More than a decade apart, two Spokane women vanished under hauntingly similar circumstances—one disappeared without a trace, the other was found dismembered in a wooded area outside the city. What followed was not just a search for a killer, but a slow unraveling of a justice system strained by delay, disputed decisions, and institutional fear.

In this episode of The Spokane Show, host Eric Walker examines the connected cases of Heather Higgins and Kala Williams. Despite DNA evidence, a clear suspect, and years of investigative work, neither case ever made it to trial. A controversial medical examiner ruling labeled one death “undetermined,” effectively stopping charges before they could begin—and casting a shadow over both investigations.

Through interviews with retired Major Crimes Detective Mark Burbridge and a careful review of public records, this episode traces how evidence accumulated, why accountability stalled, and what happens when cases don’t fail all at once—but erode over time. It’s a story about missed opportunities, professional consequences, and families left without answers.

In 2022, Kala Williams’ death was reclassified as a homicide, reopening the door to prosecution. But before charges could be filed, the suspect died—bringing any possibility of courtroom accountability to an end.

This is not just a story about violence. It’s about what happens when truth is delayed, decisions compound, and time ultimately runs out.

If this episode mattered to you, please consider sharing it, rating and reviewing the show, and subscribing to The Spokane Show. Your support helps these stories reach more people. And if you have a story idea, tip, or issue you think deserves attention, you can email the show directly at [email protected]

Sandy grew up in Spokane and shares a firsthand addiction recovery story shaped by years of fentanyl addiction, homelessness, and relapse after 15 years clean. Her journey reflects the reality of addiction and recovery in Spokane, where survival often comes before hope.

In this episode of The Spokane Show, Sandy speaks honestly about what addiction looks like from the inside, the grip of fentanyl, and the long road back through recovery, community support, and faith. This conversation explores homelessness and addiction, forgiveness, and the moments that helped her choose life again.

A powerful Spokane story about resilience, second chances, and why addiction recovery is possible—even when it feels out of reach.

November is National Adoption Month

In this heartfelt episode of The Spokane Show, we honor National Adoption Month by exploring the meaning of family, identity, and the lifelong search for belonging.

Across the United States, more than 113,000 children in foster care are waiting to be adopted — each one carrying a story, a hope, and a heartbeat for home. Through conversation and reflection, we shine a light on the realities behind those numbers and the transformative power of love that bridges distance, history, and time.

You’ll hear the moving story of Cale Chambers and Caileen DelGreco — two sisters who found each other after Caileen’s tireless journey to uncover her heritage. What began as a personal search became a union years in the making, revealing the resilience of the human spirit and the beauty of rediscovered family.

This episode reminds us that adoption is more than a legal process — it’s an act of courage, healing, and grace. Whether you’ve lived this story personally or are hearing it for the first time, The Spokane Show invites you to reflect on what it truly means to belong.

Listen now — and be inspired to see family not just as where we come from, but as who we choose to love.

On this episode of The Spokane Show, I sit down with Shauna Kennedy-Carr, Executive Director and Founder of Stop the Silence.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men in the Spokane region have experienced domestic abuse at some point in their lives

Change begins when we refuse to look the other way. By recognizing the early warning signs, supporting survivors’ first steps toward safety, and demanding accountability for those who abuse power, we can turn these statistics into history.

2,000 children in Spokane County witness verbal abuse in their homes each year; 1 in 3 youth see adult abuse more than once; 1 in 5 youth experience intimate-partner violence; and 1 in 10 youth have been abused by an adult

Spokane County has the highest reported DV rate in Washington: 14.2 offenses per 1,000 residents (2020) versus the statewide average of 7.2

If you are experiencing violence at home, you are not alone—help is available.* Any of the 24/7 crisis lines listed offer immediate support when you need it; Visit the Spokane Regional Health District's list of Domestic Violence resources at https://covid.srhd.org/topics/domestic-violence-resources/resources

Thank you for listening to The Spokane Show. Stay safe, stay connected, and let’s keep the conversation going

National Human Trafficking Hotline

Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week. Languages: English, Spanish.

Learn more

888-373-7888

https://iwantrest.com

When REST started in 2009, the majority of organizations turned away sex trafficking victims because the trauma experience was too complex and the symptoms too overwhelming, implying survivors didn't deserve exit services. We disagreed!

As we discovered gaps in existing services, we committed to building them, always informed by the people we served. This relationship-first and needs-based model has driven REST’s growth.

REST stands for: Real Escape from the Sex Trade

https://youtu.be/FWfxoyEIylI?si=__cnlswv8ztYXqXO

Message from Enid: A piece of my heart for all the women survivors of mistreatment and abuse, for my entire LGBTQ community who have defended our rights to be respected and for my family and friends who saw me suffer and rise. Thank you all for your unconditional support! Blessings and success in everything you do!!!! If you can,

Like, Subscribe and Share it to everyone who needs to be empowered and educated.

Join me as I sit down Caleb Altmeyer in the main room of the former déjà vu to discuss the ministry's vision of Helping Captives and the poignant event they held to reclaim the building.

As you listen, may you be inspired by the power of compassion and the resilience of the human spirit.

If you would like to learn more about Helping Captives; please visit their website: https://helpingcaptives.org/about

Join Eric as he wraps up his adoption story with an interview of his biological brother.

There are about 4.5 million adopted children in the United States, which is 7% of the population reported in the 2010 Census. This amount includes children who are adopted by relatives or a stepparent.

According to the congressional Coalition on Adoption; on any given day 391,000 children are living in the U.S. foster care system.

113,000 of these children eligible for adoption will wait, on average, almost three years for an adoptive family.

It was estimated that 95,306 children were adopted in the U.S. in 2020, which is about a 17% decrease from 2019.

Public adoptions comprised 58% of the total domestic adoptions in 2020, and private adoptions made up 42%.

According the WA State DCYF, the costs for private adoption can range anywhere from $8,000 to $40,000.

This is Part 1 of a 2 part series about adoption. On this episode we are going to be talking about finding our biological family.

For more than 20 years, Matthew Spaur has published fiction, nonfiction, and journalism. His work has appeared in South Dakota Review, Owen Wister Review, Wisconsin Review, Willow Springs, Into the Ruins, and Heliotrope, and in the anthologies Microsoft in the Mirror and Secrets.

He was the publisher of The Local Planet Weekly, an award-winning weekly newspaper.

Spaur and his teams have won awards and nominations from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Society for Technical Communications, and the Associated Writing Programs.

He earned a Master in Fine Arts in writing from Eastern Washington University and an MBA from University of Nevada, Reno.

Please visit his website at: https://matthewspaur.com/

Join me on this episode as I talk with Matt about his new book called Making a Small Fortune.

Eric sits down with local Spokane Band - Okay, Honey.

Okay, Honey

FB: https://www.facebook.com/okayhoneymusic

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/okayhoneymusic

Bee's Knees Booking

FB: https://www.facebook.com/beeskneesbooking

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/beeskneesbooking

Sarah Jean

FB: https://www.facebook.com/fiddlinsarah

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/fiddlinsarahjean

Joel

FB: https://www.facebook.com/joel.a.haugen.7

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lovebeerfamily