midwretched

18 year old Anita Knutson was a vibrant, beloved college student living and preparing for a bright future in Minot, North Dakota. Known for her big, fun personality and deep sense of compassion, when she was murdered, it was both an unspeakable tragedy and a dark mystery. Who killed Anita Knutson, and why? 

A random mass shooting takes the lives of 7 workers at the Brown's Chicken and Pasta in Palatine, IL.  Despite the brutality, few clues are left behind at the scene.  When police investigations turn up little but false confession after false confession, families begin to lose hope.  Until 9 years later when two women finally come forward with information.  What happened? What motivated such a senseless massacre?  Mick shares the story of one of the bloodiest nights in Illinois history.

The weekend of March 11, 2005 started like many others for 29 year old Jason Gage. A fun night out surrounded by good friends, enjoying the nightlife in Waterloo, Iowa’s local gay bar. When his friends realized a few days later that no one had seen him since, they reported his absence to the police. Join Tommy as she guides Mick through a murder that perhaps isn’t as straightforward as it seems.

Retired tattoo artist Gregory May says goodbye to his girlfriend after the two finish making plans to travel to Florida.  When neither she nor his children can get a hold of him after several weeks and dozens of calls and texts, they all start to worry.  Investigation into his disappearance reveals a level of betrayal and brutality that no one could have expected.  With his former best friend as the prime suspect, Mick and Tommie feel like something is off in this case.

On a quiet summer morning in Raymond, Wisconsin, a father and daughter walking their dogs made the startling discovery of a young woman’s body along a row of cornfields. Upon further examination, a horrific story began to emerge: long-term torture, sexual assault, and near starvation. What was missing was an identity. The Racine area rallied around Jane Doe, making sure she had a beautiful funeral, and, crucially, that authorities would not let up on their search for her identity--and her killer. Join Tommy as she regales Mick with the story of a 20 year investigation to answer two crucial questions: Who was the Racine County Jane Doe, and what happened to her? 

To the outside world, John Joubert was a timid, bright, and respectable man.  He presented himself as an Eagle Scout and a Military recruit.  But behind this, he hid disturbing fantasies that would take the lives of at least three young boys.  By the time Joubert was 22, he was sentenced to the electric chair by the state of Nebraska for murder and depravity.  Mick is back on the case to give a profile of this serial killer, and presents an interesting theory to Tommy.  

We never truly know what goes on behind closed doors, but that is even more pronounced when it comes to the Amish. We know the basics and certainly the stereotypes. Perhaps, like Tommy, you idealize the simple life, making it easy to forget that the lives behind those stunning white farmhouses are equally as complex as our own, and the capacity for darkness perhaps just as deep. Join Tommy as she shares the murder of Barbara Weaver, an Amish wife and mother of 5, and the tangled web of people around her that led to her shocking murder. 

In 1871, a small family of homesteaders and spiritualists head out west to Kansas.  The Bender Family sells themselves as entrepreneurs and mediums, offering supplies, rest, and mystical guidance to travelers along the Osage Trail.  But it doesn’t take long for their bloodlust to show through.  Join Mick as she guides Tommy through some gruesome Midwestern history and myth

The one thing we know for sure is that 32 year old Purvi Patel of Granger, Indiana was pregnant in the summer of 2013. Her story would go on to make international headlines when she was charged with feticide in the death of her preterm infant. What were Purvi Patel’s intentions? What truly happened in the course and eventual demise of her pregnancy? Join Tommy as she guides Mick through her quest for answers in this puzzling and controversial local case.

The little boy on the milk carton.  Many people are familiar with this case, and how frustrating it can be to think about.  The disappearance of Johnny Gosch was one of those cases that changed the way we think about our safety and the safety of our children.  When the young paperboy disappears early one Sunday morning, the entire country is turned upside down.  A small town case slowly evolves into a high level conspiracy.  But how much of the story that is told is fact? And how much is conjecture? We may never know.  Mick and Tommy work together on this one to try to untangle a nearly 40 year old missing child case.