Sara Goldenberg

26/07/2024

Happy Friday!

25/07/2024

IDENTIFIED: One of Stark County's John Does has finally been identified after years.

This is Michael Allan Leach of Dover, Tuscarawas County. His skeletal remains were found by an oil well road in a rural part of Canton Township back in March of 2020.

Sheriff George Maier says his death is suspicious and they're now investigating it as a homicide.

This is the first case of more than 20 John and Jane Doe cases in our series Unidentified that has been solved.

17/07/2024

🎙NEW TRUE CRIME PODCAST: Running from Robert

Was he a fugitive or something more? Our new podcast episode explores the investigation into a local man who was living a double life.

Why did the man known as Joseph Newton Chandler abandon his family, steal the identity of a young boy and hide from his past for decades?

We take you inside our journey to learn more, across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and all the way to California.

We also recently released a documentary on this case.
📺LISTEN & WATCH HERE:
https://www.cleveland19.com/2024/07/17/fugitive-or-something-more-new-podcast-explores-investigation-into-local-man-living-double-life/

09/07/2024

COLD CASE UPDATE: There's a new push to identify victims of one of Cleveland’s most infamous serial killers.

For nearly 90 years, the “Torso Murders” have remained unsolved, and most of the killer’s victims have not been identified.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner confirmed to us they are teaming up with DNA Doe Project in a new effort to identify victims of the 1930s cold case murders. They plan to exhume up to three victims and test for DNA to use investigative genetic genealogy in a search for their identities.
https://www.cleveland19.com/2024/07/09/19-investigates-exclusive-unidentified-victims-clevelands-torso-killer-be-exhumed-tested-dna/

08/07/2024

The procession for fallen CPD Officer Jamieson Ritter passed by Third District as hundreds of police officers head to his memorial service at a church downtown. Cleveland 19 News

05/07/2024

KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY: It's been a tough time over the last few months for local law enforcement and their families.
Two police officers have been killed in the line of duty in less than two months in northeast Ohio.

Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin was shot and killed in May while responding to a domestic violence call. He was 23 years old.

Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter was shot and killed while serving a warrant on July 4th. He was 27 years old.

04/07/2024

A sad day for our city and all of northeast Ohio.
A Cleveland Police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 4th: Jamieson Ritter, 27 years old. He also served in the Ohio Army National Guard.

“Ironically, on this day designated for freedom, we are reminded of the evil that tries to impose on our community. However, despite our pain and hurt, we take in the immense sacrifice Officer Ritter gave, and we will honor his memory and compassion. We will continue to carry his legacy in our hearts," said Chief Dorothy Todd.

03/07/2024

Heartbreaking story out of Stark County today.

Wednesday morning, Canton sanitation workers found a body in the southwest area of Canton. Sheriff Maier said the body is believed to be Raychel’s.

26/06/2024

PLEASE SHARE: Rajah McQueen has been missing for 3 years now.

The young mom of two was last seen driving her silver 2018 Nissan Sentra by a gas station near E. 131st Street and Harvard Avenue early in the morning. Hours later, city surveillance cameras captured her car with bullet holes in the roof and rear passenger door. It was being driven by someone else. Rajah and her car were never seen again.

The FBI tells us they've added more investigators to this case.
There is a reward of $30,000 being offered through the FBI and Crime Stoppers for information leading to Rajah's whereabouts or her missing car. Tips can remain anonymous. You can call the FBI tip line at 216-583-5383 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

25/06/2024

Fighting violent crime: a new effort to solve violent crimes here in northeast Ohio was in the national spotlight Tuesday.

19 Investigates was there as U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and ATF Director Steven Dettelbach toured a new Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) in Cleveland.

We looked into how it helps with crime prevention by helping investigators track down the most dangerous, often repeat criminals. More than 30 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will partner up here.

“We can identify them locate them, arrest them, prosecute them. Removing them from the cycle of violence is going to make for safer communities,” said Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel.

