Tag: True crime blog

Everything Wrong with the Jennifer Harris Murder Investigation | Bonham Texas Cold Case

Bonham, Texas Cold Case | Mother’s Day Murder | Unsolved Homicide

Small-town America is often seen as safe and tight-knit, but when a violent crime occurs, limited resources and inexperience can cripple an investigation. That appears to be exactly what happened in the unsolved murder of Jennifer Harris in Bonham, Texas—a cold case plagued by lost evidence, unverified alibis, ignored witnesses, and unanswered questions more than two decades later.

Who Was Jennifer Harris?

Jennifer Harris was a 28-year-old woman known for her fiery red curly hair, outgoing personality, and strong community ties. She was loved by many and romantically involved with two men at different times: her ex-husband Rob Holman and her former business partner James Hamilton. Those relationships would later become central to the investigation.

A Love Triangle and Rising Tensions

Jennifer married Rob Holman shortly after high school, but the relationship deteriorated. Friends later alleged abuse, though no police reports were ever filed. As Jennifer pursued college and city life, the couple grew apart and eventually separated.

While attending massage therapy school, Jennifer met James Hamilton. The two opened a business together and became romantically involved. Hamilton, however, was living with another woman and expecting a child while pressuring Jennifer to marry him. She refused and began distancing herself. By early 2002, Jennifer had lost the business, was facing financial hardship, and reconnected with Rob Holman—despite his new girlfriend.

The Disappearance: Mother’s Day 2002

On May 12, 2002 (Mother’s Day), Jennifer visited a friend and left around 8:00 p.m. She was never seen alive again.

The next day, a woman walking her dog noticed a dark green Jeep abandoned along a rural road. When she saw it again the following day, she contacted police. The vehicle was identified as Jennifer’s.

Discovery of the Body

After a six-day search, a fisherman discovered Jennifer Harris’s decomposed body in the Red River. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, but the exact cause of death could not be determined.

Early reports stated Jennifer’s uterus was missing, fueling rampant rumors that she had been pregnant and that the organ was removed to destroy evidence. A later reexamination clarified that multiple organs were missing, consistent with postmortem river activity involving fish and turtles, not surgical removal.

Suspects and Mishandled Alibis

Both Rob Holman and James Hamilton were questioned.

  • James Hamilton claimed he was at a McDonald’s over an hour away, an alibi that investigators later admitted was never properly verified.
  • Rob Holman stated he was driving around for four to five hours the night Jennifer disappeared—during heavy rain and thunderstorms. He was never given a polygraph.

Hamilton reportedly passed a lie detector test. Holman was never offered one.

Lost and Destroyed Evidence

Perhaps the most damaging failure in the Jennifer Harris case was the handling of evidence:

  • Jennifer’s clothing was lost
  • Her laptop disappeared
  • Storage pods containing evidence were damaged by water
  • Investigators were unsure whether recovered clothing even belonged to Jennifer
  • It is unclear whether her Jeep was ever forensically examined

These failures severely limited the ability to reexamine the case years later.

A Disturbing Insurance Question

Jennifer’s father, Jerry Harris, kept detailed notes throughout the investigation. Two months after Jennifer’s body was found, James Hamilton contacted him asking about Jennifer’s life insurance policy.

This is the only mention of life insurance in the entire case file.

Key questions remain unanswered:

  • Did a life insurance policy exist?
  • Who was the beneficiary?
  • Was any money paid out?
  • Was this lead ever investigated?

The Ignored Eyewitness

One year later, Deborah Lambert contacted police after seeing a news report on the cold case. She stated that on Mother’s Day 2002, she and her mother witnessed a red-haired woman being assaulted by three men near the Red River Bridge.

Lambert said she made eye contact with the woman and saw terror on her face. Her mother reportedly said, “That girl is about to be raped and killed.”

Police dismissed the statement due to a time discrepancy, despite the fact that memory errors are common and easily explainable. New investigators consider this witness credible.

Renewed Investigation and Media Attention

Jennifer’s sister Alyssa Harris, her filmmaker husband, private investigator Daryl Parker, and Sheriff Mark Johnson have renewed efforts to solve the case. The murder was recently featured on 48 Hours, bringing new attention and hope.

If Deborah Lambert’s account is accurate, two unidentified men may still be walking free.

Can the Jennifer Harris Murder Be Solved?

Despite the extensive mistakes, this case may still be solvable. Advances in forensic technology, digital footprint analysis (including old MySpace accounts and email records), and renewed witness interviews could produce answers.

Key Unanswered Questions:

  • Was Jennifer injured before being placed in the river?
  • What happened to Rob Holman after 2002?
  • Was Jennifer’s Jeep fully processed?
  • Were online communications ever investigated?

Final Thoughts

The Jennifer Harris murder investigation stands as a tragic example of how lost evidence, unchecked alibis, and small-town rumor mills can derail justice. But with renewed attention, the truth may still surface.

📞 If you have information, contact the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 583-2143.

Justice for Jennifer Harris is long overdue.

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This case was brought to you by Bones Coffee Company and my book “SHATTERED: Behind Every Story Is A Shattered Life“

SHATTERED: Behind Every Story Is A Shattered Life

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

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The Outrageous Final Years of Cult Leader Joseph Jeffers

We’ve spent the last few weeks digging into the wild and criminal history of Joseph Jeffers, a cult leader who left behind a legacy of fraud, violence, and scandal. Last week, we explored the shocking murder of his wife Helen. This week, we fast forward to the 1970s—a new chapter in Jeffers’ bizarre and destructive story.

The Move to St. James, Missouri

In 1974, Joseph Jeffers and his new wife, Connie, relocated their Kingdom Temple to St. James, Missouri. The cult barely managed to construct a pyramid-like structure, tied to their strange belief that Jesus would one day return in a UFO and beam Jeffers’ followers into the skies. To most townspeople, Jeffers seemed like nothing more than an eccentric oddball, preaching outrageous ideas. What they didn’t realize was just how dangerous and criminal he truly was.

A Trail of Crime and Betrayal

By 1979, Jeffers’ crimes caught up with him. He was arrested for hiring a hitman to kill Connie, his own wife. His corruption didn’t stop there—he conned an elderly widow out of her $5 million estate, taking advantage of her vulnerability before she passed away from cancer.

Newspaper reports grew darker as accusations piled on. One shocking headline revealed that Jeffers had assaulted a 14-year-old girl. The media soon ran stories claiming that Jeffers himself insisted “God told him to leave Missouri.”

The Final Years: A Wanderer of Scams

The last eight years of Jeffers’ life were no less outrageous. He traveled abroad, trying to push his twisted beliefs on new audiences. In Bermuda, he attempted to convince locals that he had special insight into their own Bermuda Triangle legends. The community wasn’t impressed and quickly rejected him. He repeated the same routine in Australia, with equally poor reception.

Despite decades of fraud, grooming, and sexual assault allegations, Jeffers managed to avoid real consequences. No one ever fully stopped him from conning people out of millions or preying on vulnerable victims.

The End of Joseph Jeffers

In 1988, just one month shy of his 90th birthday, Joseph Jeffers died of natural causes. He left behind a legacy not of spiritual enlightenment but of deceit, exploitation, and unpunished crimes.

Jeffers’ story is a grim reminder that cult leaders often wear masks of charisma, eccentricity, or religious authority—while behind the scenes, they exploit, manipulate, and destroy lives. His decades-long spree of fraud and abuse shows how dangerous unchecked power and blind faith can be.

Don’t Miss Tonight’s Episode on this Case: PREMIERES TONIGHT @7PM Central

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Madman or Messiah? An Investigation into the Crimes & Charisma of Cult Leader Joseph D. Jeffers

From extreme fundamentalist ideologies to the paranormal and the occult, Joseph Jeffers’ message integrated with the times and incited a religious fervor amongst his followers. In the 1930s, he was causing war in Arkansas and inciting violence that would lead to the death of one man and the attempted murder of a local preacher. In the 1940s, he was making headlines in L.A. for his lewd house parties. In the ’50s, his third wife would be brutally murdered. Her homicide would go unsolved. In the ’60s, he would make headlines in Arizona when he gambled off all of the church funds at the race track. In the ’70s, he would prophesy great and mighty things to do with UFOs and the Bermuda triangle. By 1978, he would be building a pyramid to withstand the apocalypse in Missouri. And by 1988, he would die of old age. No one ever stopped this man from stealing millions of dollars, coercing innocent young women, or hiring a hitman to kill his wife. Read this book to find out more about the crimes, the chaos, and the injustice in the life of Dr. Joseph D. Jeffers.

How could this man have gotten away with all of these crimes, and how could he have flown under the radar? After making so many ludicrous headlines, how do we not know the name of Joseph Jeffers?

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Unmasking the Gilgo Beach Serial Killer: Inside Rex Heuermann’s Chilling Double Life

Unveiling the Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Case: A Deep Dive into the Long Island Murders

Gilgo Beach, a peaceful stretch of shoreline in New York, might seem like the last place to hide a dark secret. During the summer, families flock there to enjoy the sun and sand. But beneath its calm surface, a nightmare was unfolding. For decades, a serial killer secretly dumped bodies along the rugged coast. The true horror didn’t come to light until December 2010, when investigators found human remains scattered in various stages of decay. Over the years, the case grew more complex, revealing a pattern of brutality, law enforcement corruption, and elusive suspects.

This article walks through the key details—victims, investigation twists, mountain of evidence, and how the killer was finally caught. It’s a story of tragedy and persistence, with lessons for us all.

The Gilgo Beach Murders: An Overview of the Tragedy

The Victims and Their Last Known Movements

Between the early 1990s and 2011, investigators linked 11 bodies to Gilgo Beach. Most of these victims were women involved in sex work or facing hard times. Many were never reported missing, which made finding them even harder.

Some victims, like Sandra Castilla, disappeared in 1993. Others, like Jessica Taylor, last seen in 2003. A toddler’s remains, known as Baby Doe, were also recovered—DNA confirmed she was related to a victim called Peaches (Valerie Mack). Notably, two victims remain unnamed, leaving questions still open.

Victim profiles:

  • Vulnerable women often working in the sex industry
  • Populations with limited support or families unaware of their disappearance
  • Notable victims: Shannon Gilbert, whose last call sparked the case; Peaches, associated with a young child

Discovery of the Bodies and Initial Investigation

Starting in December 2010, bodies showed up along the shoreline, often only 50 feet off the road. Some were skeletal, others partially intact, and some dismembered. The scene was chilling—hidden among marshes, briers, and rocky patches. The authorities faced early struggles with the rough terrain and lack of cooperation. During this initial phase, many leads went cold, and the killer’s identity remained hidden for years.

Victims:

  1. Sandra Costilla November 19 or 20, 1993
  2. Karen Vergata February 14, 1996
  3. Peaches” Found June 28, 1997
  4. Valerie Mack summer of 2000
  5. Jessica Taylor July 21, 2003
  6. Maureen Brainard-Barnes July 9, 2007
  7. Melissa Barthelemy July 12, 2009
  8. Megan Waterman June 6, 2010
  9. Amber Lynn Costello September 2, 2010
  10. “Baby Doe” Found April 4, 2011
  11. “Asian Doe” found April 4, 2011

The Evolution of the Case: From Cold to Breakthrough

Long-Standing Police Corruption and Its Impact

For over a decade, police misconduct hampered progress. The Suffolk County police chief at the time was tied to unsavory activities, including corruption and possible involvement with sex workers. His reluctance to cooperate with the FBI slowed investigations for years. But in 2013, corruption scandals forced turnover in the police department, opening the door for new efforts.

Key Breakthroughs and Modern Investigative Techniques

When a new task force took over, they finally started connecting dots. Within six weeks of their formation, they identified a suspect: Rex Heuermann , an architect living in Manhattan. Technology played a huge role—DNA analysis, cell tower tracking, and digital forensics uncovered the suspect’s details. Over the next year, authorities scrutinized his lifestyle, vehicles, and online activity.

Finally, in 2023, Rex Heuermann  was arrested. The case had gone cold for years, but new methods cracked it wide open. It proved how modern tools can help solve even the most complex crimes.

The Evidence: Mountains of Digital and Physical Clues

Digital Footprints and Electronic Evidence

Heuermann ’s home was packed with evidence. Authorities found:

  • 15 cameras capturing different angles
  • 27 computers and dozens of hard drives
  • 46 cell phones, mostly burners for hiding tracks
  • 58 internal and external hard drives
  • 44 micro SD cards and USB drives
  • 17 tablets and 50 hotel key cards

Every device told a story. Heuermann  kept separate burner phones for each victim, making digital tracking easier. His online activity showed stalking, solicitation, and planning—giving investigators a roadmap of his crimes.

Physical and Hidden Evidence at Rex Heuermann ’s Home

The police found a shocking stash: VHS tapes, floppy disks, micro SDs, hidden inside walls, under floorboards, and even inside a bathtub. They uncovered detailed files titled with plans—mapped-out target sites, staging areas, and victim profiles. A notable document called “hk2 2002-04” listed supplies, reconnaissance missions, and potential dump sites. It even contained critiques like “body hunt too long” and “avoid cameras,” showing premeditation.

These evidence files revealed a killer who meticulously planned every detail, from traveling routes to disposal locations. His obsession with organization and control was shocking.

Forensic and DNA Evidence

DNA analysis linked biological samples—hair and fibers—to the victims and suspect. Fibers found on Sandra Castilla didn’t match Rex Heuermann , but other evidence, like hair samples and blood stains, pointed directly to him. The DNA evidence solidified the case, especially when combined with other digital clues.

The Suspect: Rex Heuermann  and His Crime Scene

Profiling Rex Heuermann : The Man Behind the Murders

Heuermann  was a towering figure—over 6.5 feet tall—and looked intimidating. Despite a successful career as an architect, he lived in a dilapidated childhood home, surrounded by evidence of secret activities. He was a meticulous planner, but careless enough to leave fingerprints and cell phone traces.

His pattern was clear: organize, stalk, and kill with premeditation. His obsession extended to books about other serial killers, and his collection of cameras and devices hinted at voyeurism and control.

How He Was Caught: The Breakthrough Investigation

Investigation revealed that Heuermann  used burner phones for each victim and kept detailed records. Digital tracking showed his phone pinging near the scene of the crimes and close to his property. Witnesses described a “gigantic ogre-like man” driving an unusual dark pickup—a match for Heuermann ’s vehicle.

Cell tower pings, license plate records, and witness testimony painted a convincing picture. When authorities raided his property, they found a mountain of evidence, including his “blueprint for murder”—a detailed plan to trap and kill.

Evidence Against Rex Heuermann 

The case hinged on documents and physical evidence. His “blueprint” laid out all his targets, suggesting premeditation. The stash of devices, hidden in walls and flooring, contained videos, plans, and trophies.

His recent arrest involved multiple counts of first- and second-degree murder, including for the victims on Gilgo Beach. The evidence was so overwhelming that prosecutors believed a conviction was inevitable.

Trials and Legal Proceedings

Heuermann  is fighting the charges—trying to get DNA evidence thrown out and split his trials into separate cases. Many argue that trying him for all murders together would be more efficient, especially since striking similarities link the crimes. But the defense team claims bias and procedural issues.

As of now, he faces charges for seven murders, but more could be added. Many believe more victims remain unidentified, with some evidence hinting at additional crimes.

Unsolved Mysteries and Ongoing Investigations

Unidentified Victims and Cold Cases

Three bodies remain unnamed, including a toddler linked to a victim called Peaches. Many victims went unreported or disappeared years before the discovery. The challenge lies in connecting these cases and confirming other victims.

Alleged Witnesses and “Tagalog” Tips

Over the years, various witnesses claimed sightings of Heuermann  or encountered his vehicle. Some reported suspicious encounters, but many tips turned out false or unreliable. Social media and media coverage often amplified rumors, leading investigators astray.

Some tips involved stories about Heuermann ’s supposed connections to parties, swingers clubs, or even supernatural rituals—none of which proved true. Still, these stories show how the case captured public imagination.

