Trace Evidence

Chuck Morgan worked as an escrow agent in Tucson, Arizona in 1977.  Far from an exciting life, Chuck enjoyed the quiet calm and exactness of his work, and in his free time, delighted in joy and excitement of raising four daughters with his wife, Ruth.  Suddenly, Chuck's life would be thrust into danger and mystery when he vanished on March 22nd. 

Chuck resurfaced three days later and told his wife a bizarre tale about being abducted, torture and having his throat coated with a potent hallucinogen.  From that day forward, Chuck was extremely safety conscious and even went so far as to wear a bullet proof vest and he began carrying a .357 magnum handgun.  

Several months later, in June, when things seemed to be back to normal, Chuck vanished once again.  Nine days later, a mysterious woman called his wife and gave her a cryptic statement about a Bible passage in Ecclesiastes.  Two days after that, Chuck's body was discovered in a remote area forty miles outside of Tucson.  Police ruled his death a suicide, despite several glaring discrepancies with that theory. 

Over the next forty years, investigations into Chuck's death would find connections to organized crime, hitmen, government covert operations and allegations of fraud and drug smuggling.  What happened to Chuck Morgan and how did this straight laced businessman end up in a world of intrigue and undercover operations that ultimately lead to his death?  Join host Steven Pacheco as he examines the baffling details of this complicated and mysterious case in Episode 48 - The Mysterious Death of Chuck Morgan.

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/chuck-morgan

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On June 27th, 1995, Jodi was meant to arrive at the studio at 3am. When 4am came, and she hadn't showed up, her assistant called her apartment and awoke a sleeping Jodi. She said she'd be there in twenty minutes, but Jodi was never seen again.

Over the course of the next twenty-three years, the case has spiraled through moments of brilliant attention, and complete disregard. Throughout this time, many names have been whispered as possible suspects including two convicted sex offenders, a close personal friend of Jodi's and even officers working in Iowa law enforcement.

What happened to Jodi Huisentruit? Join Host Steven Pacheco for the conclusion of his coverage of this baffling case in Episode 47 - The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit - Part 2.

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Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/jodi-huisentruit

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Twenty-seven year old Jodi Huisentruit was living out her dream, being a television news anchor for KIMT in Mason City, Iowa. She'd always wanted to be on television, and her interest in broadcast journalism had brought her to her first role as the main anchor of a news network. Everything seemed to be coming together.

On June 27th, 1995, Jodi was meant to arrive at the studio at 3am. When 4am came, and she hadn't showed up, her assistant called her apartment and awoke a sleeping Jodi. She apologized for her tardiness and said she'd be to the studio in twenty minutes. She never arrived. Shortly after 7am, an officer arrived at her apartment for a welfare check. Jodi didn't answer the door, and when he approached her car, he found a disturbing scene. Items scattered all around the vehicle, drag marks nearby. It was immediately clear that he was staring at a crime scene.

Over the course of the next twenty-three years, the case has spiraled through moments of brilliant attention, and complete disregard. Throughout this time, many names have been whispered as possible suspects including two convicted sex offenders, a close personal friend of Jodi's and even officers working in Iowa law enforcement.

What happened to Jodi Huisentruit? Join Host Steven Pacheco as he examines this baffling case in Episode 46 - The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit - Part 1.

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/jodi-huisentruit

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For the One Year Anniversary Episode of Trace Evidence: On September 10th, 2000, Leah Hackett put her eight year old son, Zachary Bernhardt, to sleep in her bed at 11pm. Over the course of the next five hours, she watched television, chatted online and went for a walk and swim. After taking a shower, she discovered that Zachary was no longer in her bed, and he was missing. A frantic 911 call led to the Clearwater Police Department responding with multiple units and within hours a massive grid search was being executed, but Zachary was nowhere to be found.

Over the years, Leah has become the subject of a great deal of speculation. A local pedophile would take credit for the crime, and then later deny it, and a yet unidentified man would abduct another child from the same apartment complex. A year after Zachary's disappearance, a photo was discovered near Boulder, Coloardo, some 1800 miles away, depicting a young, blond haired boy bound at his wrists and ankles with duct tape. The similarity to Zachary was difficult to dismiss, though ultimately this photo cannot be verified.

What happened to Zachary Bernhardt? Did he wander out of the apartment that night, looking for his mother, and become lost? Was he abducted by a stranger, or possibly someone he knew and trusted? Or does his mother, Leah, know exactly what happened to her son? Join host Steven Pacheco as he examines this tragic and heartbreaking case.

