The Fall Line: True Crime

Laurah was recovering from an illness during the recording of this episode.  Zachariach Juwaun Shorty, a 23-year-old beloved father, son, and brother was murdered on July 21st, 2020. His body was discovered on July 25th, in a remote field on the Navajo Nation reservation. His mother, Vangie Randall Shorty,  had been desperately searching the area  for him for those four, long days—and she's been d...

Two years ago, Eric Carter-Landin joined us to talk about the cold case of his baby brother Jacob, his hopes for progress in Jacob's case, and his work on behalf of other families in New Mexico. Now, in advance of our New Mexico season, we speak again to bring you major updates in Eric's fight for Justice for Jacob. We also cover Eric's new nonprofit, Angels' Voices Silenced No More, and the confe...

A re-release of our April 2022 episode featuring Eric Carter-Landin to refresh listeners before our midseason episode—which premieres tomorrow, July 10th—to provide updates in the case. Eric Carter-Landin didn't set out to be an advocate; but as the family member of a murder victim whose case was closed, he watched other disturbing cases unfold in his home state of New Mexico, and he felt called t...

In October of 1988, the remains of a homicide victim were found in a rural area of Grays Harbor County, just outside Elma, Washington. A dedicated detective worked her case for years—first in his role with the sheriff's office, and then as coroner. Even now, in his retirement, he's followed the case.  Despite thousands of hours of investigation, her identity remained elusive; but then, in 2018, fo...

For almost thirty years, Susan Minard Lund's children believed she'd run away and abandoned them; after she disappeared on Christmas Eve of 1992 in Clarksville TN, a search was launched, but late the next year, her missing-persons report was closed. That's because a woman in Alabama claimed to be Sue, and authorities accepted the claim. Her siblings and parents never believed it, though, and they...

The second episode in our coverage of the case of Lisa Lewis: in January of 1999, 27-year-old college senior and expectant mother Velecia "Lisa" Lewis was living in a South Memphis apartment with her mother, Bea; she was looking forward to spring because she'd be graduating, and her daughter was due to be born.  But just after New Year's, Lisa's  mother arrived home from work and discovered Lisa h...

In January of 1999, 27-year-old college senior and expectant mother Velecia "Lisa" Lewis was living in a South Memphis apartment with her mother, Bea; she was looking forward to spring because she'd be graduating, and her daughter was due to be born.  But just after New Year's, Lisa's  mother arrived home from work and discovered Lisa had been murdered. And now, Lisa's cousin—who worked in law enf...

Our second episode of two covering the unsolved death of Iman Cannon: on May 13th, 2008, the body of 21-year-old Tennessee native Iman Cannon was discovered behind the Atlanta  business complex  that housed Club Crucial, a night spot founded by rapper TI.  Iman, an aspiring rapper, had moved to Georgia for a fresh start. But less than a year after his relocation, he was murdered by unknown assaila...

On May 13th, 2008, the body of 21-year-old Tennessee native Iman Cannon was discovered behind the Atlanta business complex that housed Club Crucial, a night spot founded by rapper TI.  Iman, an aspiring rapper, had moved to Georgia for a fresh start. But less than a year after his relocation, he was murdered by unknown assailants, and his mother Sheila, still has no answers. Season 18 covers four...

In 2021, we brought you a then little-known story: the unsolved case of Leon Laureles, a beloved brother and uncle who was murdered on the side of a rural Texas highway. Since then, his case has become a focus for cold-case advocates—especially his own niece, Arlene.  At every turn, Arlene has been frustrated in her search for answers, but that hasn't stopped her. And in the past year, surprising...

In our season finale, we speak with advocates from Light the Way about their work on cases of missing persons like Patty Otto, Maura Murray, Theresa Corley, and many more, plus discuss best ways to help with the cases you care about—and the possible pitfalls of advocacy.  Season 17, Missing Mothers, covers the stories of two daughters, their missing mothers, and cases—and people—who have intersect...

Our final episode exploring Patricia Otto's 1976 disappearance, local law enforcement's suspicions regarding her husband, and the possible intersection with another case: a Jane Doe homicide victim discovered just two hours away. Season 17, Missing Mothers, covers the stories of two daughters, their missing mothers, and cases—and people—who have intersected with their searches. Go to DailyHarvest....

