In October of 1978, a phone crew was working in a rural area of Lyon County, Iowa. One of the workers would stumble across the body of a deceased woman. She did not have any identification, and damage to her face made it impossible to know what she looked like. It would take 27 years for her to be identified. Once identified, her tragic life story, which began nowhere near the midwest began to be unfold, family that never knew her would be found, and the acting sheriff in a long line of sheriffs who been bound to solve her case, would exhaust all efforts to find the killer of the woman they had long referred to as Our Girl. This is MIdwest Mystery FIles, Episode Forty, The Murder of Wilma June NIssen.

Sources and Photos

Change.org petition

Krissi's Go Fund Me

Facebook Page for Wilma's Case

Midwest Mystery Files Socials and Podcast Platforms

Midwest Mystery Files is written and produced by Jeremiah Baustian.

Them song "Darkness Rising"

In March of 1988, 18 year old Morehead University student Scott HIlbert returned home to Milford, Ohio for spring break. While his family was out of the home, Scott left a note stating that he was leaving for Columbus to see some friends, he would never arrive, and several weeks later a discovery in Arizona would lead to more questions than answers. 

Next, In Owensboro, Kentucky. 56 year old Wilbur Pate would leave his job at a local Wal-Mart in November of 2012, he reportedly returned home for a short while and then left again. Where he was headed was unknown, and he would never arrive. Over the next month, multiple discoveries would begin to bring Wilbur’s fate into question. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 39, The Disappearances of Scott Hilbert and Wilbur Pate.

Socials and Contact https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles 

Citations and other relevant links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ekUR9d02WcVa2KYtjU_7rs6nMNd3zt851Nj1X0DoADE/edit?usp=sharing

Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005 

It was a cool day in October of 1976. A farmer in Benton County, Indiana was working hard to catch up on harvest. It had rained for several days beforehand, and Norman Skoog was working against the rain tarnished terrain to get his work done. While driving his combine through the corn, he suddenly came upon a box in the middle of his path, Norman was able to stop just shy of colliding with the the out of place package. He would first work around the box, looking to get his work done, but later he would enlist some help to lift it and take it home. Whatever Norman may have expected inside the large box, it could not compare to the horror he did find. This is Midwest Mystery Files Episode 38, The Box Lady of Benton County.

Contacts and Socials https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles 

Sources and other relevant links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YKeMg7JyPBxUlyXbMZTnLPqEikM_3nPxSxAbuZJmi-g/edit?tab=t.0

Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005 

Thirteen year old Rachel Mellon Skemp was an average middle school girl. She loved music, playing with her friends, and attending church. In January of 1996, on an unforgivingly cold Illinois Winter Day, Rachel would stay home from school, complaining of a sore throat. Her mother would go to work, and her step siblings to school. Her step father, Vince would remain home. In the mid afternoon after Rachel had gone to lay down for a nap, he would leave the house to take the family dog for a short walk. Vince would lose control and sight of the dog, eventually returning home after doing some searching for the dog. It would soon be discovered however, that the dog was not the only member of the family that was missing, This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 37, the Disappearance of Rachel Mellon Skemp.

Rachel Find YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rachelfind

Works Cited Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MdmDF1078pyFteFq_r863gUo-d-DmnNd41Uvic4oe44/edit?usp=sharing

Facebook Page for Rachel: https://www.facebook.com/missing25years

Links to patreon social media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005 

In October of 2021, a young girl would run from her home after her mom would arrive home and break up the gathering taking place inside. Shortly afterwards, in the early hours of the morning she would be seen at the residence of another friend, before exiting the home at the behest of the friend's stepfather. She would then go into the cold Minnesota night, and aside from one unconfirmed sighting that night, she has never been seen again. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 36: The Disappearance of Nevaeh Kingbird.

Candlelight vigil planned for Nevaeh Kingbird, police dispel rumors around disappearance: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/candlelight-vigil-planned-for-nevaeh-kingbird-police-dispel-rumors-around-disappearance

‘We won’t stop until we find her’: Dozens gather to raise awareness for missing teen: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/community/we-wont-stop-until-we-find-her-dozens-gather-to-raise-awareness-for-missing-teen

Rally held to raise awareness, seek justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/local/rally-held-to-raise-awareness-seek-justice-for-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women

Bemidji police release update in case of missing 15-year-old Nevaeh Kingbird: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/local/new-information-released-in-case-of-missing-15-year-old-nevaeh-kingbird-1

Large-scale search for evidence in Nevaeh Kingbird disappearance underway in Bemidji: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/local/large-scale-search-for-evidence-in-nevaeh-kingbird-disappearance-underway-in-bemidji

Nevaeh Kingbird disappeared 2 years ago. Now, it's influencing her sister's career path: https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/nevaeh-kingbirds-disappearance-leads-sister-down-new-career-path/89-54b03a14-3ca8-42ed-82fa-36781bbe9d36

