Catch my Killer

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Episode 151: Marianne Wilkinson (Part 1 of 2) Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

Marianne Wilkinson was a beloved 68-year-old woman who was considered a pillar of her community. She grew up in Highland park, Texas and attended college at SMU. Her dad was a prominent OB GYN. Marianne’s daughter-in-law Terri described Marianne as a beautiful person, inside and out. She was considered an excellent painter and took great pride in keeping an immaculate home.
Unfortunately, Marianne’s life would come to a horrific death on December 9, 2007. Marianne and her husband Don lived in Nort Richland Hills Texas, The couple had settled in for a peaceful evening and were watching an NFL game. But a knock at the door at 8 p.m. would shatter their evening and lives forever. The couple was surprised when they heard the knock because they weren’t expecting any visitors.
Marianne opened the door and was fatally shot at least three times. Her husband, Don frantically called 911 "My wife has just been shot," he said. "Somebody rang the doorbell and then shot her. I need some help quick."
A neighbor had contacted law enforcement and said she was most likely the intended victim. She was going through an acrimonious divorce with Dennis Taylor, her soon to be ex-husband. She believed Taylor had hired an employee to kill her. But she said the killer went to the wrong address. Both women shared the same address number and lived on a parallel cul-de-sac a block away from each other.
Law enforcement identified Dennis Taylor, Vincent Lane and Willie Boley as persons of interest and have been able to develop a DNA profile. For now, it hasn't been matched to a donor. For the story of Marianne Wilkinson, I spoke to Marianne’s son Michael and Michael’s wife Terri. I have broken this story up into two episodes. For this week’s story, I spoke to Terri Wilkinson, Mariann’e daughter in law. Next week’s episode will feature my interview with Marianne’s son Mike Wilkinson.
And if you have any information about this case, please contact the North Richland Hills Police Department at 817-427-7000 or Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS. You could be eligible for a monetary reward if you can provide information leading to Marianne’s killer. And if you would like additional information about this case, you can visit the Justice for Marianne Facebook page.
Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com where you can submit a case.

Episode 150: Tracy McClelland Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

On March 6, 2007, employees of a business on North 71st Street in Tampa made a disturbing discovery. They found human remains sticking out of the dirt in the back of the parking lot. Someone had been buried in a shallow grave. Tampa police sent their homicide squad. The victim was identified as 36-year-old Tracy McClelland of Tampa.
Before Tracy McClelland disappeared, her family knew something had happened to her because she didn’t show up to visit her sister Lisa Whidden after she had just given birth to her son. Tracy wouldn’t have missed the birth of her nephew.
Law enforcement has said they think Tracy vanished around Valentine’s Day. Tracy’s sister Lisa had said Tracy had gone shopping to buy Valentine’s Day gifts and never returned home. Tracy had two daughters and a son who were young when their mother was killed.
According to family, Tracy had a good childhood. She came from a loving family. Tracy’s sister Lisa compared their environment to the television sitcom Leave it to Beaver. She said her parents were divorced, but they remained on good terms.
Tracy’s life seemed to be on track for success until her older brother Larry committed suicide on August 28, 1996 when Larry had called Tracy from a mental health facility. He had been previously diagnosed with schizophrenia. Apparently, Larry asked Tracy to come get him. Larry then committed suicide by hanging himself in his room.
According to Tampa police Major George McNamara he said Tracy had two lives. "When she wasn't on drugs, she was a sweet, loving person who was dedicated to her family. but cocaine took over her life and destroyed her."
After Valentine’s Day of 2007 had passed, Janice Garvin had become extremely worried. Where was her daughter Tracy? Everyone in Tracy’s family had become worried after she had stopped contacting the family. No one knew what had happened to her. Although she had been known to disappear in the past, something was different this time.
Janice Garvin called the authorities to report her missing daughter. Law enforcement then began searching for her. Tracy’s body was recovered on March 6, 2007 near a Tampa cleaning company. Based on the smell of death, employees assumed someone had dumped an animal carcass in the vicinity. Buzzards had also descended upon the area. Eventually, an employee climbed into a bobcat and began scooping at the dirt where the smell came from. He uncovered a body.
The woman was in her 20s or 30s, had dark hair and breast implants. She was wearing a blue skirt and had nice teeth and toenails. It was believed she was a deceased prostitute or drug addict. The victim was confirmed as Tracy McClelland of Tampa. Law enforcement has stated Tracy died from upper body trauma. But no additional details have been provided.
For now, there is no motive and it’s unknown where Tracy was killed.
The family has waited over 15 years for answers. They realize someone out there knows the truth.
It’s been 15 years since Tracy was killed and discarded like trash. For this episode, I spoke to Malia Correa whose uncle had once dated Tracy. The former couple had two daughters who are Malia’s cousins. She has told me that she loved Tracy dearly and she wants justice for her two cousins whom she considers her sisters. The entire family needs justice for this woman who was so loved.
Do you know who killed this young mother of three? If you have any information about this case, please contact the Tampa police at (813) 276-3529 or you can reach out to Tampa Bay Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS. I will also be sure to provide this information in the case story notes.
Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com where you can submit a case.

