LAST SEEN ALIVE

NOW SOLVED: HOMICIDE OF REBECCA PARK

When a medical student and military reserve officer disappears during a run through a Philadelphia park, foul play is immediately suspected. The discovery of her body incriminates a deadly serial offender who is finally identified and charged in this special, updated episode of Last Seen Alive.

DECEMBER 2023 UPDATE: We originally aired an episode on Rebecca’s unsolved murder in 2020. In December of 2023, Philadelphia police identified Elias Diaz, age 46, as Rebecca’s alleged killer. He was charged with her murder–and an assortment of related charges–on December 20th, 2023 (see charges listed on court document below). Bail was denied. He has also been charged in relation to two other attacks committed in November of 2023. The total number of his victims isn’t known for sure, and Philadelphia Police are seeking any information that could lead to additional charges against Diaz.

You can find our update episode on Rebecca’s case, featuring the latest information available as of 12/20/2023, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Rebecca Park is remembered by her friends, family and co-workers for her sunny attitude, organized nature and boundless energy. She was always moving forward, and excelled in her medical studies. She loved animals, science and medicine, and valued family and friends.

Sources used to research this episode:

Suspect in Pennypack Trail Slashings Charged with 2003 Fairmount Park Rape and Murder (NBC10 Staff / NBC10 Philadelphia )

Man Charged in 20-Year-Old Philadelphia Cold Case Killing and Rape After DNA Link, Officials Say (Celina Tebor and Danny Freeman / CNN)

Elias Diaz charged with 2003 Philadelphia cold case murder of Rebecca Park (Alexandra Simon, Aliza Shuler and Joe Holden / CBS News Philadelphia)

Runner’s Life Was Rife with Promise, Rebecca Park’s Friends and Family Recall Her Strength, Energy (Natalie Pompilio / Philadelphia Enquirer)

Body Identified as Missing Student in Philadelphia (Los Angeles Times)

Literally the Calvary: Meet the Philadelphia Police Department’s Mounted Cops (Billy Penn)

Running While Female (Runner’s World / Michelle Hamilton)

FBI, Police Continue Search for Fairmount Park Rapist 16 Years Later (NBC Philadelphia)

DNA Tool May Help in Fairmount Park Rapist Cold Case (ABC6)

Search Continues for Fairmount Park Rapist (Northeast Times / William Kenny)

If you have any information that could lead to additional charges against Diaz, please call 215-686-8477 to report what you know to Philadelphia Police.

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: DAVID COX

When a young Marine Corps veteran has an unwelcome spotlight cast upon his life by Hollywood, murder soon follows. An execution-style killing in the Massachusetts woods cuts a young life short and baffles investigators in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

David Cox enlisted in the United States Marines Corps at age 18 and served for several years at bases all over the world. Image source: family photo.

Sources used to research this episode:

Guantanamo Gazette Vol. 45–No. 166 (US NAVY)

Ex-Marine Who Felt ‘A Few Good Men’ Maligned Him is Mysteriously Murdered (Baltimore Sun / Bill Glauber)

Cold Case: Who Killed David Cox, Marine Who Inspired ‘A Few Good Men’? (Atlanta Journal Constitution / Boston 25 News)

Unsolved Mysteries: David Cox (Unsolved Mysteries)

New England’s Unsolved: Who Killed US Marine David Cox? (Bob Ward / Boston 25 News)

‘It Was Definitely an Execution-Style Shooting’: The Unsolved Murder of a Marine Whose Story Inspired ‘A Few Good Men’ (Emily Sweeney / The Boston Globe)

If you know anything about the murder of David Cox, please contact the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office at: 617-593-8840.

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: NANETTE KRENTEL

When a Louisiana woman’s worst fears come true, investigators are left to sift through the ashes of the home she shared with her fire chief husband. Arson and betrayal complicate the search for truth in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Nanette’s husband, Steve, was the local fire chief, and one of the first firefighters on scene. This still frame is taken from his in-vehicle camera footage, which was recording when he arrived at his burning home. Image source: fire department footage.

