Advertise on podcast: Help Me Hayley: Cold Case Files

In 1984, two fishermen found a woman's torso in the Spokane River.  Fourteen years later, a skull police determined belonged to the same victim was discovered on the lower south hill.  It took nearly four decades, but a solid partnership between Spokane Police, the Spokane Medical Examiner's Office and advancements in DNA technology finally gave her, her name back.  The victim was Ruth Waymire.  The identity of her killer remains unknown.  Ruth is one of many these agencies have stopped at nothing to identify as they work tirelessly to name the nameless.

On August 1, 2026, detectives believe 37-year-old Aaron F. Farinacci deliberately started the Old Trails Fire in North Spokane County.  His alleged actions burned more than 3,200 acres and destroyed 694 homes.  Court documents say Farinacci admitted to starting that fire and more than 20 others because he finds fire "powerful" and "beautiful."  He's currently facing five counts of first-degree arson as detectives continue to investigate other unsolved crimes.  In this episode, we dig into the case against him and what could come next.

Wil Hendrick was a University of Idaho student pursuing a career in theatre.  In January of 1999, Wil left the residence he shared with his partner to meet up with friends for a party.  What happened after remains a mystery.  Wil's vehicle was later found in downtown Moscow with mud on the tires, and some odd discoveries inside.  The early days of searching turned into months and then years.  Wil's partial remains were eventually found in rural Latah County by some hunters.  Moscow Police are investigating the case as a murder, and both detectives and family members continue to urge anyone with information to please come forward.

In August 2008, two Grant County men were killed just hours apart after unknowingly plugging in devices that had been rigged to explode. William "Bill" Walker, a retired electrician, found a battery charger outside his shop and brought it inside. When he plugged it in, the device exploded. Less than 10 hours later, Javier "Harvey" Adame was killed when an explosive device hidden inside a police scanner detonated inside his home. The victims appeared to have no connection. Investigators from the Grant County Sheriff's Office, FBI, and ATF determined the devices were likely built by the same person, but nearly two decades later, no arrests have been made and no suspect has been publicly identified. Why were these men targeted? Were they the intended victims? And who planted the deadly devices that terrorized a rural Washington community?  In this episode of Cold Case Files, NonStop Local examines one of the most baffling unsolved murder investigations in Inland Northwest history. If you have any information regarding the deaths of William Walker or Javier Adam, contact the Grant County Sheriff's Office at (509) 754-2011. Watch the Help Me Hayley cold case podcast now on the NonStop Local KHQ YouTube channel.

The July 1990 murder of 18-year-old Toni Tedder remains one of the most haunting unsolved cold cases in Clarkston, Washington and one of the Pacific Northwest’s enduring murder mysteries. Toni had just graduated from Clarkston High School and was sleeping on her family’s living room couch when she was stabbed to death while family members slept nearby. Investigators say a wood-handled fishing fillet-style knife was left near Toni Tedder’s body, and questions surrounding the unsolved Clarkston murder investigation continue decades later. Was Toni Tedder the victim of a random attack or a targeted killing, and why has the case never been solved despite witness accounts and physical evidence? In this episode of Help Me Hayley: Cold Case, Hayley Guenthner speaks with Clarkston investigators and retraces the timeline of the 1990 Toni Tedder murder searching for clues that could finally help connect the community to justice.  Watch the Help Me Hayley cold case podcast now on the NonStop Local KHQ YouTube channel.

The 1982 murder of 15-year-old Linda Strait was a cold case for more than 20 years. Advancements in DNA technology finally led Spokane Police to the teen's killer - Arbie Williams. Williams was already serving time for a separate case when detectives finally linked him to Linda's murder. That case involved the kidnapping of two eight-year-old little girls outside of their Spokane Valley elementary school. An arrest and sentencing for Linda's case gave her loved ones a level of peace that they say is continually disrupted as he comes up for parole. To watch our full Cold Case series, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel @NonStopLocalNews and ring the bell to be notified of every new episode, plus daily news updates.

