The Dark Oak

By Just Us Gals ProductionsTrue Crime

The Dark Oak episodes

April 15 Episode 149: The Zaharias Abduction - Stolen Childhood
On November 20, 1987, in Mission Viejo, California, Susan Zaharias abducted her two toddlers—three-and-a-half-year-old Christopher and fifteen-month-old Lisa—after a violent argument with her husband Louis, assaulting his mother and fleeing with almost nothing for the children. Battling severe alcohol, cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine addiction that had drained the family’s savings, Susan had met Louis in 1977, married him in 1981 despite her family’s fierce disapproval, and used relatives to race through Lake Elsinore, California, then Oklahoma, Detroit, Michigan, and several weeks in Greensburg, Pennsylvania before vanishing from Detroit in January 1988. For nearly 39 years Louis has never stopped searching: he sold almost everything he owned to fund lawyers and investigators, kept Christopher’s favorite blanket and Lisa’s dolls, got matching forearm tattoos of the children, and appeared on Unsolved Mysteries and other shows while moving across states to rebuild his life. Active felony warrants remain for Susan with a $250,000 bond; investigators believe all three are alive with ongoing family contact, and current age-progressed photos show Christopher in his early forties and Lisa nearing forty. Louis still hopes his children will one day learn the truth about the father who never gave up on them.

Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community's safety. Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity.

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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
1 hr 12 min
April 08 Episode 148: Unearthed from the Dark Oak: Where is Paola Miranda Rosa?
Today we’re Unearthing Episode 83 from the Dark Oak vault: “Where is Paola Miranda Rosa?” This case is local to us—Paola vanished in a park near where Cynthia and Stefanie grew up. The original investigation was mishandled, but in January 2026 the new Osceola County Sheriff reopened it. Her family now has renewed hope after meeting with authorities, and Crimeline has raised the reward to $5,000. This is the perfect time to spotlight the case and generate new leads. Our Branch of Hope mission is to support families still searching—and this episode could do exactly that. Listen closely—you might hold the key.

________________________________________
Paola Miranda Rosa, 31, vanished from Wekiva Springs State Park on December 18, 2021. Last seen on a video created by an unnamed eyewitness, her car was found in the park despite initial denials by a ranger.
The investigation by Osceola County Sheriff's Office was criticized for being inadequate, suggesting suicide or alligator attack with little evidence. Her family, unsatisfied, conducted their own searches, hired a PI, and is now pushing for FBI involvement, especially after the lead detective was added to a Brady list for misconduct. Paola remains missing, with her family advocating for further investigation.
Stefanie was able to speak directly to the Miranda family. You won't believe what she found out.

Sources:
Munoz, L. (2024, December 14). Family of missing Osceola County woman seeks FBI involvement. WESH. https://www.wesh.com/article/missing-osceola-county-woman/63188736
Paola Marie Miranda-Rosa – The Charley Project. (n.d.). https://charleyproject.org/case/paola-marie-miranda-rosa
Orlando, F. 3. (2022, May 17). Paola Miranda-Rosa: 5 months since Central Florida woman went missing. FOX 35 Orlando. https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/paola-miranda-rosa-5-months-since-central-florida-woman-went-missing
Parks, A. (2022, December 2). Wekiwa Springs State Park In Apopka, FL | America's State Parks. America\\\’s State Parks. https://www.americasstateparks.org/wekiwa-springs-state-park/
How dangerous are black bears? - North American Bear Center. (2024, January 2). North American Bear Center. https://bear.org/bear-facts/how-dangerous-are-black-bears/
Conflicts: A Research Perspective | Urban Coyote Research. (n.d.). https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/coyote-info/conflicts-research-perspective
American Alligator | National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). National Wildlife Federation. https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Reptiles/American-Alligator
Talcott, A. (2024, January 4). How many people have been killed by alligators in Florida? The number may surprise you. WKMG. https://www.clickorlando.com/features/2024/01/04/how-many-people-have-been-killed-by-alligators-in-florida-it-may-surprise-you/
Barabino, W. (2021, March 6). What is the Brady List? - Law Office of William J. Barabino. Law Office of William J. Barabino. https://www.williambarabino.com/blog/2021/03/06/what-is-the-brady-list/

