Did you know experts estimate that there are as many as 10,000 active cults in America right now? It sounds unbelievable—something from the past or a crime documentary—but cults are alive and well in modern society, often hiding behind the mask of religion, self-improvement, or community.
In this week’s video, we take a deep dive into the shocking truth about Cults in America—how they operate, why they’re so powerful, and how you can protect yourself from their influence. 🎥 Watch the full video here ➜ https://youtu.be/RekBdJ0Opng
(This is an uncut, unedited video from one of Synova’s speeches. It was given today at a local library. I apologize for the bad angle and lighting)
Is It Really That Big of a Problem?
You might think cults are rare, but the statistics tell another story. Experts estimate that 3 to 10 million Americans have been involved in cults at some point in their lives. Surveys show about 1% of the U.S. population—roughly 3 million people—are or have been members of cultic groups. Even more alarming, 50,000–100,000 people join or leave cults every single year.
And it’s not just adults. Studies show that 2–3% of high school students report cult membership, while 3% have been recruited at least once. Clearly, this isn’t a fringe issue—it’s a widespread social problem.
What Makes a Group a Cult?
Many people ask: “How do I know if it’s really a cult?” Here are a few defining characteristics experts use to identify them:
Authoritarian, charismatic leadership
An “Us vs. Them” mentality
Exploitation—financial, sexual, or emotional
Isolation from family, friends, and outside information
Suppression of dissent and critical thinking
Promises of salvation, community, or “secret knowledge”
If you see several of these red flags in one group, it’s time to start asking hard questions.
Famous (and Infamous) Cult Examples
History gives us chilling reminders of how far cults can go when left unchecked:
Jonestown / People’s Temple (1978): Over 900 dead in a mass suicide led by Jim Jones.
Branch Davidians (Waco, 1993):76 people died in a fiery standoff with federal agents.
Heaven’s Gate (1997):39 followers took their own lives, believing they’d join a UFO.
NXIVM (2000s–2018): A “self-help” group that turned into a web of coercion, blackmail, and abuse.
While these examples are extreme, the same psychological tactics used in those groups still appear today—in far more subtle and modern ways.
How Cult Leaders Control Their Followers
Cults thrive on psychological manipulation. Here are some of the most common control tactics:
Love-bombing: Showering new recruits with affection and attention.
Fear tactics: Threats of punishment, damnation, or loss of community.
Information control: Limiting access to outside opinions or media.
Isolation: Separating members from friends and family.
Rituals and repetition: Using chants, meetings, or strict schedules to reinforce belief.
Dependency: Making followers financially or emotionally reliant on the group.
Over time, these methods can erode a person’s sense of identity, leaving them fully dependent on the leader or organization.
How to Protect Yourself (and Others)
The best defense against cult influence is education and awareness. Here are some key ways to stay safe:
✅ Stay informed about cult tactics and recruitment methods. ✅ Maintain strong support systems outside any group. ✅ Question leaders who demand total obedience or secrecy. ✅ Recognize manipulation—love-bombing, guilt trips, or fear-based control. ✅ Seek help from professionals or support networks if someone you know is involved in a high-control group.
Final Thoughts
Cults are not just a relic of the past—they’re a current and evolving threat. Whether they appear as churches, wellness movements, or personal growth seminars, the methods are often the same: control, manipulation, and exploitation.
To truly understand how these groups gain and keep power, you need to see the patterns for yourself.
🎥 Watch the full breakdown in our new video: “Cults in America: The Hidden Epidemic” ➜ https://youtu.be/RekBdJ0Opng
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to help spread awareness. Someone you know might need this information.
In 1996, a tragic event shattered a family in Texas. Two young boys lost their lives in their own home, and their mother, Darlie Routier, was accused of killing them. Nearly 30 years later, new evidence suggests she might be innocent. This case highlights how flawed forensics, media bias, and legal mistakes can condemn someone wrongly. It’s a story that makes us ask: did justice really happen, or was she railroaded? Exploring this story reveals shocking errors that may have sent an innocent woman to death row for a crime she didn’t commit.
The Crime Scene and Initial Investigation
The Night of June 6, 1996: What Happened?
At 2:31 a.m., a 911 call blared through the night. Darlie Routier screamed, saying someone broke into her house. She told dispatch she was attacked and her children were stabbed. When first responders arrived, they found chaos: blood everywhere, her wounds severe, and two boys clearly hurt. Yet, there’s a lot of confusion about what truly happened. Police reports claimed her injuries were minor and self-inflicted, but medical records tell another story.
Early Police Response and Crime Scene Contamination
The scene wasn’t secured properly. Multiple officers walked through before the crime scene was officially taped off. Police contaminated evidence—touching and moving things they shouldn’t. Blood samples, fingerprints, and physical clues were all messed up. The police also illegally monitored the family and the scene without proper warrants. This illegal surveillance tainted evidence, making clear-cut conclusions impossible.
Evidence Collection and Handling Errors
Forensics was mishandled from the start. Investigators dusted for fingerprints on the wrong surfaces—they didn’t change tools or procedures. Fibers from evidence were transferred around, and blood samples were contaminated. These mistakes raise questions: was the evidence truly theirs, or was it just a result of sloppy police work? Errors like these make it easier to pin guilt on the wrong suspect.
