Murder In The Rain

There were so many active serial murderers in the Pacific Northwest and their often cross-jurisdictional crimes demanded the development of a system called HITS, designed to make connections between reported crimes, in order to better pinpoint suspects and make arrests. In 1991, this system made a match in Seattle, where HITS was based, to a murder in Portland, Oregon. This link would lead them to a man, who for years had worked the highways of the American West as a trucker, and possibly a serial killer.

For photos and sources for today’s episode, check out the Murder in the Rain Episode Blog. 

Episode Host: Josh McCullough

If you’d like more episodes of Murder in the rain, Patreon members of at least $5/mo, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

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Part 2: “Screwdriver”

In last week’s episode, I introduced you to a man named Dayton Leroy Rogers, who was known by local sex workers as a creepy character they called “Steve the Gambler”; a man who enjoyed bondage had a foot fetish and enjoyed inflicting pain on women. Rogers was arrested for the murder of Jennifer Lisa Smith in the summer of 1987. Shortly after his arrest, while they prepared for his upcoming murder trial, authorities made the gruesome discovery of several bodies hidden in the Molalla Forest in Oregon. The similarities between the Molalla Forest discovery and Jennifer Smith were undeniable, and soon detectives would unveil a prolific serial killer who would go on to have the longest-running court case in Oregon history.

For photos and sources for today’s episode, check out the Murder in the Rain Episode Blog. 

Episode Host: Emily Rowney

If you’d like more episodes of Murder in the rain, Patreon members of at least $5/mo, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

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Part 1: "Steve the Gambler"

Oregon has seen its fair share of serial rapists and killers, but few have gained the term prolific. One, in particular, earned that title in the late 1980s. In today’s case, we discuss the origin story of a man who was known on the streets as “Steve the Gambler”, a man who had a wife and child at home, who owned a successful business, and who cruised the streets at night looking for a vulnerable female to be his victim. This is the story of the Molalla Forest Killer Part 1. 

For photos and sources for today’s episode, check out the Murder in the Rain Episode Blog. 

Episode Host: Emily Rowney

If you’d like more episodes of Murder in the rain, Patreon members of at least $5/mo, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

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Part 3: “Multnomah County Manson”

For the past two weeks, I’ve told you the stories of the Street Kids of Portland that fell prey to the power of The Family- Led by Grant Charboneau and Greg Wilson. They had a hand in the killings of Hal Charbanou, Misty Largo, and Leon Stanton. One of their murderous helpers was James Nelson. While Grant and Greg spent their time behind bars, James finished his, was released, and soon found himself on the streets yet again. Finally, he could fulfill his desire to be the leader of a group of kids. But he would rule with a literal iron fist. When a young girl with disabilities enters the scene, she struggles to follow the rules and soon meets consequences she never imagined and certainly didn’t deserve. This is the conclusion of Street Kids- and the Multnomah County Manson family.

For photos and sources for today’s episode, check out the Murder in the Rain episode blog. 

Episode Host: Alisha Holland

If you’d like more episodes of Murder in the rain, Patreon members of at least $5/mo, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

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Part 2: “Fantastic Army of the Night”

Last week I introduced you to Grant Charboneau, Greg Wilson and the Family of street kids they ruled over. They had their own rules and if they were broken, there would be ramifications. Which was what happened to Misty Largo; a teenage girl who was murdered after a brutal 36 hours of torture, brought on after the family decided she was not abiding. Grant, as XO or the leader of the family, was starting to feel paranoid that his henchman, or hench-boy, 15-year-old Leon might spill about not only Misty, but the violent murder of Hal; Grant’s father. So, what would become of Leon? Today, I’ll be telling you about the death order put out on Leon and what Grant and Greg faced when the police came knocking.

For photos and sources for today’s episode, check out the Murder in the Rain episode blog. 

Episode Host: Alisha Holland

If you’d like more episodes of Murder in the rain, Patreon members of at least $5/mo, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

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Part 1: "Rambo Games"

Homeless rates have skyrocketed across the country over the last few years. But it isn’t anything new. But back in the 1980s there was a new scene brewing in the houseless community- street kids. While many of the street kids of Portland were simply looking for a new home, a new sense of community where they could feel safe away from abusive homes, others were finding opportunities to take leadership positions that would allow them to take control over the kids. Creating “Families'' which differed little from the Manson Family. Today I’ll be telling the first part of three surrounding Grant Charboneau, Greg Wilson, James Nelson and how their rule left Jessica Williams, Michelle Largo and Leon Stanton Dead. 

For photos and sources for today’s episode, check out the Murder in the Rain episode blog. 

Episode Host: Alisha Holland

If you’d like more episodes of Murder in the rain, Patreon members of at least $5/mo, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

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Part 2: Red Circles

Last week I told you the story of Harvey Carignan- a man who took to using a want ad to lure young women into his grasp. Today, I'll be telling you about his continued violence after a move to Minnesota, a series of unsolved murders he was suspected of committing in California, his many trials for his endless crimes and how Harvey, responsible for attacking, raping and killing as many 180 girls and women, was brought down by a traffic stop.

For photos and sources for today’s episode, check out the Murder in the Rain episode blog.

Episode Host: Josh McCullough

If you’d like more episodes of Murder in the rain, Patreon members of at least $5/mo, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

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• Email [email protected]

Part 1: Nickel-Sized Holes

In 1972, Laura Brock, a college student in Washington, went missing while hitchhiking; her body was found hours later. She had been beaten, raped, and murdered. Eight months later, 15-year-old Kathy Miller got into a stranger's car and vanished. When her plastic-wrapped body was discovered, the beating death she suffered and the circumstances surrounding the murders pointed to a man with the strength of ten and a chilling criminal record. A man named Harvey Carignan.

For photos and sources for today’s episode, check out the Murder in the Rain episode blog.

Episode Host: Josh McCullough

If you’d like more episodes of Murder in the rain, Patreon members of at least $5/mo, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

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In the 1970 and 80s, a serial rapist plagued Portland, OR and surrounding areas. His modus operandi was that he would jog through neighborhoods in east Portland scouting for potential victims. When he found a young girl or woman that captured his attention, he would watch them, sometimes for days, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When she was alone, he would break in, attack her, hide his face, and rape her before slipping back out into the night. It would take nearly a decade for police to capture him and 36 years later, the survivors of the Portland “Jogger Rapist” still band together in search of justice. We are merely weeks away from his release from prison, and I want to be sure you know who could be moving in next door to you.

For photos and sources for today’s episode, check out the Murder in the Rain episode blog. 

Episode Host: Emily Rowney

Guests: Danielle Tudor and Tiffany Edens

To hear the full interview with Danielle and Tiffany and to get more episodes of Murder in the rain, Patreon members of at least $5/mo, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

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Check out some of the organizations and sources that are near and dear to our guests hearts and consider making a donation to a rape survivor 

• Joyful Heart Foundation: https://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/
• Change.org Petition: https://chng.it/f9GYj7FRCR 
• Xchange Recover Housing Program: driveoutaddiction.com
• Oregon National Crime Victims Law Institute - Lewis and Clark Law School: ncvli.org

Last week we told the story of Mandy Stavik who was kidnapped and murdered while on a jog in her hometown. Years went on and her case went cold. Then detectives, inspired by a case in England, decided they would do a DNA sweep of the area. In today’s episode, we’ll talk about the lengths detectives and even a good samaritan went to in an effort to put a killer behind bars. Armed with a DNA match, the prosecution seemed poised for an open and shut case, but when the defense went after Mandy, her family and friends started to worry her killer could walk free. Would her murderer ever face consequences for his actions?

For photos and sources for today’s episode, check out the Murder in the Rain episode blog. Episode Host: Alisha Holland

If you’d like more episodes of Murder in the rain, Patreon members of at least $5/mo, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

Follow us on:

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• Email [email protected]