Episodes
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Some cases do not make sense. Franklin Benedict was a quiet young man who seemed to live a calm life. He was a former student of Kent State University who needed money, so he left school to become a Wal-Mart manager. He moved up the chain quickly because of his hard work and determination. Franklin liked haContactving money in his pocket so he often took on extra shifts at work, only this would be his last shift. On the night of July 8, 2015, Franklin would come home to a dark apartment. The electricity was not working in his apartment and while looking in the dark to check to see why it was off an intruder walked up behind Franklin unloading two shots into his body. The intruder had scaled the walls to his second-floor apartment to hunker down in his roommate's room until they could unleash their fury onto Franklin. So many questions about Franklin's murder remain unanswered. Why did the intruder hide in the roommate's room? Was Franklin the target? Why would someone go after such an Unusual Victim?
Contact Information:
Stark County Sheriff
4500 Atlantic Blvd., N.E. Canton, Ohio 44705
Phone: (330) 430-3800Email: [email protected]: (330) 451-3937
Contact Information:
Cold Case MHS - [email protected]
phone: (513) 398-5025 ext. 33304 or (513) 967-0368
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On a beautiful spring morning in May of 2008, the calm air of spring was disturbed by the heat and smoke of a house fire in Springfield, OH. The fire department rushed to the scene to put out the fire, but much of the house was engulfed with the flames. After fighting the fire the crew began to clean up the remains of the fire as the fire marshall made his way through the scene. Noticing something strange about the burn pattern the fire marshall began to think the fire was set intentionally. The rest of the crew continued to sift through the remains of the debris when Under the Rubble they found the badly burnt body of a young woman. The young woman was making a name for herself at her job. Her name was Alia Hartman and someone decided she had to go. The fire marshall ruled the fire an arson and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. To this day no one has been brought to justice for the brutal murder of Alia. She didn't seem to have any enemies, so who would want her dead, and who would go to the lengths to burn her in an arson? So many questions with no answers. Who would want to leave Alia Hartman buried Under the Rubble?
Contact Information: Springfield Police Division
130 N. Fountain Avenue Springfield, Ohio 45502
Chief Allison Elliott937-324-7685
Contact Information: Cold Case MHS: [email protected]
513-398-5025 ext. 33304
513-967-0368
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Some people just have a good heart. Deanna Perry was one of those people that couldn't say no to anyone in need. If you needed a place to stay, Deanna's house is where you went. If you needed a warm meal or a new set of clothing, Deanna's house was the place to get it. In a community that had many people in need, Deanna and her family were that beacon of light in a dark world. Many people took them up on their generosity and someone took advantage of it. In the early morning of October 15, 2010, someone decided to Burn the Bridge she had opened to them. With the smell of gasoline and the banging of glass, the house was set a blaze. The flames spread quickly around the house and onto the front porch making it impossible to get out of the house. Charles Climer struggled to get upstairs to his grandmother, Deanna, and a small child by the name of Brianna Smith. As his lungs filled with smoke, he tried to escape the house to get help, but would later be found deceased from smoke inhilation. Deanna and young Brianna would not get out of the house. When the fire was extinguished they were found together in the upstairs bedroom. Who would want to kill such a wonderful family? Who would use fire to kill a young child? Could it have been someone who used Deanna's kind heart to get what they wanted, then became enraged when she asked then to leave? To this day the killer(s) are still on the loose. Hopefully, one day justice will be served.
Contact Information: Columbus Division of Police HQ120 Marconi Blvd.Columbus, OH 43215(614) 645-4760
Crime Stoppers (Anonymous Tips) - (614) 645-4749Contact Information: Cold Case MHS: [email protected] 513-398-5025 ext. 33304 or 513-967-0368
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Jennifer Cooke was a kind, loving, mother whose life was moving forward. She was getting a promotion from work and had a new boyfriend who seemed to be a good guy. Unfortunately, finding Mr. Right would prove to be difficult for Jennifer. Her first marriage ended, but she and her ex-husband seemed okay with the mutual split and agreed to co-parent their daughter. Jennifer, feeling lonely quickly got into another relationship that moved quickly to marriage, but as fast as the relationship moved at the beginning, it ended just as fast. This one did not end quite so easily. Her new ex-husband was very controlling and did not agree with the breaking of this relationship. He would often arrive at her home without notice or show up in the same place Jennifer was even if Jennifer tried to not let him know. To this day there is the question of who killed Jennifer Cooke? Was one of her relationships a case of Mr. Wrong?
