The Dark Oak

In today’s episode we will tell you about the tragic story of Robyn Gardner who disappeared from the beautiful Caribbean Island of Aruba while visiting with her travel companion Gary Giordano. Gary says Robyn was lost to a freak snorkeling accident, but Robyn’s friends and family believe Gary is to blame.

Sources:

Burnside, T. (2012, September 11). Man accused in Aruba disappearance sued over $1.5 million policy. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2012/09/11/justice/maryland-aruba-lawsuit/index.html

Egan, N. W. (2011, August 11). Robyn Gardner's Boyfriend Recounts Her Disappearance. Peoplemag. https://people.com/crime/robyn-gardners-boyfriend-richard-forester-recounts-her-disappearance/

Staff, I. (2011, August 11). Roommate of woman missing in Aruba speaks out. Inside Edition. https://www.insideedition.com/2879-roommate-of-woman-missing-in-aruba-speaks-out

Staff, R., & Staff, R. (2011, August 11). Robyn Gardner’s boyfriend reveals: ‘We’d talked about marriage and about the future’. RadarOnline.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/08/aruba-woman-robyn-gardner-boyfriend-richard-forester-talked-marriage-kids/

Nicole, G. &. (2023, December 13). Snorkeling baby beach - the healthy reef is too exposed. Tropical Snorkeling - Destinations, Equipment & Safety Tips. https://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-baby-beach/

ABC News. (2011, December 2). Gary Giordano Says “Swimming Story was True.” https://abcnews.go.com/US/aruba-suspect-gary-giordano-tells-story-gma/story?id=15059211

Truesdell, J., & Egan, N. W. (2011, August 17). Aruba mystery: What happened to missing Robyn Gardner? Peoplemag. https://people.com/crime/aruba-mystery-what-happened-to-missing-robyn-gardner/

Aruba suspect’s camera had ‘disturbing’ pics. (2023, September 25). [Video]. TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/video/aruba-suspects-camera-had-disturbing-pics-44549187513

Aruba police stage Robyn Gardner reenactment. (2023, September 25). [Video]. TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/video/aruba-police-stage-robyn-gardner-reenactment-44553795932

Associated Press. (2024, January 1). Md. man held in Aruba had troubled past with women. Deseret News. https://www.deseret.com/2011/8/13/20209388/md-man-held-in-aruba-had-troubled-past-with-women/

Staff, I. (2011, August 12). Woman Says She Got Proposition from Gary Giordano. Inside Edition. https://www.insideedition.com/2886-woman-says-she-got-proposition-from-gary-giordano

ABC News. (2011, December 3). Robyn Gardner’s boyfriend suspects human trafficking to blame for disappearance. https://abcnews.go.com/US/robyn-gardners-boyfriend-human-trafficking-explain-disappearance/story?id=15073940

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

In today’s episode we will tell you about the tragic story of Robyn Gardner who disappeared from the beautiful Caribbean Island of Aruba while visiting with her travel companion Gary Giordano. Gary says Robyn was lost to a freak snorkeling accident, but Robyn’s friends and family believe Gary is to blame.

Sources:

Burnside, T. (2012, September 11). Man accused in Aruba disappearance sued over $1.5 million policy. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2012/09/11/justice/maryland-aruba-lawsuit/index.html

Egan, N. W. (2011, August 11). Robyn Gardner's Boyfriend Recounts Her Disappearance. Peoplemag. https://people.com/crime/robyn-gardners-boyfriend-richard-forester-recounts-her-disappearance/

Staff, I. (2011, August 11). Roommate of woman missing in Aruba speaks out. Inside Edition. https://www.insideedition.com/2879-roommate-of-woman-missing-in-aruba-speaks-out

Staff, R., & Staff, R. (2011, August 11). Robyn Gardner’s boyfriend reveals: ‘We’d talked about marriage and about the future’. RadarOnline. https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/08/aruba-woman-robyn-gardner-boyfriend-richard-forester-talked-marriage-kids/

