Going West: True Crime

In December of 1996, a 12-year-old girl went missing from her New Jersey home overnight. Her family fell under suspicion when they took 24 hours to report the disappearance, and then weeks to publicize it. But investigators were even more wary of her family when it was revealed that they operated a religious cult, and later, were casually informed that this 12-year-old victim was pregnant. This is the story of Celina Mays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In November of 1978, four young employees of the Speedway, Indiana Burger Chef restaurant mysteriously vanished at the end of their shift. When police investigated the scene that night, it was clear something had happened to them. But the case wasn't taken seriously until almost two days later, when all their bodies were found - proving they had died by homicide. This is the story of Jayne Friedt, Ruth Ellen Shelton, Mark Flemmonds, and Daniel Davis. Also known as the Burger Chef Murders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In December of 2022, a 27-year-old woman met a stranger in a bar in her small, West Virginia hometown, only to disappear after leaving with him. As an investigation into her disappearance began, it was revealed that the man she was last seen with is an ill-mannered ex-cop who had recently changed his name. Countless women have come forward since to describe their disturbing and unsettling encounters with this man - from his days as a food delivery driver and local. So what happened that night, and where is she? This is the story of Gretchen Fleming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In December of 1974, just two days before Christmas, three girls, ages 17, 14, and 9, disappeared while shopping at a mall in Fort Worth, Texas. 50 years into the investigation, thousands of leads have been followed up on, and hundreds of people have been interviewed, but none of the girls have ever been found. What happened to them, and does the person responsible for their disappearance have more victims? This is the story of the Fort Worth Missing Trio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a strange and eerie coincidence, in autumn of this year, two young nurses working at the same hospital in Portland, Oregon were murdered by different men in separate parts of the world. A 32-year-old woman was murdered in her Beaverton apartment in an act that has been described as “deliberately cruel.” Then, just two months later, her 31-year-old colleague was murdered while on vacation in Hungary. When police discovered her body, they also came upon disturbing Google searches from her suspected killer, including, “How reliable are the police in Budapest?” and “What does a corpse smell like after it decomposes?” These are the murders of nurses Melissa Jubane and Mackenzie Michalski in this episode we’re calling, The Killings of Two Portland Nurses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In November of 2002, a 20-year-old man left a party at his Minnesota university and seemed to vanish into thin air. Police originally believed that he had simply fallen into a nearby lake and drowned by accident. But when they couldn’t find any trace of him, they began to suspect that he was met with foul play after walking home alone. Especially as they unraveled the disturbing accusations against University members and the interesting finds on his computer. This is the story of Joshua Guimond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Friday, November 8, 2024, a 30-year-old Maui woman on her way to New York missed her connecting flight in Los Angeles. While attempting to get on a standby flight for the weekend, she ventured out into Los Angeles, having been spotted around the city. But when Monday arrived, her family received some strange text messages from her before she was caught on surveillance footage with an unknown man Downtown. Her family is adamant that she is in danger, as she hasn't been heard from since. GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/4fmxej-support-the-search-for-hannah-kobayashi If you have ANY information regarding her whereabouts, PLEASE contact the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-527-3247. Those wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or go to lacrimestoppers.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the fall of 2011, a 41-year-old California woman set out for a new life on a beautiful island in Panama. But what seemed like an adventurous fresh start quickly took a turn for the worse when she suddenly disappeared without a trace. As her family’s concern grew, a horrible story of abuse and manipulation began to surface. As investigators looked for any sign of her, they soon uncovered a trail of lies, fake emails, hidden relationships and shocking evidence that pointed to a murder. This is the story of Yvonne Baldelli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Thanksgiving, 2018, a 29-year-old woman went missing in Colorado after last being spotted in a grocery store with her daughter. When investigators found traces of blood at her abandoned townhome, a sinister plot was uncovered that involved poisoned coffee, numerous road trips, and a baseball bat. This is the story of Kelsey Berreth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In November of 1988, a nine-year-old girl was abducted in broad daylight from the parking lot of her local corner store. Despite there being witnesses who relayed the assailant’s appearance to police, years passed without any significant movement in the case. But once DNA technology became advanced enough to provide a match from a fingerprint left on the girl’s scooter, a suspect was arrested. Sadly, she was not his only victim. This is the disappearance of Michaela Garecht. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Part 1 posted on October 29, 2024 - Episode 449. On October 10, 2024, a 35-year-old Montana man was murdered in his tent while camping in a secluded Montana site. Thanks to DNA found on a beer can in his tent, police arrested his killer three weeks later, on October 31, 2024. This is the updated story of Dustin Kjersem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early night hours of August 11, 2003, a 19-year-old Indigenous woman set off on a walk through the rain alone after spending time with friends in her home of Nome, Alaska. But when her roommate noticed her absence the following morning, she reported her missing. And just a day after doing so, her nude body was found shot to death in a gravel pit by an abandoned gold mine. As police put the puzzle pieces together, an unexpected suspect emerged - and fast. This is the story of Sonya Ivanoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In October of 2001, a 52-year-old man was found bludgeoned to death in his East Hampton home after missing a work meeting in the city. Just days before finalizing their divorce, investigators were keen on questioning his wife, along with her suspicious electrician boyfriend. But were they involved, or was someone else out to get the powerful investment banker? This is the story of Ted Ammon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On October 12, 2024, the friend of a 35-year-old Montana man stumbled upon his body in a tent when he didn’t show to their agreed meeting spot for a weekend camping trip. When police arrived at the scene along Moose Creek, they initially wondered if it was a brutal bear attack. But upon closer inspection it was clear that it was no animal mauling, and instead, a vicious believed-axe murder. This is the story of Dustin Kjersem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On October 31st, 1993, a beloved 39-year-old teacher was found strangled to death inside her car in a quiet suburb of Sacramento. As police investigated her final movements, they started to believe that someone she knew was behind her murder. But now, over 30 years later, we’re still left in the dark about what really happened to her that night. Many are left wondering if hers is connected to a similar cold case from the area, and whether both are victims of the infamous Golden State Killer. This is the story of Cherilyn Hawkley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On an early morning in September of 2022, a 25-year-old woman vanished without a trace after leaving her Salinas, California apartment. Later, her beloved car was found abandoned along Highway 1 in Big Sur, with all of her belongings locked inside. Surveillance video showed her last known movements, but where did she go afterwards? And where has she been since? This is the story of Arelie Garcia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the winter and early spring of 1946, a series of moonlight attacks and murders occurred along Lovers Lanes in Texarkana, Texas, leaving the small city terrified of a maniac in their midst. As police, the FBI, and Texas Rangers tried to find the assailant responsible for 5 murders and 3 survivor attacks, a slew of suspects presented themselves in the area - making investigators wonder: Who really is this masked, senseless killer? This is the story of the Texarkana Moonlight Murders, and the Phantom Killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In August of 1989, two brothers entered their parents’ Beverly Hills mansion, and shot them multiple times, killing them almost instantly. When police arrived, the men maintained that the murders had taken place while they were at the movies, which police initially believed. But after a painstaking, months-long investigation, and a guilt-ridden confession to a therapist, the men were arrested for the murders. There seemed to be no question whether or not they had committed the crime, but the real question was why. Did the horrific abuse they alleged to suffer at the hands of their mother and father justify their parents’ brutal end, or were the brothers just out for their family’s fortune? These are the murders of Kitty and Jose Menendez, and the stories of Lyle and Erik Menendez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In August of 1989, two brothers entered their parents’ Beverly Hills mansion, and shot them multiple times, killing them almost instantly. When police arrived, the men maintained that the murders had taken place while they were at the movies, which police initially believed. But after a painstaking, months-long investigation, and a guilt-ridden confession to a therapist, the men were arrested for the murders. There seemed to be no question whether or not they had committed the crime, but the real question was why. Did the horrific abuse they alleged to suffer at the hands of their mother and father justify their parents’ brutal end, or were the brothers just out for their family’s fortune? These are the murders of Kitty and Jose Menendez, and the stories of Lyle and Erik Menendez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In October of 2019, a 28-year-old engineer vanished from her Missouri home, prompting her parents to fly to the United States from China to begin looking for her in desperation. But when there was no trace of her, suspicions turned toward someone very close to her, with discreet recordings recovered from her phone casting this person in an even more villainous light. This is the story of Mengqi Ji. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices