Buried Bylines

In June of 2018, 20-year-old Melissa Runnels was shot to death, set on fire, and left behind an abandoned Indianapolis home. Five years have passed since her brutal murder but her case remains unsolved. This week we discuss the case with FOX59 & CBS4 Anchor and Reporter, Jenny Dreasler. We also had the pleasure of speaking to Melissa's mother, Barbara Harvey, who reached out to Megan about sharing this story. Please help us raise awareness for this case, get this family answers, and bring Melissa to justice!

SOURCES:

https://fox59.com/morning-news/angela-answers/angela-answers-melissa-runnels-parents-plea-for-answers/

https://fox59.com/news/coroner-20-year-old-indianapolis-woman-shot-to-death-before-being-found-at-fire/

https://www.customink.com/fundraising/fundraising-for-scholarship-in-melissa-runnels-name?share=7751572183194834&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=fundraising-for-scholarship-in-melissa-runnels-name&utm_campaign=mobile-post-launch-v2&ref=facebook_social_mobile-post-launch-v2&side=front&type=1&zoom=false&fbclid=IwAR0hXlSDm5dp1tY8tUGkRYq9ZB_1EYKGLh7YG8Ab1C--meFdIW2GC7tArCQ

https://www.gofundme.com/f/melissa-runnels-cold-case

https://people.com/crime/melissa-runnels-was-found-on-fire-shot-beforehand/

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/coroner-woman-found-burned-behind-vacant-home-had-been-shot/531-5e25e816-1ec1-4507-b0cb-d49a9264e80c

Mother pleads for information about 20-year-old daughter's murder

Time for another Indiana Cold Case! 11-year-old Brandie Peltz was found dead in her home floating face down in a bathtub full of water. An upstairs bedroom of the residence was set on fire. The cause of death was strangulation. The victim was found by a passerby who noticed the second story of the residence on fire and stopped to see if anyone was inside. To this day, no one knows what truly happened in that house. Join us as we discuss some theories!

SOURCES:

https://www.in.gov/isp/crime-reporting/cold-case-investigations/cold-cases-by-county/bremen-district-investigations/brandi-peltz-12111986/

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130072328/brandie-a-peltz

https://www.newspapers.com/image/517325913/?terms=%22brandie%20peltz%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/517326212/?terms=%22brandie%20peltz%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/517326527/?terms=%22brandie%20peltz%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/517327245/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/312865891/?terms=%22brandie%20peltz%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/517088849/?terms=%22brandie%20peltz%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/518587969/?terms=%22brandie%20peltz%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/514336508/?terms=%22brandie%20peltz%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/514336545/

https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/jun/06/argos-indiana-murder

https://www.wndu.com/content/news/Brandie-Peltz-murder-case-still-cold-31-years-later-new-tips-welcome-463468053.html

GUYS! This is by far the biggest crime case in Indiana that you've never heard of. On Valentine's Day in 1977, four men broke into a small Parke County mobile home, to carry out the heinous thrill killings now known as the Hollandsburg Massacre. Betty Jane Spencer was forced to lie on the ground next to four of her children as the men fired shots into their bodies. Spencer somehow managed to survive the brutal attack, share her story, and help put the killers behind bars.

P.S.: There's about 10 minutes of Vanderpump Rules gossip at the end of the episode, serving as your palette cleanser for the week. We love you guys!!

SOURCES:

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2014/01/30/hollandsburg-massacre/5059499/

https://www.tribstar.com/news/local_news/hollandsburg-murder-felon-seeking-parole-in-august/article_6938c7fc-5902-5ed7-a036-052f72958be4.html

https://www.bannergraphic.com/story/2133462.html

https://www.amazon.com/Choking-Fear-memoir-Hollandsburg-murders/dp/1497522846?nodl=1&dplnkId=02ec294e-f2d5-4281-b6fe-3b06fae3b3d3

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5djtaO2bSKu9h-1w8clcH1wq73_U2-bq&si=K6dGfRfmOrBCmUEI

https://www.nytimes.com/1977/02/15/archives/4-brothers-are-slain-at-trailer-in-indiana-executionstyle-shooting.html

https://www.newspapers.com/image/253655375/?terms=Hollandsburg%20Massacre&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/773020387/?terms=Hollandsburg%20Massacre&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/541204807/?terms=Hollandsburg%20Massacre&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/263094214/?terms=Hollandsburg%20Massacre&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/263084804/?terms=Betty%20Spencer&match=1

https://www.tribstar.com/news/killer-convicted-in-hollandsburg-valentines-day-massacre-dies/article_26d1804e-dd11-5502-832a-e5bcf55dcc1b.html

https://www.newspapers.com/image/312234173/?terms=betty%20spencer&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/516206323/?terms=betty%20spencer&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/263033524/?terms=betty%20spencer&match=1

https://www.hopehealinghelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Reflecting-on-a-Mothers-Courage-Strength-and-Hope.pdf

https://indianainfamy.com/tag/the-hollandsburg-murders/

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/victims-rights-crusader-betty-spencer-dies/531-4980dc4d-9091-43eb-a755-f2ab68067dc8

Soul Survivor

18-year-old Dorothy Poore went to Indianapolis in 1954 looking for a career. What she found was a monster. In this episode, we discuss what is often known as 'The Dresser Drawer Murder,' one of the most sensational crimes in Indiana state history. Many only know about the crime due to its historic backdrop: the former Claypool Hotel. However, Dorothy wasn't the only victim of a brutal crime at the Claypool. Help us bring these innocent victims back to the forefront.

