In August of 1984, just five months after 13-year-old Helen Kilgore was found murdered on the side the road, authorities in Bosque County, Texas had another body – that of 19-year-old Hood County woman Shelia Vandygriff. Though Shelia was murdered, the friend with whom she was abducted was set free after being assaulted. She went to Hood County authorities with what had happened, but they struggled to find leads, at least any that were viable or made any sense. After three law enforcement jurisdiction, the Bosque County Sheriff’s Office, the Hood County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Rangers failed to identify a strong suspect, the murder of Shelia Vandygriff went cold. Was there a connection between Shelia’s murder and the other three in the county within a two-year period that shared similarities?

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

Find us at https://www.gonecold.com

Follow gone cold on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and X.

Search @gonecoldpodcast at all or just click linknbio.com/gonecoldpodcast Sources: The Hood County News, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and The Clifton Record. 

#JusticeForSheliaVandygriff #JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gone-cold-texas-true-crime--3203003/support.

When it was time for the defense to present their case in the State of Texas V. Joe Dale Bryan, for the murder of Mickey Marlene Bryan, attorney Charles McDonald was confident he’d get his client off. Not only did he truly believe in Joe’s innocence, but also, the prosecution simply had no evidence. Certainly nothing scientific. But, did the fact that the state presented what they had as forensic facts influence the jury? With the murder of Judy Whitley earlier in 1985 still unsolved, it seems likely the public was looking to close at least one of the cases. And since Judy’s had no suspect on trial, Mickey’s murder, at the hands of someone statistically more likely to have committed it, might help put the public’s mind at ease should it be closed. But at what cost?

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

Find us at https://www.gonecold.com

Follow gone cold on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Search @gonecoldpodcast at all or just click linknbio.com/gonecoldpodcast

Sources: innocencetexas.org, The Clifton Record, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The McAllen Monitor, The Austin American-Statesman, The New York Times, The Waco Tribune-Herald, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10172881/, court appeal documents, and 20/20 ABC. 

#JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gone-cold-texas-true-crime--3203003/support.

As the State of Texas V. Joe Dale Bryan got underway, the prosecution was pulling no punches. Witnesses from Texas Ranger Joe Wiley to victim Mickey Bryan’s brother Charlie Blue had damning indictments of Joe Bryan. But on cross-examination, defense attorney Charles McDonald, during these two witnesses particularly, didn’t hold back and pointed out at least some of the big holes in the state’s case. There was reasonable doubt all over the place, and it’s especially easy to see in hindsight, but with upstanding law enforcement officer and upright citizens testifying against Joe, would jurors see it?

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

Find us at https://www.gonecold.com

Follow gone cold on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Search @gonecoldpodcast at all or just click linknbio.com/gonecoldpodcast

Sources: innocencetexas.org, The Clifton Record, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The McAllen Monitor, The Austin American-Statesman, The New York Times, The Waco Tribune-Herald, The Corpus Christi Times, court appeal documents, and 20/20 ABC. 

#JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gone-cold-texas-true-crime--3203003/support.

A few months before Clifton Elementary fourth grade teacher Mickey Bryan was slain, another unimaginable and heinous crime took place less than a mile away. There were rampant whispers going around what the small city’s newspaper referred to as “The Famous Clifton Rumor Mill,” and when Joe Bryan was arrested and charged with his wife’s murder, the chatter grew louder and more intricately weaved. In the months leading up to the trial, Joe felt abandoned by just about everyone but his closest friends and family. When it came time to enter the courtroom, he told others he was ready to get it behind him so he could find Mickey’s killer. But nothing is ever that easy.

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

Find us at https://www.gonecold.com

Follow gone cold on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Search @gonecoldpodcast at all or just click linknbio.com/gonecoldpodcast

Sources: innocencetexas.org, The Clifton Record, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The McAllen Monitor, The Austin American-Statesman, The New York Times, The Waco Tribune-Herald, The Corpus Christi Times, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10172881/, court appeal documents, and 20/20 ABC. 

#JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gone-cold-texas-true-crime--3203003/support.

Before the 1985 murder of 4th grade teacher Mickey Bryan in Clifton, there were several other murders, including the April 1984 murder of 13-year-old Helen Kilgore, whose body was found in Bosque County. After she was identified, at least for a while, authorities were theorizing the killing was an occult ritual or sacrifice to Satan because of a tattoo Helen had. It’s unclear how much time and evidence the ridiculous theory cost detectives, or if their suspects were worthy of investigation. Because of the Satanic Panic angle, unfortunately, the case received little attention in the media.

If you have information about the murder of Helen Marie Kilgore, please call Texas Crime Stoppers 1-800-252-8477. You may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000 in return.

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

Find us at https://www.gonecold.com

Follow gone cold on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Search @gonecoldpodcast at all or just click linknbio.com/gonecoldpodcast

Sources: The Clifton Record, The Waco Tribune-Herald, The Corpus Christi Times, The Herald-Sun (Durham, NC), and The Town Talk (Alexandria, LA)

#JusticeForHelenKilgore #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase #SatanicPanic

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gone-cold-texas-true-crime--3203003/support.

In October 1985, the seemingly idyllic life of small-town educators Mickey and Joe Bryan came crashing down when she was shot and killed in their home. Joe, who was out of town for a work conference, appeared devastated and though they could find no signs the Bryan home had been forcibly entered, the Clifton, Texas Police first theorized the crime was a burglary gone wrong. But when Mickey’s brother come to town and discovers a shocking piece of evidence alongside his ex-FBI Private Investigator, a new motive arises. Or, perhaps more accurately, a new motive is created. Was Joe responsible for Mickey’s slaying? The lead investigator, a Texas Ranger, was hellbent on proving that was the case.

Support the Texas Innocence Project at innocencetexas.org

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

Find us at https://www.gonecold.com

Follow gone cold on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Search @gonecoldpodcast at all or just click linknbio.com/gonecoldpodcast

Sources: cityofclifton.org, tshaonline.org, innocencetexas.org, The Clifton Record, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The McAllen Monitor, The Austin American-Statesman, The New York Times, The Waco Tribune-Herald, The Corpus Christi Times, 20/20 ABC, KWTX.com, People.com, and KCNTV.com 

#JusticeForMickeyBryan #JusticeForJoeBryan #CliftonTX #WacoTX #BosqueCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gone-cold-texas-true-crime--3203003/support.

34-year-old Alton Peek, Red River County Precinct 4 Commissioner, had everything going for him. He’d been working his way into local politics since high school and was moving up. He had the admiration and respect of the community, particularly in his hometown, Boxelder, Texas. Alton had a beautiful family, a wife and two young boys. So, when he was shot to death while feeding his cattle in August of 1996, a motive, perhaps, perplexed the Red River County Sheriff’s Office the most. Alton Peek wasn’t robbed, he had no financial problems, his political position wasn’t one most folks would kill for. Rumors swirled for years as the case became steeped in controversy, just as they had concerning a case that happened the year before Alton Douglas Peek’s murder: the disappearance of Jennifer Joyce Bench. But as it grew cold and left the local newspaper headlines, they settled. 12 years later, an arrest – shocking to some and no surprise to others – brought everything back to the forefront. However, nothing stuck.

If you have any information about the 1996 murder of Alton Peek or the 1995 disappearance of Jennifer Bench please contact the Red River County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 427-3838.

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

Find us at https://www.gonecold.com

Follow gone cold on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Search @gonecoldpodcast at all or just click linknbio.com/gonecoldpodcast

Sources: The Clarksville Times, The Paris News, and tshaonline.org.

