WARNING: THIS 4 PART SERIES INCLUDES SOME SENSITIVE DETAILS INVOLVING CHILD ABUSE AND ANIMAL CRUELTY.

On April 11, 1981, 15-year-old Barbara "Barb" Cotton went out for the evening. Depending on who you ask, she was reportedly having dinner with a friend, a boyfriend, her mother, or some combination of the three. What is certain is that Barb never returned home. She was never seen or heard from again.

Over the decades, several persons of interest have emerged, including Barb's own brother, Frank. Yet despite years of investigation, countless questions, and a family still searching for answers, no one has been able to definitively explain what happened to Barb.

Today, we're exploring a new possibility involving a different person of interest, someone who has never been seriously examined as a potential suspect. By following the small details, taking a closer look at the family dynamics, and examining who truly had the means, motive, and opportunity, we're going to revisit one of North Dakota's most enduring mysteries and ask whether the answer may have been hiding in plain sight all along.

LINKS RELATED TO BARB:

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=find%20barbara%20louise%20cotton%20

NAMUS: https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/case/MP2921

CHARLEY PROJECT: https://charleyproject.org/case/barbara-louise-cotton

DAKOTA SPOTLIGHT: https://dakotaspotlight.com/

WILLISTON PD: https://www.facebook.com/WillistonNDPD

LINKS TO @CRIMEBLOGGER1983:

Blog: https://crimeblogger1983.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimeblogger1983/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHURLOCK1983/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShurlockHolmes/about

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/crimeblogger1983

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crimeblogger1983

KILLAFORNIA DREAMING LINKS:
Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/killaforniapod
PayPal:  https://www.paypal.coCashm/paypalme/killaforniapod
Merchandise:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.threadless.com/
Website:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillaforniaDreamingPodcast
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296620370450345/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/killaforniadreaming
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/killaforniadreamingpod/?hl=en
X:  https://twitter.com/killaforniapod
Email:  [email protected]
TikTok:  @killaforniadreamingpod 
Cash App:  $KDpodcast

Support the show

WARNING: THIS 4 PART SERIES INCLUDES SOME SENSITIVE DETAILS INVOLVING CHILD ABUSE AND ANIMAL CRUELTY.

On April 11, 1981, 15-year-old Barbara "Barb" Cotton went out for the evening. Depending on who you ask, she was reportedly having dinner with a friend, a boyfriend, her mother, or some combination of the three. What is certain is that Barb never returned home. She was never seen or heard from again.

Over the decades, several persons of interest have emerged, including Barb's own brother, Frank. Yet despite years of investigation, countless questions, and a family still searching for answers, no one has been able to definitively explain what happened to Barb.

Today, we're exploring a new possibility involving a different person of interest, someone who has never been seriously examined as a potential suspect. By following the small details, taking a closer look at the family dynamics, and examining who truly had the means, motive, and opportunity, we're going to revisit one of North Dakota's most enduring mysteries and ask whether the answer may have been hiding in plain sight all along.

LINKS RELATED TO BARB:

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=find%20barbara%20louise%20cotton%20

NAMUS: https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/case/MP2921

CHARLEY PROJECT: https://charleyproject.org/case/barbara-louise-cotton

DAKOTA SPOTLIGHT: https://dakotaspotlight.com/

WILLISTON PD: https://www.facebook.com/WillistonNDPD

LINKS TO @CRIMEBLOGGER1983:

Blog: https://crimeblogger1983.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimeblogger1983/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHURLOCK1983/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShurlockHolmes/about

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/crimeblogger1983

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crimeblogger1983

KILLAFORNIA DREAMING LINKS:
Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/killaforniapod
PayPal:  https://www.paypal.coCashm/paypalme/killaforniapod
Merchandise:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.threadless.com/
Website:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillaforniaDreamingPodcast
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296620370450345/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/killaforniadreaming
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/killaforniadreamingpod/?hl=en
X:  https://twitter.com/killaforniapod
Email:  [email protected]
TikTok:  @killaforniadreamingpod 
Cash App:  $KDpodcast

Support the show

WARNING: THIS 4 PART SERIES INCLUDES SOME SENSITIVE DETAILS INVOLVING CHILD ABUSE AND ANIMAL CRUELTY.

On April 11, 1981, 15-year-old Barbara "Barb" Cotton went out for the evening. Depending on who you ask, she was reportedly having dinner with a friend, a boyfriend, her mother, or some combination of the three. What is certain is that Barb never returned home. She was never seen or heard from again.

Over the decades, several persons of interest have emerged, including Barb's own brother, Frank. Yet despite years of investigation, countless questions, and a family still searching for answers, no one has been able to definitively explain what happened to Barb.

Today, we're exploring a new possibility involving a different person of interest, someone who has never been seriously examined as a potential suspect. By following the small details, taking a closer look at the family dynamics, and examining who truly had the means, motive, and opportunity, we're going to revisit one of North Dakota's most enduring mysteries and ask whether the answer may have been hiding in plain sight all along.

LINKS RELATED TO BARB:

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=find%20barbara%20louise%20cotton%20

NAMUS: https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/case/MP2921

CHARLEY PROJECT: https://charleyproject.org/case/barbara-louise-cotton

DAKOTA SPOTLIGHT: https://dakotaspotlight.com/

WILLISTON PD: https://www.facebook.com/WillistonNDPD

LINKS TO @CRIMEBLOGGER1983:

Blog: https://crimeblogger1983.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimeblogger1983/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHURLOCK1983/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShurlockHolmes/about

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/crimeblogger1983

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crimeblogger1983

KILLAFORNIA DREAMING LINKS:
Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/killaforniapod
PayPal:  https://www.paypal.coCashm/paypalme/killaforniapod
Merchandise:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.threadless.com/
Website:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillaforniaDreamingPodcast
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296620370450345/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/killaforniadreaming
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/killaforniadreamingpod/?hl=en
X:  https://twitter.com/killaforniapod
Email:  [email protected]
TikTok:  @killaforniadreamingpod 
Cash App:  $KDpodcast

Support the show

WARNING: THIS 4 PART SERIES INCLUDES SOME SENSITIVE DETAILS INVOLVING CHILD ABUSE AND ANIMAL CRUELTY.

On April 11, 1981, 15-year-old Barbara "Barb" Cotton went out for the evening. Depending on who you ask, she was reportedly having dinner with a friend, a boyfriend, her mother, or some combination of the three. What is certain is that Barb never returned home. She was never seen or heard from again.

Over the decades, several persons of interest have emerged, including Barb's own brother, Frank. Yet despite years of investigation, countless questions, and a family still searching for answers, no one has been able to definitively explain what happened to Barb.

Today, we're exploring a new possibility involving a different person of interest, someone who has never been seriously examined as a potential suspect. By following the small details, taking a closer look at the family dynamics, and examining who truly had the means, motive, and opportunity, we're going to revisit one of North Dakota's most enduring mysteries and ask whether the answer may have been hiding in plain sight all along.

LINKS RELATED TO BARB:

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=find%20barbara%20louise%20cotton%20

NAMUS: https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/case/MP2921

CHARLEY PROJECT: https://charleyproject.org/case/barbara-louise-cotton

DAKOTA SPOTLIGHT: https://dakotaspotlight.com/

WILLISTON PD: https://www.facebook.com/WillistonNDPD

LINKS TO @CRIMEBLOGGER1983:

Blog: https://crimeblogger1983.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimeblogger1983/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHURLOCK1983/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShurlockHolmes/about