Sources used to research / write this episode:

St. Tammany Fire District Chief’s Wife Believed to be Victim in Fatal Lacombe House Fire (Sara Pagones / The Advocate)

Who Killed Nanette Krentel? What We Know About What Happened and When (WWLTV / Katie Moore)

(VIDEO) Mystery in Ashes: the Nanette Krentel Story–Who Killed Nanette Krentel? (WWLTV)

(VIDEO) Mystery in Ashes: The Nanette Krentel Story–“He threatened to burn down the house.” (WWLTV)

Sheriff Releases New Details on Nanette Krentel Homicide Probe (FOX8 / Kelly Weston)

Nanette Krentel Case: Sheriff Gives New Details, Whereabouts of Key Figures During Shooting, Fire (NOLA.COM / Sara Pagones)

Why Fire Chief Wife’s Death in Her Burned-Down House Is the ‘Perfect Story for Social Media Trolls’ (Christine Pelisek / people.com)

Fire Chief Who Cheated on Wife Is Still in Complete Shock After Her 2017 Unsolved Murder (Christine Pelisek / people.com)

Emails Show She Feared Her House Could be Set on Fire Before She Was Found Dead in the Ashes (WWLTV / Katie Moore)

Nanette Krentel’s Slaying Leaves Family with Questions, Doubts About the Investigation (NOLA.COM)

Nanette Krentel Case Remains Unsolved 7 Years Later (Sula Kim / WDSU News)

North Shore Homicide Detectives Examine Fire Dept. Probe of Former Chief Stephen Krentel (Robert Rhoden / nola.com)

Inside the Mysterious Murder and Burning of a Small-Town Fire Chief’s Wife (Christine Pelisek / people.com)

Firefighter Comes Forward With Explosive Allegations Against Covington Fire Chief (Fox8 News)

Embattled LA Chief Announces Retirement (Sarah Pagones / Firehouse.com)

Court Rules Against Sheriff Who Had Ex-Deputy Arrested, Strip Searched Over Email Criticism (Richard A. Webster / Louisiana Illuminator)

Arrest of Man Who Criticized St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office Drew FBI Scrutiny, Court Filing Says (WWLTV News)

JERRY ROGERS, JR., Plaintiff v. SHERIFF RANDY SMITH, DANNY CULPEPER, and KEITH CANIZARO (UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA)

If you know anything about the death of Nanette Krentel, please contact Crime Stoppers at (504) 822-1111.

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: DIANA ROBERTSON

When a young family ventures into a remote Washington forest in search of the perfect Christmas tree, a dark mystery unfolds. Parents go missing, a child is found wandering alone in another town and all of Washington state wonders whether a serial predator may be waiting in the woods in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Diana Robertson (right) is pictured with her boyfriend, Michael Riemer (left). Diana was a victim of homicide, and Michael’s cause of death remains unknown. Image source: family photo.

Sources used to research this episode:

Diana Robertson (Unsolved Mysteries)

Mineral: Diana Robertson (Washed Away Podcast)

Parents Missing (Associated Press)

Father Presses Hunt for Missing Couple (Associated Press)

Woman’s Body Found (Associated Press)

Woman’s Body Discovered (The Spokesman-Review, Feb. 20, 1986 ed.)

Body Identified As Trapper’s Girlfriend (Associated Press)

Woman Was Slain, Her Boyfriend’s Still Missing (Associated Press)

Puyallup Father Continues Hunt for Clues in Couple’s Disappearance (Associated Press)

Police Say Boyfriend Could Be Slaying Suspect (Seattle Post-Intelligencer / George Foster)

Bureau of Justice Statistics Selected Findings: Female Victims of Violence (Bureau of Justice Statistics)

Skull Discovery Revives Washington Mystery (The Seattle Times)

Mystery Lingers: Discovery of Trapper’s Skull Adds Clue to Couple’s 1985 Disappearance (The Olympian / Stacey Mulick)

Discovery of Skull Raises New Questions About 1980s Murders (Stacey Mulick / The News Tribune)

Are Cases Tied? (Ellensburg Daily Record)

Authorities Try to Identify Skull (The News Tribune)

Headless Body May Be Missing Woman (The News Tribune)

Death Listed As Suicide (The Olympian)

Baffling Deaths Haunt County (Dave Hendrick / The Olympian)

If you know anything about the deaths of Diana Robertson or Michael Riemer, please contact the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office at: 360-748-9286.

