Murder Files Unsealed

This episode explores five paranormal and true crime stories connected to Kansas City. It features the unsolved mystery of Colonel Thomas Hunton Swope's death, the crimes of serial killer Robert Berdella, the alleged haunting of the Sallie House, the murder of Artemus Ogletree in a hotel room, and the ghostly history of the Belvoir Winery. The article highlights the dark side of Kansas City’s hist...

Kenneth Parnell kidnapped Steven Stayner in 1972 and Timmy White in 1980. After serving only five years in prison for these offenses, he attempted to purchase another child for $500. In 2003, law enforcement in Berkeley, California apprehended Kenneth Parnell for attempting to buy a four-year-old boy. This incident was not his first encounter with the legal system; the 71-year-old had a history of...

James Yoblonski, a 13-year-old boy from Reedsburg, Wisconsin, disappeared seven months ago. Security footage captured James leaving his home in the early morning hours, driving the family van, and ultimately abandoning it on Highway 12. A makeshift campsite was discovered nearby containing James' belongings, but he was not found. Despite extensive searches and investigations, James' whereabouts re...

The sources provide a comprehensive account of the life and crimes of Raymond Leslie Morris, a serial predator and child killer who operated in the West Midlands of England during the 1960s. The text describes Morris’s early life, his increasing violence and sexual aggression, and his eventual arrest and conviction for the murder of Christine Darby. The sources also highlight the police investigat...

The episode details the 1988 abduction and murder of Michaela Joy Garecht in Hayward, California. The article follows the extensive investigation spanning decades, including numerous false leads and potential suspects like Phillip Garrido and the Speed Freak Killers. The investigation eventually resulted in the arrest of David Misch in 2020, based on fingerprints linking him to the crime scene. Th...

Arizona authorities identified human remains found last week as belonging to Bradley Klose, a 16-year-old boy who had been missing since April. Klose was on the autism spectrum and his disappearance was considered uncharacteristic by his family. Although authorities conducted extensive searches, including sharing missing posters, they were unable to locate Klose until his remains were discovered i...

Authorities have identified a suspect in connection with three homicides in southeastern Virginia, two of which are linked to the notorious Colonial Parkway Murders. On January 8, 2024, Virginia State Police, along with various law enforcement agencies, announced a suspect in the 1987 double homicide of David L. Knobling, aged 20, and Robin M. Edwards, aged 14. Both individuals were tragically sho...

It is believed that the murders occurred at a different location, possibly not even along the Parkway. David Knobling's truck was discovered with its doors ajar, the keys still in the ignition, and the radio playing. As an automotive enthusiast, Knobling was known for never leaving his truck unlocked. Typically, he parked by reversing into spaces; however, the truck was found parked head-in. Notab...

Laurie Ann Powell Compton, an 18-year-old graduate of Gloucester High School, disappeared on March 8, 1988, following a dispute with her boyfriend, which culminated in her exiting his vehicle. The last sighting of her was at 11:30 p.m., as she walked along the dark and deserted Route 614, heading towards Route 17 in the White Marsh area of Gloucester County. At the time, she was dressed in a purpl...

Despite these findings, an FBI polygraph examiner determined that Wilmer was not a suspect, leading to his release. In May 1988, the FBI announced a reward of $10,000 for information related to the case. By June, the term Colonial Parkway Murders had begun to be used to describe the series of killings. On July 1, 1989, Teresa Lynn Howell was observed departing the well-known Zodiac Club in Hampton...

On January 8, 2024, the Virginia State Police disclosed that DNA evidence had identified Alan W. Wilmer Sr., a hunter and fisherman, as the perpetrator in the murders of Knobling and Edwards. Additionally, DNA analysis connected him to the unrelated murder of Teresa Lynn Spaw Howell, which occurred in 1989. It is noteworthy that Wilmer passed away in 2017. Brian Craig Pettinger, aged 25, was a hea...

The Colonial Parkway murders refer to a series of serial killings involving at least eight individuals in Virginia from 1986 to 1989. These crimes are connected to the Colonial Parkway, a 22-mile roadway that traverses the Colonial National Historical Park, linking the historic sites of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. The parkway features long stretches without streetlights and is notably s...