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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
1 hr 18 min
April 01 Episode 147: Missing: Yolanda Bindics
When 25-year-old Yolanda Bindics, a mother of four, failed to return home after her closing shift at the Family Dollar Store in Jamestown, NY, the entire community went into overdrive. Law enforcement dove into the investigation with searches and witness interviews but there was no sign of Yolanda leading the investigation to focus on two persons of interest...the father of Yolanda's youngest child, and a police officer that Yolanda had secretly been dating.

Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY
Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community's safety.
Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity.

Sources:
https://thecinemaholic.com/what-happened-to-yolanda-bindics-is-she-alive-or-dead/

https://www.wkbw.com/chautauqua-county/its-a-giant-puzzle-potential-new-development-in-yolanda-bindics-cold-case-focuses-on-3-key-locations

https://chautauquacountyny.gov/district-attorney/news/update-yolanda-bindics-case-chautauqua-county-sheriffs-office

https://buffalonews.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_9a0afaea-3b55-11ed-8b70-d3f111be0f0f.html
https://nyscrimestoppers.org/about/

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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
1 hr 5 min
March 25 Episode 146: Kanika Powell - Killer in the Hallway
Kanika Powell was a 28-year-old Army veteran and security contractor with top-secret clearance who lived alone in the Deerfield Run Apartments in Laurel, Maryland, and led a quiet, ordinary life of work, family, and close friends.
In the week before her death, she endured three bizarre knocks at her door: a man claiming to be an FBI agent on August 23, a fake FedEx delivery driver on August 27, and another supposed delivery person on the morning of August 28.
On Thursday, August 28, 2008, after taking the day off to prepare for a Pride weekend trip to Atlanta with a new female friend, Kanika returned from running errands around 11:50 a.m. and was ambushed in her apartment hallway, shot multiple times in the upper body while screaming “no, no, no.”
She was rushed to the hospital but died the next day on August 29; her wallet and valuables were untouched, ruling out robbery, and the shooter vanished without a trace in broad daylight.
The case remains unsolved with no clear motive, sparking theories ranging from a professional hit tied to her classified government work, a possible link to another unsolved murder of Sean Green in the same county, or jealousy from the ex-boyfriend of her new romantic partner.

Branch of Hope:
https://www.dareformore.org/
In 2012, Reba Bowman, founder of Dare for More, traveled to the Dominican Republic to speak at a women's event. What she witnessed there forever changed her—and the direction of the ministry.
She saw firsthand the devastating plight of women and girls in places where toxic cultural norms treat them as disposable. In these environments, exploitation takes countless cruel forms, and extreme poverty often becomes the breaking point, pushing vulnerable women and children into unimaginable crises.
Living on as little as $1.25 a day creates desperate pressure that leaves families exposed to human trafficking and other forms of abuse. Globally, millions of women and children endure exploitation every day as a result.
Many factors drive individuals to this edge: marginalization by their own communities, widowhood, orphanhood, abuse, neglect, or simply having no one to hear their cries for help.
At Dare for More, we believe prevention is as vital as rescue. By reaching women and families before they fall into victimhood, we help build stability and hope.
In each community we serve, we offer practical, life-changing support: life-skills training, job training, and resources that empower women to provide for themselves and their children. These opportunities spark immediate transformation for families while sowing seeds of generational change—breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability for years to come.
Through rescue, restoration, and mobilization, Dare for More dares to believe in brighter futures for women and children worldwide.

Sources:
Kanika Powell: Murder — This Time She Didn’t Have to Answer the Door| A Professional Hit | Case 28 | by Jadyn Harlow - The Missing Found Podcast | Medium
A Killer Comes Knocking - Unsolved Mysteries

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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
1 hr 11 min
March 18 Episode 145: Amanda Antoni - The Basement Mystery
On a Saturday night while he was out of town, Lee Antoni was on the phone with his 31 year old wife, Amanda, when he heard strange noises on the other end of the line before the call was abruptly disconnected. Unable to reach Amanda for the rest of the weekend, Lee returned home to find his basement covered in blood and Amanda dead at the bottom of the stairs. There were signs of a violent encounter and it was immediately determined that Amanda had been murdered.
As the investigation continued, the lack of evidence led many to believe that Amanda's death was actually the result of a tragic accident, but those close to her disagree. Her family continues to seek answers and her death is still mystifying people today.

Branch of Hope:
https://www.dareformore.org/
In 2012, Reba Bowman, founder of Dare for More, traveled to the Dominican Republic to speak at a women's event. What she witnessed there forever changed her—and the direction of the ministry.
She saw firsthand the devastating plight of women and girls in places where toxic cultural norms treat them as disposable. In these environments, exploitation takes countless cruel forms, and extreme poverty often becomes the breaking point, pushing vulnerable women and children into unimaginable crises.
Living on as little as $1.25 a day creates desperate pressure that leaves families exposed to human trafficking and other forms of abuse. Globally, millions of women and children endure exploitation every day as a result.
Many factors drive individuals to this edge: marginalization by their own communities, widowhood, orphanhood, abuse, neglect, or simply having no one to hear their cries for help.
At Dare for More, we believe prevention is as vital as rescue. By reaching women and families before they fall into victimhood, we help build stability and hope.
In each community we serve, we offer practical, life-changing support: life-skills training, job training, and resources that empower women to provide for themselves and their children. These opportunities spark immediate transformation for families while sowing seeds of generational change—breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability for years to come.
Through rescue, restoration, and mobilization, Dare for More dares to believe in brighter futures for women and children worldwide.

Sources:
Discover Body in the Basement Case - Unsolved Mysteries
What Happened to Amanda Antoni? 'Unsolved Mysteries' Explores Lingering Questions - Netflix Tudum
"Unsolved Mysteries" Body in the Basement (TV Episode 2024) - IMDb

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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
1 hr 12 min
March 11 Episode 144: The Ice Miracle - Jean Hilliard
In December 1980, 19-year-old Jean Hilliard from Lengby, Minnesota, slid her car into a ditch on an icy rural road during a bitterly cold night with temperatures at -22°F. She decided to walk about two miles to a friend's house for help but collapsed unconscious in the snow just 15 feet from the door, where she lay exposed and frozen solid for six to seven hours. The next morning, rancher Wally Nelson discovered her rigid body—described as hard as a log, with frozen-open eyes and no detectable vital signs—and rushed her to the local hospital, where doctors initially thought she was dead. Miraculously, after slow warming with heating pads and community prayers, she revived within hours, made a full recovery with no amputations or lasting damage, and went on to live a normal life, leaving medical experts baffled by her survival.

Branch of Hope:
https://www.dareformore.org/
In 2012, Reba Bowman, founder of Dare for More, traveled to the Dominican Republic to speak at a women's event. What she witnessed there forever changed her—and the direction of the ministry.She saw firsthand the devastating plight of women and girls in places where toxic cultural norms treat them as disposable. In these environments, exploitation takes countless cruel forms, and extreme poverty often becomes the breaking point, pushing vulnerable women and children into unimaginable crises.
Living on as little as $1.25 a day creates desperate pressure that leaves families exposed to human trafficking and other forms of abuse. Globally, millions of women and children endure exploitation every day as a result.
Many factors drive individuals to this edge: marginalization by their own communities, widowhood, orphanhood, abuse, neglect, or simply having no one to hear their cries for help.
At Dare for More, we believe prevention is as vital as rescue. By reaching women and families before they fall into victimhood, we help build stability and hope.In each community we serve, we offer practical, life-changing support: life-skills training, job training, and resources that empower women to provide for themselves and their children. These opportunities spark immediate transformation for families while sowing seeds of generational change—breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability for years to come.
Through rescue, restoration, and mobilization, Dare for More dares to believe in brighter futures for women and children worldwide.

