Going West: True Crime

In the fall of 2011, a 41-year-old California woman set out for a new life on a beautiful island in Panama. But what seemed like an adventurous fresh start quickly took a turn for the worse when she suddenly disappeared without a trace. As her family’s concern grew, a horrible story of abuse and manipulation began to surface. As investigators looked for any sign of her, they soon uncovered a trail of lies, fake emails, hidden relationships and shocking evidence that pointed to a murder. This is the story of Yvonne Baldelli.

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On Thanksgiving, 2018, a 29-year-old woman went missing in Colorado after last being spotted in a grocery store with her daughter. When investigators found traces of blood at her abandoned townhome, a sinister plot was uncovered that involved poisoned coffee, numerous road trips, and a baseball bat. This is the story of Kelsey Berreth.

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In November of 1988, a nine-year-old girl was abducted in broad daylight from the parking lot of her local corner store. Despite there being witnesses who relayed the assailant’s appearance to police, years passed without any significant movement in the case. But once DNA technology became advanced enough to provide a match from a fingerprint left on the girl’s scooter, a suspect was arrested. Sadly, she was not his only victim. This is the disappearance of Michaela Garecht.

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Part 1 posted on October 29, 2024 - Episode 449.

On October 10, 2024, a 35-year-old Montana man was murdered in his tent while camping in a secluded Montana site. Thanks to DNA found on a beer can in his tent, police arrested his killer three weeks later, on October 31, 2024. This is the updated story of Dustin Kjersem.

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In the early night hours of August 11, 2003, a 19-year-old Indigenous woman set off on a walk through the rain alone after spending time with friends in her home of Nome, Alaska. But when her roommate noticed her absence the following morning, she reported her missing. And just a day after doing so, her nude body was found shot to death in a gravel pit by an abandoned gold mine. As police put the puzzle pieces together, an unexpected suspect emerged - and fast. This is the story of Sonya Ivanoff.

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In October of 2001, a 52-year-old man was found bludgeoned to death in his East Hampton home after missing a work meeting in the city. Just days before finalizing their divorce, investigators were keen on questioning his wife, along with her suspicious electrician boyfriend. But were they involved, or was someone else out to get the powerful investment banker? This is the story of Ted Ammon.

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On October 12, 2024, the friend of a 35-year-old Montana man stumbled upon his body in a tent when he didn’t show to their agreed meeting spot for a weekend camping trip. When police arrived at the scene along Moose Creek, they initially wondered if it was a brutal bear attack. But upon closer inspection it was clear that it was no animal mauling, and instead, a vicious believed-axe murder. This is the story of Dustin Kjersem.

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On October 31st, 1993, a beloved 39-year-old teacher was found strangled to death inside her car in a quiet suburb of Sacramento. As police investigated her final movements, they started to believe that someone she knew was behind her murder. But now, over 30 years later, we’re still left in the dark about what really happened to her that night. Many are left wondering if hers is connected to a similar cold case from the area, and whether both are victims of the infamous Golden State Killer. This is the story of Cherilyn Hawkley.

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On an early morning in September of 2022, a 25-year-old woman vanished without a trace after leaving her Salinas, California apartment. Later, her beloved car was found abandoned along Highway 1 in Big Sur, with all of her belongings locked inside. Surveillance video showed her last known movements, but where did she go afterwards? And where has she been since? This is the story of Arelie Garcia.

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In October of 2004, a 19-year-old woman's body was found three hours away from her Louisiana home in an abandoned Texas garage. When investigators found her car and cell phone in the Houston area, they began putting the puzzle pieces together regarding what her killer had done. But as the years passed, her case went cold, leaving police wondering if she has instead died from accidental causes. Until 2019, when a true crime podcast became involved in her case, proving that she had been murdered. This is the story of Courtney Coco.

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