Goldie Thornsberry Part 1: The Woman in the Well
5Digest
The episode begins with the disappearance of Goldie Thornsberry in 1996. A bank employee noticed suspicious activity on her account, leading to a welfare check. Goldie's daughter, Rita, claimed her mother had left town to visit family, but investigators found inconsistencies in her story. In 2000, surveyors discovered human remains in a well on Cantrell Road in Little Rock. The victim was later identified as Jane Doe, and her case went cold for 10 years. In 2010, a clay recreation of Jane Doe's face was released to the public. A man in Fayetteville recognized the image as his former neighbor, Goldie Thornsberry, who had vanished in 1996. This tip led to the reopening of Goldie's case. The episode delves into the details of Goldie's disappearance in 1996, focusing on the suspicious activity on her account and the inconsistencies in Rita's story. The episode also explores the impact of Goldie's disappearance on her family, particularly her grandchildren, who were left without a stable home and a loving grandmother. The investigation into Goldie's disappearance is examined, highlighting missed opportunities and inconsistencies in the accounts given by Rita and Raymond. The lack of a body and the time it took to report Goldie missing hindered the investigation. The episode recounts the moment Goldie's remains were identified in 2010. Her family was shocked and relieved to finally have closure, but also heartbroken and angry. The episode ends with a call to action for anyone with information about Goldie's murder to contact the Fayetteville Police Department.
Outlines
Goldie Thornsberry's Disappearance and Initial Suspicions
The episode begins with the disappearance of Goldie Thornsberry in 1996. A bank employee noticed suspicious activity on her account, leading to a welfare check. Goldie's daughter, Rita, claimed her mother had left town to visit family, but investigators found inconsistencies in her story.
The Discovery of Jane Doe and the Cold Case
In 2000, surveyors discovered human remains in a well on Cantrell Road in Little Rock. The victim was later identified as Jane Doe, and her case went cold for 10 years.
Reopening Goldie's Case and the Identification of Jane Doe
In 2010, a clay recreation of Jane Doe's face was released to the public. A man in Fayetteville recognized the image as his former neighbor, Goldie Thornsberry, who had vanished in 1996. This tip led to the reopening of Goldie's case and the confirmation of Jane Doe's identity as Goldie Thornsberry.
Goldie's Disappearance and the Suspects
The episode delves into the details of Goldie's disappearance in 1996. The bank employee who noticed the suspicious activity on Goldie's account is the one who reported her missing. Goldie's daughter, Rita, and her husband, Raymond, were living with Goldie at the time and were suspected of writing forged checks on her account.
The Impact of Goldie's Disappearance on Her Family
The episode explores the impact of Goldie's disappearance on her family, particularly her grandchildren. Goldie was a loving grandmother who provided a stable home for her grandchildren, many of whom were struggling with their own families. Her disappearance left a void in their lives and caused a rift within the family.
The Investigation and Missed Opportunities
The episode examines the investigation into Goldie's disappearance, highlighting missed opportunities and inconsistencies in the accounts given by Rita and Raymond. The lack of a body and the time it took to report Goldie missing hindered the investigation.
Goldie's Identification and the Family's Reaction
The episode recounts the moment Goldie's remains were identified in 2010. Her family was shocked and relieved to finally have closure, but also heartbroken and angry. The episode ends with a call to action for anyone with information about Goldie's murder to contact the Fayetteville Police Department.
Keywords
Hot Check
A check written on an account with insufficient funds. In the 1990s, hot checks were a common problem, and banks and businesses would keep track of individuals who had written them.
Welfare Check
A visit by law enforcement to ensure the well-being of an individual, often conducted when there are concerns about their safety or whereabouts.
Clay Recreation
A three-dimensional model of a person's face, often created from clay, to assist in identifying missing persons or victims of crime.
Forgery
The act of creating a false document or signature with the intent to deceive. In Goldie's case, Rita and Raymond were charged with forgery for writing checks on her account without her permission.
Post-Mortem Interval
The time elapsed between a person's death and the discovery of their remains. This information can be helpful in determining the cause of death and the timeline of events.
Dismemberment
The act of cutting or separating a body into parts. In Goldie's case, her remains were found dismembered, indicating a violent and deliberate act.
Ligature Strangulation
A form of strangulation that involves using a ligature, such as a rope or cord, to constrict the neck. This method of death is often associated with homicides.
DNA Profiling
A technique used to identify individuals based on their unique DNA sequence. DNA profiling is a powerful tool in criminal investigations, as it can be used to link suspects to crime scenes or to identify victims.
Q&A
What were the initial suspicions surrounding Goldie Thornsberry's disappearance?
The bank employee who reported Goldie missing noticed suspicious activity on her account, including checks written to liquor stores and other places she never frequented. This, combined with inconsistencies in Rita's story about Goldie visiting family, raised concerns about her well-being.
How was Goldie Thornsberry's identity confirmed after her remains were found in the well?
In 2010, a clay recreation of Jane Doe's face was released to the public. A man in Fayetteville recognized the image as his former neighbor, Goldie Thornsberry, who had vanished in 1996. This tip led to the reopening of Goldie's case, and DNA testing confirmed her identity.
What role did Goldie's grandchildren play in keeping her story alive?
Goldie's grandchildren were instrumental in advocating for her case and ensuring that her story was not forgotten. They shared their memories of her, spoke out about the impact of her disappearance on their lives, and encouraged others to come forward with any information they might have.
What were some of the missed opportunities in the early investigation of Goldie's disappearance?
The investigation was hampered by the lack of a body and the time it took to report Goldie missing. Additionally, Rita's inconsistent stories about Goldie's whereabouts misled investigators and delayed the focus on her and Raymond as suspects.
What impact did Goldie's disappearance have on her family?
Goldie's disappearance caused a rift within her family, as suspicions fell on her daughter, Rita. The lack of information and the uncertainty surrounding her fate created a sense of loss and distrust among family members. Her grandchildren, who had relied on her for stability and love, were particularly affected by her absence.
Show Notes
In the summer of 2000, two development consultants were surveying land on Cantrell Road in Little Rock, Arkansas, when they noticed a drainage area and decided to investigate its source. Venturing a short distance into the woods, they stumbled upon a well. One of the workers thought he saw something at the bottom and prodded it with a stick. As the object shifted, it became evident that it was a human skull. That's when they decided it was time to call the Little Rock Police Department.
Human remains were retrieved from the well, and it was later confirmed that the victim was a woman. Unable to match Jane Doe to any missing persons reports in the area, her case quickly went ice cold.
Ten years later, the police department had a clay recreation made of what Jane Doe may have looked like, hoping that a visual representation of the woman might trigger someone's memory. One evening in Little Rock, a man who had lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas, during the 90s saw the clay bust on the news and was struck by its resemblance to his former neighbor, Goldie Thornsberry, who had disappeared in 1996. He contacted the authorities, and that tip took a cold case that some had hoped time had forgotten off the shelf and thrust it back into the spotlight.
If you have any information about the murder of Goldie Thornsberry, please call the Fayetteville Police Department at 479-587-3555.
If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.
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