Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations

Keith Schmidt was last seen on the morning of May 20, 2024, in Dickinson, North Dakota. His unexplained disappearance shocked the community and left his family searching for answers. This episode retraces the days leading up to when Keith was last seen, with insight from those who knew him best and reporting from a journalist covering the case. The story of Keith Schmidt is both a personal tragedy and a developing North Dakota missing persons case still seeking resolution. Anyone with information regarding Keith Schmidt’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Dickinson Police Department at 701-456-7759, Badlands Crime Stoppers at 701-840-6808, or leave a tip at www.dickinsonpd.com/crimestoppers. To contact Eric Grabowsky email him at [email protected] To read more and see photos of Keith Schmidt visit: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/news/north-dakota/what-happened-to-keith-schmidt https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/news/local/volunteers-to-resume-search-for-keith-schmidt-one-year-after-disappearance https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/news/dickinson-police-continue-search-for-missing-man-keith-schmidt https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/missing-person-namus-mp123952 Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 3 (Chapters 12–16): Tension rises as Doug Rolfstad is pulled further from his life as a Bismarck plumber into a world of fear, paranoia, and uncertainty. With unsettling discoveries piling up and new layers of danger emerging, Doug must confront how much—and whom—he can really trust. Dead Cold Drop by James Wolner is told across five gripping episodes in the signature Friday Night Fiction style. About Friday Night Fiction: Written and narrated by James Wolner, Friday Night Fiction delivers original crime stories set in North Dakota and the Upper Midwest. Inspired by The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Twilight Zone, and Dragnet, each episode blends atmosphere, moral complexity, and sharp storytelling—ranging from eerie one-shots to serialized suspense. New episodes released on select Friday nights. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Friday Night Fiction is written and produced by James Wolner. All stories, dialogue, and creative content are original works of authorship and are © James Wolner. Reproduction, redistribution, or adaptation of any part of this podcast without written permission is strictly prohibited. Legal Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The author and publisher assume no responsibility for any perceived associations, misinterpretations, or unintended similarities. No real persons or groups should be inferred from this story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting started as a bank robber isn’t easy for Joe Loya. It takes courage … and rage. But Joe does the math. Thousands of dollars gained for a few minutes work. That’s what he figures he deserves. Meanwhile at home, losses mount. Get the Money and Run is a production of Western Sound and aCast Studios in association with Orbit Media Inc. Get the Money and Run is available now on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 2 (Chapters 6–11): Returning to Bismarck, Doug Rolfstad puts a plan in motion to protect his daughter Mandy and make sense of the manila envelope full of cash. With each cautious step, the pressure mounts, the danger sharpens, and an unsettling sense of unease suggests there is far more at play than they first imagined. Dead Cold Drop by James Wolner is told across five gripping episodes in the signature Friday Night Fiction style. About Friday Night Fiction: Written and narrated by James Wolner, Friday Night Fiction delivers original crime stories set in North Dakota and the Upper Midwest. Inspired by The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Twilight Zone, and Dragnet, each episode blends atmosphere, moral complexity, and sharp storytelling—ranging from eerie one-shots to serialized suspense. New episodes released on select Friday nights. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Friday Night Fiction is written and produced by James Wolner. All stories, dialogue, and creative content are original works of authorship and are © James Wolner. Reproduction, redistribution, or adaptation of any part of this podcast without written permission is strictly prohibited. Legal Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The author and publisher assume no responsibility for any perceived associations, misinterpretations, or unintended similarities. No real persons or groups should be inferred from this story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1962, 14-year-old Larry Jo Phebus vanished from Tioga, North Dakota. Months later, two farmers found his body in a snow-covered field, sparking one of the state’s earliest and most haunting cold cases. Six decades later, the murder of Larry Jo Phebus remains unsolved, leaving the small town still asking what happened to him that night and why justice has never been found. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 1 (Chapters 1–5): In the opening chapters of Dead Cold Drop, Bismarck plumber Doug Rolfstad meets his daughter Mandy at a Valley City truck stop after her urgent request. There, she reveals a manila envelope filled with cash, drawing father and daughter into a situation they do not fully understand. As unsettling news follows, their choices propel them into a suspenseful story of family bonds, dangerous secrets, and survival in North Dakota. Dead Cold Drop by James Wolner is told across five gripping episodes in the signature Friday Night Fiction style. About Friday Night Fiction: Written and narrated by James Wolner, Friday Night Fiction delivers original crime stories set in North Dakota and the Upper Midwest. Inspired by The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Twilight Zone, and Dragnet, each episode blends atmosphere, moral complexity, and sharp storytelling—ranging from eerie one-shots to serialized suspense. New episodes released on select Friday nights. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Friday Night Fiction is written and produced by James Wolner. All stories, dialogue, and creative content are original works of authorship and are © James Wolner. Reproduction, redistribution, or adaptation of any part of this podcast without written permission is strictly prohibited. Legal Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The author and publisher assume no responsibility for any perceived associations, misinterpretations, or unintended similarities. No real persons or groups should be inferred from this story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This isn’t your typical true crime story. Brittani Ard steps back into the shadowy labyrinth of memories, scars, and fragile ties that bind us to our past. Where wounds still ache and the bonds of connection blur between salvation and entrapment. After revealing her own story in the first 8 chapters, she’s pulling at the threads of the past—threads so delicate they threaten to unravel everything. This time, it’s not just her story. It’s the stories of others whose lives intertwine with hers in ways no one could have predicted. A woman searches for a photograph of her abusive ex, but the picture holds more than just memories. A foster youth exchanges black trash bags for a voice that refuses to be silenced anymore, revealing a haunting past that demands to be heard. And a story of rekindled love, as strength and vulnerability collide to reveal what was always meant to be. You Probably Think This Story’s About You is raw, haunting, and achingly human—a tapestry of messy, beautiful lessons stitched together by the lives we touch and the stories we share. The secrets we carried no longer have power over us. Listen to You Probably Think This Story’s About You wherever you get your podcasts or at https://brittaniard.com/podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 30 years ago, Eric’s brother Jacob was murdered—a case that remains unresolved to this day. In this conversation, we discuss his pursuit of justice and explore the ethical challenges of creating content in the ever-growing, often problematic true crime genre. Originally released on July 28, 2021. Listen to the True Consequences podcast: https://www.trueconsequences.com/ Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slaycation is a darkly funny true crime podcast hosted by Kim Davis, a former social worker and true crime fanatic, her comedy-writer husband Adam “Tex” Davis, and Emmy-nominated producer Jerry Kolber. Blending horror, humor, and empathy, Slaycation explores vacations gone tragically wrong, offering travel tips that just might save your life. In this episode, “You Cruise, You Lose,” a dream getaway unravels into a chilling mystery that will leave you wondering: accident… or murder? Finish listening to this episode and explore all episodes of Slaycation:⁠ https://www.slaycation.wtf/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1978, the body of a young woman was discovered in a rural Iowa ditch—no name, no missing persons report, and clear signs of a violent death. For 27 years, she was known only as a Jane Doe. Her name was Wilma June Nissen. She was 23 years old and believed to have been killed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, around the time of her daughter Krissi’s first birthday. In this episode, Krissi Haas shares her decades-long search for the truth and the emotional journey to reclaim the story of the mother she never had the chance to know. If you have any information about Wilma June Nissen, her murder, or individuals known as Sugar or Peaches, please consider reaching out. Krissi Haas is still searching for answers, and even the smallest detail could help. You’ll find contact information and links to other resources dedicated to Wilma below. Krissi’s email: [email protected] Facebook: https://bit.ly/facebook-wilma-june-nissen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilma_june_nissen_cold_case/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/WilmaJuneNissen/ Petition to help families of cold case victims: https://bit.ly/petition-help-cold-case-families KELOLAND News story on Wilma June Nissen (2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7SIelmPDKw&t=25s Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2002, Madison McGhee’s father, John McGhee, was shot and killed in his own home in Belmont County, Ohio. Driven by her desire to find justice she began conducting her own investigation into his murder that remains unsolved to this day. The police investigation did not yield any significant leads, leaving Madison and her family with more questions than answers - until now. Join her not only on a quest for justice, for closure, for answers and she stops at nothing to answer this question: Who Killed J.C. McGhee? It doesn’t get more personal than this. Listen to Ice Cold Case: https://linktr.ee/icecoldcase Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this debut installment of Friday Night Fiction, a harmless social media group turns sinister in Fargo, North Dakota. When a local banker’s carefully planned Friday night is derailed by a group of self-appointed parking vigilantes, what begins as a minor inconvenience escalates into something far more dangerous. Written and narrated by James Wolner, Park Like a Fargonian is a modern noir story about how quickly judgment can masquerade as justice—and how easily control can slip away. About Friday Night Fiction: Written and narrated by James Wolner, Friday Night Fiction delivers original crime stories set in North Dakota and the Upper Midwest. Inspired by The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Twilight Zone, and Dragnet, each episode blends atmosphere, moral complexity, and sharp storytelling—ranging from eerie one-shots to serialized suspense. New episodes released on select Friday nights. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Friday Night Fiction is written and produced by James Wolner. All stories, dialogue, and creative content are original works of authorship and are © James Wolner. Reproduction, redistribution, or adaptation of any part of this podcast without written permission is strictly prohibited. Legal Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The author and publisher assume no responsibility for any perceived associations, misinterpretations, or unintended similarities. No real persons or groups should be inferred from this story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We introduce you to our new series of original crime-inspired short stories, all set in North Dakota and the Upper Midwest. If you're a fan of true crime but curious to explore fictional tales with the same tension, twists, and emotional depth—this series is for you. We’ll walk you through what to expect from future episodes, how often they’ll drop, and why true crime fans will feel right at home in these moody, mysterious, and distinctly Midwestern settings. Welcome to Friday Night Fiction—your weekly escape into the dark side of the North. About Friday Night Fiction: Written and narrated by James Wolner, Friday Night Fiction delivers original crime stories set in North Dakota and the Upper Midwest. Inspired by The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Twilight Zone, and Dragnet, each episode blends atmosphere, moral complexity, and sharp storytelling—ranging from eerie one-shots to serialized suspense. New episodes released on select Friday nights. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Friday Night Fiction is written and produced by James Wolner. All stories, dialogue, and creative content are original works of authorship and are © James Wolner. Reproduction, redistribution, or adaptation of any part of this podcast without written permission is strictly prohibited. Legal Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The author and publisher assume no responsibility for any perceived associations, misinterpretations, or unintended similarities. No real persons or groups should be inferred from this story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In May 1971, Pam Jackson and Sherri Miller were two seventeen-year-olds driving to an end-of-the-school-year party in a rundown Studebaker Lark when they seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth. In this episode James interviews author Lou Raguse, author of the riveting book Vanished in Vermillion: The Real Story of South Dakota’s Most Infamous Cold Case. Check out Lou's website: https://vanishedinvermillion.com/ Purchase the book on Amazon https://www.amazon.se/-/en/Lou-Raguse/dp/1637587252 Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the evening of July 3, 1972, 16-year-old Joli Truelson stood hitchhiking in Uptown Minneapolis, MN. Just 15 hours later she was found deceased in Minnehaha Creek, four miles away. She died from blunt force trauma to the back of her head. In this episode, Dakota Spotlight interviews Trisha Taurinskas, journalst and host of a new podcast series about Joli's murder: Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots. Trisha shares insights about this 53-year-old cold case and the exciting new developments taking place in 2025. Will Trisha's fresh work on this case assist in the Truelson family finally getting answers into what happened to Joli Truelson? Listen to Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vault/id1566136098 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Y6sk7Jkm8P9ruuNMOfO6w Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2017, Deon Wiggett confronted a repressed trauma: he had been sexually abused by a schoolteacher as a teenager. His response was to create "My Only Story," a podcast exploring justice, activism, and revenge. Dakota Spotlight interviewed Wiggett in August 2021 about the podcast and