UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: SU TARASKIEWICZ

When a Boston woman is found dead in the trunk of her own car, it’s initially assumed she was the victim of a random crime. However, the discovery of a diary allows the victim to speak from beyond the grave and shed light on her own murder in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Su Taraskiewicz was 27 years old when she left work to grab lunch and never returned. Shortly thereafter, she was found dead in the trunk of her own car. Family photo.
Su was the first-ever woman to hold the position of Ramp Supervisor with Northwest Airlines. She was passionate about her career, but was frequently and severely harassed by male co-workers. Family photo.
Everyone who knew Su knew she absolutely loved Snoopy. After her murder, Peanuts-creator Charles Schultz drew a custom Snoopy illustration for her gravestone. Family photo.
This polaroid was kept on-file at Su’s workplace. She worked as a Ramp Supervisor for Northwest Airlines at Logan International Airport.
Su’s body was found in the trunk of her car (pictured). She’d been severely beaten and stabbed to death. Massachusetts State Police photo.

Sources used to research this episode:

Who Killed Su Taraskiewicz? 28 Years On, Her Mother Still Vows to Get Justice: ‘I Am Not Going Away’ (Mara Mantalbano / Inside Edition)

Huge Reward Still Offered in Taraskiewicz Murder Investigation After 28 Years (Bob Ward / Boston 25 News)

28 Years After Susan Taraskiewicz Murder, State Police Determined To Solve Mystery (CBS Boston)

Susan Taraskiewicz (Mass.gov)

United States v. Brooks (United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit / caselaw.com)

29 Years After Susan Taraskiewicz’s Murder Massachusetts State Police Investigation Continues, $250,000 Reward in Effect (Michael Silvia / New Bedford Guide)

Mother Hopes Daughter’s Killer Found (Jay Lindsay / The Intelligencer)

Nuzzo v. Northwest Airlines, Inc (United States District Court, D. Massachusetts / leagle.com)

Murder Mystery: An Unsolved Slaying Of an Airline Worker Stirs Family to Action (Barbara Carton / Wall Street Journal)

Mass. Rules Against Northwest on Harassment (UPI.com)

Slay Probe Witnesses Accused of Perjury (The Boston Globe via newspapers.com)

Brawl Leads to Stabbing Arrest (Boston Globe via newspapers.com)

Northwest Settles Harassment Complaint (UPI.com)

If you know anything about the disappearance of Su Taraskiewicz, please contact the Massachusetts State Police at 508-820-2300.

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: HUGUES DE LA PLAZA

When a man is found stabbed to death inside his San Francisco apartment, the evidence located at the scene of the crime seems to contradict itself. A controversial, international investigation unfolds in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Pictured is Hugues’ apartment’s front door, alongside his neighbors’. One of Hugues’ neighbors discovered blood dripping from the doorknob to Hugues’ apartment just hours after his murder. Photo from hoodline.com
Pictured is the front stoop and stairs that Hugues shared with his neighbors who occupied the two other apartments adjacent to his. The front stoop is where Hugues is believed to have sustained his fatal stab injuries. Photo from hoodline.com
Hugues is pictured in an undated photo with his close friend Melissa Nix. Melissa is a journalist who has advocated for justice in regards to Hugues’ murder. Photo by Melissa Nix.
After being stabbed 3 times, Hugues died of blood loss. This photo of the inside of his apartment graphically illustrates the severity of the bleeding. His left subclavian vessels were severed during a stabbing attack–an injury survivable for 1 to 2 minutes at longest. Photo by Melissa Nix.
Hugues de la Plaza was 36 years old whenever he was fatally stabbed just outside the front door of his San Francisco apartment. A sound engineer by trade, Hugues was also a son, a friend, a poet and a good listener. His family and friends have campaigned for justice in regards to his death, but his killer has yet to be identified.
Pictured is the kitchen inside Hugues’ apartment, where the dinner he cooked immediately prior to his death was found barely touched on the counter. A clean steak knife was found in the sink pictured, spurring a bizarre theory detailed in our episode on this case. Photo by Melissa Nix.

