did it all lead to the making of monsters? Tune in this season for new research, new leads, and a deeper exploration into Jack’s life. Join Jack, Tracey, and Emily as they:• Present Jack’s family tree in full for the first time• Recap the major events in Jack’s search to find his genetic identity • Set the stage for Season 3 💬 Share your reactions 🔔 Subscribe for new Season 3 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube ⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emerging technologies. Cold cases. Long-awaited breakthroughs. In this bonus episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey sit down with Cairenn Binder, Assistant Director of the IGG Center and Director of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Certificate Program at Ramapo College. Cairenn breaks down how civilians trained in investigative genetic genealogy are helping unlock decades-old cold cases, identify the unknown, and even exonerate the wrongfully convicted.💬 Share your reactions 🔔 Subscribe for upcoming Season 3 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube ⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content 📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Children sold. Memories buried. Identities erased.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey uncover the disturbing truth behind Dr. Katherine Cole, a physician who operated an illegal baby adoption ring from the 1930s through the 1960s. Countless children were trafficked through her network, many of whom would later come to be known as “Cole Babies.”They are joined by Bob Lightner, a man directly impacted by Cole’s operation, who shares his personal adoption story and the lifelong consequences of having his identity taken from him at birth.How many children were involved? How did Dr. Cole evade oversight for decades? And how can surviving Cole Babies, and their descendants, begin the process of reclaiming their genetic truth?Join Jack and Tracey as they:• Uncover the history and inner workings of Dr. Katherine Cole’s illegal adoption ring• Speak with Bob Lightner about his own adoption and search for identity• Explain the steps other “Cole Babies” can take to pursue answers and genetic truthThis is a powerful episode about lost identities, systemic failures, and the long road toward truth.💬 Share your reactions🔔 Subscribe for new Season 2 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A baby abandoned. A secret buried. A chance to uncover the truth.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, the team speaks with Kris, a woman who was abandoned as a newborn in a wooded neighborhood area and adopted shortly thereafter. Years later, her adoptive parents shared what little they knew of her earliest moments, leaving Kris with a lifetime of unanswered questions. Follow along as the team uses genetic genealogy and DNA analysis to help piece together her biological story.Who are Kris’ biological parents? Why was she abandoned? And how does she process the answers she’s waited her entire life to find?Join the team as they:• Revisit the known details of Kris’s abandonment and early life• Walk through the genetic genealogy process used to build her family tree• Explore the emotional impact of discovering one’s genetic truth💬 Share your reactions🔔 Subscribe for new Season 2 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A shallow grave. A glass eye. Decades of unanswered questions.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey examine the 1981 cold case murder of Jack Lachow. Known for years only as “One Eye,” his identity remained a mystery for nearly three decades. Though his name was finally restored, the truth behind his death remains elusive.Who was Jack Lachow? What kind of life did he live? And who left his body in a shallow grave in South Florida? Join Jack and Tracey as they:• Lay out the known details of the cold case• Explore what is known about Jack Lachow’s life• Examine South Florida’s organized crime landscape in the early 1980’s💬 Share your reactions🔔 Subscribe for new Season 2 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content 📲 Connect with us:thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unanswered questions. DNA testing. Long-awaited results.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, the team continues their conversation with activist and abuse survivor Logan Gifford. After years of uncertainty, Logan will finally receive the DNA results that may confirm the paternity of his younger brother.Join the TFF team as they:• Reveal the DNA findings • Provide an update on the case’s ongoing legal proceedings • Discuss Logan’s next steps and what this means for his familyThe Fronczak Files is honored to support Logan in his search for truth. We continue to stand with all individuals navigating similar circumstances and encourage anyone in need to seek help, guidance, and support.💬 Share your reactions 🔔 Subscribe for new Season 2 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube ⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content 📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A period of abuse. A child born. A question of paternity.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey sit down with activist Logan Gifford, a man searching for truth through DNA. Logan has long suspected that the younger brother he grew up with may in fact be his biological son, a possibility born from years of abuse and silence.Join Jack and Tracey for the first part of this powerful conservation as they:• Examine the prevalence and hidden nature of abuse within families• Explore the complex background of Logan’s story• Set the stage for the revealing DNA results to be discussed in Part 2Through Logan’s courage, The Fronczak Files continues its commitment to uncovering truth and supporting those seeking answers.💬 Share your reactions 🔔 Subscribe for new Season 2 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube ⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content 📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A remote highway. A last sighting at a party. A young man who never made it home.In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey take a closer look at the disappearance of 18-year-old Colin Gillis, who went missing on March 11th, 2012 from Tupper Lake, NY. Join Jack and Tracey as they:• Reconstruct the events leading up to Colin’s disappearance • Explore the leading theories in the case• Share the latest updates and ongoing efforts to find himColin has now been missing for 13 years. By revisiting his case, The Fronczak Files reaffirms its commitment to honoring cold cases and standing alongside families still waiting for answers.