Episode 149: Erin Taylor Aug 28, 2022

Show notes

On August 20, 2000, while investigating off-road-vehicle complaints, a sheriff’s deputy located 24-year-old Erin Rebecca Taylor’s body in a secluded wooded area off of Marquette County Road 492 in Negaunee Township, Michigan. Erin worked as a temporary employee at the Upper Peninsula Medical Center in Marquette, Michigan. She was last seen by her co-workers on August 11, 2000.
She would be found murdered nine days later. A subsequent autopsy revealed Erin was strangled in her home before her body was dumped along CR 492. The ligature was still wrapped around her neck. She was identified by dental records.
Bonnie Dowd and Erin Taylor had a unique friendship. Dowd first met Taylor at a women’s shelter in Wisconsin and quickly became fast friends. In 1999, the friends moved to Marquette and lived together. According to Bonnie, Erin was estranged from her parents. They were Jehovah’s Witnesses and she wasn’t. Based on their religious views, they didn’t see eye to eye. Erin would leave and strike out on her own and have little contact with her family.
After a while, Erin missed her family and wanted to get back into their good graces. She began attending a Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall. Erin then moved in with a couple she had met at the church. Erin disappeared on August 11, 2000. She left work that evening, said goodbye to her co-workers and then disappeared.
On August 20, 2000. A deputy investigating a complaint had found Erin’s body near a snowmobile trail just off County Road 492 in Negaunee Township. She was strangled with a ligature that was wrapped around her neck. The 22nd anniversary of Erin’s death just passed. Her best friend Bonnie Dowd has spent over a decade trying to find out who killed the woman who she considered as close as a sister.
Bonnie had expected to have Erin in her life for many years. She has never forgotten the friend she met years ago in a Woman’s shelter. She put together a memorial at the site of her friend’s death. She has also committed to visiting the site annually to pay tribute to her fallen friend.
According to Bonnie, the person of interest is now deceased. And Bonnie is convinced this individual killed her best friend. Bonnie is hoping that someone will come forward with more details so her friend’s case can be closed.
Do you know what happened to Erin? Law enforcement and Bonnie are positive they know who killed Erin. Although, he is deceased, Bonnie wants to know why this person killed her friend. If you can help law enforcement with this case, please call the Marquette City Police at (906) 228-0400. And if you would like more information about this case, please visit JusticeforErinTaylor.com and there is also a $10,000 reward for anyone willing to provide police with a tip leading to Erin’s killer.
Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com where you can submit a case.
Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com where you can submit a case.

Episode 148: Asia Graham Aug 22, 2022

Show notes

Although, Private Asia Graham wasn’t murdered, her death would stem from being raped and then feeling hopeless because she felt like her superiors were more concerned about her attacker and less about the rape she endured. Before Asia died, she confided in her mother that when she reported the rape to her company commander, he told her to just get over it and move on. Asia told her mother she didn’t feel like anyone cared that she was raped.
Unfortunately, Nicole Graham wouldn’t be the only grieving parent. Not long after Asia's December 31, 2020 death, her closest friend and fellow soldier Pvt. Marriah Pouncy of Chinle, Ariz. would take her own life months later on June 21, 2021. She would also die at Fort Bliss as did Asia. Mariah was a proud member of the. Navajo Nation.
Asia Graham’s life began to unravel after only being at Fort Bliss, Texas for a month. It took two months for Asia to get enough courage to report that she was raped while unconscious on December 31, 2019. Her attacker was fellow soldier PFC Christian Alvarado. Asia reported the rape in February 2020. However, her superiors didn’t file the complaint until June.
One year later, she was found dead in her barracks where she overdosed while battling depression from the assault, her mother said. When I asked Nicole about details surrounding Asia’s death, she told me that Asia and two of her friends received a Percoset from an unidentified person. According to Nicole, two of the pills were fine, but unknown to Nicole, her Percoset was laced with Fentanyl which killed her. Nicole believes the person who gave her daughter the Percoset should be held responsible for killing her daughter.
Soldier Christian Alvarado was convicted of raping Pfc. Asia Graham Alvarado. He received a sentence of 18 years and three months.
Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com where you can submit a case.

Episode 147: Kerry Patterson Aug 16, 2022

Show notes

This week's story is about a 15-year-old teenager named Kerry Patterson, who vanished from Fullerton, California on June 26th, 1980 after meeting with several other teenagers at a local ice cream store called the Ice Cream Castle.
She was last seen leaving with three boys named Danny Wozab, Michael Cruz and Troy LeClear. According to Wozab, Carrie climbed on his handle bars. They boys then escorted her home on their bicycles. The boys said that after leaving Kerry, she walked home and that was the last time they ever saw her again.
For this week's episode, I spoke to attorney Michelle Patterson Ludwig, who is Kerry's younger sister and Detective Bob Taft with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
He is the current detective assigned to finding out who killed Kerry Patterson over 40 years ago.
The family had only moved into their new home two weeks before Kerry ultimately disappeared on June 26th, 1980. The family was expecting their furniture to be dropped off. Chrystal Patterson told her daughters to stay home and wait for the furniture as she had to work. Kerry ignored her mother's order and left her younger sister Michelle to wait for the furniture alone. After Kerry left to meet up with friends at a local ice cream shop, she never returned home.
Because Kerry wasn't considered a crime victim, law enforcement didn't question construction workers or the furniture delivery workers. After speaking to Michelle and Detective Taft, I learned that law enforcement never visited the ice cream shop to confirm that Kerry and the three boys were ever there. For six months, the family was left wondering what happened to Kerry.
They would find out months later. On December 27th, 1980, an oil worker found Kerry's skeletal remains. If you have any information about this unsolved case, please contact Detective Bob Taft of the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (714) 713 - 1342. And if you would like additional information about this story, please visit the Who Killed Kerry Patterson Facebook page.
Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com where you can submit a case.

Episode 146: Caleb Smither Aug 07, 2022

Show notes

This week's story is about a soldier who was injured, neglected, and then died after there was an order issued to watch over him. Instead, his body was left in his room to decompose for days before anyone cared enough to check on him. This is the story of private Caleb 'Smitty' Smither.
According to Heather Baker, her son, private second class Caleb grant Smither from Texas. He had a fascination for the military. It's what led him to joining the army and going through jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia. he then joined the 82nd airborne out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, upon graduating from jump school.
Caleb was known as Smitty by his friends and served with the E company 37th brigade engineer battalion second brigade combat team after spending seven weeks and four days at Fort Bragg. Caleb was found dead in his barracks room on January 21st, 2020. He was only 19-years-old. He spent his final moments alone and in agony from a head wound.
Caleb died of bacterial meningitis. This was after he hit his head on a radiator earlier in January, 2020. He was working on a military vehicle when the accident occurred. Heather Baker, and her attorney blamed Caleb's death on medical malpractice at the Womack army medical center and his fellow soldiers who were supposed to look after Caleb. One soldier claimed to have checked on Caleb on January the 19th. And he said Caleb was fine. He later admitted that he had lied and never checked on Caleb.
Caleb texted regularly until January the 15th when his phone went silent. Heather believes her son died on the 15th, which is why all phone activity ceased. Another soldier smelled Caleb's decaying body, but never checked his room to investigate.
What I find so troubling about Caleb's death is the meningitis ruling. If you do any research on meningitis or if you've had it, you realize that it is contagious. If Caleb truly died from it, then how come no one else contracted it? According to Heather, there was no quarantine and no other soldiers were tested for it. If the military cared so much for its troops, then why wouldn't anyone else be tested? If you would like to know more about what's being done to bring awareness, to preventing unnecessary deaths of our soldiers, please visit the mothers of the fallen Facebook page.
Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com where you can submit a case.

