Murder In The Rain

In our previous episode, I told the backstory of Kristin Tomlin, a 20 year old woman who has been missing for 44 years. Almost all of the information in that episode came from the book Kristin Can You Hear Me, and an interview I did with its author, and friend of Kristin, Teresa Letcher. For those who loved and continue to miss Kristin, their biggest frustrations have come from what feels like a lack of investigation. There was so much hubbub surrounding the people Kristin had been with last and their wild story that it seemed Kristin being gone didn’t matter. Today, with the help of Kristin’s friends Teresa & Rhonda, I’ll be telling the other side of the story. Giving the background of the bad apples that crossed Kristin’s path and altered her life completely. 

You can get your own copy of Teresa's book, "Kristin, can you hear me?" HERE-

https://bookshop.org/p/books/kristin-can-you-hear-me-teresa-letcher/489ca4ca55ae62fb?ean=9798218659271&next=t 

KRISTIN Can You Hear Me? a book by Teresa Letcher - Bookshop.org US - Unsolved Mysteries Bob Dozier and John Russell - Oakland Tribune Nov 18 1982- Police Hunt Pair in Vanishing-Boat Fraud - The Oregonian Nov. 20 1981- Dad 'smells rat' in shipwreck tale of kin - San Francisco Chronicle Nov 20 1981- Boat Mystery Gets Stranger - Nevada State Journal Nov 28 19810 Investigators openly doubt sinking story - San Francisco Chronicle Nov 17 1982- Investigator arrested in boat mystery - San Francisco Chronicle Nov 21 1981- Coast Guard Believes Part of Boat Wreck Tale - San Francisco Examiner Dec 2 1981- Freedom II pair bought guns to 'fight pirates' - The Sacramento Union Nov 18 1982- Fake Shipwreck? 3 charged - Oakland Tribune Nov 20 1981- Only two women died in ketch sinking, police say - San Francisco Examiner Nov 20 1981- Coast Guard suspends yacht probe- for now - Reno Gazette Journal April 28 2003- Opening stage stop saloon - Reno Gazette-Journal Mon, Dec 27, 1982 Classified - Nevada State Journal Nov 20 1981- New Twists Surface in Story of Nevada Shipwreck Survivors - Reno Gazette Journal Nov 18 1981- Third woman might be lost from sunken ketch - Mason Valley News June 5 1981 - View from Sun Mountain - Nevada State Journal Nov. 26 1981- New Evidence Revealed in Mysterious Sinking - Nevada State Journal Dec 3 1981- Another twist added to the Freedom II mystery - International Camel & Ostrich Races - Virginia City - Bob Dozier and John Russell | Unsolved Mysteries Wiki - Sea Scam - The Mystery Delver - The San Francisco Examiner Thu, Nov 19, 1981 - New Twist in Yacht Tragedy- 2, not 3, died - San Francisco Chronicle Sat, Nov 28, 1981 - New Twist in Sunken Boat Mystery - San Francisco Chronicle Fri, Nov 20, 1981- Boat mystery gets stranger

When I received an email from Teresa Letcher about her missing friend, I was surprised I hadn’t heard of the case. Not because I’m so well-versed; I’m often introduced to cases I’ve never heard of. I was surprised to not know of the disappearance of Kristin Tomlin, Teresa’s childhood friend, because the case is so bizarre, intriguing and scandalous!

Over the next two episodes, I’ll be discussing Kristin Tomlin’s life growing up in the Portland area, and the upsetting string of events that led to her eventually boarding the Freedom II yacht- the last place she would be seen alive. I’ll also be joined by Kristin’s high school friends, Teresa and Rhonda, to discuss their friendship with Kristin and why Teresa decided to write the book about her disappearance, “Kristin Can You Hear Me?”

Oakland Tribune Nov 18 1982- Police Hunt Pair in Vanishing-Boat Fraud - The Oregonian Nov. 20 1981- Dad 'smells rat' in shipwreck tale of kin -San Francisco Chronicle Nov 20 1981- Boat Mystery Gets Stranger - Nevada State Journal Nov 28 19810 Investigators openly doubt sinking story - San Francisco Chronicle Nov 17 1982- Investigator arrested in boat mystery - San Francisco Chronicle Nov 21 1981- Coast Guard Believes Part of Boat Wreck Tale - San Francisco Examiner Dec 2 1981- Freedom II pair bought guns to 'fight pirates' - The Sacramento Union Nov 18 1982- Fake Shipwreck? 3 charged - Oakland Tribune Nov 20 1981- Only two women died in ketch sinking, police say - San Francisco Examiner Nov 20 1981- Coast Guard suspends yacht probe- for now - Reno Gazette Journal April 28 2003- Opening stage stop saloon - Stage Stop Saloon - Nevada State Journal Nov 20 1981- New Twists Surface in Story of Nevada Shipwreck Survivors - Reno Gazette Journal Nov 18 1981- Third woman might be lost from sunken ketch - Mason Valley News June 5 1981 - View from Sun Mountain - Nevada State Journal Nov. 26 1981- New Evidence Revealed in Mysterious Sinking - Nevada State Journal Dec 3 1981- Another twist added to the Freedom II mystery - International Camel & Ostrich Races - Virginia City - Bob Dozier and John Russell | Unsolved Mysteries Wiki - Sea Scam - The Mystery Delver

Welcome back to our every-other-month update! Here, we talk about updates to our cases, share true crime news in general, and discuss true crime stuff you might be into. So without further ado, let’s get to it!

Today we'll be discussing Seattle PD officers who were part of J6, how a serial rapist (and bar owner!) was caught and sentenced, how Kevin Coe (a DIFFERENT serial rapist) has been RELEASED(?!?!), Oregon's own 'Tiger King', the discovery and confirmation of Shane Sprenger's partial remains, hot streamers and Josh's library corner!

Seattle Times- Oregon Zoo Owner Indicted on More than 300 Animal Neglect Charges - Serial rapist pub owner sentenced to 109 years in prison for crimes against customers - Partial remains of missing Blue River man Shane Sprenger discovered; foul play not ruled out yet - Spokane 'South Hill rapist' Coe is released as victims relive their trauma - Names of Seattle police officers at Jan. 6 rally released

https://www.newspapers.com/crime

To get started on your own newspapers.com journey, click the link above!

When you sign up, use discount code MurderInTheRain to get 20% off!

Just over two years ago, news broke about a murder that shocked everyone, especially those in the podcasting community. An obsessive fan gunned down a young woman and her husband. It’s the nightmare of anyone who puts themselves in the public eye. For Zoreh Sadegi, the danger was worth it, as she cared deeply about helping those in the Farsi tech community. Today, I’ll be telling the story of Zoreh, her husband Milad and how, once again, there were dire warnings but no actions taken to protect them from the zealot who had them in his sights.

To get started on your own newspapers.com journey, Go to Newspapers.com/Crime. When you sign up, use discount code MurderInTheRain to get 20% off!

Protection order reveals violent nature of stalker prior to killing of Redmond couple - ABC NEWS- Podcaster killed after monthslong stalking suspect - Podcaster killed in Washington: Ramin Khodakaramrezaei's ex-wife noticed change in behavior before Zohreh Sadeghi's murder - ABC13 Houston - Podcast host killed by stalker had ‘deep-seated fear’ for her safety, records reveal - What we know about the Redmond couple killed by a suspected stalker on Friday - Linkedin- ZohrehSadeghi - Stalking Fact Sheet - ORS 163.732 – Stalking - RCW 9a.46.110: Stalking - Murdered podcaster outlined stalker's threats in protection order - Podcaster killed by stalker worried he wouldn't stop unless he 'killed himself or died': documents - Podcast host killed by stalker had ‘deep-seated fear’ for her safety, records reveal - Podcaster killed in Washington: Ramin Khodakaramrezaei's ex-wife noticed change in behavior before Zohreh Sadeghi's murder - ABC13 Houston

Last week we told you about Alana Carroll, a young woman who has been missing for 2 years now. Speaking with Joyce and Melissa, Alana's family members, we learned about the accident that changed Alana's life. This week, Alana's family shares more about the theories they've heard and rumors surrounding Alana's disappearance and presumed death. By sharing this information her family hopes those with answers will come forward so they can find their beloved Alana.

For photos of Alana, the car accident she survived and what her body went through, visit our blog at murderintherain.com

Court records: Witnesses say man called ‘freaking out’ with missing woman’s body - Missing Clark County woman now presumed dead, investigators have identified a suspect - The Columbian - https://wsp.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Alana-Carroll.pdf - Clark County deputies confirm death of woman missing since 2023 - Alana Ranae Carroll – The Charley Project - Missing woman Alana Carroll presumed dead in Clark County - BeenVerified - Alana Carroll - Illegal substances are part of addiction problem in Oregon, but alcohol is biggest killer - OPB - Opioid Data | Washington State Department of Health - FindAGrave.com - The Columbian - Oct. 3 2000- Obituary - Been Verified Court Cases - BG man arrested for weapons, heroin possession | The Reflector - The Daily Astorian - Nov 29 1982- Marijuana Seized  - The Columbian - June 30 1992 - Editorial - The Columbian - July 24 1992 - Editorial - Longview Daily News - May 27 2011 - Police Blotter -BG man arrested for weapons, heroin possession | The Reflector -The Columbian Nov 29 1982- Bust (PHOTO) - The Columbian Jan 20 1983 - Family pleads guilty to selling marijuana - The Columbian Feb 25 1983 - Kidnapped boy pleads guilty - The Columbian March 31 1983 - Courts - The Columbian June 4 2008 - Suspected heroin dealer arrested in Battle Ground - BeenVerified.com - Luke A. Grant

Last year, after our True Crime Tuesday segment aired on KOIN's AM Extra, we received an email from the family of Alana Carroll- a woman whose story we had featured. Melissa, Alana's Aunt, along with Joyce, Alana's Grandmother, wanted to share Alana’s story. For someone who didn’t know Alana, her disappearance can be easily ignored, forgotten, or dismissed. As is the case with anyone who disappears or is murdered, there is so much more to the story and person. Alana wasn’t disposable. She wasn’t a junkie who no one loved. She was a daughter, a sister, a mother, a friend. And this August will mark two years since she was last seen alive. Her family is desperate for answers…and they hope you can help find their beloved Alana.

For photos of Alana, the car accident she survived and what her body went through, visit our blog at murderintherain.com

Court records: Witnesses say man called ‘freaking out’ with missing woman’s body - Missing Clark County woman now presumed dead, investigators have identified a suspect - The Columbian - https://wsp.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Alana-Carroll.pdf - Clark County deputies confirm death of woman missing since 2023 - Alana Ranae Carroll – The Charley Project - Missing woman Alana Carroll presumed dead in Clark County - BeenVerified - Alana Carroll - Illegal substances are part of addiction problem in Oregon, but alcohol is biggest killer - OPB - Opioid Data | Washington State Department of Health - FindAGrave.com - The Columbian - Oct. 3 2000- Obituary - Been Verified Court Cases - BG man arrested for weapons, heroin possession | The Reflector - The Daily Astorian - Nov 29 1982- Marijuana Seized  - The Columbian - June 30 1992 - Editorial - The Columbian - July 24 1992 - Editorial - Longview Daily News - May 27 2011 - Police Blotter -BG man arrested for weapons, heroin possession | The Reflector -The Columbian Nov 29 1982- Bust (PHOTO) - The Columbian Jan 20 1983 - Family pleads guilty to selling marijuana - The Columbian Feb 25 1983 - Kidnapped boy pleads guilty - The Columbian March 31 1983 - Courts - The Columbian June 4 2008 - Suspected heroin dealer arrested in Battle Ground - BeenVerified.com - Luke A. Grant

On this special episode of Murder In The Rain, Josh interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning author Caroline Fraser to discuss her book, 'Murderland'. Join the conversation as they talk about Tacoma iron smelters and how pollution may have been an amplifier to the behaviors of some of the more notorious criminals from the Pacific Northwest. It seems to be more than a coincidence that Ted Bundy, Gary Ridgeway, Randall Woodfield, Israel Keyes, and other killers all grew up around such pollutants.

Hey! It’s summer! And it’s time for another update! Today’s a beefy one as we’ll be talking about a settlement in the Manny Ellis case, a documentary about Kathleen Jo Henry and Veronica Abouchuck, a drag fundraiser, an update to Teekah Lewis’ disappearance, and some chatter about books and shows we’ve been enjoying! So let’s get into it!

DRAGATHON - Man accused of murdering girlfriend in Oregon more than 40 years ago. - Person of interest in 1999 disappearance of 2-year-old Teekah Lewis is dead, police say - Tacoma agrees to $6M settlement in Manuel Ellis’ police custody death | The Seattle Times - Recent search at Tacoma home was part of Teekah Lewis investigation, police say - The search for convicted killer Brian Smith’s potential unwritten victims

On July 9th, 1967, 20-year-old Susan Galvin was taking her usual route to her night shift at the Seattle Police Department. When she failed to show up for two shifts, she was reported missing. 5 days later, her body would be found lying strangled in an elevator. Investigators searched for the culprit, but all leads were dead ends. That was until forensic genetic genealogy was developed, and finally, a name was connected to the evidence that had been collected more than 50 years earlier.

