Episodes

  • In the life of drugs and prostitution, the risks are enormous. The players in this world are lawless and destructive. Angela Hanaway had fallen into the darkness of the underworld never to get out. She was a good person who was pulled under the waters of the addiction pool. Angela saw many things in this world, but one thing was enough to get her killed. A monster who lurked in the shadows of Springfield's underbelly had committed a crime in front of her eyes and he had to remove her before she unmasked him. This wasn't new for this creature of destruction who couldn't outrun his actions. This monster could not help himself. Like others in his path, Angela had to go. She had run into the evil eyes of an Addictive Killer.

    Departments: Springfield Police Chief's Office · Springfield Police-Crime Lab · Springfield Police-Property Rm · Springfield Police-Records

    Address: 130 N Fountain Ave, Springfield, OH 45502

    Phone: (937) 324-7680

    Cold Case MHS: Contact [email protected]://coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcase

    We also can be reached through Facebook, X, and InstagramLink to

  • Raymond was a good kid in a bad situation. Coming from a broken family, Raymond searched for that positive male role model. Although his father was still around, Raymond didn't see him much for many reasons. His mother was working hard to bring up a teenage boy by herself with help from his older sister. Like many kids that age looking for guidance, they often find it in people with not-so-good intentions. Raymond found someone to look up to in his neighborhood. Unfortunately, this neighbor did not have Raymond's well-being in mind. This person was a gang leader preying on young males he could coerse into do his dirty work. Raymond was catching on to this man's intentions and decided it was time to move on. He had a plan to join the military and get away from gang life, but his Destructive Mentor wasn't going to let that happen.

    Departments: Springfield Police Chief's Office · Springfield Police-Crime Lab · Springfield Police-Property Rm · Springfield Police-Records

    Address: 130 N Fountain Ave, Springfield, OH 45502

    Phone: (937) 324-7680

    Cold Case MHS: Contact Information

    [email protected]://coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcaseWe also can be reached through Facebook, X, and InstagramLink to information:https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sJC7pMJcdn2vpYySLcY0z9fcH2fE7KBBHj0CbvnsJaE/edit?usp=sharing

  • Missing episodes?

    Click here to refresh the feed.

  • As a young kid, you couldn't wait to ride your bike to the store or a friend's house. It was that moment of freedom. A chance to ride free, away from the watchful eyes of your parents, or in Robin's case to get away from the responsibility of watching her brother. Two girls alone on a mission to get somewhere. One was friendly but a bit timid and another would talk to anyone. The bright sunny day would quickly turn into a very dark night. The streetlights are turning on, but Joanne has not returned home. Several months later, Robin doesn't return home after leaving her brother at a neighbor's house. Darkness sets in and both girls are missing. Robin's father in a desperate search, unfortunately finds his daughter's badly beaten body lying next to the railroad tracks not too far from home. Weeks later, squirrel hunters walking out of the woods stumble upon the skeletal remains of a teenage female, later to be identified as Joanne Herbert. The search for a killer begins but quickly goes cold. These two brutal murders are still unsolved to this day. In this episode, we look at the lives of these two beautiful teenagers, their disappearance, a possible suspect who has a preference for girls and their bikes, and the case that still hides in the darkness of the night.

    Union County Sheriff

    Address: 221 W 5th St, Marysville, OH 43040

    Phone: (937) 645-4110

    [email protected]://coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcaseWe also can be reached through Facebook, X, and InstagramLink to information:https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sJC7pMJcdn2vpYySLcY0z9fcH2fE7KBBHj0CbvnsJaE/edit?usp=sharing

  • In our lives, we get to meet some tremendous people. Those who intrigue me the most have served this great country of ours in the military. Their training, experiences, and stories always captivate me. Those individuals have sacrificed a portion of their life for the greater good of others and they should always be THANKED for their service to protect us. As these individuals grow old, their stories seem to resonate even more. Many become pillars of their communities and the role model for their families. Harry W. Smith was that kind of individual. He was a proud service member and he loved his family and community. He was "Grandpa Walmart". He was one of Walmart's first Walmart greeter and he was the best at it. Everyone in town loved him. His family was large and they had just recently had a family reunion and enjoyed their day together. In this small town, there is a secret that has haunted the community for more than a decade. On Sunday morning, October 16, 2011, most people in town were attending Church services. Unfortunately, Harry had trouble getting around and did not make the trip to Church that day. A few hours later two passers-by notice Harry's house was bellowing smoke out of the windows. They ran in to help put it out, but the flames had already burned themselves out. What they found was the body of a battered old man lying face down on the floor. It was first ruled and accident but later was determined to be a homicide. Mr. Walmart had been murdered and left to burn in a fire that did not catch. Who would do something like this to a great man like Harry W. Smith? Listen as our students tell the story of a FALLEN HERO!

