Dead On: A True Crime Podcast

30/11/2022

For 65 years, the identity of the boy in the box remained a mystery. Finally, thanks to DNA analysis and genetic genealogy, he will be given back his name!

Police in Philadelphia have confirmed that his name will be revealed within the next week.

On February 25 1957, the body of a young boy was discovered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He’d been badly beaten and his cause of death was determined to be homicide by blunt force trauma. He’d been stuffed in a bassinet box and dumped on Susquehanna Road.

It was clear his short life was marred by trauma and pain, his body a dark patchwork of bruising, malnourishment, and scarring.

I hope that identifying him can give him, and anyone who loved him, a small measure of closure in this long cold mystery. Rest in peace, sweet boy.

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/the-boy-in-the-box-americas-unknown-child-philadelphia-police-name/

Police tell CBS3 Investigations they have the name of a little boy that eventually became known as "America's Unknown Child."

28/05/2022

For 31 years, the identity of the El Dorado Jane Doe remained a mystery.

Finally, the lovely Kelly has been given back her name. But it breaks my heart to learn that her tragic death followed a troubled, turbulent life.

Rest In Peace, Kelly. May angels lead you in.

27/05/2022

🚨 Update on the unidentified deceased child discovered in Indiana, including a possible cause of death.

This is a photo of the suitcase he was discovered inside. Do you recognise it? Does the little boy’s description sound familiar?

☎️ If you have any information that might assist investigators, please call the tip line on 1-888-437-6432

Investigators receive Autopsy and Toxicology Report in Unknown Child Death Investigation

Sellersburg - Friday, May 27, 2022: Detectives and investigators with the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg received the official autopsy and toxicology report regarding the unidentified child found in a suitcase in rural Washington County on April 16th, 2022.

The official autopsy report attributes the child’s death to “electrolyte imbalance”. The report also states the imbalance was likely from “a viral gastroenteritis” and says the blood toxicology was “negative”. The report further states there was an “absence of significant traumatic injuries”, advising there was “no anatomical cause of death”.

After the autopsy results were released, detectives also stated they have no evidence which leads them to believe the child was alive when placed into the suitcase, and that the child was clothed and clean. Although the autopsy report states the child is of unknown age, investigators still believe the boy was approximately five years old at the time of his death.

Investigators continue to utilize a variety of investigative techniques and have worked with several outside agencies during this investigation. Although numerous tips have been called into the nationwide tip line, detectives have not been able to identify the boy. Investigators are not ruling out the possibility that the child could be from out of state or even out of the country.

The unidentified child is described as a young, black male approximately five years old. The child is approximately four feet tall and has a slim build and a short haircut. The child’s body was found inside a closed hard case suitcase with a distinctive Las Vegas design on its front and back. The suitcase was located approximately 80 feet off Holder Road in a heavily wooded area of eastern Washington County which is located in southern Indiana.

If anyone has information regarding this case, they are encouraged to call the nationwide toll-free tip line at 1-888-437-6432.

Original news releases listed below.


1. ISP Requests Public’s Assistance in Death Investigation of Child

Washington County - The Indiana State Police in Sellersburg are requesting the public's assistance in a death investigation that began on Saturday, April 16, 2022.

Around 7:30 Saturday evening, while mushroom hunting, an area resident found the body of a black male child near a roadway in a heavily wooded area of eastern Washington County. The resident immediately called 911 and the Washington County Sheriff's Department responded. Detectives with the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg were then called to investigate.

At this time in the investigation, detectives need the public's help in identifying the child. He is described as being a young, black male between the ages of five years old and eight years old. The child is approximately four feet tall and has a slim build and a short haircut. Investigators believe the child's death occurred sometime within the last week.

Investigators have not released a time or cause of death as an autopsy is pending.

2. ISP Continues to ask for Public’s Help in Identification of Deceased Child

Sellersburg – April 19, 2022: Detectives with the Indiana State Police continue to ask for the public’s help in identifying a deceased child located in rural Washington County on Saturday.

A toll-free tip line was established on Monday, and Investigators have received approximately 200 calls from the public. Unfortunately, none of those calls have led to the identification of the deceased child. Many of those calls related to information of children already documented as missing. Investigators are thankful for all the tips that are coming in but ask that the public does not send information on children already documented as missing at this time. Investigators say those cases are already being looked in to.

