Trace Evidence

Twenty-one year old Elisa Lam decided to take a break from college. She wanted to take a trip, out of Canada and down into the United States to see California. Her trip involved stops in San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Cruz. Embarking on her trip in January of 2013, Elisa visited San Diego and then went to Los Angeles where she had booked a three day stay in the notorious Cecil Hotel, at that time known as the Stay on Main Street.

She shared a room with two roommates, but was moved after reports of 'odd behavior.' Having maintained contact with her family every day, they grew worried when on January 31st, she failed to call and they couldn't reach her. Elisa was reported missing, and a fervent search began. When no trace of Elisa could be found, police released surveillance footage from an elevator at the Cecil showing Elisa behaving erratically. The video sparked a wide array of theories, and a heated debate about whether Elisa was hiding from someone, or perhaps, on drugs.

Nearly three weeks after she vanished, Elisa's body was discovered inside one of the water tanks on top of the hotel. Guests had complained of foul tasting, discolored water. How Elisa ended up in the water tank and whether or not foul play was involved has sparked controversy ever since. What led to Elisa's death? Theories abound including government cover ups, an urban legend about an elevator game and rumors of a cursed hotel possessing her.

Was it purely an accident, as the autopsy report would state? Did Elisa's mental illness contribute to her death? Did someone murder the young woman and get away with it? Join host Steven Pacheco as he navigates the baffling twists and turns of one of the most confusing and captivating true crime cases ever, examining the haunting question: What happened to Elisa Lam?

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
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Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/elisa-lam

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Forty-two year old Sonia Varaschin was a pediatric nurse living in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada. A hard working woman with a zest for life and a love of adventure, she had a lovely personality and was often found dancing whenever she had the time.

In August of 2010, Sonia vanished from her home and her blood stained car was found abandoned not far away. Investigators found a grisly scene inside her townhouse and a desperate search was launched to find her before it was too late. Sadly, one week after she disappeared, Sonia's remains were recovered from a remote area on the outskirts of town. The nurse had been murdered in a violent fashion, though police have never revealed her cause of death.

Her family was devastated and for nearly eight years they have fought to find justice for Sonia. Police believe Sonia fell victim to someone she knew and are in possession of the culprit's DNA. Some believe that Sonia did not know her killer, and was victimized at random, possibly by a serial killer. Join host Steven Pacheco as he explores this complicated and tragic story examining the question: Who murdered Sonia Varaschin?

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Social Media:
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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/sonia-varaschin

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On December 2nd, 2016, twenty-eight year old Danielle Stislicki made dinner plans with her best friend. She left her office building, located in Southfield, Michigan, at 5pm, and sent a text saying that she was going to be stopping at her apartment, and would meet for dinner around 6pm. Danielle never arrived. Within 24 hours, friends, family and police were conducting exhaustive searches for Danielle.

Her Jeep was found parked just feet away from her apartment door. Her wallet and ID were found inside, but her cell phone and keys were missing. Investigators began to believe that Danielle was not the one who parked there, and foul play was suspected. Over the next year, their investigation would lead them all across the state of Michigan while witnesses would name a suspect - a man who worked as a security guard in the building where Danielle worked and who was seen talking to her the night she vanished. A man who would later be convicted of an attempted sexual assault which took place just four months before Danielle vanished.

While investigators collected evidence, including a mattress and floor boards from his home, he has never been named an official suspect and is only a person of interest. The community rallied around the Stislicki family, and to this day, they are searching for the answers. Join host Steven Pacheco as he explores this disturbing case, asking the question: What happened to Danielle Stislicki?

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Social Media:
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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/danielle-stislicki

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Nineteen year old Suzanne Lyall was an accomplished poet and computer whiz attending the State University of New York at Albany. Majoring in computer science, she was cutting the path for a bright future full of joy and love. Along with her boyfriend, Richard, she was setting her goals high and looking to achieve all of her dreams.

On March 2nd, 1998, Suzanne took an important mid-term and then reported to her job for her 4pm shift. She seemed a little more relaxed this day and was focused on getting her work done. She had another mid-term the next day. She left the Crossgates Mall at 9:20pm, boarding a bus to drop her off on campus at 9:45. A witness saw Suzanne exiting the bus that night, but she was never seen again.

Over the next twenty years, investigators have struggled to solve her bizarre disappearance with little evidence and even less witnesses. Everyone in her life would become a suspect with many zeroing in on her long time boyfriend, Richard Condon. In the wake of her disappearance, her broken family found a way to fight through and developed a non profit charity designed to help the families of missing persons. They have also helped usher in several laws which change the way Universities handle violent crimes and disappearances.