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
"Echoes of Time v2" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/zacharybernhardt

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August 11th, 2009 was a hot and humid day in the North Georgia town of Blairsville. Thirty-eight year old Kristi Cornwell was visiting with her parents that summer as she had recently embarked on major changes in her life. She’d left her career as a probation officer, and was pursuing a new journey into the medical field. She had gotten divorced a few months earlier, but in recent times, had begun dating a new man with whom she hoped she might develop a future.

Due to a lower back injury sustained during a fall, Kristi had taken to late evening walks. They eased her pain and, in the evening, the hot and sticky weather wasn’t nearly as intense. Her mother didn’t like her walking so late, but Kristi assured her she could take care of herself, and besides, they were in Blairsville, a picturesque southern town with less than a thousand residents.

They’d live there all their lives, and Kristi, if nothing else, always felt safe there. That night, with her phone in her pocket and an earbud in, she spoke to her new boyfriend, Douglas, as she walked the streets of her home town. Then, suddenly and without warning, Douglas heard a commotion and distinctly heard Kristi cry out “Don’t take me.” An instant later, the phone emitted only the sound of static as Douglas screamed her name.

In the days, weeks and years that followed, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation would cover hundreds of acres of land in a desperate search. They will uncover connections to other instances of abduction, and other attempts in the area. These clues will lead them on a multi state search for a light colored SUV and a suspect described by previous would be victims. For authorities, it’s a race against the clock that will ultimately end in tragedy and the monster who many believe commited this crime, will cowardly spare himself the requirement to face justice and to answer for his acts when he takes his own life during a three hour standoff with Atlanta Police. Yet still, questions remain, and though authorities believe they’ve found their man, they cannot prove it. Even after Kristi’s remains are discovered, by her own brother, just miles from the site of her abduction.

Join host Steven Pacheco as he explores this complicated, tragic and frustrating case in hopes of sorting through the confusion and answering the question: Who murdered Kristi Cornwell?

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/kristi-cornwell

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Bryce Laspisa was the average American college student. He was bright, charming and liked to have fun at every possible time. During the Summer of 2013, he stayed at home with his parents, eagerly anticipating his return to Sierra College, in Rocklin, California.

Within two weeks of his return, in August of 2013, Bryce's friends and girlfriend were growing concerned about his drinking and odd behavior. Over the course of a three day period Bryce would give away valuable items, break up with his girlfriend and embark on a mysterious drive into desolate area of California. On the night of August 29th, after sitting in Buttonwillow for nearly thirteen hours, he began his drive home to Laguna Niguel where his worried parents waited.

Just after 2am, Bryce called home to say he was going to stop and rest. Just three hours later, his SUV would be found flipped on its side and Bryce was nowhere to be found. Nearly five years later and the circumstances surrounding Bryce's disappearance continue to confuse and confound his family, investigators and everyone who examines his case. What happened to Bryce Laspisa? Did he choose to run away from his life and start a new? Is it possible that he was suicidal? Did the combination of alcohol and drug use result in an altered state of consciousness? Could a head injury have left him without his memory, or, did Bryce become the victim of a random act of violence?

Join host Steven Pacheco as he explores this disturbing and tragic story, which many have described, as the male version of Maura Murray.

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/bryce-laspisa

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Twenty-Five year old Tiffany Daniels was a talented artist living in Pensacola, Florida in August of 2013. Saddened by her boyfriend moving out of state, and overwhelmed with financial difficulties, Tiffany was struggling to find her way. Her worries seemed as though they might be ending as a friend's father rented a room from her home, making her more financially secure and while her boyfriends exist was difficult, she was excited to visit him in Austin and to see the culture which thrives there.

On August 12th, 2013, Tiffany told her supervisor that she needed to leave early and may need the rest of the week off. Tiffany exited work at 4:43pm and was never seen again. Over a week later, her vehicle was found abandoned in a parking lot on Santa Rosa island, not far from her home. In the five years since she vanished, there have been many theories and alleged sightings, though nothing can be confirmed.

What happened to Tiffany Daniels? Did she choose to run away from her problem? Was she overwhelmed to the point that suicide became an option? Could she have accidentally drowned off the shore of Florida? Was she abducted and moved into the world of human trafficking or is it possible that Tiffany was the victim of a homicide, be it a random act of violence, or possibly perpetrated by someone she knew and trusted? Join host Steven Pacheco as he examines this tragic case and asks the difficult question: Where is Tiffany Daniels?

