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đ Bloomington, Indiana | Year: 2000
đ§ Chapter 54 â The Final Trace of Jill Behrman
Nineteen-year-old Jill Behrman set out on a routine morning bike ride through the rolling hills of southern Indiana.
She never came home.
What followed was nearly three years of searches, false confessions, dead-end leads, and a community desperate for answers.
When Jill was finally found, investigators believed they had solved the case.
But decades later, questions still linger about the investigation, the evidence, and whether every piece of the story was ever uncovered.
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đ Bloomington, Indiana | Year: 2015
đ§ Chapter 53 â The Final Trace of Joseph Smedley
Twenty-year-old Joseph Smedley had big dreams. An Indiana University biochemistry student with plans to one day create life-saving medications, he was known for his kindness, his infectious smile, and the positive energy he brought to everyone around him.
Then, in the early morning hours of September 28th, his sister received a chilling text message:
"Viv, I love you. I'm leaving the country⌠I'm sorry."
Five days later, Joseph was found floating in the shallow waters of Griffy Lake with a backpack filled with rocks strapped to his back
Investigators quickly ruled his death a suicide.
But his family believes the evidence tells a different story.
A strange note.
A confusing timeline.
Unanswered questions.
And a case that continues to divide everyone who looks at it.Was Joseph's death a tragic suicide?
Or was the truth buried beneath the waters of Griffy Lake?
Justice for Joseph : https://www.facebook.com/share/1BCrGq55n6/?mibextid=wwXIfr
THE FINAL TRACE OF JOSEPH SMEDLEYSuggested Source Notes & Research LinksPRIMARY CASE OVERVIEWS⢠Uncovered â Joseph Smedleyhttps://uncovered.com/cases/joseph-smedley
⢠A Heavy Weight â Justice for Joseph Smedley: A Full Look at the Case, the Evidence and the Questions That Remainhttps://aheavyweight.com/justice-for-joseph-smedley-a-full-look-at-the-case-the-evidence-and-the-questions-that-remain/
⢠A Heavy Weight â Less Than 1%: Reopening the Questions Around Joseph Smedley's Deathhttps://aheavyweight.com/less-than-1-reopening-the-questions-around-joseph-smedleys-death/
⢠A Heavy Weight â Episode 7: Extremely Unusual â Unpacking Joseph Smedley's Autopsy and Toxicology Reportshttps://aheavyweight.com/episode-7-extremely-unusual-unpacking-joseph-smedleys-autopsy-and-toxicology-reports/
LOCAL NEWS REPORTING⢠WTHR â Case of Missing IU Student Found Dead Now Death Investigationhttps://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/case-missing-iu-student-found-dead-now-death-investigation/531-2c4dc6a2-a475-4053-9959-cfad1359c3cc
⢠WRTV â Sister of IU Student Found Dead in Lake is Questioning His Cause of Deathhttps://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/sister-of-iu-student-found-dead-in-lake-is-questioning-his-cause-of-death
⢠Indiana Daily Student â various articles on Joseph's disappearance and deathhttps://www.idsnews.com/
FAMILY ADVOCACY⢠Justice for Joseph Smedley GoFundMehttps://www.gofundme.com/f/attorney-amp-private-investigator-for-joseph-smedley
PODCASTS / INTERVIEWS⢠The Fall Line â The Death of Joseph Smedleyhttps://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/episodes/2022/10/26/the-death-of-joseph-smedley-a-heavy-weight
⢠A Heavy Weight Podcasthttps://aheavyweight.com/
BACKGROUND ON THE 2015 SOCIAL CONTEXT⢠Sandra Bland case timeline â Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Sandra-Bland
⢠Washington Post coverage of Sandra Bland and the broader national conversationhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/
COMMUNITY DISCUSSION / TIMELINE RESEARCH(Use carefully and independently verify claims.)
