The tragic murder of 16-year-old Joyce McLain shocked the small town of East Millinocket, Maine, in August 1980. A popular honors student, cheerleader, saxophonist, and aspiring soccer player, Joyce vanished during a routine evening jog near Schenck High School. Her partially clothed body was discovered two days later in a wooded area behind the soccer fields—beaten to death with blunt force trauma, hands bound with a blue cloth, and a telephone insulator likely the murder weapon. No sexual assault occurred, and heavy thunderstorms washed away potential evidence, leaving no fingerprints or usable DNA.

The case haunted the community for nearly 38 years, featured on Unsolved Mysteries in 1989, spurring tips but no immediate resolution. Philip Scott Fournier, then 19, emerged as the perpetrator through multiple confessions—to family, a pastor, coworkers, and notably a janitor in 1989—revealing non-public details like the weapon and Joyce’s condition. Despite claims of unreliability due to a brain injury from a nearby truck crash (hours after the murder), he was convicted in a 2018 bench trial and sentenced to 45 years. Appeals failed, and he remains incarcerated.

In this episode of the Unsolved Mysteries Rewind Podcast, hosts Mark and Catharine delve into the chilling details, the long road to justice, and the hope it brings to other cold cases. Tune in for their thoughtful recap—you can look forward to more gripping revisits in the future!

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g

I’m absolutely thrilled to have my amazing co-host from Love, Lies and Alibis, Hannah, joining me for this chilling dive into one of the most haunting cases from the classic Unsolved Mysteries series.

Check out our other podcast here https://www.loveliesandalibis.com Be warned that it is a little darker than the stuff on this podcast

In June 1988, 23-year-old Philip Innes Fraser—a bright, adventurous young man from Anchorage, Alaska, and the son of two prominent doctors—set out on a solo road trip south to start pre-med studies at Evergreen State College in Washington. Driving his packed black 1983 VW Jetta, Philip was full of promise. After surrendering his handguns at the Canadian border, he stopped at a remote café in the Yukon.

That’s where everything went tragically wrong.

At the Forty Mile Flats Café, witnesses saw Philip reluctantly pick up a nervous, clean-cut hitchhiker in his early 20s. It was an act of kindness on a lonely highway that would cost him his life.

Hours later, that same hitchhiker was spotted driving Philip’s Jetta alone—boldly impersonating him. He shared intimate details of Philip’s life, family, and plans with strangers, even spending the night at a kind couple’s home while they fixed his car.

Then, Philip’s burned-out Jetta was found abandoned in Prince George, British Columbia.

Weeks later, Philip’s body was discovered in a remote gravel pit—shot multiple times. The killer had vanished, taking Philip’s wallet, passport, and identity.

Featured on Unsolved Mysteries in 1992, this case of stolen identity and cold-blooded murder on Canada’s desolate highways still grips us today. Despite composites, leads, and speculation about serial killers, the hitchhiker has never been identified.

Nearly 38 years later, Philip’s murder remains unsolved. Join Hannah and me as we rewind this heartbreaking mystery—who was the man who stole more than a ride?

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g

Join Amy and Mark as they break down this chilling case: Was payback the motive for the murder of a detective’s 7-year-old son? On January 12, 1984, young Gary Grant Jr. enjoyed a rare midweek holiday in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He lived with his mother, May, after his parents’ separation. That morning, Gary mentioned having a secret appointment later in the day, but when he failed to return home by 4:00 PM, his mother grew worried. Despite his father’s frantic search, Gary’s body was discovered two days later in a vacant lot, just two blocks from home. He had been beaten to death with a heavy pipe, likely the murder weapon, found nearby. The initial investigation focused on Carl Mason, nicknamed “Boo,” a 12-year-old with a low IQ who was close friends with Gary. After hours of questioning, Boo signed a confession, though he continued to insist on his innocence. Despite his confession being ruled inadmissible and Boo being cleared of charges, no other suspect was ever identified.

Two years later, the case took a sinister turn when a cryptic message appeared on the side of an Atlantic City patrol car: “Gary Grant’s dead. I am living. Another will die on January 12th if all goes right.” This message, found just days before the second anniversary of Gary’s murder, suggested a connection to the crime. Weeks later, another chilling message was scratched into a sidewalk: “Gary Grant Jr. lives. I still killed him. Son of a pig officer. Payback is a M.F.” These messages led to speculation that Gary’s murder was an act of retribution for an arrest made by his father, but the case remains unsolved. Gary’s family continues to hope for justice, longing for the day when the person responsible will be brought to account. Join Amy and Mark as they delve deeper into this haunting case, exploring the theories and uncovering the details that still leave so many questions unanswered.