The episode describes the investigation into the unsolved Oakland County Child Killer case, which occurred in Michigan between 1976 and 1977. It details the four confirmed child victims, the suspected abductions, and the extensive investigation, which included the creation of a task force, the examination of numerous suspects, and the use of DNA testing. The text also highlights controversies surr...

The episode details the unsolved disappearance of Misty Copsey, who vanished in 1992 at the age of 14. The case has remained a mystery for over 30 years, despite the efforts of law enforcement and her family. The article highlights the challenges of investigating the case, particularly the lack of physical evidence and the limitations of memory over time. It also focuses on the impact of the disap...

The episode detail the life and crimes of Lawrence "Larry" Ray, a man who was convicted of 15 federal crimes, including trafficking, extortion, and racketeering conspiracy. After moving into his daughter's dorm at Sarah Lawrence College, Ray preyed on her classmates and friends for nearly a decade, subjecting them to physical, psychological, and abuse. Ray's history is rife with alleged involvemen...

San Antonio police are conducting a new search for Lina Sardar Khil, a three-year-old Afghan refugee who went missing in December 2021. The search was prompted by a tip received by police, but they are not disclosing the details of the tip. Police and the FBI have met with Lina's family to address their concerns about communication regarding the case, and the family plans to be present during the...

Max DeVries, a 14-year-old boy from Brighton, disappeared in Aruba in 2004 while on a family vacation. His mother, Yvonne DeVries, has been searching for answers ever since. The disappearance, originally dismissed as a loss at sea by Aruban authorities, is now being highlighted in the Paramount+ series "Never Seen Again," which focuses on unsolved missing person cases. The series sheds new light o...

The source provides a comprehensive account of the disappearance and murder of Brazilian model Eliza Samudio, who was killed by former Brazilian professional soccer goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes. The text outlines the events leading up to her death, including their tumultuous relationship and Samudio’s pregnancy, along with Fernandes’s attempts to cover up the crime. It details the legal proceedings,...

The Hulu documentary, "Beauty and the Cheat," explores the case of Jocelyn Kirsch and Edward Anderton, a seemingly successful Philadelphia couple who gained notoriety for their elaborate scheme to steal from friends and acquaintances. The documentary features interviews with investigators, victims, and a former lover of Kirsch, shedding light on their methods, the emotional impact of their crimes,...

Lucy Letby, a British nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others, is facing fresh scrutiny as her legal team prepares to appeal her convictions. This episode explores several key points of contention, including the interpretation of statistical evidence, the reliability of witness testimony, and the potential misinterpretation of medical evidence, specifically re...

The text presents an overview of the new FX true-crime series American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, which chronicles the life and crimes of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez. The series, based on the Wondery podcast Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc, explores Hernandez's troubled childhood, his rise to fame in the NFL, and his eventual downfall, including his murder conviction and subs...

HBO's new true-crime drama, The Staircase, follows the events surrounding the 2001 death of Kathleen Peterson, who was found at the bottom of her family's staircase. The series examines the investigation into her death, focusing on Michael Peterson, her husband, who became the prime suspect. The Staircase also includes footage from the French documentary Soupçons (Suspicions), which followed the P...

The provided text excerpts detail the upcoming third season of the Netflix true-crime series Monster, which will focus on notorious serial killer Ed Gein. The article highlights Charlie Hunnam's casting as Gein, emphasizing his experience in portraying complex characters, and provides background information on Gein's gruesome crimes and their lasting influence on popular culture. Additionally, the...

This episode explains the story of Vicky White, a corrections officer who helped a dangerous inmate, Casey White, escape from jail in 2022. The escape led to a nationwide manhunt before the pair were eventually captured, with Vicky tragically taking her own life. The text provides information about Casey White's violent criminal past, the forbidden romance between him and Vicky, and the circumstan...

The Dyatlov Pass incident, which occurred in 1959, refers to the unexplained deaths of nine Soviet hikers in the Ural Mountains. The hikers, who were experienced and well-equipped, died under unusual circumstances, including hypothermia, trauma, and bizarre injuries. While Soviet authorities originally concluded the deaths were caused by a "compelling natural force," a 2020 investigation determine...