Forensic Evidence and Expert Testimony: Flaws and Manipulation
Questionable Forensic Analysis
The so-called forensic experts weren’t qualified. They examined fiber and fingerprint samples without proper certification. Their conclusions relied on bad analysis, like saying fibers matched from different sources. The term “superficial wounds” was used repeatedly, but the medical facts told a different story—her wounds were deep and dangerous. The evidence was twisted to fit a narrative that wasn’t true.
The Misuse of Medical and Psychological Evidence
Medical records showed she had severe, life-threatening injuries. Yet, court transcripts claimed her wounds were superficial and self-inflicted. She was on medication—Finfin—that affected memory and decision-making. During high-stress moments, cortisol and adrenaline flood the brain, impairing memory and reactions. Her responses during the attack and the 911 call were natural under extreme stress, yet prosecutors ignored this and claimed she was lying.
The Role of Prosecutorial Influence
The prosecutor repeatedly showed the same videos and images of her dancing at her son’s grave with silly string—doing it over and over. This emotional manipulation aimed to sway the jury’s perception. They used images to create a villain, not based on facts. Evidence like innocent gestures was exploited to paint her as vain or guilty. That’s a form of subconscious programming meant to influence jurors without direct lies.
Media Bias and Public Perception
Media Trials and Character Assassination
From day one, the media painted Darlie as vain and narcissistic. Her appearance, makeup, and plastic surgeries were highlighted repeatedly. No focus was put on her grief or the tragedy she endured. News outlets showed her in unflattering ways, building a narrative of a woman unfit to be a mother. This bias shaped public opinion and likely affected her jury pool.
The Silly String Incident and Its Aftermath
Her young son loved silly string. Someone brought it to his birthday, and she snapped a video of her celebrating at the grave. The media and prosecutors blasted her for “dancing on her son’s grave.” They took out of context a caring gesture and spun it into a sign she was heartless. This misrepresentation stuck for decades, tainting her reputation more than any actual evidence.
Suppression of Family and Defense Voices
The family was silenced by gag orders and legal restrictions, preventing them from speaking out. Police leaked false information to the media, which the court accepted. Her first lawyer—who was overwhelmed—missed opportunities to challenge evidence properly. When new lawyers were finally hired, it was often too late. All this shows how the justice system failed her at every turn.
Systemic Failures: Legal and Judicial Mishandlings
Inadequate Defense and Conflict of Interest
Her original defense attorney was suspicious. He fought to have a conflict of interest declared when a better lawyer was hired secretly. The new lawyer lacked enough time or resources to prepare a solid case. A defendant deserves proper legal representation, but in her case, her defense was hampered from the start.
Illegal Surveillance and Evidence Tampering
Police illegally bugged her phone, recorded her without warrants, and surveilled her home—breaking many laws. They also planted evidence and manipulated samples. For example, fingerprints that didn’t match her were ignored or mishandled. The flawed collection destroyed her chance for a fair trial.
The Role of the Court and Prosecutors
Prosecutors pushed a narrative that wasn’t based on solid evidence. They repeated chosen images to influence the jury, keeping exculpatory evidence out of court. The judge allowed questionable forensic methods without proper scrutiny. This systemic misconduct led to wrongful conviction.
The Question of Innocence and the Search for Truth
Discrepancies in Evidence and Alternate Suspects
DNA and fingerprint evidence tell conflicting stories. For example, a sock with blood didn’t match her, but it was used as a key piece of evidence. Other evidence suggests intruders or unknown suspects could have been involved. Proper forensic analysis shows the possibility of innocence beyond doubt.
Rehabilitation of Reputation and Ongoing Legal Efforts
The Innocence Project and conviction integrity units now review her case. Darlie always maintained she did not kill her children. She refused plea deals to preserve her innocence. Recent discoveries of forensic errors and manipulated evidence give hope that her case could still be overturned.
Psychological and Medical Perspectives
Stress, adrenaline, and medication impair memory and judgment. Experts explain that in such moments, people act instinctively, not deliberately. Judges and juries need to understand trauma responses. Critical thinking and skepticism are vital in wrongful conviction cases.
Evidence that supports her innocence includes:
* bloody fingerprint at crime scene that did not match any family members or police
* bloody sock 75 yards down the alley from the house found within an hour that has boys and Darlie’s DNA on it as well as a limb hair and deer hair
* 911 tape played at trial had portions removed that jury did not hear that strongly supports Darlie’s innocence
* unidentified facial and pubic hairs at crime scene
* Darlie’s nightshirt that has not been tested for DNA .
Conclusions and Key Takeaways
This case exposes dangerous flaws in forensic analysis, police conduct, and media influence. It demonstrates how a woman can be convicted based on sloppy evidence, biased witness testimony, and emotional manipulation. Justice depends on careful review of facts, not assumptions or media hype.
For all of us, it’s a warning: never take evidence at face value. Question what’s presented and dig deeper. Wrongful convictions destroy lives, and this case reminds us to always seek the truth.
