Going West: True Crime

In 1988, an 18-year-old woman hit the road in Colorado to visit her family in Montana. But when she never arrived, police began their search for her in Wyoming and gathered some incredibly bizarre witness sightings. Sightings that only added more questions when her body was found soon after. This is the story of Lisa Kimmell, also known, as the Lil Miss Murder.  BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwes...

We have finally made it to 200 episodes! Make sure to check out the episode before this (200) on the murder of Janett Christmas, and the urban legend that followed. Here's a Q&A where we answer a bunch of questions sent in by our listener over the past week. Thank you everyone! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal da...

In 1950, a teenage girl was babysitting for a local Missouri family when she was brutally murdered before the nights end. She was able to phone police and briefly ask for help, but the call dropped and was unable to be traced. Within years of her terrifying murder, an urban legend developed that has inspired numerous horror stories and movies… This is the story of Janett Christman, and The Mans Up...

In August of 1992, a 21-year-old woman left New Jersey for Iowa to begin her senior year at college. But after becoming stranded in Illinois, she went missing. The following week, her body was found 500 miles away, leaving investigators wondering who killed her and where they could be. This is the story of Tammy Zywicki. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast CASE SOURCES  https://www.fbi.go...

In 1984, residents in the small Alaskan village of Manley Hot Springs began disappearing when a drifter arrived to town. After 9 people were murdered, investigators zeroed in on a 26-year-old man who had appeared bizarre and creepy to many of the locals. This is the story of Michael Silka and the Manley Hot Springs Murders. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast CASE SOURCES 1.  https://www.n...

In 1999, a 19-year-old woman was working an overnight shift at a Minnesota gas station when she was abducted from behind the counter. With the help of numerous tips, a clear suspect was uncovered. And thanks to NASA and a very specific dental filling, answers came to the case. This is the story of Katie Poirier. LUMI: https://lumigummies.com Use code GOINGWEST for 30% off your first order AND free...

In 2016, a 19-year-old man in Washington told his grandmother that he had an epiphany about his life that he was excited to share with her. But when she returned home later to hear about it, he was gone. When his car was found on the side of the road the next day with his cell phone, wallet, and snacks inside, his family and police wondered where on earth he could have gone. This is the story of L...

In July of 2021, a 40-year-old woman was walking her dog late at night in her local park when she was brutally murdered. Her girlfriend was the one to find her and immediately phoned police, only to find out that the 9 security cameras in the park weren’t working- making it unclear who committed this horrific and senseless act. As her girlfriends father said, “There is a monster on the loose in th...

In May of 1994, an intelligent and bright 18-year-old and soon-to-be pre-med student vanished after work in Arkansas. Her boss (who was a local doctor) showed some incredibly suspicious behavior after she went missing. But was he really involved in her disappearance? And if not, then what happened to her? This is the story of Cleashindra Hall. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast CASE SOURC...

In the summer of 2018, a chemist took his 2 daughters on a camping trip in Malibu Creek State Park while his wife studied for an exam. But after just one night at the campsite, he would be found dead in his tent from a gunshot wound, leaving his daughters uninjured. But how did this happen and why? This is the story of Tristan Beaudette, also known, as the Malibu Creek Murder. BONUS EPISODES patre...

In 2007, an 18-year-old woman headed to Target to buy her boyfriend an anniversary present. But when she didn’t return home that evening, her family joined police in the search for her and her car. When crucial surveillance footage was uncovered the following day, it showed someone stalking and abducting her. This is the story of Kelsey Smith. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast CASE SOURC...

In 2007, a 36-year-old French man living in San Francisco was found dead in his apartment after a night out. Despite suffering multiple stab wounds and suspicious evidence being found at the scene, police believed it to be a suicide. Meanwhile, his family, friends, French authorities, and more felt it was a clear cut murder. This is the story of Hugues de la Plaza. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/going...