UNSOLVED DISAPPEARANCE: CINDY (HYUN JONG) SONG

When a Penn State University senior disappears without a trace on Halloween night, only one thing is clear: she didn’t vanish voluntarily. A heartbreaking mystery leads to a tale of real-life monsters in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Cindy Song was 23-years-old when she went missing from State College, Pennsylvania on Halloween night, 2001. This photo was taken on the night of her disappearance. Image source: family photo.

Sources used to research this episode:

Unsolved Mysteries: Cindy Song (Unsolved Mysteries)

Korean-Born Penn State Student ‘Just Vanished’ After Party (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette / Tom Gibb)

8 Years After Penn State Student Disappeared, Case Narrows to 1 Active Lead (Penn Live / Sara Ganim)

Who Abducted Cindy Song? Unpacking the Cold Case of the Halloween Bunny that Disappeared Into the Night (Nathan Jolly / new.com.au)

Grand Jury: Dozen Bodies Found in Hugo Selenski’s Backyard (Elizabeth Skrapits / The Daily Call)

Documentary Focuses on Missing Student Case (Sharon Johnson / The Patriot-News)

Police Still Searching for Missing PSU Student (L. Deshan Crittenden / Centre Daily Times)

Police Hope Acquaintances Will Provide Clues to Whereabouts of Missing Student (L. Deshan Crittenden / Centre Daily Times)

Missing Student Case Unsolved (Dan Lewerenz / York Daily Record)

Search for Missing Penn State Student Continues (Dan Lewerenz / York Daily Record)

Has Cindy Song Been Forgotten? (Thomas Bassigner / The Patriot-News)

Song Case Still Gets Attention (Adam Smeltz / Centre Daily Times)

If you know anything about the disappearance of Cindy (Hyun Jong) Song, please contact the Ferguson Township Police at 814-237-1172.

UNSOLVED SUSPICIOUS DEATH: TOM BROWN

When a small town Texas teen goes missing, an entire community turns out to search the high prairie by land and air. A mysterious death, a contentious debate and shocking accounts of corruption are explored in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Tom Brown smiles in a formal senior portrait. — Tom Brown was 18-years-old when he went missing from his small hometown of Canadian, Texas in 2016. His partial remains were found approx. two years later, and it remains unknown how he died. The Texas Attorney General’s Office has suspended their investigation into his death pending further information. Image source: family photo.

A portrait of a caucasian male wearing a cowboy hat and posing in front of a brick wall. — Tom Brown was 18-years-old when he went missing from his small hometown of Canadian, Texas in 2016. His partial remains were found approx. two years later, and it remains unknown how he died. The Texas Attorney General’s Office has suspended their investigation into his death pending further information. Image source: family photo.

Sources used to research this episode:

Joint Statement of the Office of the Texas Attorney General And the 31st Judicial District Attorney’s Office (Texas Attorney General’s Office)

Podcast: Tom Brown’s Body (Texas Monthly via Spotify)

ArcGIS Stories: Tom Brown’s Body (Chris Lee / ArcGIS Story Maps)

High School Senior Thomas Brown Missing from Texas After Vanishing Over Thanksgiving 2016 (NBC News)

Family Asking for Prayers After Remains of Missing Texas Teen Thomas Brown Identified (NBC News)

Panhandle Community Searches for Evidence Regarding Thomas Brown’s Disappearance (ABC7 News)

TCOLE Investigation Reveals New Information About Thomas Brown Case (ABC7 News)

Remains of Missing Texas Teen Discovered Two Years After He Disappeared Under Mysterious Circumstances (Oxygen)

‘It’s disappointing’: Thomas Brown’s mom reacts to suspension of AG’s investigation (KFDA Amarillo News)

‘Sheriff Pearson Responds (The Canadian Record)

New Details Released in Canadian Teen’s Death (Niccole Caan / ABC7 News Amarillo)

Wolfe City Police Officer Arrested (City of Bonham / NTXE News)

Apple Launches New Repair Program for iPhone 6s Units Affected by Unexpected Shutdowns (Chance Miller / 9to5Mac.com)

Investigation into Hemphill County Sheriff Closed, 31st District Attorney Says (Kaley Green / myhighplains.com)

Hemphill County Deputy Let Go Following Letter Addressing Credibility from County Attorney (ABC7 News)

What is the Average Walking Speed? (Medical News Today)

An Explanation on Brady Letters (Joe C. Tooley, J.D. / TMPA)

If you know anything about the death of Tom Brown, please contact the Texas Attorney General Criminal Investigation Division at 512-463-2100.

