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Dark Downeast

Dark Downeast

272 episodes — Page 4 of 6

The Murder of Margaret Pizio (Massachusetts)

MASSACHUSETTS, 1979: It was August 20, 1979 and 35-year old Margaret Pizio was clocking into her overnight shift at the Susse Chalet Motor Inn in Seekonk, Massachusetts.Margaret should have returned home the next morning, but as it got later and later with no sign of her, the growing unease in the house was palpable. And then the phone rang. A reporter wanted to speak with someone about Margaret Pizio's murder.Beth Pizio was just a few days shy of her 9th birthday when her mother was killed. Over four decades later, Margaret’s murder remains unsolved. Beth hopes that by sharing her mother’s story, it’ll reach the person or persons who have been withholding information all these years, information that could answer the question that looms over Beth to this day – Why?If you have information regarding the unsolved 1979 homicide of Margaret Pizio, please contact State Police Lt. Ann Marie Robertson at 508-961-1918, Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Cases Tip Line at 855-MA-SOLVE (855-627-6583) or text the word “Bristol” to CRIMES (274637), followed by the tip. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/margaretpizio Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 3, 202330 min

The Disappearance of Reina Morales Rojas (Massachusetts)

MASSACHUSETTS, 2022: On November 26, 2022, 41-year old Reina Morales Rojas got into a car in East Boston, MA and some time later was dropped off in nearby Somerville. That’s the last time anyone had seen or heard from the mother of two.Though she was reported missing soon after, the public didn’t hear anything about Reina’s disappearance for almost two months, and if advocates like Lucy Pineda of Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts hadn’t stepped in to help bring attention to her case, Reina’s family wonders if her story would’ve ever made the news.Now four months later, Reina still isn’t home and information is scarce. Her children and sister in El Salvador who once spoke to her every single day await any sign that she is okay, all while fighting for attention on her case that took far too long to receive.Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is advised to contact 911 or A-7 Detectives at (617) 343-4324. If you would prefer to share information anonymously you can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-(494)-TIPS or by texting the word 'TIP' to CRIME (27463). View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/reinamoralesrojas Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 27, 202323 min

The Murders of Diane Compagna & Anne Psaradelis (New Hampshire)

NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1973: On July 11, 1973, 15-year old Diane Compagna swung her beach bag over her shoulder and headed out the door of her house in Merrimack, New Hampshire. She was off to a nearby lake to swim with her friend, 15-year old Anne Psaradelis. At least, that was the story they told their parents.Neither girl was expected home that night, but their parents weren’t suspicious as the girls left for the day. It wasn’t until the next afternoon when the pair didn’t return to either home that their parents began to worry.What began as a missing persons investigation for two teenage girls in the summer of 1973 ended in a double-homicide. In 2023, this case will reach its 50 year anniversary without answers.This is the case of Diane Companga and Anne Psaradelis.If you have information that could aid in the investigation, leave a tip. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/compagnapsaradelis Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 20, 202330 min

The Murder of Bessie Selek (Maine)

MAINE, 1999: On the night of April 20, 1999, 41-year old Bessie Selek was walking along Route 202 near the Waterboro-Lyman, Maine town line when she was hit and killed by a passing vehicle. The driver fled the scene, leaving Bessie there to die on the side of the road not far from her own home.Detectives zeroed in on her boyfriend, Raymond Wood. They’d had a tumultuous relationship. A long history of domestic violence and abuse. Maine State Police were certain that Raymond was their guy. During an intense interrogation by two State detectives, Raymond Wood even confessed to the crime.But as the investigation continued, it appeared the evidence wouldn’t so easily fit the foregone conclusion reached by police, and the confession by their primary suspect wasn’t exactly proof that he did it.If you have information regarding this case, please contact the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit - South at (207) 624-7076 x9 or toll free at 1-800-452-4664. You may also report information about this crime using the leave a tip form. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/bessieselek Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 13, 202332 min

The Murder of Rita Curran Part 2 (Vermont)

VERMONT, 1971: Rita Curran and her family waited over 50 years for closure in her unsolved homicide, but with a renewed investigation beginning in 2019, detectives turned to advanced DNA analysis to find the answers that had been waiting in evidence storage for half a century.In part 2, you’ll hear what DNA analysis and genealogical research revealed, but it was only the beginning of finally closing Rita Curran’s cold case, once and for all.Donate & Share: Give Back for Rita View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/ritacurran Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 6, 202326 min

The Murder of Rita Curran Part 1 (Vermont)

VERMONT, 1971: After more than 50 years, 24-year Rita Curran's murder finally has closure. In this two part series, you'll hear the details of an investigation spanning over half a century and the DNA evidence that finally revealed a suspect in Vermont's oldest cold case.Part 2 is out now. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.Donate & Share: Give Back for Rita View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/ritacurran Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 6, 202330 min

The Suspicious Death of Denise Scott Ramsey (Maine)

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MAINE, 2021: On Mother’s Day weekend in 2021, skeletal remains were discovered in a shed on private property belonging to a man who had passed away months earlier. Though it would take months for the identity of the body to be confirmed, Danielle McNaughton knew in the pit of her stomach that it was her mother, Denise Scott Ramsey.The circumstances of Denise’s death are suspicious, but will Danielle ever have answers about what happened to her mom? The story took over the headlines that spring, but since then, little has been discussed and little is known about this case. That's why Danielle is on Dark Downeast.View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/denisescottramsey Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 27, 202330 min

The Murder of Angela Belisle (Vermont)

VERMONT, 1981: During the earliest moments of the investigation, the death of 35-year old Angela Belisle was presumed to be the result of dangerous temperatures and extreme winter weather. Instead, the autopsy revealed that Angela was the victim of a homicide. What happened to Angela? Who is responsible? What will it take for her killer to be brought to justice all these years later?If you have any information about this case, please the Vermont State Police. Tips may be submitted anonymously online or by texting keyword: VTIPS to 274637 (CRIMES). View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/angelabelisle Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 20, 202327 min

The Murder of Ronald Rogers Part 2 (Vermont)

VERMONT, 1971: In a homicide investigation, determining the identity of the victim is an obvious and crucial step in the pursuit of justice. Without knowing whose murder they’re investigating, authorities can’t really bring anyone to trial or even fully investigate.In the case of 34-year Vermont Veteran Ronald Rodgers, a family member positively ID’d his body, found shot and on fire on July night on Killington Mountain… But the accused killer’s defense team aimed to convince the jury that the identity of the deceased wasn’t an indisputable fact.If you haven’t yet, listen to part 1 of Ronald Rodgers story on Dark Downeast. In the conclusion of his story, you’ll hear the wild court proceedings, the shocking evidence, and the alternate theory about what happened as the defense attempted to convince the jury, and the public, that maybe Ronald Rodgers was actually the killer himself. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/ronaldrodgers2 Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 13, 202337 min

The Murder of Ronald Rogers Part 1 (Vermont)

VERMONT, 1971: It was 10:30 p.m. the night before the 4th of July in 1971 when a family returning to their cottage near Killington Ski Resort in Vermont discovered a fire down over an embankment. When the father and son got close enough to douse the fire with water they made a grim discovery. It was the badly burned body of a man.A family member would identify the man as 34-year old Veteran Ronald Rodgers, but as the case developed over the course of an entire decade, that basic fact would be challenged.This case begins two years before his body was discovered, with an armed robbery in Rutland, Vermont. This is a story of possible mistaken identity, of investigative missteps, and maybe, the story of a so-called perfect crime. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/ronaldrodgers1Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-caseDark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 6, 202329 min

The Murder of Helen Jewett (New York)

NEW YORK CITY, 1836: In the early morning hours of April 10, 1836, the madam of a New York City brothel awoke to find 22-year old Helen Jewett's bedroom filled with smoke and flames.Helen Jewett, born Dorcas Doyen in Augusta, Maine, was considered a well-known sex worker in New York City. As her case became sensationalized and publicized around the world, it brought the taboo subject of sex into the prudish public sphere of the 1800s, inviting commentary, opinion and bias, even among those tasked with the pursuit of justice on Helen's behalf.Helen Jewett's Known Aliases: Maria Benson, Maria Stanley, Helen Mar, and Ellen JewettRichard R. Robinson's Known Aliases: Frank Rivers, Richard ParmaleeTo learn more about sex work issues and advocacy, visit decriminalizesex.work.View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/helenjewett Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 30, 202335 min

The Still Unsolved Murder of Darien Richardson (Maine)

MAINE, 2010: In January of 2023, yet another year passed without justice for Darien Richardson and her family.You first heard Darien Richardson’s story on Dark Downeast in August of 2021. Since then, I’ve stayed in touch with Darien’s mother, Judi, and this case is one I keep coming back to, especially now that I’ve become a mother to a daughter.I’ve decided to re-release Darien’s story as an extended episode in hopes of furthering the Richardson family’s fight for answers, to support their advocacy for responsible gun laws, as well as bring awareness to their mission of helping those impacted by violent crime.To support Darien and her family, download the reward poster and share it on social media. You can also make a donation to Remembering Darien, the organization founded by Darien’s parents in her honor to help innocent victims of violent crimes heal and rebuild their lives in the aftermath of incomprehensible violence.The $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person responsible for Darien Richardson’s death still stands. As the ethical true crime content consumer that I know you are, share her story, say her name, and support this family’s fight for justice. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/darienrichardson & darkdowneast.com/darienrichardson2 Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 16, 202354 min