⢠Websleuths â Joseph Smedley Discussion Threadhttps://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/in-joseph-smedley-20-bloomington-27-sep-2015.291572/
⢠Reddit â Unresolved Mysteries discussion of Joseph Smedleyhttps://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/ebvshy/the_case_of_joseph_smedley_indiana_2015/
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đ Xenia, Ohio | Year: 1954
đ§ Chapter 52 â The Final Trace of Mary Grimes Wallace
On a bitter January morning, a train crew discovered the body of a woman lying on the railroad tracks outside of town.
Authorities quickly identified her as thirty-two-year-old Mary Grimes Wallace.
But almost immediately, the case began to unravel.
There was little blood at the scene.
A mysterious man was seen walking away from the tracks.
And investigators questioned whether the victim had died somewhere else entirely.Then, years later, a rumor surfaced that changed everything:
What if Mary Grimes Wallace wasn't the woman buried beneath her own headstone?
đ§ This week, we explore one of Ohio's strangest mysteriesâa case of mistaken identity, missing answers, and a woman who may have vanished twice.
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đ Brownstown, Indiana | Year: 1971
đ§ Chapter 51: The Final Trace of Mike Sewell
Three teenage friends.
A handmade cabin hidden along the White River.
And a winter night that would haunt a small Indiana town for more than half a century.
When a fire reduced the cabin to ashes, investigators identified only two victims. The third boy, 16-year-old Mike Sewell, vanished without a trace.
Rumors spread.
Theories took hold.
And for fifty-two years, families searched for answers.
Did Mike start the fire?
Did he run away?
Did he murder his friends?
In this chapter of The Final Trace, we examine one of Indiana's longest-running mysteriesâand the breakthrough that finally uncovered what really happened to Jerry Autry, Stan Robison, and Mike Sewell.
đď¸ Official Police Reports & Updates
Read the full breakthrough statement and case timeline issued by the Jackson County Sheriff's Department Cold Case Release. [1]
đ° Media & News Sources
For detailed coverage of the 2023 resolution, check out the local investigative report on the WDRB News Coverage.
Review the step-by-step breakdown of how the exhumation was performed via the WAVE 3 News Report.
For the structural breakdown of the 1971 fire and the initial police response, you can refer to the WTHR Local News Analysis. [1, 2, 3]
đş Video Reports & Interviews
Watch the live broadcast detailing how the forensic team found the triplicate bones on the WHAS11 News Video Feature.
See the interview with Mike Sewell's sister, Linda Pack, reacting to the final breakthrough on the WDRB YouTube Case Coverage. [1]
Explore the discussion on the Unresolved Mysteries Reddit Thread.
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đ Boonville, Indiana | Year: 2014
đ§ Chapter 50: The Final Trace of Kristy Kelley
Kristy Kelley was a 27-year-old mother of two, rebuilding her life after a divorce and looking forward to what came next.
On the night of August 14, 2014, she met friends for what should have been an ordinary night out.
But sometime after leaving a local VFW, Kristy vanished.
For thirty-two days, her family searched.
Then her SUV was discovered submerged in a remote pond with Kristy still inside.
Authorities quickly ruled her death an accidental drowning.
But the deeper her family looked, the more questions they found.
More than a decade later, the mystery of what happened to Kristy Kelley remains anything but settled.
đď¸ Was this a tragic accident?
Or is there still a piece of Kristy's story waiting to be found?
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Rogue Transmissions--the edgy, semi-annual anthology of indie podcasts--is invading your podcast feed with DUNGEONPUNK PART 2 ... a symphony of 80s nostalgia, dystopian cyberpunk, and savage swords drawn against both super sorcery & super science. Featuring an adventuring party of your indie podcast favorites!
FIRST UP, Octoberpod presents "Byzantium Slab: The Shell Remember" a wraparound tale of adventure on the savage streets of the dystopian Witch Kingdom (featuring the voice talents of Ari Shey, MJ McAddams, and Family Plot podcast's Arthur Williams).
THEN: The Final Trace investigates the satanic panic epidemic of the 1980s & the case of Bink Pulling.
LATER: Ghost Bites presents to dire warning about mysterious arcade games in "Insert Coin to Die."
FINALLY: Horrifying History plumbs the depths of 1980s paranormal activity with the Smurl Family Haunting.
Rogue Transmission 4: DungeonPunk. Total Power. Total Mystery. Total Savagery ... Totally AWESOME!
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Rogue Transmissions--the edgy, semi-annual anthology of indie podcasts--is invading your podcast feed with DUNGEONPUNK PART 1 ... a symphony of 80s nostalgia, dystopian cyberpunk, and savage swords drawn against both super sorcery & super science. Featuring an adventuring party of your indie podcast favorites!
FIRST UP, Octoberpod presents "Byzantium Slab: Life Without A Soul" a wraparound tale of savagery & adventure in the dystopian Kingdom of the Witch King (featuring the voice talents of Ari Shey, MJ McAddams, and Family Plot podcast's Arthur Williams).
THEN: Our True Crime Podcast presents "The Acid King of the 80s" a true crime case of drugs, delusion, DnD, and murder.
LATER: The Morbid Forest Takes "A Roll of the Dice" on a journey into a role playing game that is much more than it appears.
FINALLY: The Serial Napper herself, Nikki Young, lulls you to sleep (or into the arms of a nightmare) with the true tale of "Monsters Made of Dice"
Rogue Transmission 4: DungeonPunk. Total Power. Total Mystery. Total Savagery ... Totally AWESOME!
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đKilleen, Texas | Year: 1990
đ§ Chapter 49: The Final Trace of Deanna Merryfield
Thirteen-year-old Deanna Merryfield slipped out of her grandmotherâs house in the early morning hours to visit her twin sister just two miles away.
By 3:30 AM, she was standing outside a bedroom window.
Moments later⌠she climbed into a bronze-colored car with two teenage boys.She was never seen again.
Labeled a runaway almost immediately, Deannaâs disappearance received little investigation in those critical early days. But while the case went quiet⌠her younger sister Melissa never stopped searching.
More than thirty-five years later, Deannaâs family is still fighting for answers â and still hoping someone finally breaks their silence.
đď¸ This episode includes exclusive interview clips with Deannaâs sister, Melissa, as she shares memories of Deanna, the failures surrounding the investigation, and the decades-long fight to bring her home.
đď¸ CALL TO ACTION: JUSTICE FOR DEANNA
Finding Deanna Official Website
Finding Deanna Facebook Page
Case Information & Missing Person Resources
Finding Deanna Contact Page
Investigations for the Missing â Deanna Merryfield
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Deanna Merryfield, please contact the Killeen Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Clearinghouse, or reach out directly through the Finding Deanna website. Even the smallest detail could matter.
Killeen Police Department: (254) 501-8830
Texas Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Clearinghouse: 1-800-346-3243
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đBrazil, Indiana | Year: 1957
đ§ Chapter 48: The Final Trace of Billy Martin
Seven-year-old Billy Martin was playing outside his familyâs home on a warm summer afternoon while his mother cleaned inside, waiting for her husband to return home from National Guard training.
But sometime around 3:30 PM⌠Billy vanished.
The last person believed to have seen him was a family friend and lodger known as âTexâ Higgins â a drifter whose story would quickly come under scrutiny.
Search crews combed fields, ponds, mineshafts, and nearby farmland.
Rumors spread across Clay County.
And over the decades, Billyâs disappearance slowly became something more than a cold case.It became a legend.
Nearly seventy years later⌠Billy Martin has never been found.
đ SOURCES AND READINGS:
The Charley Project - Billy Earl Martin: Provides the core case facts, physical description, and the timeline of Harry "Tex" Higgins' actions.
Faded Memories: The Disappearance of Billy Martin (WTWO): Features modern interviews with Billyâs brother, Robert, and details about the familyâs scrapbook and search efforts.
Brazil Times Archives - Missing But Not Forgotten: Details the polygraph results for the parents and Tex, as well as the $167 fund eventually donated to the Boy Scouts.
Indiana Folklore Collection - Disappearance of Billy Martin: Documents local legends, including the "Pink House" (Rene/Lorine Evans) and the school haunting myths.
The Daily Banner (August 15, 1957): A primary newspaper source from the week of the disappearance, detailing the early investigation into the "guitar-toting minstrel".
Indiana Cold Case Chronicles (Facebook): Community discussion and additional records regarding the search locations around Brazil. [1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10]
Newspapers.com - Frances L Evans/Harry Higgins/Billy Martin
Reddit - Unresolved Mysteries
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đKnox County Indiana | Year: 2023
đ§ Chapter 47: The Final Trace of Jared McColloch
Jared McColloch left his home in Louisiana expecting to make a routine trip north.
But somewhere between Illinois and Indiana⌠something changed.
In the early morning hours, Jaredâs movements became difficult to follow.
A confusing timeline stretched across state lines and a daylight savings time change.
His truck was eventually discovered abandoned near the Wabash River.Jared was never found.
And the deeper investigators looked into his final hours⌠the stranger the story became.
đď¸ CALL TO ACTION: JUSTICE FOR JARED
"The Final Trace of Jared McColloch doesn't have to end here. A mother is waiting, two dogs are still watching the door, and a son deserves the truth about the father who was racing across states just to reach him."
đ˘ SHARE THE STORY: The biggest obstacle in this case is the "small-town wall." Break it down by sharing Jaredâs story. Download his missing person flyer from the Finding Jared McColloch Facebook Group and post itâespecially if you live in Vincennes (IN), St. Francisville (IL), or Lawrence County (IL).
âď¸ SIGN THE PETITION: Jaredâs family is fighting to move this case from local jurisdiction to the FBI or U.S. Marshals. Every signature counts in proving to federal authorities that this case deserves more than a "local" look. Sign the Change.org Petition here.
đ SUBMIT A TIP: Did you see a white 2020 GMC Sierra on November 5th, 2023? Were you at the Cannonball Bar that Sunday morning? Even the smallest detailâsomeone Jared was talking to, or a vehicle following hisâcould be the key.
Knox County Sheriffâs Office: (812) 882-1502
Anonymous Tip Line: Call 812-895-1TIP to remain 100% anonymous.
đ SUPPORT THE SEARCH: Keep the pressure on. Use the hashtag #FindJaredMcColloch and tag local news outlets in Indiana and Illinois. Donât let the quiet of a gravel road swallow the truth.
Case Overviews & Timelines
Dateline NBC: Verified the background of the construction worker turned "stay-at-home country" man and his meticulous probation history.
Method & Madness Podcast: Detailed the 500-mile journey, specific gas station stops.
NewsNation: Sources for the surveillance footage descriptions
NBCNEWS: Two Years later by By Sarah Dahlberg
Investigative Details & Evidence
The Charley Project: Confirmed official physical descriptions, the warrant status, and the 13-day countdown to the end of his probation.
Solve the Case: Tracked the witness sighting at the Cannonball Bar and the lack of cooperation regarding surveillance footage.
NewsNation - YouTube Analysis: Documented the GMC app alerts, the "party spot" 25 miles away, the "cleaned" shoes found later, and the scratches in the back window dust. [1, 2, 3]
Family & Community Advocacy
Finding Jared McColloch - Facebook Group: The primary source for the familyâs direct updates, the "circle the wagons" sentiment in St. Francisville, and the petition for federal intervention.
News & Official Case Profiles
NewsNation: Extensive coverage of the investigation, including details on the last-minute road trip and subsequent investigative updates.
NBC Dateline: A detailed overview of his trip and the discovery of the abandoned truck.
Podcasts & In-Depth Interviews
The Vanished Podcast: A deep dive into the timeline and family perspective in Episode 430: Jared McColloch Part 1.
Method & Madness: An interview with Tammie Reppond covering cell phone pings and the state of the vehicle.
Nate Eaton (East Idaho News): A video interview with Tammie discussing the case after two years.
Community & Search Groups
Finding Jared McColloch (Facebook Group): The primary family-run page for daily updates and reporting tips.
Peace River K9 Search and Rescue: Footage and discussion of the K9 alerts at the "party spot" and the river.
United Cajun Navy: Documentation of community-led search efforts and the recovery of Jared's dogs. [1, 2]
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đ Clearwater, Florida | Year: 2000
đ§ Chapter 46 â The Final Trace of Zachary Bernhardt
On September 11, 2000, 8-year-old Zachary Bernhardt vanished from his bed in a locked apartment in Clearwater, Florida. His mother claimed she stepped out to clear her head at 4:00 A.M., but neighbors and investigators tell a different story. Today, we dive into the timeline, the suspicious inconsistencies, and why this remains the longest-running active Amber Alert in Florida history.
đ¨ TAKE ACTION: DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION?
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Zachary Bernhardt, please contact:
Clearwater Police Department: 727-562-4242
NCMEC Tip Line: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
Email: [email protected]
đ OFFICIAL RESOURCES & LINKS
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: Zacharyâs Active Poster & Age Progression
The Charley Project: Comprehensive Case Timeline
NamUs: Zachary Michael Cole Bernhardt â Case #MP2689
FDLE: Printable Missing Child Flyer
Fox 13: Where is Zachary Bernhardt? 25 years later
Zachary Bernhardt Missing - My Theory (Reddit)
The Tampa Tribune provided coverage of the Zachary Bernhardt case in 2000 [1]. View the original article at Newspapers.com.
đ FURTHER READING & WATCHING
Watch: Investigation Discovery â "Disappeared: About a Boy"
News: FOX 13 Tampa Bay â "Where is Zachary Bernhardt? 25 Years Later"
Article: Missing in the Shadows of 9/11 (NCMEC Blog)
đ¸ CASE VISUALS
Visit our social media pages to see the age-progression photos of what Zachary would look like at age 34, as well as the map of the Savannah Trace Apartments discussed in this episode.
Follow us on:
Instagram/TikTok/Facebook/YouTube - @TheFinalTracePodcast
Episode Credits:
Hosts: Hopper & McKenzie
Research: Hopper Dailey
Music: Joaquin H
Official Case Records & Missing Person Profiles
Clearwater Police Department: The official Missing Persons Page for Zachary Bernhardt, including his identifying scars and case number.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): Zacharyâs NCMEC Poster featuring the most recent age-progression images.
NamUs: The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System entry providing official disappearance coordinates and physical descriptors.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE): The Active Amber Alert Flyer for Zachary Michael-Cole Bernhardt. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key News Articles & Long-Form Reporting
Tampa Bay Times: The original investigative report, "Police: Boy's mother knows more," which details Leah's background in Michigan and the initial police skepticism.
Fox 13 News: The 25th-anniversary special, "Where is Zachary Bernhardt?", covering Project Atom and the family's 25-year wait.
NewsNation: A deep dive into the 25-year search and the various theories, including the Mexico "drifter" sighting.
Summit Daily: Local coverage of the mysterious bound boy photo discovered in a Dillon, Colorado grocery store parking lot in August 2001.
Tampa Bay Times (2001 Abduction): Documentation of the New Year's Eve 2001 kidnapping at the same Savannah Trace apartment complex. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
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đ Merom, Indiana | Year: 2012
đ§ Chapter 45 â The Final Trace of Lowell Badger
Lowell Badger lived a life of routine, faith, and quiet consistency.
But on a cold December night, that peace was shattered inside his own home.
For eleven years, his family waitedâwhile the truth remained just out of reach.
Until the silence finally broke.
Primary News Reports & Investigation Details
Lowell Badger Cold Case Summary (Indiana State Police)
The official investigative profile detailing the stolen Sentry safe, the Sony Bravia TV, and the early 2012 crime scene details.
Police Release More Information in Sullivan County Murder (WTHI-TV)
An archival report from the eighth anniversary of the crime, highlighting the $50,000 reward and the search for a dark-colored pickup truck.
