When a brutally murdered John Doe turns out to be a Catholic priest leading a double life, blame falls upon a young man who was in a different state at the time of the murder. A wrongful conviction paints a twisted picture—and is finally solved—in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
This episode is a comprehensive update / follow-up to an episode we aired in 2020 on the then-unsolved homicide of Father Patrick Ryan / wrongful conviction of James Harry Reyos. After more than 40 years, James Reyos has finally been legally-declared innocent, and Father Patrick Ryan’s real killers have been identified.
Pictured: Father Patrick Ryan (undated photo). Originally from Ireland, he was 49-years-old when he was murdered in Odessa, Texas.At age 49, Father Patrick Ryan was murdered in an Odessa, TX motel room he’d checked into under a false name.Pictured: James Harry Reyos sits in his small room in Austin, TX after his release from prison, decades ago. For years, he was confined to the room during nights and weekends, and surveilled with an ankle monitor. Today, he is finally legally-recognized as innocent.Leon J. Podles created this timeline, which illustrates the impossibility of James Reyos’ involvement in Father Patrick Ryan’s murder. What Leon J. Podles has known for years has finally been proven true, as of October 2023.James Harry Reyos–still a wrongfully convicted murderer–pictured after he was released from prison early for good behavior. In October of 2023, he was finally legally-declared innocent.
When a New York teen is murdered in his sleep on Halloween night, investigators encounter one of the most perplexing cases of their careers. A close-knit community grieves—and wonders whether one of their own might have been responsible—in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
Chaim Weiss was 15-years-old when he was murdered on Halloween night, 1986. He was only two weeks away from his 16th birthday. His murder remains unsolved. Image source: family photo.Pictured: the Long Beach, New York dorm building where Chaim lived and was sleeping when he was killed. His bedroom was on the third floor. His murderer crept into his room while he was asleep and attacked him with a heavy, bladed object. Image source: Wikipedia Commons.Chaim was one of the top-performing students in his school, in addition to being an athlete (basketball). He was known for his intelligence and sharp sense of humor. Image source: family photo.
If you know anything about the death of Chaim Weiss, please contact the Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-8477. You can remain completely anonymous if you wish.
2/22/2024 BREAKING UPDATE: On 2/22/2024, Thomas Olson was convicted of murdering Chong Moua Yang.
On September 26, 2023, prosecutors dropped the charges against Robert Rodway, one of two Michigan men accused of murdering avid hunter and beloved family man Chong Moua Yang in the fall of 2018. This development occurred less than 24 hours before the trial was scheduled to begin, following the presentation of exculpatory evidence that suggests the possible involvement of an entirely different suspect. In this breaking update episode of Last Seen Alive, we cover the most recent—and unexpected—developments in this ongoing case.
Chong Moua Yang was an avid hunter, and was 68-years-old when he was murdered while hunting his favorite spot.Chong Moua Yang was murdered while hunting at his favorite spot on public land at the Rose Lake State Wildlife Area in Bath Township, Michigan.
When a Las Vegas teen is abducted during a short walk, there’s no sign of her, despite her community’s search efforts. After her remains are found abandoned in the desert, investigators work to solve a seemingly-random murder that the victim had inexplicably predicted in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
Kathy Hobbs was 16-years-old in 1989, when she was abducted from her neighborhood in Las Vegas and murdered. She was a loving daughter and sister who aspired to become a cosmetologist and one day run her own salon. Image source: family photo.Pictured: the intersection of Desert Inn Road and Maryland Parkway. Kathy was abducted from outside a corner store, where she’d just purchased a paperback novel. Image source: Google Maps.Michael Lee Lockhart was a serial killer, known to target teenage girls, and is a strong suspect in regards to Kathy’s case. He was put to death in Texas in 1997. Neither he nor anyone else has ever been charged with Kathy’s murder.
If you know anything about the abduction or death of Kathy Hobbs, please contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Section at 702-828-3521.
When a Wyoming teen vanishes during her morning walk to school, little evidence is left behind. Days later, her small town experiences a second disappearance and investigators explore the possible connection between the two cases in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
This age-progressed image shows what Amanda might’ve looked like at approximately age 28. If alive in 2023, she’s 39-years-old. Image source: NCMEC.Patrick Gehring disappeared six days after Amanda did, from the same town. He was 20-years-old at the time and remains missing today, like Amanda. Their disappearances may be related. Image source: family photo.This age-progressed image shows what Patrick may look like currently, in his 40s, if still alive. Source: NCMEC.Amanda Gallion was 14-years-old when she went missing from Gillette Wyoming. She was a talented violinist and vocalist, and had a passion for country music. She is badly missed by those who knew and loved her, especially her parents. She remains missing, and if alive in 2023, is 39-years-old. Image source: family photo.
If you have any information on the disappearance of Amanda Gallion and / or Patrick Gehring, please contact the Gillette Police Department at 307-686-5250.
When a New York woman embarks upon a short walk in her own neighborhood, she’s abducted by an unfathomably cruel killer. Investigators pursue answers in a case that has haunted them for years in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
Carol Ryan was abducted from Syracuse, NY and cruelly murdered on September 1, 1996. She was a 42-year-old mother who had a close bond with her only child, a son.Carol was abducted from East Syracuse while walking home from an evening out. Several hours later, a fisherman found her near the shores of the Janesville Reservoir. She was gravely injured and died at the hospital despite lifesaving efforts.Carol’s case is unique among homicides due to her killer’s extreme cruelty and use of an explosive device to inflict severe internal injuries.