The Murders of Jack & Florence Bettencourt (Maine)

LIBERTY, MAINE 1973: As the wind and rain picked up on a dark December night in Liberty, Maine, Joaquin "Jack" Bettencourt closed up his popular secondhand clothing shop and headed home to his wife, Florence. Days later, the Bettencourt's car was found abandoned in the woods near their home. What police discovered next began a double homicide investigation that spanned several years and multiple states.This is the case of Jack and Florence Bettencourt and the legacy they left behind.View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/thebettencourts Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 9, 202339 min

The Suspicious Death of Morgan Patten Part 2 (North Carolina)

When Steve and Renee Patten learned that their daughter, Morgan Patten, was killed in a car accident far away from her home in New England, their immediate response was shock and confusion. Morgan’s final text to her parents said that she was heading to bed, but Morgan never made it back to the hotel. What happened to Morgan after her meal at the restaurant bar? How did she end up in a fatal car accident with two strangers 15 miles away from her hotel?In Part One of this two part series, you got to know Morgan through the eyes of her parents, you heard the love story of Morgan and “her Marine” and why she was in North Carolina on Veteran’s Day weekend in 2019. If you haven’t yet, listen to that episode first.In Part Two, we look at the evidence, because from the first moment Morgan’s parents heard the tragic news about their daughter, they questioned everything. What they’ve learned since, despite the conclusion reached by the District Attorney on her case, has them convinced their daughter was the target of something sinister.View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/morganpatten-part2 Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 2, 202343 min

The Suspicious Death of Morgan Patten Part 1 (North Carolina)

Morgan Renee Patten was supposed to be spending a weekend with her fiancé celebrating their engagement in Jacksonville, North Carolina where he was in the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger. On Friday, November 8, 2019, Morgan left the home they shared in Edgartown, Massachusetts for a day-long journey down south.But Morgan never got to see her fiancé. Her life ended in a car accident with two strangers in a remote town far from where she was staying. To this day, the details just don’t add up for Morgan’s parents, Steve and Renee Patten.What happened at the restaurant bar? How did Morgan end up in that truck? Will the two strangers with Morgan in that accident ever speak up? The Pattens will not stop until they have all the answers. This is about justice for their baby girl.This is Part 1 of Morgan's story, told by her parents, Steve and Renee Patten.Stay up to date on Morgan Patten's case and learn more about her at morgansmilestogo.com. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/morganpatten-part1Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 26, 202226 min

The Murders of Sandra Valade, Pamela Mason & Rena Paquette (New Hampshire)

Since February 1964, rumors have swirled across New Hampshire about the death of Rena Paquette. It has been almost sixty years and still the truth remains unknown. But Rena Paquette’s story actually begins with two other deaths — 18-year old Sandra Valade and 14-year old Pamela Mason. All three were murdered between the winters of 1960 and 1964 in Manchester, New Hampshire.To this day, only one of these killings has been officially solved. Even then, whether or not the one man accused of these crimes ever truly faced justice is up to debate even now.If you have information regarding this case, contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at (603) 271-2663, [email protected], or leave a tip. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/valademasonpaquetteFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 12, 202238 min

The Murders of Carrie Moss & Sonya Moore (New Hampshire)

On July 25, 1989, 14-year old Carrie Moss, wearing a one-piece swimsuit, stone-washed jeans, and a white t-shirt, hopped on her bike and pedaled off to meet friends for an afternoon at a popular Goffstown, New Hampshire swimming hole. That was the last time anyone reported seeing Carrie Moss alive.In November of the same year, another family awaited the return of their 14-year old daughter and granddaughter in nearby Penacook, New Hampshire. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/carriemoss-sonyamooreFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 28, 202225 min

The Murder of Susan Taraskiewicz (Massachusetts)

Police first thought Susan Taraskiewicz’s murder to be a random act of violence, but soon the investigation revealed a much deeper conspiracy. Was Susan a target? It’s been nearly 30 years since Susan’s murder and nobody has been held responsible, but investigators believe somebody out there knows what happened.If you have any information about the 1992 murder of Susan Taraskiewicz, please contact the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County at 1-617-727-8817.View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/susantaraskiewicz Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 14, 202222 min

The Haunted Lighthouses of Seguin & Boon Island (Maine)