In 1977, a Minnesota heiress was found murdered in the bed of her mansion alongside her night nurse, who lay next to a bloodied candlestick. As investigators began looking into her inner circle for motive, someone stood out amongst the rest. This the story of Elisabeth Congdon, also known, as The Glensheen Mansion Murders. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast Disclaimers and Disclosures (to...

In 2017, a 26-year-old woman left her home of China to further her education in the US. But when she missed her bus on the way to view a new apartment, she disappeared forever. After sifting through various surveillance Illinois footage, investigators watched her miss her bus and proceed to get into someone’s car. This is the story of Yingying Zhang. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast Dis...

In April of 2015, a 22-year-old woman was just 2 weeks away from becoming an Indiana University graduate, when she disappeared after a night of celebrating. When her body was found in a field next to someone else’s cell phone, and intense investigation began where MUCH more disturbing evidence was uncovered. This is the story of Hannah Wilson. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast CASE SOURC...

In March of 2010, a 23-year-old man was leaving his parents house in a rural part of Northern Virginia, when he disappeared forever. Between an online battle of allegations, and prominent figures in the community, this case is extremely bizarre. It’s now been more than a decade with no answers. This is the story of Shane Donahue. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an...

On March 12, 2022, 18-year-old Naomi Irion was abducted from a Walmart parking lot while she awaited her early morning shuttle to work. The man in question was caught on video and her car was found days later. But presently, it’s unclear where he took Naomi and what happened. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-find-naomi BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast CASE SOURCES  https://www.gofund...

In 2019, newly 18-year-old woman in Montana hung out with some friends, before fleeing the house when a fight ensued. After that, she was never seen alive again. Days later, her body was found wrapped in plastic in a neighbors backyard, sparking a suspicious and disappointing “investigation” into her death. This is the story of Kaysera Stops Pretty Places. PETITION BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/going...

In June of 2011, a Law student studying for her bar exam in Georgia suddenly vanished from her apartment. Within days, police would discover something horrifying and it didn’t take long to put the pieces together- especially after a fellow student had a concerning interview with a local news station. This is the story of Lauren Giddings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.co...

In 2000, a 35-year-old winery owner was found murdered in her A-frame tasting room. Was her murder connected to the killing of another winery owner just two months prior? Or was this a separate tragedy? Police would find out after something unthinkable happened 14 years later. This is the story of Patty Striker. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast CASE SOURCES  https://www.findagrave.com/...

In May of 2004, a 19-year-old BYU student who was home in Oregon for summer break was abducted in broad daylight while working around an apartment complex. It would be years until crimes in another state would reveal who her killer was. This is the story of Brooke Wilberger. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast CASE SOURCES  https://www.newspapers.com/image/507023505/?terms=Joel%20Courtney...

In 1989, a 20-year-old woman headed out for a late afternoon power walk in Florida and didn’t come home. After conducting the largest search in Alachua County history, investigators concluded that she was likely the victim of a serial killer. This is the story of Tiffany Sessions. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast CASE SOURCES https://www.newspapers.com/image/633383965/?terms=Tiffany%20s...

In March of 2012, a 15-year-old girl in California disappeared without a trace while walking to her bus stop early in the morning. Police had no idea where she could have gone until her cell phone and clothing was found, which painted the picture of a ruthless abduction. This is the story of Sierra LaMar. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestpodcast CASE SOURCES  https://www.findagrave.com/memoria...

RE-DO EPISODE! This was originally episode 4 of Going West (which no longer exists!). We have re-researched and re-recorded it. “When I get you alone, I will cut you up into bits so no one will ever find you”. That was call received by Dorothy Jane Scott, and the calls continued to come in both at her home and at work. On May 28, 1980, she disappeared forever. This is the story of Dorothy Jane Sco...

In January of 2009, a young mother and her 10 month old daughter were murder in their Chicago townhouse while her 3 year old son sat in the same room. Between a secret relationship with an NBA superstar, multiple paternity battles in the courts, and a scorned love affair with a lawyer, this case is tragic at every turn. This is the story of Nova and Ava Henry. BONUS EPISODES patreon.com/goingwestp...