Alan Badger Recalls Finding His Father Dead (WTHI-TV)
Detailed courtroom coverage of Alan and Audrey Badgerâs testimony regarding the locked doors and the morning of December 8th.
Trial Testimony: Victim Was Not Supposed to be Home (WIBQ AM)
Coverage explaining the motive for the burglary and the revelation that the suspects believed Lowell was away for the night.
The Breakthrough & Legal Proceedings
Probable Cause Affidavit: The Investigation of Richard Taft (MyWabashValley)
The legal document outlining how 2023 interviews and forensic breakthroughs finally connected William Grimes and Richard Taft to the murder.
William Grimes Found Guilty in 2012 Murder Case (WTWO/WAWV)
A report on the May 2025 jury verdict, detailing the counts of murder and conspiracy to commit burglary.
Prosecution Calls Witnesses Against Grimes (The Sullivan Times)
In-depth reporting on the forensic evidence, including the "man door" locks and the lack of fingerprints at the scene.
The Sentencing & Aftermath
William Grimes Sentenced to 120 Years (WTHI-TV)
June 2025 coverage of Judge Hugh Huntâs maximum sentencing and the impact statements delivered by the Badger family.
Third Suspect Charged in Lowell Badger Murder (MyWabashValley)
Details the April 2025 arrest of Arthur Lee Grimes, brother of William, and his alleged role in the 2012 burglary.
Lowell Badger Trial Updates (The Sullivan Times)
A comprehensive chronological collection of daily trial updates and witness lists from the 2025 proceedings.
Court Testimony: During William Grimes' 2025 trial, a witness named Jeremiah Mahan confirmed seeing Grimes at the Merom home where underage drinking was occurring. While Mahan had previously told police in a report that he saw the men return with the TV in the truck, he claimed during the trial that he could no longer recall that specific detail, though he admitted he was telling the truth when he originally gave the statement under oath.
Sullivan Daily Times +5
WTHI-TV YouTube
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đ Vincennes, Indiana | Year: 1975
đ§ Chapter 44 â The Final Trace of Sherry Lee Gibson
A knock in the dark.
A scream no one heard.
And a fire meant to erase everything.For years, the case was closed.
The killer was named.
The story⌠finished.But the truth doesnât always stay buried.
A confession from a church pew.
A second story that matched the firstâ26 years later.
And a realization that the wrong ending had been written all along.Some stories donât disappear.
They wait.Primary News Reports & Investigation Details
Tri-State Murder Case capturing National Attention (14 News)
Details the Investigation Discovery feature and the confession that broke the case after 26 years.Murder Case Reopened after 27 Years (14 News)
An early 2002 report on the new suspects and the reaction of the Gibson family.Man Guilty in 1975 Slaying of Woman in Indiana (Chicago Tribune)
Covers Wayne Gulleyâs conviction, the 11-hour jury deliberation, and the tragic 1998 death of eyewitness Lindy Alton.Confession leads to 2 Arrests in '75 Killing (Chicago Tribune)
Details the initial arrests of Dicks and Gulley and the realization that Jeffers was innocent.Knox County Convicts Man in 1975 Murder Case (Journal Review)
Summary of the final verdict against Gulley and the clearing of the previous conviction.WFIE +11
The Story of the False Confession
John Jeffers Case Profile - National Registry of Exonerations
The definitive record of how John Jeffers falsely implicated himself and Ken Shaner, leading to a wrongful 30-year sentence.Georgia Woman Allegedly Confesses Late (The Intelligencer)
Article exploring why Dicks came forward and the initial skepticism from Gulleyâs defense team.National Registry of Exonerations +2
The Trial & Legal Proceedings
Trial Begins in 1975 Murder Case (14 News)
Coverage of the start of the 2003 trial, including comments from lead investigator Larry Eck.Stefanie Silvey Investigates: Wayne Gulley (14 News)
Detailed investigative piece including excerpts from Gulleyâs interrogations and the composite sketches.Jailed Suspects' Descriptions Fit Other Crimes (14 News)
Explores how Gulley and Dicks were tied to other unsolved robberies and shootings from the mid-70s. -
đNairn, Scotland I Year: 2004
đ§ Chapter 43 â The Final Trace of Alistair Wilson
It was supposed to be an ordinary night.
