Murder In The Rain

In the Pacific Northwest, we have many mysterious disappearances, in particular, missing children. Two notorious missing children have eerie similarities between their cases, though they are completely unrelated. Both kids were 14 year old, both spoke to their mother on the phone right before going missing, and both disappeared from their local fair. Today, I’d like to tell you about the disappearances of Jeremy Bright who went missing in 1986 and Misty Copsey who went missing in 1992. 

Unsolved Mysteries S1E14 - Carnies | Charlie Project - Jeremy Bright | The Coos 07.28.2007 - Bright Questions remain unanswered | Ranker - What Happened to Jeremy Bright | The World 07.08.2000 - Jeremy Bright Case Remains Open pgs A1 and A8 | The World 08.13.1988 | Facebook - Missing Person & Unsolved Cases in Coos County, OR | The Resource Center for Cold Case - Jeremy Doland Bright | The World 08.15.2011 - Boy’s family says farewell | Curtis Ramsey - Missing Misty: The True Story Of Misty Copsey |  The News Tribune - Part 1 | The News Tribune - Part 2 | Charlie Project - Misty Copsey | Seattle Times - Photos Shot at Puyallup Fair | Seattle Times 11.10.1992 -  Police Find Similarities In Cases |

When a woman was found murdered in a Eugene, Oregon hotel room, all eyes were fixed on her husband. When he’s questioned but found to have an air-tight alibi, investigators run out of leads. Luckily, someone heard about the killing and knew exactly who was responsible…because she had been solicited to help find a hitman. Join us for a special episode with producer Josh taking over the mic to tell the story of Kathryn Ann Martini-Lissy and the plot to have her killed. 

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Dear Holmes is a monthly at home mystery game where you get weekly letters with new clues. Get Dear Holmes today by visiting DearHolmes.com and use the promocode RAIN at checkout for $5 off.  

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Sources

Gary C King - Murder in Room 305 | The Perfect Murder S2E9 - Homicide Hotel | Bonnie's Blog of Crime - Psycho For Love: Michael David Lissy | Oregonlive.com - Killer describes 'cruel' Portland murder in tense bid for freedom | Leagle - State v Lissy | Leagle - State v Schumacher |  Corvallis Gazette-Times 04.12.1985 - Murder Plotter Gets 40 Year Term | Albany Democrat-Herald 01.17.1985 - Judge Approves Evidence | The World 02.08.1985 | Albany Democrat-Herald 01.24.1985 | Albany Democrat-Herald 02.01.1985 - Murder-for-hire | Corvallis Gazette-Times 01.31.1985 - Murder defendant | Corvallis Gazette-Times 10.14.1984 - Husband Charged in Strangulation | Corvallis Gazette-Times 02.01.1984 - Doctor: Fantasies Control Lissy | Corvallis Gazette Times 02.12.1984 - A Fatal Marriage | Statesman Journal 05.28.1987 - Appeals Court Uploads Murder-for-hire Verdict | Longview Daily News 02.08.1985 - Victim’s Husband | The Modesto Bee 12.26.1986 - American’s Share Bounty with the Poor | The Independent Record 12.26.1986 - Some Volunteers Tear Eyed | Statesman Journal 07.09.1984 - Eugene Death Probed | Corvallis Gazette-Times 11.15.1984 - Murder Suspect Arrested | Arizona Daily Sun 02.08.1985 - Having Wife Killed | Albany Democrat-Herald 06.17.1985 | Corvallis Gazette-Times 01.25.1985 - Witness Says Lissy Asked for Hitman | Corvallis Gazette-Times 01.23.1985 - Ex Prostitute Suspect | Stateman Journal 01.18.1985 - Jury selection starts in Lissy trial | 

Among the many serial killers who have crossed paths with Portland, Oregon, there is one killer whose shocking attack and dismemberment of a woman shook the city and changed the rules for the FBI. Luckily he was caught and put away before he could hurt anyone else. But then, he was paroled, and exactly what you would think would happen, happened. Leaving body parts and devastation in his path, Richard Marquette is still behind bars but it was quite a journey to get him there. 

