Buried Bylines

This week's case is the definition of a buried byline. 12-year-old Nicolas Zavala disappeared in August of 2002 while living with his grandmother in Northwest Indiana. Despite being his temporary guardian, the boy's grandmother waited a full week before reporting him missing. Eight months later, Nicolas' remains were discovered on an Illinois farm. Not only is this case still unsolved but it has received little to no media attention. We have OPINIONS!

SOURCES:

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/02/01/the-final-home-of-nicolas-zavala/

https://poundpuplegacy.org/document/133344

https://www.kpcnews.com/article_f715d5bb-835c-5551-9ae2-7243d549ca20.html

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/04/27/foster-boys-remains-are-identified/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1048201205/?match=1&terms=nicolas%20zavala

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1049191036/?match=1&terms=nicolas%20zavala 

https://daily-journal.com/news/local/hoosier-grandma-cleared-of-neglect/article_a313905e-f134-5cb7-a2ed-1bff6834c39c.html

https://www.newspapers.com/image/149321335/?match=1&terms=nicolas%20zavala

https://daily-journal.com/news/local/hoosier-uncle-to-be-tried-as-adult/article_475f5c80-4451-525f-9326-d682676127f9.html 

We're sticking with the Halloween theme for this episode! Have you ever wondered why the news media, law enforcement officials, and doctors warn you to check you kids' Halloween candy for tampering? This case is the reason why. In this episode, Mallory dives into the man who killed Halloween, a.k.a. the Candy Man, and the heartbreaking murder of 8-year-old Timothy O'Bryan.

SOURCES:

Spooky Season has arrived! You guys know this is our favorite time of year. Once again, we will spotlight all things Halloween, eerie, and scary for the month of October. This week Megan covers two horrifying unsolved murders, one in the U.S. and another in the U.K., both with ties to All Hallows' Eve.

SOURCES:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trunk-lady-cold-case-florida-sylvia-june-atherton-identified/

https://www.fox13news.com/news/cold-cases-cracked-st-pete-police-to-give-update-on-infamous-trunk-lady-murder-of-1969

https://abcnews.go.com/US/police-identify-trunk-lady-cold-case/story?id=99716889

https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/sylvia-atherton-idd-as-trunk-lady-in-cold-case-murder 

https://www.newspapers.com/image/318487735/?match=1&terms=%22trunk%20lady%22

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/katherine-armstrong-newcastle-halloween-murder-6809043

https://creepybonfire.com/mystery-files/crimes-mysteries/five-unsolved-halloween-murders/

http://www.unsolved-murders.co.uk/murder-content.php?key=1083&termRef=Katherine%20Lillian%20Armstrong

https://truecrimeenthusiast.wordpress.com/2017/11/06/the-newcastle-halloween-murder/

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-halloween-horror-murder-left-27987497\

You guys, we've got a serial killer case on our hands! This week Megan takes a DEEP dive into a midwest nightmare. Between 1982 and 1984, dozens of teenage boys and young men in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky were brutally assaulted and killed. At least 21 victims died at the hands of Larry Eyler, who was dubbed the Interstate Killer. Buckle up because this is a long one! We're going to talk about news coverage, a potential accomplice, Kathleen Zellner, and the badass woman (plus the police task force) that helped bring down this serial killer.

SOURCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Eyler

https://www.bannergraphic.com/story/3003902.html

https://www.newspapers.com/image/253099470/?match=1&terms=%22edgar%20underkofler%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/202470755/?match=2&terms=%22edgar%20underkofler%22

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/165418283/john_r_f-johnson

https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Bill_Lewis

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/billy-lewis-remains-id-forensics-serial-killer-larry-eyler-jasper-county/531-7b5ee434-5c3d-4bad-a845-c0ae80b8e860

https://www.newspapers.com/image/106978967/?match=3&terms=%22john%20roach%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/388301477/?match=1&terms=%22david%20m%20block%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/388238718/?match=1&terms=%22Ervin%20Gibson%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/106369920/?match=1&terms=%22Daniel%20Scott%20Mcneive%22

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/165415845/daniel-scott-mcneive

https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/08/12/in-death-eyler-may-help-solve-deadly-83-mystery/ 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/08/12/in-death-eyler-may-help-solve-deadly-83-mystery/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/688302959/?match=1&terms=%22jay%20reynolds%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/688302959/?match=1&terms=%22jay%20reynolds%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/387983136/?match=1&terms=%22Jimmie%20Roberts%22

https://www.crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/predators/eyler/crimes_2.html#:~:text=The%20slayer's%20first%20black%20victim,his%20body%20into%20a%20creek.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/03/09/the-eyler-legacy-21-deaths/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/537457067/?match=1&terms=%22jimmy%20t%20roberts%22

https://www.oxygen.com/mark-of-a-serial-killer/crime-news/how-highway-killer-larry-eyler-was-caught

https://www.nwitimes.com/digital/photos/gallery-eylers-victims/collection_9b6f8bca-01d0-5ef1-af91-881f12762ade.html#2

https://unsolved.com/podcasts/the-nameless-victims/

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/how-this-trans-led-task-force-teamed-up-with-a-rural-indiana-coroner-to-close-an-unsolved-case/531-685bedfa-901c-4956-8e40-ac5bde27a7d9

https://transdoetaskforce.org/index.php/articles/new-database-lammp-lgbt-plus-accountability-missing-and-murdered-persons 

In this powerful guest episode, we dive into a deeply personal story with Lindsey Hull, Mallory’s lifelong best friend, former competitive gymnast, and a survivor of sexual abuse. Lindsey bravely shares her journey, including her decision in 2017 to join the lawsuit against disgraced U.S. Olympic doctor Larry Nassar. But for Lindsey, Larry was more than just a doctor—he was a family friend, a neighbor, and someone she once considered a safe haven from the abusive culture within her gymnastics organization. In this episode, Lindsey opens up about her relationship with Larry, the moment she realized she was a victim of his decades-long manipulation, and her fight for justice against him and his enablers. This one is a DOOZY. 

SOURCES:

https://www.indystar.com/videos/news/2016/09/12/90274492/ 

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2017_1207_Nassar

https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/us/judge-rosemarie-aquilina-full-statement/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/05/us/larry-nassar-sentence-eaton/index.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42894833

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42811304

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2018/02/05/larry-nassar-sentenced-40-125-years-eaton-county/306237002/

https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/19191934/new-complaints-larry-nassar-allege-sexual-abuse-dates-1992 

https://www.si.com/olympics/2018/01/18/larry-nassar-michigan-state-sexual-abuse-complaints 

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/02/08/204-impact-statements-9-days-2-counties-life-sentence-larry-nassar/1066335001/ 

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/08/10/rise-fall-larry-nassar/104491508/

https://www.mlive.com/news/page/msu_doctor_alleged_sexual_assault.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20181027071635/http://interactives.indystar.com/news/standing/OutofBalance/NassarTimeline/LSJ.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/on-60-minutes-former-gymnasts-allege-sexual-abuse/ 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/24/sports/larry-nassar-sentencing.html 

https://time.com/4988116/larry-nassar-mckayla-maroney-sexual-abuse-doctor-usa-gymnastics/ 

https://nypost.com/2017/11/21/gabby-douglas-opens-up-in-aly-raisman-apology-i-was-abused-too/ 

https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/22152207/olympic-gymnasts-aly-raisman-jordyn-wieber-give-impact-statements-larry-nassar-sentencing-hearing 

https://www.npr.org/2021/09/15/1036968966/gymnasts-nassar-fbi-senate-hearing-simone-biles-aly-raisman-wray 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/gymnasts-nassar-fbi-investigation-hearing/2021/09/14/de4832cc-159f-11ec-9589-31ac3173c2e5_story.html 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/gymnastics/38266205

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2017/11/21/larry-nassar-usa-gymnastics-expected-plead-guilty-sexual-assault/886906001/ 

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/04/06/msu-doctor-larry-nassar-license-revoked/100130228/ 

https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/26/us/larry-nassar-investigation-fallout-march/index.html 

https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/24190850/larry-nassar-seeks-new-judge-new-sentencing-hearing 

https://inourownwords.us/2018/08/09/lindsey-lemke/

This week, we're taking a back seat to some of the more brutal crime cases we cover. Megan surprised Mallory with a white-collar CALAMITY centered around her favorite artist: Taylor Swift. At this point, we have all seen the massive success of the Eras Tour. But before our beloved blondie could kick off her largest concert venture to date she had to deal with the fallout of Ticketmaster's registration and sale for the event. The outrage that followed led to multiple lawsuits and congressional hearings. Prepare for Mal's soapbox and more than a few song references.

SOURCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Swift%E2%80%93Ticketmaster_controversy

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/27/media/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-court/index.html

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/nov/18/taylor-swift-tickets-ticketmaster-live-nation-us-justice-department

https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/may/23/live-nation-ticketmaster-lawsuit

https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/20/thirty-nine-state-ags-now-support-live-nation-ticketmaster-lawsuit/

https://fox59.com/indiana-news/indiana-joins-lawsuit-against-live-nation-ticketmaster/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_impact_of_Taylor_Swift#:~:text=A%20highly%20successful%20artist%20on,act%20in%20the%20top%2015.

https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/taylor-swift-fan-class-action-live-nation-eras-tour-dropped-1235554526/

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/ticketmaster-live-nation-lawsuit-mean-fans-live-music-rcna153739 

https://www.idx.inc/blog/marketing/nfls-mastermind-decision-lean-taylor-swift-effect#:~:text=With%20Swift's%20assistance%2C%20the%20NFL,women%20aged%2035%20and%20above.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/articles/10-facts-about-taylor-swift/

https://topclassactions.com/glossary/what-are-hidden-fees/

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/10/ftc-proposes-rule-ban-junk-fees

The CFPB Is Cleaning Up Junk Fees

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2024/05/24/pearl-jam-bill-clinton-ticketmaster/ 

21-year-old Jennifer Stockrahm was murdered nearly 30 years ago in the small town of Harmony, Indiana. She was shot in the chest before being set on fire inside her car, which was parked 100 yards away from her mother's home. In the 27 years that have followed, her case has gotten little to no media coverage. We want to know why. Join us as we discuss the case that has become the definition of a buried byline. 

Sources:

https://www.in.gov/isp/crime-reporting/cold-case-investigations/cold-cases-by-county/putnamville-district-investigations/jennifer-stockrahm-02121997/

https://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/1989510.html

https://www.tribstar.com/news/eight-years-after-daughters-death-mother-still-searching-for-answers/article_a4f25b68-442f-52d2-bf60-04b6b00adf36.html 

https://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/1479441.html 

https://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/1815035.html 

https://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/2168943.html 

https://www.tribstar.com/news/local_news/friends-taking-steps-to-keep-slain-womans-memory-alive/article_d7c87353-92d7-56d2-83c2-ecb0b7e64da9.html

https://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/2172028.html 

https://www.tribstar.com/news/local_news/unsolved-womans-death-from-18-years-ago-on-minds-of-quiet-walkers/article_821a54a4-58a1-5f31-8552-f246293ad66f.html

In 2013, three women were rescued after disappearing a decade earlier. Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus were held captive inside a Cleveland, Ohio home. The women were tortured, raped, and abused by Ariel Castro. Castro was a long-time bus driver and father in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Megan breaks down the news coverage surrounding the case and shares some buried bylines within the case.

SOURCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Castro_kidnappings 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/michelle-knights-triumph-11-year-captor-ariel-castro/story?id=67857015

https://people.com/crime/cleveland-kidnapping-survivors-where-five-years-later/

https://allthatsinteresting.com/amanda-berry

https://people.com/crime/ariel-castro-kidnappings-cleveland-survivors-timeline/

https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2023/we-are-doing-great

https://www.cleveland19.com/2022/03/25/gina-dejesus-shares-story-survival-northeast-ohio-amber-alert-conference/

https://fox8.com/news/10-years-later-missing-cleveland-teens-escape-seymour-ave-home/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/timeline-of-events-the-cleveland-kidnapping-case/

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/09/04/218832604/social-media-erupt-on-news-of-ariel-castros-death 

https://time.com/3836160/cleveland-kidnap-victims-recount-how-ariel-castro-could-have-been-stopped/ 

https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/26/us/cleveland-kidnappings-fast-facts/index.html 

https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2013/navigating-the-challenges-of-covering-ariel-castro-hearing/ 

https://www.denverpost.com/2013/05/07/stolen-lives-profiles-of-the-cleveland-kidnapping-victims/ 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LajXqHqnBcBU0XX98WwlLTeyymks8QChcnt1np5EsMc/edit 

Nonprofits and Books:

https://clevelandmissing.org/

https://www.facebook.com/clevelandmissing.org

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michelle-knight/finding-me/9781602862579/?lens=hachette-books

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michelle-knight/life-after-darkness/9781602866096/?lens=hachette-books 

https://www.penguinbookshop.com/book/9780143108207

https://319coffee.com/blogs/news/our-partnership-with-lilys-ray-of-hope

https://unleashanimalrescue.org/

https://fox8.com/tag/missing/

https://abcnews.go.com/US/fullpage/amanda-berry-gina-dejesus-interview-robin-roberts-cleveland-30641319 

In this episode, we’re bringing you some CRAZY headlines from the current news world. We have bed bugs busting a bad business, we have a creepy drone stalker, and last but not least, an update that could help you save some money at the grocery store. We recorded in person for the first time in a MINUTE so things are sure to go off the rails. (And they do.) Plus, you can learn some extra fun, fun facts about your co-hosts… including the fact that one of them is blind in one eye and the other embarrassed herself onstage at a Train concert. Which fun fact belongs to which co-host? Listen now to find out. 

This episode is dedicated to our friend Maddie Larimore! #CancerSucks 💕 Donate here: www.komen.org/donate

SOURCES:

https://www.wral.com/video/case-of-bedbugs-helps-texas-police-bust-human-trafficking-ring/21521670/

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/bedbugs-help-unravel-suspected-north-texas-human-trafficking-ring/

https://www.fox4news.com/news/princeton-human-trafficking-scheme-ginsburg-lane

https://dallasexpress.com/crime/bedbugs-led-to-discovery-of-ntx-human-trafficking-ring/

https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/call-bedbugs-helps-expose-alleged-trafficking-ring/

https://6abc.com/post/michael-brackman-pennsylvania-man-accused-stalking-girls-year/15053495/

https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-man-accused-of-stalking-teenage-girls-with-drone/61562427 

https://www.wtae.com/article/canonsburg-trial-drone-stalking/61548589

Megan's Train Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvEquqx7et4

We're going BIG for our 50th episode! This week we're diving into the history and lore of one of the country's most infamous gangsters (and Hoosier native) John Dillinger. There's no one better to join us for this conversation than former broadcast news reporter, Joe Melillo.

Joe has formed a team of investigators and journalists who are on a mission to exhume John Dillinger's body and confirm once and for all if public enemy number one was actually shot and killed by the FBI on July 22, 1934. He's serving up all the facts that have led to countless conspiracy theories in his new podcast, Digging Up Dillinger which is out NOW!

SOURCES:

https://www.indystar.com/story/life/2015/01/15/john-dillinger-historical-sites/21804041/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dillinger

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/john-dillinger-body-exhumed-history-speculation-penis-865673/

https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-john-dillinger 

https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl 

https://linktr.ee/Diggingupdillinger