Murder, She Told

2023 - Lewiston, Maine.

On Wednesday, October, 25th, 2023, an armed gunman entered two locations in Lewiston, Maine—Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley and Schmengee’s Bar and Grill pool hall—and opened fire. 

The shooter, who was identified as Robert Card, was on the run for 48-hours before taking his own life on Friday, October 27th.

He killed 18 innocent people, and injured about 13 more.

As a born and raised Mainer who creates this show from my home state, my heart is absolutely broken for the community, the families and friends directly impacted, and for this massive tragedy. 

I felt compelled to create this short episode to honor the victims. My hope is that you walk away from this knowing something more about each of them as the amazing people they were, and not just as names on a list.

These are the stories of Thomas Ryan Conrad, 34, Michael R. Deslauriers Jr. 51, and his best friend, Jason Adam Walker, 51, Tricia C. Asselin, 53, William A. Young, 44 and his son, Aaron Young, 14, Robert E. Violette, 76 and wife Lucille M. Violette, 73, Keith D. Macneir 64, Ronald G. Morin, 55, Peyton Brewer Ross, 40, Joshua A. Seal, 36, Bryan M. MacFarlane, 40, Stephen M. Vozzella, 45, William Frank Brackett, 48, Joseph Lawrence Walker, 57, Arthur Fred Strout, 42, and Maxx A. Hathaway, 35.

All of the family and survivor fundraising links, resources, and more can be found at https://murdershetold.com/episodes/lewiston-victims

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This week I'm bringing you a special episode to get you in the Halloween mood featuring a story I've never shared before on Murder, She Told.

In this chilling collaboration put together by Shane Waters, you'll encounter the hosts of 9 acclaimed true crime podcasts, each offering a dark tale to send shivers down your spine. This is not just a special episode; it's an immersive journey through a maze of twisted paths and unsolved mysteries.

So, lift your lantern high and venture into 'Maze of Secrets'...

Prepare to get lost in the stories, but find yourself in their lessons. It's an odyssey of crime, mystery, and eerie life lessons that you won't soon forget. If you dare to walk this twisted path with us, you're in for a night you'll never forget. Are you ready?

Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance:

Listen to the other holiday collaborations here: https://www.itsfoulplay.com/p/collaborations/

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1958 - Falmouth, Maine.

You won’t find the name Dennis Down featured on the Maine Unsolved Homicide List. You also won’t find anything on his murder on the internet. 

Buried deep in the memories and archives of 1958, sits a brutal unsolved murder of a man who still hasn’t received justice. 

At 63, Dennis and his wife Edith, both of England, had just purchased a new grocery store in Portland, ME’s Munjoy Hill neighborhood. They had recently become grandparents, and they were looking forward to the golden years of life.

But on a cool morning in late June of 1958, somebody took it all away. Dennis was found beaten and stabbed in his home—a horrific crime that left police and everyone who knew him baffled. Despite extensive efforts to find the person responsible, nobody was ever arrested for the crime.

Pulled from the archives, this is the cold case of Dennis Down.

See sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/dennis-down

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1990 - Johnston, Rhode Island.

In July of 1999, 50-year-old Stephen Marfeo took action on a violent plan: he shot and killed his ex-girlfriend, Laura Vincent, and attempted to kill her boyfriend, Sal Puleo, before ultimately taking his own life. 

For police, this was an open and shut case fulled by jealousy and domestic violence. However, they held out hope that this tragedy would help them unravel the mystery of what happened to Stephen’s wife, 34-year-old Doreen Ann Marfeo, who vanished without a trace from their Johnston, RI home in March of 1990.

Stephen told police that Doreen’s behavior in the months leading up to her disappearance had taken a bizarre uncharacteristic turn. She abruptly quit her job, and was having late night panic attacks over something she couldn’t bring herself to tell her husband.

Several months later, police began receiving anonymous letters in the mail... letters that claimed to have intimate knowledge about Doreen, and detailed what allegedly happened to her the day she disappeared…

Episode sources and photos: https://murdershetold.com/episodes/doreen-marfeo

Support the show: https://www.murdershetold.com/support

If you have any information on the disappearance of Doreen Marfeo, please contact the Johnston Police Dept at (401) 231-4210 or leave a tip at [email protected].

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Introducing Mama Mystery with Kelly Evans. From true crime to current events, mom of 3, Kelly Evans, offers relatable and research based storytelling for when a mama just needs a minute! Whether you listen in the pickup line or with a glass of wine, you’ll always feel like you’re just chatting with your best friend!

Listen to Mama Mystery on Spotify and Apple!

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2015 - Fennville, Michigan.

“On Sunday, January 11th, I strangled her… she’s dead, and she’s laying on the living room floor…” 

When Allegan County police showed up to the residence mentioned in the haunting 911 call, they discovered the lifeless body of 48-year-old Sara Lee Knight in the exact condition described by the anonymous caller—virtually frozen due to the absence of heating in the house.