In our previous episode, Alisha introduced you to Anna Marie Hlavka. She was a 20-year-old woman who had been living with her boyfriend and sister at the Tudor Arms apartments in downtown Portland. On June 24th, 1979, Anna’s sister Rose Ann returned home from the McDonald’s where both sisters worked, and she discovered her sister had been murdered. Susan was lying across the bed, the power cord from her alarm clock radio wrapped around her neck.

Investigators followed every lead, but the case very quickly went cold. What the Portland Police didn’t know back in ‘79 was that the man who, 40 years later, would come up as a match via Parabon Labs forensic genetic genealogy had spent years terrorizing the state of Texas.

MAX- “House of Horrors Kidnapped” Portland Police solve 40-year-old murder - oregonlive.com - Oregon Journal July 25 1979- Woman, 20, strangled in bed here - 1979 - Oregon Crime Rates 1960 to 2019 - The big difference between Portland’s violence now and record-setting 1987? Guns and indiscriminate shootings - oregonlive.com - How the “Stranger Danger” Panic of the 1980s Helped Give Rise to Mass Incarceration - The Oregonian Aug. 4 1978- Frances L. Bloch - Keeping it weird at the W Burnside McDonald’s : r/Portland - Alberni Valley TImes Aug 1 1979- Obituaries - Newspapers.com Joseph Hlavka - The Oregonian July 26 1979 - Woman strangled in NW Portland Apartment - Oregon Journal Aug 3 1979 - Clues scares in woman's murder - Denton Record Chronicle June 28 1972- Two Dentonites Indicted - Abilene Reporter News- Feb. 1 1973- Haskell Rape Charges Filed - Times Record News April 18 1973- Haskell Man Given Sentence - Corpus Christi Times May 8 1986- Rites set for slain girl; hopes fade for 2 missing - Longview News Journal May 10 1986- Crime Spree/Search - Tyler Morning Telegraph May 8 1986- No Top suspect Yet In Slaying of Wood Youth - the Tyler Courier Times May 11 1986- - Hawkins Youths Found Slain - The tyler Courier Times May 12 1986 Autopsy Shows Hawkins Youths Died of Gunshots - Tyler Morning Telegraph May 13 1986- Bryan Drew Boone - Tyler Morning Telegraph May 14 1986 Services - Austin American Statesman May 23 1986- Man charged with strangling near Hawkins - Longview News Journal June 7 1986 -McFadden indicted in robbery case - Austin American Statesman- July 11 1986- Hostage safe as hunt intensifies for jail escapee - Kerrville Times July 11 1986- Hostage gets away from escaped rapist - The Oregonian Feb 28 1958- Injured Worker wins $36,378 - The Bulletin- Driving while under the influence- Joseph Louis Hlavka, Portland, lodged in jail in lieu of $305 fine - Anna working on a wood project - Alberni Valley Times Aug 1 1979- Hlavka (Koivisto) Funeral - The Bulletin Crook County Circut Cout Dec 2 1971 - The Sunday Oregonian June 7 1987- Wounded man still critical - The Oregonian July 7 1988- Senteced to 90 days in jail - The Oregonian Aug 4 1988 Joseph Car Crash - The Oregonian Dec 8 1988 90 days in Jail - Female Murder Victims and Victim-Offender Relationship, 2021 | Bureau of Justice Statistics. - the Tyler Courier-Times May 7 1986- Ore City Man Held In Hawkins - Tyler Morning Telegraph May 6 1986- Hawkins Teen Slain; Two Friends Missing - El Paso Herald Post July 10 1986- Rapist Accused of Murder Escapes - Longview News Journal Aug 27 1986- McFadden due sentence today - Austin American Statesman Aug 28 1986 'Animal' handed life prison term for lake holdup - Austin American Statesman March 17 1987 Trial would ruin budget, officials say - Fort Worth Star telegram June 23 1987 - Thief was 'Animal', murder trial witness says - Longview News Journal June 30 1987- Autopsies detailed at McFadden trial - Seguin Gazette Enterprise July 1 1987 Murderer testifies about McFadden - Longview news Journal July 15 1987- McFadden given death - Longview News Journal Oct 15 1999- McFadden executed for 1986 murder - Serial killer’s cell destroyed as Upshur County courthouse demo continues