Least of These

Happy Thanksgiving, ya'll. I took this week off but am bringing you a special episode. Jules Thorpe is here with Season Two of Missing in Hush Town! Fifteen years after her 11-year-old Bethany Markowski vanished without a trace, her mother - Jonnie Carter’s phone rings. The number is one she knows all too well - the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Missing Children’s Unit. Every call brings...

A baseball, Mose Gingrich, and a pre-programmed cellphone . After the disappearances of nine-year-old Andrew, seven-year-old Alexander, and five-year-old Tanner Skelton, their father, 39-year-old John Skelton kept changing his story. After investigators proved that Joann Taylor didn’t exist, John kept changing his story, even from behind bars.  Over a decade passed when the boys' mother, Tanya...

Three missing boys, a noose, and a woman named Joann Taylor. In the fall of 2010, 43-year-old Tanya Skelton and 39-year-old John Skelton were going through a bitter divorce. Caught in the middle were their three boys: nine-year-old Andrew, seven-year-old Alexander, and five-year-old Tanner Skelton. Over the Thanksgiving Holiday while the boys were with John Skelton, they mysteriously vanished. Joh...

An upstairs neighbor, a single gunshot, and two weapons.  On January 22nd, 2022, police arrived at a duplex in the Twin Cities.  Outside they found 31-year-old Latifa Brown deceased next to a minivan.  Inside the home, police found Latifa’s longtime boyfriend, 35-year-old Mark Bell Junior and his friend. Bell and his friend told investigators a harrowing story, but an upstairs neighbor captured th...

It was November 1987 when newlyweds Gail and Rick Brink’s promising future was suddenly stolen in the most brutal way imaginable. Found murdered at their Michigan home, the crime shook a quiet community and left investigators scrambling for answers. For decades the case remained unsolved and behind it all was a secret that someone thought was worth killing for. Listen to their story now! Want more...

An open door, a “confession”, and a bloody fingerprint .  On April 17th, 1994, 19-year-old Tina Livernash Heins was found brutally murdered in her apartment in Mayport, Florida.  Tina was a newlywed and four months pregnant at the time. Her husband, Jeremy Heins was serving in the Navy and on duty on the USS Leyte Gulf the night his wife was murdered.  That left Tina alone in the apartment with he...

A busted door frame, a stolen gun, and gun shot residue.  In June of 2023 police were called to the 500 block of Clubb Road in Kernersville, North Carolina for a report of a break-in and shooting.  When officers arrived, they found 65-year-old Debbie Fink murdered in her own home.  Her 25-year-old son, Donald Fink, told police someone had broken in and shot his mother, but there was far more to th...

A summer afternoon, an ad in the paper, and a crawlspace. On June 30th, 1994, six-year-old Crystal Tymich was playing with her three older brothers in her neighborhood in Hyde Park, California. As the children made their way back home, Crystal vanished without a trace. After more than 30 years the mystery remains. Where is Crystal Ann Tymich? If you have any information about the disappearance of...

A stolen truck, a welfare check, and a pawn shop.  In the fall of 2022, family and friends called the Phoenix Police concerned about the welfare of 79-year-old veteran, Kenneth Peterson.   After a month, police finally made entry into the home and made a grisly discovery.   Kenneth had been murdered and his truck and two roommates, 54-year-old Ramona Gonzalez and 58-year-old Thomas Wallace were no...

The Assassination of Charlie Kirk, Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and the stabbing of Iryna Zaretska. In light of recent events, I'm coming to you not with a case but a message from the heart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcir...

An “X” on the calendar, a burning pink candle, and $300 in cash. On May 19th, 2017, 15-year-old Sophie Reeder left her home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was never seen again. Initially Fort Lauderdale Police thought Sophie was just another teenage runaway. But cell phone records tracked Sophie to the home of 37-year-old Leonard “Jay” Jennings. Jennings and his family denied ever knowing Sophie...

Two pleas, two verdicts, and a work release program. On February 18th, 1988, a welfare check led to the discovery of four bodies inside the Brom Home in Rochester, Minnesota. Bernard and Paulette Brom along with two of their four children, 13-year-old Diane and 11-year-old Ricky, had been murdered with an axe. Their 16-year-old son, David Brom, was charged in their murders. After a two-phase trial...