The one question on everyone's mind is, what happened to Suzanne Lyall? Did she elect to run away and start a new life? Does her boyfriend Richard know more than he is telling police? Or could Suzanne have been the victim of a random act of violence for which an unknown killer has evaded justice for more than twenty years? Join host Steven Pacheco as he explores this bizarre and frustrating case, asking the question: What happened to Suzanne Lyall?

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Social Media:
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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/suzanne-lyall

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Thirty-four year old Danielle Imbo was going through a divorce and raising her eighteen month old son. Through her best friend, Christine, she reconnected with her high school crush, Christine's older brother, thirty-five year old, single father Richard Petrone. The two clicked instantly. Their relationship was going well when Danielle's ex-husband began attempting to rekindle their romance.

Unsure of what to do, Danielle decided it was more important for her to be single and provide a life for her son, and so she told both men that she needed space and time to work on herself. Five weeks later, on February 19th, 2005, Richard reached out to Danielle asking if she'd like to come out for a drink and see some bands perform. Needing a night out, Danielle agreed and the two headed down to South Street, in Philadelphia, where they met up with Richard's friends Anthony and Michelle.

After a the music ended, they decided to call it an early night. Both were picking up their kids the next day and didn't want to be too tired. At 11:45pm, they walked out of the bar and were never seen again, nor was Richard's 2001 black Dodge Dakota that he drove that night. For thirteen years their families have wondered what happened to them, and the Philadelphia and New Jersey police, as well as the FBI, have been heavily involved in attempting to solve this bizarre disappearance.

How can two people and a three thousand pound truck simply vanish? Did the two single parents choose to run off and start a new life? Could there have been an accident which resulted in the couple sinking into the Delaware river? Did Danielle's ex-husband, Joe Imbo, play a role in her disappearance? Or could the couple have been murdered, either in a random act of violence or in an orchestrated murder for hire scenario?

Join host Steven Pacheco as he explores the confusing details of this utterly baffling case and attempts to answer the question: What happened to Danielle Imbo and Richard Petrone?

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Social Media:
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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
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Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/imbo-petrone

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Fourteen year old Dana Bradley has gone to a friends house after school on December 14th, 1981 in St. John's, Newfoundland. She couldn't stay for too long, as it was her mother's birthday that night and she needed to get home. She planned to walk to a nearby bus stop and arrive home by 5:30pm.

When 5:30 came and went, and Dana hadn't returned home, her mother and stepfather became concerned and began making calls. When they could find no sign of Dana, they reported her missing. Search efforts for Dana came up empty, though two witnesses came forward and reported seeing Dana hitchhiking the day before and ultimately getting in to a sedan, either a Dodge or a Plymouth, with extensive body damage and rust.

Four days later, Dana's body was discovered in a remote, wooded location known as Maddox Cove. For the next thirty-six years, the search for Dana's murderer would lead investigators through thousands of interviews, hundreds of suspects and nearly one thousand vehicle searches. One man would come forward and confess to committing the murder, though he would later recant and no evidence could be found to prove it. Another man would come forward and say he witnessed the murder, though his story was inconsistent and contrary to evidence.

Many theories have risen up in the past three and a half decades, resulting in one of the most complex, expensive and complicated cases in the history of Canada. Who murdered Dana Bradley? Was it the man who once confessed to the crime? Did she fall victim to a suspected serial killer? Was a witness present who saw her murdered by a later convicted pedophile? Could it have been a stranger passing through and looking for trouble? Or is it possible that Dana was murdered by someone she knew and trusted?

Join host Steven Pacheco as he attempts to unravel what has been dubbed the most expensive and exhaustive investigation in Canadian history in Episode 34 - The Murder of Dana Bradley.

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/
"Inspired" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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"Echoes of Time v2" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/dana-bradley

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In the summer of 2013, twenty year old Heather Elvis had an affair with Sidney Moorer, a much older married man she met through her job. When Sidney's wife, Tammy, found out, the relationship was severed and Heather became the subject of threats and insults. By December, Heather was moving on with her life and hoping to leave Sidney and Tammy in the past.

She went out on a date and was excited for her future. In the early morning hours of December 18th, Heather mysteriously vanished. Her car was found abandoned at a remote boat landing not far from the Moorer's home. Over the next few weeks, Police investigated the possibility that Sidney and Tammy may have been involved in Heather's disappearance.

The two were charged with murder, as well as indecent exposure, kidnapping and obstruction of justice. Most of the charges were dropped before going to trial, leaving the Elvis family wondering why. The Moorer's pointed the finger at Heather's father, accusing him of murdering his own daughter. The Elvis family felt the Moorer's were responsible. Others began to wonder if Heather could have run off, or if her date that night may have had dark intentions.

