Last Seen Alive

When a young girl and her mom attend a neighborhood Christmas party in Northern Virginia, they enjoy the festivities—until the girl vanishes. An open window on a cold night suggests that she was abducted, and investigators quickly zero in on a suspect in this episode of Last Seen Alive.  So, if you know anything about the disappearance of Melissa Brannen, please contact the Fairfax County Police Major Crimes Bureau at (703) 246-7800  See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/12/16/unsolved-disappearance-melissa-brannen/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When a young, pregnant Massachusetts woman is found dead in 2021, local police write off her death as a suicide. However, the findings of a medical examiner hired by the victim’s family prompt the FBI to step in and perform an expert investigation of their own. Federal authorities charge a disgraced police officer with the premeditated murder of a young woman they say he had abused for years in this episode of Last Seen Alive. Support the US’ largest anti-sexual-violence non-profit in memory of victims like Sandra at: RAINN.ORG  See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/12/10/unresolved-homicide-sandra-birchmore/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When an Oklahoma newlywed is found murdered in his own home, all signs suggest that his missing wife was abducted from the scene. A small town is haunted by these crimes—plus another, eerily-similar abduction—in this episode of Last Seen Alive. If you have any information on the deaths of Paul Jones, Melody Jones or Patty Hamilton, please call the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation at 800-522-8017, or email your tip to  tips@osbi.ok.gov. See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/12/02/unsolved-double-homicide-melody-and-paul-jones/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When an Atlantic City, New Jersey woman vanishes, her remains are found a month later—along with those of three other women. Investigators are still working to identify the “Atlantic City Serial Killer” nearly 20 years later, in this episode of Last Seen Alive.       If you know anything about the deaths of Barbara, Kim, Tracy or Molly, please contact the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office at  609-909-7800. See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/11/18/unsolved-homicides-atlantic-city-serial-killer-victims/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

Each fall, millions of hunters venture into the American wilderness in pursuit of wild game. Some return successful, others empty-handed—and some not at all. These are the stories of four different hunters who never made it home to their families, having fallen victim either to natural perils, or the greatest danger of all: other humans. Now, investigators must track through the backwoods in search of answers far more elusive than any prey.  These little-known cases are in critical need of tips from the public, so join us as we explore the stories of multiple victims in this special multi-case episode of Last Seen Alive.  Cases covered in this episode include:  ·      The unsolved 2001 murder of James Southworth, a Wisconsin man who was ambushed by a cruel killer while hunting alone on family property.    If you know anything about the death of James Southworth, please contact the Clark County Sheriff’s Department at 1-800-743-2420.     The unsolved 2005 murder of Pennsylvania hunter Steve Kachonik, who was gunned down months after narrowly avoiding a deadly trap someone had set for him in the same woods. If you know anything about the death of Steve Kachonik, please call the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477), or submit a tip through their online tip form, https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=107 Either way, you can remain anonymous as       The unsolved 2016 murder of Terry Brisk, who was fatally shot at close range with his own deer rifle while hunting on his family’s property in Minnesota. ·      If you know anything about the death of Terry Brisk, please contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at 320-632-9233. Or, if you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact Minnesota Crime Stoppers at 1-800-233-TIPS (8477), or via their website: www.crimestoppersMN.org.  ·      The unsolved 2022 disappearance of Steve Keel, an avid outdoorsman who vanished without a trace just outside of camp during an Alaskan hunting trip. If you have information on the disappearance of Steve Keel, please contact the North Slope Borough Police Department at 907-852-2611. See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/11/11/unsolved-cases-missing-and-murdered-hunters/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products          

When an Illinois veterinary medicine student is attacked in her own home, she uses the last of her strength to seek help, but dies before being able to name her killer. No explanation—or potential suspect—is off the table as investigators seek the truth behind an unlikely crime in this episode of Last Seen Alive. If you have any information on the death of Maria Caleel, please contact the Urbana Police Department at 217-384-2320. See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/11/04/unsolved-homicide-maria-caleel/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products  

When a small-town Colorado man vanished in the middle of his work day, no trace of him was found until his vehicle was pulled from a local river six weeks later. Certain that foul play was involved, investigators worked for years to determine who might’ve wanted to harm a well-liked family-man. A suspect is finally charged with first degree murder in this episode of Last Seen Alive.  See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/10/28/solved-disappearance-of-dale-williams/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When two special needs students vanish from a Florida middle school, delayed search efforts yield tragic consequences. The FBI identifies a serial predator as a potential suspect after nearly 20 years in this episode of Last Seen Alive. If you have any information on the disapperance of Bryan Hayes and Mark Degner, please contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500. See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/10/21/unsolved-double-disappearance-bryan-hayes-and-mark-degner/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When a Kentucky woman disappears, police are ambivalent—until her jawbone is mailed to a local news station. A marriage of convenience, another woman’s mysterious death, a possible serial killer and corrupt medical examiners all complicate a rollercoaster of an investigation in this episode of Last Seen Alive.  If you know anything about the death of Laura Cecere, please call the Kentucky State Police at 1-6060-676-3313.  See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/10/07/unsolved-homicide-laura-cecere/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When a widowed Kentucky woman vanishes from her cabin home on the outskirts of a National Park, the evidence makes it clear that she was violently attacked. The search for a beloved mother and her presumed killer spans decades in this episode of Last Seen Alive. If you know anything about the disappearance of Alyne Barrick, please contact the Kentucky State Police at (270) 782-2010. See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/09/23/unsolved-disappearance-alyne-barrick/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

  When a Tucson, Arizona teen vanishes from her home while her mom is at work, evidence suggests that she was abducted. Her body is located on the outskirts of town the following morning, prompting a homicide investigation that remains open decades later in this episode of Last Seen Alive.   If you know anything about the murder of Margaret Carabetta, please call the Tucson Police Department at 520-791-4444, or, use the online tip form: https://docs.tucsonaz.gov/Forms/TPD-Contact-Form See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/09/09/unsolved-homicide-margaret-carabetta/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products  

When a young boy disappears from his bedroom during a stormy night in coastal Washington state, all signs suggest that he climbed out the window. Despite immediate and thorough searches, he remains inexplicably missing without a trace years later in this episode of Last Seen Alive. So if you know anything about the disappearance of Louk Phiangdae, please contact the Washington State Police Missing Persons Unit at 1-800-543-5678.  See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/08/26/unsolved-disappearance-louk-phiangdae/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When a young New Mexico woman decides to enroll in college and turn over a new leaf in life, her family is excited for her fresh start. Excitement quickly turns to heartbreak when she vanishes unexpectedly in this episode of Last Seen Alive.  If you have any information on the disappearance of Melanie James, please contact the Farmington Police Department’s tip line at 1-505-599-1068. See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/08/12/unsolved-disappearance-melanie-james/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When it comes to unsolved cases, nothing is more haunting than the unsolved disappearance or death of a child. Each of these little-known cases is in critical need of tips from the public, so join us as we explore the stories of multiple young victims in this special multi-case episode of Last Seen Alive.   Cases covered in this episode include:   ·      The unsolved 1998 suspicious death of 17-year-old Danny Violette, whose remains were found abandoned in an Ohio cornfield. ·      The unsolved 2000 triple-disappearance of 1-year-old Sidney Smith, newborn Monique Smith, and their 20-year-old mother, Jennifer Lancaster, all of whom vanished from Kansas without a trace. If you’d like to skip the discussion of suicide in the first segment this segment begins around the 17:07 mark. ·      The unsolved 2014 disappearance of 7-year-old Julia Potter, who was abducted from Seattle by her own non-custodial father and is believed to now be living off grid with him. ·      The unsolved 2021 disappearance of 16-year-old Kit Nelson-Mora, who vanished from Washington shortly after reuniting with their birth parent, who has a history of child abuse.   If you have any information about the death of Danny Violette, please contact the Huron County Sheriff’s Office at 419-668-6912, or fill out the online tip form at  https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Victims/Submit-a-Tip/Unsolved-Homicide-Tip.aspx   If you know anything about the disappearance or whereabouts of Jennifer Lancaster, Sidney Smith and / or Monique Smith, please contact the call the Topeka police criminal investigation bureau at 785-368-9400. Or, if you prefer to remain anonymous, call the Shawnee County Crimestoppers at 785-234-0007 OR access their online tip form at www.p3tips.com/128.   If you know anything about the disappearance of Julia Potter and / or the whereabouts of Julie or Jason, please contact the Seattle Police Department at 206-625-5011. If you know whether either of them are right now, please call 911. And if you wish to submit a tip anonymously, you can call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. At the time of this recording, there’s a $1,000 reward available for information leading to Julia’s recovery.   If you know anything about the disappearance or whereabouts of Kit Nelson-Mora, please contact the Omak Police Department at 509-826-0383, or the Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Cold Case Unit at 844-770-7900. At the time of this recording, there’s a $10,000 award available for information leading to the resolution of Kit’s case.   See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:  https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/08/05/unsolved-cases-featuring-missing-murdered-children/    Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When a beloved elementary school teacher is found dead in Maryland just off the Appalachian Trail, news of his murder is met with disbelief. Despite investigators’ efforts, a puzzling case goes cold in this episode of Last Seen Alive. If you have any information on the murder of Jeff Rowland, please contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 240-313-2100.  Interested in helping fund the release of investigative records related to Jeff’s case? Check out the GoFundMe writer Joseph C. Topping has created: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeff-rowland-investigation   See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/07/29/unsolved-homicide-jeff-rowland/   Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products  