Contact Information:
Located in: Grandview Heights City Hall
Departments: Marble Cliff Police Department
Address: 1016 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212
Phone: (614) 488-3157
Contact Information:
Cold Case MHS: 513-398-5025 Ext. 33304
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On May 4, 2007, a local llama farmer from Delaware, OH, wasn't on the farm helping her workers do their daily duties. This was unlike Eveline Ashbaugh, who normally was the first one out barking orders to those who worked for her. Her right-hand farmhand thought it was strange for her not to be there, so he went to the house to see if she was okay. What he walked into was a horrendous scene. Sometime during the night, someone entered her home, either by walking through the front door because they were let in or they climbed up a long wooden ladder to cut the screen on an upstairs window, then attacked Eveline with a sharp object. It was a violent scene with evidence of a serious struggle between Eveline and her assailant. To this day no person of interest has been named. Hundreds of people were interviewed with no lead to her murder, Someone knows something, and one day the secrets of the farm will be uncovered.
Contact Information:
Delaware County Sheriff's Office
(740) 833-2810
1776 State Route 521 Delaware, OH 43015
Contract Information:
Cold Case MHS: 513-398-5025 Ext. 33304
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On April 27, 2006, nine-year-old MacKenzie Branham was caught in a house fire at the home of her mother and her mother's boyfriend. At first glance, it appeared the fire was the result of an accidental spark, possibly electrical or something of that nature, but it would quickly change to something dark and heinous. The fire was set with an accelerant which appeared to lead a path directly to MacKenzie's room. By the time firefighters were able to control the fire it was too late. MacKenzie was found in her bed next to the window. She could not escape the smoke and flames and fell victim to the act of a sick human being. Why would anyone want to set fire to a house with a beautiful nine-year-old sleeping in her bed? Why did the adults make it out and she did not? Arson is a unique crime. Those that commit arson only do it for specific reasons and one of those is crime concealment. What was someone trying to hide? For 18 years MacKenzie's father, Donald has been pushing the envelope to find answers to the murder of his daughter. He has lived her loss every day for all of this time. He has long gone past just trying to find out, he has gone to the point where revenge is not out of the question. Why would anyone want to take his beautiful daughter like this? What was going on that she was possibly ready to expose? Why did innocence get lost in the flames?
Contact Info: Fayette County, OH Sheriff's office 1500 Robinson Road SE Washington Court House, OH 43160 Phone: 740-335-6170 Fax: 740-333-3597
Cold Case MHS - [email protected]
513-398-5025 ext. 33304 or 513-967-0368
Information: [email protected]://coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcase
We also can be reached through Facebook, X, and Instagram
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On a warm summer day, a five-year-old Devan Duniver tried to find someone to play with. Her mom was inside preparing for dinner and she thought Devan was playing with her older brother. Time had gotten away from her when she noticed Devan wasn't around. She began to search for Devan by going next door to see if she had made her way inside with another small child she often had played with. Unlike many young children, Devan was not afraid to talk to anyone, especially if they were willing to play with her. Had Devan just wandered off and waited for her mother to find her or did someone take Devan? Minutes turned to hours. The hours began to go by so quickly. Word had spread of the missing child and the community came out to help look for her. The search carried over into the next day when the horrific discovery of her body occurred in a small patch of tall grass and weeds not far from her home. The beautiful little girl had been stabbed many times. The devastation was unbearable for the family and the community as a search for a child murderer had begun. The fear spread across the town. Parents wouldn't let their children out of their sight for weeks. Eventually, the police arrest a young boy and he is convicted of the murder of Devan, but it was later determined he was not the person who would do something this heinous. In the flash of an eye, innocence was lost for both Devan and the young man accused of her murder. To this day her case has gone cold and the monster who took her life is still out there somewhere.
Police Contact Info:
Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office
2295 Reiser Ave SE New Philadelphia OH 44663 Office: 330-339-2000
Cold Case MHS: Contact [email protected]://coldcase2.wixsite.com/mhscoldcase
We also can be reached through Facebook, X, and InstagramLink to
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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/
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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
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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.
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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
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