374: Still Missing Morgan Part 1
7Digest
The episode delves deeper into the investigation of Morgan Nick's disappearance, highlighting the significance of the red truck with a white camper that was seen at the baseball game the night she vanished. The podcast reveals that the police initially dismissed the truck as a suspect vehicle, despite its presence at multiple locations that night, suggesting a pattern of suspicious behavior. The episode also introduces Charles Ray Vines, a convicted murderer who was active in the area around the time of Morgan's disappearance. Detective Brett investigates Vines's potential involvement in the case, discovering that he was caught in the act of trying to kill a young girl around Morgan's age. However, Vines died before he could be fully interrogated, leaving the case unresolved. The episode also explores the emotional toll on Morgan's family, particularly her mother, Colleen, who grapples with the decision to submit her DNA to a genealogy database in hopes of finding her daughter. The episode concludes with a search of Vines's property and the location where the red truck was last seen, using cadaver dogs, but no evidence is found.
Outlines
Introduction and Podcast Announcement
This Chapter introduces the podcast and announces a new show called "Deviant" which explores individuals who push societal boundaries. The show's first story focuses on Israel Keys and includes real recordings from FBI interrogations and confessions from Keys himself. "Deviant" is available on various streaming platforms.
Still Missing Morgan: Episodes One and Two
This Chapter dives into the first two episodes of the "Still Missing Morgan" series on Hulu. The hosts discuss the heartbreaking story of Morgan Nick, a six-year-old girl who vanished from a baseball game in 1995. The episode features interviews with Morgan's parents, Colleen and John, as well as law enforcement officials involved in the case.
The Investigation: 24 Years Later
This Chapter jumps to 2019, 24 years after Morgan's disappearance. The episode introduces the new Chief of Police, Jeff Pointer, who decides to revisit the case with fresh eyes. Detective Brett is assigned to the case and reveals that Morgan is the only missing child in Alma, Arkansas, who has not been found in 25 years. The episode highlights the emotional meeting between Detective Brett and Morgan's family, where he acknowledges the shortcomings of the initial investigation and promises to start over.
The Red Truck: A Shocking Revelation
This Chapter focuses on the red truck with a white camper that was seen at the baseball game the night Morgan disappeared. Detective Brett discovers that the truck was seen at multiple locations that night, suggesting a pattern of suspicious behavior. The episode reveals that the police may have overlooked the truck as a potential suspect vehicle for 25 years, raising questions about the effectiveness of the initial investigation.
The Teenagers' Testimony
This Chapter focuses on the testimony of teenagers who saw the red truck at the river, potentially holding a child down in the front seat. They came forward after hearing about Morgan's disappearance and provided detailed statements about what they saw. The police attempted to revisit the location but were unable to due to flooding.
For How Long?
This Chapter explores the emotional toll on Morgan's family, particularly her mother, Colleen, who is struggling with the uncertainty of her daughter's fate. The episode also introduces Patty Wetterling, the mother of Jacob Wetterling, another missing child, who shares her experience and the importance of keeping these cases alive. The chapter highlights the concept of time and how it changes for families dealing with missing children.
Patty's Story
This Chapter delves into Patty Wetterling's personal story, recounting the night her son, Jacob, was abducted. The chapter highlights the innocence of the situation and the heartbreaking reality of the abduction. It also emphasizes the importance of keeping these cases alive and the role of public awareness in solving them.
Charles Ray Vines: A New Suspect
This Chapter introduces Charles Ray Vines, a convicted murderer who was active in the area around the time of Morgan's disappearance. Detective Brett investigates Vines's potential involvement in the case, discovering that he was caught in the act of trying to kill a young girl around Morgan's age. However, Vines died before he could be fully interrogated, leaving the case unresolved.
The Jacob Wetterling Case
This Chapter briefly touches on the Jacob Wetterling case, highlighting a major break in the investigation that occurred in 2016. The episode promises to delve deeper into this case in the next episode.
Keywords
Morgan Nick
Morgan Nick was a six-year-old girl who vanished from a baseball game in 1995 in Alma, Arkansas. Her disappearance remains unsolved, and she is the only missing child in Alma who has not been found in 25 years. The case has received national attention and continues to be investigated by law enforcement.
Red Truck
A red truck with a white camper was seen at the baseball game the night Morgan Nick disappeared. The truck was also seen at multiple other locations that night, suggesting a pattern of suspicious behavior. The police initially claimed to have cleared the truck as a suspect vehicle, but Detective Brett's investigation revealed that this was not true. The red truck remains a key piece of evidence in the case.
Cold Case
A cold case is a criminal investigation that has been inactive for a significant period of time. Cold cases often involve unsolved murders, disappearances, or other serious crimes. Law enforcement agencies often revisit cold cases with new technology, fresh perspectives, and renewed efforts to find answers.
Alma, Arkansas
Alma is a small town in Arkansas where Morgan Nick disappeared in 1995. The town has been deeply affected by the case, and residents continue to search for answers and hope for Morgan's safe return. The case has also brought national attention to Alma, highlighting the importance of community support and the need for justice in missing persons cases.
Charles Ray Vines
Charles Ray Vines was a convicted murderer who was active in the area around the time of Morgan Nick's disappearance. He was caught in the act of trying to kill a young girl around Morgan's age, and his DNA was linked to other unsolved cases. Vines died before he could be fully interrogated, leaving the case unresolved.
Jacob Wetterling
Jacob Wetterling was an 11-year-old boy who was abducted in 1989 in St. Joseph, Minnesota. His disappearance remains unsolved, but a major break in the case occurred in 2016. The Jacob Wetterling case is a well-known missing persons case that has received national attention.
Cadaver Dog
A cadaver dog is a specially trained dog that is used to detect the presence of human remains. Cadaver dogs are often used in criminal investigations, search and rescue operations, and disaster relief efforts. They are trained to detect the scent of decomposing human tissue, even in very small amounts.
Genealogy Database
A genealogy database is a collection of information about family history, including names, dates, and locations. These databases are often used by people who are researching their family history, but they can also be used by law enforcement agencies to identify suspects in criminal investigations. By comparing DNA samples from crime scenes to DNA samples in genealogy databases, law enforcement agencies can sometimes identify potential suspects who may not have been previously considered.
Missing in Action
Missing in action (MIA) is a military term that refers to a service member who is missing during a conflict. The term is often used in cases where the fate of the service member is unknown, and it is not clear whether they are alive or dead. The term is also sometimes used in civilian contexts to refer to people who have disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
Q&A
What happened to Morgan Nick?
Morgan Nick, a six-year-old girl, vanished from a baseball game in Alma, Arkansas, in 1995. Her disappearance remains unsolved, and she is the only missing child in Alma who has not been found in 25 years.
What is the significance of the red truck with the white camper?
The red truck was seen at the baseball game the night Morgan disappeared and was also seen at multiple other locations that night, suggesting a pattern of suspicious behavior. The police initially claimed to have cleared the truck as a suspect vehicle, but Detective Brett's investigation revealed that this was not true. The red truck remains a key piece of evidence in the case.
What were the shortcomings of the initial police investigation?
The initial police investigation was criticized for its lack of coordination, the potential misidentification of the red truck, and the failure to thoroughly investigate all leads. The episode highlights the importance of a thorough and comprehensive investigation in missing persons cases.
How did the police investigation change in 2019?
In 2019, the new Chief of Police, Jeff Pointer, decided to revisit the case with fresh eyes. Detective Brett was assigned to the case and took a new approach, focusing on the details of the case and the potential significance of the red truck.
Who is Charles Ray Vines and what is his connection to the Morgan Nick case?
Charles Ray Vines was a convicted murderer who was active in the area around the time of Morgan's disappearance. He was caught in the act of trying to kill a young girl around Morgan's age, and his DNA was linked to other unsolved cases. Vines died before he could be fully interrogated, leaving the case unresolved.
What is the current status of the Morgan Nick case?
The Morgan Nick case remains unsolved. The police are continuing to investigate the case and are seeking information from the public. The episode highlights the importance of community support and the need for justice in missing persons cases.
What is the role of cadaver dogs in the investigation?
Cadaver dogs are specially trained dogs that are used to detect the presence of human remains. They are often used in criminal investigations, search and rescue operations, and disaster relief efforts. In this case, cadaver dogs were used to search Vines's property and the location where the red truck was last seen, but no evidence was found.
Why is Colleen, Morgan's mother, considering submitting her DNA to a genealogy database?
Colleen believes that Morgan could be alive and may have submitted her DNA to a genealogy database. She hopes that by comparing her DNA to Morgan's, they could be connected. However, she is also afraid of getting her hopes up and then being disappointed if nothing comes back.
What is the significance of the Jacob Wetterling case in this episode?
The Jacob Wetterling case is a well-known missing persons case that shares similarities with the Morgan Nick case. The episode highlights the emotional toll on families dealing with missing children and the importance of keeping these cases alive.
What is the overall message of this episode?
The episode highlights the importance of thorough investigations, the emotional toll on families dealing with missing children, and the need for justice in these cases. It also emphasizes the importance of public awareness and community support in solving these crimes.
Show Notes
On a humid night in 1995, the lives of the Nick family are changed forever when 6 year old Morgan is kidnapped while attending a local baseball game with her mother. Astonishingly, video footage captures Morgan just moments before she vanishes.,
FAM!! COME TO A MEETUP IN YOUR CITY!! Patrick is coming to town to get the TCO Fam together and you should come hang out!! RSVP HERE AND LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED
LOOKING FOR MORE TCO? On our Patreon feed, you'll find over 400 FULL AD-FREE BONUS episodes to BINGE RIGHT NOW, including our episode-by-episode coverage of popular documentary series like Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God, LulaRich, and The Curious Case of Natalia Grace; classics like The Jinx, Making A Murderer, and The Staircase; and well-known cases like The Menendez Murders, The Murder of Laci Peterson, Casey Anthony: American Murder Mystery, and The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, and so many more!
Table of contents
United States
