Sarah Neal (6 of Diamonds, Nebraska)
4Digest
The episode delves into the tragic murder of 16-year-old Sarah Neal in Omaha, Nebraska, in June 2005. The investigation centers around Cletus Alfred, Sarah's ex-boyfriend, who had a history of violence and threats against previous girlfriends. Despite his history and Sarah's protective order against him, Cletus was never charged with her murder. The episode explores the police's investigation, including their focus on Cletus, the lack of cooperation from him, and the challenges they faced in gathering evidence. It also highlights the emotional toll the case took on Sarah's family, particularly her mother, Nann, who recounts her grief and the impact Sarah's death had on her life. The episode concludes with a plea for the public's help in solving the case, emphasizing the need for any information, no matter how small, that could bring closure to Sarah's family.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the episode's focus on two unsolved cases, both involving detectives who are cautious about releasing information to avoid hindering their investigations. The episode aims to share what they can about the cases and encourage listeners to help solve them. The first case is that of Sarah Neal, a 16-year-old from Nebraska.
Sarah Neal's Murder
This Chapter details the discovery of Sarah Neal's body in her father's home on June 21st, 2005. The police investigation quickly focused on Cletus Alfred, Sarah's ex-boyfriend, who had a history of violence and threats against previous girlfriends. Despite this, Cletus was never charged with Sarah's murder.
The Impact on Sarah's Family
This Chapter explores the emotional toll Sarah's murder took on her family, particularly her mother, Nann. Nann recounts her grief, the challenges of coping with the loss of her daughter, and the impact Sarah's death had on her life. She also shares how Sarah's friends revealed her kind and supportive nature, which she wasn't fully aware of during Sarah's life.
A Plea for Justice
This Chapter concludes the episode with a plea for the public's help in solving Sarah's murder. Sergeant Warner, the lead investigator, emphasizes the need for any information, no matter how small, that could bring closure to Sarah's family. The episode ends with a reading of Sarah's own words, a poem that reflects her struggles with trust and fear, and a reminder of the $25,000 reward offered for information leading to the arrest of her killer.
Keywords
Sarah Neal
Sarah Neal was a 16-year-old girl who was murdered in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 21st, 2005. She was a multi-sport athlete, a chess player, and a gifted artist and poet. Her murder remains unsolved, and the police are seeking the public's help in finding her killer.
Cletus Alfred
Cletus Alfred was Sarah Neal's ex-boyfriend. He had a history of violence and threats against previous girlfriends, including a conviction for visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving Sarah. Despite this history and Sarah's protective order against him, Cletus was never charged with her murder. He was later convicted of other crimes, including violating a protection order and assaulting another ex-girlfriend's boyfriend. He was released from prison in 2020.
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County. It is located on the Missouri River and is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, its historic Old Market district, and its proximity to the scenic Loess Hills.
Unsolved Murder
An unsolved murder is a homicide case where the perpetrator has not been identified or apprehended. These cases can be particularly challenging for law enforcement, as they often lack sufficient evidence or witness testimony to identify the killer. Unsolved murders can have a profound impact on the victims' families and communities, leaving a sense of injustice and uncertainty.
Cold Case
A cold case is an unsolved criminal investigation that has been inactive for a significant period of time. These cases are often revisited when new evidence emerges or advancements in technology allow for the re-examination of existing evidence. Cold cases can be difficult to solve, but they are often reopened with the hope of bringing justice to the victims and their families.
Victimology
Victimology is the study of victims of crime. It examines the factors that contribute to victimization, the impact of crime on victims, and the ways in which victims can be supported and protected. Victimology plays an important role in criminal investigations, as it helps investigators understand the victim's background, relationships, and potential vulnerabilities, which can provide valuable clues about the perpetrator.
Protection Order
A protection order is a legal document that prohibits a person from contacting or harassing another person. It is typically issued by a court in cases of domestic violence or stalking. Protection orders can provide victims with a sense of safety and security, but they do not always prevent further abuse or violence.
The Deck Podcast
The Deck is a true crime podcast hosted by Ashley Flowers. The podcast investigates unsolved cases, often focusing on missing persons and murders. The Deck is known for its in-depth reporting, its focus on the victims and their families, and its commitment to bringing justice to those who have been wronged.
Q&A
Who was Sarah Neal and what happened to her?
Sarah Neal was a 16-year-old girl from Omaha, Nebraska, who was murdered in her father's home on June 21st, 2005. Her murder remains unsolved.
Who is the main suspect in Sarah's murder and why is he considered a suspect?
The main suspect in Sarah's murder is Cletus Alfred, her ex-boyfriend. He had a history of violence and threats against previous girlfriends, including a conviction for visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving Sarah. He was also uncooperative with the police investigation and was later convicted of other crimes, including violating a protection order and assaulting another ex-girlfriend's boyfriend.
What challenges did the police face in investigating Sarah's murder?
The police faced several challenges in investigating Sarah's murder, including Cletus's lack of cooperation, the limited evidence available, and the difficulty in obtaining a search warrant for Cletus's home due to the protection order. They also had to contend with the passage of time and the potential for witnesses' memories to fade.
What impact did Sarah's murder have on her family?
Sarah's murder had a profound impact on her family, particularly her mother, Nann. Nann recounts her grief, the challenges of coping with the loss of her daughter, and the impact Sarah's death had on her life. She also shares how Sarah's friends revealed her kind and supportive nature, which she wasn't fully aware of during Sarah's life.
What is the police's current plea to the public?
The police are currently asking for the public's help in solving Sarah's murder. They are seeking any information, no matter how small, that could bring closure to Sarah's family. They believe that someone out there may have information that could be crucial to the case.
Show Notes
Our first card this week is Sarah Neal, the 6 of Diamonds from Nebraska.
16-year-old Sarah was not your typical teen. She was a multisport high school athlete who participated in basketball, softball, and track. She was a pretty darn good chess player, too.
But in June of 2005, somebody took all that Sarah loved away from her. And they took Sarah away from everyone who loved her. 19 years later, the police are still trying to catch her killer, and they need your help.
- If you know anything about the murder of Sarah Neal in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 21, 2005, please call the Omaha, Nebraska Homicide Unit at 402-444-5656, or the Omaha Police Department at 402-444-3765. You can also anonymously report information to Omaha Crime Stoppers at 402-444-7867, or on their website.
View source material and photos for this episode at: thedeckpodcast.com/sarah-neal
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The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers.
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Text Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!
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