Sources used to research this episode:

Who Killed Hugues de la Plaza? (Mary Spicuzza / SF Weekly)

Gruesome San Francisco Death Becomes International Mystery (Jesse McKinley / NY Times)

In Pursuit of Justice: the Story of Hugues de la Plaza (Elizabeth Nolan / Hoodline.com)

48 Hours Mystery: A Case for Murder (ABC News)

Murder or Suicide? (Matt Smith / SF Weekly)

Review of death scene/autopsy findings of Mr. Hugues De La Plaza (Dr Michael Ferenc)

The Weapons Men and Women Use Most Often to Kill (Dan Keating / Washington Post)

Major Differences Between Women and Men Who Commit Deadly Violence (University of Gothenburg / Science Daily)

BROWN v. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE (United States District Court, N.D. California / leagle.com)

If you know anything about the death of Hugues de la Plaza, please contact the San Francisco Police Department. You can call in a tip at 415-575-4444, text at tip to 847411 or click here to access the tip form on their website.

You may remain anonymous if you wish.

UNSOLVED TRIPLE HOMICIDE: WOMEN OF FLORENCE

When three women are killed with a knife inside a small town Montana beauty salon, investigators are nearly as stunned as the citizens they serve. A truly unusual crime remains unsolved twenty years later in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Brenda Patch, 44 at the time of her death, was one of the three victims.
Pictured from left to right, the three homicide victims: Dorothy Harris, Brenda Patch and Cynthia Paulus.
The triple-homicide took place inside The Hair Gallery (pictured).
A 2001 police photo shows a glimpse of the crime scene.
These sketches illustrate the “oddly dressed” suspect seen leaving the building immediately following the triple-slaying. The sunglasses were left at the crime scene.
This sketch illustrates the “oddly dressed man” believed to have killed the three women.
This sketch illustrates the suspect in a 2002 double-homicide that took place in a bakery in Great Bend, Kansas. Many similarities exist between this double-homicide and the Hair Gallery triple-homicide.

Sources used to research this episode:

The Florence Murders 20 Years Later (Jill Valley / KPAX News)

Dorothy Harris, Brenda Patch and Cynthia Paulus — Florence (The Billings Gazette)

Triple Slaying Stuns Montana Town (Eric Slater / LA Times)

Florence Homicide Stands Alone in FBI Records (Mick Holien and Michael Moore / The Missoulian)

Ask the Judge: Gangs of Montana (Russell Fagg / The Missoulian)

Two Men to be Charged in Connection with Triple-Murder (Michael Moore / The Missoulian)

Florence Murder Suspects Arraigned on New Charges (The Flathead Beacon)

2 Deny Montana Murders (Michael Moore / The Billings Gazette)

Lincoln Benavides Pleads Guilty in US Federal Court (US Attorney’s Office / FBI)

Knife vs. Gun: What a Weapon Reveals (Eric Niller/ Seeker)

Double Homicide Remains Unsolved (Susan Thacker / Great Bend Tribune)

If you know anything about the murders of Brenda Patch, Cynthia Paulus and Dorothy Harris, please call Detective Sergeant Matt Cashell at 406-375-4024.

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: PATTY VAUGHAN

When a devoted mother disappears from her Texas home on Christmas day, investigators immediately suspect foul play. A bloody trail of evidence points to an obvious suspect and offers a surprising twist in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Patty Vaughan was known for her love of and devotion to her three children. They were ages 9, 7 and 6 when she disappeared and was presumably murdered. Family photo.
Patty (right) was close to other members of her family, including her aunt (center) and litter sister Jeannie (left). Jeannie had lived with Kathy and her husband for a period of time and had valuable insight into their marriage and lives. Family photo.
Patty Vaughan was 32 years old when she disappeared on Christmas Day, 1996. She was a loving mother, sister, niece and cousin. She was also a passionate vocalist, leading a music group at her church, and a skilled seamstress. Family photo.
Pictured is the La Vernia, Texas home that Patty disappeared from on December 25th, 1996. Investigators found traces of her blood inside on the walls, floor and a mop. Her husband, from whom she had separated, was visiting and was the only person present at the time of her disappearance.
Patty’s minivan (pictured) was found abandoned on the shoulder of a busy highway that circles the city of San Antonio. Someone had let the air out of the tire. Traces of her blood were found in the dirty water pooled on the shampooed floor. Police photo.

