Keystone Cold Cases

This month on Beyond the Keystone: Two dismembered bodies. A scenic Alaskan coastline. And a known sex trafficker with ties to both victims. Join Melissa as she dives into the brutal, unsolved murders of Desiree Lekanoff and Michelle Rothe—two women failed by the system and forever silenced. Alaska holds its secrets tight… but someone out there knows the truth.

Join us for the conclusion of the story of Dana Gates!

In this episode, Chelsea and the team discusses the hidden risks that come with a day at the beach. While the sun, surf, and sand may seem harmless, there are a number of dangers every beachgoer should be aware of. Whether you're a local surfer or a first-time beach visitor, this episode will help you stay smart and safe under the sun.

This week, we're diving into the chilling story of Dana Gates—a young woman whose life was violently taken, leaving behind countless unanswered questions. Found brutally injured in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, Dana's case shocked the local community and became a haunting mystery.

In the gripping inaugural episode of Beyond the Keystone, host Melissa takes us deep into the heart of Alabama, unraveling two haunting cases that still echo through the state. First, she explores the heartbreaking 2001 abduction and murder of 11-year-old Shannon Paulk in Prattville—a case that shocked the community and remains unsolved. Then, she turns to the tragic and perplexing 1990 Tuscaloosa homicide of 18-year-old Paula Lee Ellis, a young woman whose life was cut short under mysterious and frustrating circumstances. Two lives, two stories, one unforgettable episode. #Unsolved #Alabama #KCC #KCCPod #BeyondtheKeystone #TrueCrimeStory #truecrimepodcast #unsolvedmysteries #TrueCrime #UnsolvedCases #AlabamaTrueCrime #ColdCaseFiles #MissingAndMurdered #CrimeInTheSouth

On August 9, 1990, Donna Dickey's Thursday began like any other. The 32-year-old mother followed her usual payday routine: cashing her check, grabbing a meal from Burger King, and enjoying her food while feeding ducks at Silver Lake Park. Tragically, this would be the last time Donna followed this routine. The next morning, her strangled, half-naked body was discovered near Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol, with her 1973 gold Ford Pinto close by. What transpired in the hours after Donna left the park, and who could commit such a heartless act?

Everything came to a head on May 22nd, 1992 when Betty came home and found Jack brutally murdered. It was not long before 3 arrests were made which included Betty and her twin sister Peggy. Join us as we discuss this wild case.

Welcome to our first Monthly Mood episode! Our monthly mood episode will be a different host every month gushing about what they are currently obsessed with. Anything from a true crime case, a show, a conspiracy, another podcast episode, etc. The sky's the limit...we even venture out of PA for these episodes! For our first episode of our monthly mood, Chelsea discusses the case of Tracey Nix, which occurred in the state of Florida. 

Join the KCC team for the conclusion of the Craig Rice case!   If you have been listening to our most recent stories you will see we have been slightly dabbling in cases that have controversies. Such as deaths ruled suicide and should have been homicide or even wrongfully convicted. Today we will touch on a wrongfully convicted case with a twist. It involves a murder that was part of a hate crime and an innocent being charged with minimal evidence. I don't think we have ever done a case that was part of a hate crime. Hate crimes are specifically tricky to convict. Today's story is going to be a wild ride.

Who doesn't love a good love story right? It's really what everyone hopes for. A connection, a partner in crime, your other half if you will. But what happens when love isn't the driving emotion. What if love is a disguise for control and obsession. When love is so “passionate” it invokes intense reactions. Reactions that are volatile and are irreversible. Today we are going to talk about the case of Terri Lynn Brooks. She was betrayed by the person who was supposed to protect her. He tricked everyone for years until the advancement of DNA which busted this case wide open. 

If you have been listening to our most recent stories you will see we have been slightly dabbling in cases that have controversies. Such as deaths ruled suicide and should have been homicide or even wrongfully convicted. Today we will touch on a wrongfully convicted case with a twist. It involves a murder that was part of a hate crime and an innocent being charged with minimal evidence. I don't think we have ever done a case that was part of a hate crime. Hate crimes are specifically tricky to convict. Today's story is going to be a wild ride. 

Carol Ann Dougherty was the older daughter of a “wonderful family”, a happy nine-year-old, who loved to read and frequently rode her bike to her town's library, usually stopping at St. Mark's Catholic Church to pray on her way home. On October 22, 1962, Carol Ann was found dead in the church's loft, having been sexually assaulted and strangled. What monster could have committed such a heinous act to a sweet child, in the most holy of places?

Join KCC with the conclusion of the case of Dolores Della Penna, the 17-year-old that was horrifically murdered July 12, 1972.

In 1972, 17-year-old Dolores Della Penna, a high school student from Philadelphia, vanished just blocks from her home. Known for her kind nature and bright smile, her disappearance shocked her tight-knit community. Days later, disturbing discoveries pointed to a horrifying fate. To this day, questions linger about who was truly behind her tragic end and why justice remains elusive.

In today's episode, we discuss the case of the West Manchester John Doe. Found in 2013, the remains could have been in their resting pace for up to 20 years. The Bureau of Justice Assistance estimates that 4,400 unidentified remains are discovered annually in the United States. At any given time, there may be up to 40,000 unidentified remains across the country. It's truly heartbreaking to think about. How do families and friends not claim these remains?

KCC delves into the tragic and unsolved murder of Holly Branagan, a high school senior from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. On March 28, 1979, Holly was brutally stabbed to death in her own home. The police pieced together Holly's timeline through phone calls she made that day, but despite their efforts, they have never caught her killer. Over 40 years later, the question remains: who killed Holly Branagan?

Jason Andrew Knapp, a young man from York, Pennsylvania, vanished without a trace on April 12, 1998. Jason was a sophomore at Clemson University, excelling academically and involved in the ROTC program. He was last seen on Easter weekend, and his car was found a week later at Table Rock State Park in South Carolina, but Jason himself was never located. What could have happened to this accomplished student?

Jennifer Higgins was an accomplished a young woman.  A field hockey star in high school, she attended Temple University on scholarship. Toward the end of her sophomore year, just ahead of summer break, Jennifer was found hanged by a necktie in her bedroom, her death ruled a suicide. But was it? Jennifer's story is one of profound sadness and unanswered questions, as her sudden death left her family and friends in shock and grief.

A young girl's skeletal remains were discovered on November 25, 1984, in a wooded area near Collom Street in Philadelphia. The remains, which included a skull, jaw, and three other bones, were found by a resident's dog. Authorities believe the Jane Doe was a Black girl between the ages of 4 and 6, who died approximately one year before her remains were discovered. Join the KCC team as they discuss the details of this case and the theories around the identity of this little angel.

The holidays at the end of the year are supposed to be joyous. We celebrate traditions that run in our culture and families. Plus we celebrate another year around the sun. I know for me I personally enjoy my days off, time with family, and yummy food. In 1992 Lancaster PA suffered a horrific loss of their community. It was the Monday before Christmas and a class of 6th grade kids of Rohrerstown Elementary School were gathering for the start of school. Problem was their teacher Christy Mirack did not show up. This was totally out of character. The principal was so concerned about this no show he drove to her house. He walked into a nightmare that would rock this town for 32 years. 

Betty Jane McClellan was a respected and deeply religious woman from Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. In March 2009, Betty and her husband, Jake McClellan, were brutally attacked in their trailer during a home invasion. While Jake survived with serious injuries, Betty tragically lost her life. Despite extensive investigations, the case remains unsolved, casting a shadow over the small community of Greene County.

According to World Population review this year in PA there are 504 open missing person cases and 320 unidentified. I was astonished at that staggering number because that seems steep right? But the rate is only 3.9 per 100K which seems lower. According to NamUs most cases are resolved and the percentage that aren't is under 1%. The people that are found were either lost, made the conscious decision to leave, or were taken. The case we are covering today is over 20 years old. Police were never able to locate her living or dead. No one has heard a word from her since June 24th, 2002. Unfortunately, Sabrina Mae Kahler is part of that 1%.

Noble's name wasn't the only thing unique about the man nor was the mystery surrounding his death.  The 82-year-old man from Greene County, Pennsylvania, was tragically murdered in 2008. Initially, it seemed like he died from a house fire, but an autopsy revealed he was actually shot before the fire was intentionally set. Who killed Noble Wine and why?

KCC delves into the baffling disappearance of Corinna Slusser, a young woman from Bloomsburg, PA, who vanished without a trace in September 2017. Join us as we uncover the events leading up to her disappearance, the extensive search efforts, and the ongoing investigation into what happened to Corinna.

In this episode, we delve into the heartbreaking story of Peter Romano, a 14-year-old boy from Bensalem, Pennsylvania, whose life was tragically cut short on Halloween night, 2023. Peter was one of three teenagers shot during a violent altercation at a shopping center on Bristol Pike. The incident, which started as a fight, escalated into a deadly shooting, leaving Peter fatally wounded and two others injured.

The General Wayne Inn is a historic building located in Merion Station, Pennsylvania. Originally established as a tavern in 1704, it has undergone several name changes before being renamed in 1793 in honor of General “Mad” Anthony Wayne. The inn is known for its rich history, including rumors of being haunted and its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. In 2005, the building was converted into an Orthodox Jewish synagogue, now known as Chabad of the Main Line. The inn has also been the site of notable events, including a murder in 1996 that led to a high-profile investigation and conviction.

The legend of the Black Lady of Minooka is a well-known ghost story from the Minooka neighborhood in Scranton, Pennsylvania. According to local lore, the Black Lady is the spirit of a woman who died tragically in the area. She is often described as wearing a long black dress and a veil, wandering the streets and the nearby woods. The Hotel Jermyn, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is a historic building with a rich past. Built in 1895, it was once one of the grand hotels in downtown Scranton, hosting famous performers, historical figures, and travelers. Circumstances surrounding the construction as well as incidents involving guests at the hotel only strengthen the stories of hauntings.

The legend of the Pig Lady of Cannelton is a well-known local folklore from Beaver County, Pennsylvania. The story revolves around Barbara Davidson, an early resident of the area, who was murdered, and her body found in the crawlspace of her parents' home. Over time, the tale evolved, with some versions describing her as a headless ghost, while later versions added the eerie detail of her having a pig's head instead of a human one.

Graterford Prison, officially known as the State Correctional Institution – Graterford (SCI Graterford), was a maximum-security prison located in Skippack Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1929 and was Pennsylvania's largest maximum-security prison, housing around 3,500 inmates at its peak.

Firefighters were called to a house fire in Jefferson County on July 12th, 2007. Walking into a fire, one of the top responsibilities of a firefighter is life safety. Unfortunately for these particular firefighters, they had just walked into a nightmare. During their search they found an infant deceased in the house. If that wasn't bad enough, they couldn't find the mother Joey Lynn Offutt. She wasn't in the house, so where could she have been? The week leading up to this fire there were red flags left and right. Why did Joey's family and community not push for answers that week? Could there have been a different outcome? It has been almost 17 years and authorities are no closer in finding out what happened the awful morning of July 12th, 2007, or where Joey is.

Alicia Bernice Markovich was a 15-year-old freshman at Windber High School. She was a good student and a member of the school track team. Alicia was visiting her father on April 26th, when they began arguing about her grades and what her father thought was a poor choice in friends. She stormed out of the house carrying only her purple sunglasses and was never seen again. 

When does being a kid stop? Is it at 18, when teens gain legal rights like voting and privacy? Or at 21, when they can buy alcohol? Maybe at 25, when they can rent a car, or 26, when they lose their parents' insurance. The brain isn't fully developed until 25, affecting judgment. Teens process information with the amygdala (emotions), while adults use the prefrontal cortex (rational thinking). This context helps us understand the unsolved case of Codi “Geno” Joyce, who died at a party on 9/27/2015. Despite known suspects, no arrests have been made due to lack of police involvement and silence among friends.

Join Shan, Shannon, and Chelsea as they discuss mysterious deaths that occurred in the Dominican Republic. Now why does this relate to Pennsylvania you ask? Well two separate tourists from PA recently mysteriously died at the same resort. Not to mention a handful of other tourists died of similar circumstances and are from neighboring states such as Maryland and New York. Let's dive into this bizarre story!

Helen E. Horn was the 68-year-old widow of Dr. Arthur Horn of Gratz, PA. Helen was involved with many organizations including the Gratz Historical Society. She also found great joy in taking care of her 15 cats. So how does someone who did so much for their community fall victim to a senseless murder?

Jennie E. Barr was a 78-year-old widow, a resident of Tremont, PA, who was involved with the American Legion Auxiliary, The Woman's Club, and was even helping with the local bloodmobile. She had three best friends who kept in touch daily, if not hourly. No one had an unkind thing to say about Jennie. So how does a well-respected woman, who lived a life of giving back to others, get murdered? And what could be the motive?

This week, we're offering a sneak peek at one of the solved cases you can hear by joining our Patreon: Part one of our two-part episode on Gary Heidnik. 

Join Cait, Jenealle, and Shannon as they discuss the case of Ellen Greenberg, a beautiful, bubbly, young teacher at Juniata Park Academy. Ellen was known for her infectious smile, a passion for teaching, and her love of life. On January 26, 2011, her life was tragically cut short, and the circumstances around her death remain a hot topic of debate and a strange mystery.

The body of a Caucasian female was found by a worker in a vineyard in Rancho Cucamonga, California on June 7, 1979. The next day, the San Bernardino sheriff's office began circulating the details about the discovery through the media, citing her age as between 18 and 30 years. She was dubbed the Rancho Cucamonga Jane Doe. In April 2024, she was finally identified as 17-year-old Karen Heverly, a runaway from Jersey Shore, PA. How did a PA teen make it to California and what happened that ended with her death?

Karen Sue Adams was a 54 year old woman living in Aliquippa, PA when at 2:00 PM on March 11, 2007 she decided to drive to the Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, in New Cumberland, WV which is about 40 minutes from her home. She decided to leave the casino at about 4:00 AM March 12, 2007. Unaware at the time, that would be the last anyone would see her or her vehicle again.

September of 1973, an unknown assailant walked into the Shelf Store in Jenkintown and shot Horace Spindler in the back of the head as he sat at his desk. The 50th anniversary of Horace's death has passed, and the murder still remains unsolved. Who killed Horace Spindler and why?

Fawn Marie Mountain lived a tragic life. Following the stillborn death of her daughter, Kaydin, she seemed to be a magnet for abusive relationships, one of which resulted in two children that she would eventually lose to the foster care system. A new relationship in 2009 seemed to turn her luck around, and then around again. Fawn disappeared November 25, 2012 and has not been seen or heard from since. Did Fawn finally escape her tragic life and start anew, or did this latest relationship bring about even more tragedy? 

After visiting her mother in a Scranton hospital, Michelle Jolene Lakey began her walk home with the intent of returning to visit her mother again before spending the night at her friend's house. One block from her home, witnesses saw her speaking with someone in a yellow car, which she then got in. Michelle never made it home and has not been seen or heard from since. Did Michelle fall victim to the same suspect, making her one of the Scranton 5?

July 1923 a string of gruesome murders began in the Ellwood City and West Pittsburg areas of western PA, near the Ohio-PA border. The suspect is believed to have dismembered and decapitated at least 15 people, leaving their bodies in a swamp-like area that runs from New Castle to Ellwood City. The area was referred to as Murder Swamp, these killings referred to as the Swamp Murders and they remain unsolved 100 years later.

This week is a double episode covering the cases of Dawn Mozino and Barry Douglas. Dawn left work to head to soccer practice for the Special Olympics. When she didn't arrive her family and authorities spring into action. Could her co-worker who was previously a convicted murderer to blame? Now, over three decades later we are still wondering.... What happened to Dawn Marie Mozino? Barry Douglas was out for a stroll on July 3, 1988. He was walking along a main road towards Wellsboro chatting up acquaintances as he walked on by. In those days conversations weren't as accessible as they are now. Just a touch away. Walking around and meeting up with friends was not that uncommon back then so no one really thought much of this. Until after that day he wasn't seen or heard from again. At the time Barry was receiving treatment for schizophrenia. Did something sinister happen to Barry or did he fall victim to the symptoms of schizophrenia???

On this week's episode, Jenealle conducts another interview with a member of Sheree Magaro's family. You can listen, or re-listen, to Sheree's case in episode 26, which aired on August 12, 2021. You can also listen to Jenealle's first interview which aired on February 16th. If you have any information about Sheree's case, please contact the Maryland State Police at 301-398-8101.

On this week's episode, Jenealle dives into a previously covered case, Sheree Magaro, with an interview with a family member of Sheree. You can listen, or re-listen, to Sheree's case in episode 26, which aired on August 12, 2021.  If you have any information about Sheree's case, please contact the Maryland State Police at 301-398-8101.

A resident Mount Pocono, PA, David Allen Gross was a loving son and a hard-working man who loved the outdoors. David turned 21 on August 2nd and threw himself a big birthday party on August 6th on his parents' 173-acre property.  In the early hours of August 11th, David was found murdered in the back of his own car, over 20 miles from his home.

Hey there, Sleuths! Here's a preview of our first Patreon episode! If you like what you hear (and honestly, why wouldn't you?) go to our Patreon page and sign up! Only $5 gets you all sorts of perks including our bonus episodes! Don't delay!

Listen as Melissa and Ed discuss new updates in the Ilonka Cann case. 

Scranton 5 Continued... In December of 1987, Laureen Finn was murdered and her body was found on fire near the University of Scranton campus. Over three decades later Laureen's killer is still a mystery...or is he?

Join your favorite local podcast, Keystone Cold Cases, for a live quizzo event!