Support for reform—like the Innocence Project—are crucial. We should push to end wrongful convictions and ensure fair trials. Justice is not just about catching a suspect—it’s about making sure the right person pays. Sometimes, the real story is hidden beneath the surface. It’s up to us to uncover it.
Call to Action
If you believe in fairness and justice, share this story. Raise awareness about wrongful convictions and flawed evidence. Stay informed, question official narratives, and support efforts to review and overturn wrongful convictions. That’s the only way to prevent innocent lives from being lost forever.
Remember: Justice isn’t just a word; it’s a responsibility we all carry. Seek the truth, question the narrative, and never stop fighting for fairness.
Chaos rules in a small Southeastern Missouri County. Madison County spans 500 square miles and has a population of approximately 13,000 people. The county seat is Fredericktown with a population of approximately 4,000 people. This rural county should be a safe place in beautiful Americana, but it hides a dark secret. Fredericktown is one of the most dangerous places to live in America. Check out this quote from neighborhoodscout.com.
“With a crime rate of 31 per one thousand residents, Fredericktown has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes – from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One’s chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 32.”
I started researching one case sent to me by a desperate grandmother. That case led me to fifteen more. Then I realized this county has had murder, corruption, and chaos since before the Wild West days. This book will start with a lynching by a Fredericktown mob in 1844. Hold onto your seats when you read this one. You’re in for a wild, chaotic ride through rural Missouri.
A young widow writes a children’s book to help her boys deal with the grief of losing their father. A short time later, however, she is arrested for murdering their father. This case captivated the public’s attention because of its dark, complex nature. Kouri Richins is accused of poisoning her husband Eric with a fentanyl-laced cocktail in March 2022. The investigation and legal proceedings have revealed a web of deceit, financial crisis, and possible affairs. Any of these could have been enough of a motive for murder. (CBS News, Court TV)
The Tragic Incident
On March 4, 2022, Eric Richins was found unresponsive at the couple’s home near Park City, Utah. Kouri Richins called 911, stating that her husband was unresponsive. Despite efforts to revive him, the 39-year-old father of three, was pronounced dead at the scene. At first they said he died of a brain aneurysm, but an autopsy later revealed that he had five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in his system. (CBS News)
Financial Motives and Alleged Misconduct
Investigations into the couple’s finances uncovered a possible motive. Kouri Richins had opened $2 million worth life insurance policies without her husband’s knowledge. Additionally, she was facing significant financial difficulties, and had been diverting funds from Eric’s accounts. She had her own real estate business, but it was only kept afloat by Eric’s funding. Unfortunately, and unbeknown to him, most of that funding was without his knowledge or approval. (CBS News, The US Sun)
The Grief Author’s Paradox
In a stroke of dark irony, Kouri Richins authored a children’s book titled Are You With Me? She said it was supposed to help her sons grieve the death of their father. The book was dedicated to her late husband and was published shortly after his death. This endeavor has drawn criticism, with some viewing it as an attempt to profit from her husband’s demise. While the morbid little book was supposed to help with grief, it came across disturbing. She used her son’s likeness in the book, and had her husband turned into a cartoon ghost that followed the boy around. It was disturbing to anyone who actually works in grief counseling. (CBS News, Court TV, CBS News)
Alleged Witness Tampering
Further complicating the case, Kouri Richins is accused of attempting to influence potential witnesses. Prosecutors allege that she sent a six-page letter from jail to her brother, instructing him to testify about Eric’s alleged drug use, which could support her defense. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any actual evidence of the alleged drug use. Her husband occasionally took a CBD gummy before bed to relax. It’s hardly a hard-core drug habit. The letter was found folded inside her LSAT prep book, led to disciplinary action within the jail and has been cited as evidence of witness tampering .(The Times, People.com)
Legal Proceedings and Upcoming Trial
Kouri Richins faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder, insurance fraud, and witness tampering. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges. A judge has denied her bail twice, citing the severity of the charges and her potential flight risk . The trial was set to begin in April 2025, but it has been postponed citing a change of venue. As of this writing, an official trial date hasn’t been publicly released. (New York Post, CBS News, ABC13 Houston)
Conclusion
Will Kouri find a way to worm her way out of this one? She had a knack for working her way out of messes, but I don’t think she will get by with this one. She left too many witnesses and too much evidence. I’ll keep you posted as this case progresses.
Watch Synova’s Chasing Justice Video About this Case:
This case is brought to you by Synova’s book “Madhouse Madison County” and Bones Coffee Company
Madhouse Madison County
Chaos rules in a small Southeastern Missouri County. Madison County spans 500 square miles and has a population of approximately 13,000 people. The county seat is Fredericktown with a population of approximately 4,000 people. This rural county should be a safe place in beautiful Americana, but it hides a dark secret. Fredericktown is one of the most dangerous places to live in America. Check out this quote from neighborhoodscout.com.
“With a crime rate of 31 per one thousand residents, Fredericktown has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes – from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One’s chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 32.”
I started researching one case sent to me by a desperate grandmother. That case led me to fifteen more. Then I realized this county has had murder, corruption, and chaos since before the Wild West days. This book will start with a lynching by a Fredericktown mob in 1844. Hold onto your seats when you read this one. You’re in for a wild, chaotic ride through rural Missouri.
Synova Ink Publishing is now officially sponsored by Bones Coffee Company. You can forget coffee that tastes like burnt dirt and choose from 30 standard flavors.
Don’t forget to use my coupon code to get a discount!
Tracy Pickett vanished after a sleepover in Webb City, Missouri — and 33 years later, justice still hasn’t been served.
On the night of August 11, 1992, 14-year-old Tracy Pickett did something countless teens do — she went to a sleepover with friends. But by the next morning, Tracy had disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a grieving mother and a community haunted by unanswered questions.
This unsolved disappearance remains one of Missouri’s most disturbing cold cases, with key suspects, suspicious sightings, and a chilling voicemail, but still no body — and no closure.
A Mother’s Worst Nightmare Begins
Glenda “Kay” Blaser, Tracy’s mother, never imagined she would be living every parent’s worst fear. She agreed to let her daughter spend the night with friends. But someone else showed up that night — two convicted felons. One of them, Ernest “Michael” Hensley, was dating one of the girls. He brought along a man known only as “Al.”
That “Al” was later identified as Lowell Andrew Billy, a convicted $ex offender with a dark past and a disturbing future.
The Chilling Voicemail and Tracy’s Sudden Disappearance
On August 12, 1992, Blaser received a bizarre, possibly pre-recorded voicemail:
“Tracy is on her way home to change her clothes.”
The message came twice. But Tracy never came home.
When Blaser went to the friend’s house, she found Tracy’s shoes in the closet — but no sign of her daughter. Witnesses say “Al” had given Tracy a ride home that morning in a distinctive black van with Oklahoma plates, louvers on the windows, and two sunroofs — a vehicle later tied to multiple sightings.
One witness reported hearing a girl scream, “Leave me alone!” in a nearby alley. Another saw “Al” cleaning out the van near Carthage, Missouri, around noon on the day of Tracy’s disappearance.
A Prime Suspect with a Violent History
Police eventually identified “Al” as Lowell Andrew Billy, a man with a violent record. He told investigators he dropped Tracy off in front of a pawn shop in downtown Joplin, but no witnesses or evidence support that claim.
A year later, Billy was arrested for kidnapping and $exu@l assault of another woman in Oklahoma. He served time but was later re-arrested for failing to register as a $ex offender. Despite being labeled the prime suspect in Tracy Pickett’s disappearance, insufficient evidence has kept authorities from charging him.
Renewed Investigations and Ongoing Search for Justice
In 2005, investigators drained a local mining pit, hoping to uncover evidence. In 2018, the Joplin Police Department searched several ponds linked to the other man who was at the sleepover — Ernest “Michael” Hensley, who has since passed away.
Police believe Hensley and Billy may have both been involved, but decades later, Tracy Pickett remains missing, and her case is still unsolved.
Help Bring Tracy Pickett Home
If you have any information about the disappearance of Tracy Pickett, please contact the Joplin Police Department at
(417) 623-3131.
Sponsorships:
This case was brought to you by Bones Coffee Company and Synova’s Shattered Book. Check out the links below to order your coffee and books. Every purchase helps me get more publicity for more obscure cold cases. Thank you!
Shattered: Behind Every Story Is a Shattered Life
Behind every story I write is a life that’s shattered. These aren’t headlines. These are people. Those who try to twist headlines to generate more views are toying with someone’s trauma. I have raised awareness for 500 cases and helped generate leads for law enforcement. That’s my purpose and that’s what keeps me going.
This book has the top 40 cases that I’ve highlighted on my blog throughout the years. Please enjoy the book but remember these are real people with real trauma.
Photo courtesy of St. Charles County Department of Corrections
This blog is an excerpt from my latest book “Madhouse Madison County”
The holiday celebrations had ended, and 2010 was a new landscape of hope. What would this year hold? Well, in Fredericktown, it would hold nightmares. Untold horrors lay ahead as the world would finally see what kind of monster held the title of police captain in this small rural community. (Just to give you some context and a Time frame, This case happened just a few months before Doug Teel’s body was found on the road.)
Kenneth D. Tomlinson II was a behemoth of a man. He stood 6’6″ tall and weighed close to 400 lbs. He had been a patrolman for the area since 1997 before eventually becoming the Police Captain. He was also the local Boy Scout Troop Leader for Troop 27, and most people in town thought he was one of the good guys. They couldn’t be more wrong. Tomlinson gave himself the nickname “Big Dog,” but the teenagers were wary of him and called him “Baby Huey.” This should have been a red flag, but no one noticed.
On January 2, 2010, a concerned mother found sexually explicit text messages on her child’s phone from “Big Dog.” She was horrified. It was the beginning of the end of the pervert police officer. On January 5, Tomlinson was arrested and charged with 16 counts of felony sex charges with underage boys. Sergeant Jason Gordon was appointed as the temporary head of the department. Tomlinson would eventually plead guilty to 22 counts of sexual abuse of minors, 12 counts of 1st-degree statutory sodomy, and deviate sexual intercourse with three underage boys. They were seventeen, fourteen, and twelve at the time.
