Murder In The Rain

Part 1: "The Candyman"

Virginia Anne Rambus was only 19 years old when she left her apartment to walk across the complex to meet up with a friend. She started the walk, but never arrived. Her case remains unsolved, but a man of particular interest was living in the same complex at the same time. To those he provided drugs to, he was known as the Candy Man. Police in Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California however knew him as Jesse Clarence Pratt. And if he had remained in prison for the crime he committed in 1980, Virginia might still be with us as would another murder victim. Today, in part one of two,  I’ll be telling you about Jesse Pratt’s path of destruction, the many wives, partners, children, and sex workers he left bloodied and abused, the women he may have had a hand in killing, and the teenage victim that earned him the title of “Oldest inmate in an Oregon Penitentiary”, Carrie Love.

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

Episode Host: Alisha Holland

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Part 2: "The Fly"

In part one of The Prowler, I told you about the murders of Mary Anne Pohlreich, Carol Beethe, and Randi Levine. Mary Anne was raped and killed in an unknown location, her body left posed after death. Carol and Randi were blitzed in their beds as they slept, beaten, raped, and mutilated. In part two, I'll tell you about the murderer of these women. A sinister man who began life as a lonely, unwanted child who would grow to become the first person ever tried for serial murder in King County, Washington.

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

Episode Host: Josh McCullough

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Part 1: "Extreme Personal Rage"

In the Summer of 1990, three women fell into the crosshairs of a dangerous man. They were regulars among Bellevue, Washington's vibrant, hard-partying nightlife, and they were murdered- their broken bodies violated and posed after death. Their killer's method linked them as a series, whose recurrences were growing nearer and nearer, but he'd left few clues aside from his violence. This is The Prowler, part one of two.

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

Episode Host: Josh McCullough

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November 13th, 2016 was not dissimilar from any other day for the Grunwald family in Palmer, Alaska, that was until their worst fears were realized when their beloved son didn’t arrive home by curfew. The search for 16-year-old David led investigators to the discovery of his burned vehicle. As they continued their search for him, they uncovered the horrifying events that unfolded the last night anyone saw him.

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

Episode Host: Emily Rowney

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In this week’s Murder in the Rain we’d like to offer a warm welcome to new friends from CrimeCon! We’re also giving some updates from cases we’ve recently shared as well as sharing some information about two local cases that many listeners have been asking about.  First, Emily will provide the latest information we have on the potential Portland area serial killer who is tied to the murders of four women; Charity Perry, Kristin Smith, Ashley Real, and Bridget Webster. Next, Alisha shares the recent story around the death of Jaahnavi Kandula who was mocked by someone who was sworn to protect her. 

If you have information on the Portland deaths of four women who are connected to person of interest Jesse Calhoun, you can contact the following agencies: 

• Kristin Smith Case – Detective Jeffery Pontius – [email protected]
• Charity Perry Case – Sheriff’s Office Tip Line: 503-988-0560 | Detective Kevin Odil – [email protected]
• Bridget Webster Case – Detective David Shorter – [email protected]
• Ashley Real Case – Tip Line: 503-723-4949 | Online Tip Sheet: https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip

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

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

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Today’s episode is unlike any other I’ve done. In the past, I’ve done special episodes regarding active missing persons- but they are usually only about 15 minutes long, sharing the known information in hopes of helping the family. In today’s case, one member of the family reached out to me. The other side of the family isn’t speaking to that person. And the family drama has only added to the chaos surrounding the disappearance of Shane Barton. Today, I’ll be sharing the audio interview I conducted with Shane’s daughters, and the emailed responses from Racheal, his wife. Hopefully, with all the available information presented together, someone will come forward with information about Shane’s location.

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 at the $5/mo+ level, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

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On a rainy night in September of 1946, Cora Rogers was going about her end-of-day duties. She worked alone, running a market and gas station in rural Greenleaf, Oregon. The lights went out inside much earlier than usual, and a curious neighbor walked over to check on Cora, but she did not answer. The neighbor returned home, figuring she had closed up early and gone to bed. She'd been killed at night and lay undiscovered until the following morning. Though police had the statements of many witnesses from the night of the murder, and a description of the likely killer was broadcast and printed in newspapers, the man simply walked away from the crime along a rural strip of highway blacktop. He has never been identified and the murder in Greenleaf remains unsolved.

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

Episode Host: Josh McCullough

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In 1998, when the body of a young girl washed up on the shore of the Columbia River in Warrenton, Oregon, it was easy to assume she was another vulnerable person drawn to the Astoria-Megler bridge to end her own life. But her body would tell another story. Authorities had to work quickly to identify her, her killer, and his motive. During the investigation a secret life was uncovered, one that abused and exploited children for years. In today’s case, we’ll discuss the murder of Heather Fraser and the monster who took her life and negatively impacted dozens of others. 

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

Episode Host: Emily Rowney

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Little Part 2: “She Rode Alone”

Last week, I told you the story of the Cowden Family and how Richard, Belinda, David, and Melissa seemed to have vanished while camping near Carberry Creek Road over the Labor Day weekend of 1974. Over 7 months later, their skeletal remains were discovered- Belinda and the children in a cave- Richard, tied to a tree. With very little to go on, police began looking into local men who would have, not only known the area well but could have been capable of such a monstrous act. It was when they read Dwain Lee Little’s name on the list of recently paroled prisoners the hair on their neck stood up and they felt they might have found the first person of interest. Today, I’ll be telling you about the crimes Dwain committed that landed him in prison, how he came to be released so early, and the harm he was able to commit as a free man. Was he the killer of the Cowden family? Only Dwain and the Cowdens know.

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

Episode Host: Alisha Holland

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A turn of luck had led the Cowden family to the Carberry Creek area for a last-minute camping trip. The young family of four were delighted to have the time to indulge in the stunning nature Jackson County offered them. They didn’t have big plans; they were just excited to have time with their two young children to fish and to swim. The cherry on top was the plan of wrapping up the weekend with a dinner at Mrs. Cowden’s mother’s home. For unknown reasons, the family never showed up for that meal. Now, 50 years later, their case remains mostly unsolved, although an early parolee has always held the most suspicion as being the person responsible for what happened to the young family. Today, I’ll be telling you the story of The Cowden family: Richard, Belinda, David and Melissa, and how Dwain Lee Little may be their killer.

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 at the $5/mo+ level, gain access to exclusive episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.

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