An autopsy was conducted on Tuesday; however, no information as to the cause of death was determined. Results of the toxicology report are still pending, and investigators are hopeful that information will shed more light on the cause of death.

Based on information provided by the autopsy, Investigators believe the child is approximately 5 years old. He is described as a black male, approximately four feet tall, with a slender build and short haircut.

Investigators are now releasing the location where the child was located as the 7000 block of East Holder Road in Washington County. Tragically, the child was located inside a closed hard case suitcase. The suitcase has a distinctive Las Vegas design on its front and back and a photo is attached to this news release. Investigators hope this image will lead to more specific tips and the identification of the child.

Anyone with information is asked to call the toll-free number established for this case: 1-888-437-6432.

26/05/2022

🚨 Can you give me back my name? 🚨

▪️Unidentified deceased Black male child
▪️Approximately 5 years old
▪️Approximately 4 feet tall with a slender build
▪️Short haircut
▪️ Clean, well cared for teeth

🗓 Discovered on April 16 2022
🗓 Estimated time of death within one week of discovery.
📍 80 feet off the 7000 block of East Holder Road in Washington County, Indiana 🇺🇸

▪️The young boy’s remains were found inside a hard shell suitcase with a distinct Las Vegas print.

❤️ Please give him back his name and his family so he can be laid to rest.

☎️ If you have information, call the toll free tip line:
1-888-437-6432

13/05/2022

It’s horrifying to find out that people who abuse children deliberately put themselves in roles that provide a duty of care for children. Operation Arkstone is an invaluable investigation by the AFP that has stopped numerous predators from further harming children.

Well done, AFP 👏

A 31-year-old Western Sydney soccer coach has been sentenced to 30 years' jail for his role in an online child abuse network.

The man was arrested during a search warrant at his home in May 2021 were he made admissions to s*xually assaulting seven children he had in his care over at least three years. He also admitted to producing and transmitting child abuse material to numerous other people.

The man was one of 26 men arrested under a nationwide investigation known as Operation Arkstone – an AFP-led, large-scale child protection operation.

The investigation began in February 2020 when a 30-year-old Central Coast man was arrested for child abuse offences. This arrest led to AFP investigators and forensic specialists identifying other potential offenders, with the evidence from each arrest used to locate more people.

The digital trail from the first arrest has currently identified 56 child victims in Australia who have been removed from further harm, twenty-six Australian males have been charged with 1,352 offences and 154 international referrals to overseas law enforcement agencies.

➡️ Read more: www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/operation-arkstone-sydney-man-sentenced-after-pleading-guilty-179-child

09/04/2022

If you have information about the death of Arthur Haines, please contact Crimestoppers. There’s $1 million reward for information and a million reasons to come forward and share what you know.

***WARNING*** Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this post contains the images of deceased people.

Homicide Squad detectives are renewing their appeal for public information on the 24th anniversary of a fire which killed 13-year-old Arthur Haines.

About 10.30pm on Thursday 9 April 1998, emergency services responded to reports of a fire at a house on Walker Street, Waterloo.

Arthur Haines, aged 13, who was sleeping over at his friend’s house, became trapped on the top floor of the burning home. The teenager managed to escape the blaze and was taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead with severe burns. He died 11 weeks later.

After a scientific examination of the crime scene, it was determined that the house fire was deliberately lit.

Despite exhaustive investigations by officers from South Sydney Police Area Command, no one has ever been charged in relation to the blaze.

The matter underwent a formal review and in January 2020 was referred to detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad for re-investigation under Strike Force Belemba II.

Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said police continue to examine several lines of inquiry and a $1 million reward for information remains in place.

“It’s been 24 years to the day since Arthur was horrifically injured in a deliberately lit fire that subsequently took his life and left a mother without her only son,” Det Supt Doherty said.

“I want this anniversary to be seen as a further opportunity for people to come forward with information, and remind everyone that a $1 million reward is still on offer.

“Investigators are still seeking any information on a white 1987 VL commodore and its occupants who we believe were responsible for throwing a Molotov cocktail that caused the fatal fire,” Det Supt Doherty said.