Sources used to research this episode:


Family of Patty Vaughan Hopes for Answers 23 Years After She Vanished from Texas Home on Christmas Day 1996 (Andrea Cavallier / NBC News)

Disappeared: Patty Vaughan (Disappeared Blog)

Silent Night (Disappeared Season 3, Ep. 13)

The Mystery of Patty Vaughan (Keith Griffith / Daily Mail)

Search for Patty Vaughan on Former Husband’s Property Turns Up Empty (Stephanie Serna / KSAT News)

Investigators Still Trying to Close Patty Vaughan Case 15 Years Later (Tim Gerber / KSAT News)

New DNA Findings in Patty’s 1996 Disappearance (KSAT News)

If know anything at all about the disappearance and murder of Patty Vaughan, please contact Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7868. You can remain anonymous.

UNSOLVED SUSPICIOUS DEATH: AMY AHONEN

When an experienced Colorado outdoorswoman fails to return from a hike, her vehicle is found abandoned along a scenic route with her personal belongings left inside. Even after the discovery of her partial remains, investigators are left with more questions than answers in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

This missing poster was circulated after Amy’s disappearance in July of 2011.
The red star on this map denotes where Amy’s abandoned vehicle was found sitting on the shoulder of Colorado’s scenic Route 6.
Amy Ahonen went missing on the day before her 38th birthday in the rural area outside Golden, Colorado. The cause and manner of her death are unknown, although her partial skeletal remains have been discovered.
Police and EMTs respond to the shoulder of Colorado’s Route 6, where Amy’s vehicle was found 2 days after her disappearance. Photo from My Fox Detroit.
Searchers look down at Clear Creek from the shoulder of Colorado’s Route 6, where Amy’s vehicle was found 2 days after her disappearance. Photo from My Fox Detroit.
This Google image shows the section of Colorado Route 6 (Mile Marker 264) where Amy’s vehicle was found abandoned.
This Google image shows the rugged, rocky slopes that surround the section of Colorado Route 6 (Mile Marker 264) where Amy’s vehicle was found abandoned.
The red star on this map denotes where Amy’s abandoned vehicle was found after her disappearance, and the green star marks where her partial skeletal remains were discovered months later. It’s possible–but not known–that Clear Creek may have carried her remains for nearly 18 miles, into suburban Denver.

Sources used to research this episode:

Colo. Woman Missing, Car Found on Side of Road (CBS News)

Taylor: Friends, Family Hold Onto Hope as Search for Former Resident Continues in Colorado (Rene Cizio / The News Herald)

Craigslist Tie in Disappearance of Colorado Woman? (Christina Ng / ABC News)

Authorities Suspend Search for Missing Denver Woman (CBS Denver)

Woman’s Remains Found in Colorado Woods Nearly Three Years After She Vanished Without a Trace (Daily Mail)

More of Amy Ahonen’s Remains Found in Clear Creek (CBS Denver)

Coroner Confirms Remains Found at I-76, Sheridan are Amy Ahonen (Matt Farley / Fox31 Denver)

Animal Scavenging and Scattering and the Implications for Documenting the Deaths of Undocumented Border Crossers in the Sonoran Desert (Jess Beck,1 M.A.; Ian Ostericher,2 M.A.; Gregory Sollish,1 B.A.; and Jason De Leon,1 Ph.D. / Journal of Forensic Sciences)

Bones Aren’t Enough to Say How Missing Denver Woman Died (Associated Press)

If you have any information related to the death of Amy Ahonen, please call the Denver Police Department at 720-913-2000.

UNSOLVED DISAPPEARANCE: ROBERT HARROD

When a California man reunites with a long-lost love after a lifetime of separation, they decide to finally marry. Immediately afterward, he disappears, and suspicion surrounds those who may have been preying upon his multimillion-dollar estate in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

  • Robert Harrod went missing from his California home on July 27th, 2009.
  • Robert Harrod was 81 at the time of his disappearance, and in good health. Family photo.
  • In this 1949 family photo, 21 year old Robert is pictured fishing with Fontelle, his 15 year old fiancé. When Robert enlisted in the military during wartime, they made the tough decision to end their engagement.
  • In 2009, after nearly 60 years of separation, Robert and Fontelle reunited and were finally married. Both had married before, had families and were widowed. Robert disappeared just weeks after his wedding to Fontelle. Family photo.
  • Robert lost his treasured first wife of more than 50 years in 2008. Shortly thereafter, he lost his beloved dog. Reuniting with Fontelle was a ray of sunshine in Robert’s life after the tremendous grief he’d suffered. Family photo.