We continue our coverage of Patricia Otto's 1976 disappearance, local law enforcement's suspicions regarding her husband, and the possible intersection with another case: a Jane Doe homicide victim discovered just two hours away. Season 17, Missing Mothers, covers the stories of two daughters, their missing mothers, and cases—and people—who have intersected with their searches. Go to DailyHarvest....

After her mother's mysterious, late-night disappearance one August night in 1976, an Idaho-born woman must unpack her early childhood memories, local law enforcement's suspicions regarding her own father, and the possible intersection with another case: a Jane Doe homicide victim discovered just two hours away. Season 17, Missing Mothers, covers the stories of two daughters, their missing mothers,...

The second in a two-part series covering one daughter's search for her mother, how she became an advocate for missing persons in unhoused communities, and the intertwined stories of their childhoods; with all she knows about her mother, Cloudia Leslie Wells, Robin believes that she could truly be anywhere. After all—she's gotten proof once.  Season 17, Missing Mothers, covers the stories of two da...

The first in a two-part series covering one daughter's search for her mother, how she became an advocate for missing persons in unhoused communities, and the intertwined stories of their childhoods; with all she knows about her mother, Cloudia Leslie Wells, Robin believes that she could truly be anywhere. After all—she's gotten proof once.  Season 17, Missing Mothers, covers the stories of two dau...

In our midseason episode, we update you on the case of Leona LeClair Kinsey, and feature new information from her daughter, Carolyn DeFord—who believes it is vital that these facts reach the widest audience possible. You'll also meet several key players in our upcoming season, Missing Mothers, which begins February 7th.  Go to DailyHarvest.com/FALL to get up to $65 off your first box + free shippi...

Laurah is sick; apologies for hoarseness. The last five episodes have presented more than 20 cold cases in desperate need of resolution. For many, the only chance will come through FIGG—DNA testing and forensic investigative genetic genealogy.  This episode, we move beyond our Nashville Does coverage to speak with Redgrave Research about how some of the most difficult cases are solved, and about t...

Laurah is sick; apologies for hoarseness. Episode 5 presents the most difficult cases in MNPD's files: cases limited to a single element, or bone, dead-ended by clues that led nowhere, or, in the case of the River Road John Doe, where the decedent's remains are no longer available—that's why we need your help to try and match him with a missing person, based on the clues we have, and the ones we h...

Laurah is sick; apologies for any hoarseness this episode.  Episode Four covers the cases of four John and Jane Doe victims who, despite being discovered minutes or hours after death—and while still recognizable—have remained unidentified. In two of those cases, we reached out to forensic artist Carl Koppelman  to try and help improve the chances of reconnecting the victims with their identities. ...

In Episode Three, we cover three of the rarest kinds of Doe cases: killers are known, but their victims remain unidentified. In episode three, two Jane Does are the victims of one killer—and another confession comes from the unlikeliest place-- a nursing home.   Season 16 of The Fall Line takes on our most in-depth John and Jane Doe coverage yet: 22 files from MNPD's cold-case unit, all covering t...

Season 16 of The Fall Line takes on our most in-depth John and Jane Doe coverage yet: 22 files from MNPD's cold-case unit, all covering the metro area's unidentified decedents. More than ever, your help is needed to spread the word about each of the cases featured this season, and if you have any information—please, contact MNPD at 615-862-7803.  Episode Two covers the cases of eight John Does, ma...

Season 16 of The Fall Line takes on our most in-depth John and Jane Doe coverage yet: 22 files from MNPD's cold-case unit, all covering the metro area's unidentified decedents. More than ever, your help is needed to spread the word about each of the cases featured this season, and if you have any information—please, contact MNPD at 615-862-7803.  Episode one covers the cases of two young Jane Does...

In November of 2020, Derrick "Tank" Evans, Jr. disappeared, in the middle of the day, from his Valdosta, GA apartment—in the middle of what his family describes as vital treatment for cancer.  Our midseason episode highlights Derrick's disappearance and his mother, Tamara's difficulty in attracting attention and support —and she needs the support of our listeners to get his story out to a larger a...

For the first time ever, we're answering listener questions about the show. We weren't able to get to all of them, so we'll be covering the rest on patreon.  Our October midseason episode will cover the disappearance of Derrick "Tank" Evans, Jr., who was last seen in Valdosta, GA in 2020. But this time, we're answering listener questions -- for the first time in six years. We weren't able to get t...