The Fall Line: True Crime

On May 8th, 2010, 24-year-old Darren Gray attended his child's birthday party at a Norfolk-area public park; during the celebration, he was attacked by a group of men and endured a brutal beating that ended in his murder. Close to 13 years later, his mother and siblings have more questions than answers, and though some suspects were identified—and eventually, convicted—of Darren's beating, his mur...

This week, we take a deep dive into what it takes to construct an entirely new database--from the ground up--of a database that not only collects data on the missing and unidentified, but hopes to use that research to assist the communities least likely to receive resources, and most likely to remain unidentified after death. We analyze the construction of the new Mississippi Repository for the Mi...

Part three in our three-part series covering the disappearance and murder of Chairo Garibay Ferreyra: on December 11th, 2005, 20 year-old Chairo disappeared; she'd planned on attending church with her family in Olivehurst, California, but she never arrived. She was reported missing to the Yuba County Sheriff, and both her family and law enforcement began a search that extended through Christmas. I...

Part two in our three-part series covering the disappearance and murder of Chairo Garibay Ferreyra: on December 11th, 2005, 20 year-old Chairo disappeared; she'd planned on attending church with her family in Olivehurst, California, but she never arrived. She was reported missing to the Yuba County Sheriff, and both her family and law enforcement began a search that extended through Christmas. It...

On December 11th, 2005, 20 year-old Chairo disappeared; she'd planned on attending church with her family in Olivehurst, California, but she never showed. She was reported missing to the Yuba County Sheriff, and both her family and law enforcement began a search that extended through Christmas. It would be five weeks before Chairo was found. Though there would eventually be a 50,000-dollar reward...

In 1985, Ventura County teen Tyra Garcia disappeared; her family knew she hadn't run away, but they saw local authorities assumed Tyra would return. That was the attitude until Tyra's body was discovered in an orchard near her home, wrapped in a blanket, and tied with a cord. Now, Tyra's sister Tanya has had her case 'reactiviated' and, with the help of advocate Maria, is pursuing answers.  Pre or...

In 1985, Ventura County teen Tyra Garcia disappeared; her family knew she hadn't run away, but they saw local authorities assumed Tyra would return. That was the attitude until Tyra's body was discovered in an orchard near her home, wrapped in a blanket, and tied with a cord. Now, Tyra's sister Tanya has had her case 'reactivated' and, with the help of advocate Maria, is pursuing answers.  Contact...

This week, we are re-releasing our Carolina Girls series. Each episode, we'll start by providing updates in the cases we covered. In the final episode of the Carolina Girls series, we begin with the kidnapping and murder of Malakia Logan of Greenwood, South Carolina, and then delve into the disappearance of Aaliyah Bell of Rock Hill--the most recent case we've ever covered on The Fall Line.   Pre...

 This week, we are re-releasing our Carolina Girls series. Each episode, we'll start by providing updates in the cases we covered. In Part 3 of the Carolina Girls series, we begin with a vignette on Shakeima Cabbagestalk, who disappeared in the 1990s, and NiShan Huff, an honors graduate who was murdered in her own apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. Both cases remain open--but could be solved...

This week, we are re-releasing our Carolina Girls series. Each episode, we'll start by providing updates in the cases we covered.  In part two of the Carolina Girls series, we conclude the story of North Carolinian Brittany Locklear, who was kidnapped and murdered in 1998, and discuss the disappearance of another girl--Eva DeBruhl--whose case was, for a time, tied to Henry Lee Lucas.  Pre order La...

This week, we are re-releasing our Carolina Girls series. Each episode, we'll start by providing updates in the cases we covered. In this episode, the first of a four-part series, we tell the stories of a number of missing and murdered girls and women from the Carolinas, both contemporary and historical. We touch on the stories of Asha Degree, Sherri Lee Truesdale, and begin our two-episode covera...

In May 2007, Garnet Lennox, a loving father and Michigan native, disappeared. Within a week, his car, and his body, would be found in East Detroit, and his sons, parents, and brothers were left to try and piece together who had killed Garnet, and why.    Pre order Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Go to Uncommongoods....