The investigation revealed his sordid routine to the world. After Boy Scout meetings, the policeman would give young boys pornographic images of girls and then force them to let him perform sexual acts upon them in his truck. He would videotape the encounters and make the boys watch. Later, he would destroy the videos so there wouldn’t be evidence. This hideous routine continued for years. You might ask why he would make them watch it. It was another form of controlling their trauma. They knew he would have evidence to “tell on them.” It was another way to control the boys and keep them from exposing the truth. They didn’t know that he was destroying those videos, so there wouldn’t be evidence against him. All of this would later come out in court, leaving the public horrified. The victims were brave and faced their abuser in court, and no one could dispute their pain. So many victims don’t have the strength to do what those boys did.
After hearing the victim impact statements in court, “Baby Huey” read an apology to the victims & their families, claiming he was sorry and promised to get counseling in prison as if that was going to take away the pain and trauma these poor boys had faced. He was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences plus 22 years. This disgusting piece of flesh sits rotting in the Jefferson City Correctional Center to this day.
In September 2013, the victim’s families sued the Boy Scouts organization claiming negligence. There had been more than 60 incidents reported and they went unnoticed. They knew Tomlinson wasn’t following the standard protocol concerning the “Two-Deep” guidelines which prevent one on one contact between troop leaders and scouts. Think about it. Sixty incidents had been reported. How many more weren’t reported? Could more victims be too traumatized to come forward? Maybe we may never know.
According to an article on NPR’s website, over 82,000 people have filed lawsuits against Boy Scout Leaders citing sexual abuse. In 2020, the Boy Scouts of America organization filed bankruptcy and created a $2.4 billion fund for the victims.
Chaos rules in a small Southeastern Missouri County. Madison County spans 500 square miles and has a population of approximately 13,000 people. The county seat is Fredericktown with a population of approximately 4,000 people. This rural county should be a safe place in beautiful Americana, but it hides a dark secret. Fredericktown is one of the most dangerous places to live in America. Check out this quote from neighborhoodscout.com.
“With a crime rate of 31 per one thousand residents, Fredericktown has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes – from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One’s chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 32.”
I started researching one case sent to me by a desperate grandmother. That case led me to fifteen more. Then I realized this county has had murder, corruption, and chaos since before the Wild West days. This book will start with a lynching by a Fredericktown mob in 1844. Hold onto your seats when you read this one. You’re in for a wild, chaotic ride through rural Missouri.
Synova Ink Publishing is Sponsored by Bones Coffee Company!!
Say goodbye to boring coffee and Hello to Bones! Follow this link to order and use my coupon code: SYNOVAINK for a discount!
On December 4, 1974, the 17-year-old Laurie Partridge left school because she wasn’t feeling well. She couldn’t get a ride home, so she decided to walk the two miles home, but she would vanish without a trace.
Strangely, her concert tickets were used a few days later, but the police didn’t want to inconvenience the concert goers and wouldn’t allow the people to be stopped as they checked into the venue. When the family questioned the venue, they found Laurie’s two tickets had been used. Did Laurie’s kidnapper go to the Beach Boy’s concert with her tickets? Where is Laurie?
Laurie was a senior in high school and already had enough credits to graduate, so when she told them she didn’t feel good and wanted to leave, they let her go. She reportedly left the Joel E. Ferris High School around 12:30 pm. She said she wanted to lay down and rest before she had to go to work that evening. She worked at the Lincoln Heights Theater.
She walked through the first neighborhood on her way home, and a witness noticed her walking by as he shoveled his driveway. Then, she would pass a rural area with fields and woods. No one noticed her walk through the second neighborhood, and police think she may have been kidnapped in the rural area between the houses.
Laurie had two tickets to the Beach Boy’s concert on December 9, 1974. The family tried to get the police to watch for those ticket numbers at the event, but they refused to interrupt the crowd. They also refused to let the family do it. They sent two officers who spent a short time looking around for Laurie in case she showed up to the concert. She did not. Afterward, the venue verified that all the tickets had been turned in. Were the kidnappers at that concert? We will never know.
During the 50 years since this disappearance, people have tried to tie it to Ted Bundy and other various cases. There have been a couple of witnesses and theories, but none of these tips went anywhere. This poor family has been left without answers and is in the same spot as they were on that cold December day in 1974.
At first, the police said this was a runaway, and because of that mentality, they missed the opportunity to develop the one good lead in this case. Laurie was engaged to a 20-year-old man from the area. They were going to pick out rings in a day or two. They were planning a wedding after Laurie’s graduation in the spring. She was, by all accounts, a very stable teenager with big dreams and a life waiting for her after high school.
What can we do now? Share. That’s about it. The more we talk about these cases, the more pressure we can put on those who have information.
Check out my new Chasing Justice Episode about this case:
This episode is brought to you buy my latest book “Madhouse Madison County.” Follow this link to order your copy on Amazon today. Every book you buy helps me make more videos for you!
Chaos rules in a small Southeastern Missouri County. Madison County spans 500 square miles and has a population of approximately 13,000 people. The county seat is Fredericktown with a population of approximately 4,000 people. This rural county should be a safe place in beautiful Americana, but it hides a dark secret. Fredericktown is one of the most dangerous places to live in America. Check out this quote from neighborhoodscout.com.
“With a crime rate of 31 per one thousand residents, Fredericktown has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes – from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One’s chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 32.”
I started researching one case sent to me by a desperate grandmother. That case led me to fifteen more. Then I realized this county has had murder, corruption, and chaos since before the Wild West days. This book will start with a lynching by a Fredericktown mob in 1844. Hold onto your seats when you read this one. You’re in for a wild, chaotic ride through rural Missouri.
To say Steve Davis was a creative individual is a massive understatement. Not only did he play music and write songs, but he loved to make videos and one day dreamed of being a musician or even a Hollywood actor. Steve even dabbled in modeling for a while. His older sister was a backup musician for some very famous artists at the time. Unfortunately, Steve would never fulfill his creative goals because he would go missing on the weekend of Halloween 1989.
He left his job in downtown San Francisco that Friday afternoon telling his boss he had a great day. He stopped on the way home and grabbed a few groceries, and then ended up at his apartment in the Richmond District a short time later. He had some vague plans for the weekend, but no one was really sure where he was going.
His mother lived in Corte Madera, California. It was about a 30-minute bus ride away, and he may have had plans to stop by a childhood friend’s house along the way. His friend was named Steve as well. Steve Habernass. Habernass lived in Larkspur, not too far from his mother. He had a home recording studio, and Steve had recorded some music at his house. Steve told friends he was going to stop by and pick up his cassette tape. There were rumors that Habernass was having a Halloween party, and some people remembered Steve saying he was going to go, and others thought he was just going to pick up his tape and go on to his mom’s house. He never showed up at either place.
People started to worry when Steve’s boss called on Monday morning, saying that he had missed work. Steve never missed work. The family visited Steve’s apartment and found that it was in perfect condition. There were no signs of violence in the apartment whatsoever. They did find out that Steve had made it home after work. The receipt where he had bought some groceries was still sitting on the table. They also found the local newspaper sitting inside his apartment. So what happened? Did he open the door for the wrong person? Did he leave on his own accord and then meet foul play somewhere along the bus ride to his mom’s house? Did he ever get on the bus? We simply don’t have any answers.
Although the police did investigate Steve Davis’s disappearance, everyone was kind of hoping that he had run off and would return. When the days turned to weeks, to months, and then to years, that hope slowly faded away.
What happened to Steve Allen Davis?
Theories:
Angry Husband:
This 23-year-old man lived close to his family and kept in regular contact with them. He didn’t do drugs or alcohol. He wasn’t involved in gangs or violence. He didn’t live in what most people would call a dangerous lifestyle, but he was dating a married woman. Now, there is some contention within the family. Some people say they were just friends, and other people say they were dating. But either way, the girlfriend broke it off with Steve a week before her husband was to get out of jail. I contend that if they were just friends, she wouldn’t have anything to break off.
Needless to say, the husband was the first person the police investigated. But they come up with nothing, and they do not believe that he had anything to do with Steve’s disappearance.
A Friend’s Deadly Confession:
There was one more thing that made the police nervous. Steve told someone close to him that a friend of his had confided in him. This mysterious friend had confessed to murdering his wife. Steve never told who it was, and the police still to this day can’t figure out the identity of this mysterious friend. Most of Steve’s friends were in their early twenties and had never been married. So, who did Steve know who had been married and lost their wife? It’s another mystery surrounding this young musician.
Dumped in the Bay:
There is one more theory in this case. A local man named Larry Schwimmer was sitting at a bus stop not far from where Steve lived. Three armed men in a vehicle kidnapped Larry from the bus stop, tied him up, robbed him, and then threw him into the bay. Larry survived, and the story hit the newspapers. Steve’s father called Larry and talked to him for a good long while, hoping to find some kind of connection to his son. could this have been what happened to Steve? Again, we may never know.
Strange Conversations:
Some opportunities were missed at the beginning of this investigation because everyone was hoping Steve had just stepped away. And, there was a good reason for it. After Steve disappeared, conversations were remembered that seemed a little strange. His mother remembered having a conversation with Steve a few months earlier. Steve had asked her nonchalantly, “What would you do if I disappeared?”
His mother thought he was just having an emotional moment and tried to support him the best she could. She told him everyone felt like that every once in a while, and everything would be okay. The conversation turned the other topics, and it was immediately forgotten.
Shortly after Steve’s disappearance, a friend calls and talks to the investigators. He says that he remembers Steve asking him what it would take to get a new social security number. This may have been up to 2 years before he disappeared. Again, he wasn’t really sure when the conversation occurred. And again, at the time it didn’t seem all that serious of a conversation.