31/03/2022

🚨 MISSING PERSON
❤️ Jade Victoria Risso
📍 Rocky Point, New York
☎️ If you have information, contact the Suffolk County Police on 631-852-8740 or 631-258-8463

Please help…Have you seen Jade? One of our members, Nick Risso’s, daughter is missing. If anyone has any information or has seen Jade please contact the Suffolk Police department at the number listed. Thank you.
UPDATE: Jade was found and is home with her family. Thank you all for your help and prayers.

16/02/2022

Remember when Channel 7 incorrectly identified Terrance Flowers as the man who abducted Cleo Smith? Well Terrance and Channel 7 have finally reached an agreeable settlement.

Hope they made it rain for you, mate. There’s no excuse to accuse the wrong person of a hideous crime.

Lawyers for Terrance Flowers said he is very happy with the settlement and is looking forward to getting on with his life.

01/02/2022

While it’s tempting to share adorable back to school photos of your kiddos, it’s important to be careful about the info you’re sharing. The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation has some handy tips for protecting your child’s privacy.

It's natural to want your family and friends to see your children growing up and starting a new school year. Unfortunately, oversharing images and details about your children can make them a target for child s*x offenders.

Before you post, consider your security settings and review your friends list to ensure you're happy for all of them to see your child's photos. There are some great alternatives to posting online, such as a video call directly with loved ones, a private shared photo album, or sending the photo directly to the ones you want to see.

For more prevention tips, visit www.thinkuknow.org.au ThinkUKnow Australia

24/01/2022

Terence Kelly pleads guilty to abducting Cleo Smith from the Blowholes campsite.

The man accused of abducting four-year-old Cleo Smith from her family and holding her for 18 days at his house in the West Australian town of Carnarvon has pleaded guilty to a charge of child stealing.

19/01/2022

🚨 MISSING PERSON
❤️ Marion Barter

18/01/2022

Following the disappearance of 9 year old Charlise Mutten from a property in the blue mountains, her mother’s fiancé, Justin Stein, has been charged with murder.

I’ll never understand how anyone could harm a child. 💔 Why couldn’t they just put her on a plane and send her back to her nan?

Rest In Peace, sweet angel. You deserved so much better. ❤️

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.9news.com.au/article/65f0128c-58c8-4b09-9618-66c1fd3861ac

Man charged with murder after girl, 9, went missing in Blue MountainsBy Adam Vidler6:46am Jan 19, 2022 Tweet Facebook Mail A man has been charged with murder over the disappearance of a nine-year-old girl in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney.The girl was reported missing from Mt Wilson since Friday,...

13/01/2022

On January 22 2007, Karen Bodine’s body was found at the entrance to a gravel pit on Little Rock Road in Rochester, WA. The area was a known dumping ground for stolen cars and illegal trash disposal. In other words, her killer had disposed of her like she was garbage. 😰

Karen was found lying on her back with her head lying on a discarded car seat. Her cause of death was strangulation.

Shortly before her body was discovered, a small, brown, early-1980's vehicle (possibly a Datsun) with a lighter-colored camper shell had been spotted in the area.

Despite the horrific nature of her death, sadly the police and the media victim blamed her. How many times have we seen this behaviour lead to cases going unsolved? Too many to count. 😥

Unfortunately Karen’s case has gone unsolved to this day. Karen deserves justice. Her children deserve to see someone pay for this crime.

This January 22 is the 15 year anniversary of Karen’s death. Her daughter Karlee Odin is holding a vigil to remember her beautiful mother. If you want to support Karen and her family, please attend the vigil:
🗓 Friday January 22
⏰ 3-7pm
📍 Little Rock Road and Sargent Road
Rochester, WA

Join the Facebook group to support the fight for justice:
https://m.facebook.com/JusticeForMyMom.KarenBodine

You can find out more about the case here:
https://www.karenbodine.com

Bring justice for Karen Bodine's killer and peace to her family.

12/01/2022

Hey fam 👋 Just wanted to let y’all know I’m taking a break for the month of January.

This year has hit me like a ton of bricks and ya girl is in desperate need of a break. 😅

Which seems like a timely moment to check in with you. How are you coping at the moment? ❤️

11/01/2022

Classic Bob Durst. Never did want to face consequences for his actions. Good riddance 👋

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/100748836

The wealthy New York real estate heir and failed fugitive was convicted of killing his best friend and sentenced to life in prison after being the subject of a true-crime series titled The Jinx.

01/01/2022

Orange looks good on you, girl 💅

28/12/2021

The two children from Mudgee have been located! ❤️