Lesbian Detectives

This episode examines the 1988 disappearance and death of 12-year-old Sara Kay Keesling, in Riverside, California, the failure to properly investigate her death at the time, and the decades-long fight by family and community to get answers. The hosts recount the discovery of Sara’s body, the initial "undetermined" ruling, the 2023 cold-case reclassification as a homicide, and the main theories — i...

In this episode of Lesbian Detectives, hosts Sierra and Elizabeth recount the 1974 disappearance and murder of 17‑year‑old Laura Ann Aime , explore evidence tying the crime to Ted Bundy, and explain how modern DNA forensics finally confirmed the suspect decades later. The hosts share Laura’s background, the details of her last night, the investigation’s challenges, and their personal reactions whi...

On this episode of Lesbian Detective… She came home to be closer to the people she loved. At just 18 years old, Brittany Phillips was starting over—back in Tulsa, back near her family, and focused on building a future in the medical field. Everything about her life seemed normal. Safe. Familiar. Until one night, it wasn’t. After a routine evening—dropping off a friend and speaking with her mother—...

In this episode, Sierra and Elizabeth investigate the 2017 disappearance and murder of 21-year-old Candice Taylor in Columbus, Ohio, focusing on the chilling discovery of severed legs and months of messages sent to her mother by someone impersonating Candice. They outline the timeline, the mother's doubts and ongoing search for answers, the limited details released by police, and why the case rema...

On this episode of Lesbian Detectives, Sierra and Elizabeth examine the 2004 unsolved murder of Lena Wheless in High Point — a brutal killing on Christmas Eve with no arrest and lingering questions about motive and evidence. The hosts review the case details, discuss possible theories and suspects, and urge anyone with information to contact the authorities.

In May 1999, young parents Candice  Kyser and David Keller were found shot to death inside their home in Fort Mitchell, Alabama. Just hours earlier, they had spent Mother’s Day weekend with family before returning home with their toddler daughter. By morning, both were gone. Their child was still inside the home—alive. More than two decades later, the case remains unsolved. No witnesses. No clear...

This episode examines the 1991 unsolved murder of 18-year-old Nicole Molly Aguilera in Phoenix, who was found brutally stabbed while her infant daughter slept nearby. Hosts Sierra and Elizabeth recount the crime scene details, the impact on Nicole’s daughters, and the theories they explore about who might have been responsible. Decades later the case remains open; the podcast urges anyone with inf...

This episode of Lesbian Detectives tells the story of Josiah Brisco, a young man shot at his front door in June 2020, and his mother, Dawn Jackson’s unrelenting fight for answers and justice. The hosts explore the timeline, witness accounts, alleged police mishandling of the scene and investigation, and the community questions about who knew Josiah and why the case stalled. Listeners are asked to...

In this episode of Lesbian Detectives, Sierra and Elizabeth investigate the 1984 unsolved murder of Vanessa Renee Brown — a 23-year-old mother found brutally killed in an abandoned lot, with the words "Good Rape" carved into her back. They examine her life, last known movements, the cab driver she was set to testify against, and the decades of corruption in Philadelphia’s homicide unit that may ha...

On Valentine’s Day 1982 a teenage body was found along I‑40 in northern Arizona and given the placeholder name “Valentine Sally.” Witnesses recall her last being seen at a nearby truck stop with an older man in a black cowboy hat with a peacock feather; a half‑dissolved aspirin stuck in a tooth became one of the few lasting clues. Decades later genetic genealogy uncovered her real identity as 17‑y...

In this episode, hosts Sierra and Elizabeth revisit the case of Jane Doe No. 40 — later identified as Judy Shin Gifford — a teenager whose body was found buried at Lake Merced in 1976. We cover her background, the discovery, and the decades-long search that finally restored her name. The hosts discuss family dynamics, possible theories, and the unanswered questions that still surround Judy's unsol...

In this episode, Sierra and Elizabeth examine the unsolved 1993 murder of Renata May Bateman, a mother whose body was found in the Scottsdale desert. Her daughter pushes for answers as missing evidence, unexplained phone calls, and three men connected to the case raise troubling questions about police handling and possible cover-up. Listen as the hosts share Renata’s life story, the family’s fight...

