This week, we head to Wisconsin for a devastating case involving the truly unbelievable murder of an entire family. When a family of 5 disappears from a rural town in western Wisconsin, the remaining member of the family, 15-year-old Bruce, is the only one left to help police piece together the puzzle of what could have happened. With the discovery of a burned out vehicle, the mystery deepens- and the culprit and motive will have you shocked!

Also... MENARDS.

In January of 1970, West Virginia University Freshmen, Mared and Karen, went to a movie with friends, and after hitching a ride back to campus, were never seen again. This case brings you everything you look for in true crime: false confessions, repulsive suspects, and a questionable conviction.

On Good Friday 1936, two upholsterers entered the 4th floor apartment of up and coming crime writer, Nancy Titterton. What they discovered was a crime scene that Nancy herself could not have fathomed. The real surprise in this case however, is how forensics - even back in 1936 - was able to nail the killer!

On the morning of March 6, 1963, Ruth Nelson opened her door to find a battered, bloody woman on her doorstep. She soon realized that this woman was a beloved neighbor, Carol Thompson. That, however, would be the least surprising part of this story.

On June 25, 1973, a seven year old girl went missing from the Montana campground where her family was vacationing. Somebody had slit open the back of their tent and snatched her from under their noses. None of them saw or heard anything. Susie Jaeger had vanished into thin air, plucked by a shadow.

Officials would soon discover that the man responsible was a well liked local who had been under their noses the whole time... and he was hiding some even darker secrets.

Sources:

ShadowMan: An Elusive Psycho Killer and the Birth of FBI Profiling by Ron Franscell

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Meirhofer

In part two of this two part episode, we will discuss Bonnie's murder, Richard's trial, and what surprising characters rallied in his defense. Make sure you listen to part 1 if this is your first time here!

Sources:

The Killing of Bonnie Garland by Willard Gaylin, MD

https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/20/nyregion/jury-finds-convicted-killer-liable-for-damages-to-parents-of-victim.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1978/07/28/archives/herrin-given-maximum-jail-term-in-bludgeoning-death-in-scarsdale.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/08/archives/herrin-describes-bludgeoning-woman-sobbing-he-says-he-repeatedly.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/19/archives/new-jersey-pages-herrin-found-guilty-in-scarsdale-killing-he-is.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/02/archives/jury-in-slaying-of-bonnie-garland-hears-details-of-her-fatal.html

SOCORRO'S SAFETY MAN ON PAROLE FOR EAST COAST KILLING by Fritz Thompson Journal Staff Writer

Bonnie Garland had her entire life ahead of her when it was tragically cut short by a senseless and brutal slaying. Richard Herrin loved Bonnie, and if he could not have her, nobody else could.

Sources for this episode:

https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/20/nyregion/jury-finds-convicted-killer-liable-for-damages-to-parents-of-victim.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1978/07/28/archives/herrin-given-maximum-jail-term-in-bludgeoning-death-in-scarsdale.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/08/archives/herrin-describes-bludgeoning-woman-sobbing-he-says-he-repeatedly.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/19/archives/new-jersey-pages-herrin-found-guilty-in-scarsdale-killing-he-is.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/02/archives/jury-in-slaying-of-bonnie-garland-hears-details-of-her-fatal.html

The Killing of Bonnie Garland by Willard Gaylin, MD

SOCORRO'S SAFETY MAN ON PAROLE FOR EAST COAST KILLING by Fritz Thompson Journal Staff Writer