Episode 145: Brandon Rosecrans update Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

This week's story is an update to episode 40 of the Catch my Killer podcast. In that episode I interviewed Thomas Berg, who is the father of a 27-year-old soldier named Brandon Rosecrans who was murdered on May 18, 2020 in Harker Heights, Texas. While stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, Brandon had befriended a couple who murdered Brandon, dumped his body alongside a road and then set his Jeep on Fire. In this episode, Brandon’s father provides the latest update on his son’s homicide.
For this week’s episode I spoke to Thomas Berg, who is the father of a murdered soldier named Brandon Rosecrans. The Harker Heights Police Department had concluded that Brandon died from a gunshot wound and his death was ruled a homicide.
On May 18, 2020, at 10 am, local police officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Fuller Lane in Harker Heights Texas where Pfc. Brandon Scott Rosecrans was found dead. Moments later, firefighters and police were sent to a vehicle fire in Evergreen Estates, near the 1500 block of FM 2410 and Cedar Knob Road. The burning vehicle was Brandon Rosecrans's 2016 Orange Jeep Renegade.
When I originally posted Brandon’s story in episode 40, there were no arrests made in Brandon’s death. Since my original interview with Brandon’s father, there have been developments in this case. A couple who befriended Brandon have been identified as his killers. The couple has been identified as Brandon Olivera and Estrellita “Star” Falcon.
According to law enforcement, Olivares changed his story several times. Estrellita “Star” Falcon was sentenced to 19 months for unauthorized use of a vehicle. She has not been charged with killing Brandon Rosecrans. Brandon Oliveras, who shot Rosecrans to death is scheduled for trial sometime in December 2022.
Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com where you can submit a case.

Episode 144: Alana "Laney" Gwinner Jul 24, 2022

Show notes

Alana Laney Gwinner was born on March 18th, 1974 in West Chester, Ohio. After graduating from Lakota high school in 1992, she attended the University of Cincinnati to study accounting. She attended classes while working. On December 9th, 1997, she met up with a friend at Gilmore bowling lanes in Fairfield, Ohio. The plan was for the two friends to have some drinks and shoot some pool.
It's believed she left the bowling alley sometime between 12:30 AM and 1:00 AM on the morning of December 10th, 1997. After leaving the bowling alley, she planned on driving to her boyfriend's house, which was only two miles away. Before leaving the bowling alley, she called her boyfriend to let him know that she was on her way. She never made it to his house. It wasn't until 10:00 AM that her friends and coworkers became concerned. She was a responsible young woman and would not miss work or fail to contact her friends. Eventually law enforcement became involved after Alana was reported missing. Her body was found on January 11, 1998.
Alana's body was discovered during the search for a deceased police officer named Michael Parton, who had fallen into the Ohio river and drowned. Alana's death was ruled a homicide. Her body was fully clothed and she wasn't raped or robbed today. The motive remains a mystery.
For this story, I spoke to a high school teacher named Randy Hubbard, who works with students at Mason high school in Mason. The class is called cold case MHS. The students study different local cold cases and speak with law enforcement and do research on specific cold cases. Randy has spoken to retired law enforcement officers who have worked on Alana's case. He has also spoken to her brother about the case.
If you have any information about this case, please contact the Butler county Sheriff's department at (513) 785 - 1236 or the Fairfield police department at (513) 829 - 8201. And if you would like more information about this case, please visit the Mason High School cold case class website at: https://coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcase or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/randy.hubbard.73594. You can also visit the Justice for Alana "Laney" Gwinner Facebook page.
Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com where you can submit a case.