23/06/2024

Had a great time at the Great Lakes Emmys last night!

20/06/2024

Navigating the world of investigative journalism like a pro, thanks to my amazing colleague Sara Goldenberg a talented vet in the field! So much to learn at the IRE conference in Anaheim. Watch out, news world - we're coming for you! 🤓🗞️

20/06/2024

I'm out in California this week at an incredible journalism conference called .
Enjoyed speaking on a panel at and learning from the best investigative journalists out there!

14/06/2024

UNSOLVED: Where are Melvin & Florence Shoemaker?
A divorced couple went missing nearly a decade apart.
Melvin Shoemaker, 71, has been missing since 1994.
Florence Shoemaker, 76, has been missing since 2003.

Detectives are teaming up to try new methods to solve these cold cases. They'll be presenting in front of the Vidocq Society in Philadelphia next week, an elite group of cold case experts from across the country.
WATCH HERE: https://www.cleveland19.com/2024/06/12/detectives-team-up-solve-cold-case-disappearances-divorced-couple/

04/06/2024

Heartbreaking news out of North Olmsted today, after a mother and her toddler were stabbed in a parking lot of a shopping center yesterday. The 3-year-old boy has passed away. A suspect is in custody.

The child mother’s was also stabbed. Her condition has not been released.

30/05/2024

WATCH NOW: Our new true crime documentary, Running from Robert. Could a man living a double life be hiding a dark secret?
The man known as Joseph Newton Chandler left his family, stole a young boy's identity and hid in plain sight for decades.
Even after his death, U.S. Marshals want to know why.

You can also watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnWn2GrON5A

Was he a fugitive, an infamous serial killer or just running from his past?

27/05/2024

We pay tribute those who laid their lives on the line and honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice on this Memorial Day.

We are free because of the brave. ❤️🤍💙

24/05/2024

NEW TRUE CRIME DOCUMENTARY: Running from Robert.
Why was the man known as Joseph Newton Chandler living a double life for more than two decades in a Cleveland suburb?
His secret was discovered after he died by su***de back in 2002.
In the 70s, he stole a child's identity and moved across the country from the West Coast to start a new life. What would it take to find his real name? And why did he leave his family and disappear off the map for decades?

U.S. Marshals believe there's more to this story.
Was he a fugitive, a bank robber, an infamous serial killer?
We take you inside the case and speak to his son.
WATCH Monday at 3 p.m. on Cleveland 19 News.

15/05/2024

LINE OF DUTY DEATHS: The number of police officers shot and killed in the line of duty are up dramatically this year, according to the FOP. As northeast Ohio mourns the death of Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin, we looked into the context behind these numbers.

13/05/2024

Killed in the line of duty: Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin was just 23 years old. He was shot and killed responding to a scene this weekend. He was in the Army Reserves and getting married this July. Agencies across Ohio are mourning his death.

The Northeast Ohio police community is coming together to support the Euclid Police Department following the murder of one of their officers in the line of duty.

10/05/2024

Happy Friday!
You never know where this job will take you..
This pic is from more than a decade ago, out boating on a lake somewhere in Oklahoma for a story!

03/05/2024

Kentucky Derby countdown 🐎
A pic from my first trip to Louisville last fall!

02/05/2024

What a great week to have a few days off and enjoy this beautiful weather! Have you added some flowers to your deck or garden yet? 🌷

26/04/2024

Emmy-nominated series: I'm so proud of the hard work we've put into this series, Unidentified, over the last 6+ months. It has now been nominated for a regional Emmy for the second time. We've covered more than 20 John and Jane Doe cases out of northern Ohio. Please watch and share these stories... so hopefully next we're reporting on several of them being solved! These people and their families deserve answers. Cleveland 19 News
WATCH HERE: https://www.cleveland19.com/unidentified/

25/04/2024

Spring flowers everywhere you look 🌷🌻
Warmer days are on the way!