#JusticeForAltonPeek #JusticeForJenniferBench #BoxelderTX #AnnonaTX #ClarksvilleTX #RedRiverCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #Homicide #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gone-cold-texas-true-crime--3203003/support.

26-year-old Luara Pippin Danka had everything going for her in 1980 – a solid job, a nice little bungalow not far from Corpus Christi Bay, and most importantly, her two children. She’d come to Texas several years before with her husband, but they’d since divorced and were splitting up there time with the kids cooperatively and amicably, by all indications. But in April of that year, on a day seemingly like any other save the fact that it was Easter Sunday, Laura disappeared. Her body was found three days later. She’d been brutally murdered and dumped just outside Corpus Christi city limits. The Nueces County Sheriff’s Office found few clues and even fewer folks with a motive to kill Laura.

If you have any information about the murder of Laura Pippin Danka, please call the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office at 361-887-2222 or Crime Stoppers at 361-888-8477.

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

Find us at https://www.gonecold.com

Follow gone cold on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Search @gonecoldpodcast at all or just click linknbio.com/gonecoldpodcast

Sources: The Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Dateline at NBCnews.com, and The Austin American-Statesman. 

#JusticeForLauraPippinDanka #CorpusChristiTX #CorpusChristi #NuecesCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gone-cold-texas-true-crime--3203003/support.

Soon after the murder of 28-year-old Bridgette Gearen at Crystal Beach, Texas, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office investigators came upon a lead that would be the impetus and direction of their investigation. A dark colored SUV was reported as the vehicle driven by Bridgette’s abductor(s). Throughout the past one and a half decades, Lt. Tommy Hansen, who has continued to work the case almost 15 years past retirement, has found the right avenue to investigate and identified strong suspects, but has not been able to collect the evidence needed to satisfy the Galveston County District Attorney. Part 2 of 2.

If you have any information about the 2007 murder of Bridgette Lynn Gearen, please contact the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office at (409)766-2300 or (866)248-8477.

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

Find us at https://www.gonecold.com

Follow gone cold on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Search @gonecoldpodcast at all or just click linknbio.com/gonecoldpodcast

Sources: The Government Accountability Project, NASA.com, The National Weather Service, The Galveston Daily News, The Orange Leader, The Houston Chronicle, 12NewsNow.com, and KFDM Fox 4 Beaumont.

 #JusticeForBridgetteGearen #CrystalBeachTX #OrangeTX #BeaumontTX #Galveston #GalvestonCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gone-cold-texas-true-crime--3203003/support.

In July of 2007, 28-year-old Bridgette Gearen took her little girl to Crystal Beach, located on the Bolivar Peninsula on the Texas coast. A few couples from the law firm where she worked had rented a beach house for the weekend, and as a hard-working mother, Bridgette was looking forward to the down time. At about the weekend’s halfway point, the young mother left the house alone to wait outside for some of the others with whom she was going to take a midnight drive on the beach. When the others came down, however, Bridgette Gearen was nowhere to be found. The following day, she was found viciously murdered near the water’s edge. With few clues found at the scene, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office investigators scrambled to come up with leads to follow.

If you have any information about the 2007 murder of Bridgette Lynn Gearen, please contact the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office at (409)766-2300 or (866)248-8477.

You can support Gone Cold – Texas True Crime and listen to the show ad-free at patreon.com/gonecoldpodcast

Find us at https://www.gonecold.com

Follow gone cold on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Search @gonecoldpodcast at all or just click linknbio.com/gonecoldpodcast

Sources: The Galveston Daily News, The Orange Leader, The Houston Chronicle, and KFDM Fox 4 Beaumont. 

#JusticeForBridgetteGearen #CrystalBeachTX #OrangeTX #BeaumontTX #Galveston #GalvestonCountyTX #Texas #TX #TrueCrime #TexasTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #GoneCold #GoneColdPodcast #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #Disappeared #Vanished #MissingPerson #Missing #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gone-cold-texas-true-crime--3203003/support.