Going West: True Crime

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 the winter and early spring of 1946, a series of moonlight attacks and murders occurred along Lovers Lanes in Texarkana, Texas, leaving the small city terrified of a maniac in their midst. As police, the FBI, and Texas Rangers tried to find the assailant responsible for 5 murders and 3 survivor attacks, a slew of suspects presented themselves in the area - making investigators wonder: Who really is this masked, senseless killer? This is the story of the Texarkana Moonlight Murders, and the Phantom Killer.

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In August of 1989, two brothers entered their parents’ Beverly Hills mansion, and shot them multiple times, killing them almost instantly. When police arrived, the men maintained that the murders had taken place while they were at the movies, which police initially believed. But after a painstaking, months-long investigation, and a guilt-ridden confession to a therapist, the men were arrested for the murders. There seemed to be no question whether or not they had committed the crime, but the real question was why. Did the horrific abuse they alleged to suffer at the hands of their mother and father justify their parents’ brutal end, or were the brothers just out for their family’s fortune? These are the murders of Kitty and Jose Menendez, and the stories of Lyle and Erik Menendez.

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In August of 1989, two brothers entered their parents’ Beverly Hills mansion, and shot them multiple times, killing them almost instantly. When police arrived, the men maintained that the murders had taken place while they were at the movies, which police initially believed. But after a painstaking, months-long investigation, and a guilt-ridden confession to a therapist, the men were arrested for the murders. There seemed to be no question whether or not they had committed the crime, but the real question was why. Did the horrific abuse they alleged to suffer at the hands of their mother and father justify their parents’ brutal end, or were the brothers just out for their family’s fortune? These are the murders of Kitty and Jose Menendez, and the stories of Lyle and Erik Menendez.

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