As beautiful as they are, lighthouses have a dark side, too. The legend and lore surrounding the light stations of New England date back hundreds of years. Hauntings. Ghost sightings. Paranormal experiences. When you stand in the presence of a lighthouse, whether you believe in the supernatural or not, it’s hard not to feel like you’re in the presence of something or someone.Lighthouse historian Jeremy D’Entremont tells the haunted tales of Seguin Island Light Station and Boon Island.View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/hauntedlighthouses Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-caseDark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 31, 202226 min

The Murder of Judith Flagg (Maine)

FAYETTE, 1983: When Ted Flagg returned home from work on a cold day in January 1983, he was not warmly greeted by his wife as usual. Instead, he found 23-year old Judith Flagg dead.Evidence was scattered across the house. There were boot prints in the freshly fallen snow. Suspicions were cast and stories perpetuated throughout the small town of Fayette, Maine, but it would take over two decades to bring this cold case to a close.This is the case of Judith Flagg, written and researched by Natalie Jones with additional writing and production by host Kylie Low.View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/judithflagg Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 17, 202226 min

The Disappearances of Tina & Bethany Sinclair (New Hampshire)

In February of 2001, the calm in small town Chesterfield, New Hampshire was disrupted by an investigation carried out by New Hampshire State Police. Mother and daughter Tina and Bethany Sinclair were nowhere to be found.Though the two missing Sinclairs were the focus of the small community that year, over time, updates became fewer and farther between. Eventually, the cold weather made searches of the waterways surrounding the town next to impossible. The investigation stalled out.But Tina and Bethany Sinclair are far from forgotten. The case remains open. Answers are out there.This episode was researched and written by Natalie Jones with additional writing, production and editing by Kylie Low.Please report any information to the New Hampshire State Police at (603) 223-3856 or the agency’s Cold Case Unit at (603) 223-8570 or (603) 271-1255. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/tinabethanysinclairFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 3, 202226 min

The Murder of Tammy Dickson (Maine)

SOUTH PORTLAND, 1994: 22-year old Tammy Dickson was preparing for a new start in life. She was a recently divorced young mother and was looking ahead to a new beginning. But Tammy would never get to fully realize the dreams she had for herself.A trial ended in a conviction for a man named Foster Bates, but he has long maintained his innocence and continues to file for appeals in hopes of a new trial. For some though, including Tammy's family, there is no doubt that the man in prison was rightfully convicted.Written & Researched by Dena Norman with additional writing, production, and editing by Kylie Low View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/tammydicksonFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 19, 202225 min

The Disappearance of Robert "Bobby" Desmond (Maine)

Robert "Bobby" Desmond's case is the oldest on the Maine State Police Unsolved Missing Persons case list but his story has never been told. Detective Steve Borst of the Kennebunk Police Department is reigniting the decades-old investigation for an 11-year old boy gone missing in 1964 and nearly forgotten.Through interviews with surviving family members, limited archival news sources, and other investigative resources, Detective Borst is learning more about the life of Bobby Desmond and what could have happened to him all those years ago.Someone, somewhere may have that one key piece of information that inches this case closer to closure than it’s ever been.If you have any information on the disappearance of Bobby Desmond, please contact the Kennebunk Police Department at 207-985-6121 or the Maine State Police – Major Crimes Unit – South at 207-624-7076.If you have information regarding this case, please contact the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit - South at (207) 624-7076 x9 or toll free at 1-800-452-4664. You may also report information about this crime using the leave a tip form. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/robertdesmondFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 5, 202237 min

UPDATED: The Murder of Leslie Spellman (Maine)

You’ve heard Leslie Spellman’s story on Dark Downeast before. I was initially compelled to tell Leslie Spellman’s story because I couldn’t believe a homicide on the perimeter of Maine’s most well-known national park could go unsolved for over four decades and I couldn’t believe I’d never heard her story before. That was reason enough to shed new light on it the first time, and it’s even more of a reason to revisit it now.Since the first airing of this episode, a family member of Leslie Spellman reached out to me. Leslie’s cousin Margaret only met Leslie once in her life when they were just children, but the fact that her family member was murdered and that it remains unsolved is something Margaret cannot shake. Margaret wants to take action and seek answers for her cousin, Leslie.More is happening behind the scenes as Margaret and others in Leslie’s family prepare to bring new attention to the case, so I’m re-airing this episode of Dark Downeast to help in their efforts. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/lesliespellmanFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 29, 202227 min

