Alcohol. Secrets. Abuse.

In this episode of The Fronczak Files, we dig deeper into the troubling life of Jack and Jill’s biological mother, Marie Duncan Rosenthal. Our research reveals a woman shaped by instability, isolation, and substance abuse, forces that may have set the stage for the devastating choices that followed.

Why did Marie conceal the existence of her first child in 1958? How did the Rosenthal family manage to move from place to place with so many children in tow? And what role did Marie and her mother, Jennie, play in the abandonment of twin children? Join Jack and Tracey as they unravel Marie’s early life, examine the family dynamics surrounding her upbringing, and confront the dark possibilities behind the trauma that unfolded later.

 Join Jack and Tracey as they:

• Examine Marie’s chaotic and painful childhood

• Uncover the story behind Marie’s secret child

• Explore Jennie’s possible role in Jack and Jill’s abandonment

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Theme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland

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Disruption. Hardship. Fracture.

In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey dig into Jack’s maternal roots, a family story shaped by strong Polish Catholic ties, isolation in the Tennessee mountains, and the post-war boom in Ohio. Together these forces helped mold Marie Duncan Rosenthal.

What pushed the Duncan family to leave Tennessee for Ohio? Who became involved with an evangelical TV church? And how did a nomadic upbringing leave lasting consequences for Marie? Join Jack and Tracey as they trace the Duncan line back to its Appalachian beginnings and uncover what the journey north changed forever.

 Join Jack and Tracey as they:

• Summarize Marie Duncan’s genealogy

• Detail the family move from Tennessee to Ohio

• Explore how frequent moves affected Marie’s life and stability  

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Theme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland

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Trauma. Pain. Horror.

In this episode of The Fronczak Files, we turn our focus on Jack’s biological father, Gilbert Rosenthal. As we trace the path of his life, we uncover a story shaped by poverty, relentless physical pain, and an escalating hunger for control.

How does a man enlist in the military while facing what may have been a serious medical condition? How does he endure chronic pain while his family grows around him? And what could drive someone to erase the existence of his own twin children? Tune in as Jack and Tracey unravel the disturbing legacy Gilbert left behind, and explore how his choices may have set the stage for everything that followed.

 Join Jack and Tracey as they:

• Revisit Gilbert’s early beginnings

• Break down his medical and military history

• Theorize how these events may have led to the abandonment of Jack and Jill

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Theme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland

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Love. Scandal. Abandonment

In this episode of The Fronczak Files, we continue our walk through Jack’s family tree with a deeper look at his paternal lines. As we trace these branches, we uncover deep religious roots, stark cultural divides, and a beginning marked by turmoil.

Why would a man choose circumcision in adulthood? Why would a woman drink poison in front of her husband? And what drives a man to abandon his wife and two children? Tune in as we follow the record trail and connect the dots behind the headlines.

 Join Jack and Tracey as they:

• Dig into Gilbert Rosenthal’s roots

• Explore the major differences in religion and culture across the lines

• Provide context for Gilbert’s chaotic upbringing

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Theme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland

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Secrets. Lies. The making of monsters.

In this Season 3 premiere, The Fronczak Files takes you back to the beginning. While many know about the 1964 kidnapping of Paul Joseph Fronczak and Jack’s abandonment in Newark, few understand the full scope of Jack’s genetic beginnings, and what they reveal.

For the first time, we will walk through Jack’s full family tree, starting with his immediate Rosenthal family and tracing back generations to add context to the events of the 1960s that set his journey in motion.

Where did Jack come from? What does his family tree really look like? And how did it all lead to the making of monsters? Tune in this season for new research, new leads, and a deeper exploration into Jack’s life.

 Join Jack, Tracey, and Emily as they:

• Present Jack’s family tree in full for the first time

• Recap the major events in Jack’s search to find his genetic identity

• Set the stage for Season 3

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Theme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland

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Emerging technologies. Cold cases. Long-awaited breakthroughs.

In this bonus episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey sit down with Cairenn Binder, Assistant Director of the IGG Center and Director of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Certificate Program at Ramapo College. Cairenn breaks down how civilians trained in investigative genetic genealogy are helping unlock decades-old cold cases, identify the unknown, and even exonerate the wrongfully convicted.

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Theme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland

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Children sold. Memories buried. Identities erased.

In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey uncover the disturbing truth behind Dr. Katherine Cole, a physician who operated an illegal baby adoption ring from the 1930s through the 1960s. Countless children were trafficked through her network, many of whom would later come to be known as “Cole Babies.”

They are joined by Bob Lightner, a man directly impacted by Cole’s operation, who shares his personal adoption story and the lifelong consequences of having his identity taken from him at birth.

How many children were involved? How did Dr. Cole evade oversight for decades? And how can surviving Cole Babies, and their descendants, begin the process of reclaiming their genetic truth?

Join Jack and Tracey as they:

• Uncover the history and inner workings of Dr. Katherine Cole’s illegal adoption ring

• Speak with Bob Lightner about his own adoption and search for identity

• Explain the steps other “Cole Babies” can take to pursue answers and genetic truth

This is a powerful episode about lost identities, systemic failures, and the long road toward truth.

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Theme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland

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A baby abandoned. A secret buried. A chance to uncover the truth.

In this episode of The Fronczak Files, the team speaks with Kris, a woman who was abandoned as a newborn in a wooded neighborhood area and adopted shortly thereafter. Years later, her adoptive parents shared what little they knew of her earliest moments, leaving Kris with a lifetime of unanswered questions. Follow along as the team uses genetic genealogy and DNA analysis to help piece together her biological story.

Who are Kris’ biological parents? Why was she abandoned? And how does she process the answers she’s waited her entire life to find?

Join the team as they:

• Revisit the known details of Kris’s abandonment and early life

• Walk through the genetic genealogy process used to build her family tree

• Explore the emotional impact of discovering one’s genetic truth

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Theme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland

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A shallow grave. A glass eye. Decades of unanswered questions.

In this episode of The Fronczak Files, Jack and Tracey examine the 1981 cold case murder of Jack Lachow. Known for years only as “One Eye,” his identity remained a mystery for nearly three decades. Though his name was finally restored, the truth behind his death remains elusive.

Who was Jack Lachow? What kind of life did he live? And who left his body in a shallow grave in South Florida?

Join Jack and Tracey as they:

• Lay out the known details of the cold case

• Explore what is known about Jack Lachow’s life

• Examine South Florida’s organized crime landscape in the early 1980’s

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Theme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland

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Unanswered questions. DNA testing. Long-awaited results.

In this episode of The Fronczak Files, the team continues their conversation with activist and abuse survivor Logan Gifford. After years of uncertainty, Logan will finally receive the DNA results that may confirm the paternity of his younger brother.

Join the TFF team as they:

• Reveal the DNA findings

• Provide an update on the case’s ongoing legal proceedings

• Discuss Logan’s next steps and what this means for his family

The Fronczak Files is honored to support Logan in his search for truth. We continue to stand with all individuals navigating similar circumstances and encourage anyone in need to seek help, guidance, and support.

💬 Share your reactions

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Theme Music by Paul Jack Fronczak and Rick Holland

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.