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Vicki Durian and Nancy Santomero were hitchhiking on their way to the Rainbow Family Gathering in June, 1980, when they disappeared. This was an annual gathering of hippies and free-thinking people where they would celebrate harmony, peace, and freedom at Monongahela National Forest. But after the two young women accepted a ride from a quiet young man driving a Chevy Nova, they were never seen alive again.

Join us at the quiet end for The Rainbow Girls Murders. Someone murdered Nancy and Vicki in cold blood, leaving their bodies to be found on a remote mountainside. But twelve years into the investigation, an innocent man was charged and convicted of their killings. This man would spend years in prison before the real killer could be brought to justice. Today, we’ll talk about this fascinating case and discuss why the wrong man was sent to prison and a cold-blooded killer was left free to kill again.

Sources
Man who confessed to 'Rainbow Murders' is executed, The Associated Press, 11/19/2013
Life Without Mercy by Ralph Kennedy Echols
The Third Rainbow Girl by Emma Copley Eisenberg

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Neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch had little in his background to predict the trail of surgical atrocities he would commit in his short-lived career. Before he was finally stopped, Duntsch had caused serious neurological injuries to most of his patients and killed two of them. In fact, of the 38 surgeries he performed, 33 were catastrophic.

Join us at the quiet end for Dissecting Dr. Death. After his residency in Tennessee, Christopher Duntsch moved to Dallas to start his neurosurgery practice. Despite rumors that he had been using cocaine, LSD, and prescription opiates while in training, he had excellent references. But once he began performing surgeries in Dallas, Duntsch was immediately recognized as incompetent by other surgeons and OR staff. And, with no indication that he would stop or seek out additional training, it became obvious that he was intentionally harming his patients. But the big question is why?

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After a 911 call came in late at night on August 2, 2006, paramedics were dispatched to a high-end Washington D.C. townhouse. Inside, the home was very neat with expensive electronics and other valuables in plain sight. On the second floor, 32-year-old attorney Robert Wone was found lying flat on his back in a t-shirt and gym shorts. He had three stab wounds to his torso. Mr. Wone was a houseguest that night and the three permanent residents claimed to have no idea who had stabbed him. But the home had absolutely no signs of forced entry or a burglary.

Join us at the quiet end for Murder Mystery on Swann Street. From the time they arrived, police officers and paramedics were struck by the incongruous scene. All three residents of the home were together in the living room, freshly showered and wearing crisp, white robes. The bed where Mr. Wone was found appeared strikingly undisturbed. And, despite having suffered three deep knife wounds, there was very little blood on Mr. Wone or the bedding. The lack of an intruder, the physical evidence, and the bizarre behavior of home’s residents has created an extraordinary mystery surrounding Robert Wone’s death—a mystery that still endures today.

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As far back as Brian Stidham could remember, he wanted to be a doctor and work with children. As an exceptional student, he graduated from Harvard Medical School. Then he began his residency in pediatric ophthalmology. Eventually, Brian married, had two children, and moved to Tucson, Arizona. As one of very few specialists in the area, he was in high demand. But as Brian’s star was rising, his life would be taken by a man whose own life was crashing and burning.

Join us at the quiet end for Eye to Eye: The Murder of Dr. Brian Stidham. While working at a practice with ophthalmologist Bradley Schwartz, Brian noticed that the doctor was behaving erratically. After Schwartz was indicted on drug charges, Brian made plans to open his own practice. But Schwartz was infuriated when his patients went to Brian. And Brad Schwartz was not the forgiving type.


Sources

An Eye for an Eye, 48 Hours, 7/8/2008
Office Visit, Forensic Files, 5/17/2018
Murder Conspiracy Case Grabs Media Glare, American Medical News, 7/10/2006
Tucson Citizen Archives, 2005-2014
Tucson Weekly Archives, 2005-2006
Toxic Rage by AJ Flick

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The Murder of Diane Pikul

Diane Whitmore grew up in the Midwest. She was a smart girl and, as she matured, she was looking forward to an exciting life as an independent, sophisticated woman. But when it came to men, Diane had a bad picker. Diane married Joe Pikul after meeting him at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. He was exciting to her: wealthy and outgoing but emotionally unstable with a terrible temper. By the time the couple had children, they were fighting regularly. Joe’s behavior had progressed from emotionally to physically abusive.

Join us at the quiet end for One Last Family Weekend. Diane’s friends feared for her safety, so they were all relieved when she finally decided to leave Joe. But, at the same time, they worried about Diane taking unnecessary risks. Her brave exterior could no longer cover up how frightened she had become of her husband. Joe asked Diane to meet him at their vacation home in the Hamptons for one last family weekend. She knew this was a bad idea, but she felt obligated to go for the sake of her children. This was a decision she wouldn’t live long enough to regret.


Sources
4 Years After His Death, Pikul Poses Problems for Offspring, New York Times, Joan Ullman, 9/19/1993

Marrying the Hangman by Sheila WellerMatter of Pikul, Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 8/5/1993

Mystery in the Hamptons, Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege, & Justice, S1 E6

Wife Killer Dies While He Waits for Prison Term, New York Times, James Feron, 6/23/1989

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The Murder-for-Hire of Dan Markel

On July 18, 2014, 41-year-old law professor Dan Markel dropped off his two young sons at preschool, worked out at the gym, and returned home to his quiet Tallahassee, Florida home. It was a Friday and Dan was looking forward to a relaxing weekend. But as soon as he pulled into his garage, someone shot him at point-blank range.

