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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:

Mr. Cruel // 249 Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a masked man began snatching children from their homes in Melbourne, Australia. With crimes similar to that of a fictional boogeyman, the area was petrified with fear, and to this day, police have never identified him. This is the story of Mr. Cruel.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Real Crime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArIl4189jDw

2. Unresolved: https://unresolved.me/mr-cruel

3. Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10569225/Masked-child-killer-Mr-Cruel-terrified-city-abducting-young-girls-homes-three-decades-ago-raped-elderly-nun-years-earlier-loose.html

4. The Age: https://www.newspapers.com/image/122998873/?terms=mr%20cruel&match=1

5. Australian Missing Persons Register: http://www.australianmissingpersonsregister.com/Worledge.htm

6. Melbin Marvels: https://melbinmarvels.com/2022/01/20/the-abduction-of-nicola-lynas/

7. Herald Sun: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/victoria-police-set-to-increase-reward-for-child-killer-mr-cruel/news-story/a65fb33fa370d04d740a68b9f6410d2e

8. News.com: https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/forensic-technology-links-mr-cruel-suspect-to-melbourne-electrical-industry/news-story/318bc9381837cde0682077c84be75ca0

9. Melbin Marvels: https://melbinmarvels.com/2021/01/26/mr-cruel-serial-rapist-and-murderer-overview-of-case/

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Teresa Halbach // 248 Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

On Halloween day in 2005, a 25-year-old photographer headed to a Wisconsin Salvage Yard and was never seen again. When her car was found a few days later on the same property, a man was arrested for her murder. But did he do it? With theories of the man being framed and other persons of interests sneaking into the story, many are left wondering if police have the right man behind bars. This is the story of Teresa Halbach.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/crime-law/2019/09/25/an-inmate-allegedly-confessed-making-murderer-killing-that-steven-avery-is-prison/

2. Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146279086/teresa-marie-halbach

3. Digital Spy: https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a869232/steven-avery-teresa-halbach-suspects/

4. Green Bay Press Gazette: https://www.newspapers.com/image/192503299/

5. Legacy: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/teresa-halbach-obituary?pid=177175485

6. Innocence Project: https://innocenceproject.org/cases/steven-avery/

7. Post Crescent: https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/local/steven-avery/2016/02/05/teresa-halbach-remembered-fondly-teachers/79819784/

8. WBAY: https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Woman-who-falsely-accused-Avery-in-rape-case-talks-memory-in-new-doc-511964861.html

9. The Marshall Project: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2016/01/05/penny-beernsten-the-rape-victim-in-making-a-murderer-speaks-out

10. Nicki Swift: https://www.nickiswift.com/480978/the-truth-about-steven-averys-ex-wife/

11. Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MakingaMurderer/comments/44608m/thereas_fathers_death/

12. Richard's obituary: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156826464/richard-urban-halbach

13. Heavy: https://heavy.com/entertainment/2018/10/teresa-halbach-family/

14. Bustle: https://www.bustle.com/articles/157203-this-steven-avery-family-tree-connects-the-many-many-making-a-murderer-figures-infographic

15. Green Bay Press Gazette: https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/local/steven-avery/2016/03/14/rapist-avery-case-suspected-gb-attacks/81452156/

16. University of Michigan Law: https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3003

17. Twitter: https://twitter.com/makingamurderer/status/1056947963925274624?lang=en

18. The Famous People: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/steven-avery-52981.php

19. The Inspiring Dad: https://theinspiringdad.com/who-was-teresa-halbach/

20. Green Bay Press Gazette: https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2016/07/29/steven-avery-rips-his-former-lawyers-via-letter/87647902/

21. Post Crescent: https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/local/steven-avery/2016/01/07/report-details-halbachs-death/78437306/

22. WISN: https://www.wisn.com/article/i-believe-he-is-100-innocent-brendan-dassey-supporters-work-to-get-convicted-killer-freed/40130583#

23. AETV: https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/steven-avery-now#:~:text=In%20March%202007%2C%20a%20jury,without%20the%20possibility%20of%20parole.

24. Grunge: https://www.grunge.com/484598/where-is-making-a-murderers-brendan-dassey-today/#:~:text=On%20March%202%2C%202006%2C%20Brendan,%2Dyear%2Dold%20Teresa%20Halbach.

25. Rolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/making-a-murderer-steven-averys-lawyer-claims-teresa-halbach-killed-by-ex-198491/

26. Post Crescent: https://eu.postcrescent.com/story/news/local/steven-avery/2017/06/13/averys-lawyer-ex-boyfriend-killed-halbach/387912001/

27. Fox News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIBAoe8hNPk

28. Gawker: https://www.gawker.com/making-a-murderer-is-good-but-what-is-it-good-for-1749904524

29. Goliath: https://www.goliath.com/tv/6-reasons-why-making-a-murderers-steven-avery-could-actually-be-guilty/

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The Friday the 13th Copycat Killer // 247 Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

In October of 1988, an 18-year-old man in Massachusetts dressed as Jason Voorhees and set off to kill a young woman. Obsessed with the horror franchise Friday the 13th, he wanted to impersonate his favorite character and commit a murder. So he did. This is the murder of Sharon Gregory, and the story of the Friday the 13th Copycat Killer.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Greenfield Recorder: https://www.recorder.com/Milestones-18351972

2. Court TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FqRYpQHxkg

3. All That's Interesting: https://allthatsinteresting.com/murders-inspired-by-horror-movies/3

4. UPI: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/11/01/Fear-stalks-streets-of-Greenfield-on-Halloween/3278594363600/

5. AP: https://apnews.com/article/30277ed058513b9f7550f07ca742f38b

6. The Recorder: https://apnews.com/article/30277ed058513b9f7550f07ca742f38b

7. Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/187326533/sharon-gregory

8. The Recorder: https://www.newspapers.com/image/841419152/?terms=sharon%20gregory&match=1

9. The Recorder: https://www.newspapers.com/image/841420411/?terms=sharon%20gregory&match=1

10. The Recorder: https://www.newspapers.com/image/841418631/

11. My Life of Crime: https://mylifeofcrime.wordpress.com/2006/07/26/sharon-gregory-murder/

12. Sharon's obituary: https://www.newspapers.com/image/841421982/?article=c0a14ae8-f704-4339-aba4-8b4be4da211a

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Arpana Jinaga // 246 Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

In October of 2008, a young woman threw a Halloween party along with the rest of her apartment complex with countless attendees. But three days later, her body was found in her apartment, and the scene was not only gruesome, but incredibly confusing. With multiple partygoers as potential suspects, it was unclear to police from the start who was actually behind this tragedy. This is the story of Arpana Jinaga.

BONUS EPISODES

CASE SOURCES

1. Unresolved: https://unresolved.me/arpana-jinaga

2. India Today: https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/indian-techie-arpana-was-strangulated-autopsy-report-32870-2008-11-05

3. Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/trial-begins-8-years-after-redmond-woman-raped-strangled/

4. Medium: https://medium.com/the-mystery-box/a-review-of-the-2008-murder-mystery-of-indian-immigrant-arpana-jinaga-in-redmond-washington-e858dd1cd24c

5. Rolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/emanuel-fair-trial-lawsuit-dna-murder-charge-1330251/

6. DNA Idea: https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-arpana-s-body-to-arrive-by-the-weekend-1204033

7. Suspect: https://wondery.com/shows/suspect/

8. New Indian Express: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2008/nov/05/kins-hopes-of-seeing-arpana-dashed-4498.html

9. Student Hardware Competition: https://emc2022.emcss.org/student-emc-hardware-design-competition.html

10. GNU: https://www.gnu.org/education/edu-system-india.en.html#:~:text=The%20school%20system%20in%20India,secondary%20(17%20and%2018).

11. Arpana's apartment complex: https://www.apartments.com/valley-view-apartments-redmond-wa/pjp728s/

12. WA State Court Documents: https://www.courts.wa.gov/content/petitions/96468-8%20Petition%20for%20Review.pdf

13. Seattle Weekly: https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/the-troubling-trial-of-emanuel-fair/

14. Yahoo News: https://www.yahoo.com/video/m-m-not-free-man-150700113.html

15. Crime Story: https://crimestory.com/2020/09/02/interview-emanuel-fair-found-not-guilty-of-murder-after-nine-years-in-jail-with-amanda-knox/

16. CBS: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/marc-oleary-rapist-sexual-assault-golden-coloradonetflix-unbelievable/

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Aniah Blanchard // 245 Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

In October of 2019, a 19-year-old college student vanished after stopping at a Chevron gas station late one night in Alabama. Shortly after she was reported missing, her blood-stained, damaged car was located in an apartment parking lot almost an hour away. But thanks to surveillance footage, an eyewitness testimony, and DNA evidence, a suspect was charged. This is the story of Aniah Blanchard.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/218020516/aniah-haley-blanchard

2. Tapology: https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/17046-walter-harris#:~:text=Walt%20was%20signed%20by%20the,The%20Ultimate%20Fighter%2018%20Finale

3. Aniah's Heart Foundation: https://www.aniahsheart22.com/

4. 48 Hours: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/aniah-blanchard-murder-family-justice-48-hours/

5. Medium: https://jacquewhitekochak.medium.com/a-murder-in-dixie-2b85394acafd

https://www.aniahsheart22.com/about-us/

6. WTVM: https://www.wtvm.com/2022/06/10/aniah-blanchards-family-host-second-self-defense-event-birmingham/

7. Montgomery Advertiser: https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2019/11/08/aniah-blanchard-update-missing-ibraheem-yazeed-suspect-criminal-history/2528477001/

8. Heavy: https://heavy.com/news/2019/11/ibraheem-yazeed/

9. Heavy: https://heavy.com/news/2019/11/aniah-blanchard/

10. NY Fights: https://nyfights.com/worldwide/aniahs-soul-lives-on-in-aniahs-heart-and-her-moms-resolve/#:~:text=It's%20not%20easy%2C%20it's%20very,best%20life%20that%20we%20could.%E2%80%9D

11. WSFA: https://www.wsfa.com/2019/11/08/affidavit-aniah-blanchards-blood-found-suv-witness-saw-her-abduction/

12. AL.com: https://www.al.com/opinion/2019/11/johnson-aniah-blanchard-may-soon-be-home-protecting-others-like-her-is-all-of-our-business.html

13. AL.com: https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2019/11/aniah-blanchard-kidnapping-suspect-ibraheem-yazeed-captured-by-us-marshals-in-pensacola.html

14. Montgomery Advertiser: https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2019/11/25/aniah-blanchard-update-david-johnson-jr-charged-hindering-prosecution-alabama/4300567002/

15. WSFA: https://www.wsfa.com/2021/06/23/dist-attorney-involved-aniah-blanchards-murder-case-trial-ethics-violations/

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Charlie Allen Jr // 244 Oct 14, 2022

Show notes

In October of 2007, a 22-year-old tennis player was supposed to meet up with a friend before heading to a party, but he never showed up. After leaving strange voicemails for his parents and telling his sister that “important” people were after him, he vanished. Even though his car and backpack were soon found, they only brought more questions than answers. This is the story of Charlie Allen Jr.

BONUS EPISODE

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. South Coast Today: https://web.archive.org/web/20210514104435/https://www.southcoasttoday.com/article/20071027/NEWS/710270331

2. Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064255856677

3. Disappeared: https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/video/disappeared-investigation-discovery-atve-us/game-over

4. Vocal: https://vocal.media/criminal/charles-allen-jr-is-still-missing-what-do-you-think

5. Liz Wakeford's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=May1XOK3bZw

6. South Coast Today: https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/news/local/2021/01/15/partial-skull-found-dartmouth-beach-confirmed-human/4176285001/

7. Dartmouth Week Today: https://dartmouth.theweektoday.com/article/skull-found-little-beach-%E2%80%98probably%E2%80%99-male/51509

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Adrienne Salinas // 243 Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

In 2013, a 19-year-old Arizona college student went missing after being involved in a single-car accident. When it was discovered that she took a ride from a suspicious cab driver and her whereabouts were unknown, police began investigating her disappearance with numerous persons of interest. Months later, her remains were found in a nearby desert, and theories spread of a “Zombie Hunter” and potential serial killer being involved. This is the story of Adrienne Salinas.

BONUS EPISODE

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. FBI: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/adrienne-celeste-salinas

2. People: https://people.com/crime/people-magazine-investigates-who-killed-arizadrienne-salinas/

3. Adrienne's Memorial Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/Adrienne-Salinas-Memorial-547265498680713/?ref=page_internal

4. Uncovered: https://uncovered.com/cases/adrienne-salinas/sources

5. AZ Family: https://www.azfamily.com/2022/09/29/former-friend-says-zombie-hunter-felt-uncomfortable-around-women/

6. 12 News: https://www.12news.com/article/news/investigations/adrienne-salinass-phone-might-provide-clues-about-her-murder-but-its-missing/75-e239e3f4-3f29-4d70-aa71-15f18eba6562

7. Keen's article on his friendship with Bryan in Soapboxie: https://soapboxie.com/government/Gone-by-Dawn-The-Disappearance-of-Adrienne-Salinas

8. Phoenix New Times: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/sunshine-and-sadness-6430545

9. AZ Central: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2020/06/28/angela-brosso-died-1992-trial-her-murder-postponed/3260296001/

10. Arizona Republic: https://www.newspapers.com/image/123654093/?terms=melanie%20bernas&match=1

11. AZ Central: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2015/01/23/phoenix-bryan-patrick-miller-canal-murders-juvenile-records/22230819/

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Katrina Smith // 242 Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

In October of 2012, a 30-year-old woman in Illinois who was being stalked by an unknown male went missing. She had been scared in the weeks leading up to her disappearance, and when her body was found in a river, police looked into numerous people in her circle until damning evidence brought her killer to justice. This is the story of Katrina Smith.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Medium: https://medium.com/@story-teller/grieving-husband-turned-out-to-be-the-evil-murderer-d5a338cba0f0

2. True Crime Daily: https://truecrimedaily.com/2017/05/09/illinois-woman-stalked-murdered-in-midst-of-affair-separation/

3. Chilling Crimes: https://www.chillingcrimes.com/blogs/news/katrina-smith

4. Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100540182/katrina-ashley-smith

5. The Central Trend: https://thecentraltrend.com/29894/opinion/columns/my-cousins-made-my-childhood-memorable/

6. My State Line: https://www.mystateline.com/news/update-defense-rests-its-case-in-todd-smith-murder-trial/

7. Mirror: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/woman-stalked-beaten-death-baseball-10498464

8. True Crime Daily: https://truecrimedaily.com/2017/05/09/illinois-woman-stalked-murdered-in-midst-of-affair-separation/

9. The Central Trend: https://thecentraltrend.com/29894/opinion/columns/my-cousins-made-my-childhood-memorable/

10. WIFR: https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Jury-selection-in-murder-trial-for-Todd-Smith-begins-410166405.html

11. My State Line: https://www.mystateline.com/news/convicted-killer-todd-smith-wants-conviction-tossed-in-wifes-2012-murder/

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Angie Barlow // 241 Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

In October of 2016, a 23-year-old woman in Indianapolis headed to a private party and was never seen again. Just hours before she disappeared, she sent the address of the party to her best friend in case she went missing. Months later, she would be found murdered, and thanks to surveillance footage, police came up with a theory. This is the story of Angie Barlow.

BONUS EPISODES

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Fox: https://fox59.com/news/remains-found-buried-in-northeast-side-yard-belong-to-missing-muncie-woman-coroner-says/

2. Fox: https://fox59.com/news/police-locate-vehicle-of-woman-missing-since-october/

3. Justice for Angie Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/FindAngieB

4. Chilling Crimes: https://www.chillingcrimes.com/blogs/news/angie-barlow

5. That I Didn't Know: https://thatididntknow.com/the-unsolved-murder-of-angie-barlow/

6. Crime Watch Daily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR3EVnFoIkE

7. Angie's Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/thestarpress/name/angela-barlow-obituary?id=16660381

8. ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2615124

9. Raven's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonnidrip/?hl=en

10. Crime Watch Daily (2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5lSxWjxkMc

11. Road Runner Roadside Assistance: https://www.incompany.info/companies/201610111161442/

12. Maricopa County Superior Court: https://unicourt.com/case/az-mas2-raven-nicole-miller-vs-baron-eric-lorenze-mccullough-15532

13. Raven's statement on the murder via Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/JusticeForAngie/comments/ghvyyv/what_does_raven_bonni_miller_have_to_say_about/

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The Smiley Face Killer // 240 Sep 30, 2022

Show notes

Starting back in 1997, dozens of men have been found killed under eerily similar circumstances. Almost all of them were dubbed accidents fueled by a night out drinking with friends. But when investigators started noticing a similar calling card left by each body, graffiti paint of a smiley face, they began to suspect these seemingly random deaths were connected by one or more serial killers. This is the story of the Smiley Face Killer.

BONUS EPISODE

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCE

1. Fox: https://fox59.com/news/remains-found-buried-in-northeast-side-yard-belong-to-missing-muncie-woman-coroner-says/

2. Fox: https://fox59.com/news/police-locate-vehicle-of-woman-missing-since-october/

3. Justice for Angie Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/FindAngieB

4. Chilling Crimes: https://www.chillingcrimes.com/blogs/news/angie-barlow

5. That I Didn't Know: https://thatididntknow.com/the-unsolved-murder-of-angie-barlow/

6. Crime Watch Daily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR3EVnFoIkE

7. Angie's Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/thestarpress/name/angela-barlow-obituary?id=16660381

8. ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2615124

9. Raven's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonnidrip/?hl=en

10. Crime Watch Daily (2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5lSxWjxkMc

11. Road Runner Roadside Assistance: https://www.incompany.info/companies/201610111161442/

12. Maricopa County Superior Court: https://unicourt.com/case/az-mas2-raven-nicole-miller-vs-baron-eric-lorenze-mccullough-15532

13. Raven's statement on the murder via Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/JusticeForAngie/comments/ghvyyv/what_does_raven_bonni_miller_have_to_say_about/

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