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: LISA AU

When a young Hawaiian woman leaves a dinner party on a torrentially rainy night, the journey turns deadly—and not because of the weather. Fear grips the Island of Oahu as police search for a killer within their own ranks in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

A brown sedan pictured is Lisa's car. — Pictured: Lisa’s car from which she is believed to possibly have been abducted. It was found abandoned along a highway near her home. Image source: KGMB.

A crying woman grips her husband's arm and presses her face against his shoulder. — Pictured: Lisa’s car from which she is believed to possibly have been abducted. It was found abandoned along a highway near her home. Image source: KGMB.

Sources used to research to research this episode:

37 Years Ago, Her Murder Gripped Oahu. But From the Start, the Investigation Went Astray (Hawaii News Now)

Lisa Au (Honolulu Star Bulletin via newspapers.com)

Female Body Discovered on Tantalus (Charles Memminger / Honolulu Star Bulletin via newspapers.com)

Mystery Remains Decades After Hawaii Teen Lisa Au Was Found Dead In 1982 (Aaron Rasmussen / Investigation Discovery)

Officers Hunt Au’s Killer; Fake Policemen Reported (Honolulu Star Bulletin)

Lisa Au’s Parents Seek Second Look (Charles Memminger / Honolulu Star Bulletin via newspapers.com)

Au Family Sues City Again (Honolulu Star Bulletin via newspapers.com)

Testimony of 2 Policemen Cited in Au Damages Suit (Lee Catterall / Honolulu Star Bulletin via newspapers.com)

Lisa Au Case Symbol of Senseless Slayings (Honolulu Star Bulletin via newspapers.com)

AU: Her Family Wants Federal Agents to Intervene (Honolulu Star Bulletin via newspapers.com)

Detectives Hope DNA Can Link Man To Oahu’s Serial Killings (KITV)

Video: Lynn Kawano Investigates: Buried Evidence: The Lisa Au Case (Hawaii News Now / Lynn Kawano)

Is the Honolulu Strangler Dead or Still at Large? (ActiveFugitives.com)

State and Island Population 1960-2010 (hawaii.gov)

If you know anything about what happened to Lisa Au, please call the Honolulu Police Department at 808-529-3111 and share what you know. Or, if you prefer, you can click here to report a tip at website—honolulupd.org.

UNSOLVED DISAPPEARANCE: AMY WROE BECHTEL

When an accomplished long distance runner hits the trails in the central Wyoming mountains and never returns, investigators are tasked with answering the question: what—or who—did this Olympic hopeful fail to outrun? Strange journals, a serial killer with a history of terrible crimes against women and other theories are explored in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Photo of Amy Wroe Bechtel smiling in front of a lake while holding the leash of a yellow Labrador retriever — Amy Wroe Bechtel was 24-years-old when she disappeared while on a run near Lander, Wyoming. Image source: family photo.

Photo of Amy Wroe Bechtel posing and smiling outdoors with her husband, Steve — Amy Wroe Bechtel was 24-years-old when she disappeared while on a run near Lander, Wyoming. Image source: family photo.

Sources used to research this episode:

Long Gone Girl (Runner’s World / Jon Billman)

Since She’s Been Gone (Deirdre Stoelzle / Casper Star Tribune)

Unsolved Mysteries: Amy Wroe Bechtel (Unsolved Mysteries)

When Amy Bechtel Didn’t Come Home (Outside Magazine)

Bureau of Justice Statistics Selected Findings: Female Victims of Violence (BJS)

Break in Great Basin Murders? (ABC7 Denver)

Authorities to Investigate New Leads in the 1997 Disappearance of Amy Wroe Bechtel (Wyoming Public Radio / Sara Hossaini)