Dateline: Missing in America podcast covers the October 2021 disappearance of Nevaeh Kingbird in Bemidji, Minnesota: https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/dateline-missing-in-america-podcast/dateline-missing-america-podcast-covers-october-2021-disappearance-nev-rcna86829

Dateline Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6QBzW0B0VDSiyvlibQqV2p?si=220d848440064079

Report to Minnesota Legislature: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/Documents/missing-murdered-indigenous-women-task-force-report.pdf

Stolen Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7D4inq4DY144KIZN99Od6t?si=a957927f02644133

Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference, and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: https://a.co/d/bNOShjL

Links to patreon social media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005 

It was a cold, frigid night in February of 2001. It was approximately 10:00 PM and a local police officer was patrolling the quiet streets of Pine River, Minnesota. The officer was driving by Ultimate Liquors when he noticed a car running in the parking lot with no one inside of it. The officer knew the vehicle belonged to the clerk, 50 year old Rachel Anthony, who had most likely started her car to allow to warm up while she closed the store up. The officer continued with his patrol, and when he came back across Ultimate liquors three hours later he began to become concerned. Rachel’s car was still in the parking lot, running with nobody inside. The officer would check the front door of the store to find it locked. He would then move to the alley behind the store and find the back door open. Inside the store, Rachel’s coat and other items would be found. But Rachel was nowhere to be seen. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 35, the Murder of Rachel Anthony.

Articles from the The Pioneer Press and The Star Tribune found on www.newslibrary.com

Links to patreon social media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005 

Joe Bova was a man living the good life. He was married with a good job and a prominent position in his local union. He was well liked by everyone including neighbors, coworkers, fellow union members, members of his church, and the community of Merrillville, Indiana at large. One cool September morning however. A large explosion would rock the streets of Merrillville, shattering the quiet peace of the predawn hours. A neighbor would investigate the source of the explosion to find a burning vehicle, and outside of it would be Joe Bova. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 34, The Murder of Joe Bova.

Herald Times Article: https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2021/05/16/w-indiana-labor-officials-1989-bombing-death-still-mystery/46069913/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/pw48fm/on_september_13_1989_43yearold_joseph_bova_was/

Article Screenshots: https://imgur.com/a/yz7EALB

Other articles from the The Munster and Herald Times found on www.newslibrary.com

Links to patreon social media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005 

2003. Thirteen year old Rebecca Williams had just finished up her eighth grade year at Morton Middle School in Omaha, Nebraska. At the time she was living with her mother, but was set to move to Las Vegas, Nevada to live with her father. On a normal June day, she would leave her home in the Park Meadows Mobile Home Community and head to a nearby playground. When she failed to return home, her mother would report her missing to the police. Initially considered a runaway by the police, a grim discovery two weeks later proved them mistaken when Rebecca’s body would be found. An investigation would ensue, and a surprising prime suspect would be revealed. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 33, the Murder of Rebecca Williams.

Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

All sources were archived articles from the Omaha World Herald via: www.newspapers.com and www.newslibrary.com 

MIdwest Mystery Files is written, produced, and hosted by Jeremiah Baustian

I'm trying to do some additional digging on the next cold case episode so for this month I'm releasing May 2023's patreon episode.

This epsiode focuses on Mormon fundamentalist and extremist Jeffrey Lundgren, who led a cult in Kirtland, Ohio and is responsible for the murder of an entire family.

Patreon and Socials: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles  

Crime Journal Article: https://www.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/mass/lundgren/index_1.html

Last Podcast on the Left series on Mormonism: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0fi5zxiqhFLLUfuzVuGptm?si=388995b9f0e048b2

*Midwest Mystery Files in written, recorded, and produced by Jeremiah Baustian

In March of 2008, father of five, soon to be six, MIchael Womack would vanish without a trace from Alton, IL. Only for his truck to be found almost 30 miles away, clean and wiped of any fingerprints.

Then, in July of 2011, father of two, Jared Hanna would leave his home in Jerseyville, IL. After failing to pick up his daughters from their mother, Jared’s pick up truck would be found almost 70 miles away, abandoned and out of gas. Potential sightings of Jared before the truck was found would surface, but no answers would come. 

This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 32, The disappearance of Michael Womack and Jared Hanna

Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

Cryptic Soup Podcast: https://linktr.ee/crypticsouppod 

Live Laugh Murder Podcast: https://linktr.ee/livelaughmurderpodcast 

Michael Womack Charley Project Page: https://charleyproject.org/case/michael-anthony-womack

Jared Hanna at Uncovered: https://uncovered.com/cases/jared-hanna

Missing Podcast episode on Jared and Interview with Heather Hanna: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mTQREkp4JdivBsVLyFyTi?si=3136cfbc776e4de2

MIdwest Mystery Files is written, produced, and hosted by Jeremiah Baustian