A welfare check, a notebook, and black hair dye. On February 18th, 1988, a welfare check led to the discovery of four bodies inside the Brom Home in Rochester, Minnesota. Bernard and Paulette Brom along with two of their four children, 13-year-old Diane and 11-year-old Ricky, had been murdered with an axe. One of their surviving sons, 16-year-old David, was missing. As investigators pieced togethe...

A documented history of abuse, dropped charges, and courtroom outbursts. In the spring of 2020, seven-year-old Julissia Batties went for a court ordered weekend visit with her biological mother, 36-year-old, Navasia Jones. She was supposed to return home to her paternal grandmother. But child services enacted a different plan. Julissia was found months later, deceased in her mother's apartment...

A barking dog, a father, and a pursuit. In the early morning hours of October 8th, 2024 the Spencer family awoke to find their teenage daughter missing. The girls father, 36-year-old, Aaron Spencer set out to find his daughter. In a matter of minutes he located the girl in a vehicle with 67-year-old Michael Fosler. Before deputies made their way to the scene, one man was dead and the other was cha...

On Labour Day 1994, the emaciated and burned body of a teen girl was found - it would take almost 20 years to identify her. What she endured will haunt you. Music Credit: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/big-iron License code: FSLHQGSEBZV8JWBU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing...

A missing person's report, a strange story, and a rented tractor. On February 2nd of 2022, 36-year-old Jessica Thompson walked into the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office to report her 38-year-old niece, Mandey Noe, missing. From the very beginning, Jessica’s story seemed suspicious.   When deputies realized they already had her husband, 45-year-old, Christopher Thompson in custody on unrelated d...

I'm still on break but here's a very special episode of Season Two of You Should Be Here: Or No, a podcaster's give back collaboration, hosted by me, Leah Dee! Natalie Ryan-Fraser was 55 years old when she was murdered at the hands of man who claimed to love her. This is a Podcaster’s Give Back collaboration. All podcasters have donated their time and research to help advocate for vict...

In January 2025, 14-year-old Emily Pike snuck out of her group home in Mesa, Arizona. She was never seen alive again. Nearly three weeks later her dismembered body would be found 100 miles away near Globe, Arizona. What happened to Emily Pike and who could do this to such a sweet young girl? Listen to her story now! If you or anyone you know has information contact the Gila County Sheriffs Office...

A single fingerprint, a daughter’s search, and “Sugar”. In October of 1978 a telephone crew working in Rock Rapids, Iowa discovered the body of an unidentified young woman. Twenty-seven years after her murder, a single fingerprint led to her identification. She was 23-year-old Wilma June Nissen. Just before her death, Wilma had abruptly moved to Atlanta, Georgia, so how had she ended up murdered i...

Two failed polygraphs, recovered evidence, and a four-decade long investigation . As the investigation into the murder of 19-year-old Lisa Au continued, the “second suspect” garners suspicion. Evidence is recovered that challenges the initial theory that Lisa was murdered by a police officer… or someone posing as one. Was that recovered evidence an indication of a police coverup? If you have any i...

Blue lights, torrential rains, and a dry purse. On January 20th, 1982, 19-year-old Lisa Au finished her shift at the salon and met her boyfriend for dinner. After dinner, the couple went their separate ways, but Lisa never made it back home that night. Ten days later her body was found discarded in a roadside ravine. The entire island was struck with fear when rumors began to swirl that a police o...

A business associate, an abandoned car, and a warehouse. On June 3rd of 2022, 22-year-old Nihar Mehta vanished from Orange, California. He was last seen at a warehouse he was leasing with his business associate, Manuel "Manny" Chavez Zamudio. When investigators spoke to Zamudio, his story left them with more questions than answers. Where is Nihar Mehta? If you have any information regardin...

A postcard, handwriting analysis, and a hole in the garage floor. In June of 1984 25-year-old Maryann Bagenstose vanished from her home in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. For nearly four decades her case remained unsolved. Her estranged husband, Jere Bagenstose remained the chief suspect in her disappearance. Forty-years after her disappearance, now 70-year-old Jere stood trial for her murder. Spo...

A phone call, a housekeeper, and a crackpipe. On May 17th, 2023, 34-year-old Anthony Corrado called his grandparent's housekeeper and told her he needed help cleaning up a mess at the home. When the housekeeper arrived, she stumbled into a horrific scene. 82-year-old, Mary Schaivone had been brutally murdered. As the housekeeper went for help, 74-year-old, Tony Schaivone arrived home. If you o...