She Goes By Jane

In 1992, a truck driver pulls onto an interstate turnout on I-80 in Wyoming. There, she spots the body of a woman laying face down in the snow. The unidentified woman becomes known as Bitter Creek Betty or Rose Doe for her rose tattoo. The only clue to her identity is a tattoo artist from Tucson who remembers giving her the distinctive tattoo. In this episode we discuss what investigators have released about her, her link to another unidentified woman, and the arrest of their killer. This week, we’re joined by Ginger Strand, the author of one novel and three books of narrative nonfiction, as well as many magazine features. Her book Killer on the Road: Violence and the American Interstate, tells the entwined stories of the American interstate highway system and the serial killers who haunted it, looking at how America became more mobile and more violent at the same time. You can find Ginger on Instagram. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. Our November ‘23 selection is the true crime selection Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films.

When a teenager disappears from a movie theater in Covina, California, police initially believe she’s run away. In the decades to come, Cynthia Hernandez stays a missing person despite her remains being found just a month after her disappearance. We cover one of our rare solved cases to talk about what happened in those years and why it took so long for Cynthia to come home. This week, we’re joined by actress Gabrielle Ruiz who is best known for her starring role in the CW series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. She can be seen next in the upcoming feature film Man in the Long Black Coat opposite Christopher Lloyd and Dermont Mulroney. You can find Gabrielle on Instagram and TikTok. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. Our November ‘23 selection is the true crime selection Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films.

What if a serial killer has the only clues to an unidentified woman’s identity? When a serial killer on death row begins talking about his crimes, investigators are shocked to learn of the 1986 murder of a woman in Texas that indicates his killings began much earlier than they thought. Despite this confession, that woman, whose name he thinks could be Norma, remains unidentified even now. This week, we’re joined by Emmy-Award winning Jeané Coakley. With more than twenty year’s of broadcast experience, Jeané serves as SNY’s lead New York Jets reporter and regularly contributes to SNY’s sports and entertainment news shows. She has covered everything from the Super Bowl to March Madness to the Indy 500. You can find Jeané on Instagram and X. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. Our November ‘23 selection is the true crime selection Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films.

Who or what scares witnesses so much that many of them ask to remain anonymous when speaking to investigators? That’s what happened in the disappearance of Nahida Khatib who suddenly vanished from her home one October morning in 1976. This week we’re joined by award-winning actress and activist Kathy Najimy. Kathy Najimy is well-known for her over 40 film roles including Sister Act and Hocus Pocus. She is also known for her television roles which include, most recently, on The Big C, and prior work as Peggy Hill on the Emmy Award-winning King of the Hill. As an activist, she was named Ms. Magazine’s Woman of the Year enthusiastic supporter of women’s and girls’ rights, AIDS awareness, animal rights, and a woman’s right to choose, and frequently travels around the country to keynote speak on these issues. You can find Kathy on Instagram. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. Our November ‘23 selection is the true crime selection Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films.

What happens to unidentified remains when their cases go cold? Most often, they’re held in evidence or buried. That’s not the case for three unidentified people who were found in Washington’s Pierce County in the 1970s. Instead, two were sent to a local landfill and one was lost. This week, we’re joined by one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, singer-songwriter Stephanie Quayle, who is one of the most active female artists with a consistent presence on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, and ranks in the Top 10 of Current Female Airplay over the last two years. This Rebel Engine Entertainment singer-songwriter has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, historic Ryman Auditorium, and taken the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Brett Eldredge, Jon Pardi, and more. You can find Stephanie on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and listen to her music on Spotify. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. Our November ‘23 selection is the true crime selection Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton. Find more about Stephanie here: https://linktr.ee/stephanie.quayle Stream Stephanie's song Jane here: https://orcd.co/janesq You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films.

As one of the most recognizable Jane Does, she was known as Buckskin Girl for 37 years, until one day, that changed. We talk about who she is and what it took to give her her name back. This week we’re joined by actress and voice actor Mercedes Rose. Mercedes has appeared in films such as What the Bleep Do We Know? and television shows like Portlandia and Leverage. She’s also done voice-over work, most notably for Rosalina in several Nintendo titles, and is the one of the stars and creators of Haunting of a Sunshine Girl. Find her on Instagram. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. Our October ‘23 selection is Louise Penny’s Still Life. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films.

Bigfoot took her. That’s the explanation a 43-year-old man gives after he takes 16-year-old Theresa Bier out hiking and doesn’t return with her. But despite extensive ground and air searches for the teenager, there’s little evidence about what truly happened to Theresa in 1987. If you know anything about the disappearance of Theresa Bier contact the Fresno Police Department at (559) 621-7000. This week, we’re joined by Canadian Screen Award winning actress Lauren Ash. Lauren currently stars in the ABC Comedy Not Dead Yet and is well-known for her role is Dina in NBC’s Superstore. You can find Lauren on Instagram and TikTok as well as hear her on her award-winning true crime podcast True Crime and Cocktails. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. Our October ‘23 selection is Louise Penny’s Still Life. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films.

Alien queens, evidence planting, witness threatening: just three ways in which the trials for Girly’s murder become so outlandish that the media starts to lose sight of Girly Chew and the fact that she’s still missing. In this second part to Girly’s story, we talk about what happened during the trial and what was done to try to bring Girly home to her family. If you are experiencing intimate partner violence or domestic violence, please call: 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 This week, we’re joined by actress Raven Goodwin. Raven Goodwin has recently starred in Being Mary Jane, SMILF, The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel, and Single Black Female. Follow Raven on Instagram and TikTok. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. Our October ‘23 selection is Louise Penny’s Still Life. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films.

What if everything you believed about your partner wasn’t true at all? Not where they went to school. Not their job. Not even their name. That’s what happened to Girly Chew when she left her home in Malaysia and married the monster who would eventually murder her. This week, we’re joined by Raven Goodwin as we shine light on Part 1 of Girl’s story. If you are experiencing intimate partner violence or domestic violence, please call: 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 This week, we’re joined by actress Raven Goodwin. Raven Goodwin has recently starred in Being Mary Jane, SMILF, The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel, and Single Black Female. Follow Raven on Instagram and TikTok. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. Our October ‘23 selection is Louise Penny’s Still Life. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films.

What happens when a living person is found but unable to identify themselves? In 2004, an older woman is found living in a beach park in Honolulu, Hawaii. Diagnosed with both dementia and schizophrenia, she is unable to provide her own name. We talk about her case as well as what happens with living Does and why it’s often difficult to identify them. In this episode, we’re joined by New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling author Louise Penny. Louise Penny is the award-winning author of the Inspector Gamache book series which was adapted into the Amazon Prime series Three Pines. You can find her books at Bookshop.org and Amazon, and you can follow Louise on Facebook and Instagram. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. Our October ‘23 selection is Louise Penny’s Still Life. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films. For full episode transcripts and show notes, head to our website.

When Mary Shotwell Little doesn’t show up for work the morning of October 15, 1965, her boss immediately knows something must be wrong. That afternoon, police find her car at the shopping center she visited the evening before with a friend. Inside the car are her groceries and a small amount of blood. What happened to Mary? And did a mysterious admirer who sent her roses at work have something to do with her disappearance? This episode, our guest is New York Times bestselling author and new media creator Paige McKenzie. You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram, and find her book series Haunting of a Sunshine Girl at Bookshop.org and Amazon. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films. For full episode transcripts and show notes, head to our website.

On the night of March 19, 2004, 17-year-old Brianna Maitland left her job at the Black Lantern Inn in Montgomery, VT. Shortly after, witnesses saw her car less than two miles away, crashed into an abandoned farmhouse. Despite this, days pass before anyone realizes that Brianna is missing. What happened to Brianna that night and what will it take for someone to finally come forward with answers? This episode, our guest is actress Marypat Farrell. A Vermont-native, Marypat has appeared on Night Court, 9-1-1 and On The Verge. You can follow her on Instagram. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films. For full episode transcripts and show notes, head to our website.

In 2013, a woman was walking her dog on a beach in Lattingtown, NY, along the Long Island Sound when she found the skeletal remains of a woman. Today, this unidentified woman is known only as Lattingtown Jane Doe or Nassau County Jane Doe, and the strongest clue to her identity is the 24k gold pig necklace found with her body. Who is she? What happened to her? And is she connected to the Long Island Serial Killer? This episode, our guest is ballet dancer and Broadway actress Erica Wong who performed in The King & I, An American in Paris, and Phantom of the Opera. You can find her here and on Instagram. Join us on Patreon! Your support helps us continue to shine light on America’s missing and unidentified women. Flashlight level members also get access to additional content like Behind the Poem, a weekly conversation about the episode’s featured poem, and our monthly true crime/mystery book club. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook. To buy Aimee’s book, Doe, it’s available now with University of Akron Press, at Bookshop.org, and Amazon. To see Vanessa’s latest film projects, check out Birdy & Bean Films. For full episode transcripts and show notes, head to our website.

Each week co-hosts, author Aimée Bake and film maker Vanessa Cicarelli, will bring you a story of a missing or unidentified woman. And each episode they will be joined by a special celebrity guest reader, to read one of Aimée's poems written in honor of the person they are discussing. Guests like singers, Kelly Moneymaker and Stephanie Quayle. Actors, Coco Jones, Marypat Farrell and Gabrielle Ruiz. Authors, Louise Penny, Catherine Mckenzie and Paige McKenzie and voices actors Mercedes Rose and the voice of Siri her self, Susan Bennett.