Midwest Mystery Files

Joe Bova was a man living the good life. He was married with a good job and a prominent position in his local union. He was well liked by everyone including neighbors, coworkers, fellow union members, members of his church, and the community of Merrillville, Indiana at large. One cool September morning however. A large explosion would rock the streets of Merrillville, shattering the quiet peace of the predawn hours. A neighbor would investigate the source of the explosion to find a burning vehicle, and outside of it would be Joe Bova. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 34, The Murder of Joe Bova. Herald Times Article: https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2021/05/16/w-indiana-labor-officials-1989-bombing-death-still-mystery/46069913/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/pw48fm/on_september_13_1989_43yearold_joseph_bova_was/ Article Screenshots: https://imgur.com/a/yz7EALB Other articles from the The Munster and Herald Times found on www.newslibrary.com Links to patreon social media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005 

2003. Thirteen year old Rebecca Williams had just finished up her eighth grade year at Morton Middle School in Omaha, Nebraska. At the time she was living with her mother, but was set to move to Las Vegas, Nevada to live with her father. On a normal June day, she would leave her home in the Park Meadows Mobile Home Community and head to a nearby playground. When she failed to return home, her mother would report her missing to the police. Initially considered a runaway by the police, a grim discovery two weeks later proved them mistaken when Rebecca's body would be found. An investigation would ensue, and a surprising prime suspect would be revealed. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 33, the Murder of Rebecca Williams. Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles All sources were archived articles from the Omaha World Herald via: www.newspapers.com and www.newslibrary.com  MIdwest Mystery Files is written, produced, and hosted by Jeremiah Baustian

I'm trying to do some additional digging on the next cold case episode so for this month I'm releasing May 2023's patreon episode. This epsiode focuses on Mormon fundamentalist and extremist Jeffrey Lundgren, who led a cult in Kirtland, Ohio and is responsible for the murder of an entire family. Patreon and Socials: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles   Crime Journal Article: https://www.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/mass/lundgren/index_1.html Last Podcast on the Left series on Mormonism: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0fi5zxiqhFLLUfuzVuGptm?si=388995b9f0e048b2   *Midwest Mystery Files in written, recorded, and produced by Jeremiah Baustian

In March of 2008, father of five, soon to be six, MIchael Womack would vanish without a trace from Alton, IL. Only for his truck to be found almost 30 miles away, clean and wiped of any fingerprints. Then, in July of 2011, father of two, Jared Hanna would leave his home in Jerseyville, IL. After failing to pick up his daughters from their mother, Jared's pick up truck would be found almost 70 miles away, abandoned and out of gas. Potential sightings of Jared before the truck was found would surface, but no answers would come.  This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 32, The disappearance of Michael Womack and Jared Hanna Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles Cryptic Soup Podcast: https://linktr.ee/crypticsouppod  Live Laugh Murder Podcast: https://linktr.ee/livelaughmurderpodcast  Michael Womack Charley Project Page: https://charleyproject.org/case/michael-anthony-womack Jared Hanna at Uncovered: https://uncovered.com/cases/jared-hanna Missing Podcast episode on Jared and Interview with Heather Hanna: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mTQREkp4JdivBsVLyFyTi?si=3136cfbc776e4de2   MIdwest Mystery Files is written, produced, and hosted by Jeremiah Baustian

On a warm summer day in July of 2012, 10 year old Lyric Cook-Morrissey, and her cousin 8 year old Elizabeth Collins would head out in the town of Evansdale, Iowa on what was to be a typical bike ride. However, as the time the girls should have been home would come and go, Lyric and Elizabeth's grandmother and parents would become increasingly concerned. After the family would fail to locate the girls, police would be contacted, and a massive search would begin. Eventually Lyric and Elizabeth's bikes would be found on a trail at Meyers Lake on the south side of town. Relentless search efforts would focus on the lake and nearby areas, however, it wouldn't be until the following November that their horrific fate would be discovered. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 31, the Murder of Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins. Malice and Mocktails:  https://linktr.ee/maliceandmocktails Patreon: www.patreon.com/Midwestmysteryfiles Lyric and Elizabeth Iowa Cold Case Page: https://iowacoldcases.org/case-summaries/lyric-cook-and-elizabeth-collins The Elizabeth Collins Foundation: https://elizabethcollinsfoundation.org/ KCRG 10 Year Coverage: https://www.kcrg.com/2022/07/13/lyric-elizabeth-ten-years-later/      

In November of 1998, 36 year old Anthony Klama was living a pretty good life. He was working as a maintenance supervisor in the same apartment complex with which he lived. Recently he had received some high praise and was looking forward to an upcoming inspection, in hopes that it could lead to a promotion. Anthony spoke with family almost everyday and was looking forward to spending time with them during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. However, one night Anthony would leave his home and walk to a local bar, where he would play darts. The next day, Anthony was nowhere to be found, and remains so to this day. The answer to his disappearance could be held with an unidentified male, and a handful of strange phone calls. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 30, the Disappearance of Anthony Klama.   Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles   Horror House Pod: https://linktr.ee/hhtr   Charley Project: https://charleyproject.org/case/anthony-keith-klama   Missing In Illinois: What happened to the Foxfire apartment building manager Anthony Keith Klama?: https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/nxsgqk/missing_in_illinois_what_happened_to_the_foxfire/   The Mysterious Disappearance of Anthony Klama: https://medium.com/@jennbaxter_69070/the-mysterious-disappearance-of-anthony-klama

It was July of 2006 and 33 year old VIcki Eagleman, recently divorced and with five children, had moved in with her mother and step father on the Lower Brule Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Vicki had begun dating a man named Sonny, and on an exceptionally hot day, Vicki, Sonny, and others would spend the day swimming on the Missouri River. However, Vicki would soon disappear after being seen by several witnesses at the river, and several weeks later, her horrific fate would be revealed, and more questions than answers would be raised. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 29: The Murder of VIcki Eagleman.   https://uncovered.com/cases/victoria-eagleman   https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/ssjnx9/vicki_eagleman_disappeared_after_a_day_spent/   https://open.spotify.com/episode/7vAmNApHS9GHGxd5j3C6f6?si=93ef28acc2904b1a

Life had been hectic lately for 15 year old Rachel Pratt, she had recently found she was going to be a mother and was in her first trimester of pregnancy. Not being bogged down, she continued to live life as normally as she could. In January of 1995, Rachel would perform in a school band concert, then come home to settle in with her siblings while her mother worked an overnight shift. Rachel's mother would come home early, after several calls to the house would result in a busy signal. Upon returning, she would find that Rachel had vanished. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode Twenty-eight, The Disappearance of Rachel Pratt. Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

On a cold morning in February 2001, twenty-three-year-old Stefanie Welch would drop her two young boys off at preschool and daycare. Hours later her vehicle would be parked at a local mobile home park, and an unknown man would be seen walking away. Stefanie, would never be seen again, this is Midwest Mystery Files Episode 27, the disappearance of Stefanie Welch. Crime Bae Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RNTyeE5heRu96qxPKKIDU?si=30caea2f44144ebe Crime Scenes and Cupcakes: https://linktr.ee/crimecakes Patreon: www.patreon.com/midwestmysteryfiles Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/midwestmysteryfiles

In July of 2002, 19 year old Russell Turcotte was on his way home to Montana from a Rainbow Gathering in the Ottawa National Forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He had stayed behind a few days after the gathering to clean up the mess that was left behind. With his friends already back in Montana, Russell decided to hitchhike back. Upon reaching Grand Forks, North Dakota, Russell would call his mom to have some money wired so he could ride the train the rest of the way home. Russell would never pick up the money, and it wouldn't be until November of 2002, that his horrific fate would be discovered. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 26: The Murder of Russell Turcotte. Coffee N Crime: https://linktr.ee/coffeencrimepodcast

Update on Episode 10: The Opelika Jane Doe. Amore is her name, and suspects are in custody. Hear all the details within, apologies for some weird sound on the technical end for about 30 seconds towards the end of the episode.

My newest case isn't ready yet, so today's episode is my October bonus episode from Patreon, which focuses on the alleged possession and exorcism of Anna Ecklund in 1928 in Earling, Iowa. Was Anna really possessed? Or was she simply a mentally ill woman who was misdiagnosed? Listen and decide! Also be sure to check out That's Not Good: A True Crime Podcast! Link Below. That's Not Good https://linktr.ee/thatsnotgoodpodcast Patreon and socials: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles Begone, Satan! https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/begone-satan-6067  

On a cold, cloudy day in December of 1995, a teller at the Bank One in Bloomfield, Ohio was working the drive up window when a red and silver pick up pulled up. The teller recognized the truck, and the couple inside, as John and Shelly Markley were regulars at the bank. Who she didn't recognize was a man accompanying the Markley's. John was driving the truck, while Shelly sat in the middle with the unknown individual sitting in the passenger seat. Shelly signed a check and passed it to the teller. It was a personal check made to cash for $1,000. The teller took the check and handed the Markley's the money. The trio then drove away. Little did the bank teller know, she would be the last known person to see John and Shelly. This Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 25, the Disappearance of John and Shelly Markley.   Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles   Crime Scenes and Cupcakes: https://linktr.ee/crimecakes   Shelly's Charley Project Page: https://charleyproject.org/case/shelly-renee-markley   John's Charley Project Page: https://charleyproject.org/case/john-j-markley-jr

On July 22nd, 2001, 28-year-old Niqui McCown was just weeks away from marrying the love of her life. She was set to address wedding envelopes with her fiancé that evening. However, a trip to the laundromat would soon turn into a mystery with no end. Niqui would never return home, and months later her vehicle would be found 45 miles away, with no clues as to her whereabouts. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 24: The Disappearance of Marilyn “Niqui” McCown. Social Media and Patreon: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles Niqui McCown Crime Watch Daily Niqui McCown Unsolved Mysteries Missing Niqui McCown Facebook Page

It was Christmas time in the college town of Normal, Illinois. Many students had already left by December 22, 1975, gone home on break to celebrate the holiday season with their families. During their time off, they may have caught a screening of Black Christmas, a 1974 slasher film that was still doing some screenings in December of 1975. The film focused on a group of young women in a sorority being stalked and murdered by an unknown killer. Out in the real world though, a horrific crime in the same vein would be committed. 21-year-old Carol Rofstad had stayed behind in Normal to work some extra shifts at her job to earn a little extra cash for Christmas presents, unfortunately she woul fall victim to a brutal attack, just steps outside of her Delta Zeta Sorority house. An attack that lacked an apparent sign of motive or reason, that would leave a family who rather than celebrate, would have to spend their holiday in mourning. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 23, The Vicious Murder of Carol Rofstad. ISU Vidette: https://videttearchive.ilstu.edu/?a=q&hs=1&r=1&results=1&txq=Carol+Rofstad&dafdq=&dafmq=&dafyq=&datdq=&datmq=&datyq=&txf=txIN&ssnip=txt&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-Carol+Rofstad------ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Midwestmysteryfiles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwest_mystery_files/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Midwest-Mystery-Files-110531837896849 Twitter: https://twitter.com/FilesMidwest?s=09 

In October of 1996, nineteen-year-old Kristi Nikle headed out into the town of Grand Forks, North Dakota for a night of bingo. Kristi had been diagnosed with a developmental disability and posessed the mental skill of a 10-year-old. However, she was fiercely independent and was never held back from being a bubbly, friendly, and social person who was well liked around town. On the night of October 3rd, Kristi would play bingo, before attempting to visit a friend in downtown Grand Forks, after finding that the friend was not at home, Nikki would leave the area on foot, and never be seen again. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 22, The Disappearance of Kristi Nikle. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Midwestmysteryfiles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwest_mystery_files/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Midwest-Mystery-Files-110531837896849 Twitter: https://twitter.com/FilesMidwest?s=09 

In September of 1992 in Saginaw, Michigan, Shamonica Brown would spend her Friday evening playing with some neighborhood kids. The fun would begin on the front porch of her home but would then move to a playground a short distance away. As the evening would move on, and young children would begin to return home, Shamonica's mother Doris would grow worried when she failed to turn back up home. Doris would find that Shamonica was not at the playground when going to look for her, unfortunately this would only be the start of the nightmare, as only a few days later, Shamonica would be found, and the search for a murderer would begin. This is  is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 21, the Murder of Shamonica Brown.   Our Black Girls: https://www.ourblackgirls.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Midwestmysteryfiles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwest_mystery_files/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Midwest-Mystery-Files-110531837896849 Twitter: https://twitter.com/FilesMidwest?s=09 

On May 19th, 1990, Nineteen-year-old Chad Maurer would come home on his lunch break to grab a quick bite to eat and head back to work at his job in Madison, Wisconsin. Later that day, Chad's parents would stop by his work, only to find he was nowhere to be found. Two days later, 150 aways in South Chicago, Chad would be found in a garage, dead from what appeared to be suicide. However, several questions would start to be raised. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 20, the Strange Death of Chad Maurer. Patreon and social media here: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

On July 4th, 1978, a family in Junction City, Kansas would be awoken by a commotion across the street from their home. The family would gather at the front of the house, watching the events unfold, after several minutes they would take notice that one of the children living in the home was not with them, they would quickly find she was nowhere in the house at all. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 19, The Disappearance of Beverly Ward. Xavior's Warriors: Finding MISSING Children! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1123511904836186/ Patreon and social media here: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

In 1990, former Will County Sheriff's deputy Robin Abrams was gearing up to testify in a federal lawsuit she had filed against her former employer, which included the local county sheriff and several other officers within the department including a former boyfriend. The lawsuit was the result of a year of harassment, where Robin had been subjected to over 100 allegedly false complaints and multiple, baseless arrests. Eighteen days before the first hearing in the case, Robin would pass her father on the road, waving as she went by. This is the last time her family would ever see her. Over the years, multiple digs would occur, mob connections would arise, and more questions than answers would start to pour out. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 18, The Disappearance of Robin Abrams, Part Two. Patreon and social media here: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

In 1990, former Will County Sheriff's deputy Robin Abrams was gearing up to testify in a federal lawsuit she had filed against her former employer, which included the local county sheriff and several other officers within the department including a former boyfriend. The lawsuit was the result of a year of harassment, where Robin had been subjected to over 100 allegedly false complaints and multiple, baseless arrests. Eighteen days before the first hearing in the case, Robin would pass her father on the road, waving as she went by. This is the last time her family would ever see her. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 17, the Disappearance of Robin Abrams, Part One. Patreon and social media here: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

In April 0f 2001, a young man would exit his home and seemingly vanish into thin air. Rivers would be checked, ground would be dug up, and hundreds of people would be questioned over the years, but to no avail. In a small town that had and still would make headlines for violent and senseless murder, one twenty year old would be gone without ever making a sound. This is Midwest Mystery Files: Episode 16, The Strange Disappearance of Branson Perry. Patreon: www.patreon.com/midwestmysteryfiles Instagram: midweat_mystery_files Twitter: Filemidwest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Midwest-Mystery-Files-110531837896849/ 

On a chilly January night in 1968 in the college town of Ames, Iowa, a young Iowa State college student would leave her dorm, headed for the corner of Lincoln Way and Beach St. She had just received a call in response to a post she'd made on a campus bulletin board, she had been looking for someone to take her to the Chicago area so that she could visit her family for the weekend. Sources would report that Sheila was seen waiting at the intersection for the male caller who had agreed to take her, but unfortunately, that would be the last time she'd be seen alive. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 15, the Murder of Sheila Jean Collins.

In August of 2009, a 15 year old girl would leave her home in Antigo, Wisconsin, getting into a vehicle with her friend with plans to spend the night driving around. She would be seen a short time later at a local McDonalds before allegedly being dropped off at a house 34 miles away. She would never be seen again. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 14, The Disappearance of Kayla Berg.

Informal non-case episode today. In this episode I'm looking at the new year and will just being going over my plan for the year, ideas for Patreon, and I tell you a bit about myself and intentions/ motivations for this podcast.

In October of 2016, Larissa Lone Hill would leave her mother's town home in Rapid City, South Dakota. Within another day, she would disappear, with only a vague trail being laid out to where she may have gone. A trail that would bring many question, but absolutely zero answers. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 13, the Vanishing of Larissa Lone Hill.

In September of 1997, on a warm Michigan evening, a young girl would be playing outside of her apartment while her mother ran to run some errands. Upon her mother's return, the young girl would be nowhere to be found. A massive search would soon be launched, but 24 years later, her disappearance remains a tragic mystery. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 12, The Disappearance of Brittney Beers.

On January 31st 2004, fire crews would be called to a burning home in Osceola, IA. Once arriving on the scene, firefighters would fight the roaring blaze, eventually extinguishing it. Unfortunately the homes young occupant would found deceased in the home, after succumbing to his burns. The fire would be labeled an accident, but factors would soon arise that would prove there may have been another explanation. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 11, the Suspicious Death of Cecil Gaddy.

October is gonna be a bit funky and episodes are gonna be sporadic. I explain to you why in this short little blurb.

This week we travel out of the region to Alabama. Where in 2012 in a trailer park in Opelika, human remains would we be found, several pieces over, several days. The discovery would lead to a haunting mystery involving a young girl who showed signs of a traumatic life in her short years alive, a mystery that haunts dedicated investigators to this day. Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 10, The Opelika Jane Doe is available now on all major podcast platforms.

In 2003, a young woman from South Dakota, who was known to be shy and reserved would suddenly leave the state and her family behind for a man she met online. Her move would take her to Kansas City, Missouri, where she would keep most of her life secret from her family. Then, in October of 2005, the young woman would be found murdered in a vacant lot. This is Midwest Mystery Files: Episode Nine, the Murder of Lakota Renville.

On a snowy Minnesota night in 1993, a seventeen-year-old girl would accompany her friend to a job interview. The girl was looking for a second job, and as luck would have it, her friends boss was looking for help. The cold, snowy night would soon turn even colder though, as the young girl would never return home, nor would she ever be seen again. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 8, the Disappearance of Hang Lee

In 2006, the decomposed bodies of two females would be found in roadside ditches in rural Mills County, Iowa, just across the Missouri River from Nebraska. The first victim would be found in June, with the next being uncovered in November. The victims would be traced back to Omaha, where a man who may hold the answers to the women's murders takes his own life to avoid justice being served for his own involvement in a murder from 23 years earlier. The is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 7, The Murders of Brianne Smith and Debra Barajas.

Bay Village, Ohio, 1989. On a fall day in late October, a 10 year old girl would visit the Bay Village Shopping Center after school with plans to pick out a present for her mother. Little did she know though, that she had been tricked into a ruse with much darker intentions. A ruse that would kick off one of the biggest murder cases in Ohio history. This is Midwest Mystery Files Episode 6: The Abduction and Murder of Amy Mihaljevic

In 2009, a Milwaukee teen would clock out of her job at a local Arby's, proceed to go home, spend time with family, and then suffer a terrible fate at the hands of a home invader, an invader who had only one clear motive. Then in 2016, a young Chicago teen would walk a young female friend home, and then suffer one of the most horrific deaths Imaginable. Was his murder at the hands of street gangs, or someone else? This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode five, the Horrific Murders of Ashleigh Love and Demetrius Griffin Jr.

In 1983, two men would make a horrific discovery in an abandoned building in St. Louis, Missouri. It would be the start of the most notorious cold case in St. Louis History. This is Episode 4: The St. Louis Jane Doe

In the 1970"s, the town of Waverly, Iowa would be shaken to it's core by the murder of three young woman. Were they three isolated incidents, or was a murderer with a proclivity for strangling young women stalking the streets of Waverly? In part 3, we take a look at Lisa Peak, who disappeared on Labor Day 1976, only to be found murdered the next day..

In the 1970"s, the town of Waverly, Iowa would be shaken to it's core by the murder of three young woman. Were they three isolated incidents, or was a murderer with a proclivity for strangling young women stalking the streets of Waverly? In part 2, we take a look at Julie Benning who disappeared in November of 1975, only to be found murdered the following spring.

In the 1970"s, the town of Waverly, Iowa would be shaken to it's core by the murder of three young woman. Were they three isolated incidents, or was a murderer with a proclivity for strangling young women stalking the streets of Waverly? In this debut episode, we take a look at the first victim: Valerie Lynn Klossowsky

Midwest Mystery Files: A new true crime podcast focused on unsolved missing and murdered cases within America's Heartland