Sources:
Enger, J. (2018, January 25). Frozen. Thawed. Not dead: Jean Hilliard's amazing Minnesota story. MPR News. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/01/25/jean-hilliard-northern-minnesota-frozen-survived
McRae, M. (2023, October 23). Amazing true story: The woman who survived being “Frozen Solid.” ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/amazing-true-story-the-woman-who-survived-being-frozen-solid
Connare, C. (2026, January 27). Frozen Stiff: A true story of winter survival. Almanac.com. https://www.almanac.com/extra/frozen-stiff-true-story-winter-survival

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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
56 min
March 04 Episode 143: The Strange Death of Blair Adams
There are some cases that make absolutely zero sense- the death of Blair Adams, a 31-year-old Canadian construction foreman found murdered in a Knoxville, TN parking lot on July 11, 1996, is one of those cases.
In the days leading up to his death, Blair began exhibiting extreme paranoia, emptying his savings, crossing the U.S. border, and traveling 2,600 miles while claiming someone was trying to kill him.
The motive for his murder remains unclear. Blair was found with several thousand dollars in cash and valuables. Authorities believe he may have been the victim of a sex crime. In the end we are left asking, “was Blair experiencing a mental health episode or was someone actually following him in an effort to take his life?’

Branch of Hope:
https://www.dareformore.org/

In 2012, Dare for More founder Reba Bowman traveled to the Dominican Republic and saw firsthand the plight of women and girls. There are many places in the world where women are treated as expendable. This toxic culture leads to exploitation in every way imaginable. Poverty can be the tipping point sending women and children into crisis. The pressure of living on as little as $1.25 per day can leave women and children vulnerable to trafficking. Millions of women and children are exploited every day as a result of human trafficking. Many factors lead women and children to a crisis point. Some are marginalized by their community, others are widowed, orphaned, abused, or neglected, and most have no one who is listening to their cries for help. Dare For More believes that helping the vulnerable before they become victims is an important part of their work. In each community, they reach out to those who are in need and help them find stability through life-skill and job-skill training. These opportunities not only create immediate change for the family but long-term change for generations to come.

Sources:
https://unsolved.com/gallery/blair-adams/
https://lostnfoundblogs.com/f/blair-adams-disturbing-deaths-part-1
https://knoxsheriff.org/cold-case-homicide-robert-dennis-blair-adams/
https://medium.com/tftunderworld/defying-explanation-the-baffling-murder-and-strange-final-days-of-blair-adams-ad4ba37b170e
https://allthatsinteresting.com/blair-adams

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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
1 hr 5 min
February 25 Episode 142: Shannan Gilbert's Disappearance and the Long Island Serial Killer
In May 2010, 24-year-old escort Shannan Gilbert vanished after a frantic episode in Oak Beach, Long Island, captured on a bizarre 911 call where she claimed people were trying to kill her. Her disappearance prompted searches that uncovered the remains of multiple women along Ocean Parkway, including the "Gilgo Four" (Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello) and others, revealing a suspected serial killer targeting Craigslist escorts.

Shannan's skeletal remains were found in 2011; authorities ruled her death accidental (likely drowning/exposure), but her family and an independent autopsy argue for homicidal strangulation. The case exposed police bias against sex-worker victims, corruption under Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke (later imprisoned), and slow progress.

In 2023, architect Rex Heuermann was arrested and charged with seven murders (Gilgo Four plus Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, Sandra Costilla), based on DNA, burner phones, hair evidence, and planning documents. He awaits trial in 2026. Shannan's death remains uncharged to him, with ongoing debate over whether she fits the pattern. Her mother, Mari Gilbert, became a fierce advocate before her tragic 2016 murder by her daughter. The Netflix film Lost Girls highlights the families' struggles and societal biases in the case.

This month's Branch of Hope sponsored charity is:

The Parents of Murdered Children. POMC provides ongoing emotional support, education, prevention, advocacy, and awareness for survivors of homicide victims, while working toward a world free of murder. It is the only national self-help organization specifically focused on the aftermath of murder. It emphasizes helping survivors reconstruct a "new life" after acute grief and dealing with the criminal justice system. To find more information go to pomc.org

Sources:
New York police ID woman and child whose remains were discovered near Gilgo Beach. (2025, April 23). ABC7 Los Angeles. https://abc7.com/post/gilgo-beach-murders-nassau-county-police-reveal-id-victim-peaches-toddler-tanya-tatiana/16230830/?userab=abcn_du_cat_topic_feature_holdout-474*variant_a_control-1938,abcn_news_for_you_exp-528*variant_c_bptt-2205
Ostby, I. (2024, July 9). Is “Lost Girls” Based on a True Story. Netflix Tudum. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/lost-girls-release-date-news-true-story
Gallagher, E. (2025, April 8). How Gone Girls compares to Lost Girls & what the documentary adds about the Long Island serial killer. ScreenRant. https://screenrant.com/gone-girl-the-long-island-serial-killer-documentary-lost-girls-movie-comparison-reveals/
Tucker, E. (2024, September 16). A timeline of the Gilgo Beach serial killings case and the investigation that led to a suspect. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/15/us/gilgo-beach-murder-case-timeline

Fequiere, R. (2025, April 23). The Long Island Serial Killer victims: Names, ages, photos, news. Netflix Tudum. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/gone-girls-the-long-island-serial-killer-victims

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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
1 hr 2 min
February 18 Episode 141: The Disappearance of Heidi Allen
On Easter Sunday, April 3, 1994, 18-year-old Heidi Marie Allen vanished from the D&W Convenience Store in New Haven, New York, where she was working alone as a cashier, with her last transaction recorded at 7:42 a.m. and the store found abandoned shortly after 7:50 a.m. despite money and personal items left behind. The case was ruled a forcible abduction rather than a robbery, prompting extensive searches involving police, military units, and volunteers, but her body has never been found. Two brothers, Gary and Richard Thibodeau, were arrested and charged with kidnapping; Gary was convicted in 1995 and maintained his innocence until his death in prison, while questions about the case's resolution persist decades later.

Sources:

The Heidi Allen Case: Central New York's Most Enduring Mystery - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

https://youtu.be/NhEie743G30?si=-8Wu3j0Q6bOQstsh

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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
1 hr 25 min
February 12 Episode 140: Demons on Film and in Real Life - The Exorcist
When Paul Bateson was cast in the 1973 horror classic The Exorcist, there was no way of knowing that just a few years later life for those around him would become even more terrifying than the movie.
Paul has been rumored to be a serial killer so heinous that his crimes were featured on 'Mindhunter." In this episode we also talk about the real life "curse" surrounding the movie The Exorcist and the true story that inspired the film.

Sources:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070047/trivia/
https://allthatsinteresting.com/roland-doe-the-exorcist-true-story
https://www.thedigitalfix.com/the-exorcist/inspiration-boy-identity-revealed-after-50-years
https://ew.com/the-exorcist-true-story-explained-8727499
https://allthatsinteresting.com/paul-bateson

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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
1 hr 2 min

About The Dark Oak

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Attention all shiver-seekers! The Dark Oak is a weekly thrill and chill inducing mystery podcast. Every Wednesday, Stefanie and Cynthia will present to you a true tale of the supernatural, the…