What happened to Heather Elvis? Did she choose to run away from a troubled life to start over? Does her date know more than he is saying? Did Heather's father lash out against his own child? Or, do Sidney and Tammy Moorer possess all of the answers investigators have been seeking? Join host Steven Pacheco as he explores this complicated and confusing case in hopes of answering the question: What happened to Heather Elvis?

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Social Media:
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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
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Sources: https://www.trace-evidence.com/heather-elvis

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Thirty year old Steven Koecher was born into a large family, to two loving parents in November of 1979. A quiet child who enjoyed laughing, sports and music, Steven was raised up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. His faith was strong, and as he grew into an adult, he became even more devout. Between his large family, his church and his community, Steven was surrounded by the love and support of a great many people who thought extremely highly of him.

In the winter of 2009, Steven went on a series of strange road trips which he never told anyone about. Then, one morning, he got into his car and drove out to a quiet neighborhood, where he parked his car and walked away from it, never to be seen again. His family was floored by his disappearance, and investigators were perplexed about the highly mysterious nature of it. Over the years, countless searches were conducted and there was even an attempt to link Steven's disappearance to that of a woman who had vanished just a week prior.

Left with little evidence outside of cell phone pings and locations near Las Vegas, the case fell cold. Nearly six years after, there was a renewed vigor and new searches began, but again, they turned up nothing new. What happened to Steven Koecher and why was his vehicle left behind on a quiet neighborhood street? Did Steven choose to leave on his own to start over? Did all of the pressure in his life add up to the point that he made the dark choice to end his own life? In desperation for financial stability, had Steven become tangled up with sinister characters? Is it possible that illegal drugs crept into Steven’s life and lead him down a dark road? Or was Steven the victim of a random act of violence, or perhaps a violent act from someone he knew and trusted?

Join host Steven Pacheco as he examines this baffling case and studies the question: Where is Steven Koecher?

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
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Social Media:
https://twitter.com/TraceEvPod
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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/steven-koecher

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Joel Lovelien took his fiancee to a Halloween party at the Broken Drum bar and grill in Grand Forks, North Dakota on Saturday, October 27th, 2007. The party was big, and a bus pulled up pouring out 40 to 50 twenty-somethings making it even busier. Joel took a call outside, and when he returned, explained to his fiancee that he was going to check on someone he saw outside who may have been left behind. Moments later, a woman came in screaming to call 911 and Joel's fiancee made the grisly discovery of Joel's beaten body.

He was rushed to the hospital, but died as a result of his wounds. The investigation began, but it contained a sordid cast of characters like you'd find in a bad comic book. Identities were unknown, but Police were looking for men dressed as a cowboy, hunter, lion, construction worker, gangsta rapper and a clown. When all was said and done, the Lion - a man named Travis Stay was arrested and tried for the murder, but ultimately, was found not guilty.

While many believe Stay was the perpetrator, others feel that some of the other men from the party bus may have actually committed the crime in a drunken rage. Join host Steven Pacheco as he attempts to maneuver through this confusing case in an attempt to answer the question: Who murdered Joel Lovelien?

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
https://www.patreon.com/traceevidence

Social Media:
https://twitter.com/TraceEvPod
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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/joel-lovelien

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In October of 2010, twenty-four year old, single mother of two, Unique Harris was having a movie marathon sleepover with her sons and young cousin. After putting the children to bed, sometime between 10pm and 9am, Unique vanished from her apartment. When the children awoke the next morning they were scared because Unique was gone. Her family wasn't overly concerned until they discovered her glasses had been left behind, glasses which Unique couldn't go anywhere without.

Days after her disappearance, Unique's mother Valencia told a reporter that in the weeks leading up to her vanishing, Unique witnessed a murder in the parking lot across from her apartment complex. This statement has fueled rampant rumors that Unique was murdered by the same person, though this has never been proven and even the murder is debated. In a case full of contradictory evidence and strange details, the mystery has only deepened over the years. Her family remains devastated by her loss and hopes one day to answer the question of where she is.

So what happened to Unique Harris? Did she simply choose to run off and leave her life behind? Did she see something she shouldn’t have and ultimately became a target for a killer? Was she victimized in a random act of violence? Or, did someone Unique knew and trusted use her kind hearted nature against her and abduct and murder this beautiful young mother?

For more information please visit: https://www.trace-evidence.com
https://www.patreon.com/traceevidence

Social Media:
https://twitter.com/TraceEvPod
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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/unique-harris

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