This episode examines the tragic case of Erica Parsons, a child who was isolated, abused, and ultimately murdered by her adoptive family. Hosts Sierra and Elizabeth recount Erica's life, the years of deception, the investigation, and the legal aftermath, stressing failures in the systems meant to protect vulnerable children. They reflect on the emotional impact, discuss accountability, and urge li...

Hosts Sierra and Elizabeth examine the chilling 1956 disappearance and later discovery of sisters Barbara and Patricia Grimes, who vanished after seeing an Elvis Presley movie and whose bodies were found weeks later along German Church Road. The episode outlines the initial investigation, conflicting timelines, key suspects (including a mysterious man who claimed psychic knowledge), botched police...

This episode explores the 1991 disappearance of Lisa Jameson, a young mother who vanished after her overnight shift, leaving behind a son and questions about a possible pregnancy. Her car was found weeks later and the case remains unsolved. Hosts discuss the investigation, family grief, possible suspects, and the lasting impact on Lisa's son as they seek answers and invite listeners to help shed l...

This episode of Lesbian Detectives (hosts Sierra and Elizabeth) revisits the 1985 disappearance and murder of 14-year-old Jennifer  Day, who vanished while working an early shift at a Preston Road donut shop and was found dead days later. We cover the timeline, witness reports, the family's decades-long search for answers, renewed investigative efforts in 2024 including modern DNA testing and comm...

In this episode of Lesbian Detectives, hosts Sierra and Elizabeth examine the 1987 murder of Greta Denise Rainey, a woman whose life has been obscured by time, misinformation, and erasure. Notably, there are no known public photographs of Greta, and her name has been repeatedly misspelled in articles and records over the years, complicating efforts to accurately document her story. Her death and t...

This episode examines the 1995 abduction and unsolved murder of 13-year-old Barbara Barnes, the investigation that followed, and the suspects and theories that remain. Hosts Sierra and Elizabeth review evidence, possible links to other Ohio cases, and their own research and theories. Through interviews, timelines, and local details, the episode explores why this case still haunts the community and...

Tonight's episode tells the chilling 1950 story of 13-year-old Janett Christman, who was raped and murdered while babysitting in Columbia, Missouri. We recount the night of the crime, the investigation, and the evidence that pointed suspicion toward a family acquaintance. Hosts Sierra and Elizabeth discuss the community fear, investigative missteps, lingering theories, and the lasting impact on Ja...

Hosts Sierra and Elizabeth investigate the 2012 disappearance of 19‑year‑old transgender woman Sage Smith in Charlottesville. They trace her life, the night she vanished after a birthday gathering, and the person of interest linked to her last known contacts. The episode covers family memories, community concerns about bias, the role of Eric McFadden as a suspect, and how years of silence led to a...

Hosts Sierra and Elizabeth of Lesbian Detectives revisit the brutal 1986 stabbing of Laurie Kay Marshburn  in a Phoenix apartment and the unsettling pattern of nearby murders that followed. With little public information available, they explore the case details, community impact, and theories about possible links and suspects. The episode is a concise look at a cold case that slipped through the c...

This episode tells the story of Tanya Moore and Tina Rodriguez, two transgender women murdered in 1986 whose deaths were brutal, mishandled by authorities, and remain officially unsolved. It explores the crime, the community that loved them, and the missed opportunities for justice. More than a true-crime timeline, the episode remembers their lives, examines systemic failures, and urges listeners...

Lesbian Detectives hosts Sierra and Elizabeth revisit the unsolved 2013 ambush murder of  Brittany Stykes  — a pregnant young mother shot on a rural road while her daughter, Aubree, miraculously survived. This episode pieces together the night, the investigation, and the family’s fight for answers. We explore theories, community impact, and the ongoing search for justice. If you have information,...

On Halloween 2008, engineer and artist Arpana Jinaga  hosted a party at her Redmond apartment and was later found brutally murdered. The episode traces the chaotic crime scene, the messy DNA evidence, and how two men — Emmanuel Fair and neighbor Cameron Johnson — became central figures in a long, troubled investigation. We summarize the trials, the hung jury, the eventual acquittal, and the unansw...

In this episode of Lesbian Detectives, Sierra and Elizabeth explore the unsolved 1969 disappearance of Pamela Sue Hobley and Patricia Ann Spencer. They revisit the last known sightings, family accounts, investigation missteps, and evolving theories while reflecting on the decades-long search for answers. The hosts also share personal reactions, Halloween plans, and thoughts on modern cold-case eff...