A Conversation with Ashley Flowers, Host of Crime Junkie

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Ashley Flowers is the creator and host of the Crime Junkie podcast and founder and CEO of audiochuck, the podcast network behind even more chart-topping shows like The Deck, Counterclock, Strangeland, and more.In this conversation, Ashley shares the origin story of Crime Junkie and what goes into creating ethical true crime content. She also gets personal about her experiences with pregnancy and motherhood.Ashley also leads us through her very first novel All Good People Here and how her years of true crime podcasting helped her write a twisty-turny feels-real story that any true crime fan will love.Read the first two chapters of All Good People Here and order the book, on sale now. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/ashleyflowersFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 15, 202241 min

The Cons of Mair Smith Part 2 (Maine)

Would you know how to spot a scam in your life before it was too late?For years, Johnathan Walton didn’t know that the woman he called his best friend was actually a career con artist, suspected of numerous scams and fraudulent activity across the country and internationally. Once he uncovered the truth, though, Johnathan made it his mission to stop her.If you haven’t heard Part 1 of his story on Dark Downeast yet, go back one episode and listen to The Con. This is Part 2: The Convict. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/theconvictFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 8, 202232 min

The Cons of Mair Smith Part 1 (Maine)

When Johnathan Walton hosted a wine and cheese night in his Los Angeles apartment in 2013, he couldn’t have known that the event would invite a shark into his inner circle. Flyers he hung up around the building gave off the scent of a helper, a do-gooder, a warrior against injustice. It was like blood in the water.Johnathan Walton’s story unfolds thousands of miles away from New England, but the woman he knew as Mair Smith began her long career of conning and scamming in her home state of Maine.This is Part 1: The Con. Part 2: The Convict is out now.Listen to Queen of the Con wherever you get your podcasts. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/theconFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 1, 202226 min

The Murders of Dominic Kirmil and Irvin Hilton (Massachusetts)

He committed his first murder at 15-years old, ending the life of an innocent shopkeeper as he and his buddies made their way around Lawrence, Massachusetts holding up convenience stories “for the thrill of it”. His lawyer would later plead for mercy on the accused teenage killer, but that mercy would have unintended consequences not so far in the future.George Nassar is a two-time convicted killer, yes, but some people believe this man who started his crime streak as a young teen might also be responsible for some 13 or more killings around Boston in the 1960s, too. His association with the man actually accused of those crimes only deepens the suspicion. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/dominickirmilFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 18, 202231 min

The Murder of Kenneth Zernicke (Maine)

Jessica Zernicke Holmes left work on the night of September 24, 2015 to find her phone flooded with missed calls and messages. When she was finally able to call her family member back, they delivered shocking news about her father. 58-year old Kenneth Zernicke was found dead inside his burning home in Caribou, Maine. Two days later, his death was ruled a homicide.Jess reached out to me because after nearly 7 years her father’s case remains unsolved with little public information available, even to family members. She wrote in her email, “I understand it makes it hard to cover a case with little to no information, but I am hoping to get this out there as much, and as often as possible. I miss my dad.”That is why I started this show. No matter the amount of public information on a case, these stories need and deserve attention.If you have any information that could aid the investigation into the 2015 homicide of Kenneth Zernicke in Caribou, Maine, please contact Detective Adam Bell at the Maine State Police Houlton Barracks at 207.532.5400. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/kennethzernickeFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 4, 202221 min

The Death of Elmer McCurdy (Maine)

Strung up in the corner of a roadside amusement park fun house was the figure of a man coated so many times with phosphorus paint that it glowed in the dimly lit space. It was alarmingly lifelike, and yet in the several years the figure was on display, no one dared question if it was anything more than a mannequin.Elmer Mccurdy: The Life And Afterlife Of An American Outlaw by Mark Svenvold View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/elmermccurdyFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 20, 202232 min

The Deaths of John Chakalos & Linda Carman Part 3 (Connecticut)

ACTIVE CASE, PART 3: In October of 2016, about a month after he was plucked from a life raft after a week at sea, Nathan Carman walked into the private memorial service he’d organized to honor his mother, Linda Carman.Notably missing from the private service were Linda Carman’s three sisters. It was publicly obvious that something wasn’t right. The relationship between Nathan Carman and his aunts was not a good one.Soon it would be abundantly clear how and what the aunts thought about their nephew. They believed he was a murderer driven by greed for the family fortune.If you haven’t already, begin with parts 1 and 2 of this story. This is part 3 of a three-part mini-series covering the ongoing cases of John Chakalos and Linda Carman. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/nathancarmanFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 6, 202235 min

The Deaths of John Chakalos & Linda Carman Part 2 (Connecticut)