Bedtime stories upstairs.
Children getting ready for bed.Then came a knock.
Minutes later, Alistair Wilson was dead â and the person responsible vanished into the dark, leaving behind more questions than answers.
Sources & Further Reading:
BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-63839186
Police Scotland: https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/campaigns/2022/december/alistair-wilson-murder-investigation/
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/dec/05/alistair-wilson-murder-scotland-police-new-leads
STV News: https://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/alistair-wilson-murder-police-issue-new-appeal-18-years-on -
đVincennes, Indiana | Year: 1987
đ§ Chapter 42 â The Final Trace of Lisa McCracken
She was 19 years old.
Outgoing. Kind. The kind of person you didnât forget.But inside her apartment on North 6th Street⌠something went terribly wrong.
Lisa McCracken was found murderedâher life cut short in a place that should have been safe.
And for years, the person responsible walked free.Until decades later⌠science caught up with the truth.
But even with a name⌠some questions never fully fade.
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đKnoxville, Tennessee | Year: 1996
đ§ Chapter 41: The Final Trace of Blair Adams
In July 1996, 31-year-old Blair Adams fled his home in fearâtelling friends and family that someone was trying to kill him.
Within days, he crossed international borders, carrying thousands of dollars in cash and gold.
Then, in a quiet parking lot in Knoxville, Tennessee⌠Blair was found dead.
Partially undressed.
Surrounded by scattered money.
And with no clear cause of death.Nearly three decades later, the questions remain.
What was Blair running from?
And who Killed Blair Adams? -
đ Grants Pass, Oregon I Year: 2020
đ§ Chapter 40: The Final Trace of Fauna Frey
Just days after the sudden death of her brother, Fauna Frey set out on what she told her father would be a simple tripâone last mission to deliver her brotherâs silver coins to his friends.
But somewhere along the winding roads of southern Oregon⌠the story began to drift.
Then Fauna vanished.
Months later, her Jeep was discovered hidden deep off a remote logging roadâlocked, abandoned, and surrounded by wilderness.
Her purse was missing.The silver was gone.And Fauna Frey had disappeared without a trace.
Did grief lead her to walk away from everything she knew?Or did someone see an opportunity⌠and make sure she never came back?
đ If You Have Information please contact:
âJosephine County Sheriff's Office: (Oregon)đ 541-682-4150Case Number: Refer to case #20-1267 when providing information.âFamily Tip Line: A dedicated line has been established at 541-359-5638.âEmail: Information can be sent to [email protected]. Official Case Records & Missing Person ProfilesâNamUs Case #MP73488: The official National Missing and Unidentified Persons System profile for Fauna Roseanna Frey.âJosephine County Sheriff's Office Missing Person Bulletin: The original agency flyer containing vehicle descriptions and last-known sightings.âThe Charley Project: Fauna Roseanna Frey: A comprehensive summary of her physical description, clothing, and the timeline of her disappearance. News coverage and reporting used in this episode:⢠Newsweek â Exclusive: What Happened to Fauna Frey? New Clues Uncoveredhttps://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-what-happened-fauna-frey-new-clues-uncovered-1827197⢠Fox / Sinclair News â Missing Oregon woman picked up hitchhiker, father sayshttps://foxbaltimore.com/news/nation-world/missing-oregon-woman-picked-up-hitchhiker-says-father-who-is-still-on-her-trail⢠That Oregon Life â The Disappearance of Fauna Freyhttps://thatoregonlife.com/2025/06/fauna-frey-missing-oregon-woman-five-years-2025/⢠The Charley Project â Fauna Roseanna Freyhttps://charleyproject.org/case/fauna-roseanna-frey⢠Lane County Sheriffâs Office case informationhttps://www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_officeInvestigative Deep Dives & News Reports
âNewsweek: What Happened to Fauna Frey?: An exclusive report covering the $18,000 in silver coins, the saddlebag discovery, and the hair dye found in her Jeep.âFox News: Missing Oregon Woman Helped Hitchhiker: Details on the hitchhiker encounter and the family's search efforts.âThat Oregon Life: New Clues in Baffling Mystery: A summary of the case five years later, focusing on the saddlebag found at the drug house.Podcasts & Media References
âDetective Perspective: MISSING Fauna Frey: An in-depth investigative podcast episode breaking down the 48-hour "black hole" and the Reuben Mountain Road discovery.âDisappeared Blog: The Disappearance of Fauna Frey: A timeline of her last known purchases at Big 5, Gooseberries, and the Super 8 motel.Community & Tip Lines
âHelp Find Fauna Frey (Facebook Group): The primary community hub for case updates and search party coordination -
đVincennes, Indiana I Year: 1997
đ§ Chapter 39: The Final Trace of Brook Baker
In 1997, 19-year-old Brook Baker was brutally murdered inside her home.