SOURCES:

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/06/08/notorious-crimes-indianapolis-area-history/365132001/

https://historicindianapolis.com/how-the-claypool-hotel-began/

https://indyencyclopedia.org/claypool-hotel/#:~:text=The%20Claypool%20closed%20following%20a,hotel%20operating%20at%20this%20location.

https://johnbrassardjr.com/2023/08/06/fire-murder-and-spirits-the-last-days-of-the-claypool-hotel/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/105569557/?terms=%22claypool%20hotel%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/3533326/?terms=%22claypool%20hotel%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/105569886/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/105570285/?terms=%22claypool%20hotel%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/105570676/?terms=%22claypool%20hotel%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/105571158/?terms=%22claypool%20hotel%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/311446077/?terms=%22VICTOR%20LIVELY%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/311447020/?terms=%22VICTOR%20LIVELY%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/311447831/?terms=%22VICTOR%20LIVELY%22&match=1

https://johnbrassardjr.com/2023/07/21/the-murder-of-dorothy-poore-the-girl-in-the-drawer/

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2018/07/13/true-crime-dresser-drawer-murder-claypool-hotel/769276002/

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2013/10/01/indiana-unsolved-the-1943-murder-of-cpl-maoma-ridings-at-the-upscale-claypool-hotel-remains-a-mystery/2901193/ 

In May of 2010, police responded to a father's frantic 911 call from Steve Herr. After not hearing from him in a few days, he went to visit his son, only to discover a woman's body inside Sam's apartment. Detectives identified the victim as a friend of Sam's, Julie Kibuishi. Police initially launched a manhunt to track Sam down. But once investigators began digging deeper, things took an unexpected turn placing a new suspect at the center of the case.

SOURCES:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/48-hours-killer-performance-julie-kubuishi-sam-herr-daniel-wozniak-case/

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/clues-and-evidence-in-the-murders-of-julie-kibuishi-and-sam-herr/

https://abcnews.go.com/US/community-theater-actors-final-performance-chilling-confession-double/story?id=63181588

https://www.ocregister.com/2017/11/01/murders-of-julie-kibuishi-samuel-herr-by-daniel-wozniak-featured-on-investigation-discoverys-deadly-intent/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7068459/New-documentary-shows-cold-blooded-killer-shot-dead-friend-steal-money.html

https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/tn-dpt-me-0104-wozniak-penalty-phase-20160104-story.html

https://people.com/crime/daniel-wozniak-fiancee-convicted-lied-police-double-murder/

https://www.ocregister.com/2021/07/28/convicted-killer-daniel-wozniak-moved-out-of-san-quentin-sparking-criticism/

https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/remembering-julie-kibuishi-1385023043742

https://abcnews.go.com/US/california-community-theater-actor-frame-war-veteran-murder/story?id=37308856

https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-buffet-sentencing-20181108-story.html

https://www.ocregister.com/2012/05/30/actor-says-he-killed-friends-for-money-detective-testifies/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/19366621/where-daniel-wozniak-now/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/behind-the-scenes-of-killer-performance-covering-the-daniel-wozniak-case/

https://www.insideedition.com/daniel-wozniak-murder-case-fiancee-rachel-buffett-convicted-lying-police-pleads-innocence-tapes

https://behindthebadge.com/loved-ones-of-murder-victims-decry-governors-death-penalty-stance-at-victims-rights-rally/#:~:text=Steve%20and%20Raquel%20Herr%2C%20parents,Rally%20on%20Monday%2C%20April%208.

WE'VE HIT 25 EPISODES Y'ALL! Joining us for this podcast milestone are two of our former coworkers (and current friends) Darius Johnson and Alexa Green. For this episode, we discuss the worst mass shooting in Indianapolis history. It happened on April 15, 2021 at a FedEx Ground facility. Eight people were killed by the gunman, who eventually turned the gun on himself. Several others were injured. In this episode, you'll hear compelling narratives from the crime scene, the reunification center, and inside the newsroom.