The DNA Doe Project had worked to solve the cases of unidentified decedents—also known as "Does." Through the use of investigative genetic genealogy, cases once though impossible to close are now being solved, and some of the volunteers behind this nonprofit speak to us about its history, its biggest solves, and the cases that need the most support—and the gaps that still remain in IGG that can be...

The DNA Doe Project had worked to solve the cases of unidentified decedents—also known as "Does." Through the use of investigative genetic genealogy, cases once though impossible to close are now being solved, and some of the volunteers behind this nonprofit speak to us about its history, its biggest solves, and the cases that need the most support—and the gaps that still remain in IGG that can be...

This week, in honor of National Native American Heritage Day, we are re-releasing one of our most popular series: our three-part interview with Carolyn DeFord. In the final installment in our series covering the life of MMIW advocate and daughter of a missing person, Carolyn DeFord, we learn how the disappearance of her mother, Leona Kinsey, has shaped her current world--and work--and the crisis s...

This week, in honor of National Native American Heritage Day, we are re-releasing one of our most popular series: our three-part interview with Carolyn DeFord. Leona Kinsey disappeared on October 25, 1999; her daughter Carolyn has both searched for answers in her mother's cold case—and has pondered what she'll do if she finds what she seeks. Now an adult and an activist for MMIGW, and all missing...

This week, in honor of National Native American Heritage Day, we are re-releasing one of our most popular series: our three-part interview with Carolyn DeFord. Carolyn DeFord—MMIWG advocate, Trafficking Project Coordinator for the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, and founder of Missing and Murdered Native Americans Facebook page has another role: daughter of a missing person. In the first of a three-par...

Atypical Homicide researcher Enzo Yaksic shares his perspective on cultural myths regarding the "average" serial killer, what—and who—has skewed our perceptions of serial killers, and why it's so important that experts, law enforcement, and consumers begin to understand what serial murder is, and how serial murderers operate in the modern age.  Pre order Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www...

Atypical Homicide researcher Enzo Yaksic shares his perspective on cultural myths regarding the "average" serial killer, what—and who—has skewed our perceptions of serial killers, and why it's so important that experts, law enforcement, and consumers begin to understand what serial murder is, and how serial murderers operate in the modern age.  Pre order Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www...

On July 10th, 2010, Larry "LJ" Sanders, Jr., an Edgefield, SC-area father of two, was murdered during a home invasion; his mother, Carolyn Bates, wants to know why, and who, and when someone will be ready to come forward. After all, the North Augusta metro area isn't large; someone, somewhere, knows something.    Pre order Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah...

In the early morning hours of September 28, 2015, Joseph Smedley, who was an Indiana University student, chemistry major, and Sigma Pi fraternity brother, sent his sister, Vivanne, a strange late-night text message: she shouldn't try to contact him—he was leaving the country. Vivianne knew something was wrong; she began a near-week long search for her brother that ended when his body was pulled fr...

We're a show primarily focused on the Southeastern United States, but this week, Kristen Seavey of Murder, She Told walks us through some of New England's least-known cold cases that are in most need of advocacy and support--and tells us how a victim's advocate can participate in the genre of true crime to enact change.    Pre order Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/tit...

On Friday, June 7th, 1985, Nashville's The Fan Fair, also known as "The Country Explosion" was days from its grand opening, and the city was flooded with strangers; the same afternoon, a man named Ricky Lee Franks would return to Nashville, his hometown, and see his family—briefly—before disappearing. Ricky Lee Franks had been living in a group home in Dickson, TN, and no one—not the cold-case det...

On Friday, June 7th, 1985, Nashville's The Fan Fair, also known as "The Country Explosion" was days from its grand opening, and the city was flooded with strangers; the same afternoon, a man named Ricky Lee Franks would return to Nashville, his hometown, and see his family—briefly—before disappearing. Ricky Lee Franks had been living in a group home in Dickson, TN, and no one—not the cold-case det...

Warner Robins, Georgia is a military town that is attractive to families seeking affordable housing and good schools--and few long-term missing-persons cases. The oldest case on record is the disappearance of Bula Mae Robertson, a local mother who vanished late one night in October of 1993, leaving her teenage daughters and extended family without any sign as to where she might have gone, or what...