Going West: True Crime

In September of 1996, a 15-year-old girl was found assaulted and drowned near a fishing access site in Montana. Though they initially suspected it to be an accident, police spent decades trying to catch her killer, until the search finally concluded in July of this year. This is the murder of Danielle Houchins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In September of 2017, a 19-year-old woman headed to a party at a Chicago hotel, only to be found dead in one of their unused hotel freezers under suspicious circumstances, just hours after being reported missing. This is the story of Kenneka Jenkins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In September of 2015, a Los Angeles apartment building full of UCLA sorority sisters caught on fire. Luckily, no one was killed in the flames, but to the surprise of its residents, a 21-year-old woman’s remains were revealed inside. The manner of death was ruled homicide after it was determined she had been stabbed 19 times, and as police reviewed surveillance footage in the area and interviewed locals, a suspect emerged. This is the murder of Andrea DelVesco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In September of 2015, a 31-year-old man spent his evening at a Minnesota nightclub before being dropped off at a gas station by a friend. Shortly afterwards, around 2:30am, his wife received a phone call where he groaned in pain, and potentially even claimed to have been shot. But strangely, when his body was found in a lake two months later, there was no sign of a gunshot wound. So what really happened to him? This is the suspicious death of Henry McCabe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In September of 2016, a 25-year-old Private in the Army suddenly vanished from Tennessee. Weeks later, her skeletal remains were found, with all signs pointing to murder. With the discovery of an upcoming court date regarding assault charges against another soldier, police narrowed in on a partial suspect, only to find out that they had gotten help. This is the story of Shadow McClaine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In August of 1993, a 12-year-old girl vanished while riding her bicycle home from the Upstate New York church where her father worked as a pastor. Police dove into her case, fearing she’d been abducted, but came up empty…until the perpetrator struck again just a few months later. And he had more than one child’s blood on his hands. This is the story of Sara Anne Wood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1970s and 1980s, two teenage girls were brutally murdered on a San Diego beach six years apart, mere yards away from each other. An investigation just as twisted as the murders themselves brought three suicides, more questions than answers, and the possibility that a serial killer is still on the loose. These are the Torrey Pines State Beach Murders, otherwise known as the murders of Barbara Nantais and Claire Hough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In September of 2023, a 32-year-old woman left California to embark on a solo cross-country road trip, headed for a wedding in Connecticut. When the journey proved too troublesome, she called her parents to tell them she was heading back. But after racking up a few strange encounters with locals in Arizona, and two slashed tires, she was never heard from again. This is the story of Chelsea Grimm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 11, 2001, amongst the unforgettable terrorist attacks, a 35-year-old mother went missing under suspicious circumstances across the state of New York. When her car was found at the bottom of her winding driveway, the keys still in the ignition, she was reported missing. With an important meeting she missed the following day, police recognized motive for why someone could want her dead. But is that what happened? Or would a last-minute witness account be the key to solving her case? This is the story of Michele Harris. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In August of 2013, a 19-year-old man drove down the state of California allegedly heading to his parent’s house. After speaking to his mom numerous times throughout the day, it was determined that for much of that time, he wasn’t driving at all - but instead, sitting on the side of the road in his car, rarely progressing, with an incredibly eerie timeline. The next morning, his car was found to have driven into Castaic Lake, but he was nowhere to be found. This is the story of Bryce Laspisa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In May of 1996, two women set off into the wilderness of the Appalachian Mountains for a hike, and never came back out again. Strange details at the scene of their murder lead many to wonder who their killer was, brutally slaying them in their tent. But eventually, the investigation named a suspect. These are the murders of Julie Williams and Lollie Winans, also known as the Shenandoah National Park Murders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In January of 2013, a 52-year-old high school librarian from Florida headed out on his boat for a quick afternoon ride. When he didn’t return home, an intense search ensued, leading investigators to his remains tied to an anchor. His body was found floating in the water, but he hadn’t drowned...he had been shot. And with the circumstances around his strange death, his family pushed for justice. This is the story of Patrick Mullins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In May of 2024, a 39-year-old California woman vanished without a trace, and no one, including her husband, seemed to be able to account for her whereabouts – even after her truck was founded abandoned in a deserted location. But the public quickly turned on her husband when they learned that he was under investigation for domestic violence, and that the couple were due in court just 11 days after she vanished. And then, lusciously, an intentional fire started burning outside their Northern California home. This is the story of Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you asked his coworkers, his family, or his wife, they would have told you that Richard Evonitz was a stand-up guy; a Navy veteran, a hard worker, and a devoted husband who was known by friends and neighbors to lend a hand when something needed to be fixed. Only a few young women knew the truth about him, but sadly found out after it was already too late. That is, until his last victim used her cunning survival skills to stop him from ever committing his heinous acts of depravity against anyone else. These are the crimes of Richard Evonitz, also known as the Spotsylvania Killer, and the stories of Sofia Silva, Kristin Link, Kati Link, and Kara Robinson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In July of 2008, a 45-year-old woman was found dead in the swimming pool of her rural Pennsylvania home, having been savagely beaten and strangled. Between an unusual call to 911 and a computer chock full of motive to murder, police narrowed in on a suspect fast. This is the story of Jan Roseboro. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In October of 2005, a 27-year-old woman vanished after leaving a California casino. But when police pored over surveillance footage from the property, they saw a man escorting her through the parking lot. In the video, she can be spotted pushing the man away before disappearing from the camera’s view, never to be seen again. But was he responsible? Or was it someone else entirely? This the story of Christie Wilson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In June of 1998, a 49-year-old woman and her husband were out for a late-night drive when their car careened off a Nevada cliffside, killing her. To everyone’s surprise, when police looked into the accident, they began to suspect that it wasn’t an accident after all. This is the story of Rinette Riella-Bergna. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In May of 1990, a 40-year-old woman was murdered by a person in a clown costume after opening the door for them during breakfast. While police initially focused on her husband, he appeared to have an airtight alibi. But police would soon find someone else who had a reason to want her dead. This is the story of Marlene Warren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In March of 2018, a 22-year-old nursing student in New York was found strangled to death in off-campus housing after her friends tracked her phone’s location. Police quickly determined the person they believed to be responsible for the crime, but then discovered that he had fled the country shortly after killing her. This is the story of Haley Anderson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In June of 2020, a 65-year-old woman disappeared from her idyllic California ranch, leaving behind all her essential belongings. Those closest to her agreed that she wouldn’t have left of her own accord, and all staunchly denied involvement, while pointing the finger at someone else. But each of them had something to gain from her going missing. So which of them is telling the truth? This is the disappearance of Dia Abrams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices