UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: THERESA INSANA

When a woman vanishes from her Las Vegas home, investigators find themselves working to solve a carefully-planned abduction and murder. A killer remains at large despite leaving DNA evidence behind in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Sources used to research this episode:

PODCAST: Unsolved Mystery: Theresa Insana (LVMPD’s Beyond the Badge Podcast)

‘We will not give up hope’: Murder of Niagara Falls Native Remains Unsolved 20 Years Later (Eileen Buckley / WKBW News)

Loved Ones Still Fighting for Answers in Unsolved 2004 Las Vegas Homicide of Theresa Insana (Veronica Fulton / NBC News)

SPECIAL REPORT: Tracking Theresa’s Killer, 16 Years After Her Murder Near Summerlin Home (Max Darrow / News3 Las Vegas)

Family Searching for Answers After Woman Was Killed in Las Vegas After Her Wedding Was Called Off (Jill Sederstrom / Oxygen)

Detectives See New Promise in Long-Shelved DNA. But There Are Pitfalls (Alexis Ford / Las Vegas Review Journal)

Technology Uses DNA to Create a Photo of a Possible Killer (Kelsie Smith / WHAM News)

Body Found Likely to be Summerlin Woman (Jen Lawson / The Las Vegas Sun)

Dateline S19.E71 Lost in Sin City (Dateline)

Case #: 041028-1027, Theresa Insana (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

If you know anything about the death of Theresa Insana, please call the LVMPD Homicide Section at (702) 828-3521, or e-mail them at homicide@lvmpd.com. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers of Nevada at 702-385-5555.

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: SU-YA KIM

When a New York woman doesn’t return home from a routine errand, her husband endures a sleepless night of worry before being called to the medical examiner’s office to identify her body. A case gone cold receives new scrutiny when a notorious serial killer is identified in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Sources used to research this episode:

Su-Ya Kim (Unsolved Mysteries)

Body Found in Dumpster (Daily News via newspapers.com)

Cold Cases in Areas of Brooklyn Linked to Accused Gilgo Beach Killer Re-examined (Mary Murphy / PIX11 News)

VIDEO: Unsolved Mysteries with Robert Stack – Season 6, Episode 5 (Unsolved Mysteries via YouTube)

Suspect in Gilgo Beach Serial Killings, Rex Heuermann, is Accused of Another Murder (David K. Li and Brittany Kubicko / NBC News)

Suspect in Gilgo Beach Killings May Have Begun Preying On Women More Than Three Decades Ago (Corky Siemaszko / NBC News)

Exclusive: Inside The Mind Of A Serial Killer (CBS News)

Joel Rifkin (Radford University Department of Psychology)

Gilgo: Strangulation, Taunts To Family Common In Serial, Sexual Murders: Psychologist (Peggy Spellman / Patch.com)

New York Murder/Homicide Rate 1979-2018 (macrotrends.net)

Crime in the United States: 2018 (US Bureau of Justice Statistics)

If you know anything about the murder of Su-Ya Kim, please contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-577-8477, or report an online tip HERE. You may remain anonymous if you wish.

UNSOLVED DISAPPEARANCE: JAMES YOBLONSKI

When a 13-year-old Wisconsin boy vanishes in the summer of 2023, investigators learn that he had aspirations of trying to survive “off-grid” in the wilderness. Despite the discovery of abandoned campsites and extensive search efforts, a child remains missing in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Sources used to research this episode:

1 Year Later: Wisconsin Teen James Yoblonski Still Missing (Zoie Henry / WISN News)

Missing: Sauk County Boy Not Found After A Day of Searching (Charlie Hildebrand / WMTV15 News)

Searchers Find Second Campsite, Other Clues While Looking for Missing Teen Near Devil’s Lake State Park (Logan Reigstad, Lucy Wentink and Arman Rahman / Channel 3000)

James Yoblonski’s Family Praises New Missing Child Alert That Could Have Helped Their son (Kathryn Larson / Spectrum News 1)

James Yoblonski Missing for One Year, Family Seeking Answers (John Gittings / WISC News)

What Happened to James Yoblonski? (John Giddings / WISN12 News)

‘I just feel it in my heart that he’s alive,’ Says Father of Wisconsin Boy Missing Since June (Joyce Garbaciak / WISN12 News)

Where is James Yoblonski? The Night the Sauk Co. Teen Disappeared (Rachael Perry / WKOW News)

Family Leads Search for Missing 13-Year-Old Two Weeks After His Disappearance (Braden Ross / Channel 3000)

Father of Missing 13-Year-Old Believes Boy Believes He Was ‘Coerced’ Into Leaving Home in Family Van (Graig Graziosi / The Independent)

James Yoblonski (solvethecase.org)

Missing Teen James Yoblonski Had Access to Devices Used for Web searches on How to Leave the State (Nick Viviani / WMTV15 News)

Family Violence Statistics (Bureau of Justice Statistics)

Boy Who Went Missing in Baraboo Has Family Ties to Depies (Rebecca Loroff / The Post Crescent via newspapers.com)

If you have any information on the disappearance or whereabouts of James Yoblonski, please call the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office at 608-355-4495, or Sauk County Crime Stoppers at 888-847-7285.

UNSOLVED DOUBLE-HOMICIDE: HEATHER AND KIRA RADCLIFFE

When a housefire erupts in a quiet Florida neighborhood, first responders find a mother and her young daughter deceased inside the home. Investigators search for the killer who set the fire in an attempt to destroy evidence of a double-homicide in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Sources used to research this episode:

Slaying of Mom, Daughter Unsolved (Lise Fisher / Gainesville Sun)

Fatal Gainesville Fire Ruled Arson (Nathan Crabbe / Gainesville Sun)

Gainesville Mom, 6-Year-Old Daughter Murdered, House Torched – Police Seek Tips (True Crime News)

HEATHER AND KIRA RADCLIFFE – GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA (FBI.gov)

Heather Ann Radcliffe (findagrave.com)

Kira Ann Radcliffe (findagrave.com)

2006 County Crime Data: Alachua County (State of Florida)

Wende Ellinger: Story Ran on May 15, 2005 (Lise Fisher / Gainesville Sun)

Foul Play Suspected in Woman’s Death (Deborah Ball / Gainesville Sun)

Alachua County Woman Dies in Mobile Home Fire (Associated Press / Fort Pierce Tribune)

2 Die in Gainesville Fire Caused by Faulty Heater (Associated Press / Miami Herald)

2 Area Slayings Still Unsolved 10 Years Later (Staff Writer / Gainesville Sun)

Gainesville Cold Cases (Gainesville Florida Police Department)

 If you know anything about the deaths of Heather and Kira Radcliffe—or about the death of Wende Ellinger, or the deaths of Treva Gernannt and Emily Wallace—please call the Gainesville Police Department at 352-393-7500.

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: WILMA NISSEN

When the remains of a young woman are found in an Iowa ditch, it takes decades for them to be identified. Determined to solve her murder, investigators piece together the short and heartbreaking life of the victim in this episode of Last Seen Alive

Sources used to research this episode:

Gone Cold: Wilma Nissen, Killed in 1978 (Des Moine Register)

New Lead For Lyon County Cold Case (Mark Mahoney / Northwest Iowa News)

Water Hinders Investigation (J. Wettschreck / The Globe)

Iowa Cold Case Waiting on Technology to Be Solved (Angela Kennecke / KELO News)

Search For Clues in the Murder of a Siouxland Prostitute Almost 40 Years Ago is Heating Up Again (Tim Seaman / Siouxland Proud News)

Nissen Case Pursued (J. Wettschreck / The Globe)

DNA Confirms Daughter in Lyon County Cold Case ( J. Wettschreck / The Globe)

Sheriff Vows to Find Inman’s Killer (Sioux City Journal via Newspapers.com)

Arrest Made in 31-Year-Old Murder Case in Lyon County (Radio Iowa)

Direct PCR Method for Trace DNA Analysis (forensicmag.com)

Robert Ben Rhoades (murderpedia.org)

Truck Driver Who Killed Hitchhikers Gets Life Sentences in Plea Deal (NBC News)

‘The Truck Stop Killer’ Suspected in Up to 50 Murders (Des Moines Register via Newspapers.com)

Crime in the US, 2010: Expanded Homicide Data (FBI’s UCR)

If you know anything about the death of Wilma Nissen, please call the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office at 712-472-8300.

UNSOLVED HOMICIDE: SARAH LONG

When a North Carolina woman is found dead in her home, investigators realize that what initially appeared to be a suicide is in fact a staged murder scene. A family waits for justice while a suspect inherits the victim’s estate in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Sources used to research this episode:

Family Seeks Answers 1 Year After Davidson Woman’s Murder (Alexa Ashwell / WSOC-TV)

Suicide or Murder? Cops Investigate Mysterious Death of North Carolina Woman (Steve Helling / people.com)

Search Warrants Reveal New Info About Sarah Long’s Death (WBTV)

Obituary: Sarah Long (Sholar-Riley Funeral Home)

2 Men Share Slain Davidson Woman’s 1 Million Dollar Estate (Joe Marusak / heraldonline.com)

Court Documents Reveal New Details in Davidson Death (WBTV)

Suspect in NC Woman’s 2014 Death Charged with Assaulting Woman (WBTV)

Suspect in Davidson Woman’s Killing Found Guilty in Cases Involving 2 Other Women (Joe Marusak / Charlotte Observer)

Non-Fatal Strangulation is an Important Risk Factor for Homicide of Women (Nancy Glass et al. / Journal of Emergency Medicine)

If you know anything about the murder of Sarah Long, please contact the Davidson Police Department at 704-892-5131.

UNSOLVED HOMCIDE: BOBBIE BROWN

When a dedicated Indiana teacher misses class without warning, a search of her apartment leads to a grim discovery. The chilling murder of a mother, grandmother and favorite teacher becomes a cold case in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Sources used to research this episode:

Bobbie Jean Graise Brown (findagrave.com)

Obituary: Brown, Bobbie (The Hammond Times via newspapers.com)

Death Caused by Blunt Force to Head (The Hammond Times via newspapers.com)

Teacher is Found Dead in Apartment (Mark Kiesling / The Hammond Times via newspapers.com)

Trophy Tested in Murder Case (The Hammond Times via newspapers.com)

“I WILL ALWAYS LOVE AND MISS YOU VERY MUCH” (The Hammond Times via newspapers.com)

Unsolved Murders (The Hammond Times via newspapers.com)

Hammond Teen Slain (Cindy Eberting / The Hammond Times via newspapers.com)

Hammond Family Sets Up Trust Fund for Beating Victim’s Son (Cindy Eberting / The Hammond Times via newspapers.com)

WESH 2 Investigates: How Florida Prosecutors Used Forensic Science in Tommie Lee Andrews’ Case (Greg Fox / WESH News)

If you know anything about the murder of Bobbie Brown, please contact the Highland Police Department at 219-838-3184.

UNSOLVED SUSPICIOUS DEATH: JAMES MCCLINTOCK

When an elderly Washington man dies from a fall, no one suspects his in-home caretaker—until her involvement in several other deaths is discovered. Suspicion over his death is raised as the remains of murder victims are unearthed from a serial-killing couple’s backyard in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Note: unfortunately, we were unable to locate a photo of James McClintock.

Sources used to research this episode:

Suspicions Raised Over Another Death (Jeffrey M. Barker, Ruth Teichroeb and Lewis Kamb / Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Another Victim Might Be Linked to Raymond Death (KOMO Staff / KOMO 4 News)

Dog Adds Twist to Raymond Case (Lewis Kamb and Jeffrey M. Barker / Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Raymond Couple Charged in Three Murders (Associated Press)

Bail Raised to $5 Million for Raymond Murder Suspects (KOMO Staff / KOMO 4 News)

Hunt for Evidence in Deaths Widens (Jeffrey M. Barker and Lewis Kamb / Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Tale of Abuse, Deaths Unfolding in Rural Raymond (Ian Ith and Michael Ko / Seattle Times)

Murderpedia: David Knotek (murderpedia.com)

State v. Knotek, 2006 (Court of Appeals of Washington, Division 2 via findlaw.com)

Wife’s Role Scrutinized in Deaths; Vulnerable People Drawn to Her (Ian Ith, Michael Ko and Mary Spicuzza / Seattle Times)

Raymond Murderer “Crazy Shelly” Released From Prison (Jeff Clemens / Chinook Observer)

The Bellingham Herald, Thu, Aug 14, 2003 ·Page 7 (Associated Press via newspapers.com)

The Columbian Sun, Nov 30, 2003 ·Page 26 (Associated Press via newspapers.com)

Daughters Warn Their ‘Ticking Time Bomb’ Mom, Imprisoned For Two Torture Deaths, Is Still A Danger As Her Release Nears (Gina Tron / Oxygen)

Woman Gets 22 Years in Death of Boarders (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

If you know anything about the death of James McClintock, please call the Raymond Police Department at 360-942-4120.

UNSOLVED DISAPPEARANCE: MELISSA BRANNEN

When a young girl and her mom attend a neighborhood Christmas party in Northern Virginia, they enjoy the festivities—until the girl vanishes. An open window on a cold night suggests that she was abducted, and investigators quickly zero in on a suspect in this episode of Last Seen Alive

Sources used to research this episode:

“They Never Stopped”: 30 Years Later, Probe On In 5-Year-Old’s Kidnapping (Tom Jackman / The Washington Post)

CALEB DANIEL HUGHES v. COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA (Court of Appeals Virginia)

30 Years Later, The Man Who Kidnapped 5-Year-Old Melissa Brannen Released From Prison (Samantha Kubota / WUSA9 News)

Child Abductor on Parole for 1989 Case Found Babysitting in Virginia (Paul Wagner / News 4 Washington)

Older Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offenses: A Literature Review (Rebecca L. Crookes et al.)

So, if you know anything about the disappearance of Melissa Brannon, please contact the Fairfax County Police Major Crimes Bureau at (703) 246-7800.

UNRESOLVED HOMICIDE: SANDRA BIRCHMORE

When a young, pregnant Massachusetts woman is found dead in 2021, local police write off her death as a suicide. However, the findings of a medical examiner hired by the victim’s family prompt the FBI to step in and perform an expert investigation of their own. Federal authorities charge a disgraced police officer with the premeditated murder of a young woman they say he had abused for years in this episode of Last Seen Alive.

Sources used to research this episode:

Former Massachusetts Police Officer Arrested in Connection with Murder of Young Woman (United States Attorney’s Office: District of Massachusetts)

USA v Matthew Farwell – Indictment (United States Attorney’s Office: District of Massachusetts)

USA v Matthew Farwell- Motion for Detention (United States Attorney’s Office: Motion for Detention)

USA v Matthew Farwell – Detention Affidavit (United States Attorney’s Office: Detention Affidavit)

Voluntary Decertification Agreement (Commonwealth of Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission)

The Betrayal of Sandra Birchmore (Michele McPhee / Boston Magazine)

The Sandra Birchmore Case Details Get Worse (Michele McPhee / Boston Magazine)

How a Massachusetts Cop Allegedly Groomed, Controlled and Killed Sandra Birchmore (Lakeidra Chavis / The Marshall Project)

Obituary for Warren A. Birchmore (The Boston Globe via newspapers.com)

Denise F. (McKain) Birchmore (findagrave.com)

Obituary for Gerald V. Gaudet (legacy.com)

Another Officer Connected to Sandra Birchmore Might be Decertified (Molly Farrar / boston.com)

William Farwell, Brother of Man Charged with Killing Sandra Birchmore, Has Police Certification Revoked (Matt Schooley / CBS News)

Sandra Birchmore Social Media Sleuth Questions Police Corruption (Liz Jassin / News Nation)

Family of Former Stoughton Police Explorer Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against 3 Ex-Officers (Laura Crimaldi / The Boston Globe)

Death of Sandra Birchmore a Homicide, Prominent Doctor Says (Molly Farrar / Boston.com)

25 Investigates: Feds Met with State Medical Examiner Prior to Arrest in Sandra Birchmore Case (Ted Daniel / Boston 25 News)

Prosecutors in Sandra Birchmore Case Say They Have DNA Evidence They Intend To Use (Thea DiGiammerino / NBC Boston)

Stoughton Police Officer Linked to Sandra Birchmore Case Goes in Front of POST Commission (Boston 25 News)

‘Lies, Deceit and Treachery,’ Investigation Finds 3 Former Stoughton Police Officers Had Inappropriate Relationship with Young Woman (WBZ News)

Stoughton Police Department Officer: Robert C. Devine (crimetimelines.com)

Darlene Smith v. Matthew Farwell & Others (Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

Support the US’ largest anti-sexual-violence non-profit in memory of victims like Sandra at:
RAINN.ORG