Episodes
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
37. The Disappearance of Rachel Mellon Skemp
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Thirteen year old Rachel Mellon Skemp was an average middle school girl. She loved music, playing with her friends, and attending church. In January of 1996, on an unforgivingly cold Illinois Winter Day, Rachel would stay home from school, complaining of a sore throat. Her mother would go to work, and her step siblings to school. Her step father, Vince would remain home. In the mid afternoon after Rachel had gone to lay down for a nap, he would leave the house to take the family dog for a short walk. Vince would lose control and sight of the dog, eventually returning home after doing some searching for the dog. It would soon be discovered however, that the dog was not the only member of the family that was missing, This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 37, the Disappearance of Rachel Mellon Skemp.
Rachel Find YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rachelfind
Works Cited Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MdmDF1078pyFteFq_r863gUo-d-DmnNd41Uvic4oe44/edit?usp=sharing
Facebook Page for Rachel: https://www.facebook.com/missing25years
Links to patreon social media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles
Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
36. The Disappearance of Nevaeh Kingbird
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
In October of 2021, a young girl would run from her home after her mom would arrive home and break up the gathering taking place inside. Shortly afterwards, in the early hours of the morning she would be seen at the residence of another friend, before exiting the home at the behest of the friend's stepfather. She would then go into the cold Minnesota night, and aside from one unconfirmed sighting that night, she has never been seen again. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 36: The Disappearance of Nevaeh Kingbird.
Candlelight vigil planned for Nevaeh Kingbird, police dispel rumors around disappearance: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/candlelight-vigil-planned-for-nevaeh-kingbird-police-dispel-rumors-around-disappearance
‘We won’t stop until we find her’: Dozens gather to raise awareness for missing teen: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/community/we-wont-stop-until-we-find-her-dozens-gather-to-raise-awareness-for-missing-teen
Rally held to raise awareness, seek justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/local/rally-held-to-raise-awareness-seek-justice-for-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women
Bemidji police release update in case of missing 15-year-old Nevaeh Kingbird: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/local/new-information-released-in-case-of-missing-15-year-old-nevaeh-kingbird-1
Large-scale search for evidence in Nevaeh Kingbird disappearance underway in Bemidji: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/local/large-scale-search-for-evidence-in-nevaeh-kingbird-disappearance-underway-in-bemidji
Nevaeh Kingbird disappeared 2 years ago. Now, it's influencing her sister's career path: https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/nevaeh-kingbirds-disappearance-leads-sister-down-new-career-path/89-54b03a14-3ca8-42ed-82fa-36781bbe9d36
Dateline: Missing in America podcast covers the October 2021 disappearance of Nevaeh Kingbird in Bemidji, Minnesota: https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/dateline-missing-in-america-podcast/dateline-missing-america-podcast-covers-october-2021-disappearance-nev-rcna86829
Dateline Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6QBzW0B0VDSiyvlibQqV2p?si=220d848440064079
Report to Minnesota Legislature: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/Documents/missing-murdered-indigenous-women-task-force-report.pdf
Stolen Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7D4inq4DY144KIZN99Od6t?si=a957927f02644133
Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference, and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: https://a.co/d/bNOShjL
Links to patreon social media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles
Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005
Tuesday May 28, 2024
35. The Murder of Rachel Anthony
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Tuesday May 28, 2024
It was a cold, frigid night in February of 2001. It was approximately 10:00 PM and a local police officer was patrolling the quiet streets of Pine River, Minnesota. The officer was driving by Ultimate Liquors when he noticed a car running in the parking lot with no one inside of it. The officer knew the vehicle belonged to the clerk, 50 year old Rachel Anthony, who had most likely started her car to allow to warm up while she closed the store up. The officer continued with his patrol, and when he came back across Ultimate liquors three hours later he began to become concerned. Rachel’s car was still in the parking lot, running with nobody inside. The officer would check the front door of the store to find it locked. He would then move to the alley behind the store and find the back door open. Inside the store, Rachel’s coat and other items would be found. But Rachel was nowhere to be seen. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 35, the Murder of Rachel Anthony.
Articles from the The Pioneer Press and The Star Tribune found on www.newslibrary.com
Links to patreon social media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles
Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
34. The Murder of Joe Bova
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
Joe Bova was a man living the good life. He was married with a good job and a prominent position in his local union. He was well liked by everyone including neighbors, coworkers, fellow union members, members of his church, and the community of Merrillville, Indiana at large. One cool September morning however. A large explosion would rock the streets of Merrillville, shattering the quiet peace of the predawn hours. A neighbor would investigate the source of the explosion to find a burning vehicle, and outside of it would be Joe Bova. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 34, The Murder of Joe Bova.