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/crimeblogger1983

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crimeblogger1983

KILLAFORNIA DREAMING LINKS:
Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/killaforniapod
PayPal:  https://www.paypal.coCashm/paypalme/killaforniapod
Merchandise:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.threadless.com/
Website:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillaforniaDreamingPodcast
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296620370450345/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/killaforniadreaming
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/killaforniadreamingpod/?hl=en
X:  https://twitter.com/killaforniapod
Email:  [email protected]
TikTok:  @killaforniadreamingpod 
Cash App:  $KDpodcast

Support the show

In August of 2013, Rebecca Rogers shot and killed her husband of 14 years, Jason, three times — twice in the back and once in the head — but don’t worry, according to Rebecca, this was all somehow self-defense.  And apparently enough people bought that explanation, because between the public support and what feels like a pretty surface-level investigation, Rebecca eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served less than two years in prison.  Less than two years.  For shooting a man three times.  Incredible.
At first glance, the case seems pretty open-and-shut…until you sit down and actually listen to her interrogation.  Because once I heard Rebecca tell her absolutely “harrowing” tale herself, I walked away thinking this woman didn’t get away with manslaughter — she got away with murder.
And weirdly, there’s barely any information out there about this case.  It never got the full Dateline treatment, no dramatic 20/20 special, no ominous narrator standing in front of a cornfield talking about “small town secrets.”  Somehow this one just quietly drifted off into obscurity.
We’re also not going to be listening to the interrogation itself in these episodes.  But honestly, we don’t even need to.  There is SO much to unpack in the things Rebecca says — the contradictions, the reactions, the storytelling choices, all of it — that, to me, point to this being way more than a simple manslaughter case.  The more she talks, the less believable it becomes.
To me, this was murder.
LINKS:
Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/killaforniapod
PayPal:  https://www.paypal.coCashm/paypalme/killaforniapod
Merchandise:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.threadless.com/
Website:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillaforniaDreamingPodcast
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296620370450345/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/killaforniadreaming
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/killaforniadreamingpod/?hl=en
X:  https://twitter.com/killaforniapod
Email:  [email protected]
TikTok:  @killaforniadreamingpod 
Cash App:  $KDpodcast

SOURCES:

https://www.northescambia.com/2016/04/breaking-molino-mom-sentenced

https://www.northescambia.com/2013/08/molino-woman-claims-self-defense-in-shooting-death-of-her-husband

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT3lKnc67X0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyXorcwEAxs&t=1142s

https://weartv.com/news/local/molino-woman-sentenced-for-killing-husband-during-domestic-disput

Support the show

In August of 2013, Rebecca Rogers shot and killed her husband of 14 years, Jason, three times — twice in the back and once in the head — but don’t worry, according to Rebecca, this was all somehow self-defense.  And apparently enough people bought that explanation, because between the public support and what feels like a pretty surface-level investigation, Rebecca eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served less than two years in prison.  Less than two years.  For shooting a man three times.  Incredible.
At first glance, the case seems pretty open-and-shut…until you sit down and actually listen to her interrogation.  Because once I heard Rebecca tell her absolutely “harrowing” tale herself, I walked away thinking this woman didn’t get away with manslaughter — she got away with murder.
And weirdly, there’s barely any information out there about this case.  It never got the full Dateline treatment, no dramatic 20/20 special, no ominous narrator standing in front of a cornfield talking about “small town secrets.”  Somehow this one just quietly drifted off into obscurity.
We’re also not going to be listening to the interrogation itself in these episodes.  But honestly, we don’t even need to.  There is SO much to unpack in the things Rebecca says — the contradictions, the reactions, the storytelling choices, all of it — that, to me, point to this being way more than a simple manslaughter case.  The more she talks, the less believable it becomes.
To me, this was murder.
LINKS:
Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/killaforniapod
PayPal:  https://www.paypal.coCashm/paypalme/killaforniapod
Merchandise:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.threadless.com/
Website:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillaforniaDreamingPodcast
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296620370450345/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/killaforniadreaming
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/killaforniadreamingpod/?hl=en
X:  https://twitter.com/killaforniapod
Email:  [email protected]
TikTok:  @killaforniadreamingpod 
Cash App:  $KDpodcast