The Role of Media and Public Perception

Media outlets called the case the “blueprint for murder,” emphasizing Heuermann ’s detailed planning. Sensational headlines attracted attention but sometimes distorted facts. Responsible reporting remains vital to protect victims and their families.

The Broader Implications: System Failures and Society’s Dark Corners

Police Corruption and Its Consequences

Early police misconduct delayed justice significantly. A corrupt department slowed the investigation, and missing evidence hampered early progress. The case reveals the importance of oversight and transparency in law enforcement.

Vulnerable Populations and Society’s Neglect

Most victims were women in marginalized groups—sex workers, addicts, or runaways. Many never reported their disappearances. Society often overlooks these populations, making them easy targets for predators.

Advancing Forensic Science and Digital Tracking

The case underscores how technology helps solve cold cases. From DNA analysis to phone pings, modern tools crack even the coldest mysteries. Going forward, law enforcement needs to adopt proactive digital investigations and community outreach.

Conclusion

The Gilgo Beach murders stand as a stark reminder of how many stories of violence go unnoticed. Years of neglect, corruption, and lack of resources kept many victims hidden in plain sight. But advances in forensic science and relentless investigation finally brought Rex Heuermann  to justice.

The fight for truth isn’t over—many questions remain about unidentified victims and unclosed chapters. Still, this case proves the power of persistence, technology, and the need to protect society’s most vulnerable.

We owe it to these victims to remember their stories and push for safer communities. Awareness can prevent future tragedies. Their voices must be heard—until every last victim gets the justice they deserve.

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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. 

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He Walked In, Shot, and Vanished | The I-70 Serial Killer Cold Case

I-70sketches

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Is there such a thing as the perfect crime? The Golden State Killer got away with murder but was still caught 44 years later. But what happens when there isn’t any DNA to link the killer to the icy cold case?

This is what happened in the 33-year-old cold case of the I-70 serial killer. Many people confuse this case with the I-70 Strangler, but that guy was caught. His name was Herb Baumeister, and he targeted gay men.

 This case is strange in the fact that the killer walked into a store, shot his weapon, and walked right back out, leaving behind shell casings and the body of a petite brunette. That’s all. There weren’t any sexual assaults to leave DNA. He didn’t torture his victims. He simply wanted to kill.


April 8, 1992:


A 26-yr-old brunette woman opened the Payless Shoe Source shoe store in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her name was Robin Fuldauer. Register receipts show that sometime between 1:30 pm and 2 pm, a man walked into the store and shot Robin in the back of the head with a .22. A customer walks in around 2 pm and finds the place empty and calls the police. She hadn’t noticed Robin’s body face down in the back room. Strangely only a few dollars was stolen from the cash register. Police wonder if this was a botched robbery attempt. That theory would be dropped quickly when the Phantom Assassin found his next target.

April 11, 1992:

 Three days later & 700 miles east along I-70, the killer strikes again. This time there were two victims. Both women are petite with shoulder-length brown hair. They were busy closing the bridal shop and were waiting for a late customer to arrive.


Pat Majors and Patricia Smith had already shut off the lights and locked the door when a man knocked on the front glass. Patricia Smith unlocked the door with the customer’s order in hand. He had already paid, so she expected to hand it out the door. Instead, she was pushed inside and ordered to the back by the Phantom Assassin. The two women were quickly shot in the head, but before the killer could leave the customer showed up


The gunman tried to force the man into the back room, but instead, the witness entered a dialog with the killer. Somehow he was able to persuade the killer to let him go. The witness fled the scene and called the police. They arrived on site, not knowing what to expect. The two women were quickly found in the back room. One was declared dead at the scene, and the other died later in the hospital. The only clues left behind were the shell casings and the witness description. Surely that would be enough to catch the guy. Right? Wrong.

April 27, 1992:

 Sixteen days later, in Terre Haute, Indiana, the killer strikes yet another petite brunette working alone in Sylvia’s Ceramics. This time the killer gets sloppy. His victim was actually a man named Michael McCowan. The store was named after his mother, Sylvia. He wore his brown hair in a long ponytail and wore earrings. Perhaps the deranged psychopath thought Michael was a female in his haste to appease his inner demons. Who knows? Whatever the case, it was clear that a petite brunette wasn’t safe working alone in a storefront building along I-70.

May 3, 1992:

 One week later, the killer would find his next target. This time it was Nancy Kitzmiller. She was working in a western wear store in St. Charles, Missouri.

May 7, 1992:

 Four days later, the killer shoots Sarah Blessing in Raytown, Missouri. This time there were two witnesses. The suspect walked down the sidewalk looking in the windows and caught the gaze of a young man in an electronics store. The witness noticed the man was wearing a large, heavy coat and thought it was odd in the warm weather. A few moments later, the witness heard a loud pop next door. When he peered out the door, he saw the stranger calmly walking down the sidewalk in the opposite direction. The man ran next door to find Sarah had been shot. She died on the scene.

 A grocery store employee was out gathering shopping carts from the parking lot and noticed the suspect climbing the slight embankment towards I-70. Both witnesses gave the same descriptions that the police had heard before. He was a white man in his late 20’s – mid 30’s. He was small around 5’9” – 5’10” with sandy blondish hair. Some recall his hair having a dull red tint.

Suddenly the killings seemed to stop leaving the investigators wondering what happened. Maybe the killer had been arrested on an unrelated charge. Police poured over all the surrounding area’s arrest records. One by one, they were all ruled out, and the case was faltering on the brink of becoming a cold case.

September 25, 1993:

 Sixteen months after Sarah Blessing’s murder, a killer surfaces in Texas off I-35. His MO is eerily similar to the I-70 killer, and investigators wonder if they could be the work of one man. Mary Glasscock, another petite brunette, was murdered by a single gunshot to the back of the head with a .22. She had been working alone at the Emporium Antiques store in Fort Worth, Texas.

November 1, 1993:

 Amy Vess was working alone in a dancewear shop when the killer shot her, stole some cash from the register, and left behind a shell casing from a .22.

January 15, 1994:

 Vicki Webb was shot by an unknown killer while she worked alone in a Houston gift shop. A spinal abnormality caused the bullet to ricochet off the vertebrae and lodge in her head. The bullet paralyzed her but didn’t kill her. At that moment, she made a decision that would save her life. She chose to play dead. Webb could hear him rummaging through the cash register, and then he returned to her. He rolled her over and looked at her for a moment. Then he pressed the barrel to her forehead and pulled the trigger. The gun misfired. Almost as an afterthought, he pulled her pants down to her ankles and walked out of the store. Was he not buying her act? Was he planning to assault her sexually and was scared off by something? In later interviews, Webb said she really didn’t think he was aroused by pulling off her pants. It was almost as a last-minute idea. Maybe he was trying to throw off the cops, or maybe his MO was changing. Was he becoming a sexual predator?

 Vicki Webb lived, and after many surgeries and countless hours of physical therapy, she was able to walk again. She lived in fear that he would return to finish the job, and for decades, she kept her face out of the newspapers. It wasn’t until an episode of Dark Minds that she allowed an interview. She claims she wants to see her attacker in court to show him that she won. I hope she gets the chance.

Some investigators have a hard time linking the I-70 slayings and the I-35 killings. Here are the facts as I have uncovered them. I believe they are the same man, but I will let you decide.

Location:

 – All the hits were within easy access to a major interstate highway providing an easy escape

 – All the targets were working alone in a small storefront type store

Victims:

 – All the victims were shot execution-style in the back of the head

 – No torture

 – No sexual assault

 – No major reconnaissance beforehand

Weapon: Here is where some investigators question the connection.

 – The I-70 killer used a different .22 than the I-35 killer used

My explanations:

 During the 16-month hiatus, there was a big media blitz. My theory is that he saw something on the news that scared him. So he changed weapons and location.

Below is a wanted poster to show the killer’s gun. If you have any information on this case, please contact the St. Charles P.D. 1-800-800-3510 or contact your local police department.

wanted pic

Check Out Synova’s Chasing Justice Video On this Case:

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Shattered: Behind Every Story is A Shattered Life

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, Pam Hupp, Arthur Ream, Angela Hammond, The Springfield Three, Jennifer Harris, Danny King, Angie Yarnell, 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, and so many more,

This book has recently been updated with all the new information available on these cases. More cases were added. Now this book covers forty cases that Synova has written about on her blog.

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Vanished in the Shadow of Area 51: The Unsolved Disappearance of Kenny Veach

November 10th, 2014 

A rugged outdoorsman goes on a 3-day hiking trip in the wilderness near Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. 

A few months earlier, Kenny Veach had stumbled upon a mysterious cave in the shape of a giant M. The ground shook near Area 51’s bomb testing grounds, but that didn’t bother him; neither did the military drones. But as he neared the cave, a strange sensation washed over him. He said it felt like his body was vibrating. He quickly left the area. 

Later, he mentioned this experience in a comment in a YouTube video about a secret military weapon being tested on Area 51. ( Area 51 Technician’s Son Discloses Secret Alternative Energy Video)

This sparked a massive online debate. Was Kenny Veach lying? Was he dehydrated and hallucinating? Or did he stumble upon something he wasn’t supposed to see that day? Either way, the internet pushed him to find the cave again and, this time, take his camera.

That November morning, he was on a mission. He would find the cave and prove to the internet trolls that he wasn’t lying and it wasn’t all a hallucination. Unfortunately, Kenny would walk off into the Nevada wilderness and never be seen again. This case is rife with conspiracy theories, trolls, and drama, but at the core of it, we have a missing person’s case that is still unsolved 10 years later. Grab your tinfoil hats, people! We’re heading to Nevada.

Kenny Veach was no stranger to the desert. He would spend days out there alone, hiking through the wilderness, picking up odds and ends of things as souvenirs. He would bring them home and decorate his house with them, and tell other people about it. Here is a direct quote from a couple of his comments on YouTube.

“I solo hike across mountain tops that most people wouldn’t dare go. I have been in more caves than I can count. I play with rattlesnakes for fun. But this one particular cave was beyond anything I had ever encountered.”

“I have been doing this sort of thing for over 20 years. I go where no one goes, and I never take anyone with me. I find skulls of all shapes and sizes, and occasionally, I find really old animal traps. I hike over mountain top after mountain top and sleep on peaks under the stars. Sometimes, I have to scale giant cliffs to get myself out of a jam, but I always make it back. I’m beat up and tired, and my pack is almost always heavier than when I left. I had to be rescued only one time by a helicopter. I had blown out my left leg at the top of the mountain, and I only had a cup of water left to get me 20 miles back to my truck. It was also over 100 degrees out. So I have a very good safety record.”

Kenny’s rambling comments seemed a bit over the top. While he probably thought these types of comments made him look big and tough, in reality, they show how reckless his hiking trips really were. 

Strangely, after his disappearance, a woman who claimed to be his girlfriend got on his YouTube channel and posted big, long comments about how she believed he committed suicide and that she was trying to find closure and was moving on with her life. She recommends that anyone who goes out to the desert looking for Kenny be a little more cautious and take a GPS with them.

Ten years have passed, and hundreds of people have looked through the wilderness trying to find the infamous M-Cave and Kenny, but no one has found definitive proof of either. One Youtuber claimed he found the cave, but it was walled up with rocks. Another one claimed to have found it, but it now has a restricted sign on it. No one knows for sure. However, while these theories are interesting, we need to remember that this is a case of a missing person. This man clearly had mental health issues, and now he’s missing. 

In his strange videos, Kenny tries to sell some off-the-wall inventions and even tries to sell himself along with his house. Yes, you read that right. Kenny tried to sell himself and his house in a video I will link here. He wanted someone to buy his home and pay him to be the caretaker. (Kenny’s Youtube Channel)

To me, Kenny seems like a nice guy, but maybe a little off. He seems to have constantly been trying to prove himself and always fell short. Why did he need to prove himself to the internet trolls anyway? Did they push this poor man to be even more extreme in his last hike into the Nevada desert? I think so. 

Check out my latest True Crime Tuesday video below. The team and I cover Kenny’s strange case and discuss the various theories surrounding his disappearance. Let me know what you think. What do you think happened to Kenny Veach? 

WATCH Video

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.

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