Herald Times Article: https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2021/05/16/w-indiana-labor-officials-1989-bombing-death-still-mystery/46069913/
Article Screenshots: https://imgur.com/a/yz7EALB
Other articles from the The Munster and Herald Times found on www.newslibrary.com
Links to patreon social media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles
Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
33. The Murder of Rebecca WIlliams
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
2003. Thirteen year old Rebecca Williams had just finished up her eighth grade year at Morton Middle School in Omaha, Nebraska. At the time she was living with her mother, but was set to move to Las Vegas, Nevada to live with her father. On a normal June day, she would leave her home in the Park Meadows Mobile Home Community and head to a nearby playground. When she failed to return home, her mother would report her missing to the police. Initially considered a runaway by the police, a grim discovery two weeks later proved them mistaken when Rebecca’s body would be found. An investigation would ensue, and a surprising prime suspect would be revealed. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 33, the Murder of Rebecca Williams.
Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles
All sources were archived articles from the Omaha World Herald via: www.newspapers.com and www.newslibrary.com
MIdwest Mystery Files is written, produced, and hosted by Jeremiah Baustian
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
#32.5 Jeffrey Lundgren and the Kirtland Cult (Bonus episode)
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
I'm trying to do some additional digging on the next cold case episode so for this month I'm releasing May 2023's patreon episode.
This epsiode focuses on Mormon fundamentalist and extremist Jeffrey Lundgren, who led a cult in Kirtland, Ohio and is responsible for the murder of an entire family.
Patreon and Socials: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles
Crime Journal Article: https://www.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/mass/lundgren/index_1.html
Last Podcast on the Left series on Mormonism: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0fi5zxiqhFLLUfuzVuGptm?si=388995b9f0e048b2
*Midwest Mystery Files in written, recorded, and produced by Jeremiah Baustian
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
32. The Disappearances of Michael Womack and Jared Hanna
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
In March of 2008, father of five, soon to be six, MIchael Womack would vanish without a trace from Alton, IL. Only for his truck to be found almost 30 miles away, clean and wiped of any fingerprints.
Then, in July of 2011, father of two, Jared Hanna would leave his home in Jerseyville, IL. After failing to pick up his daughters from their mother, Jared’s pick up truck would be found almost 70 miles away, abandoned and out of gas. Potential sightings of Jared before the truck was found would surface, but no answers would come.
This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 32, The disappearance of Michael Womack and Jared Hanna
Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles
Cryptic Soup Podcast: https://linktr.ee/crypticsouppod
Live Laugh Murder Podcast: https://linktr.ee/livelaughmurderpodcast
Michael Womack Charley Project Page: https://charleyproject.org/case/michael-anthony-womack
Jared Hanna at Uncovered: https://uncovered.com/cases/jared-hanna
Missing Podcast episode on Jared and Interview with Heather Hanna: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mTQREkp4JdivBsVLyFyTi?si=3136cfbc776e4de2
MIdwest Mystery Files is written, produced, and hosted by Jeremiah Baustian
Friday Sep 08, 2023
31. The Murder of Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Friday Sep 08, 2023
On a warm summer day in July of 2012, 10 year old Lyric Cook-Morrissey, and her cousin 8 year old Elizabeth Collins would head out in the town of Evansdale, Iowa on what was to be a typical bike ride. However, as the time the girls should have been home would come and go, Lyric and Elizabeth’s grandmother and parents would become increasingly concerned. After the family would fail to locate the girls, police would be contacted, and a massive search would begin. Eventually Lyric and Elizabeth’s bikes would be found on a trail at Meyers Lake on the south side of town. Relentless search efforts would focus on the lake and nearby areas, however, it wouldn’t be until the following November that their horrific fate would be discovered. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 31, the Murder of Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins.
Malice and Mocktails: https://linktr.ee/maliceandmocktails
Patreon: www.patreon.com/Midwestmysteryfiles
Lyric and Elizabeth Iowa Cold Case Page: https://iowacoldcases.org/case-summaries/lyric-cook-and-elizabeth-collins
The Elizabeth Collins Foundation: https://elizabethcollinsfoundation.org/
KCRG 10 Year Coverage: https://www.kcrg.com/2022/07/13/lyric-elizabeth-ten-years-later/
Friday Jul 14, 2023
30. The Disappearance of Anthony Klama
Friday Jul 14, 2023
Friday Jul 14, 2023
Monday Jun 12, 2023
29. The Murder of Vicki Eagleman
Monday Jun 12, 2023
Monday Jun 12, 2023