ACTIVE CASE, PART 2: Nathan Carman was 23-years old when his boat the Chicken Pox sank during a fishing trip off the coast of Rhode Island, presumably claiming the life of his mother, Linda Carman, who was also aboard the vessel before it went down. Nathan was rescued a week later – a miraculous recovery by a freight ship that just happened to be in the right place at the right time.The story only got more compelling when it was learned that Nathan Carman was the grandson of wealthy real estate developer John Chakalos, whose 2013 murder remained unsolved, and that Nathan himself was a suspect in his grandfather's death.In Part 2: Who is Nathan Carman? Did Nathan intentionally sink his boat with his mother aboard?If you haven't already, listen to Part 1: Murdered at Home and Missing at Sea available wherever you get your podcasts. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/lindacarmanFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 30, 202238 min

The Deaths of John Chakalos & Linda Carman Part 1 (Connecticut)

ACTIVE CASE, PART 1: When the daughter of wealthy real estate developer John Chakalos walked into her father’s Connecticut home one morning in December 2013, it set into motion a long-term investigation of not one, but two suspicious deaths in the same family within a three year span.Investigators had a prime suspect for the murder of John Chakalos from the beginning, but it wasn’t until another member of the family disappeared under mysterious circumstances that the identity of that suspect was revealed.This is Part 1 of a deep dive into the cases of John Chakalos and Linda Carman. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/johnchakalosFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 23, 202228 min

The Murder of Blanche Kimball (Maine)

AUGUSTA, ME 1976: The murder of 70-year old Augusta resident Blanche Kimball remained a cold case for decades until a new tip, advancements in DNA technology, and a clever idea brought all the loose ends together. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/blanchekimballFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 16, 202230 min

ANNOUNCEMENT: Missing Kim

Missing Kim, a Dark Downeast mini-documentary is out now at missingkim.com.If you have information that could help in the investigation, please contact Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South at (207) 624-7076 or leave an anonymous tip. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/missingkimFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 9, 20227 min

The Murder of Florence Small (New Hampshire)

The fire horn rang out in Ossipee, New Hampshire around 10 p.m. on September 28, 1916. The blaze at Frederick and Florence Small's cottage on the lake burned fast, even, and hot. The fire department could do nothing to save the structure or anyone who might remain inside. Frederick was out of town, seen leaving on a train towards Boston that afternoon, but Florence was unaccounted for.It was a suspicious fire that left a homicide case in its smoldering rubble. Frederick Small was arrested and charged with his wife's murder, but how could he pull off the crime from an entirely different state?Janice Petrie, author of Perfection To A Fault: A Small Murder in Ossipee, New Hampshire, 1916 joins me to explore the case of Florence Aileen Curry Small. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/florencesmallFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 2, 202238 min

The Serial Killings of Albert Flick (Maine)

When Albert Flick was released from his first prison sentence for killing his wife, he restarted his pattern of threatening and victimizing women. But he’d age out of it, wouldn’t he? Statistics said so. His drooping, wrinkled face and frail body did not look like that of a brazen killer. He’d be in his mid-70s by the time he was free again, surely the threat he posed to society would fade. Sadly, that would not be the case.The stories of these three women, and the unnamed women also victimized by the same man, will have you asking what is justice really? Does it and can it exist when a convicted killer is afforded more mercy than those whose lives he threatened and ended? View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/sandraflickFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 25, 202227 min

The Disappearance of Ellen Choate (Maine)

NEWPORT, MAINE 1975: Ellen Choate was ready to start her new job. So ready, that she hopped a train from Philadelphia to Boston just hours after she graduated to get a jump start on her journey to Maine.It was midnight when Ellen took her seat on that train heading north, hoping that once in Massachusetts, she’d find a ride to Bangor, where her house, car, and new role as a Montessori teacher was waiting for her. That was June 1, 1975. The last time anyone saw Ellen Choate alive.If you have information regarding this case, please contact the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit - North at (207) 973-3750 or toll free 1-800-432-7381. You may also report information about this crime using the leave a tip form. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/ellenchoateFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 18, 202229 min

The Murder of Robert McKee (Maine)

It was just before 4 a.m. on June 20, 1975 in Newport, Maine. The sky was just warming with hints of dawn and the air was quiet save for the buzz of the ice cooler and Coca Cola vending machine sitting in the dim glow of the gas station lights. The fishermen waiting in their car for gasoline noticed a light on inside McNally’s Texaco, but no one came to greet them outside at the pump. Anxious to get their day started, the driver stepped out of the car to see what was the hold up.As he opened the door to the station, the unsuspecting fisherman found 35-year old Robert McKee lying on the floor in a pool of blood. His murder remains unsolved to this day.If you have information regarding this case, please contact the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit - North at (207) 973-3750 or toll free 1-800-432-7381. You may also report information about this crime using the leave a tip form. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/robertmckeeFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 11, 202226 min