SOURCES:

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2021/07/28/fedex-shooting-timeline-how-indianapolis-shooting-unfolded/5399235001/

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/28/us/fedex-shooting-investigation-closed/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/16/us/indianapolis-fedex-shooting-suspect/index.html

https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/fedex-shooter-mom-interview-clips/#:~:text=Angela%20Ganote%20asked%20Sheila%20Hole,that%20news%2C%20the%20mother%20said.

https://www.co.delaware.in.us/department/division.php?structureid=267#:~:text=Indiana's%20red%20flag%20law%20permits,danger%20to%20others%20or%20themselves.

https://fox59.com/indiana-news/lawsuit-against-fedex-for-2021-mass-shooting-dismissed-judge-cites-jurisdiction-over-case/

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2023/04/13/fedex-mass-shooting-victims-families-sue-american-tactical-inc/70109072007/

RESOURCES:

Indiana:

https://988indiana.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=23_awareness&utm_term=hoosiers&gclid=CjwKCAjwxaanBhBQEiwA84TVXFEu-5XHjNElBClkgyb1HjUD83cB4eaSMsFeLImZBopX9faI52LnpxoCISMQAvD_BwE

https://www.in.gov/bewellindiana/

Nationwide:

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

One name. That is the very last thing Houston investigators need to finally identify all 28 victims of Dean Corll, aka, the Candyman Killer, active from 1970 - 1973. Fifty years later, experts with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are hoping new technology can help give the last remaining victim his identity back. All it takes is one tip. Can you help?

SOURCES:

⁠https://www.missingkids.org/poster/ncmu/1109009⁠

⁠https://www.texasmonthly.com/true-crime/the-lost-boys/⁠

https://www.newser.com/story/338656/sketch-may-help-id-last-unknown-victim-of-candy-man.html

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

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/houston/2023/08/08/459013/new-facial-image-released-for-victim-of-houston-candy-man-dean-corll-whose-killings-came-to-light-50-years-ago/

https://www.khou.com/article/news/investigations/missing-pieces/victim-sketch-candy-man-serial-killer-corll-heights/285-f9691bee-86bd-4fc1-be0b-77bfd24a0545

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUNxUuWP7Ug

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/candy-man-houston-serial-killer-new-sketch-victim-18284725.php

You asked. We answered. If you've ever wanted to know what working in a newsroom is like, you'll want to check out this episode! We tell you all about producing, the news industry, our favorite anchors... even our fun fact is news-related!

Don't worry though, we'll be back to our regularly scheduled material next week. Enjoy!

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, Rape

GUYS, WE ARE MAAAAAD. This week's episode hit us really hard. In September of 2022, Memphis teacher, Eliza Fletcher went out for her typical morning run except this time she never came home. The 34-year-old mother was snatched off the street and thrown into a van... the entire abduction was caught on camera. Within days, her alleged kidnapper and killer was caught. However, Megan explains there were multiple reasons why he shouldn't have been walking free in the first place.

SOURCES:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/13/us/eliza-fletcher-cleotha-henderson-dna/index.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eliza-fletcher-murder-death-penalty-sought-man-charged-killing-jogger-memphis/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/eliza-fletcher-memphis-kidnapping-cleotha-abston-b2160090.html

https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/09/us/memphis-teacher-eliza-fletcher-killed-friday/index.html

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/10/01/eliza-fletcher-killed-gunshot-wound-to-head/8151147001/

https://wreg.com/news/eliza-fletcher/eliza-fletchers-accused-murderer-in-court-as-case-moves-ahead/

https://wreg.com/news/eliza-fletcher/tn-lawmaker-we-are-partially-responsible-for-the-rape-of-eliza-fletcher/

https://www.foxnews.com/us/eliza-fletcher-case-memphis-jogger-murder-suspect-cleotha-abston-returns-court

https://www.eonline.com/news/1348533/inside-the-disturbing-aftermath-of-the-eliza-fletcher-murder-case

https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2018/03/14/memphis-joseph-joe-orgill-iii-died-dead/425062002/

https://www.kake.com/story/47223399/surveillance-video-shows-violent-abduction-of-missing-memphis-jogger

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/woman-forced-car-abducted-jogging-police-89242718

https://wreg.com/news/eliza-fletcher/timeline-the-eliza-fletcher-abduction-and-murder/

https://wreg.com/news/eliza-fletcher/eliza-fletcher-new-details-revealed/

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/eliza-fletcher-abduction-timeline-of-the-memphis-teachers-disappearance

https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/07/17/judge-maintains-decision-alicia-franklin-lawsuit/

https://www.psrmemphis.org/rape-kit-reforms-loom-as-alicia-franklin-heads-back-to-court/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/22/eliza-fletcher-murder-cleotha-abston-suspect-rape-lawsuit

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/paigeskinner/alicia-franklin-lawsuit-eliza-fletcher

https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/07/06/da-seeking-death-penalty-cleotha-henderson/

https://youtu.be/zwWRde-B5J0

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/cleotha-henderson-eliza-fletcher-memphis-b2311008.html

https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/crime/eliza-fletcher-murder-cleotha-henderson-abston-pleads-not-guilty-memphis/522-dd3de00e-b448-4352-921f-2074bf0cade2