Episode 143: Jerald "Jerry" Hall Jul 18, 2022

Show notes

This week's story concerns a murdered 35-year-old father of two named Jerald “Jerry” Hall. His body was found on October 15, 1988 by deer hunters. He was found face down in the woods off I 44 near Leesburg, Missouri. For this story, I spoke to Jessica Underwood, who was Jerry’s youngest daughter. She was four when her father was murdered. At the time of his death, he was living in Hardy, Arkansas with an unnamed girlfriend. He was separated from Jessica’s mother when he was killed. Jessica has made it her mission to find out who killed her father.
Unfortunately, she has been hitting countless roadblocks in her quest for justice. She has heard several different stories about what happened to her father but cannot confirm any of them. Jerry was a heavy drinker who didn’t have an automobile. He was known to hitchhike everywhere, which was common during the 80s. One story is that Jerry was hitchhiking to visit his daughter Jessica.
Another story is that he was hitchhiking to buy alcohol. A third story was that while hitchhiking, Jerry came across and elderly man with a flat tire. After Jerry began helping the stranger change his tire, a car swerved by and nearly struck the elderly man. Jerry became angry with the two men in the car. Afterward, Jerry engaged in a heated argument with the two men which led to a fight. The elderly man then went to a gas station and called law enforcement. However, when law enforcement returned to the scene, Jerry and the two men were gone.
Jessica has spoken to law enforcement and learned there are no crime scene photos or witness statements. She has been told the documentation she requested has either been misplaced or lost.
If you know anything about this case, you can report your tips to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department at (573) 775 – 4911. And if you would like additional information about this case, you visit the Who Killed Jerald Hall Facebook page. Please consider following this page for updates. Please share Jerry Hall’s story with your friends and family. Someone out there knows what happened to him.
Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com where you can submit a case.

Episode 142: Ronnie Russell Jul 11, 2022

Show notes

This week's story concerns a missing father named Ronnie Paul Russell. The 29-year-old man disappeared from Batesville, Arkansas on November 4, 2010. It has been nearly 12 years since he was last seen alive. Wanda Tosh has lost all hope of finding her son alive. Her belief is that someone murdered him.
Nov. 4, 2010, wasn’t an unusual day for Ronnie. He had visited his uncle. But when it was time for Ronnie to leave, he asked a relative for a ride. The relative dropped Ronnie off at local Hardee’s fast-food restaurant. He hasn’t been seen since. There is a lot of information about this case on social media. However, I have been told much of it is incorrect. For instance, it’s been said that Ronnie walked off into some woods near his uncle’s house and killed himself.
His mother, Wanda, is distraught over her missing son. She feels like law enforcement has taken no interest in finding her son. She also thinks law enforcement hasn’t taken this case seriously because of Ronnie’s previous issues with drugs and his run-ins with the law for minor offenses.
Ronnie had told some friends that he was planning on visiting his wife in Newark, Arkansas, so he could reconcile with her. He never made it to her house. She told law enforcement she didn’t see him that day. Independence County investigators have cleared Ronnie’s wife and others. The area surrounding Ronnie’s uncle has been searched with no success. There are definitely many rumors about this case.
What happened to Ronnie nearly 12 years ago? He had left his uncle’s home and gotten a ride to a local fast-food restaurant. From there, he tried to get a ride to visit his wife, who he had recently separated from. Based on new tips, a witness saw Ronnie at a party on the evening he vanished. So it would appear that Ronnie attended this party instead of going to his wife’s home.
The family is asking for your help. You can report any tips to the Independence Sheriff’s Department at (870) 793 - 8838 or you can call the Help the Missing tip line at (866) 660–4025. And if you would like additional information about this case, you visit the Who Killed Ronnie Russell Facebook page. I will also share this information in the episode story notes. Please share Ronnie’s story so that his family can get justice.
Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com where you can submit a case.

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