Digest

The podcast delves into the chilling true crime story of Helen Hagness, a talented violinist who vanished during intermission at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1980. Her husband, Janis, discovered her violin left behind and reported her missing, setting off a frantic search. Detective Jerry Giorgio, assigned to the case, interviewed a ballerina who had been on the elevator with Helen, revealing she was headed to meet the famous dancer Valery Panoff. The investigation took a dark turn when a maintenance worker found a pair of women's black shoes on the roof of the Met, leading to the discovery of Helen's body in a ventilation shaft. The scene suggested a possible murder, and the investigation intensified with the arrival of Detective Mike Struck. They found evidence of foul play, including rope bindings and a gag on Helen's body, and the investigation expanded to include hundreds of employees. A palm print found on the ventilation shaft led the detectives to Craig Cremens, a stagehand who had been interviewed earlier. The detectives learned that another stagehand who claimed to have seen Cremens sleeping was lying, and Cremens was arrested. Based on the evidence, the detectives reconstructed the events leading to Helen's death, believing Cremens lured Helen to the roof with the intention of raping her. When he was unable to do so, he killed her in a fit of rage and humiliation. Cremens was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 20 years to life. He served 40 years in prison and was paroled in 2021.

Outlines

00:00:10

The Disappearance and Murder of Helen Hagness

The podcast begins with the disappearance of Helen Hagness, a talented violinist, during intermission at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1980. Her husband, Janis, discovers her violin left behind and reports her missing. Police investigate, finding clues that point to a possible murder.

00:08:09

The Investigation Begins

Detective Jerry Giorgio arrives at the Met to investigate Helen's disappearance. He interviews a ballerina who was on the elevator with Helen, revealing she was headed to meet the famous dancer Valery Panoff. Giorgio begins a search of the massive opera house.

00:11:40

The Shocking Discovery and the Investigation Intensifies

A maintenance worker finds a pair of women's black shoes on the roof of the Met. Giorgio and the officers follow him to the roof, where they discover Helen's body in a ventilation shaft. The scene suggests a possible murder. Detective Mike Struck joins the investigation, finding evidence of foul play, including rope bindings and a gag on Helen's body. The investigation expands, with hundreds of employees to interview.

00:24:52

Suspects Emerge and a Breakthrough

A palm print is found on the ventilation shaft. The detectives interview Helen's husband, Janis, who appears intoxicated. They also interview Valery Panoff, who denies knowing Helen. The ballerina who was on the elevator with Helen remembers a man who was with them. She describes him, leading to a sketch that resembles a stagehand named Vincent Donahue. Donahue is interviewed, but he denies involvement and suggests another stagehand, Craig Cremens, as a possible suspect. Cremens is also interviewed, but he claims to have been asleep backstage. The palm print found on the ventilation shaft is matched to Craig Cremens. The detectives learn that the other stagehand who claimed to have seen Cremens sleeping was lying.

00:30:46

The Reconstruction of the Crime and Justice Served

Based on the evidence, the detectives reconstruct the events leading to Helen's death. They believe Cremens lured Helen to the roof, bound and gagged her, and pushed her into the ventilation shaft. Craig Cremens is found guilty of murder and sentenced to 20 years to life. He serves 40 years in prison and is paroled in 2021.

Keywords

Q&A

• What happened to Helen Hagness on the night of July 23, 1980?

  Helen Hagness, a violinist, disappeared during intermission at the Metropolitan Opera House. Her body was later found in a ventilation shaft on the roof, suggesting she was murdered.

• How did the police identify Craig Cremens as the killer?

  A palm print found on the ventilation shaft was matched to Craig Cremens, a stagehand who had been interviewed earlier in the investigation.

• What was the motive behind Helen's murder?

  The detectives believe Cremens lured Helen to the roof with the intention of raping her. When he was unable to do so, he killed her in a fit of rage and humiliation.

Show Notes