This week’s episode is brought to you by…

Dear Holmes is a monthly at home mystery game where you get weekly letters with new clues. Talk about a great holiday gift for the amatuer sleuth in your life! Get Dear Holmes today by visiting DearHolmes.com and use the promocode RAIN at checkout for $5 off.  

Psycho Killer is a fast-paced card game based on your favorite slasher flicks. Each card has weapons, predictiments, locations, and  Psycho Killers. Use your skills and strategy to survive! For 15% off of Psycho Killer, go to EscapeTableTopGames.com and use promocode RAIN15 at checkout.

Sources

Wikipedia - Richard Laurence Marquette | Murderpedia - Richard Marquette | The News-Review - I was out of my head 07.01.1961 | The News-Review -  Of Marquette 07.01.1961 | Findagrave - Joan Rae Cheever Caudle | Findagrave - Leslie Ann Caudle | Serial Killer Calendar - Richard Lawrence Marquette | Newspapes.com - Various Articles Joan Caudle | Corvallis Gazette-Times 12.19.1961 | Albany Democrat-Herald - 12.08.1961 | The Statesman Journal - Marquette Admits Slaying 06.04.1975 | Statesman Journal - Marquette 06.11.1975 | Albany Democrat-Herald - Police Arrest Man in Scio Woman Slaying  04.11.1975

Kidnapping for ransom is still prevalent across the world, however, in today's United States it is essentially obsolete. Today’s episode covers three historic US kidnappings that helped to fuel the American parent’s fear for the wellbeing of their child. While the cases are unique in their own way, each child’s parents agonized over whether or not they would see their child again, and not all of them did. Listen in while we discuss the cases of Charles Lindbergh Jr.,Marion Parker, and George Weyerhaeuser.

Special thanks to Bryan Johnston for joining us to talk about his book Deep in the Woods.

Constellis - Global Overview | Safeatlast - 40+ Horrific & Chilling Kidnapping Statistics | FAQ - AMBER Alert | Wikipedia - Lindburgh Kidnapping | Britannica - Federal Kidnapping Act | The Evening News - Various Articles Marion Parker 12.23.1927 | The Malefactor’s Registry - The Murder of Marion Parker | KCET - Bedlam at Bellevue Arms | Medium - Horrifying Murder of Marion Parker | Murderpedia - William Hickman | Cemetery Guide - Marion Parker | Bryan Johnston - Deep in the Woods | Great Falls Tribune - Convicted Kidnapper Petitions for Release 03.06.1943 |

Perhaps it’s the distance of a shooting that keeps our interest at a distance. We tell ourselves we will never be in that situation. We aren’t ‘thugs’ or ‘gangsters’, but it’s victim blaming like that which allows these murders to continue without the same concern and outrage we have towards a serial killer stalking and killing someone. Today we discuss the record amount of shootings in the Portland, Oregon area, share stories of some of the unsolved shooting deaths, and try to understand what is causing the record violence. 

Special thanks to this week’s episode guest Penny Okamoto, the Executive Director of Ceasefire Oregon.

US News - A Dangerous Time': Portland, Oregon, Sees Record Homicides | Join PDX - Homelessness Statistics in the Portland Metro Area | KOIN - Teen shot multiple times in Gresham, dies at hospital | KOIN - NE Portland Shooting Investigation Parkrose | KPTV - Portland Man Remembered as Energetic and Driven | KATU - As Portland Gun Violence Spikes Family of Slain Teen Begs for it to Stop | Crime Stoppers of Oregon - Seneca Alexander  | FBI - Makayla Maree Harris

In February of 1990, a Beaverton teen was lured from her house by a school friend, a former boyfriend. He raped her, murdered her, and hid her body in hopes that he could get away with it. What ensued after the murder of 16-year-old Erin Reynolds was a complex court case that brougt both families in and out of court for decades while Oregon changed the sentencing of Conrad Engweiler multiple times and eventually set him free. 