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/tiffany-daniels

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Twenty-three year old Lily Aramburo was on top of the world. She'd overcome her addictions, transformed her life and given birth to a son who she loved beyond compare. She'd recently moved in with an old friend, Christen, after each shared their true feelings and they were building a life together, but in early 2007, it would all begin to fall apart.

Christen was still using, and before long, Lily fell back into the powerful grip of addiction. After several disputes, Child Services removed her son from her custody, and Lily was sent to rehab. She later failed a drug test and was ejected from the rehab center, losing her chance to win custody back.

On June 1st, 2007, Lily and Christen had two friends over to their condo. At 2am, on June 2nd, Lily is alleged to have walked out of the condo wearing only a night gown and carrying bungee cords with her. She left behind her cell phone, wallet and personal items. Christen didn't report her missing for days, and when he did, he claimed that she may be suicidal.

Investigators with the Miami-Dade police waiting a week to investigate, and when they did, they quickly dismissed Lily as a drug addict who had run off. It wouldn't be until years later that they would officially question Christen, giving him a polygraph test. They reported the results, saying that Christen passed. Years later, it would be found that he had actually failed. This was only one of many mistakes discovered years after Lily vanished, and while the investigation was remarkably flawed, there was an utter media blackout leaving Lily's story untold and widely, unknown.

The diligence and determination of Lily's mother, Lucely and Lily's best friend, Janet Forte, was all that kept her name alive. Later, when detective Ray Hoadley took on the case, a true investigation was finally conducted and a myriad of mistakes, lies and unanswered questions were uncovered. Suspicions began to turn towards those closest to Lily and the inconsistencies were challenged.

What happened to Lily Aramburo? Did she simply walk off, into the night, never to be seen again? Was she overwhelmed by addiction, the removal of her son and her unhappy relationship, and as a result chose to commit suicide? Did Lily fall victim to a violent drug dealer with a history of murder? Or, does Lily's fiance and the man she lived with, Christen Pacheco (no relation), know more than he is saying? Join host Steven Pacheco as he examines this tragic, complex and sadly overlooked case in hopes of finding the truth. For more information about Lily Aramburo: Follow @Yogini on twitter and visit justiceinmiami.org Use #justice4lily to promote this episode and Lily's story, perhaps together, we can bring the attention this case deserves.

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/lily-aramburo

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On October 23rd, 1981, seventeen year old Kurt Sova had plans to go to a local carnival. Plans changed when he ran into a close friend who invited him to a party at a duplex nearby. The party was filled with locals and people who had driven in from Detroit, and Kurt began drinking heavily. When he began feeling ill, his friend took him outside for some fresh air.

The night had gotten cold, and Kurt's friend went into the duplex to retrieve their jackets. When he returned moments later, Kurt was nowhere to be found. For the next five days, friends and family, along with authorities, searched for Kurt, but could find no signs of him. During the search, several bizarre incidents took place.

A homeless man told a store manager that Kurt would be found dead and that no one would know what had happened to him. A friend of Kurt's claims to have seen him walking along the side of a road, not far from his own home. The owner of the duplex alleged there had been no party, and that she'd never even heard of Kurt. Sadly, five days after vanishing, Kurt's body was discovered posed in a crucifixion like position in a ravine nearby.

Strangely, Kurt's father claims to have searched that very area just the day before, but did not see his son there. A medical examiner could find no cause of death, and thus it was ruled a "probable accident." The Sova family felt their son had been the victim of foul play and that investigators had shirked their duty, and accused them of having no interest in figuring out what happened. The Newburgh Heights Police Department dismissed the family, believing they were simply grieving and in denial.

When a thirteen year old boy named Eugene Kvet turned up dead just months later with circumstances strangely similar to Kurt's, only the Sova family was asking questions. Over the next ten years, new evidence would be revealed, the FBI would file charges against the lead investigator in the case and Kurt's family would be fed important details that were ignored during the initial investigation.

What happened to Kurt Sova? Was his death indeed a tragic accident? Was he the victim of foul play, perhaps by someone at the party or even his close friend? Could Kurt's death and that of Eugene Kvet show the work of a killer in the area? Or were corrupt police officials somehow involved in Kurt's death? Join host Steven Pacheco as he explores this utterly baffling and tragic case in a re-investigation of the first ever episode of Trace Evidence, in episode 40 - The Mysterious Death of Kurt Sova - Revisited.

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Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/kurt-sova-2

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I recently conducted a series of Q&A videos in which I answered listener questions. This is the audio from these sessions. If you want to see the videos, visit the Trace Evidence YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPFbLcFipff2OVJC2KdARbw

https://www.trace-evidence.com
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