💬 Share your reactions 🔔 Subscribe for new Season 2 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube ⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content 📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An unexpected DNA result. A leading genealogy company. A story derailed by incorrect analysis.How would you react if an over-the-counter DNA test delivered life-altering information, only for it to be wrong? In this episode, The Fronczak Files team sits down with a family who lived that exact nightmare as they fought to uncover their real genetic story. Join Richard, DeAnna, and Sierra as they share:• The emotional toll of confronting a DNA surprise • The financial cost of receiving flawed genealogical findings• The unexpected joy and connection found with new familyA powerful reminder that behind every test result is a human story, and sometimes truth takes its own path.💬 Share your reactions 🔔 Subscribe for new Season 2 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube ⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conversation with The Foundling co-author Alex Tresniowski continues, this time, diving deeper into the extraordinary lengths Jack went to uncover the truth.Join Jack, Tracey, and Alex as they revisit Atlantic City, the place where it all began, and reflect on the moments, discoveries, and emotions that shaped this incredible journey.In this episode, we journey with Alex as he recounts:• The process of writing “The Foundling” and “True Identity”• Walking alongside Jack as he searches for his genetic identity • The anguish behind the search for Jill💬 Share your reactions🔔 Subscribe for new Season 2 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content 📲 Connect with us:thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack and Tracey sit down with The Foundling and True Identity co-author, Alex Tresniowski.What was it like to write The Foundling as the story was still unfolding? What moments never made it to print? And what was it really like meeting Jack’s biological family for the first time?In this episode, Alex takes us behind the scenes to share:• The journey of writing The Foundling and True Identity• What it was like to walk beside Jack through his search for identity• The heartbreak and hope surrounding the continued search for Jill 👍 Like this episode 💬 Share your reactions 🔔 Subscribe for new Season 2 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube ⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content 📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Threads Theme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a man’s face bears an uncanny resemblance to the age progression of kidnapped baby Paul Fronczak, his life is turned upside down.Determined to uncover the truth, he begins a journey to find out who he really is. What will he discover? Is he the missing Fronczak child? And if not… then who is he?In this episode, we follow Sam Miller through the unexpected twists and turns of his search for identity, including:• The shocking moment he learns he’s adopted• His collaboration with the FBI and ABC’s 20/20 to trace his origins• The emotional quest to find his biological family💬 Share your reactions🔔 Subscribe for new Season 2 episodes🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube ⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content📲 Connect with us:thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for the premiere of Season 2 on October 28th! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1964, baby Paul Fronczak was stolen from a Chicago hospital. Decades later, Paul was finally found, but the mystery of the kidnappers remains.Who were the women behind this shocking crime? What were their backgrounds, and what led them to take a child?In this bonus episode, we uncover hidden details, including:• The criminal records of those tied to the kidnapping• Their unexpected connections to Arkansas• The team’s next steps in pursuing long-awaited answers💬 Share your reactions and theories🔔 Subscribe for what’s coming next in Season 2🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content📲 Connect with us: thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From DNA to archives, every clue has been pursued together. In Episode 9: Meet the Team of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey highlight the collective effort—the experts and collaborators who joined them in piecing this investigation together.💬 Tell us where you’re tuning in from🔔 Subscribe for Season 2🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content 📲 Connect with us:thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The crimes have been uncovered. The witnesses have spoken. Now the team asks the hardest question of all: what really happened?In Episode 8: The Theories of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey begin to piece together the season’s discoveries.Why was baby Paul kidnapped? Who played a role? And who abandoned Jack and Jill? In this episode, we explore:• Possible mob ties to the kidnapping• The Duncan and Rosenthal connections• The team’s leading theories💬 Share your reactions and theories🔔 Subscribe for what’s coming next in the search for Jill🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content 📲 Connect with us:thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack returns to Atlantic City, still searching for answers.In Episode 7: The Investigation (Part 2) of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey continue the hunt for Jill.What were Marie and Gilbert truly like behind closed doors? Could the abandoned lots of Atlantic City be hiding any long-buried clues? And most haunting of all- what really happened to Jill? In this episode, we explore:• The Rosenthal home• Revelations from a new family member• Opening a missing person’s report on Jill • Digging for Jill’s possible remains 💬 Share your reactions and theories🔔 Subscribe for what’s coming next in the search for Jill🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube⭐ Join as a Patreon member for extra bonus content 📲 Connect with us:thefronczakfiles.com | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | ThreadsTheme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.