Documents, funeral instructions, photos and personal items of Sara’s had been organized and laid out on the table for police to find. The only thing they couldn’t find was Sara’s husband, Butch.

It didn’t take long for police to realize the person who made the call to 911 was 66-year-old Harold “Butch” Knight. Butch had taken Sara’s vehicle and skipped town, eventually making his way up to a tiny town in rural Maine. By the time they found Sara’s abandoned vehicle, it was too late. They’d lost his trail. 

Almost a decade later, police are still searching for Butch. This is the story of Sara Lee Knight, and Harold Wesley Knight, who is a fugitive of justice.

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Harold Wesley Knight, who goes by "Butch", is white, male, 6' 4" and 250-300 pounds, balding, with gray hair that may be dyed black, hazel eyes, and a mustache. He was born in 1948 and is hard of hearing. He also may be disguising his appearance, and is considered armed and dangerous.

If you have seen Butch or have any information, please contact the US Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or leave a tip online at usmarshals.gov/tips or call 911.

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1981 - Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

In September of 1981, the city of Portsmouth was rocked with the vicious murder of 23-year-old model and beauty school student, Laura Kempton. Laura had been home alone in her apartment when the killer broke in and took her life.

One year later, in October of 1982, Portsmouth police found themselves in a nightmare déjà vu: another young model, 20-year-old Tammy Little, was found murdered and assaulted at her apartment. Just like Laura, Tammy was taking classes at Portsmouth’s beauty school. 

Both cases were eerily similar, but investigators were hesitant to link them too soon. Decades passed without resolution in both cases, which had been inextricably linked in death… until a hot July day in 2023, when the NH Attorney General and Portsmouth PD held a press conference with a major update.

This is the story of Laura Kempton and Tammy Little.

Episode sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/laura-kempton

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2011 - Long Island, New York.

Since December 2010, the Long Island Serial Killer has been one of the most notorious unsolved serial cases of the 21st century… 

Multiple sets of remains had been found on and near the north side of Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach in Long Island—Four of them young women who were bound with a burlap type material and who were most likely connected: Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and Megan Waterman… 

On July 13th, 2023, investigator’s search for the LISK suspect came to a head when they arrested and charged 59-year-old Manhattan architect, Rex Heuermann, on three counts of murder. One of those charges was for the death of Megan Waterman.

This was the moment Megan’s friends and family—as well as the families of the other victims—had been waiting over a decade for. But their journey to justice wasn’t coming to an end… it was only just beginning.

This is part 2 of Megan’s story, and the case against Rex Heuermann. 

Read Robert Kolker’s book, Lost Girls.

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Detailed sources can be found on murdershetold.com

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2010 - Long Island, New York.

In June 2010, 22-year-old Megan Waterman from Scarborough, Maine, disappeared after leaving a Holiday Inn hotel in Hauppauge, Long Island, around 1:30 am.

Six months later, authorities discovered remains on the north side of Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach, concealed by brush and poison ivy. Within two days, three more sets of remains were found, all belonging to young women, wrapped in a burlap-like material.

The victims were identified as Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and Megan Waterman.

New York was gripped with fear as additional bodies were discovered, leading the media to name the perpetrator the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK).

However, amid the frenzy, four families were desperately seeking compassion and support. Little did they know, they would be embarking on a decade-long quest for justice.

Megan Waterman was one of those victims… and this is her story.

This is part one of two.

Read Robert Kolker’s book, Lost Girls.

Support Murder, She Told here.

Detailed sources can be found on murdershetold.com

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2014 - Fortuna, California.

In February of 2014, two women—Danielle Bertolini and Sheila Franks— went missing within one week of each other in Humboldt County, California. They were both last seen in the presence of the same man, and were later known as part of the Humboldt County Missing Five. 

Danielle and Sheila’s remains were later recovered near the Eel River in a similar location. Their killer hasn’t been brought to justice. 

Danielle was a childhood friend of mine who grew up in Maine. Two years ago, I set out to bring light to her story and help her mother, Billie Jo, fight for justice. 2024 marks 10 years unsolved.

I have completely redone the original episodes to bring you this story fresh, including updates. 

This is the story of Danielle Bertolini.

SIGN THE PETITION! We are asking the Humboldt County DA to prioritize this case. You can help us make this happen.

Please listen to her story and share this petition: https://change.org/danielleandsheila

Episode sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/daniellebertolini

Support the show: https://www.murdershetold.com/support

If you have information about the murders of Danielle Bertolini and Sheila Franks, I urge you to submit a tip to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Anonymous Tip Line at (707) 268-2539 or the Fortuna Police Dept at (707) 725-7550.

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