When a young Arkansas woman is abducted in plain sight from a busy parking lot, she isn’t seen again until her remains are found in a remote corner of the Ozark National Forest. Investigators continue a decades-long search for a cruel killer in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
Melissa Witt was 19-years-old when she was abducted from her hometown of Fort Smith, Arkansas and murdered. She was the only child of her mother, with whom she was particularly close. She was on her way to enjoy dinner with her mom when she was ambushed by her killer. Image source: family photo.Pictured: a Times Record newspaper clipping from shortly after Melissa’s December 1st, 1994 abduction.Pictured: the route between Fort Smith (where Melissa was abducted from) and the woodland location where her remains were ultimately found. The two locations are approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) apart. Image source: Google Maps.At the time of her disappearance and death, Melissa worked part-time as a dental assistant while also attending a local community college. She was studying to become a dental hygienist.Travis Crouch (aka “Skull” or “Tramp”) is a convicted, violent sexual predator currently serving time in prison. He was from the area where Melissa’s remains were found, and was familiar with the wooded location. He was reportedly seen driving in the area that Melissa was abducted from on the night of her abduction. He has not been charged with any crimes in relation to her abduction or death. Image source: Colorado Department of Corrections.Pictured: the location where Melissa’s remains were abandoned. Image source: police photo.Melissa is remembered by those who knew her as kind, fun-loving, and an optimist.
When a Northern Kentucky couple are murdered in their own home, investigators discover the strangest crime scene of their careers. An active—but perplexing—investigation unfolds as investigators attempt to determine who ended the quiet, peaceful lives of two beloved grandparents in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
Bill and Peggy Stephenson were murdered inside their Florence, KY home on May 29th, 2011. They had been married for more than 50 years, had a large family and lived peaceful lives. Image source: family photo.The double-homicide was front page news in Peggy and Bill’s hometown. The bizarre crime scene was the strangest the Boone County Sheriff’s Office has encountered, and they are still actively working the case. Image source: from page of the Florence Recorder (newspaper).Bill and Peggy were devoted grandparents who played active roles in the lives of their children and grandchildren, by whom they are now badly missed. Here, Bill holds a newborn grandchild. Photo source: family photo. Bill operated a religious, non-profit ministry for long-haul truckers at a local truck stop. After his and Peggy’s murders, other ministry volunteers distributed this pamphlet in an effort to garner leads for investigators. Image source: Trucker’s Chapel Ministry.The red marker denotes the location of Bill and Peggy’s condo. They had neighbors above and on both sides of their unit. Additionally, there was only one street in and out of the neighborhood. Investigators say the couple’s killer chose this high-risk location because they wanted to kill both Bill and Peggy, not just one half of the couple. Image source: Google Maps.Although Bill and Peggy lived in Florence, Kentucky, it’s important to note that Florence is just minutes from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Therefore, it’s possible that their killer may have had ties anywhere in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area.Peggy and Bill Stephenson had no known enemies. They are described by those who knew them as a happy-go-lucky couple characterized by kindness, generosity and love for their family and community. Investigators are actively working to determine who took their lives, and were able to recover their killer’s DNA from the crime scene. Image source: family photo.
When a Missouri honor student decides to follow in her father’s footsteps by joining the Army after highschool, she’s soon deployed to Iraq, where her life ends under unthinkable circumstances. After receiving contradictory information regarding his daughter’s death, her father—a doctor of behavioral psychology—attempts to piece together what really happened in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
LaVena Johnson was 19-years-old when she was last seen alive in Balud, Iraq on July 19th, 2005.Pictured Army investigators’ sketch of the death scene.LaVena was enthusiastically anticipating celebrating the winter holidays with her family in Missouri when she died under mysterious circumstances in July of 2005.Pictured: LaVena’s Army-issued M16.Pictured: the contractor’s tent were LaVena was found deceased.Although she was an honor student, LaVena chose to follow in her father’s footsteps by joining the Army immediately after high school. Pictured: LaVena (left) and her father, Dr Johnson (right).Pictured: the contractors’ tent inside of which LaVena was found deceased.Army Report of Casualty 1/2: LaVena Johnson.Army Report of Casualty 2/2: LaVena Johnson.Pictured: LaVEna’s
If you have any information about the death of LaVena Johnson, please report your tip to the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division. You can submit a tip online at: https://www.cid.army.mil/Submit-a-Tip/
When a young Little Rock, Arkansas woman discloses that she’s been the victim of a terrible crime, she disappears shortly thereafter. Several years later, the discovery of her hidden remains amplifies the unanswered questions her loved ones have been left to struggle with in this episode of Last Seen Alive.
Ebby Steppach was 18-years-old when she went missing from Little Rock, Arkansas on October 25th, 2015. Her remains were located two-and-a-half years later. Her homicide remains unsolved. Photo source: family photo.Ebby’s vehicle was found abandoned in Chalamont Park. Two-and-a-half years later, her remains were located in a drainage pipe approximately 60 feet (18 meters) from where her car had been found. Investigators did not originally search the drainage pipe. The medical examiner determined that her death was a homicide.Ebby was in her senior year of high school at the time of her murder. She aspired to become a cosmetologist and real estate agent. Because of her murderer(s)’ actions, she never got the chance to live out these aspirations. She is missed by her parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family members and friends.
LAST SEEN ALIVE 