his experience. My Only Story podcast: https://www.myonlystory.org/ Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Continuing a Dakota Spotlight Valentine’s tradition, this special episode features an interview with Bruce Blackman, the mastermind behind the 1976 hit Moonlight Feels Right by Starbuck. James chats with Bruce about the song’s romantic charm, its iconic marimba solo, and the stories behind its creation. Whether it’s part of your Valentine’s playlist or a nostalgic favorite, don’t miss this heartfelt conversation celebrating love, music, and the magic of the ’70s. Homicide at House of Bottles PLUS Bonus Material Free Preview https://dakotaspotlight.com/bottles/ Season 3: The House on Sweet and Seventh https://bit.ly/dakotaspotlight-season3 Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this postscript to Homicide at House of Bottles, we revisit key moments from the 1999 Bismarck murder of Robbie Rahrich through archival news reports recorded immediately after the homicide and following the arrest of a suspect. Former detective Bob Haas shares additional insights, reflections, and his perspective on the missing shell casing, offering listeners a deeper understanding of one of North Dakota’s most haunting murder cases. Videos of the original news coverage: News segment immediately after the crime News segment after a suspect was arrested Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final scheduled episode of Homicide at House of Bottles, we reflect on the profound impact of Robbie Rahrich’s life and death while exploring themes of justice, rehabilitation, and accountability. This episode features conversations with Shawn Helmenstein, who has spent 25 years in prison for the 1999 Bismarck murder. Helmenstein shares new insights about the missing shell casing, his evolving perspective on the crime, and his frustrations with the uncertainty of parole. Robbie’s family and friends express their enduring pain and strong opposition to Shawn’s efforts for early release. Most importantly, this episode celebrates Robbie’s kindness, energy, and the lasting influence he had on those who knew and loved him, even as his absence continues to shape their lives. Thank you for listening and for joining us in honoring Robbie’s life. Stay tuned for bonus episodes in the coming weeks. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 5 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the case of Shawn Helmenstein moves toward resolution. After confessing to the 1999 murder of Robbie Rahrich, Helmenstein participates in a videotaped walkthrough of the crime scene, calmly recounting his actions in chilling contrast to the brutality of the homicide. At trial, prosecutors dismantle his defense of emotional duress with confessions, the murder weapon, and witness testimony, while the judge condemns the killing as premeditated and calculated, sentencing Helmenstein to life in prison with parole eligibility only after serving 85% of his life expectancy. Beyond the courtroom, Robbie’s family and friends share their pain and resilience, reflecting on the trial and their enduring pursuit of justice in this haunting Bismarck murder case. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 4 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the story intertwines poignant memories with pivotal breakthroughs in the investigation of the 1999 Bismarck murder of Robbie Rahrich. In Clinton, Montana, Detectives Haas and Wooten close in on primary suspect Shawn Helmenstein, while interviews with Robbie’s sister Casey and friends Angie and Mike shed light on his humor, warmth, and generosity. Their recollections honor Robbie’s memory and reveal the devastating impact of his loss, even as investigators pursue justice in one of North Dakota’s most haunting homicide cases. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special mid-season update, listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at Season 11, Homicide at House of Bottles. Along with reflections on the investigation so far, this episode includes a Spotlight PLUS preview with exclusive materials from Episodes 1 and 2, including photographs, videos, and bonus details that bring the case to life. You’ll also learn about the benefits of a Spotlight PLUS subscription, from ad-free binge listening to subscriber-only newsletters and bonus content. Get ready for the second half of the season and more insight into the 1999 Bismarck murder of Robbie Rahrich. Season 11 Spotlight PLUS Bonus Material Free Preview https://dakotaspotlight.com/bottles Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 3 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the investigation into the 1999 murder of Robbie Rahrich expands across North Dakota and Montana. Detectives pursue leads tied to the House of Bottles, including former employees with complicated histories, while a 9mm pistol known as the “Baby Eagle” emerges as a critical clue. Witnesses describe sightings of suspicious figures near the crime scene, including a man in a FUBU jacket, and attention turns to Shawn, Travis’ freeloading tenant who skipped town under questionable circumstances. With every new detail, investigators edge closer to answers in a Bismarck homicide that shattered Robbie Rahrich’s family and friends, leaving heartbreak that lingers decades later. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 2 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the investigation into the 1999 murder of Robbie Rahrich intensifies. Detectives arrived at the liquor store crime scene in the early hours of February 21, processing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and confronting one puzzling detail — the missing shell casing. Through archival audio and present-day interviews with retired officers, we retrace their steps as they canvassed neighborhoods, tested friends of the victim for gunshot residue, and uncovered a link to a mysterious figure. The search for answers in this Bismarck homicide was only beginning. Trigger Warning: This episode includes content that may be disturbing, including a 911 call. Please listen with care. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Season 11 of Homicide at House of Bottles, an investigation into the 1999 murder of Robbie Rahrich at the House of Bottles liquor store in Bismarck, North Dakota. In Episode 1, we set the stage during a bustling winter weekend filled with out-of-town visitors for the state wrestling tournament, leading up to a harrowing discovery that ignited a homicide investigation. Featuring interviews with detectives, loved ones, and even convicted killer Shawn Helmenstein, this season explores memory, justice, and the lasting impact of violence on a community. Trigger Warning: This episode includes content that may be disturbing, including a 911 call. Please listen with care. Welcome to Homicide at House of Bottles. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and PorchLight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zoerb Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by PorchLight Podcast Network: https://porchlightpodcast.network/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of PorchLight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of PorchLight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dakota Spotlight’s six-part podcast series, Homicide at House of Bottles, delves into the 1999 murder of a promising young man, whose life was tragically cut short in Bismarck, North Dakota. Featuring immersive soundscapes and interviews with detectives, family, friends, and even the convicted killer, this season examines the layers of a crime that shook a community—and the enduring questions of justice, rehabilitation, and forgiveness. More than a true crime story, Homicide at House of Bottles is about the lives forever changed by it. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Homicide at House of Bottles is a production of Dakota Spotlight and Porchlight Podcast Network. This season was written, produced, and sound-edited by James Wolner, who also serves as the host. Research and interview assistance by Mari Zorbe Hansen. Special thanks to Bob Haas, Lloyd Halvorson, and the Bismarck Police Department for their contributions to this season. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly Produced by Porchlight Podcast Network Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Porchlight Podcast Network. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Porchlight Podcast Network is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crime reporter Dan Box joins us to discuss Bowraville, his podcast about the tragic murders of three Aboriginal children in a small Australian town. Teaming up with The Australian, Dan investigates how all three vanished from the same street and searches for answers in this haunting case. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A kindergarten teacher masterminds a brutal murder and shows no remorse. In this special, stand-alone episode we learn about a macabre crime from the true north. In 2015, Angila Wilder was brutally murdered in her home while her two-year-old child slept just down the hall. True crime author C.J. Wynn meets with Dakota Spotlight to discuss this crime. C.J. WYNN's book https://www.amazon.com/Wilder-Intentions-Murder-North-Dakota/dp/193491293X Music in this episode: https://drjmart.bandcamp.com/ Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I Woke Up To A Girl Watching Me Sleep - The Driftwood Drifter - Creepy Guy On A Bus - The Dam Man - Accidentally Stumbled Into A Christian Cult - This is Disturbed. Featuring narration by: Kyra Cornett Elizabeth Flood Brian Jeffords Kat Carter Terra Ashe Disturbed is a production of Killer Podcasts, a part of the Evergreen network. For more paranormal and true crime shows, visit KillerPodcasts.com. Follow our social channels, @disturbedpodcast on instagram or disturbed_pod on twitter. If you enjoyed the show, please consider subscribing and reviewing on your favorite listening platform. Music by epidemic sound and by Carl Casey at white bat audio. Our Host is Doug Bailey. Our Producers are Noah Foutz and Elizabeth Flood. Our audio engineer is Nathan Corson, Executive Producers Brigid Coyne and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks for listening! Listen ad-free, unlock bonus episodes and more: patreon.com/disturbedpodcast Submit your true, original experience: disturbedpodcast.com/submit Disturbed Merch: disturbedpodcast.com/shop Leave a voicemail: hotline.disturbedpodcast.com Contact: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We share the full audio of a police interrogation from March 2021 with Jesse Huy, who killed three family members and then turned himself in. This recording includes a full confession and reveals the disturbing reasons behind the murders, offering a rare insight into the "Why". Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Lovelien was just 38-years-old when he was found beaten to death outside of the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota on a Halloween-themed Saturday night in 2007. Who killed Joel Lovelien? Music by HandTurner and Wowza in Kalamazoo Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 2 of 2 - James continues his intriguing yet sometimes exhausting conversation with the AI chatbot. In Part 2, they delve into notable crimes near James' hometown, covering the Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders, Steven Stayner, and the Zebra Killings, with the AI's often inaccurate responses leading James to ask, "Do you lie?". Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 1 of 2 - In an attempt to deepen his understanding of AI, James interviews an expert who, interestingly enough, happens to be an AI chatbot. The interview proves challenging, as the AI often becomes evasive, stalls, or even "walks out" of the conversation. In Part 1, the AI shares its perspectives on true crime, discusses the Dakota Spotlight podcast, explores the cases that sparked James' fascination with true crime, delves into AI's own motives, and reveals how it generates its responses. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James interviews researcher Mari Zoerb Hansen. Mari, a UW grad, played a crucial role in creating “You Killed Chris.” They share behind-the-scenes details and how the story became part of Dakota Spotlight. They also take a walk around the UW campus, visiting key locations from the Season 10 story. Sterling Hall bombing content mentioned in this episode https://dakotaspotlight.com/SterlingHallBombing/ Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes 1 week early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 2 of 2: The story of Sajid Hussain’s mysterious death in Sweden takes on broader significance when examined alongside the case of Karima Baloch, a fellow activist who also fled Pakistan and was later found dead under suspicious circumstances. Their deaths raise concerns of politically motivated killings, highlight the dangers faced by Baloch activists in exile, and cast doubt on the official investigation into Hussain’s drowning. This conclusion underscores the broader risks faced by journalists and activists who challenge powerful forces far from home. Music by Väsen https://spoti.fi/4cLw57h Originally published December 2021. Get the free Asset Protection Guide from Monetary Gold https://srv.mg.gold/display/rm/taboola/free-guide/ Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 1 of 2: Sajid Hussain, a Pakistani journalist forced into exile for reporting on human rights abuses in Balochistan, vanished in Sweden in 2020. Weeks later, his body was found in the Fyris River near Uppsala. Swedish police concluded there was no foul play, but suspicions persist that his death may have been tied to his investigative reporting and possible involvement of Pakistani intelligence. This episode examines Hussain’s story, the dangers faced by exiled journalists, and the unanswered questions that surround his mysterious death. Music by Väsen https://spoti.fi/4cLw57h Originally published December 2021. Get the free Asset Protection Guide from Monetary Gold https://srv.mg.gold/display/rm/taboola/free-guide/ Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 5, Episode 1 - Five Blocks From Home 15 year old Barbara Louise Cotton vanished from the streets of Williston, North Dakota on April 11, 1981 five blocks from her home. What happened to Barbara Cotton? In episode 1, while others called Barbara a 'runaway', a frustrated yet unyielding Sandee Evanson refuses to stop looking for her childhood friend. A Better Search for Barbara is a deep, investigative dive into one of North Dakota's longest running cold cases. Music: Wowza in Kalamazoo https://wowzainkalamazoo.bandcamp.com/ The website dedicated to the search for Barbara Cotton: https://findbarbcotton.com Other online resources about missing Barbara Cotton: The Vanished podcast: https://www.thevanishedpodcast.com/episodes/2022/9/12/episode-361-barbara-cotton-part-1-a-lost-girl Gabby Valente YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKuiE2dF2NY Evaporate, The Missing: https://www.evaporatethemissing.com/post/the-roar-of-the-pumpjack A Voice 4 the Lost Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AVoice4theLost The Unfound podcast: https://theunfoundpodcast.com/2023/05/08/barbara-louise-cotton-cold-and-fuzzy/ ArcticFox True Crime YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9jLRRlzsO8 Southern Gal True Crime YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdGkUiOTey0 Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio Mysteries: The Great Locomotive Chase Pt 1 In 1862, 23 Ohio soldiers, led by a Kentucky union spy, stole deep into the south with the intent of stealing a train and using it to destroy telegraph lines, railroad tracks and bridges and cripple the south. They ultimately got caught and nearly half of them hanged, but the survivors were given the very first Medals of Honor by a grateful US Congress. In this first episode, we meet the intrepid Ohioans and follow them on their dangerous four-day trek as they part with their regiment in Tennessee and slink into Georgia for their secret mission. Find Part 2 here: https://bit.ly/4dma4g8 And Part 3 here: https://bit.ly/4dgW2wk New Ohio Mysteries episodes release every Sunday and Wednesday at 8 p.m.. Check out our full catalogue of nearly 600 episodes at OhioMysteries.com Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this riveting, must-listen interview, award-winning paranormal researcher Morgan Knudsen and true crime writer Mike Browne sit down with journalist and author Matt Baglio (THE RITE, ARGO, HOSTAGE TO THE DEVIL) to delve into Matt's firsthand experiences investigating ritual exorcism. Join us as Matt discusses his remarkable eyewitness testimony and first-hand accounts from Father Gary Thomas, the Exorcist who inspired the Anthony Hopkins film "THE RITE." Get Matt's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Rite-Making-Modern-Exorcist-2010-06-15/dp/B01FKSNC88 Checkout Supernatural Circumstances here: https://supernaturalcircumstances.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 3, Episode 1. On a quiet Friday morning in September of 1998 a 17 year old girl named Aimee walked into the Police Department in Bismarck, North Dakota. The young woman said she wasn’t exactly sure, but she had a hunch that her 18 year old boyfriend Brian might have hurt his mother and father. Not a problem, said Bismarck Police, a simple welfare check would set this story straight. ‘The story’ wasn’t set straight though. But what exactly had happened? And where were the boy’s parents? Perhaps this girl Aimee and her many friends would help the police find answers. Certainly anyone would want to help find answers, wouldn’t they? Watch the Emmy Award winning documentary film "The House on Sweet and Seventh" on Amazon Prime Video, FreeVee, or Tubi https://amzn.to/4cGj9jw Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A short message from the host of Dakota Spotlight. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In South Africa, a school teacher was assassinated in front of her class by hit-men. Who would take out a contract on a school teacher? That's what Paul McNally wanted to find out with Season 2 of his gripping podcast Alibi. Dakota Spotlight spoke with Paul from his home in South Africa. Originally broadcast Summer 2021. Listen to the Alibi podcast https://developaudio.co.za/alibi Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dakota Spotlight has reached the 10 season milestone, and we look back to where it all began with Victor Newberry. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get new episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 6, the finale of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice, brings together reflections on Linda’s unwavering determination to solve the 1968 murder of Christine Rothschild. Others weigh in on her theories and persistence, while a chilling phone conversation captures a college student directly confronting Niels Jorgensen, accusing him of being Christine’s killer and a serial murderer. This powerful conclusion highlights both the unresolved questions that linger and the enduring impact of Linda’s fight for truth. Check out the music of MVLL CRIMES: https://mvllcrimes.bandcamp.com/ Two Good Books about Christine Rothschild: Murder on the 56th Day: Linda Schulko. Get the Kindle version of Linda’s great book. Linda donates all proceeds to charity. Get Linda’s book on Amazon⁠ https://amzn.to/4cX0DEe⁠ Cold: The Unsolved Murders of Seven Young Women: Kevin Damask. Get Kevin’s book on Amazon⁠ https://amzn.to/43YFy8l ⁠ A very special thanks goes out this season to Mari Zoerb Hansen, a 4th generation UW alum, for all the amazing research, fact checking and just stellar assistance with this season. Mari’s dedication and hard work on this story is in the memory of her late father, David Zoerb, who was finishing his senior year at UW when Christine was murdered. Thank you Mari. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, James previews the upcoming Spotlight PLUS Bonus Episode. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes 1 week early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 5 of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice explores Linda’s deepening investigation into Niels Jorgensen. Becoming an expert on his family history, she exposes long-standing lies and contradictions. On the 40th anniversary of Christine Rothschild’s death, Linda organizes a memorial service at the University of Wisconsin, with Niels himself invited as the keynote speaker. In her ongoing conversations, Linda confronts Niels as Christine’s killer and discovers mention of a friend who might hold evidence that could change everything. Two Good Books about Christine Rothschild: Murder on the 56th Day: Linda Schulko. Get the Kindle version of Linda’s great book. Linda donates all proceeds to charity. Get Linda’s book on Amazon⁠ https://amzn.to/4cX0DEe⁠ Cold: The Unsolved Murders of Seven Young Women: Kevin Damask. Get Kevin’s book on Amazon⁠ https://amzn.to/43YFy8l ⁠ A very special thanks goes out this season to Mari Zoerb Hansen, a 4th generation UW alum, for all the amazing research, fact checking and just stellar assistance with this season. Mari’s dedication and hard work on this story is in the memory of her late father, David Zoerb, who was finishing his senior year at UW when Christine was murdered. Thank you Mari. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 4 of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice follows the police effort to seek public assistance in solving Christine Rothschild’s 1968 murder. Investigators interview surgeon Niels Jorgensen, the man Linda had reported for harassing Christine. Determined to uncover the truth, Linda discreetly contacts hospital staff and members of Jorgensen’s family. Through these conversations, colleagues and relatives provide insights into the troubling story of Niels and his connection to the case. Two Good Books about Christine Rothschild: Murder on the 56th Day: Linda Schulko. Get the Kindle version of Linda’s great book. Linda donates all proceeds to charity. Get Linda’s book on Amazon⁠ https://amzn.to/4cX0DEe⁠ Cold: The Unsolved Murders of Seven Young Women: Kevin Damask. Get Kevin’s book on Amazon⁠ https://amzn.to/43YFy8l ⁠ A very special thanks goes out this season to Mari Zoerb Hansen, a 4th generation UW alum, for all the amazing research, fact checking and just stellar assistance with this season. Mari’s dedication and hard work on this story is in the memory of her late father, David Zoerb, who was finishing his senior year at UW when Christine was murdered. Thank you Mari. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 3 of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice recounts the morning of Christine Rothschild’s murder. After taking her usual walk, Christine’s body is discovered in the bushes near Sterling Hall on the UW–Madison campus. As police launch their investigation, the case quickly grows cold. Linda, however, brings forward critical information: an older man had been harassing Christine, someone she feared deeply. This episode explores the early missteps of the investigation and the chilling presence of a possible suspect who was overlooked. Two Good Books about Christine Rothschild: Murder on the 56th Day: Linda Schulko. Get the Kindle version of Linda’s great book. Linda donates all proceeds to charity. Get Linda’s book on Amazon⁠ https://amzn.to/4cX0DEe⁠ Cold: The Unsolved Murders of Seven Young Women: Kevin Damask. Get Kevin’s book on Amazon⁠ https://amzn.to/43YFy8l ⁠ A very special thanks goes out this season to Mari Zoerb Hansen, a 4th generation UW alum, for all the amazing research, fact checking and just stellar assistance with this season. Mari’s dedication and hard work on this story is in the memory of her late father, David Zoerb, who was finishing his senior year at UW when Christine was murdered. Thank you Mari. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, James shares what it is like to be an independent podcaster and a preview of the upcoming Spotlight PLUS Bonus Episode with Mari Zoerb Hansen. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get episodes 1 week early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes [email protected] Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 2 of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice offers a closer look at Christine Rothschild’s life on campus at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Friends share memories of dorm life at Ann Emery Hall and Christine’s personal struggles, while Linda recalls the days leading up to Christine’s death. Against this backdrop, the campus is roiled by the Dow Day protest, a defining moment of the 1960s counterculture that shaped the environment Christine lived in. Together, these recollections paint a vivid portrait of Christine’s world in the days before her murder. Two Good Books about Christine Rothschild: Murder on the 56th Day: Linda Schulko. Get the Kindle version of Linda’s great book. Linda donates all proceeds to charity. Get Linda’s book on Amazon⁠ https://amzn.to/4cX0DEe⁠ Cold: The Unsolved Murders of Seven Young Women: Kevin Damask. Get Kevin’s book on Amazon⁠ https://amzn.to/43YFy8l ⁠ A very special thanks goes out this season to Mari Zoerb Hansen, a 4th generation UW alum, for all the amazing research, fact checking and just stellar assistance with this season. Mari’s dedication and hard work on this story is in the memory of her late father, David Zoerb, who was finishing his senior year at UW when Christine was murdered. Thank you Mari. Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight: https://dakotaspotlight.com/ Get all episodes early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS: https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/ Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter: https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight Instagram: @dakotaspotlight TikTok: @dakotaspotlight Bluesky: @dakotaspotlight.bsky.social YouTube: @dakotaspotlightpodcast4800 Proudly produced by Six Horse Media: [email protected] Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes: [email protected] All content in this podcast, including audio, interviews, and soundscapes, is the property of Six Horse Media. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or rebroadcast of this material without the express written consent of Six Horse Media is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices