Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan: A Tooth Tells the Story - The Disappearance of Crystal Rasch
Digest
The podcast delves into the case of Crystal Rush, a woman who went missing and was later found dead. The investigation centers around her estranged husband, Zachariah Rush, who is suspected of her murder. The podcast explores the timeline of events, including Crystal's disappearance, the delay in reporting her missing, and Zachariah's suspicious activities. Chilling details are revealed about Zachariah's phone searches, which include searches related to gunshot wounds, animal killing, carpet cleaner, and sulfuric acid. These searches raise serious concerns about Zachariah's involvement in Crystal's death and suggest a possible plan to dispose of a body and clean up a crime scene. The podcast discusses the search warrant executed at Zachariah's house, where police found Crystal's car hidden on the property. The car was taken to a forensic garage for analysis, and investigators found burn residue in the yard, suggesting a possible fire. Forensic anthropologists were called in to examine bone chips found at the burn site, which helped to identify Crystal's remains and provide information about the cause of death. The discovery of a tooth at the burn site was crucial in positively identifying Crystal's remains. The podcast concludes by summarizing the evidence gathered in the case of Crystal Rush. The podcast highlights the strong physical evidence against Zachariah Rush and leaves the outcome of his trial open to interpretation.
Outlines
The Case of Crystal Rush
This episode investigates the suspicious death of Crystal Rush, focusing on the evidence found on her estranged husband Zachariah Rush's phone and the subsequent investigation that led to the discovery of her remains. The podcast explores the timeline of events, including Crystal's disappearance, the delay in reporting her missing, and Zachariah's suspicious activities.
Zachariah Rush's Phone Searches
The podcast reveals chilling details about Zachariah Rush's phone searches, which include searches related to gunshot wounds, animal killing, carpet cleaner, and sulfuric acid. These searches raise serious concerns about Zachariah's involvement in Crystal's death and suggest a possible plan to dispose of a body and clean up a crime scene.
Evidence from Zachariah Rush's Phone Searches
The podcast analyzes the significance of Zachariah Rush's phone searches in relation to the timeline of Crystal's disappearance. The searches suggest a possible plan to dispose of a body, including cleaning up a crime scene.
The Search Warrant and Crystal's Car
The podcast discusses the search warrant executed at Zachariah Rush's house, where police found Crystal's car hidden on the property. The car was taken to a forensic garage for analysis, and investigators found burn residue in the yard, suggesting a possible fire.
Forensic Evidence and the Burn Site
The podcast explains the role of forensic anthropologists in investigating crime scenes. The investigators found bone chips at the burn site, leading them to call in a forensic anthropologist. The podcast also discusses the importance of having relationships with forensic experts.
Identifying Crystal's Remains
The podcast explores the significance of the burn site and the discovery of a tooth. The podcast explains that rendering down a body to bone chips requires a significant amount of time and effort. The tooth was crucial in identifying Crystal's remains.
Conclusion and Zachariah Rush's Fate
The podcast concludes by summarizing the evidence gathered in the case of Crystal Rush. The podcast highlights the strong physical evidence against Zachariah Rush and leaves the outcome of his trial open to interpretation.
Keywords
Pickpockets
Individuals who steal from people's pockets, often in crowded areas. They are known for their stealth and quick movements.
Estranged Husband
A husband who is separated from his wife, often in the process of divorce. They may still have contact but are not living together.
Forensic Anthropologist
A scientist who studies human skeletal remains to identify individuals, determine cause of death, and provide information about past events.
Burn Residue
The remnants of a fire, often consisting of charred wood, leaves, and other materials. It can indicate the location and intensity of a fire.
Sulfuric Acid
A highly corrosive acid used in various industrial applications, including cleaning, manufacturing, and explosives. It can be dangerous if not handled properly.
Forensic Odontologist
A forensic dentist who specializes in identifying individuals through dental records, analyzing bite marks, and examining dental remains.
Search Warrant
A legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to search a specific location for evidence related to a crime.
Missing Person
An individual who has disappeared without explanation, often raising concerns about their safety and well-being.
Murder Investigation
A criminal investigation focused on determining the cause of death and identifying the perpetrator in a homicide case.
Q&A
What were some of the suspicious searches Zachariah Rush made on his phone?
Zachariah searched for information related to gunshot wounds, animal killing, carpet cleaner, and sulfuric acid. These searches suggest a possible plan to dispose of a body and clean up a crime scene.
Why was it important for police to find Crystal's car?
Crystal's car was found hidden on Zachariah's property, suggesting that he had been in possession of it after her disappearance. The car was taken to a forensic garage for analysis, where investigators found evidence of a possible crime.
What role did forensic anthropologists play in the investigation?
Forensic anthropologists were called in to examine bone chips found at the burn site. They helped to identify Crystal's remains and provide information about the cause of death.
What was the significance of the tooth found at the burn site?
The tooth was crucial in positively identifying Crystal's remains. It provided a definitive link between the burn site and the missing woman.
What is the current status of Zachariah Rush's case?
Zachariah Rush is facing charges related to the case, and the outcome of his trial is still pending. The podcast highlights the strong physical evidence against him, but the final verdict remains to be seen.
What are some of the challenges faced by investigators in missing person cases?
Investigators often face challenges in missing person cases, such as limited information, lack of cooperation from witnesses, and the difficulty in locating the missing individual.
How can technology be used to assist in missing person investigations?
Technology can play a crucial role in missing person investigations, such as using social media to spread awareness, analyzing phone records to track movements, and utilizing facial recognition software to identify individuals.
What are some tips for staying safe and preventing becoming a victim of a crime?
It's important to be aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts, and take precautions to protect yourself from potential threats. This includes being mindful of your personal safety, avoiding isolated areas, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
Show Notes
Crystal Rasch is missing and her husband is using her bank card to purchase cleaning supplies. He also fails to report his estranged wife missing. Joseph Scott Morgan explains the cleaning materials used as well as the type of experts that have to be brought in when investigators suspect a victim has been cremated in a backyard burn pile. Dave Mack will help uncover the relationship that left Crystal Rasch identified by a single tooth and her husband in jail. The trial has yet to happen but this is the first part of the story of Crystal and Zachariah Rasch.
Transcribe Highlights
00:13 .30 Introduction - back from London
01:00 .71 Strangers in London tell Joe to watch for "pickpockets"
05:03 .49 The married couple had separate bank accounts
09:55 .96 Working a case from back to front
15:08 .97 CCTV Records coupled with receipts from purchases
20:29 .75 Wife missing, husband admits spending her money with her card
25:57 .18 List of searches done on phone, gunshot wound to head vs chest
29:51 .13 Search warrant explanation
35:07 .58 Evidence found in a car, what to take out
39:31 .91 Relationships between law enforcement and experts
44:02 .09 Investigators find a tooth
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