Dale Wayne Eaton “The LIL Miss Killer” (Radford University Serial Killer Information Center)

Profilers: Denver Woman’s Murder Points to Serial Killer (ABC7 Denver)

The Disturbing Disappearance of Runner Amy Wroe Bechtel in Wyoming (StrangeOutdoors.com)

Running While Female (Runner’s World / Michelle Hamilton)

Fund-Raisers to Benefit Bechtel Search (Emily McNeil / Casper Star-Tribune)

‘He Tried to Kill Us’ Woman Who Escaped Eaton Testifies Today (Casper Star-Tribune)

Bear Attacks Statistics 2025 – Global Injuries & Fatalities (Alexander Laybourne / World Animal Foundation)

Risk and Recreation: What We Know About Mountain Lion Attacks in North America (Mountain Lion Foundation)

Wolf Attacks on Humans: An Update for 2002–2020 (John D. C. Linnell, Ekaterina Kovtun & Ive Rouart)

If you know anything about Amy Wroe Bechtel’s disappearance, please contact the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office at 307-332-5611.

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: FAITH HEDGEPETH

When a college junior and aspiring pediatrician is beaten to death in her own bed, the bright future of a beloved young woman and active member of the Haliwa-Saponi tribal community is instantly destroyed. A bitter note, a fight captured on voicemail during an accidental pocket-dial and past police reports of violence weave a story of jealousy, cruelty and lingering mystery in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

A BREAKING UPDATE IN FAITH’S CASE WAS MADE IN SEPTEMBER 2021! MORE INFO HERE.

Faith Hedgepeth, 19, was murdered on September 7th, 2012. Her case remains unsolved.

Faith Hedgepeth, an aspiring pediatrician, smiles in an undated holiday photo.

This note, found on Faith’s bed along with her body, is considered to be of significant evidentiary value by investigators.

A young Faith Hedgepeth (right) participates in her first pow wow. Faith was an active member of the Haliwa Saponi tribal community throughout her life.

This status–posted on the day of Faith’s murder by a man who blamed her for the end of his relationship with her friend, Karena, has drawn considerable attention from investigators and the public alike. The poster–Eriq Jones–had allegedly made threats to kill Faith just prior to her death.

This DNA snapshot poster, produced by Parabon Nanolabs, depicts the genetic profile the lab developed from DNA left at the scene of Faith’s murder.

Faith (right) is pictured with her friend, Karena. Karena left the apartment door unlocked while Faith was sleeping inside and later returned to find her murdered.

Sources used to research this episode:

Three Years Later: Still No Answers for Murdered Native Student’s Family (Indian Country Today)

Murdered UNC Student’s Final Moments: What Police Say Happened to Faith Hedgepeth (ABC News)

On The Last Night of Her Life, an Uncertain Timeline for Faith Danielle Hedgepeth (The Daily Tarheel)

Losing Faith: the Hedgepeth Murder Mystery at UNC (True Crime Daily)

A Local Company is Helping Catch Cold Case Criminals from Coast to Coast. Here’s Where it’s Gone to Work. (Washington Business Journal)

Voicemail Found Left by UNC Student’s Phone on Night of Her Murder: Part 4

Voicemail Audio Recording Analysis (Crime Watch Daily / Arlo West)

Eriq Takoy Jones: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know (Heavy.com)

Discovery of DNA Prompts Profile of UNC Student’s Killer (WRAL News)

Faith Hedgepeth Homicide Unsealed Police Narratives and Search Warrants

Did you know? Native American women are murdered at a rate of up to 10 times the national average (source).

You can do something to help change this statistic.

Make a donation to the Indian Law Resource Center’s Safe Women project in honor of Faith.

Direct your donation to the Safe Women Project and name Faith Hedgepath as your honoree.

If you have any information about Faith Hedgepeth’s murder, call the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760 OR Chapel Hill / Carrboro / UNC Crime Stoppers at 919-942-7515.

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: ROSE BURKERT & ROGER ATKISON

When a young couple sets off for a weekend away, disappointment awaits at their destination, where a morticians’ convention has the hotel fully booked. A last-minute vacancy proves to be more deadly than lucky, resulting in a double ax murder with an incredible array of possible suspects in this episode of Last Seen Alive.