Digest

This podcast delves into the tragic murders of 12-year-old Michelle Welch and 13-year-old Jennifer Bastion in Tacoma, Washington, in 1986. The episode begins by introducing the case of Naomi, an 18-year-old who disappeared from Batlow, New South Wales in 2002, highlighting the host's personal connection to the case. The podcast then focuses on the murders of Michelle and Jennifer, detailing their disappearances, the discovery of their bodies, and the initial investigation. The episode introduces Lindsay Wade, a young girl who was deeply affected by the murders and later became a detective working on the cold cases. The podcast then describes the breakthrough in the investigation when DNA evidence from Jennifer's swimsuit revealed two separate killers. The DNA from Michelle's case didn't match, indicating a copycat crime. The detectives used DNA evidence and genealogy to identify suspects, eventually leading to the arrest of Robert Washburn, who was identified as Jennifer Bastion's killer. The episode provides details about Washburn's background and his confession to the murder. The podcast then shifts focus back to Michelle Welch's murder, which remained unsolved despite the arrest of Washburn. The detectives continued their investigation using advanced DNA techniques and genealogy, ultimately identifying Gary Hartman as Michelle's killer. The episode details Hartman's arrest, his history of abusive behavior, and his trial and sentencing. The podcast concludes by mentioning Lindsay Wade's memoir, "In My DNA," which details her experiences as a detective and the impact of the Michelle and Jennifer cases on her life. The episode then transitions to a new case, the disappearance of 18-year-old Nia May in 2002, highlighting the host's involvement in the case and the challenges faced by Nia's family.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Case of Naomi and the Tacoma Murders

This episode introduces the case of Naomi, an 18-year-old who disappeared from Batlow, New South Wales in 2002, and the host's personal connection to the case. The episode then transitions to the murders of Michelle Welch and Jennifer Bastion in Tacoma, Washington, providing background information on the victims and the initial investigation.

00:01:43

The Disappearance and Murder of Michelle Welch

This chapter details the disappearance and murder of 12-year-old Michelle Welch in Tacoma, Washington in 1986. Michelle went to a park with her sisters, left to get lunch, and never returned. Her body was found in a wooded area, indicating she had been murdered.

00:16:50

The Disappearance of Jennifer Bastion

This chapter continues with the disappearance of 13-year-old Jennifer Bastion, who vanished while cycling in Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, just four months after Michelle's murder. Jennifer's body was found in a hidden cave in the park, indicating she had also been murdered.

00:33:31

Lindsay Wade's Journey and the DNA Breakthrough

This chapter introduces Lindsay Wade, a young girl who was deeply affected by the murders of Michelle and Jennifer. Lindsay's fear and fascination with the cases led her to become a detective, eventually working on the cold cases of Michelle and Jennifer. The chapter also details the breakthrough in the investigation when DNA evidence from Jennifer's swimsuit revealed two separate killers. The DNA from Michelle's case didn't match, indicating a copycat crime.

00:42:38

The Search for Suspects and Robert Washburn's Arrest

This chapter describes the detectives' efforts to identify suspects using DNA evidence and genealogy. They narrowed down the suspects and obtained DNA samples from numerous individuals. The chapter reveals the arrest of Robert Washburn, who was identified as Jennifer Bastion's killer through DNA evidence. Washburn had previously contacted the police with a tip about Michelle's case, raising suspicions about his involvement.

00:50:59

Robert Washburn's Background and Confession

This chapter provides details about Robert Washburn's background, including his previous arrest for vehicle prowling and his history of being a quiet and devoted father. The chapter also details Washburn's confession to the murder of Jennifer Bastion, as revealed by an inmate who met him in jail. Washburn admitted to raping and strangling Jennifer, and his DNA was found on her swimsuit.

01:00:42

The Search for Michelle's Killer and the Identification of Gary Hartman

This chapter shifts focus back to Michelle Welch's murder, which remained unsolved despite the arrest of Washburn. The detectives continued their investigation using advanced DNA techniques and genealogy. The chapter details the identification of Gary Hartman as Michelle Welch's killer through genetic genealogy. Hartman was not a suspect in the original investigation, but his DNA matched the evidence from Michelle's crime scene.

01:05:59

Gary Hartman's Arrest, History, and Trial

This chapter describes the arrest of Gary Hartman, who was identified as Michelle Welch's killer through DNA evidence. Hartman was a mental health technician who had a history of abusive behavior and a fascination with young girls. The chapter provides details about Hartman's history, including his abusive behavior towards his brother and his arrest for public indecency. The chapter also details Hartman's trial and sentencing for the murder of Michelle Welch. Hartman was found guilty and sentenced to 26 years and six months in prison.

01:17:25

Lindsay Wade's Memoir and the Case of Nia May

This chapter mentions Lindsay Wade's memoir, "In My DNA," which details her experiences as a detective and the impact of the Michelle and Jennifer cases on her life. The episode then transitions to a new case, the disappearance of 18-year-old Nia May in 2002. The host shares their involvement in the case and the challenges faced by Nia's family.

Keywords

Q&A

• How did the use of genetic genealogy help solve the murders of Michelle Welch and Jennifer Bastion?

  Genetic genealogy allowed detectives to identify potential suspects by comparing DNA evidence from the crime scenes to online family trees. This led to the identification of Gary Hartman as Michelle's killer and Robert Washburn as Jennifer's killer.

• What were the key similarities between the murders of Michelle Welch and Jennifer Bastion that initially led investigators to believe they were connected?

  Both victims were young girls, they disappeared while riding their bikes in Tacoma parks, and their bodies were found posed in similar ways, indicating sexual assault.

• How did the DNA evidence change the course of the investigation?

  The DNA evidence revealed that two separate individuals were responsible for the murders, rather than a single serial killer. This led to a more complex investigation and required detectives to focus on two separate suspects.

• What impact did the murders of Michelle Welch and Jennifer Bastion have on the Tacoma community?

  The murders caused widespread fear and anxiety in the community, particularly among parents and children. The cases also highlighted the need for improved safety measures in parks and the importance of DNA databases in solving crimes.

Show Notes