Lady In The Box
Digest
This episode of Cold Case Files explores the case of John Smith, a man who was convicted of murdering his first wife, Janice Hartman, after her remains were found in a box in an Indiana cornfield. The episode begins with the disappearance of Smith's second wife, Fran Gladden Smith, and the investigation into her disappearance leads detectives to uncover the truth about Hartman's death. Smith's brother, Michael, provides crucial information about a box that John had built in 1974, which contained Hartman's belongings. Michael later discovered the box in his grandparents' garage in 1979, and it contained Hartman's remains. The episode details the investigation, including the exhumation of Hartman's body, the DNA testing, and the eventual arrest of John Smith. The episode also explores the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Fran Gladden Smith, and the possibility that John Smith may be a serial killer. The episode concludes with the conviction of John Smith for the murder of Janice Hartman, and the continued search for answers in the case of Fran Gladden Smith.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the case of John Smith, a man who was convicted of murdering his first wife, Janice Hartman, after her remains were found in a box in an Indiana cornfield. The episode begins with the disappearance of Smith's second wife, Fran Gladden Smith, and the investigation into her disappearance leads detectives to uncover the truth about Hartman's death.
Fran Gladden Smith's Disappearance
This Chapter details the disappearance of Fran Gladden Smith, John Smith's second wife. Fran was confined to her townhouse due to a broken hip and her family was concerned about her well-being. When they couldn't reach her by phone, they contacted her husband, John, who claimed he thought she was with her sister. The family pressed him to file a missing persons report, but he was reluctant, claiming he didn't want to invade Fran's privacy. Six days after Fran disappeared, John finally filed a missing persons report.
The Investigation Begins
This Chapter details the initial investigation into Fran Gladden Smith's disappearance. Detectives interviewed John Smith, who was vague and uncooperative. They also interviewed Fran's family, who expressed their suspicions about John's involvement in her disappearance. The family revealed that John had been evasive about his past and had provided conflicting information about his background.
Uncovering John Smith's Past
This Chapter details the investigation into John Smith's past. Fran's sister, Sherry Davis, began to investigate John's background and discovered that he had been married once before to a woman named Janice Hartman. She also discovered that John had placed a collect call from a small town in Ohio, which led her to Seville, Ohio. Davis began to search for John's past in Seville, and she eventually found a picture of him from his high school yearbook.
The Search for Janice Hartman
This Chapter details the search for Janice Hartman, John Smith's first wife. Sherry Davis discovered that John and Janice had been married in Detroit and that Janice had a brother named Gary. Davis began to search for Gary Hartman in Detroit, but she was unsuccessful. She eventually turned her attention back to Seville, Ohio, and she eventually found Gary Hartman in Wadsworth, Ohio. Gary revealed that Janice had disappeared in 1974, and he provided information about John's behavior towards Janice.
Janice Hartman's Disappearance
This Chapter details the disappearance of Janice Hartman. Gary Hartman revealed that Janice had left John in 1974 and had obtained a divorce decree. Three days later, Janice disappeared. John claimed that Janice had packed her bags and left for Florida, but this account did not match the evidence. Janice's car was still parked outside John's trailer, and her family believed that she would not have left without her car.
Keywords
John Smith
John Smith is the main suspect in the disappearance of his two wives, Janice Hartman and Fran Gladden Smith. He was convicted of murdering Janice Hartman in 2000, but the investigation into Fran's disappearance continues. Smith is described as a manipulative and controlling individual who was evasive about his past and had a history of disappearing wives.
Janice Hartman
Janice Hartman was the first wife of John Smith. She disappeared in 1974, and her remains were found in a box in an Indiana cornfield in 1980. Hartman's disappearance was initially investigated by local police, but the case went cold until 1992, when detectives in West Windsor, New Jersey, began to investigate the disappearance of John Smith's second wife, Fran Gladden Smith. The investigation into Fran's disappearance led detectives to uncover the truth about Hartman's death.
Fran Gladden Smith
Fran Gladden Smith was the second wife of John Smith. She disappeared in 1991, and her body has never been found. Fran's disappearance was initially investigated by local police, but the case went cold until 1992, when detectives in West Windsor, New Jersey, began to investigate the case. The investigation into Fran's disappearance led detectives to uncover the truth about John Smith's past and the disappearance of his first wife, Janice Hartman.
Cold Case
A cold case is a criminal investigation that has been inactive for a significant period of time. Cold cases are often difficult to solve because evidence may have been lost or destroyed, witnesses may have died or moved, and memories may have faded. However, advances in forensic science and technology have made it possible to solve some cold cases that were previously considered unsolvable.
Serial Killer
A serial killer is a person who commits two or more murders, typically with a cooling-off period between each murder. Serial killers are often motivated by a desire for power or control, and they may have a specific pattern or ritual that they follow. Serial killers are often difficult to catch because they are often very intelligent and cunning, and they may be able to blend in with society.
Missing Persons
A missing person is a person who has disappeared without a trace. Missing persons cases can be very difficult to solve, as there is often little or no evidence to go on. However, there are many organizations and agencies that are dedicated to helping find missing persons. If you know someone who is missing, it is important to report them to the police immediately.
DNA Testing
DNA testing is a scientific technique that is used to identify individuals or to determine the relationship between individuals. DNA testing is often used in criminal investigations to identify suspects or to link suspects to crime scenes. DNA testing is also used in paternity testing, genealogy, and medical research.
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic anthropology is a branch of anthropology that deals with the application of anthropological knowledge to legal matters. Forensic anthropologists often work with law enforcement agencies to identify human remains, to determine the cause of death, and to reconstruct the events that led to a person's death.
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the primary investigative agency of the United States federal government. The FBI is responsible for investigating a wide range of crimes, including terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crime. The FBI also provides training and support to state and local law enforcement agencies.
Q&A
What happened to Fran Gladden Smith?
Fran Gladden Smith, John Smith's second wife, disappeared in 1991. Her body has never been found, and John Smith is suspected but not charged with her murder. The investigation into Fran's disappearance continues.
How was Janice Hartman's body found?
Janice Hartman's remains were found in a box in an Indiana cornfield in 1980. The box was discovered by a highway maintenance crew, and it contained Hartman's skeletonized remains. The box was crudely made, and it appeared to have been used to store Hartman's body for a significant period of time.
What evidence led to John Smith's conviction for the murder of Janice Hartman?
The evidence that led to John Smith's conviction for the murder of Janice Hartman included the testimony of his brother, Michael, who described seeing John building a box in 1974 that contained Hartman's belongings. Michael later discovered the box in his grandparents' garage in 1979, and it contained Hartman's remains. The box itself was also presented as evidence in court, and it was a powerful visual reminder of the crime. DNA testing also confirmed that the remains in the box were those of Janice Hartman.
What is the significance of the skull found in John Smith's storage locker?
The skull found in John Smith's storage locker does not belong to Fran Gladden Smith, but it is believed to be the remains of another woman. The discovery of the skull has raised concerns that John Smith may be a serial killer. The investigation into the skull's identity continues.
What is the current status of the investigation into Fran Gladden Smith's disappearance?
The investigation into Fran Gladden Smith's disappearance continues. Detectives are still searching for her body, and they are investigating the possibility that John Smith may be responsible for her death. The investigation is complicated by the fact that Fran's body has never been found, and there is limited evidence to go on.
Show Notes
After the disappearance of Fran Gladden-Smith, her family looks into her husband John’s past only to find he had a previous wife who also disappeared never to be heard from again. Ultimately, it is the guilty conscience of John’s family that leads them to speak with police about the box they saw him constructing in 1974 around the time John’s first wife went missing.
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