When a Pennsylvania couple is brutally attacked in the dead of night, their rural farmhouse becomes a crime scene. Investigators search for the person responsible for the death of one victim—and the near-death of another—in this episode of Last Seen Alive.  If you have any information on the murder of Dana Gates, please call the Pennsylvania State Police tipline at 1-800-472-8477,  PA State Police Online Tip Form: https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=107   See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/07/15/unsolved-homicide-dana-gates/ Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When a North Carolina college student went for a run while visiting home during a break, she was waylaid by a cruel killer who held her hostage and ultimately took her life. After decades of waiting, her killer is finally named in this breaking case update episode of Last Seen Alive. See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/07/08/solved-homicide-of-tammy-aldridge/   Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products    

When a Florida college student is found dead in her dorm under highly suspicious circumstances, her death is ruled a homicide—at first. Disappearing evidence, medical examiners at odds and disgraced public officials all combine to undermine an investigation in this episode of Last Seen Alive.   If you know anything about the death of Jennifer Kairis, please call the Central Florida Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477, or report a tip via their website—the link is in the show notes. Whether you reach out by phone or via the website, you can remain anonymous, if you wish.   This episode contained discussion of suicide. If you’re experiencing thoughts of-self-harm, please know that you’re not alone, and that there are caring people available to listen and lend support right now. If you’re in the US, you can call or text 988 anytime to reach the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.   See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/07/01/unsolved-suspicious-death-jennifer-kairis/   Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When a geologist and a wilderness guide went camping in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the last thing anyone expected was for the experienced outdoorswomen to fail to return. Their brutal double-homicide rocked Shenandoah National Park and sparked a decades-long FBI investigation that has finally concluded. Julie and Lollie’s killer is finally named in this breaking case update episode of Last Seen Alive.   See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/06/24/solved-double-homicide-of-julie-williams-and-lollie-winans/   Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products

When a teen disappears from a rural Virginia farming town in the fall of 2022, his remains are soon found in a clandestine woodland grave, buried beneath layers of lye and cement. Other deaths quickly follow, deepening a community’s grief and complicating an already-troubled investigation in this episode of Last Seen Alive.   If you know anything at all about the murder of Cion Carroll—or about any of the other deaths discussed in this episode—please call the Virginia State Police at 434-352-3478.   And if you’d like to help ease the financial burden Cion’s family has incurred as a result of his death, there’s a GoFundMe you can give to, if you’re able: https://www.gofundme.com/f/cion-carroll   If you’re experiencing thoughts of self harm, please know that you’re not alone, and that there are caring people available to listen and lend support right now. If you’re in the US, you can call or text 988 anytime to reach the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.   See photos from this episode and check out the sources we used to research it here:   https://lastseenalivepodcast.com/2024/06/17/unsolved-homicide-cion-carroll/   Support LSA and the DNA Doe Project by getting a shirt or hoodie on our store: https://last-seen-alive.printify.me/products