Goldie Thornsberry Part 2: Injustice
2Digest
The episode delves into the complex case of Goldie Thornsbury's disappearance and murder, starting with the initial investigation and the strange activity on her bank account. The focus then shifts to the discovery of Goldie's body in a well and the subsequent arrest of her daughter, Rita Flowers, and son-in-law, Raymond Douglas. Rita's confession reveals Raymond's alleged confession to her about Goldie's murder, but the trial ultimately ends with Raymond's acquittal, leaving the family devastated and with many unanswered questions. The episode explores the lingering questions surrounding Goldie's murder, the impact of the unresolved case on her grandchildren, and the generational trauma that continues to affect the family. The episode concludes with a plea for anyone with information about Goldie's murder to come forward and a call to action for listeners to submit cases of missing loved ones.
Outlines
The Unsolved Murder of Goldie Thornsbury
This episode explores the unsolved murder of Goldie Thornsbury, detailing the investigation, trial, and the lasting impact on her family, while emphasizing the importance of seeking justice and closure.
The Investigation and Initial Suspects
The episode details the investigation into Goldie's disappearance, focusing on the initial suspicions surrounding her daughter and son-in-law. The lack of concrete evidence and the difficulty in finding Goldie create a challenging situation for investigators.
A Breakthrough and the Identification of Goldie's Remains
A former neighbor of Goldie's contacts police after seeing a news story about a Jane Doe found in a well. DNA testing confirms the Jane Doe is Goldie, leading to a significant turning point in the investigation.
Arrest and Statements of Suspects
Lieutenant Franklin, the lead investigator, travels to Little Rock and arrests Goldie's daughter, Rita Flowers, and son-in-law, Raymond Douglas. Rita initially provides a partial statement but later gives a full confession after consulting with her attorney.
Rita's Confession and the Trial Process
Rita's confession details Raymond's alleged confession to her about Goldie's murder. The episode describes the trial process, highlighting the challenges faced by the prosecution due to circumstantial evidence and Rita's credibility issues.
The Verdict and its Impact on the Family
Raymond is acquitted of Goldie's murder, leaving the family devastated and with many unanswered questions. The episode explores the impact of the verdict on the family dynamics and the ongoing struggle for closure.
Unresolved Questions and Generational Trauma
The episode delves into the lingering questions surrounding Goldie's murder and the impact of the unresolved case on her grandchildren. The episode explores the complex family dynamics and the generational trauma that continues to affect the family.
Seeking Justice and Healing
The episode concludes with the family members reflecting on their desire for justice and closure. They express their frustration with the lack of accountability for those involved in Goldie's murder and their determination to keep her story alive.
A Plea for Information and Justice
The episode concludes with a plea for anyone with information about Goldie's murder to come forward. The speaker emphasizes the importance of keeping Goldie's memory alive and seeking justice for her.
Keywords
Unsolved Murder
A criminal case where the perpetrator has not been identified or convicted, leaving the crime unresolved and often causing significant distress for victims' families.
Cold Case
An unsolved criminal case that has been inactive for a significant period, often due to lack of evidence or leads. These cases are often revisited with new technologies or information.
Justice
The concept of fairness and righteousness, often associated with the legal system and the pursuit of accountability for wrongdoing. In the context of unsolved murders, justice refers to the desire for the perpetrator to be identified and held responsible.
Circumstantial Evidence
Evidence that suggests a fact but does not directly prove it. It relies on inferences and deductions, making it less conclusive than direct evidence.
Generational Trauma
Trauma that is passed down from one generation to the next. It can manifest in various ways, including mental health issues, substance abuse, and dysfunctional relationships.
Acquittal
A legal verdict in which a defendant is found not guilty of the charges against them. It does not necessarily mean that the defendant is innocent, but rather that the prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Victim Impact Statement
A statement made by a victim or their family members in court, describing the impact of the crime on their lives. It is often used during sentencing to inform the judge about the consequences of the crime.
Q&A
What were the main challenges faced by the prosecution in Goldie Thorne's murder trial?
The prosecution faced challenges due to the circumstantial nature of the evidence and Rita Flowers' credibility issues. Her inconsistent statements and history of involvement in the forgery of Goldie's checks made it difficult for the jury to fully trust her testimony.
How did the acquittal of Raymond Douglas impact Goldie's family?
The acquittal left Goldie's family devastated and with many unanswered questions. It also complicated family dynamics, as some members continued to believe Rita was involved in the murder, while others supported her.
What are some of the long-term effects of Goldie's murder on her grandchildren?
Goldie's grandchildren have been navigating complex family dynamics and generational trauma. They struggle with the lack of closure and the ongoing impact of the unresolved case on their lives. They also face challenges in dealing with the silence surrounding Goldie's murder and the lack of accountability for those involved.
What are the lingering questions surrounding Goldie Thornsbury's murder?
The case remains unresolved despite a trial, leaving questions about the identity of the perpetrator, the sufficiency of evidence, and the possibility of other individuals involved.
How has Goldie's murder impacted her family, particularly her grandchildren?
Goldie's grandchildren have grown up grappling with the tragedy, experiencing unresolved feelings and struggling to come to terms with the loss of their grandmother.
What is the significance of Lieutenant Franklin's involvement in the case?
Lieutenant Franklin dedicated his entire career to investigating Goldie's case, demonstrating his commitment to finding answers and providing closure for her family. His retirement marks the end of an era in the pursuit of justice for Goldie.
What is the call to action for listeners at the end of the episode?
The episode encourages listeners to submit cases of missing loved ones for potential inclusion in the show and to support the show through Patreon and social media engagement.
Show Notes
Last week, we shared the first installment of Goldie Thornsberry’s story. You learned that she disappeared from Fayetteville, Arkansas, in early 1996. Goldie was reported missing after her bank noticed strange activity on her checking account. When the investigation began, officers went to Goldie’s apartment and were greeted by one of her daughters, who said Goldie wasn’t home; she was traveling to visit family members. This story shifted with time about where exactly Goldie planned to go and whom she was traveling to visit. Investigators contacted relatives who said they hadn’t seen or heard from Goldie.
Goldie’s daughter and son-in-law were later charged with forgery after investigators determined they were using her checks. They became the main suspects in Goldie’s disappearance. Still, despite their best efforts, they couldn’t find Goldie or any hard evidence to prove what happened to her.
In 2010, there was a remarkable development in the case after one of Goldie’s former neighbors saw a news story about a Jane Doe who was found inside of a well in Little Rock in 2000 and thought it was Goldie. After a DNA comparison came back indicating it was, in fact, Goldie, they could finally move forward with the case. While there was a mountain of circumstantial evidence against Goldie's daughter and son-in-law, would it be enough for a conviction?
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.
Follow The Vanished on social media at:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Table of contents
United States
Despite Rita, claiming to be innocent, I think she knows a lot more than she’s saying. She might not have done it with her own hands, but I think she was aware. I believe she looked the other way and let it happen. 
waited all week to hear part 2, then it cut off at 8min you could of put that all in one episode.and I don't think all of it played as should of.