  • When young adults are just getting started and working toward their goals they often have to take a step back to relax and just have fun. Brian Shaffer was no different than most "twenty-somethings" trying to blow off a little steam from the grind of college coursework. His grind was pretty hard as a medical student at The Ohio State University Medical School, so going out to have a few drinks was well-earned. Brian was an All-American boy, smart, athletic, and good-looking, and seemed to be on his way to a happy marriage and a great profession. He was fulfilling his dreams. On that fateful night, Brian possibly ran into a monster or monsters that overcame him and dragged him into the shadows of darkness. Brian was last seen on cameras entering a bar but was never seen coming out. The camera to the back exit was not working and somehow he slipped out without notice, but was he alone? Was there a strange group of people seeking Brian's type to kidnap, torture, and then dispose of him, or did Brian just "Vanish"? Until he is found we will never know the answer to that question.

  • We all grew up learning about the long family battles between the Hatfields and McCoys and how they feuded for decades. Unless you spend a great deal of time studying this family feud you probably have no idea what the feud was about. We use the legendary Hatfield and McCoy fights to describe often current battles of today between families or groups that seem never to end. In Springfield, OH this type of battle has seemed to haunt the city for a very long time. The result of this need to be respected in the community has led to the tragic death of a man trying to make amends for some of his digressions as a young man. Chris DeArmond was working to make his past experiences into modern lessons for the youth in his neighborhood. He was giving back to his community and trying to lead the young people around him into the light of good decisions. While pursuing that dream of a better place for his kids and grandkids to live he found himself in the middle of a war that had been brewing for a while. On March 17, 2012, two men, or boys, came into the barber shop he was working in and shot him several times. The mentor was gone and his killer or killers had been hiding in the open ever since. Listen to Chris' story and wait until you hear the surprise at the end of the LONG DISPUTE. Contacts: Springfield police department:130 N. Fountain Avenue Springfield, Ohio 45502Phone: Non-Emergency Line: 937-324-7685 Fax: 937-324-8947 Chief Allison Elliott 937-324-7685Captain Michael Kranz 937-324-7685Captain Tom Zawada 937-324-7685Cold Case MHS: phone 513-398-5025 ext. 33304 or 513-967-0368Email: [email protected]://coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcaseWe also can be reached through Facebook, X, and InstagramLink to information:https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sJC7pMJcdn2vpYySLcY0z9fcH2fE7KBBHj0CbvnsJaE/edit?usp=sharing

  • Ohio has nearly 2,500 unsolved murder cases on the State Attorney General's page. This number does not include those cases that have not even been sent to the State's Attorney, so there could be many more we don't know about. The sad part about these numbers is that they are not going down very fast. Many of these cases do not get the attention as the more high-profile cases, yet the families and friends of the victims continue to grieve every day. It is no different for the family and friends of Jeffrey Risner from Fostoria, OH. In a small rural cul-de-sac, a man who was known to take care of those close to him was brutally stabbed and beaten to death in his garage. Jeffrey was a large imposing individual, so the perpetrator or perpetrators had to be able to subdue and handle him while he fought for his life. Like so many other stories of unsolved murders, Jeffrey's story has gone cold. Attention to his case has dwindled to the point it seems to have fallen into the shadows. The students of Cold Case MHS want to bring his story back into the open so that maybe "Someone Close" will step out of the darkness to give the Fostoria Police Department some information to one day find his killer and allow Jeffrey Risner to rest in peace. Contact information:The police department can be reached at 419-435-8573.http://www.fostoriaohio.gov/Cold Case MHS: phone 513-398-5025 ext. 33304 or 513-967-0368Email: [email protected]://coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcaseWe also can be reached through Facebook, X, and Instagram

  • On May 26, 2001, Wendy Burkey was supposed to arrive at work. A coworker went out to begin their day when they ran into a horrible scene. Wendy was found shot to death in the parking area. Her lifeless body was found on the ground near the driver's side door of the vehicle. Who would do such a thing? How did they get into the locked gate? What motive would someone want to kill a mother, sister, wife, daughter, and genuinely nice person? What could she have done to someone to make them want to kill her? Listen to Grace, the student working on her case, as she stumbles upon some information that may lead to a strong person of interest. Although Wendy's story is considered cold the Elyria Police Department has not given up. Maybe justice will soon be served and Wendy's murderer will come out of the dark. In this last episode of Season 2 we will also highlight some other cases that may not have gotten as much attention as we send off season 2 and prepare for season 3. Contact Info: Elyria Police Department - phone (440) 323-3302Email: [email protected] Case MHS: phone 513-398=5025 or 513-967-0368Email: [email protected]: "Cold Case" - written and performed by Jenna Brant, produced by Noria"Believe me" - written and performed by Alexa DollArtwork: Created by Emma HulbertThank yous: All those that helped over the past year. We truly appreciate you taking time to help with our cases.

  • In 2011, Katelyn Markham was a young woman with a bright future. She loved art and couldn't wait to show her talents to the world. Her life seemed to be heading the right direction, graduation was around the corner, she was engaged to be married, and life was good. At least it appeared to be good. One night after attending a neighborhood festival in Fairfield, Ohio, Katelyn returns home to get some rest before work in the morning. The next day her fiance felt something was wrong because she wouldn't answer her phone, but here's where things seem to get fuzzy. Listen as the Cold Case MHS students dive into her story and the strange things that didn't add up. On that day in 2011, Katelyn JUST DISAPPEARED, only to be found in a small rural town in Indiana 2 years later. Listen to their work and the updates on this case, it will amaze you! Contact Info:Fairfield Police Department -Phone: 513-829-8201 https://www.fairfield-city.org/384/Police-DepartmentButler County Sheriff's Office - (513) 785-1000 https://www.butlersheriff.org/ email: [email protected]: @MHSColdCaseInstagram: @coldcasemhsFacebook page: MHS Cold CaseMusic:Purple-Planet Music: purple-planet.comJenna Brant - "Cold Case" Produced by NoriaAlexa Doll - " Believe Me" Thank You:Jessica Schmidt - Fox19News.comRyan Green - Private InvestigatorFairfield Police DepartmentButler County Sherrif's Office

  • On September 14, 1990, a beautiful young woman, described by a friend as Audrey Hepburn-like, rode her bike to a local, Philadelphia, nightclub called The Banks. She was supposed to meet her brother there and some friends, but unfortunately some people could not make it that night. Liz's friend had spoken about how naive and foolish she and Liz were when it came to walking or riding their bikes alone in a crime-ridden area of the city. They were young and bulletproof and nothing bad was ever going to happen to them. Unfortunately, on that dark, foggy night Liz left The Banks nightclub for her last bike ride. On her way home someone decided to take Liz. On November 14, 1990, her remains were found in a marsh just outside the Philadelphia airport. The free, artistic, loving spirit of Liz Falco was Freed from its Earthly bonds. Listen to the work of the students with the help of her brothers Paul, John, and Mike and reporter Matt Skoufalos as we search for justice for Liz.

    Contact Info:

    Philadelphis Police Department - https://www.phillypolice.com/

    215-686-3240

    email: [email protected]

    twitter: @MHSColdCase

    Instagram: @coldcasemhs

    Facebook page: MHS Cold Case

    Music:

    Purple-Planet Music: purple-planet.com

    Jenna Brant: Cold Case - produced by Noria

    Alexa Doll: Believe Me - produced by Alexa

    Thank You:

    Matt Skoufalos - NJPenn - https://www.njpen.com/author/matt_skoufalos/

  • In this episode the students delve into the mysterious case of Daniel Trautman from Columbus, Oh. Daniel was a young man trying to fight his demons of alcohol abuse to better his life. He had just moved into his own apartment. He bought his first pet and a new job gave him something to focus on. Daniel was a avid outdoorsman and just a great guy to be around. One day what appeared to be just a fun trip to an after work dinner turned out to be his worst nightmare. Daniel had jumped on the so called "wagon" of sobriety with full force and doing very well when suddenly he fell off. Now many individuals fighting that battle have times where they fall off the wagon, but many find a way to get back on. Unfortunately, for Daniel someone else decided to make sure he didn't get back on that Wagon. Daniel had some drinks that night and spent the night hanging with people that did not have his best interest at heart. For nearly a week, Daniel was missing, until a farmer collecting his harvest saw his badly beaten body lying in the field. What happened to Daniel over those days missing? Who would do something like this? Why would anyone want Daniel dead? This case still baffles authorities to this day. If anyone knows anything about Daniel's death and the individuals that did this please contact the Columbus Police Department.

