The Deck

Our card this week is Belinda VanLith, the Queen of Hearts from Minnesota. This is part 2 of her story.  

Last week we walked through the initial investigation into the nearly 5-decade-old missing person case of 17-year-old Belinda VanLith. Despite her disappearance essentially being considered a runaway case by police initially, they had quickly come around to the possibility that perhaps Belinda had been met with foul play – and there were some people close to the cabin she was last known to be at that were looking like promising suspects, but police never had enough evidence to move forward, and her case went cold for almost 3 decades.

Where we left off, investigators were 28 years into their investigation with little to show for it, when suddenly, in 2002, a relative came forward to police with a story they hadn’t heard before. And that’s where we’re picking up…

• If you have any information about the disappearance or murder of Belinda VanLith in 1974, please call Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at 1-800-222-TIPS. You can also submit a tip online through Crime Stoppers.

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The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Follow The Deck on social media and join Ashley’s community by texting (317) 733-7485 to stay up to date on what's new!

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Our card this week is Belinda VanLith, the Queen of Hearts from Minnesota. This is part 1 of her story.

Belinda’s story has held a special place in our hearts for a very long time. Back in August of 2022, her family reached out to the team here at audiochuck requesting we cover her case. We told Belinda’s family we’d try, and for months we did try – we reached out to the investigating agency on multiple occasions, but we’ve still never heard back about an interview.

Thankfully, through a records request, we were eventually able to obtain hundreds and hundreds of pages of reports spanning the nearly 50 years since Belinda’s disappearance. Hopefully, by bringing her story to you, we can bring her some justice that she very much deserves.

• If you have any information about the disappearance or murder of Belinda VanLith in 1974, please call Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at 1-800-222-TIPS. You can also submit a tip online through Crime Stoppers.

Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.

• Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuck
• Facebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Follow The Deck on social media and join Ashley’s community by texting (317) 733-7485 to stay up to date on what's new!

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Our card this week is Deshawana Wilkerson, the 3 of Clubs from Ohio. 

Deshawna was a bright, recent high-school graduate who was so excited for her future in nursing. She loved helping others, and she wanted to make it her career. But late one night in October 2001, someone saw to it that Deshawna would never have a chance to help anyone ever again.

If you know what Sam’s phone number or numbers were back in 2001, please contact the Dayton Cold Case Unit at (937) 333-7109, or you can submit a tip to the Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-637-5375.

• If you have been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.

• Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuck
• Facebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Follow The Deck on social media and join Ashley’s community by texting (317) 733-7485 to stay up to date on what's new!

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Nuestra carta esta semana es Manuel Mosqueda Ruiz, el 5 de tréboles de la Florida.

Lo que comenzó como una búsqueda del sueño americano terminó siendo una tragedia. Manuel trabajaba en trabajos de construcción en Atlanta, GA, y Freeport, FL, hasta que fue encontrado tirado a lo largo de un camino de tierra en Freeport el 16 de agosto del 2004. 

Después de 20 años de preguntas sin respuestas, los detectives finalmente han conseguido la pista que estaban esperando. Este nuevo descubrimiento más los últimos avances en la tecnología de ADN, les dan seguridad a los investigadores de que finalmente están muy cerca de resolver este caso, y más que nada, poder dar a la esposa y a los hijos de Manuel la justicia que han estado buscando.

Si usted sabe algo sobre el homicidio de Manuel Mosqueda Ruiz en agosto del 2004, por favor llame a la Oficina del Sheriff de Walton County al 850-896-8111 o permanezca en el anonimato llamando a Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers al 850-863-8477. 

To apply for the Cold Case Playing Cards grant through Season of Justice, visit www.seasonofjustice.org.

Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.

• Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck
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The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Follow The Deck on social media and join Ashley’s community by texting (317) 733-7485 to stay up to date on what's new!

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Our card this week is Manuel Mozqueda Ruiz, the 5 of Clubs from Florida. 

What began as a pursuit of the American dream ended in tragedy on August 16th, 2004. Manuel was working construction jobs in Atlanta, GA, and Freeport, FL – until he was murdered and dumped along a dirt road in Freeport. 

After 20 years of only questions and no answers… detectives finally got the tip they’d been waiting on. Add that to the latest advancements in DNA technology, and detectives feel confident they’re close to finally solving this case and giving Manuel’s wife and children the justice they’ve been seeking.  

