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Going West: True Crime — News & Politics
Going West: True Crime

Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman discuss haunting details of different disappearance and murder cases week by week. New episodes released every Tuesday and Friday.

Copyright: © Copyright Dark West Productions

Latest Episodes:

Danielle Stislicki // 259 Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

In December of 2016, a 28-year-old woman left her insurance job for the night and disappeared. The next morning, her car was found, but the location of her body remained a mystery. With the help of surveillance footage, cell phone pings, and multiple eye witnesses, police focussed on someone from her work. This is the story of Danielle Stislicki.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. The Oakland Press: https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2022/10/27/trial-for-danielle-stislickis-accused-killer-floyd-galloway-moved-to-2023/

2. Fox 2 Detroit: https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/trial-for-floyd-galloway-charged-in-murder-of-danielle-stislicki-delayed-to-2023

3. Click On Detroit: https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/investigations/2022/11/17/why-a-judge-ruled-to-exclude-key-evidence-in-danielle-stislicki-murder-case/

4. Find Dani Facebook page: https://www.instagram.com/finddaniellestislicki/

5. Click On Detroit: https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/06/13/battle-over-evidence-continues-in-danielle-stislicki-murder/?fbclid=IwAR0u5fQ6-1e_QzBzvSzF0ZlKuYeaQcj8Ndq9WmJ9vfSEE3Zl3XF3tz0gFhw

6. Eileen's obituary: https://www.desmondfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Eileen-Ruth-Galloway?obId=12330773

7. Crime Watch Daily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxQZflRVK24

8. Elizabeth's LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/eily-galloway-stislicki-family-elizabeth-puleo/

9. Click On Detroit: https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2017/12/08/sisters-best-friend-of-danielle-stislicki-speak-for-first-time-since-her-disappearance/

10. Detroit Free Press: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/08/02/jogger-recounts-attack-livonia/531184001/

11. M Live: https://www.mlive.com/news/2019/09/medical-examiner-says-danielle-stislicki-was-asphyxiated-despite-body-never-being-found.html

12. Charley Project: https://charleyproject.org/case/danielle-ann-stislicki

13. Ranker: https://www.ranker.com/list/danielle-stislicki-disappearance/aspen-stevens

14. Hometown Life: https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/farmington-hills/2018/11/29/danielle-stislicki-family-copes-disappearance-two-years-later/2027002002/

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Tent Girl // 258 Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

In 1968, the decomposing body of a young woman was found on the side of the road in Kentucky. With the lack of DNA testing, and no indication of her identity found at the crime scene, she remained a Jane Doe for over three decades. But in the 90s, a young man became obsessed with bringing her home to her family, and he eventually did just that. This is the story of Barbara Ann Hackmann, also known as Tent Girl.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Arkansas Online: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2009/oct/26/long-time-gone-modern-tools-hope-old-case-20091026/

2. Candace's Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/173426327/candace-lynne-clothier

3. The Lexington Herald: https://www.newspapers.com/image/682091717/?terms=doris%20dittmar&match=1

4. Messenger-Inquirer: https://www.newspapers.com/image/379949036/?terms=tent%20girl&match=1

5. The Knoxville News-Sentinel: https://www.newspapers.com/image/773545067/?terms=tent%20girl&match=1

6. Barbara's Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7468/barbara-ann-hackmann

7. NBC Philadelphia: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/42-years-later-case-closed-on-teens-death/1869587/

8. NBC Philadelphia: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/namus-todd-matthews-tent-girl-barbara-ann-hackman/116308/

9. Wired: https://www.wired.com/2004/08/matthews/

10. George's Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186897763/george-earl-taylor

11. The Doe Network: https://www.doenetwork.org/

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The Idaho 4 // 257 Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho Students were stabbed to death in their off-campus home by an unknown assailant. With rumors of one of the victims having a stalker, police are still attempting to get to the bottom of what happened inside the house that night. This is the story of Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, also known, as the University of Idaho Murders.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/skagitvalleyherald/name/ethan-chapin-obituary?id=38105693

https://cdapress.com/news/2022/nov/25/maddie-may-mogen/

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/26/us/university-of-idaho-murders-saturday/index.html

https://www.krem.com/article/news/crime/university-of-idaho-students-killed/university-of-idaho-murders-previous-stabbings-moscow-police/293-4e67bbbb-ed50-4f96-9246-3e3c64233adf

https://dnews.com/local/big-pieces-missing-in-murder-case/article_f0603a80-4a5a-5929-adba-c2bb00ed84e3.html

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/27/us/university-of-idaho-stabbing-investigation-sunday/index.html

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/video/university-idaho-students-return-class-murders-94036211

https://nypost.com/2022/11/24/former-fbi-profiler-thinks-university-of-idaho-killer-is-a-young-man/

https://nypost.com/2022/11/21/inside-the-idaho-home-where-four-students-were-murdered/

https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/midwest/idaho-murders-suspect-search-college/

https://www.foxnews.com/us/idaho-murders-was-kaylee-goncalves-killers-main-target-police-respond

https://www.foxnews.com/us/idaho-murders-police-eyeing-stalker-issue-probe-enters-day-12-without-suspect

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Laney Gwinner // 256 Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

In December of 1997, a 23-year-old woman went out to a bowling alley with friends to celebrate finals week and a recent promotion. But after a fun, seemingly uneventful evening, she disappeared without a trace along with her car. She was missing for a whole month before her body was found during the search for someone else. This is the murder of Laney Gwinner.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10337247/alana-jane-gwinner

2. The Journal News: https://www.newspapers.com/image/445125406/?terms=laney%20gwinner&match=1

3. Fox 19: https://www.fox19.com/2019/09/26/retired-detective-shares-new-details-unsolved-murder-laney-gwinner/

4. Give Me Hope, Bring Me Home Facebook Group: https://m.facebook.com/1427111610893392/photos/5-young-females-missing-or-murdered-cincinnati-oh-area1-katelyn-markham-fairfiel/1604813896456495/

5. Justice for Alana Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/38837478756/

6. CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/05/20/grace.coldcase.gwinner/index.html

7. WCPO: https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/kenton-county/covington/this-week-in-cincinnati-history-police-officer-mike-partin-dies-in-fall-off-ohio-river-bridge

8. Fox 19: https://www.fox19.com/2020/08/12/volunteers-searching-ohio-river-connection-unsolved-murder-laney-gwinner/

9. The Clermont Sun: https://www.clermontsun.com/2022/07/06/the-unsolved-homicide-of-university-of-cincinnati-college-student-alana-gwinner

10. Web Sleuths: https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/oh-alana-laney-gwinner-23-fairfield-10-dec-1997.27739/

11. The Journal-News: https://www.journal-news.com/news/crime--law/unsolved-cases-weigh-police-officers/1P8UZNzaoevDlAmgx41D6K/

12. Charley Project: https://charleyproject.org/case/erica-lee-fraysure

13. The Journal-News: https://www.journal-news.com/crime/what-will-it-take-to-solve-the-katelyn-markham-mystery-after-11-years/YHWQ2WRCOJAKNDNUUHK3XS6IXM/

14. Fox 19: https://www.fox19.com/story/23721165/police-identify-womans-remains-found-alongside-sb-1-75/

15. Fox 19: https://www.fox19.com/2020/07/28/man-indicted-connection-with-paige-johnsons-death-disappearance-2/

16. Bill Warner PI: http://www.billwarnerpi.com/2021/01/unsolved-murders-in-heartland-of.html

17. AMW Forum: https://amwfans.com/thread/3130/unknown-misty-gwinner-killer-kentucky

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Jonathan Luna // 255 Nov 23, 2022

Show notes

In December of 2003, a 38-year-old lawyer was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Pennsylvania. He had been stabbed 36 times with his own pocket knife and then drowned in a creek next to his car. Although suicide was initially speculated, it seemed clear after his autopsy that he was murdered. But the circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery. This is the story of Jonathan Luna.

BONUS EPISODES

Patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. The Baltimore Sun: https://www.newspapers.com/image/248579389/?terms=jonathan%20luna%20obituary&match=1

2. Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/a-decade-later-prosecutor-lunas-death-still-a-mystery/2013/12/10/211e2ab8-f563-11e2-aa2e-4088616498b4_story.html?utm_term=.1c738c1f4154

3. Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8155254/jonathan-paul-luna

4. Fox 43: https://www.fox43.com/article/news/jonathan-luna-murder-mystery-2003/521-2229b272-9355-43a8-8163-506440862577

5. The Baltimore Sun: https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/bal-te.md.luna09dec09-story.html

6. Property Club NYC: https://propertyclub.nyc/article/most-dangerous-neighborhoods-in-nyc#:~:text=The%20most%20dangerous%20neighborhood%20in,is%20about%201%20in%2022.

7. NBC: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24341781

8. The Baltimore Sun: https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/bal-md.luna11dec11-story.html

9. ABC: https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90141&page=1

10. Fodor's: https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/maryland/baltimore/experiences/news/this-is-one-of-the-coolest-streets-in-america

11. The Baltimore Sun: https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2003-07-14-0307140005-story.html

12. NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/washington/06prosecutor.html

13. Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2003/12/21/lunas-three-state-car-trip-a-mystery-to-investigators/13878a02-2166-4328-bd59-c8b58e988ea9/

14. Pherson Associates Jonathan Luna Case Study: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog885/sites/www.e-education.psu.edu.geog885/files/file/Luna%20Case%20Study/CS10.pdf

15. The Baltimore Sun: https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-09-10-0209100214-story.html

16. The Midnight Ride of Jonathan Luna: https://www.amazon.in/Midnight-Ride-Jonathan-Luna/dp/1882611187

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Holly Grim // 254 Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

In November of 2013, a woman in Pennsylvania went missing from her home just a week before Thanksgiving. Years later, her remains were found on the property of someone she knew- some who idolized Dexter and aspired to be a serial killer. This is the story of Holly Grim.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Fox: https://www.foxnews.com/us/holly-grim-slaying-pennsylvania-man-found-guilty-2013-murder-coworker

2. The Morning Call: https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-holly-grim-wrongful-death-lawsuit-20170623-story.html

3. Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/172107556/holly-ann-grim

4. The Morning Call: https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-horvath-sentencing-grim-murder-20220909-5yjqdhcaurc5hgb6zb5x5frx7a-story.html

5. ABC News: https://6abc.com/pennsylvania-news-lehigh-valley-missing-woman-mom/1606510/

6. Oxygen: https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/michael-horvath-guilty-of-holly-grim-2013-murder

7. Police Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRV6p-dNt74

8. Praying for Justice for Holly Grim Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/222457674544501

9. WFMZ: https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/family-reacts-after-sentencing-of-man-who-killed-holly-grim/article_d1bcf238-2fb4-11ed-b4ad-0b68eb12cd94.html

10. WFMZ: https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/mother-of-homicide-victim-holly-grim-passes-away/article_0d15835f-730e-5912-8e6b-7e9fe10a954c.html

11. Lehigh Valley Live: https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2016/11/7_things_to_know_about_holly_g.html

12. WFMZ: https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/poconos-coal/michael-horvaths-wife-takes-the-stand-in-holly-grim-slaying-trial/article_5ac657d8-dc48-11ec-987a-1f927c0ec9e7.html

13. Pocono Record: https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/crime/2016/10/13/man-charged-with-murder-after/25204587007/

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Norman Ladner // 253 Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

In August of 1989, a 17-year-old boy went hunting on his family’s property, but never returned. When his dad went out to search for him, he found his son dead in the woods. And although his manner of death was thought to be an accident, a stranger’s suspicious threat to the family convinced them that he had been murdered. This is the story of Norman Ladner.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Unsolved Mysteries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfiT5gHtjT4

2. Norman Senior's Obituary: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13207298/norman-ladner

3. Norman's Obituary: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13207222/norman-charles-ladner

4. Hattiesburg American: https://www.newspapers.com/image/278179601/?terms=norman%20charles%20ladner&match=1

5. Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/driedfruitcrap/613240535354900480/my-towns-biggest-mystery-the-death-of-norman

6. True Crime Diva: https://truecrimediva.com/norman-ladner/

7. Unsolved Mysteries Website: https://unsolved.com/gallery/norman-ladner/#comment-9230

8. Lorance's Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78301326/ulmer-lorance-lumpkin

9. All That's Interesting: https://allthatsinteresting.com/dixie-mafia

10. Picayune, MS Archives: https://picayune.ms.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Meeting-Minutes/1989.pdf

11. The Clarksdale Press Register: https://www.newspapers.com/image/268363999/?terms=lorance%20lumpkin%20dog%20fight&match=1

12. Unsolved Mysteries (Follow-up episode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3eZmJpOd_4

13. Criminal Misconduct: https://criminalmisconduct.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-murders-of-kevin-ives-and-don-henry.html

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Johnny Cashman // 252 Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

In April of 2022, a 38-year-old man died in his apartment due to an apparent medical condition. Without seeing the scene of his death, his parents had him cremated, fully believing the ruling. But later, when his ex-girlfriend entered the apartment to a horrific, bloody mess, his friends and family began to doubt his cause of death. And after seeing damning security footage and audio from his neighbor, they knew: he had been murdered. This is the story of Johnny Cashman.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Arrin Stoner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv2J7WmpaSA

2. WSET: https://wset.com/news/local/johnny-cashman-death-investigation-police-negligence-steven-church-elizabethton-tennessee-gruesome-scene-family-questioning-lynchburg-police-department-murder-medical-emergency-bloody-crime-scene-surveillance-video-virginia-april-2022

3. WSET: https://wset.com/news/local/police-find-speak-with-witness-in-investigation-of-man-found-dead-in-lynchburg-apartment

4. Web Sleuths: https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/va-johnny-cashman-jr-38-death-investigation-lynchburg-apr-2022.636773/

5. Village Soup: https://waldo.villagesoup.com/2014/07/08/july-4-fight-ends-with-stitches-jail-time-for-belfast-man-1208648/

6. Pen Bay Pilot: https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/belfast-police-department-beat-shoplifting-insurance-violations/26011

7. Sara's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-cashman-a9a289b4/

8. Howard Cashman Obituary: https://obituaries.eagletribune.com/obituary/howard-cashman-771016101

9. Spokeo: https://www.spokeo.com/John-Cashman/Maine/Lincolnville/p356432521

10. Medical Examiner's Report: https://www.scribd.com/document/574955166/Johnny-Cashman-Medical-Examiner-s-Report

11. Lynchburg VA Police: https://www.lynchburgvapolice.gov/news-updates/update-2-attempt-to-identify-witness/

12. WSET: https://wset.com/news/local/commonwealths-attorney-announces-no-charges-in-death-of-john-cashman

13. Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/esophageal-varices/symptoms-causes/syc-20351538#:~:text=Esophageal%20varices%20are%20enlarged%20veins,throat%20and%20stomach%20(esophagus).

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The Amityville Murders // 251 Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

In November of 1974, a 23-year-old man ran into a bar on Long Island and exclaimed to the patrons that his mother and father had been murdered, only for them to find that his entire family had been massacred in their picturesque colonial-style house. With motives ranging from a mob hit to demonic possession, this investigation took the small coastal village of Amityville for a terrifying ride. This is the story of the DeFeo Massacre, also known as the Amityville Murders.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Newsday: https://www.newspapers.com/image/710071492/?terms=ronald%20defeo%20jr&match=1

2. The Journal News: https://www.newspapers.com/image/162751335/?terms=amityville%20murder&match=1

3. Newsday: https://www.newspapers.com/image/162751335/?terms=amityville%20murder&match=1

4. Interview with Ronald DeFeo Jr.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcoyXIxKiz4

5. The Black Grimoire Blog: https://the-black-grimoire-blog.tumblr.com/post/10618544227/the-amityville-murders-amityville-long-island

6. Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/108-Ocean-Ave-Amityville-NY-11701/32596605_zpid/

7. Amityville Murders: https://amityvillemurders.com/the-defeos/the-defoe-family.html

8. The Real Thing by Joe Williams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkQ8cm26SsQ

9. Seequent: https://www.seequent.com/amityville-weapon-resurfaces/

10. All That's Interesting: https://allthatsinteresting.com/amityville-murders

11. Medium: https://medium.com/crimebeat/the-horror-of-amityville-a05929e962ab

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Samantha Burns // 250 Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

In November of 2002, a 19-year-old woman went missing after telling her mom she was visiting a friend’s apartment in West Virginia. When her car was found the next morning aflame in a remote area, her family and police feared the worst. This is the story of Samantha Burns.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207758061/samantha-nicole-burns

2. The Courier-Journal: https://www.newspapers.com/image/180253218/?terms=samantha%20burns&match=1

3. Herald-Dispatch: https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/recent_news/samantha-burns-case-timeline/article_5eeaf368-6418-56f5-82fc-a1d9eeeecad8.html

4. WSAZ: https://www.wsaz.com/2022/05/03/honoring-samantha-burns-legacy-20-years-later/

5. Caselaw: https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-4th-circuit/1251118.html

6. NC Missing Persons: https://ncmissingpersons.org/samantha-burns/

7. The South Bend Tribune: https://www.newspapers.com/image/522834234/?terms=samantha%20burns&match=1

8. Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2452726/Chadrick-Fulks-Death-row-inmate-returns-spot-murdered-teenage-girl-help-FBI.html

9. Facebook group for Samantha: https://www.facebook.com/bringsamanthahome/

10. Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2452726/Chadrick-Fulks-Death-row-inmate-returns-spot-murdered-teenage-girl-help-FBI.html

11. Herald-Dispatch: ttps://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/police-investigate-lead-in-burns-case/article_d7ac5c71-3997-5958-a73b-61494591c3cb.html

12. Charley Project: https://charleyproject.org/case/samantha-nicole-burns

13. WMBF: https://www.wmbfnews.com/story/10786725/remains-of-missing-woman-identified/

14. My Crime Library: https://mycrimelibrary.com/brandon-basham-federal-death-row/

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