The Disappearance of Judith Leo-Coneys Part 2 (Vermont)

It was described as one of Vermont’s most frustrating cold cases. A dedicated mother and beloved school teacher disappeared in November of 1979, with nothing but a smashed up vehicle and a strange hand-written note left behind. When her ex-boyfriend disappeared a month later, too, authorities had two people to track down – one they presumed to be dead, and the other they suspected of causing her death.The search for the suspect would become a cross-country event, tracking aliases and addresses out west until finally, a dedicated detective and a new State’s Attorney saw eye to eye on what needed to be done in the case, what needed to be done for Judith Leo-Coneys.If you haven’t listened to the first episode in this two part series, start there, with The Disappearance of Judith Leo-Coneys. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/judithleoconeys2Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 4, 202236 min

The Disappearance of Judith Leo-Coneys Part 1 (Vermont)

VERMONT, 1979: When the vehicle of Judith Leo-Coneys turned up at a junkyard in Roxbury, Vermont, it was the first big clue in the disappearance of the beloved school teacher and young mother. The case would spiral into an investigation spanning a decade and stretching across the United States, but before investigators would uncover any answers for Judy, they’d have to find a second missing person. The primary person of interest disappeared, too.This is Part 1 of Judith Leo-Coneys story. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/judithleoconeys1Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 28, 202232 min

Inside the State Police Unsolved Homicide Unit (Maine)

Semper Memento. Always Remember. Those words guide the work of the Maine State Police Unsolved Homicide Unit. In this special release episode, I peel back the curtain on the Unsolved Homicide Unit and reveal what goes into re-examining and investigating long standing homicide cases in the state of Maine and how a team of experts collaborates in pursuit of one common goal – to find answers.Each of the individuals you’re about to meet would agree with me here: The most important story to tell is the one about the victim so that they are never forgotten and their legacy is honored, even and especially if their story doesn’t have an ending yet. The Unsolved Homicide Unit becomes part of those stories, assembling each piece of a nebulous puzzle so that hopefully, one day, they can give the victims and their families the ending they deserve.As someone who is deeply invested and interested in the work that it takes to solve a cold case murder, and as a podcaster who has spoken their names and shared the work they’ve done on the cases I cover, it is an honor to introduce you to members of the Maine Unsolved Homicide Unit – Commanding Officer Jeff Love, Assistant Attorney General Lara Nomani, Forensic Chemist Alison Gingras, Victim Witness Advocate Renee Fournier, and Investigator Jay Pelletier.Cases Referenced in this EpisodeJustice for Dorthea Burke: What Finally Solved Her CaseIdentified: Stacyville John DoeA Killer Connection: The Janet Brochu Cold Case View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/unsolvedhomicideunitFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 21, 202238 min

The Murder of Dorthea Burke (Maine)

STOCKTON SPRINGS, 1984: Nearly four decades is a long time to wait for justice. In the case of Dorthea "Dot" Burke, time proved to be exactly what detectives needed to secure that justice, bringing key witnesses forward to tell their story. You might assume DNA is the key to closing out cold cases, but more often than not, it’s all about getting people talking.It was a 36-year long investigation into Dot’s death. I'll walk you through it. In collaboration with the Maine State Police Unsolved Homicide Unit and with the consent of the immediate family of Dorthea “Dot” Burke, this is her story on Dark Downeast. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/dortheaburkeFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-caseDark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 14, 202244 min

The Disappearance of Russell Bean (New Hampshire)

NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1978: When State Police investigators started digging in March of 1988, it had been 10 years since anyone had seen Russell Bean. An investigation followed his disappearance, but foul play wasn’t suspected. Not until a deathbed confession and shocking accusation sent investigators to the site of an old pig pen on the property of Marlow, New Hampshire’s Police Chief, Robert Chambers Sr.If you have information regarding this case, contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at (603) 271-2663, [email protected], or leave a tip. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/russellbeanFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 7, 202230 min

The Wrongful Conviction of Isaac Knapper (Maine)