Nicole, G. &. (2023, December 13). Snorkeling baby beach - the healthy reef is too exposed. Tropical Snorkeling - Destinations, Equipment & Safety Tips. https://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-baby-beach/

ABC News. (2011, December 2). Gary Giordano Says “Swimming Story was True.” https://abcnews.go.com/US/aruba-suspect-gary-giordano-tells-story-gma/story?id=15059211

Truesdell, J., & Egan, N. W. (2011, August 17). Aruba mystery: What happened to missing Robyn Gardner? Peoplemag. https://people.com/crime/aruba-mystery-what-happened-to-missing-robyn-gardner/

Aruba suspect’s camera had ‘disturbing’ pics. (2023, September 25). [Video]. TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/video/aruba-suspects-camera-had-disturbing-pics-44549187513

Aruba police stage Robyn Gardner reenactment. (2023, September 25). [Video]. TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/video/aruba-police-stage-robyn-gardner-reenactment-44553795932

Associated Press. (2024, January 1). Md. man held in Aruba had troubled past with women. Deseret News. https://www.deseret.com/2011/8/13/20209388/md-man-held-in-aruba-had-troubled-past-with-women/

Staff, I. (2011, August 12). Woman Says She Got Proposition from Gary Giordano. Inside Edition. https://www.insideedition.com/2886-woman-says-she-got-proposition-from-gary-giordano

ABC News. (2011, December 3). Robyn Gardner’s boyfriend suspects human trafficking to blame for disappearance. https://abcnews.go.com/US/robyn-gardners-boyfriend-human-trafficking-explain-disappearance/story?id=15073940

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

On January 11, 2013, 17-year-old Kendrick "KJ" Johnson was found deceased in a rolled-up wrestling mat at his high school. Many believe it was an accident, but an equal amount believe KJ was murdered. We tell you everything we know.

Thanks to a vision provided by a dead relative, Carl Tanzler claimed to have been in love with Elena de Hoyos before they even met. Actually, decades before they met. He tried desperately to save her from tuberculosis but was unsuccessful. Unwilling to let death separate them, Carl embarked on an unimaginable and unexplainable journey to keep the body of Elena with him always...as his corpse bride.

Sources:

Johnson, C. (2023, November 7). Carl Tanzler, the man who lived with a corpse for seven years. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/carl-tanzler

Episodes. (n.d.). Wicked and Grim. https://www.wickedandgrim.com/podcast

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

For decades Sea World has been committed to supporting environmental conservation by providing financial and scientific support to organizations focused on animal rescue and rehabilitation, conservation education, habitat protection and species research. Additionally, the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has donated more than $19 million in support of animal conservation projects on all seven continents across the globe. 

Despite all the good, animal lovers have been asking for years "Is Sea World doing the right thing by their killer whales?" 

After one such whale, Tilikum, caused the death of his highly respected trainer, Dawn Brancheau, during a 'Dining with Shamu Show' in 2010, the dangers of keeping such wild and unpredictable animals in captivity were brought to light. The public turned up the heat on the theme park when shortly after it was revealed that Tilikum was involved in two other human deaths. 

With the release of controversial films like 'Blackfish", Sea World took a hit and to this day has never fully recovered. We are animal lovers (and rescuers) here at The Dark Oak, so we set out to cut through any previously misreported facts and get to the truth...for the whales! 

Sources:

Whale Facts. (2021, October 2). Whale facts and Information. https://whalefacts.org

Orcas VS humans – inherently wild. (n.d.). https://inherentlywild.co.uk/orcas-vs-humans/

International Marine Mammal Project. (2017, August 2). SeaWorld’s breeding and killing of orcas. https://savedolphins.eii.org/news/seaworlds-breeding-and-killing-of-orcas#:~:text=Under%20pressure%20from%20environmental%20and,longer%20breed%20orcas%20in%20captivity.

10 things You Didn’t know about SeaWorld - SeaWorld of Hurt. (2018, April 20). SeaWorld of Hurt. https://www.seaworldofhurt.com/features/ten-things-didnt-know-seaworld/

Roberts, S. (2023, March 22). SeaWorld Fun facts that will make your day. Orlando Informer. https://orlandoinformer.com/blog/seaworld-orlando/seaworld-fun-facts/

Home | SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. (n.d.). https://swbg-conservationfund.org/

SeaWorld’s “69 Reasons you Shouldn’t Believe Blackfish” – My Rebuttal – Inherently Wild. (n.d.). https://inherentlywild.co.uk/seaworlds-69-reasons-you-shouldnt-believe-blackfish-my-rebuttal/

Temp, M., & Weisberg, L. (2024, April 4). Timeline: How SeaWorld grew from a 22-acre park to a nearly 200-acre tourist destination. San Diego Union-Tribune. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-04-04/timeline-how-seaworld-grew-from-a-22-acre-park-to-a-nearly-200-acre-tourist-destination

Fisheries, N. (2022, January 4). Killer Whale. NOAA. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/killer-whale

Fate of orcas in captivity - Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA. (2024, May 22). Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA. https://us.whales.org/our-goals/end-captivity/orca-captivity/

Killer Whale Education and Conservation Program | SeaWorld Orlando. (n.d.). https://seaworld.com/orlando/commitment/killer-whales/#:~:text=Killer%20whales%20at%20SeaWorld%20help,last%20generation%20at%20our%20park.

Nature, W. S. P. |. B. T. (2024, May 20). Tilikum: The Whale Who Rebelled - The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature. The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature. https://whalesanctuaryproject.org/whales/tilikum-the-whale-who-rebelled/

Heger, E. (2023, October 10). One-third of the world’s captive orcas are in the US, and no one can agree on what to do with them. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/captive-orcas-seaworld-should-they-be-released-sea-pen-2023-10

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

On the 9th of July 2013, a 24-year-old Ryan was driving his car through the Mohave desert through what we know as Death Valley. He was on his way back to Los Angeles after spending the day in Las Vegas, when his car ran out of gas on Hwy 15. After walking several miles towards the closest town in the intense heat, Ryan encountered what should have been an incredible stroke of luck, when a highway patrolman saw Ryan and offered to help him. The highway patrolman eventually dropped Ryan off at a rest stop in Baker, CA, where Ryan called a friend in LA to come and pick him up. When his friend arrived at the rest stop 3 hours later, Ryan was nowhere to be found.  

Over two months passed with no word from Ryan. Then, on September 21, 2023 local hikers found Ryan’s decomposing body in the desert within the previously searched area. A thorough autopsy cited the cause of death as undetermined and, more disturbingly, it was revealed that even though Ryan’s body was relatively intact, he was missing at least 6 of his internal organs leading some to believe Ryan may have been another victim of organ harvesting.

Sources:

Politan, V. (2018, December 19). Georgia model vanishes, body found with organs missing. 11Alive.com. https://www.11alive.com/article/news/year-in-review/georgia-model-vanishes-body-found-with-organs-missing/85-442199392

Garcia, A. (2017, June 6). Questions continue to surround Georgia Man’s disappearance and death. Snopes. https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/06/06/questions-continue-surround-georgia-mans-disappearance-death/

Farpoint Films - Dying to be Famous: The Ryan Singleton Mystery. (2024, April 25). Farpoint Films. https://www.farpointfilms.com/dying-to-be-famous-the-ryan-singleton-mystery

Kish, P. (2018, December 19). Mother of model whose body was found without organs still seeks answers. 11Alive.com. https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/mother-of-model-whose-body-was-found-without-organs-still-seeks-answers/85-f59ffb28-6571-4f70-a0fb-b7d42ab37e48

Myers, B. (2022, December 10). Disturbing details found in model Ryan Singleton’s autopsy. Grunge. https://www.grunge.com/1126896/disturbing-details-found-in-model-ryan-singletons-autopsy/

11Alive. (2017, May 24). Georgia model’s body found without organs. What happened? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCLGSfpiJFc

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

The 1997 disappearance of Amy Wroe Bechtel has been called one of the most baffling cases in U.S. history. A massive search was launched when she vanished, the search was so large even Russia was asked to assist.

