Digest

This episode of Crime Junkie delves into two chilling unsolved cases, both involving young individuals whose deaths remain shrouded in mystery. The first case focuses on Thomas Beerson, a college freshman who vanished without a trace in 2014. Despite a widespread search effort, Tom's body was eventually found in an RV lot, miles away from his campus, with his left shoe and cell phone missing. Authorities ruled his death a homicide, but the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and the lack of concrete evidence have left investigators and Tom's family searching for answers. The second case centers around Geeta Angara, a senior chemist at a water treatment plant in New Jersey, who was found dead in a water tank in 2005. While the medical examiner ruled her death a homicide by drowning, the cause of death was initially reported as accidental, leading to confusion and frustration for Geeta's family. Despite extensive investigations and numerous interviews, the killer remains unidentified, leaving a lingering sense of unease for both Geeta's family and the plant's employees. Both cases highlight the importance of community involvement and the power of speaking up, as the families of both victims continue to seek justice and closure.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the episode and the two unsolved cases that will be discussed: the disappearance and death of Thomas Beerson and the death of Geeta Angara.

00:00:39

The Disappearance of Thomas Beerson

This Chapter details the disappearance of Thomas Beerson, a college freshman who went missing in 2014. The chapter covers the frantic search efforts by his parents, the discovery of a cryptic tweet from his account, and the eventual discovery of his body in an RV lot. The chapter also explores the lack of concrete evidence and the ongoing investigation.

00:24:32

The Death of Geeta Angara

This Chapter focuses on the death of Geeta Angara, a senior chemist at a water treatment plant in New Jersey. The chapter details the discovery of her body in a water tank, the initial confusion surrounding the cause of death, and the investigation into her co-workers. The chapter also explores the family's frustration with the lack of progress in the case and the ongoing search for answers.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the key similarities between the cases of Thomas Beerson and Geeta Angara?

  Both cases involve young individuals whose deaths remain unsolved, leaving their families and communities searching for answers. Both cases also highlight the importance of people speaking up and providing information to investigators.

• What are some of the challenges investigators faced in both cases?

  In both cases, investigators faced challenges due to a lack of concrete evidence, conflicting accounts from witnesses, and the passage of time. The destruction of potential DNA evidence in Geeta's case due to the chlorine in the water tank further complicated the investigation.

• What are the key differences between the cases of Thomas Beerson and Geeta Angara?

  The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Thomas Beerson and Geeta Angara are quite different. Beerson's case involves a disappearance followed by the discovery of his body in a remote location, while Angara's case involves the discovery of her body in a water tank at her workplace. The nature of the deaths also differs, with Beerson's death being ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma and Angara's death being ruled a homicide by drowning, although the initial cause of death was reported as accidental.

• What are the potential motives for the deaths of Thomas Beerson and Geeta Angara?

  In Beerson's case, the motive remains unclear, but investigators are exploring the possibility of a connection to his recent DUI arrest. In Angara's case, investigators initially focused on her co-workers, particularly those who had expressed resentment or jealousy towards her. However, the possibility of an accidental death has also been raised.

• What are the families of Thomas Beerson and Geeta Angara doing to seek justice for their loved ones?

  Both families are actively seeking justice for their loved ones. Beerson's family has established a foundation in his honor and continues to make public pleas for information. Angara's family has filed a lawsuit against the water commission, alleging that the working environment at the plant was dangerous and contributed to her death.

• What role does technology play in both cases?

  Technology plays a significant role in both cases. In Beerson's case, a cryptic tweet from his account provided investigators with their first real lead. In Angara's case, the lack of surveillance cameras and the unreliability of the plant's sensors hindered the investigation.

• What is the significance of the unsolved nature of these cases?

  The unsolved nature of these cases highlights the vulnerability of individuals and the importance of community involvement in solving crimes. It also underscores the need for continued investigation and the pursuit of justice, even in the face of challenges and setbacks.

• What is the message that the podcast is trying to convey to its listeners?

  The podcast is trying to convey the importance of speaking up and providing information to investigators, even if it seems insignificant. The families of both victims are relying on the public's help to solve these cases and bring their loved ones' killers to justice.

• What are some of the ethical considerations raised by these cases?

  These cases raise ethical considerations regarding the responsibility of employers to ensure the safety of their employees, the importance of transparency in investigations, and the potential for bias in the reporting of crime.

• What are some of the lessons that can be learned from these cases?

  These cases highlight the importance of being aware of your surroundings, taking precautions to ensure your safety, and speaking up if you have any information that could help solve a crime. They also underscore the need for continued investigation and the pursuit of justice, even in the face of challenges and setbacks.

Show Notes