When a kindergartener is abducted while waiting for the school bus, hundreds of searchers scour small-town North Carolina and discover that their worst fears have come true. The murder of a beloved child haunts a community and remains an ongoing investigation in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
Brittany Locklear was 5 years old whenever she was abducted and murdered on January 7, 1998. An unidentified man grabbed her from where she waited at her school bus stop and sped away.Although she was both the youngest and the smallest in her kindergarten class, Brittany was known for her loving and outgoing nature.Pictured: Brittany in an undated family photo with her mother, Connie, who has been campaigning for justice in regards to her beloved daughter’s death since 1998.Pictured: the driveway that leads to the then-home of the Locklear family. Brittany was abducted while she was waiting at its end for the school bus. A neighbor / mother witnessed the abduction. Image from Google Maps.
Sources used to research Brittany’s case for this episode:
If you know anything about the murder of Brittany Locklear, please contact the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office at 910-875-5111.
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UNSOLVED DISAPPEARNCE: TONEE TURNER
Tonee Turner, a gifted artist, was 22 years old whenever she disappeared from Pittsburgh, PA on 12/30/2019.Tonee was last seen by the bus driver dropping her off at this bus stop (pictured) near her home. Image from Google Maps.On the day of her disappearance, some of Tonee’s belongings were found on the pedestrian walkway of the Homestead Grays Bridge (pictured). Image from Google Maps.The (bridge) location where Tonee’s belongings were found is >2 miles from her home. Tonee did not own a vehicle. How her belongings came to be abandoned there is unknown.Tonee is a gifted artist who taught ceramics to children at a local library. She was actively involved with her family and community, and is very missed.This mural displayed in Tonee’s neighborhood demonstrates how much she is loved and missed.
Sources used to research Tonee’s case for this episode:
If you know anything about the disappearance of Tonee Turner, please call the Pittsburgh Police Department’s Missing Persons Investigation Division at 412-232-7141.
When a Dallas man doesn’t make it home from an early-morning gym session in time to start the work day, his family immediately launches a search. A missing persons case takes a tragic turn for the worst—and the mysterious—in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
Alan White was 55 years old when he failed to return home from an early-morning workout on October 22, 2020. A successful accounting executive, he had a strong family life and marriage. His missing persons case tragically evolved in a homicide investigation whenever his remains were discovered.This satellite image from Google Maps shows Alan’s last known location, which was at a gas station (red marker) approximately a mile and a half from his home.This gas station surveillance footage shows Alan pumping gas just a mile and a half from his home on the morning of his disappearance. This is the last known sighting of Alan.This satellite image from Google Maps shows the circular route Alan drove on the morning of his disappearance. It’s unknown why he drove a seemingly unnecessary distance to refuel his vehicle that morning.This satellite image from Google Maps shows the place (red marker) where Alan’s vehicle was found abandoned in a remote lot in southern Dallas. Alan was not found with his vehicle.Alan smiles in an undated family photo. His homicide remains unsolved, and he is missed by his husband and family, with whom he shared close relationships.
If you have any information about the murder of Alan White, please contact the Dallas Police Department at 214-283-4818 and refer to James Alan White and / or case #188623-2020.
When a young mother is murdered in her Michigan home, the brutality of the crime is unprecedented in her small community. An enduring mystery remains unsolved despite a wealth of evidence in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
SOLVED IN 2023
After 35 years, investigators arrested 53-year-old Robert Odell Waters of Beaufort, South Carolina in relation to the brutal 1988 murder of young mother Cathy Swartz. Waters was charged with Open Murder, and taken into custody on April 30th, 2023. Waters was identified as a suspect through the use of familial DNA, cutting-edge DNA technologyand the expertise of scientists at Othram Labs. The Three Rivers Police Department, Michigan State Police and Western Michigan State University’s Cold Case Program all worked hard to ID Cathy’s alleged murderer and bring him to justice.
For more information on how Cathy’s alleged murderer was brought to justice–and how you can help solve other cold cases–check out Last Seen Alive’s update episode on Cathy’s case, which aired on May 4th, 2023.
Additional update: suspect Robert Odell Waters was found deceased in his jail cell at Beaufort County Detention Center on May 6th, 2023, one week after his arrest.Cathy Swartz is pictured holding her infant daughter. In 1988, Cathy was brutally killed while home alone with her baby, who was found in her crib, unharmed. Cathy’s murder remains unsolved.This police sketch depicts an eyewitness’ account of someone seen leaving Cathy’s home on the day of her murder–possibly her killer.Jeffrey Wayne Gorton is a serial killer known to have murdered at least two Michigan women. His crimes included similar MO factors to Cathy’s murder. It is unknown whether he may have had anything to do with Cathy’s death.Pictured is the floor plan to Cathy’s townhome. Forensic evidence indicated that the fatal attack began in the kitchen, and ended in a bedroom.
Also, this collection of newspaper clippings from the South Bend Tribune and others, from around the time of Cathy’s death and the following few years:
If you know anything about the murder of Cathy Swartz, please contact the Three Rivers Police Department at 269-278-1235.
When a Florida toddler disappears from his bed and into the summer night, the investigation that follows is as controversial as it is urgent. An open window, a media firestorm and a series of tragedies complicate the search for a missing child in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
Trenton Duckett with his mother, Melinda Duckett. Trenton was 2 years old whenever he disappeared from his bedroom in his mother’s apartment. He remains missing.This affidavit was submitted by Joshua Duckett (father of Trenton Duckett) who had accused Melinda Duckett (mother of Trenton Duckett) of threatening to harm Trenton.Trenton with his mother, Melinda. Melinda gave birth to Trenton shortly after graduating high school. Her relationship with his father–to whom she was briefly married–was tumultuous.The letter Melinda left to the public before committing suicide. Page 1 of the letter Melinda left to her grandparents before committing suicide. Page 2 of the letter Melinda left to her grandparents before committing suicide.One of Melinda’s suicide notes (recipient unspecified).The letter Melinda left to her parents before committing suicide.One of the discarded items discussed in this podcast episode. Police photo.One of the discarded items (close up) discussed in this podcast episode. Police photo.One of the discarded items discussed in this podcast episode. Police photo.Some of the discarded items discussed in this podcast episode. Police photo.Some of the discarded items discussed in this podcast episode. Police photo.One of the discarded items discussed in this podcast episode. Police photo.Some of the discarded items discussed in this podcast episode. Police photo.One of the discarded items discussed in this podcast episode. Police photo.Trenton Duckett was 2 years old whenever he disappeared from his bedroom in August of 2006. He remains missing.A photo of Trenton (age 2) is compared to an age-progressed image representing what Trenton might have looked like at age 15. At the time of this positing (January 2022), Trenton is or would be 18 years of age.
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.
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.comPictured 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.comHugues 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LAST SEEN ALIVE 