SOURCES:

https://www.northescambia.com/2016/04/breaking-molino-mom-sentenced

https://www.northescambia.com/2013/08/molino-woman-claims-self-defense-in-shooting-death-of-her-husband

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT3lKnc67X0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyXorcwEAxs&t=1142s

https://weartv.com/news/local/molino-woman-sentenced-for-killing-husband-during-domestic-disput

Support the show

In August of 2013, Rebecca Rogers shot and killed her husband of 14 years, Jason, three times — twice in the back and once in the head — but don’t worry, according to Rebecca, this was all somehow self-defense.  And apparently enough people bought that explanation, because between the public support and what feels like a pretty surface-level investigation, Rebecca eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served less than two years in prison.  Less than two years.  For shooting a man three times.  Incredible.
At first glance, the case seems pretty open-and-shut…until you sit down and actually listen to her interrogation.  Because once I heard Rebecca tell her absolutely “harrowing” tale herself, I walked away thinking this woman didn’t get away with manslaughter — she got away with murder.
And weirdly, there’s barely any information out there about this case.  It never got the full Dateline treatment, no dramatic 20/20 special, no ominous narrator standing in front of a cornfield talking about “small town secrets.”  Somehow this one just quietly drifted off into obscurity.
We’re also not going to be listening to the interrogation itself in these episodes.  But honestly, we don’t even need to.  There is SO much to unpack in the things Rebecca says — the contradictions, the reactions, the storytelling choices, all of it — that, to me, point to this being way more than a simple manslaughter case.  The more she talks, the less believable it becomes.
To me, this was murder.
LINKS:
Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/killaforniapod
PayPal:  https://www.paypal.coCashm/paypalme/killaforniapod
Merchandise:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.threadless.com/
Website:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillaforniaDreamingPodcast
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296620370450345/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/killaforniadreaming
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/killaforniadreamingpod/?hl=en
X:  https://twitter.com/killaforniapod
Email:  [email protected]
TikTok:  @killaforniadreamingpod 
Cash App:  $KDpodcast

SOURCES:

https://www.northescambia.com/2016/04/breaking-molino-mom-sentenced

https://www.northescambia.com/2013/08/molino-woman-claims-self-defense-in-shooting-death-of-her-husband

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT3lKnc67X0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyXorcwEAxs&t=1142s

https://weartv.com/news/local/molino-woman-sentenced-for-killing-husband-during-domestic-disput

Support the show

In August of 2013, Rebecca Rogers shot and killed her husband of 14 years, Jason, three times — twice in the back and once in the head — but don’t worry, according to Rebecca, this was all somehow self-defense.  And apparently enough people bought that explanation, because between the public support and what feels like a pretty surface-level investigation, Rebecca eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served less than two years in prison.  Less than two years.  For shooting a man three times.  Incredible.
At first glance, the case seems pretty open-and-shut…until you sit down and actually listen to her interrogation.  Because once I heard Rebecca tell her absolutely “harrowing” tale herself, I walked away thinking this woman didn’t get away with manslaughter — she got away with murder.
And weirdly, there’s barely any information out there about this case.  It never got the full Dateline treatment, no dramatic 20/20 special, no ominous narrator standing in front of a cornfield talking about “small town secrets.”  Somehow this one just quietly drifted off into obscurity.
We’re also not going to be listening to the interrogation itself in these episodes.  But honestly, we don’t even need to.  There is SO much to unpack in the things Rebecca says — the contradictions, the reactions, the storytelling choices, all of it — that, to me, point to this being way more than a simple manslaughter case.  The more she talks, the less believable it becomes.
To me, this was murder.
LINKS:
Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/killaforniapod
PayPal:  https://www.paypal.coCashm/paypalme/killaforniapod
Merchandise:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.threadless.com/
Website:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillaforniaDreamingPodcast
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296620370450345/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/killaforniadreaming
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/killaforniadreamingpod/?hl=en
X:  https://twitter.com/killaforniapod
Email:  [email protected]
TikTok:  @killaforniadreamingpod 
Cash App:  $KDpodcast