    Contact Info:

    Columbus Police Department -Assault/ Homicide Section (Lt.) - (614) 645-4995

    email: [email protected]

    twitter: @MHSColdCase

    Instagram: @coldcasemhs

    Facebook page: MHS Cold Case

    Music:

    Purple-Planet Music: purple-planet.com

    Jenna Brant: Cold Case - produced by Noria

    Thank You:

    Detective Gellete - Columbus Police Department

  • In July of 1990 in New Paris, OH, a group of teenage kids gathered at a rural plot of land to do what teenagers do best, have a party. The night was supposed to be about a birthday celebration and a chance to have fun! The party went off like it was supposed to for the most part. There was music, dancing, and all the things that go with a small town farm bash. The night ended and the party lights went out. The next morning there were some people that stayed there all night enjoying friendships and fun, while others returned to help clean up the inevitable mess that is left behind, but during the clean up someone found something awful. They found the body of a beautiful young partygoer floating in the small lake on the property. Lesa Buckley came to the farm to enjoy the end of summer only to have the Party Lights Go Out on Her forever. Guy Billy Lee Scott was later arrested and convicted of her murder, but did he really do it? Was he set up? Is there a murderer walking in town to this day or is Guy Billy Lee Scott the true killer? Through 3 decades these questions have been tormenting this small town. Hopefully, one day those questions will be answered for good.

    Contact Info:

    email: [email protected]

    twitter: @MHSColdCase

    Instagram: @coldcasemhs

    Facebook page: MHS Cold Case

    Music:

    Purple-Planet Music: purple-planet.com

    Jenna Brant: Cold Case - produced by Noria

    Special Thank You:

    The Ohio Innocence Project (OIP) - Dr. Mark Godsey and all those at OIP working to make sure justice is served.

  • In the small quaint town of Springfield, Oh life on a normal day seems joyful and quiet. Springfield has many nicknames, like the Champion City, named after the large farm equipment manufacturer that eventually would be known as International Harvester. The city is also known as the Home City or the City of Roses, each portraying a warm and kind city in the heart of the state of Ohio. It is home to one of the country's oldest universities, Wittenburg University with it's campus of rolling hills and beautiful oak trees. Springfield has many beautiful parks for people to walk, play, and just relax. But on the night of July 9, 2007 the darkness of this quiet town hid the act of a horrible human being. That night the calm of the city was disturbed by the call of a Springfield City Police Officer stating he may have hit a person lying in the dark street of a city park. The officer had come upon the body of Miss Buffy Jo Freeman. She had been badly beaten and possibly strangled to death by a monster in the dark. Today Buffy's killer has not been exposed and they are the only one to know about her One Bad Night in the Park.

    Please Listen to the podcasts and where available leave a comment or suggestion. We are trying to improve everyday!!

    Contact Info:

    Springfield, Oh City Police Department - (937) 324-7680

    email: [email protected]

    twitter: @MHSColdCase

    Instagram: @coldcasemhs

    Facebook page: MHS Cold Case

    Music:

    Purple-Planet Music: purple-planet.com

    Jenna Brant: Cold Case - produced by Noria

    Special Thank You:

    Detective Lieutenant Kristopher Shultz - Clark County Sheriff's Department

    Clark County Coroner's Office

    Springfield City Police Department

  • Chelsea Johnson was a beautiful, 15 year old young lady from Fairfield, Oh that was beginning a new chapter of her life. Although, school wasn't where Chelsea excelled the most, she did find her niche. She was planning for her future to be an entrepreneur in the tattoo business. She was very close to her brother and one day wanted to get them into a better life, but someone had a different idea for Chelsea. This person did not see Chelsea's future, all they saw was their own sick wants and needs. Chelsea fought back, but could not fight off her attacker. The individual stabbed Chelsea numerous times and just left her there at a place many used to for activities that may not have been for the good of the community. Chelsea had told someone she had "Gone Fishing" and it turned up a "Deadly Catch". Chelsea's killer is still out there and someone knows who they are. Please help find Chelsea's killer and turn him/her into the police.

    Please Listen to the podcasts and where available leave a comment or suggestion. We are trying to improve everyday!!

    Contact Info:

    Fairfield City Police, Fairfield, OH : 513-829-8201

    Butler County, OH Sheriff's Department : 513-785-1000

    email: [email protected]

    twitter: @MHSColdCase

    Instagram: @coldcasemhs

    Facebook page: MHS Cold Case

    Music:

    Purple-Planet Music: purple-planet.com

    Jenna Brant: Cold Case - produced by Noria

    Special Thanks to:

    Mr. Robert Polson: Former Teacher/Administrator

    Mrs. Linda Shalk: School Secretary

  • Dawn "Dondi" Hickman was a beautiful young woman that loved life and everyone she came in contact with. She was always there for others, whether it was making them a meal or giving them a place to lay their head for the night. Those that knew her described her as caring, generous, but possibly a bit naïve. Did someone pray on her great qualities? How could someone kill such a wonderful person? Listen to students, Sara and Holly as they tell Dondi's story. We are hoping that keeping attention on Dondi and her case that maybe some day someone will come forward to give Dondi and her family the justice they deserve. If anyone knows anything, please contact someone from the list below.

    Contacts:

    Licking county crime stoppers : (740) 349-6888

    Heath police department : (740) 522-2141

    email: [email protected]

    twitter: @MHSColdCase

    Instagram: @coldcasemhs

    Facebook page: MHS Cold Case

    Music:

    Purple-Planet Music: Work It

    Purple-Planet Music: Tormented

    Jenna Brant: Cold Case - produced by Noria

    Special Thank you to Michelle, Dondi's sister, for sharing your experiences with us. We know that this is not easy to do.

  • This season the students of MHS tackle more cases from Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Listen to the hard work of these young adults as they share their real-world experiences with real-world Cold Cases.

  • Bobbie Lee Wells left home in Michigan to fly to Alabama to pick up her young daughter. Unfortunately, something went wrong. Bobbie's luggage made it to Alabama, but Bobbie did not. Almost as if she had vanished INTO THIN AIR. This group of students tells you the story of how Bobbie lived in Michigan, checked into a flight to Alabama, but ended up being found in a watery, cold field in Ohio. Someone had it out for Bobbie and went to great lengths to get rid of her body, but she was found and that individual has been looking over their shoulder for 42 years. Keep looking because one day justice will find you!!

    Mason High School Cold Case Class:

    email: [email protected]

    Twitter: @mhscoldcase

    Instagram: @coldcasemhs

    website: Coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcase

    Fulton County Ohio Sheriff

    Phone: 419-335-4010

    James Carsten

    https://www.eccmpi.org/

    Scott Thomas

    Retired Detective from Medina, OH

    Music:

    https://www.purple-planet.com/

    Theme Song: Cold Case by Jenna Brant and Produced by Noria

  • On a cold night in December 2010 Alicia Jackson lets someone into her home. What started out as a simple conversation, quickly changes into a life and death struggle. Alicia fought hard, but her attacker would not stop until Alicia was no longer in the way. Our students dive into this case in hopes of bring light back to Alicia's case. Someone out there knows what happen to her and who did it. It's time to tell the truth and bring justice for Alicia Monet Jackson.

    Mason High School Cold Case Class:

    email: [email protected]

    Instagram: @coldcasemhs

    twitter: @mhscoldcase

    website: Coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcase

    Detective Gillette: Phone: 614-645-4036 email: [email protected]

    Kristen Mittelman, PhD | Chief Development Officer othram.com | 8301 New Trails Dr, Ste 110 | The Woodlands, TX 77381

    Melissa Morgan "Just the Tipsters" Podcast

    Music: https://www.purple-planet.com/

    Sunbeam

    Ascension

    Enterprise

    Song: Cold Case: By Jenna Brant

    Produced by Noria

  • On February 14, 2000, eight year old Asha Degree packs a small bookbag and leaves her home to take a walk in the dark ....NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN. Nick and Alexis take you through that night and the investigation that followed the disappearance of "Shelby's Sweetheart". In this episode you will hear the emotions felt by Asha's parents and the detective that has worked her case for years. You will hear the heartfelt story of a race car driver that was so moved by the problem of missing children and how he tried to help by putting their pictures on his race car.

    Important Contact information:

    Detective Tim Adams Cleveland County, SC Sheriff's office (704) 484-4822

    [email protected]

    Twitter: @MHSColdCase

    Coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcase

    Credits:

    Music By Purple Planet Music - https://www.purple-planet.com/

    Songs:

    Melancholia

    Panic Attack

    Rolling Hills

    Teamwork

    Sound Effects by Soundjay - https://www.soundjay.com/

    Interview of Asha's Parents - WETV

    Special Thank you to Travis Kittleston

    Co-Host: Kyley G.

    Website/Twitter account producer: Zoe K.

    Presenters: Nick B. and Alexis N.

  • This is the story of Angela Marie Steele. A loving mother of two daughters who fell to a monster in the dark near Wyandot County, OH. Angela was murdered then her and her car were burned in a field next to a tree. The crime seemed to be staged as a car crash, but evidence would prove different. To this day no suspect has been named and Angela's case is still unsolved. The secret of a small down, may be that the killer is hidden in pictures.

    Important information and credits:

    If you have information contact:

    Lt. Kerwin Wiseley [email protected]

    [email protected]

    Twitter: @MHSColdCase

    Coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcase

    Credits:

    Dr. Laura Pettler and Associates lpateam.com

    Sound Jay audio sounds

    Purple Planet Music