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g

During the holiday season of 1981, Rhonda Hinson, a recent high school graduate and clerical worker, attended her first company Christmas party. After leaving the party around midnight, Rhonda began her 10-mile drive home. At 1:00 AM, her mother, Judy Hinson, awoke with a premonition that something terrible had happened to her daughter. Rhonda’s car was found just half a mile from her home, with the driver’s door open and Rhonda lying dead nearby. She had been killed by a single bullet from a high-powered rifle, which had penetrated her car and struck her heart. Initially considered a random act of violence, the investigation later suggested that Rhonda may have been targeted by someone she knew.

In the weeks leading up to her death, Rhonda exhibited uncharacteristic behavior, such as asking her father to accompany her on trips and expressing concerns about dating a married man. Witnesses reported seeing suspicious activity on the night of her murder, including a blue Chevrolet with two white males and a dark blue Trans-Am near the crime scene. One witness, under hypnosis, recalled more details about the vehicles and a potential suspect. Despite the passage of time, Rhonda’s mother maintains her room exactly as it was, cherishing memories of her daughter. A $20,000 reward is still being offered for information leading to the resolution of the case.

Mark and Amy break down the Unsolved Mysteries segment and dive into the entire story. 

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g

On October 13, 1982, in Morro Bay, California, the decomposed body of 43-year-old Dian Harlin was found in a stand of trees next to a beach, strangled with a leash belonging to one of her dogs. Her eccentric 47-year-old husband, Hugh Harlin, had failed to report her missing for eleven days, and given the couple’s turbulent relationship, Hugh became a potential suspect. Four years later, Hugh vanished without a trace, with his abandoned pick-up truck found by the side of the highway. Investigators were unable to determine if Hugh’s disappearance was connected to Dian’s murder, and both cases remain unsolved. On May 3, 1992, in Polk County, Florida, after attending a rodeo, 31-year-old Larry Costine and his 26-year-old girlfriend, Melissa Jo Sermons, returned to Larry’s mobile home. Larry’s nude body was later discovered inside the trailer, having been shot four times, while Jo had gone missing. Initially, investigators suspected Jo had killed Larry and fled, but two decades later, law enforcement announced they believed Jo was also a victim, murdered by the same person who shot Larry. Despite Jo’s ex-boyfriend being the prime suspect, there was insufficient evidence to charge him, and Jo was never found.

Mark and Amy break down the Unsolved Mysteries segment and dive into the entire story. 

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g

On September 13, 1992, Susan “Su” Taraskiewicz left work at Logan Airport to pick up food and did not return.  The next day her car was found in Revere and her body was found in the trunk of her car. She had been beaten and stabbed to death.  The case is currently, unsolved.

Mark and Amy break down the Unsolved Mysteries segment and dive into the entire story. 

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g

In Stark County Ohio from 1984 until 1993, an elderly couple named Bill and Dorothy Wacker suffered endless harassment, threats and attacks by an unknown party. Their house was burglarized, Dorothy was attacked twice, they received disturbing phone calls, and rocks with messages on them were thrown at the house. Despite police surveillance and covert surveillance by the Wackers and their children, nobody was ever caught for these crimes. 

How did the perpetrator or perpetrators evade capture? Was it someone close to Bill and Dorothy? Was it a total stranger? Or…was it Bill and Dorothy themselves?

Mark and Amy take you to rural Ohio to investigate this bizarre case of almost a decade of torment against this ordinary couple.

Requested by Jessy Sanchez

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g

On the night of April 4, 1991, Angela Hammond, a 20-year-old from Clinton, Missouri, vanished while conversing with her boyfriend, Rob Shafer, on a pay phone. Recounting her encounter, she mentioned a suspicious man in a green pickup truck circling the block, who eventually stopped next to her, prompting her to scream and drop the phone. Shafer rushed to the scene, but his attempt to chase the pickup resulted in damaging his car’s transmission. Initially suspected by the police, Shafer was later exonerated when witnesses corroborated his account and provided details about the truck’s sightings.

Mark and Amy discuss this strange and scary case – we hope you enjoy our discussion! 

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g

A frantic Patsy Wright calls her sister in the middle of the night. She had just taken her usual dose of cold medicine to help her sleep. All of a sudden, she is fighting to breathe, and suffers a violent death. 

Mark and Amy cover the gruesome murder of Patsy Wright. Who poisoned her? A greedy sister or an angry ex lover? Join us as we take a dive into this terrifying case.

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g

A.J. Breaux was a fixture in Houma, LA. He was a friend to many and respected by even more. He was a recovering alcoholic, and helped run the local AA chapter. Until one summer day in August 1991, when A.J. disappeared. Two days after he vanished, his daughters found his abandoned car across the street from where the AA meetings were held. Was it foul play like his daughters immediately suspected? Or did an anonymous letter sent to the local police office describe how he died?

Mark & Amy take a deep dive into this enigmatic case this week. Will they find new information to bring light to this case? Join them & find out!

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g