Was Steve trying to find a way to walk away from his life? If so, why? He didn’t have a contentious relationship with his family or friends. He had plenty of money and plenty of friends. He was chasing his dreams and fulfilling his goals. He seemed to be the least likely to run away. Was he actually in trouble? Was he fearful for his life? Did he know something bad was going to happen, so he was trying to outrun it? It’s been 36 years, and this poor family still has no answers.
Check out Synova’s Chasing Justice Episode About this Case: (New Videos Premiere Each Tuesday Night at 7pm Central)
This week’s case is brought to you by Bones Coffee Company! Forget boring coffee and join the movement. We refuse to drink boring, overcooked, bitter coffee!
Use this code at checkout for a discount: SYNOVAINK
A local K.C. radio personality leaves for a college field trip in Chicago and never returns. “Opie Cunningham” from 95.7 The Vibe was going to a conference with 13 other students from the University of Kansas City. The group was scheduled to return home two days before Thanksgiving, 2006 but Opie wasn’t among them. Where’s Opie?
Jesse Ross, 19 was a sophomore at UKC and worked as a radio personality on a local station. With his flaming red hair, freckles, and slightly mischievous personality, Opie (as in Ron Howard’s character on the Andy Griffith Show) was an obvious nickname. Jesse carried this moniker into his radio career and became part of a segment called “Where’s Opie?”
For these shows, Jesse would broadcast from random points throughout the city, and the listeners would then be required to call in and guess his location. This quick-witted young man thrived on the radio waves, and just before his trip to Chicago, Jesse Ross had been promoted from intern to paid employee with the station.
In November 2006 Jesse was scheduled to attend a four-day conference with thirty other students and his professor. The meeting was set up like a mock United Nations conference, and over 1,200 students from across the nation would gather at the Sheraton Hotel in Chicago for the event. Donald Ross, Jesse’s father, dropped his son off at the school in the wee hours of the morning and told his son goodbye. He never realized it would be the last time.
November 20, 2006, was the last full day of events, and everyone was attending little parties and meetings as the event wound down to a close. Jesse calls his mother and says he’s having a great time. He promises to call the next day when the group loads up in the van and starts their long drive home. A party was held that final night, but reports differ on the details. Some say the party lasted from 10 pm to 3 am, while others say it was held from midnight to 3 am. Whatever the case, there was alcohol involved, and in the middle of the party, a mock “Emergency Security Meeting” was called. All of this seems strange, but supposedly it had a purpose. Around thirty students attended this meeting, and the group took a break around 2:30 am.
Why was a bunch of kids called to a meeting at 2:30 in the morning to pretend to negotiate affairs of state? Seems strange.
The events were held in one building, and most of the group were staying at the 4 Points Sheratan Hotel half a mile away. The walkway between the venues was well-lit, heavily trafficked, and entirely covered by security cameras. What could go wrong? Hum. Let’s see about that. We have a group of underage kids drunk and walking after dark in one of the most dangerous cities in America. Oh, I have a great idea! Let’s call them to a meeting at 2:30 am.
During the break, Jesse is seen leaving the conference room by the security cameras in the hotel, but no one can say what happened next. Did he go to the room of another college student to party? Did he have an accident inside the hotel and it was covered up? No one can prove that Jesse left the building, and no security footage picked him up, walking back to his hotel room. What happened to this teenager?
Almost 18 years have passed, and no one can find him. Did he meet a predator on his way back? Did he stumble his way down to the bridge and fall into the river?
A new documentary titled, “When I Last Saw Jesse,” was released this past April at the K.C. Film Festival. Local filmmaker, Brian Rose spent six years trying to interview those college kids at the conference and claims to have a new witness. He doesn’t disclose what type of information this witness gave, so we can only hope it will help solve this strange case.
If you have any information on this case, please contact the Chicago P.D. at (312) 744-8266.
Synova’s Video Replay: (click on picture to watch)
Shattered: Behind Every Story Is A Shattered Life (Synova’s Case Files Series)
Follow the heart-rending cases Synova first wrote about on her blog in 2018. Filled with missing persons’ cases, unsolved homicides, and even serial killer cases, this book will give you a greater insight into the shattered lives behind every story. Cases Included in this book: Jayme Closs, Haley Owens, Josh Robinson, Timothy Cunningham, Carol Blades, Pam Hupp, Arthur Ream, Angela Hammond, The Springfield Three, Jennifer Harris, Danny King, Angie Yarnell, Jack Robinson, Madelin Edman, Alexis Patterson, Amber Wilde, Sandra Bertolas, Jennifer Casper-Ross, Crystal Soulier, Jody Ricard, Carmen Owens, Brandon Tyree McCullough & The I-70 Serial Killer
Follow me on Rumble:
Youtube has started restricting my videos because of their true crime content. This hinders my channel’s monetization, sure, but more importantly it makes it hard to get these stories the publicity they need. Please consider following me on Rumble to help avoid these issues and to raise awareness about these unsolved cases.
If you enjoy this content don’t forget to sign up for Synova’s Weekly True Crime Newsletter. You will receive exclusive content directly in your inbox. As a gift for joining you will also receive the Grim Justice e-book free.
On April 10th, 2019, 69-year-old Betty Alexander was last seen at her apartment in Sullivan, Missouri. A Sinks Pharmacy delivery driver had checked in with her that Wednesday. But by the next morning, Betty had vanished without a trace.
She missed both her physical therapy appointment and a scheduled visit from Meals on Wheels. For Betty—a grandmother with early-stage dementia—this behavior was entirely out of character. She didn’t drive, rarely walked alone, and was known to be cautious about her routine.
The First Signs of Trouble
On Friday, April 12th, the Meals on Wheels driver found Betty’s door unlocked, but she wasn’t home. The food was left on the table, and the driver left, assuming she would return soon. Sadly, she didn’t.
That Sunday, Betty’s daughter Tonya arrived to take her mom on a planned shopping trip. She knocked, but there was no answer. The door was now locked—a strange change from Friday. Tonya used her key to enter and discovered that Betty was gone.
Her glasses, which she never left home without—not even to the mailbox—were still inside. So were her purse and apartment keys, both found tucked away in the closet. Betty also didn’t own a cell phone. Something was very wrong.
Suspicious Details Emerge
Further inspection revealed more strange clues:
Betty had taken her evening medication at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Her Thursday morning meds were untouched.
Some prescription drugs were missing, while others were not.
Despite no signs of forced entry or a struggle, there was concern she may have been targeted for her medications.
Two separate K9 units searched the area with no results.
And then there’s the timeline:
The door was unlocked on Friday when Meals on Wheels came.
But it was locked again by Sunday when Tonya arrived.
Who went into Betty’s apartment during that time?
Where Is Betty Alexander?
It’s been years, and no trace of Betty Alexander has ever been found. Despite the tireless work of law enforcement and her devastated family, the trail has gone cold.
Can You Help?
If you know anything about the disappearance of Betty Alexander—even something that seems insignificant—please contact the Sullivan Police Department: (573) 468-8001
Synova has written about close to 500 cases over the years. This book includes 40 of those case files. Remember behind every story is a family that’s broken and desperately looking for answers. Every book you buy helps me raise awareness about the long-forgotten cases. Thank you in advance
The phrase rings in the poor mother’s ears to this day. April had been calling around conducting her own missing persons investigation trying to find her daughter Codie Novack. There had been issues of domestic violence in her relationship and now Codie had missed two appointments on the morning of January 5th, 2023. She hadn’t come home, and she wouldn’t answer the phone. Where was Codie?
“Your daughter is on an autopsy table”
Strangely the GPS on her phone said she was at the sheriff station but when this desperate mother called she was repeatedly told that Codie was not there. Finally, she gets a hold of the boyfriend and he utters the phrase that would change her life forever.
Cody
Codie Novack, 27, was staying in a shared house in Ocala Florida at the time of her death. It was a three-bedroom house that was rented out by the room. She had her own space but shared the living quarters with other people. They weren’t necessarily her friends, but this was her living arrangement at the moment.
Several “narratives” emerged at the beginning of this brutal saga, but none of them made sense to anyone who knew Codie.
The boyfriend was the one who actually called 911 around midnight. At 12:17 a.m. the EMTs declared her officially dead. His narrative was that she fell hit her head and neck and then decided to go to sleep. He checked on her a couple of hours later and found her cold.
The EMTs found her covered in bruises, but the report also states that rigor mortis had set in and she had a lot of visible lividity. These two things don’t happen instantly upon death. Rigor mortis takes up to 2 hours to begin its processes. This means that Cody
Codie died closer to 10:00 pm on January 4th. Of course, all of this is unofficially my opinion. When April tried to ask law enforcement about the time of death she was told that those were TV answers, insinuating that the science wasn’t legitimate. If you study how rigor mortis works you will realize that this has been a go-to method for finding times of death for decades. So what science is illegitimate here?
Codie was covered in bruises and there were some lacerations on her face. Strangely there were lacerations on both sides of her face as if she had stood herself up and had fallen again. The strange bruising patterns around the neck and collarbone are what concerned me. Yet none of these bruises seemed to change the narrative of the story. She has bruises around her elbows as if someone has grabbed her, and bruises on her legs all the way around her kneecaps. Strangely she doesn’t have any bruising on the palms of her hands as if she fell and caught herself. Instead, she has bruises on the knuckles, backs of her hands, and her wrists as if she were covering her head in a defensive maneuver.
I cannot go into detail on all of the strange bruises that were found on this poor woman’s body, but none of them add up to an accidental death in my book.
After fighting for 19 months, April still doesn’t have any definitive answers to any of the questions about her daughter’s case. The only definite answer is she is gone, yet the case was closed within thirty days. Check out my interview with April using the link below.
Follow me on Rumble:
Youtube has started restricting my videos because of their true crime content. This hinders my channel’s monetization, sure, but more importantly it makes it hard to get these stories the publicity they need. Please consider following me on Rumble to help avoid these issues and to raise awareness about these unsolved cases.
If you enjoy this content don’t forget to sign up for Synova’s Weekly True Crime Newsletter. You will receive exclusive content directly in your inbox. As a gift for joining you will also receive the Grim Justice e-book free.