SOURCES:

https://www.northescambia.com/2016/04/breaking-molino-mom-sentenced

https://www.northescambia.com/2013/08/molino-woman-claims-self-defense-in-shooting-death-of-her-husband

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT3lKnc67X0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyXorcwEAxs&t=1142s

https://weartv.com/news/local/molino-woman-sentenced-for-killing-husband-during-domestic-disput

Support the show

In August of 2013, Rebecca Rogers shot and killed her husband of 14 years, Jason, three times — twice in the back and once in the head — but don’t worry, according to Rebecca, this was all somehow self-defense.  And apparently enough people bought that explanation, because between the public support and what feels like a pretty surface-level investigation, Rebecca eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served less than two years in prison.  Less than two years.  For shooting a man three times.  Incredible.
At first glance, the case seems pretty open-and-shut…until you sit down and actually listen to her interrogation.  Because once I heard Rebecca tell her absolutely “harrowing” tale herself, I walked away thinking this woman didn’t get away with manslaughter — she got away with murder.
And weirdly, there’s barely any information out there about this case.  It never got the full Dateline treatment, no dramatic 20/20 special, no ominous narrator standing in front of a cornfield talking about “small town secrets.”  Somehow this one just quietly drifted off into obscurity.
We’re also not going to be listening to the interrogation itself in these episodes.  But honestly, we don’t even need to.  There is SO much to unpack in the things Rebecca says — the contradictions, the reactions, the storytelling choices, all of it — that, to me, point to this being way more than a simple manslaughter case.  The more she talks, the less believable it becomes.
To me, this was murder.
LINKS:
Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/killaforniapod
PayPal:  https://www.paypal.coCashm/paypalme/killaforniapod
Merchandise:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.threadless.com/
Website:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillaforniaDreamingPodcast
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296620370450345/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/killaforniadreaming
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/killaforniadreamingpod/?hl=en
X:  https://twitter.com/killaforniapod
Email:  [email protected]
TikTok:  @killaforniadreamingpod 
Cash App:  $KDpodcast

SOURCES:

https://www.northescambia.com/2016/04/breaking-molino-mom-sentenced

https://www.northescambia.com/2013/08/molino-woman-claims-self-defense-in-shooting-death-of-her-husband

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT3lKnc67X0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyXorcwEAxs&t=1142s

https://weartv.com/news/local/molino-woman-sentenced-for-killing-husband-during-domestic-disput

Support the show

Nancy Guthrie, mother of Emmy Award Winning Host Savannah Guthrie was reported missing from her Tucson area home on February 1, 2026.  Ransom demands followed, but the investigation has lead only to dead ends and Nancy is still missing today, more than a month after her abduction.  If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Nancy or her alleged abductors, please contact the FBI at (800) CALL-FBI or visit tips.fi.gov.  You may remain anonymous.  SOURCES:

https://www.newsweek.com/nancy-guthrie-update-ex-fbi-agent-highlights-overlooked-detail-in-video-11584445

https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2026-02-10/timeline-of-guthrie-siblings-video-messages-to-their-mothers-purported-abductors-and-the-public

https://www.newsweek.com/nancy-guthrie-update-attorney-says-investigation-entering-new-stage-11625626

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/nbc-staffers-reportedly-hoped-savannah-221428271.html

LINKS:
Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/killaforniapod
PayPal:  https://www.paypal.coCashm/paypalme/killaforniapod
Merchandise:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.threadless.com/
Website:  https://killaforniadreamingpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillaforniaDreamingPodcast
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296620370450345/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/killaforniadreaming
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/killaforniadreamingpod/?hl=en
X:  https://twitter.com/killaforniapod
Email:  [email protected]
TikTok:  @killaforniadreamingpod 
Cash App:  $KDpodcast

Support the show