Sources used to research this episode:

Robert Harrod (Disappeared Blog)

Two Persons of Interest in 2009 Disappearance of Millionaire Released (Vicky Nguyen / Spectrum1 News)

81 Year-Old Man Missing After Wedding (ABC7NY)

After a 4 Year Search, Missing Placentia Man’s Wife Suspects Foul Play (CBS Los Angeles)

Man, 81, Married High School Sweetheart After Reconnecting with Her — and Went Missing Weeks Later (Chris Harris / People.com)

$50K Reward Offered in 2009 Killing of Placentia Man Who Vanished After Marrying High School Sweetheart (Chip Yost / Erika Martin / Mary Beth McDade / KTLA)

Vanished: Orange County’s Most Infamous Cold Cases | Bob Harrod (Miles Corwin / Orange Coast Magazine)

A Love Story Turned Mystery (Paloma Esquivel / Los Angeles Times)

Disappeared Season 6 Episode 13: Long Lost Love

If you know anything about the disappearance of Robert Harrod, please call the La Placentia Police Department at (714) 993-8164.

UNSOLVED DISAPPEARANCE: BRANDY HALL

When a dedicated firefighter-medic leaves her shift and disappears in the dead of night, the search for her begins immediately. Evidence surfaces from the coastal Florida waters to tell a tragic story in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

  • Brandy Hall was 32 years old at the time of her disappearance and presumed murder. She’d spent her entire adult life serving others as a firefighter-medic.
  • Brandy is pictured dancing with her husband, Jeff. Investigators do not believe Jeff was involved in her disappearance.
  • Brandy’s career was extremely important to her. She lost her paid job as a firefighter-medic shortly before her disappearance and chose to volunteer instead.
  • Brandy left her firefighting shift early on an August 2006 night and never made it home. Investigators found her truck in a pond the following day. Blood was located on the seats and floor. Her body has never been found, but she’s believed to be deceased.
  • Randall Richmond was Brandy’s former boss, with whom she was having an affair at the time of her disappearance. Randall has told different stories to police, who believe he knows more than he’s revealed about Brandy’s disappearance and presumed murder.

Sources used to research this episode:

Brandy Hall (Disappeared Blog)

Missing Firefighter’s Pants Found in Pond (Firehouse.com)

Ex-Fire Chief in Osceola Gets 3 Years for Pot Farm (Mark Pino / Orlando Sentinel)

Ex-Osceola Fire Chief Arrested in Pot-Growing Bust (Erin Cox / Orlando Sentinel)

Brandy Hall Dig Reveals Nothing as Police Plan to Search Another Area (John A. Torres / Florida Today)

[Video] Mother of 2 Drives out of Fire Station, Vanishes – Pt. 1 (Crime Watch Daily)

[Video] Mother of 2 Drives out of Fire Station, Vanishes – Pt. 2 (Crime Watch Daily)

[Video] Mother of 2 Drives out of Fire Station, Vanishes – Pt. 3 (Crime Watch Daily)

When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2018 Homicide Data (Violence Policy Center)

If you know anything about the disappearance of Brandy Hall, call the Palm Bay Police Department at 321-952-3539.

UNSOLVED SUSPICIOUS DEATH: JONATHAN LUNA

When a federal prosecuting attorney working in Baltimore is found dead hours away in the heart of idyllic Amish Country, questions abound. Local police and the FBI disagree over whether his death is a homicide or a supremely strange suicide in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

  • From a young age, Jonathan was known for his academic ambitions and sense of style. Here, he’s pictured in his high school cafeteria. Photo courtesy of: the Luna family.
  • Jonathan didn’t let his family’s modest financial background inhibit his academic achievements. Here, he’s pictured during a clerkship he earned after graduating from law school. Photo courtesy of: the Luna family.
  • Jonathan was known for his social, accepting nature. He accumulated many friends during law school, and was voted class president. Photo courtesy of: the Luna family.
  • Jonathan had a prestigious career as a successful federal prosecutor, prosecuting criminals including those who committed crimes against children. Photo courtesy of: the Luna family.
  • Pictured: a Pennsylvania State Trooper hands yellow tape around the creek where Jonathan was found deceased. Photo courtesy of: Lancaster Online.
  • Pictured: Jonathan’s Toyota, which he inexplicably drove several hours from Baltimore to rural Lancaster County, PA on the night of his death. Blood and cash were scattered throughout the car when it was found close to his body. Photo courtesy of: FBI.

Sources used to research this episode:

A Decade Later, Prosecutor Luna’s Death Still a Mystery (Cheryl W. Thompson / Washington Post)

Slain Prosecutor’s Relationships with Women Examined (Gail Gibson / Baltimore Sun)

Sources: Slain Prosecutor was Tortured (Elaine Quijano / Terry Frieden / CNN)

Personal Motive Suspected in Killing of US Prosecutor (Gail Gibson / Baltimore Sun)

Luna Parents Wait, Hope for Word on Son’s Killer (Gus G. Sentamentes / Baltimore Sun)

Two Accused of Using Studio in Drug Ring (Gail Gibson / Baltimore Sun)

Slain Prosecutor’s Personal Life Probed (Rebecca Gomez / Fox News)

Probe in Killing of Prosecutor Luna Stalls (Gail Gibson and Lynn Anderson / The Baltimore Sun)

Luna’s Three-State Car Trip a mystery to Investigators (Susan Levine, Frederick Kunkle and Allan Lengel / The Washington Post)

If you know anything about the death of Jonathan Luna, call the FBI at 1-800-225-5324. Or, submit a tip online by clicking HERE.

BREAKING UPDATE IN FAITH HEDGEPETH’S CASE: MAN ARRESTED ON CHARGE OF 1ST DEGREE MURDER

Nine years and nine days after 19 year old college student Faith Hedgepeth was beaten to death by an unknown assailant, a man has been arrested on a charge of 1st Degree Murder.

Faith was a 19 year old student at the University of North Carolina whenever she was cruelly murdered in September of 2012. She loved children and was an aspiring pediatrician. Amongst others in her Halawi Saponi tribal community, she was known as a role model for younger girls.
Miguel Enrique Silguero-Olivares has been charged with Faith’s murder.

Miguel Enrique Silguero-Olivares, 28, of Durham, NC has been charged with 1st Degree Murder and is being held without bond in the Durham County Jail.

Listen to our next episode (airing Monday, 09/27/2021) for a more detailed update on this breakthrough in Faith’s case.

Listen to our original episode on the case–Unsolved Homicide: Faith Hedgepeth:

Did you know? The Hedgepeth family provides scholarships to other young indigenous women in memory of Faith. So far, 26 scholarships have been gifted to deserving women who, like Faith, want to make a positive impact on the world.

Want to contribute? Info on how to donate is here.

Sources used to research this update:

Faith Hedgepeth’s Dad Watches as Accused Killer Appears at Court (Gloria Rodriguez / ABC11 News)

Family, Tribal Members React to Arrest in Faith Hedgepeth Murder Investigation (Michael Perchick / ABC11 News)

Arrest Made in Faith Hedgepeth Murder Investigation 9 Years Later (Elle Kehres / Chapelboro.com)

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: ERIC TAMIYASU

When a third generation Oregon fruit-grower is murdered on the grounds of his own orchard, investigators struggle to determine who could have wanted the well-liked man dead. An investigation full of surprising twists unfolds in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

  • Eric Tamiyasu was 41 years old whenever he was murdered in June of 2001 in Hood River, Oregon. Family photo.
  • Don Dixon, an associate of Eric’s, discovered Eric’s remains and has been a controversial figure since. Photo from KOIN News.
  • Eric was a professional fruit-grower who lived on the grounds of his family’s orchard. Family photo.
  • This satellite image shows the remoteness of the property where Eric was murdered. Investigators believe that whoever murdered Eric came there with the express purpose of doing so. Image from Google Maps.

Sources used to research this episode:

Unsolved Mysteries: Eric Tamiyasu (Unsolved Mysteries)

‘Somebody Came for the Sole Purpose of Killing Eric’ (Chelsea Wicks / KOIN News)

‘Local Murder Draws New Exposure’ (Hood River News / Columbia Gorge News)

About Tamiyasu Orchards (TamiyasuFruit.com)

Tamiyasu Case: Rumors Swirl Around Murder (Hood River News / Columbia Gorge News)

Population of Hood River County, Oregon: Census 2010 and 2000 (Census Viewer)

Gunshot Wounds: Practical Aspects of Firearms, Ballistics, and Forensic Techniques (V. DiMaio, MD)

If you know anything about the death of Eric Tamiyasu, please call the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office at 541-386-2098.