The crime stunned the small Indiana communityâand despite the evidence left behind, the case quickly went cold.
For years, Brookâs family waited for answers⌠until the person responsible struck again.
And when investigators finally connected the dots, the truth was even more chilling than anyone imagined.
The Final Trace of Brook Baker
The Killer They Knew: One Manâs Rage Led to the Deaths of Two College Students in Vincennes
(Feature coverage connecting Brook Baker & Erika Norman)
đ https://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/special-report/the-killer-they-knew-one-mans-rage-lead-to-the-deaths-of-two-college-students-in-vincennes/Jury Finds Brian Jones Guilty of Raping and Murdering Brook Baker
đ https://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/jury-finds-brian-jones-guilty-of-raping-and-murdering-brook-baker/Vincennes Man Sentenced to Life in Jail
đ https://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/vincennes-man-sentenced-to-life-in-jail/High Court Rejects Appeal in Baker Case
(Indiana Supreme Court ruling affirming conviction)
đ https://law.justia.com/cases/indiana/supreme-court/2002/12200201-bed.html25 Years Later: Remembering Brook Baker â Vincennes University Trailblazer
đ https://vutrailblazernews.com/1836/features/25-years-later-remembering-brook-baker/Brian Jones Killed Vincennes Students Brook Baker & Erika Norman (Oxygen)
đ https://www.oxygen.com/one-deadly-mistake/crime-news/brian-jones-killed-vincennes-students-brook-baker-erika-normanAmateur Sleuth â Brook Baker
đ https://amateursleuth.wordpress.com/tag/brook-baker/AKA 137F Strikes Again â Anatomy of Murder (Podcast Coverage)
đ https://anatomyofmurder.com/aka-137f-strikes-again/Jones v. State of Indiana â Supreme Court Opinion
(Full appellate decision outlining evidence and sentencing)
đ https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/in-supreme-court/1036733.html -
đ Brownsville, Brooklyn â New York City
đ§ Bonus Mini: The Final Trace of Jacob Pritchett
A boy disappears.
A story begins to unravel.
And investigators now believe the truth may be far darker than anyone first imagined.Jacob Pritchett vanished without a trace â but the clues left behind point to a case that may be more than just a disappearance.
In this bonus mini episode, we tell you the haunting story behind a boy who "never existed".
If you have any information about the disappearance of Jacob Pritchett please call 1-800-577-TIPS
-
đMediterranean Sea â aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. | Year: 2005
đ§ Chapter 38: The Final Trace of George Smith
A honeymoon meant to celebrate a new beginning ended in mystery just days after it began.
When George Smith disappeared from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 2005, investigators discovered a troubling clue â a dark bloodstain on a canopy below the coupleâs balcony. Witnesses described chaos in a nearby cabin, but George was never seen again.
Two decades later, the question still remains:
Did George fall⌠or was he pushed?Not all secrets stay buried.
Instagram: @thefinaltracepodcast
The Final Trace of George Smith
- Visa fler