In April 1979, the lives of two teenagers from two very different parts of the country were inextricably linked by murder. In Brewer, Maine, 17-year old Amy Banks awoke one night to learn that her father, Dr. Ronald Banks, had been murdered in New Orleans, Louisiana.One month later, authorities in New Orleans arrested 16-year old Isaac Knapper and charged him with the killing of Amy’s father. But Isaac didn’t commit the murder.This is the story of a wrongful conviction, a young Black man railroaded by the justice system, and evidence withheld at trial that would’ve saved him from a life sentence behind bars in the nation’s bloodiest prison.This is the case of Dr. Ronald Banks, told by his daughter Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper, the man once charged and convicted of his murder.Read Fighting Time by Amy Banks and Isaac Knapper View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/wrongfulconvictionFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 28, 202250 min

UPDATE: The Murder of Sophie Sergie (Alaska)

FAIRBANKS, ALASKA 1993: After more than two decades of searching for answers in the unsolved homicide of 20-year old Sophie Sergie, DNA evidence led detectives from Alaska to the doorstep of Steven Downs in Auburn, Maine. On Thursday, February 10, 2022, the jury found Steven Downs guilty on the charges of murder and sexual assault.I covered Sophie Sergie’s case in two parts on Dark Downeast.Sophie Sergie: Part 1Sophie Sergie: Part 2 This special release episode contains updates and notable moments from the conclusion of the trial proceedings and a look at what’s next for the case of Sophie Sergie. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/sophiesergieupdateFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 21, 202216 min

The Murder of Lila Drew (Maine)

MASARDIS, MAINE 1977: The impact that murder has on a family and a community is profound and far-reaching. When a murder goes unsolved, grief is partnered with lasting fear. In a small town like Masardis, Maine, the shock that came after the killing of Lila Drew still reverberates these 45 years later.Who chose to end the life of a 78-year old woman for seemingly no reason? How could this person pass through a town as small as Masardis unnoticed and carry out a brutal attack without detection? Or maybe they weren’t passing through. Maybe Lila Drew’s killer was one of their own.If you have information regarding this case, please contact the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit - North at (207) 973-3750 or toll free 1-800-432-7381. You may also report information about this crime using the leave a tip form. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/liladrewFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 21, 202225 min

The Disappearance of Jesus De La Cruz (Massachusetts)

LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS 1996: 6-year old Jesus De La Cruz was out playing with a friend on September 28, 1996 when a man approached the two young boys. His friend later told police that Jesus was lured away by that man who promised him a new bike. It was the last time anyone saw Jesus.Despite suspicions surrounding a man in the neighborhood, rumors of drug debt retaliation, accusations cast on the boy’s own mother, and FBI involvement, Jesus’s case remains unsolved.Some wonder if maybe he could be alive out there somewhere, now a 31-year old man.If you have any information concerning Jesus De La Cruz, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit an anonymous tip online. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/jesusdelacruzFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 14, 202226 min

The Disappearance of Kitty Wardwell (Maine)

DEDHAM, MAINE 1983: For nearly three decades, the family of Kitty Collins Wardwell hoped that the whereabouts of their daughter, sister, and mother would be revealed and the secret of what happened to the smart, beautiful Kitty would come out into the light. But they wouldn’t learn the truth about Kitty until someone else passed away 28 years later.You won’t find her name on the Maine State Police Unsolved case list anymore, as cases like Kitty’s are excluded when there is evidence establishing beyond a reasonable doubt that the person responsible is dead, but the death of a key individual is not a true resolution for Kitty Wardwell.Is someone out there, still walking the streets of Maine, holding onto information that could uncover the secret of why Kitty disappeared and the person, or persons, responsible? View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/kittywardwellFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 7, 202226 min

The Suspicious Death of Shawn O'Brien (Rhode Island)

RHODE ISLAND, 2006: Was it a seizure or did somebody murder Shawn O'Brien? His daughter, Natalia St. Louis, just wants to know the truth, but the details of that July afternoon in 2006 don’t make any sense. It was labeled a medical call, an apparent seizure, but the autopsy report and blood evidence at the scene point to something much more violent than that. Over 15 years later, Shawn O’Brien’s case is still labeled a suspicious death.She’s been told to keep quiet, but if she’s not asking questions, chasing down leads, and talking about father’s case, who will?NOTE: At the time of this episode’s original release day in January 2022, no one has been arrested or charged with any crimes as it relates to the suspicious death of Shawn O’Brien. Names mentioned in this episode are in the public record, though no individuals have been publicly named persons of interest or suspects in this case.If you have any information regarding the death of Shawn O’Brien in July of 2006, please contact Cranston Police Detective Rob Santagata at (401) 942-2211 or text the tip line at (401) 284-9555. For more information and updates in Shawn’s case, visit justiceforshawnobrien.com. Contact information and photos are listed at darkdowneast.com. View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/shawnobrienFollow @darkdowneast on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTokTo suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 31, 202241 min