Chris Jennings was your typical teen in the 80's. He was a busy student at Lakeland High School in Rathdrum. His family was very active in 4-H activities. That’s what they were busy doing on that September weekend when Chris seemingly vanished. Now, more than 45 years later, what happened to him remains a bizarre and troubling mystery. But with fresh eyes now on the case and a determined family member turning up new potential leads, could answers finally be in reach? If you enjoyed, follow us for more Cold Case File episodes, and subscribe to our YouTube channel @NonStopLocalNews to watch the full episodes!

Danielle Shinaver was brutally beaten and killed in her lower South Hill apartment in Spokane, Washington in March of 1996. The case has remained unsolved for decades. Now, both police and family are sharing new information with Hayley Guenthner. Could Danielle Shinaver’s own instincts to defend herself finally identify her murderer? Subscribe to our YouTube channel (@NonStopLocalNews) for more in-depth stories on this case and more!

*REUPLOAD* On January 3, 1997 a woman named Margaret Anselmo was found brutally murdered. She had been raped and her skull was crushed in. The crime happened as the entire town and law enforcement was consumed by the Spokane serial killer case. It was clear Margaret was not one of this serial killer's many victims. Now, after nearly 29 years, the family of homicide victim Margaret Anselmo finally have some answers about what happened that awful January day. Anselmo was fatally beaten and sexually assaulted in what investigators believe was most likely a ‘random act of violence.’ If you want to see more Help Me Hayley: Cold Case Files, be sure to follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel (@NonStopLocalNews) to be notified every time a new case drops.

It was November of 1981 when 24-year-old Kathryn 'Kathy' Rahe Gregory vanished in Spokane, WA. She was a beloved nurse who specialized in working with critically ill babies. She was married, and the couple lived on the lower south hill. Loved ones knew something was terribly wrong when Kathy missed a shift at the hospital. Kathy's body has never been found, but it's long been suspected she was the victim of a homicide. Her family launched a scholarship for nursing students in her memory. More of that can be found here: https://www.kathyrahescholarship.org/.

In July of 1973, 25-year-old Archie Gonia was found beaten and strangled to death in the downtown Spokane hotel where he was working. The brutality of the crime has been described as 'overkill' by investigators. Archie's family says he was a very kind and gentle soul, and at times overly trusting of people. They are hopeful after all these years, tips will come in and they will get the answers they deserve.

On October 4,1978 the body of 16-year-old Krisann Baxter was found in North Spokane. She had been beaten, strangled and sexually assaulted. For decades, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office tried to catch a killer. There was no shortage of suspects, even confessions that were later ruled to be bogus. Nearly 45 years after the brutal crime, it was genetic genealogy and the company Othram who identified Keith D. Lindblom as their suspect. Lindblom died in a fire in 1981. His own family helped SCSO finally solve the case.

No one has seen or heard from Melinda Lopez since November of 2020. Loved ones fear she was the victim of a homicide. The Pend Oreille County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information to come forward. To reach those potential witnesses, Melinda's family created a video flyer of Melinda herself. With a beloved photo and previous videos of her, it's a chilling plea for justice. If you know anything about Melinda's case, call 509-447-3151.

In June of 1984, two fishermen discovered the torso of a nude woman in the Spokane River. In 1998, the skull of that female victim was found in a vacant lot near 7th and Sherman. Her feet and hands have never been found. For 39 years, the victim remained nameless. Thanks to a tenacious detective and forensic genetic genealogy, in 2023 the victim was identified as Ruth Belle Waymire. But whoever killed the 24-year-old remains a mystery. If you can help police in any way, call 509-456-2233.

In July of 2004, the decomposing remains of Catherine Avis were found in a rural field outside of Valleyford. She had to be identified using a fingerprint and tattoo she had in honor of two of her children. The medical examiner could only determine she had died from homicidal violence. Catherine's purse was found and turned over to deputies weeks before her remains were discovered. Now, the bag still sits in evidence. It's one of few clues in this cold case that her now grown children are hoping could get the break it needs. And soon.