Join us at the quiet end for Conspiracy: The Murder-for-Hire of Dan Markel. This is a story of a divorce and custody battle spun out of control and a family hell-bent on revenge. The investigation into Dan’s murder went on for two years before two career criminals were arrested for driving 10 hours from Miami to stalk and kill Dan. They had no known connection to Dan, but Dan’s ex-wife had family in the Miami area. The family hated Dan, who was getting in the way of Wendi and her children moving closer to them. It was difficult to believe that the Adelsons were behind a murder-for-hire plot, but no one else had a motive to want Dan dead.

Sources

20/20, Over My Dead Body, S42, E3

Dateline, Cold-Blooded, 2020

Extreme Punishment by Steven B. Epstein

Katherine Magbanua v. State of Florida, Petition for Writ of Certiorari, First District Court of Appeal, 5/31/2019

Magbanua, Garcia, and Charles Adelson Court Appearance Video Footage, Law & Crime Network, 2016-2023

Probable Cause First Degree Murder, Charlie Adelson, 9/9/2016

State of Florida v. Charles "Charlie" Adelson, Written Plea of Not Guilty and Demand for Discovery, 4/26/2022

The Unveiling: A Mother's Reflection on Murder, Grief, and Trial Life by Ruth Markel

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Jana and Bruce Koklich were the ideal couple in many ways. Jana was a smart and attractive woman whose father had been an influential California state senator. Bruce was her dedicated, hard-working, and charming husband. Together, they ran a successful California real estate business and owned several valuable properties. But after going to an Eric Clapton concert with a friend in August of 2001, Jana disappeared.

Join us at the quiet end for Never Seen Again. Bruce Koklich, as Jana’s concerned husband, appeared on the news and pleaded for her to return home safely. But some friends and family members felt like something was off. Bruce’s business and personal choices were scrutinized, leading some to suspect that he was involved in his wife’s disappearance. But Jana had not been with Bruce on the night she disappeared, so was it possible that she had left her husband to start a new life or had she been a target of foul play?

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Back on July 2, 1970, tourists visiting Loch Ard Gorge, Australia, found a crashed car teetering on the edge of an oceanside cliff. It looked like the car could plunge into the water at any moment. After investigators were called to the scene, the mystery grew deeper. The car’s license plate was traced to a family living over 100 miles away.Once the car was towed from the cliff’s edge, the inside was inspected. Investigators were horrified to find four dead bodies, including three young children. The back seat of the car had been removed and someone had attached a hose leading from the tailpipe to the front window, suggesting suicide. This find sent waves of grief and confusion throughout Australia. There were so many questions and very few answers.

Join us at the quiet end for Fugitive Father, a dialogue about a terrible crime which has become an enduring mystery. The victims in the car were identified as members of the Crawford family from 136 Cardinal Road, but the father was missing. It seemed possible that Elmer Crawford had been thrown from the vehicle, until witnesses came forward to say that they had seen Elmer after the car was found.

Sources

Almost Perfect: The True Story of the Brutal, Unsolved Crawford Family Murders, Greg Fogarty, 2010

Crawford Executed, Bashed Family, Heraldsun.com.au, 2/10/2008

The Crawford Family, Felon S1 E1, 3/10/2020

Killer Crawford Still Haunts Ex-Cop, The Standard (Warrnambool), 7/13/2010

Precise Detailed Detection of Faces and Facial Features, IEEE Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Ding, L., Martinez, A. 2008

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After 18-year-old Kaitlyn Arquette was murdered in 1989, the Albuquerque police department believed it was a random act of violence. But as details were released, possible motives for her murder came to light.

Join us at the quiet end for Who Killed Kaitlyn? Kaitlyn had argued with her boyfriend on the night she was killed. She also had knowledge of a gang-related insurance scheme. But despite her family’s efforts and an extensive police investigation, Kaitlyn’s case went cold. Until early last year, when a suspect was indicted.

Sources
Albuquerque Journal Archives 1988-2022

Kaitlyn Arquette Website https://kaitarquette.arquettes.com/

One to the Wolves by Lois Duncan

Paul Apodaca indicted for high profile murder of Kaitlyn Arquette, KOAT7, Laflin, Nancy, 2/23/2022

Who Killed My Daughter? by Lois Duncan

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Registered Nurse Julie Keown had goals for her life: start a family, purchase a home, advance in her career. She just needed to stay the course while her husband completed his MBA at Harvard and they would be all set. But sadly, Julie’s life was cruelly cut short and she didn’t live to see the future which she had worked and planned for all her life.

Join us at the quiet end for Sweet Talker. Julie and her husband James moved from Missouri to Massachusetts after James was accepted into Harvard Business School’s MBA program. Julie was able to work from home setting up hospitals with medical software and she believed that their finances were on the upswing. But James had secrets. He was fired from his job for lying, he had racked up thousands in credit card debt, his car was repossessed, and there were issues with his education. From all angles, James’ life was falling apart. We’ll never know how much Julie knew about James’ lies, but we do know how far he was willing to go to save himself from financial and social ruin.

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