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Cover photo by Benjamin Brink

Sources

Conrad Engweiler Exit Interview 05.13.2014 | Oregon Live - Family of 1990 Murder Victim | Oregon live - Conrad Engweiler Recounts  | Longview Daily News - 04.10.1991 Teen Gets Life | Pamplin Media Group - Engweiler to Live with Family | Oregon Live - Family of 1990 Murder Victim | Pamplin Media - Engweiler asks for parole | Oregon Live - Parole board in Salem conducts hearing | DailyMail - Man, who, brutally raped strangled highschool classmate | Saundra M Sorenson - Family Fights Lake Oswego Killer Release

It’s that time of year again, the best time, Halloween time! I think part of Halloween’s appeal is how it can be a mix of Disneyland with Las Vegas but with lots of candy. We decorate our homes with things that, any other time of the year might be deemed “macabre”. Excuses need not be made to act wild, silly or child-like. Costumes of clothing we would never dream of wearing around our friends and family become totally accepted. Rules become obsolete and the line of expected behaviors begins to blur. Today I’ll be telling two stories of lives lost on Halloween. A pair from Alaska and a teen in British Columbia. All three victims having held out hopes for an enjoyable Halloween night while falling victims to the horrors the holiday can bring. 

This week’s episode is brought to you by Drizly. Beer, wine and liquor delivered in under 60 minutes.Go to Drizly.com and use promocode SPICE5 for five dollars off your first order! 

It’s spooky season and we have a special 30 day free trial of Shudder, the best app for horror movies, just for our listeners!. Enter the code ‘RAIN’ at Shudder.com to get your free month of scares.

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ADN - Murder suspect was released from jail just weeks before 2 were killed in Anchorage apartment | Alaska.gov - Press Release - Anchorage Man Indicted for October Murder in Fairview | Washington Post - Caught Between Cultures in Alaska | Nixle - Update: Christopher Ligons indicted in homicide investigation | Juneau Empire - 'Not going back': Longtime alcoholic wows others with turnaround | Forever Missed - Josephine Ann Riley, (1983 - 2005) | Medium - He Stalked, Raped and Killed Her without Remorse — True Crime | Vernon Morningstar - TAYLOR VAN DIEST – Vernon Morning Star | CBC - Slain BC teen's zombie costume photos released | BC CTV News - Father and son charged in Taylor Van Diest murder | CBC - Okanagan teen dies after Halloween attack in bush | Reddit - Taylor Van Diest: LetsReadOfficial | Infotel - FOERSTER TRIAL: Taylor Van Diest caught her own killer | Infotel - Matthew Foerster guilty for earlier attacks against women | Kelowna Daily Courier - Okanagan killer likely to confess to attacking 2 women a decade ago | Terrace Stand - UPDATED: Court recommends life, 17 years no parole, for Foerster in Van Diest murder – Terrace Standard | CBC - B.C. jury convicts Matthew Foerster of Taylor Van Diest murder | CBC - Taylor Van Diest killing: Stephen Foerster sentenced to 3 years | CBC - Taylor Van Diest's accused killer's trial begins in B.C.

As the summer of 2021 came to an end and the fall began, we saw the internet come together to try and locate missing 22-year-old Gabby Petito. From true crime podcasters to video gaming dads with a proclivity to finding hidden details in surveillance footage, we saw a massive nationwide fixation to help bring Gabby home. We also saw anger from the underserved families of missing people of color. What about MY child? What about MY sister? What about MY mom? There are thousands of missing people of color who are “lucky” to get a brief mention on the nightly news - it isn’t until families take it upon themselves, begging for attention from anyone with a platform, that they seem to be heard. Today we’re sharing the case of missing mother of four Graciela Garcia, a case I hadn’t heard about until her daughter reached out, one that hasn’t garnered much media attention at all, and one that seems like it should be solved by now.

The family of Graciela Garcia is currently trying to raise money to obtain a lawyer and a private investigator to help locate her. Please consider donating to their GoFundMe if you can: Missing Gracie Garcia from Hermiston OR 

You can also donate amounts under $10 directly to Murder in the Rain over the next two weeks. We will combine any donations with our own that will be given to Gracie’s GoFundMe on October 15th. We’re accepting PayPal ([email protected]) and Venmo (@murderintherain) 

To stay up to date on Gracie’s case, please follow the family’s social media accounts. FaceBook - Find Graciela Garcia |  Instagram - Find Graciela Garcia | Twitter - Find Graciela Garcia |

This week’s episode is brought to you by Drizly. Beer, wine and liquor delivered in under 60 minutes.Go to Drizly.com and use promocode SPICE5 for five dollars off your first order! 

Looking to relax? Kefla Organics puts 25mg of CBD in their delicious products. Use the code ‘Rain20’ at check out to get 20% off organic CBD products from Kefla Organic.   

Sources

Interview Gariela Bautista 09.18.2021 | NBC News - Daughter has hope | East Oregonian - Investigation Underway for Missing Hermiston Woman | East Oregonian - Family Marks One Year Anniversary |  

We’ve heard many stories of “cursed lands''. Usually, it’s surrounding a colonizer building on indigenous American land who is then dealt a nasty curse, think Poltergeist. Cursed land stories only continue the misconceptions surrounding what are perceived as “mysterious” cultures like indigenous Americans or gypsies. If a piece of land isn’t cursed, can it still harbor evil? Can a location continually be a draw for those that wish others harm? Today I’ll be telling the stories of Barbara Tucker, Jennifer Tchier, Mindi Thomas, Lila Moler, Stephanie Russell, and Alexandria Ison- connecting a serial killer to bodies that have been found on or around a community college in Gresham, Oregon. 

This week’s episode is brought to you by Drizly. Beer, wine, and liquor delivered in under 60 minutes. Go to Drizly.com and use promo code SPICE5 for five dollars off your first order! 

Looking to relax? Kefla Organics puts 25mg of CBD in their delicious products. Use the code ‘Rain20’ at check out to get 20% off organic CBD products from Kefla Organic.   

Grab a card for any occasion at 420cardz.com. Use the code ‘Rain20’ to get 20% off.

Oregon Live - Gresham Police Investigating | Corvallis Gazette Times 02.01.1980 - Student Sets Off Search | Findagrave - Lilla Faye Moler | Corvallis Gazette Times 02.12.1980 - Witness describes murderer | The World 02.20.1980 - Description of Suspect Obtained |

Pamplin Media - Solving Barbara Tucker's Murder | KGW - Teens Decades old murder cracked with help of modern DNA technology | Oxygen - Robert Plympton Arrested for 1980 Murder of Barbara Mae Tucker | Gresham Oregon Gov - Gresham Police make arrest in 1920 cold case | Oregon Herald - Family Overjoyed Arrest Made | Pamplin Media - Old Case, New Technology | Pamplin Media - I Just Can't Let it Rest | Statesman Journal 10.29.1987 - Mindi Coleen Thomas | San Diego Source - DNA Evidence Links Suspect to Three Portland Murders | Miscellaneous Multnomah County, Oregon 

Today’s case shows you how an average American family can have dark secrets behind closed doors. A couple once totally in love can turn on each other for lust or money, or to avoid the inconvenience that breaking up can inflict. What exactly can make some turn from committing to spending the rest of their life with someone to plotting to commit the murder of that same person? How can one person be totally in love only to find out the object of their affection wants them dead? This is the story of Michael Christopher MacCallum; a son, a father, a husband, a fiance, and a victim of murder. 

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Grab a card for any occasion at 420cardz.com. Use the code ‘Rain20’ to get 20% off.

Sources

Snapped S19 E4 - Patricia MacCallum | Deadline Crime with Tamron Hall S2E2 - Murder in the Applegate | Leagle People v. MacCallum | Military Justice For All - Patricia MacCallum | Siskiyou Daily - applegate Murder Suspect | KOBI - Intimate texts between murder suspect and victim revealed | KTVL 10 - MacCullum Murder Trial | Albany Democrat Herald 12.09.2012 - 2 Woman Arrested | Corvallis Gazette Times 02.03.2013 - Woman to be tried for husband’s murder | KOBI 5 - Murder of Medford Cab Driver |