If you know anything about the murder of Manuel Mozqueda Ruiz in 2004, please call the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at 850-896-8111 or the Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-8477.

To apply for the Cold Case Playing Cards grant through Season of Justice, visit www.seasonofjustice.org.

Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.

• Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuck
• Facebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Follow The Deck on social media and join Ashley’s community by texting (317) 733-7485 to stay up to date on what's new!

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Dark Downeast digs into the decades-old and modern day cases that prickle the history of Vacationland and beyond – the unsolved homicides, undetermined deaths, unexplained disappearances and other dark stories of New England.

Investigative journalist and storyteller Kylie Low gets straight to the story with a mix of narrated episodes and documentary style production featuring interviews with surviving family and friends and insight on the investigations from detectives and sources who know these cases best.

This is heart-centered, ethical true crime, bringing light to stories you’re not hearing on other podcasts. It is Dark Downeast's mission to honor the legacy of the humans at the heart of each story and bring new attention to the cases still awaiting justice.

View source material, photos, and learn more at darkdowneast.com. 

Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

Our card this week is Georgia Smith, the 8 of Hearts from Minnesota. 

In 1999, 76-year-old Georgia had plans to spend the Fourth of July with her family at her lakeside cabin over in Wisconsin. But a few days before they were all set to leave, Georgia said she needed to go there early… on her own. When her family eventually showed up to celebrate, they quickly realized this holiday wouldn’t be anything like they had planned.

If you have any information on the disappearance of Georgia Smith in 1999, please call the Champlin Police Department at 952-258-5321. 

To apply for the Cold Case Playing Cards grant through Season of Justice, visit www.seasonofjustice.org.

Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.

• Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuck
• Facebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF
   

Follow The Deck on social media and join Ashley’s community by texting (317) 733-7485 to stay up to date on what's new!

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Our card this week is Jacqueline Brown, the King of Spades from Ohio.

Jacqueline Brown and her coworkers went out on July 12th, 1985 to cash their paychecks and celebrate payday with some drinks. Instead, the night ended in tragedy when residents in another part of town were awoken to find Jacqueline shot and begging for help. And while first responders may not have been able to save her, detectives are dedicated to finding her killer... who may have been someone she knew.

If you have any tips or remember someone acting suspicious around or after Jackie's death, please call and let detectives know. No lead is too small. Call the Dayton Police Department cold case tip line at 937-333-7109.

To apple for a Cold Case Playing Card grant through Season of Justice, please visit www.seasonofjustice.org. 

Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.

• Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuck
• Facebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllc

The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Follow The Deck on social media and join Ashley’s community by texting (317) 733-7485 to stay up to date on what's new!

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Our card this week is Stanley "Stosh" Stowik, Sr., the 2 of Hearts from Rhode Island. 

October 9th, 2015, was supposed to be a normal, routine Friday for 80-year-old Stanley. But what unfolded in his home that night was anything but ordinary – and it set in motion a chilling mystery that still stumps detectives all these years later. 

If you know anything about the murder of Stanley “Stosh” Stowik, Sr. in 2015, please call the Cumberland Police Department at 401-333-2500. You can reach Capt. Sweet directly at extension 3005. You can also send an email to [email protected]. 

To apply for the Cold Case Playing Cards grant through Season of Justice, visit www.seasonofjustice.org.

Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.

• Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuck
• Facebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Follow The Deck on social media and join Ashley’s community by texting (317) 733-7485 to stay up to date on what's new!

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Our card this week is Ruth Carter, the King of Diamonds from Ohio.

When 50-year-old Ruth Carter was found murdered in her home in Dayton, Ohio, suspicions immediately turned to her former roommate. But no physical evidence could tie him to the scene, and years started to tick by without any leads to point investigators to her killer, until 2005, when a young man came forward with information that took detectives to the people who may have been responsible.

If you have any information about the murder of Ruth Carter, Jerron “Buck” Ball, or Justin Turner, please call the Dayton Police Department Cold Case Unit at 937-333-7109. 
 

To apply for the Cold Case Playing Cards grant through Season of Justice, visit www.seasonofjustice.org.

Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.

• Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuck
• Facebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllc
   

The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers. 

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Follow The Deck on social media and join Ashley’s community by texting (317) 733-7485 to stay up to date on what's new!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.