After eliminating the impossible, only the possible remains. The private investigator discloses a location and the team visits where the private investigator believes Tammy was injured. Reconsidering the evidence results in a shocking conclusion. A detail in a letter seems to confirm where Tammy died...but only one person knows for sure. 

The remaining theories are examined and an old lead gets a second look. The private investigator opens up about their investigation and takes us through their process. By following Tammy’s footsteps, they narrow down the timeline leading to her death...and come across a location that intrigues them.  

Years go by and the case goes cold. The State of Nebraska had done their part and the case got cold. Despite continued involvement with local South Dakota law enforcement and the FBI, no new leads have developed. Rumors and speculation lead to new theories regarding her death. Friends and family take their case to social media and raise money for a private investigation. Old evidence gets challenged and a new lead is uncovered.  

It’s Attorney Mike Stevens’ first case of this kind and he struggles to mount a compelling defense. Eric takes the stand as both sides pepper him with questions. The defense case quickly goes downhill under the experienced cross-examination of the state’s prosecutors and holes are punched into Eric’s alibi. Closing arguments get cross as Attorney Stevens breaks from courtroom etiquette and Judge Redmond fails to interject. Prosecuting attorney Arterburn draws an analogy to sew up the evidence for Eric’s guilt and the case goes to the jury. On the second day of deliberation, the jury returns with a verdict.  

Attorneys for the State of Nebraska present their manslaughter case against Eric Stukel. Though expert testimony paints a violent death and evidence points to Eric as the perpetrator, Eric’s defense manages to sow seeds of doubt during cross-examination. Judge Redmond forbids shocking evidence from being presented to the jury. The charge carries a bizarre requirement and the state stumbles to meet its criteria...but will the jury overlook this?  

Episode IV: The Investigation Begins 

Though authorities look at multiple suspects, including Aunt Vicki’s boyfriend, authorities soon focus in on the last person known to have seen Tammy- her boyfriend, Eric Stukel. His comments and behavior result in suspicion, his car is seized, and he fails a polygraph...but soon goes silent. Investigators find evidence indicating something is amiss with his story and believe Tammy had been put in the trunk of his car, then dragged across a highway to where she would be found. The six-agency task force would become stuck trying to develop more evidence and pressed with a statute of limitations on manslaughter charges, they play their hand and arrest Eric. A vigil will be held in Tammy’s memory as a symbol of hope for resolution...and Yankton awaits justice.  

Nearly six days have passed without sight or sound of Tammy, when a golfer decides to look for golf balls in a ravine adjacent to a golf course. He discovers the body of a young woman lying face down at the bottom of an embankment next to a highway. Panicked, he tries to find help. Soon, authorities would determine it was Tammy. As word spreads throughout Yankton and friends and family begin to grieve, her body is taken to Sioux Falls where odd injuries would be discovered. Stymied to find a cause of death, investigators take her to Sioux City for a second autopsy where a bizarre neck injury would be discovered...and authorities begin to wonder if they have a homicide on their hands.  

It’s early spring of 1992 and Tammy is struggling with her first year of college at the University of Nebraska. She ends up leaving and moving back to Yankton, South Dakota- away from one boyfriend and back close to her ex-boyfriend, Eric Stukel. Tammy would walk a tightrope between boys as her romantic and social life begins to spiral. By late summer, she would find herself single and eyeing someone new...but the force of attraction to Eric is too strong. As Tammy and Eric restart their romance, an impromptu party at a vacant farmhouse would be where rumors start as Tammy goes missing...and Eric begins a strange pattern of behavior while friends are worried sick. 

Tammy Haas was known for her charm, radiance and natural beauty by all who knew her. She was the light in a dark room. At age 16, her family suffered their first major tragedy with the loss of her father. As midwesterners do, they dealt with the tragedy by keeping their heads down and forging ahead. After her father's death, she would start dating Eric Stukel. After beginning college an the University of Nebraska, she tried to move on...but Eric had a hard time letting go. 

Features music- all or in part- by Audionautix- Back to the Woodunder Creative Commons Use with Attribution; https://directory.audio/free-music/country-folk/4406-audionautix-back-to-the-wood

Theme song; Lonesome Journey:

License purchased and tracks downloaded from Sound-ideas.com on July 13th, 2021 as part of 4-track album download.

Introduction to the Footsteps in the Dark podcast featuring the case of Tammy Haas of Yankton,  South Dakota in  1992.