The healthy young athlete went jogging in the Shoshone National Forest and was never seen again.

Amy’s husband led efforts to find his missing wife despite being considered the prime suspect.

As years went by, other possible suspects were discussed….but the mystery of what happened to Amy Wroe Bechtel has never been solved.

Did she succumb to an injury for a fall or a wild animal in the wilderness of Wyoming? Was she the victim of a serial killer? Does her husband know more than he’s shared or is Amy Wroe Bechtel still alive today?

Sources:

Nichols, J. (2023, December 9). Disappearance of Amy Wroe Bechtel still haunting after 26 years. Your Wyoming News Source. https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/12/09/disappearance-of-amy-wroe-bechtel-still-haunting-after-26-years/

Billman, J. (2020, September 17). Long gone girl. Runner’s World. https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a20817705/long-gone-girl/

Di Salvatore, B., Di Salvatore, B., & McNamer, D. (2022, July 25). When Amy Bechtel Didn’t Come Home. Outside Online. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/long-gone/

The Branch of Hope Foundation:

Amy Wroe Bechtel Scholarship Endowment at Northwest College

When Amy Wroe Bechtel went missing, JoAnne Wroe, Amy's mother felt the community come together to show support for their family as they continued their search. 

Her family established a recovery fund to help pay for search expenses and folded that money into an endowment in her name as the case grew cold.  Her mom explained, "We know that this decision would please her. Our children have achieved great success in their lives as a result of their higher education accomplishments, which they truly value. We hope that this scholarship will help others to achieve their goals."

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

When Jessica Renee Johnson's friends and family were told that she died by suicide, their worlds were shattered.  Over the  next few weeks and months, details came to light that that just didn't make sense: Jessica was found wearing clothes that no one recognized, she had strange new markings on her body, and the way in which she died was beyond unusual. 

Fighting with authorities for a more thorough investigation, Jessica's family hired their own investigator, Dr. Godwin, whose investigation revealed entirely different findings. 

We spoke directly with Linda, Jessica's mother, while preparing this episode and it is clear that she will never give up until she finds answers for daughter. 

Sources:

True Crime Garage Jessica Johnson Part 1. (n.d.).

True Crime Garage Jessica Johnson Part 2. (n.d.).

What Happened to Jessica Johnson Facebook Page. (n.d.). Facebook.

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

Maura Murray is an American woman who disappeared on the evening of February 9, 2004, after a car crash on Route 112 near Woodville, New Hampshire, a village in the town of Haverhill. At the time of her disappearance, Maura was a 21-year-old nursing student completing her junior year at the University of Massachusetts.

In this three-part series, we report on Maura's state of mind at the time of her disappearance, the day of her disappearance, how the police handled the investigation and theories as to where she might be and what may have happened in the days, weeks and years since her disappearance.

Armed with fresh facts gleaned from Maura's old sister, Julie Murray's podcast named Media Pressure, Stefanie and Cynthia dish up the latest and greatest on what is now known as "the first crime mystery of the social media age"

Where is Maura Murray?

Sources:

Apple Podcasts. (2024, April 1). Media pressure on Apple podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-pressure/id1724255685

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

Maura Murray is an American woman who disappeared on the evening of February 9, 2004, after a car crash on Route 112 near Woodville, New Hampshire, a village in the town of Haverhill. At the time of her disappearance, Maura was a 21-year-old nursing student completing her junior year at the University of Massachusetts.

In this three-part series, we report on Maura's state of mind at the time of her disappearance, the day of her disappearance, how the police handled the investigation and theories as to where she might be and what may have happened in the days, weeks and years since her disappearance.

Armed with fresh facts gleaned from Maura's old sister, Julie Murray's podcast named Media Pressure, Stefanie and Cynthia dish up the latest and greatest on what is now known as "the first crime mystery of the social media age"

Where is Maura Murray?

Sources:

Apple Podcasts. (2024, April 1). Media pressure on Apple podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-pressure/id1724255685

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep