Cardinal Crimes

In October of 1970, a maid at the Travel Inn in Meridian, Mississippi discovered the body of 23-year-old Jack McDonald. He had been murdered by multiple blows to the head with an ax or hatchet-like instrument. 

The investigation into the murder of Jack McDonald remains unsolved, but today, many believe he may have been murdered by the same man who killed William Kyle, Rose Burkert, and Roger Atkison. 

In part five we will go over everything we know about Jack's case and the similarities between this scene and the two others we have discussed in this se...

Today we have a bonus episode coming to you from my car! There are a few developing crime related stories I wanted to talk about, including the Louvre heist. Then, I have thoughts on a few documentaries and Netflix series. I talk about Death in Apartment 603, What Happened to Ellen Greenberg (HULU), My Father, the BTK Killer (NETFLIX), MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story (NETFLIX), and The Perfect Neighbor (NETFLIX). 

If you have any information on the murder of Kada Scott please call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477).

If you have any information on t...

On Wednesday, June 25, 1980, workers at the Sheraton Motor Inn in Galesburg, Illinois, found the body of William Kyle, a lumber salesman, brutally murdered in his hotel room.

To this day, Kyle’s murder remains unsolved, but the crime scene contains many similarities to that of Rose Burkert and Roger Atkison’s murder. In this episode, we cover what we know of the murder of William Kyle, and discuss the similarities and differences between the two scenes. 

If you have any information on the murder of William Kyle, please contact the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at 309...

The brutal 1980 murders of Rose Burkert and Roger Atkison have puzzled investigators for decades. While suspicion has often fallen on people close to the couple, the list of potential suspects has grown far beyond their inner circle.

In this episode, we explore the individuals who’ve been investigated over the years — from those who knew Rose and Roger personally to complete outsiders. We break down possible motives, examine what evidence cleared (or didn’t clear) them, and look at how investigators reached their conclusions.

And at the end, we take an unexpected turn: could one “ruled-ou...

On September 12, 1980, Rose Burkert and Roger Atkison were brutally murdered at a Holiday Inn in Williamsburg, Iowa. To this day, this case remains unsolved. In part one, we went through the crime scene in detail. 

Today, in part two, we step beyond the crime scene and into the investigation that followed. Who were Rose Burkert and Roger Atkison, and what brought them to that Holiday Inn room on the night of their deaths? We trace their final movements, reconstruct the timeline, and examine how investigators first pursued the case. 

SOURCES (Full list of sources available up...

On September 13, 1980, a housekeeper at the Holiday Inn in Williamsburg, Iowa, discovered a horrifying scene: Rose Burkert and Roger Atkison had been brutally murdered in their hotel room bed. More than four decades later, their case remains unsolved. But could the answers be closer than ever?

In part one, we dive deep into the crime scene itself, piecing together details from decades of media coverage and released crime scene photos. The scene is puzzling, but hidden within it may be critical clues about who committed this violent crime.

Later in this series we will talk...

This week, we’re revisiting a past episode with freshly cleaned-up audio before diving into a brand-new cold case next week. This particular interview is one I’m especially proud of. It was such an honor to speak with someone with such knowledge and dedication to ending domestic violence and pursuing real solutions. I hope you enjoy listening, and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell, a national leader in research and advocacy in the field of domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV). She has authored or co...

Laura Van Wyhe spent the evening of Friday, October 25, 1996 celebrating her recent 21st birthday with family and friends. Hours later, around 2 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 1996, she was found critically injured along Highway 136 near Kahoka, Missouri. She later died from her injuries at an Illinois hospital.

While her injuries led investigators to believe she had been struck by a vehicle, the scene as a whole suggested she had been moved, and that she might have been struck on purpose. 

What happened to Laura Van Wyhe? 

SOURCES: 

On July 30, 2011, a massive fire destroyed the home of Bill and Kay Wood. One victim was found in the rubble, and testing would later confirm the remains were those of Bill. An autopsy revealed he had been shot several times before the fire. Kay's remains were not found in the home. The couple's vehicle was found during the fire, 170 miles south in Kansas City, MO, and an unidentified male was seen walking nearby. 

To this day, the cause of the fire remains unknown, the murder of Bill and disappearance of Kay remain unsolved, and the identity of t...

On July 30, 2011, firefighters rushed to a massive late-night blaze in Norwalk, Iowa. When the flames were finally extinguished, the charred remains of 79-year-old Bill Wood were discovered inside. His wife, Kay, was missing, and the couple’s truck turned up abandoned over 170 miles away in Kansas City, Missouri, with witnesses reporting a lone man walking from the vehicle.

Weeks of investigation revealed a chilling detail: Bill Wood hadn’t died in the fire—he had been shot before it ever began. Yet more than a decade later, questions linger. Who killed Bill Wood? What sparked the fire that d...

In the early morning hours of July 4, 2001, Crystal Arensdorf vanished after being out at a bar in Dubuque, Iowa with friends. After countless searches, interviews, and months of investigating, there was no sign of the 20-year-old. In fact, no one ever saw Crystal leave the bar at all. 

In this episode, we go over what we know of her movements before she disappeared, some of the known individuals investigated and ruled out, and talk about some theories of what might have happened to her. 

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Inv Da...

In 2004, an analyst from the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation discovered a pattern of murdered women dumped along the Interstate 40 corridor in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Her work eventually led to the creation of the FBI’s Highway Serial Killings Initiative. 

In today’s episode, I sit down with Frank Figliuzzi, former FBI Assistant Director and author of Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers. In his book, Figliuzzi examines the Highway Serial Killings Initiative and takes readers inside the worlds of long-haul truckers, sex trafficking victims, and the crime analysts working to solve these cases.

Our...

Tammy Zywicki was last seen on Sunday, August 23, 1992, on her way back to college in Grinnell, Iowa. When her parents didn’t receive word that she’d arrived safely, and later learned her vehicle had been abandoned along I-80, they reported her missing, sparking a multi-state search effort. Nine days later, her body was discovered in rural Missouri, hundreds of miles from where she was last seen; she had been murdered.

In this episode, we walk through the timeline of her disappearance, the search efforts that followed, the discovery of her remains, and some of the investigative aven...

Almost a year after the abduction of Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins from Evansdale, Iowa, two more young girls would be abducted from a town just under two hours away. On May 20, 2013, 15-year-old Kathlynn Shephard and 12-year-old Dezi Hughes were kidnapped by a man named Michael Klunder while walking home from school in Dayton, Iowa. No one could deny the similarities between the two cases. 

In this episode, we will examine Dezi and Kathlynn's abduction, Kathlynn's tragic murder, the investigation into Michael Klunder, and possible connections to Lyric and Elizabeth. 

We will end by discussing ad...

On July 13, 2012, ten-year-old Lyric Cook-Morrissey and eight-year-old Elizabeth Collins went for a bike ride in the quiet town of Evansdale, Iowa and never came home. Their bicycles and a purse were found abandoned, sparking a massive search effort that gripped the community and the nation. Months later, their remains were discovered in a remote area over 20 miles away.

In this episode we will cover the timeline of their disappearance, the massive search effort, the investigation into their families, and the finding of their remains. 

To this day, their case remains unsolved. But that doesn't mean t...

In this bonus episode (possibly a recurring segment, we'll see), we’re digging into some of the biggest headlines in the crime space. First, we break down Brian Kohberger’s early July plea in the University of Idaho murders and explore how reported patterns of misogyny may have played a role in his actions. Then, we discuss the new Hulu docuseries Her Last Broadcast, which revisits the 1995 abduction of Jodi Huisentruit. While I haven’t watched it yet, we highlight some key clarifications the series brings to light. Lastly, we reflect on the recent sentencing of a former Kentucky police...

In the final part of our series on the “milk carton kids,” we turn our focus to Marc Allen, a 13-year-old who disappeared in 1986 under circumstances somewhat similar to that of Johnny Gosch and Eugene Martin. Though Marc’s face never appeared on a milk carton, his case is often linked to Johnny and Eugene. Was there a connection, or are these unsolved disappearances just tragic coincidences?

We will examine the details of Marc Allen’s disappearance, explore the theories that have surrounded these cases for decades, and reflect on the impact they’ve had on families, communitie...

Almost exactly two years after the abduction of 12-year-old paper boy Johnny Gosch, another young paperboy was abducted. In this episode, we examine the 1984 abduction of 13-year-old Eugene Martin, a Des Moines paperboy whose disappearance prompted national attention and contributed to the launch of the milk carton campaign. We begin with a look at how effective that campaign really was before walking through the known timeline of Eugene’s case. We also explore the impact his disappearance had on his family and highlight the key similarities and differences between Eugene’s case and the earlier abduction of Johnny Gosch.

Have you heard of the original milk carton kids?

In the first episode of this three-part series, we explore the 1982 disappearance of 12-year-old Johnny Gosch, one of the first missing children to appear on a milk carton. Johnny’s case marked a turning point in how the U.S. approached missing child investigations and sparked ongoing discussions about child safety, media attention, and law enforcement response. We’ll walk through the timeline of events, examine key developments, and consider the lasting impact of Johnny’s story on his family, his community, and the nation.

SOURCES: 

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We are revisiting this episode as I was able to clean up the audio that was a little off in the original recording! I hope you enjoy it. 

In this episode, I sit down with Janine Latus, an award-winning journalist, domestic violence survivor, and author of the New York Times and internationally bestselling book If I am Missing or Dead: a Sister’s Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation.

Janine’s book is phenomenal, tragic, eye-opening, and relatable. It is a beautifully written account of a woman who escaped years of domestic violence and abuse by me...

Corinne Perry was last seen at the Highlander Laundromat on April 17, 1983. Her car was left abandoned in the laundromat parking lot, with her clothes folded neatly inside of it. Days later, her purse was found miles away on a bridge. Despite multiple witnesses saying a man -- about 6 feet tall, with a medium build and medium-length brown hair, clean shaven, and wearing glasses -- followed Corinne out of the laundromat, there was no sign of him or her. 

Her remains were discovered a mile from where her purse was found over a year later, and to this d...

This June is the 30-year anniversary of Jodi Huisentruit’s disappearance and abduction. She was abducted from her apartment complex parking lot on June 27th, 1995. I covered this case in a different episode when we sat down with Scott Fuller from FindJodi, but I wanted to present the information in her case in a new format with the upcoming anniversary. In this episode, we will go over the details of her abduction, how she spent her time in the weeks and days before her disappearance, and what investigative paths police have gone down over the years, including some recent up...

On November 2nd, 2021, two 16-year-old boys beat their 66-year-old Spanish teacher, Nohema Graber, to death. The reasoning? They were getting bad grades in her class. The murder of Nohema Graber stunned the community of Fairfield, Iowa, and the nation. In this episode we discuss the timeline of events, how the two teens stalked and meticulously planned their crimes, and discuss what transpired at their sentencing hearings. How could two teenage boys do something so depraved? 

This is the last episode looking at young men who turn to violence, a quick series I wanted to do after watching t...

In this episode, we discuss the tragic murder of 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey by 14-year-old Aiden Fucci. I wanted to cover this case after watching the Netflix series Adolescence, a four-part series that dives into the epidemic of violence against women and girls, the radicalization of young men, and tries to answer the question “Why?”. 

In this episode, we attempt to answer that same question. We talk about the investigation into the murder of Tristyn Bailey, review police reports from that investigation, and discuss psychologist findings on Aiden Fucci’s mental state. 

Ove...

When Denise Fraley went missing in 1982, her husband was immediately suspected of having been involved. Not only because of his bizarre and changing stories about what happened to her, but because of a history of domestic violence in their marriage. 

Over 40 years have passed with nothing bringing investigators or Denise’s family closer to knowing what happened. But will advancements in forensic technology bring the evidence needed to move the case forward? 

If you have any information about Denise Fraley, please call the Cedar Rapids Police Department at 319-286-544...

On October 13, 2016, Jesse Leopold, 23, left work during the middle of his shift and was never seen again. Days later, his truck was found abandoned at Ledges State Park in Iowa. While multiple searches have been conducted at the Ledges State Park, the current Sheriff openly questions the efficacy of and quality of those previous efforts.

Over the last nine years, Jesse’s father Jerry has worked tirelessly to find answers to what happened to his son. Jerry’s own investigation suggests foul play was involved, a theory law enforcement seems to disagree with. 

If you have...

In early 2023 it was revealed that the Walker County Jail in Jasper, Alabama attempted to cover up the abuse and death of an inmate in their custody. The inmate, Anthony Mitchell, was forced to endure horrific conditions at the jail and was repeatedly denied medical treatment. 

In part 2 of our coverage of this case, we talk about the hours before Anthony Mitchell’s death and the inaction from the staff at the Walker County Jail, the correctional officer who brought this story to a national stage, and how Anthony Mitchell’s death is just one example of a lar...

In early 2023 it was revealed that the Walker County Jail in Jasper, Alabama attempted to cover up the abuse and death of an inmate in their custody. The inmate, Anthony Mitchell, was forced to endure horrific conditions at the jail and was repeatedly denied medical treatment which directly contributed to his death.

In this episode, we will discuss the circumstances surrounding Anthony Mitchell’s arrest, what his medical records reveal about his death, and the inhumane conditions he was forced to endure. 

If you or someone you know struggles with substance use or mental health, hel...

On July 12, 1979, a fire at the Hill Top Motel in Red Oak, Iowa claimed the life of 3-year-old Keara Coshow. Investigators were quick to rule Keara’s death a tragic accident: the result of spilled paint thinner being ignited by a gas heater. But suspicions of child abuse by Keara’s stepmother, including an incident that left the 3-year-old almost completely blind, have prompted a decades-long fight for answers from Keara’s sister and other family members. 

In this episode, we discuss the original 1979 investigation report, Keara’s older sister’s recollection of the day of the fire, and t...

Elizabeth Syperda, 22 years old, was last seen on July 16, 2000, at her apartment in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Almost immediately, her estranged husband, Michael Syperda, was suspected of having harmed her. The relationship between Elizabeth and Michael was extremely abusive, with Elizabeth having left him just a month before her disappearance. 

With no sign of Elizabeth, the case went cold. However, seventeen years after her disappearance, Michael Syperda was charged with first-degree murder, despite Elizabeth's remains never being located. 

In this episode, we discuss Elizabeth and Michael's relationship, his unrelenting abuse, and his eventual murder trial. 

I...

In this episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Garrett B., a male victim of intimate partner violence. We have heard from victims of intimate partner violence before, but all of those were from a woman’s perspective. In this conversation, we talk about the barriers men face as victims of domestic violence, including not being believed, being laughed at, and not recognizing that they are being abused. 

If you are in an abusive relationship, there is help. Check out https://www.thehotline.org for resources. 

The Danger Assessment Tool can also aid in iden...

In December of 1993, two senior citizens - Gladys Held and Jacob Biretz -  were murdered within one day and three blocks of one another, and their cases remain unsolved to this day. Residents of Waterloo, Iowa in the 1990’s were frustrated with what they perceived to be rising rates of violent crime, and specifically crimes targeting seniors. Who murdered these two elderly Waterloo residents? Did the perpetrator go on to kill again? 

SOURCES:

Support the show by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Leaving a five star review also helps us reach more listeners! 

Watch this episode on YouTube!

In this episode, I chat with Julia Cowley, a former FBI Profiler and forensic scientist with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the host of The Consult podcast. We talk about her path to working for the FBI and how she then became a Profiler with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). We talk about analyzing criminal behavior, victimology, and crime prevention.

Subscribe to Cardinal Crimes on YouTube! 

On May 26, 1998, Patricia Jauron, a middle school secretary beloved by her community, was found brutally murdered outside of her old home in Sioux City, Iowa. Patricia had reportedly gone to her old home to meet someone interested in purchasing an old bed, that person, and the red car seen near her home, were never located. 

Decades later, this murder remains unsolved. Was this a random act of violence, or was the killer someone closer to home? 

SOURCES: 

In this episode, I talk with Brett Talley from The Prosecutors Podcast. Brett knew early on that he wanted to be a lawyer. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he decided against the “standard” law firm track and went into public service as a prosecutor in 2018. We talk about sexual assault conviction rates and rehabilitation programs, and I get his perspective on decriminalization and “crisis response teams”. 

We also touch on ethics in "true-crime" and how social media has changed how high-profile cases are covered and portrayed. 

I hope you enjoy...

In this episode I sit down with Janine Latus, an award-winning journalist, domestic violence survivor, and author of the New York Times and Internationally bestselling book If I am Missing or Dead: a Sister’s Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation.

In April 2002, Janine received a call that her younger sister, Amy, was missing. Janine’s response was, “That bastard killed her.” Amy had been murdered. Janine’s book is phenomenal, tragic, eye-opening, and relatable. It is a beautifully written account of a woman who escaped years of domestic violence and abuse by men and her si...

In this episode, we dive into the tragic murder of Mary Bernice Lange, a mother of three and respected clerk with the Burlington, Iowa Municipal Court. We review the timeline of her last known movements, discuss the evidence in the case, and discuss her relationships. 

Despite investigators at the time indicating they had a clear suspect who could be arrested at any time, Mary’s murder remains unsolved to this day. 

If you have any information on the unsolved murder of Mary Bernice Lange please contact Iowa’s new Cold Case Unit at coldcase@ag.iowa.g...

Jodi Huisentruit was abducted from her apartment complex parking lot on June 27, 1995, in Mason City, Iowa. Her case is well known among many Iowans because of her profession as a morning news anchor and because of the dedication of the journalists who run FindJodi, a nonprofit organization that aims to keep her case out in the public. 

In this episode, I speak with Scott Fuller, a journalist who has volunteered with FindJodi for over five years. We discuss the details of her case, the mission of FindJodi, the importance of keeping her case in the public, and h...

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell, a national leader in research and advocacy in the field of domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV). She has authored or co-authored more than 230 publications and seven books on violence and health outcomes. Her studies paved the way for a growing body of interdisciplinary investigations by researchers in the disciplines of nursing, medicine, and public health.

We discuss the Danger Assessment Tool, behaviors indicating a woman is at a heightened risk of being killed by their partner, the problems with current court-mandated programs for abusers, the Violence Against...

The murder of Dorothy Miller is Burlington, Iowa’s oldest cold case. Dorothy was a 48-year-old real estate agent who was brutally murdered while showing a prospective client a home in August of 1969. The man she showed the home to was never seen again, despite Dorothy’s own husband and many witnesses seeing him the day and evening of the murder. 

This case is baffling, and the behavior exhibited by the assumed killer makes many believe Dorothy wasn’t his first victim… or last. 

SOURCES: 

In this bonus episode, I give a quick rundown of some current missing children cases: 

We also give a quick wrap-up of current crime news:

Hawaii crime boss Michael Miske was found dead in his cell at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu on December 1st, according to the...

In this episode, I speak with Leah Zeiger, a survivor of teenage intimate partner violence and the founder of The Sunflower Project. Her organization uses art to heal and build community for young survivors of abusive relationships. 

In this conversation, we discuss the impact her experience had on her friendships, how the criminal justice system can often re-traumatize victims, and how survivors are everywhere. 

If you are experiencing or think you may be experiencing violence in your relationship, you can find help at www.thehotline.org, or by texting START to 88788.

You can ch...

On May 5, 2011, 50-year-old Dawn Allen failed to show up for work at Subway in Carroll, Iowa. Days later, the man investigators believed held the key to her disappearance, James Snovelle, took his own life in Kansas, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and unsettling revelations about his double life.

If you have any information about Dawn Allen, please call the Carroll Police Department at 712-792-3536, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at 712-252-0507, or submit a tip through Crime Stoppers.

You can follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube, @cardinalcrimes.

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**The beginning of this video has slight audio/video synch issues, but they improve after just a minute!**

I have a conversation with Jennifer Santanello, whose 20-year-old daughter, Layla Santanello, has been missing since June 27, 2023. She was last seen walking barefoot out of a patch of woods around 6:15 a.m. near the Americourt Hotel in Kingsport, Tennessee. After asking some men working at a warehouse for a cigarette, she walked away and vanished.

Jennifer has spent almost every waking moment since working to keep her daughter’s story in the media. In this episode, I ta...