Digest

This podcast delves into the gruesome murder of Roberto Caraballo, whose body was discovered in a blueberry field in Michigan in 2002. The victim was burned beyond recognition, making identification a challenge for detectives. The investigation initially focused on the farmer who discovered the body, but he was quickly ruled out as a suspect. The lack of missing persons reports suggested the victim was not from the area. Years later, detectives turned to Professor David Shock, a true crime documentary filmmaker, for help. His documentary about the case brought it back to light and led to a new lead: an anonymous email claiming to know the victim's identity. The emailer provided cryptic clues suggesting the victim was Roberto Caraballo and that his wife, Beverly McCallum, was responsible for his murder. Through further investigation, detectives confirmed the victim's identity as Roberto Caraballo. The podcast then explores Roberto's troubled past, his relationship with Beverly, and the events leading up to his disappearance. The podcast reveals that Roberto's daughter, Sicily, witnessed a fire in the woods the night her father disappeared. The investigation ultimately led to the arrest of Beverly McCallum, who was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 40 to 60 years in prison.

Outlines

00:01:01

The Jack in the Box Case: A Gruesome Secret Buried for Decades

This chapter introduces the case of an unidentified murder victim found in a blueberry field in Michigan. The victim, later identified as Roberto Caraballo, was brutally murdered and burned beyond recognition. Detectives initially struggled to identify him, but eventually uncovered the horrifying truth behind his death.

00:03:31

The Discovery of the Body and the Initial Investigation

This chapter details the discovery of Roberto Caraballo's body by a blueberry farmer, Gordon DeVries. Gordon noticed a strange patch of scorched earth and a metal box in the woods, leading him to the gruesome discovery. The responding officer initially thought it was a hoax, but the smell of burnt flesh and gasoline confirmed the reality of the situation. The investigation initially focused on Gordon DeVries, but he was quickly ruled out as a suspect.

00:08:17

The Investigation and the Documentary

This chapter describes the initial investigation, which focused on Gordon DeVries, the farmer who discovered the body. However, Gordon was quickly ruled out as a suspect. The lack of missing persons reports led detectives to believe the victim was not from the area. The chapter then explains how detectives, frustrated with their lack of progress, turned to Professor David Shock, a true crime documentary filmmaker. Professor Shock had previously helped solve a cold case with his documentary, and detectives hoped he could do the same for the Jack in the Box case. The chapter discusses Professor Shock's documentary about the Jack in the Box case. The film presented the evidence and information collected by investigators, but did not attempt to solve the case. Sheriff Gary Rosma speculated that there might be more than one suspect involved, a statement that would prove to be prophetic.

00:14:43

Identifying Roberto Caraballo and the Trial

This chapter introduces a new lead in the case, an anonymous email claiming to know the identity of the victim. The emailer provided cryptic clues suggesting the victim was Roberto Caraballo, and that his wife, Beverly McCallum, was responsible for his murder. The chapter details how Detective Donker investigated the anonymous email tip. He discovered that the alias \"One Citron\" belonged to Roberto Caraballo, and his dental records matched the victim's. After 17 years, the victim's true identity was finally restored. The chapter then recounts the events leading up to Roberto's disappearance, his troubled past, and his relationship with Beverly. The chapter concludes with the arrest and trial of Beverly McCallum, who was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 40 to 60 years in prison.

Keywords

Q&A

• How was Roberto Caraballo's body discovered?

  Roberto's body was discovered by a blueberry farmer, Gordon DeVries, who noticed a strange patch of scorched earth and a metal box in the woods.

• What was the initial challenge in identifying the victim?

  The fire damage to the body made it difficult to identify the victim. Detectives relied on dental records and other physical characteristics to build a profile.

• Who was the primary suspect in Roberto's murder?

  The primary suspect was Roberto's wife, Beverly McCallum. She was eventually convicted of second-degree murder.

• How did Professor David Shock's documentary help solve the case?

  The documentary brought the case back to light and led to new leads, including an anonymous email that provided crucial information about the victim's identity.

• What was the motive behind Roberto's murder?

  According to Chris McMillan, Roberto's murder was planned by Beverly and her daughter, Danine Ducharm, who claimed Roberto was abusing the children.

• What happened to Beverly McCallum after she was convicted?

  Beverly was sentenced to 40 to 60 years in prison. She was 63 at the time of her sentencing, making it effectively a life sentence.

Show Notes