If the rage, grief, and unanswered questions at the heart of Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) felt almost too real – that’s because they were. In this episode we start by discussing McDonagh’s critically acclaimed and Oscar winning film, which also happens to be one of co-host Ashley’s favorite movies. Next, we compare the case to the still-unsolved 1991 murder of Kathy Page, a case that has haunted her family and the community for decades. We break down the sticking parallels between the movie and Kathy Page’s story: a parent’s public protest, law enforcement failures, billboards demanding a resolution, and the emotional toll of living without justice. We also explore where the film diverges from reality, how fiction reshapes trauma, and what the movies leaves out about the long-term impact on victims’ families. Ultimately, this episode asks a difficult question – when a case goes cold, what does justice actually look like, and who gets to decide when the story is over?

If you or anyone you know has information about the murder of Kathy Page, visit the following websites: Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers Cold Case, or Texas Crime Stoppers. Anonymous tips can also be placed by calling 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-346-3243.

 Primary Sources:

• Unsolved Mysteries (1997)
• Cold Justice (2018)
• ABC 12 News (2018)
• American Press (2021)
• Crime Junkie Podcast (2022)
• Beaumont Enterprise (2022)
• FKDM (2024)
• Unsolved Mysteries

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