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1984 - Windham, New Hampshire 25-year-old Chris Bird was missing. According to his friend, Richard Brunt, he was last seen at DQ Stables after the pair returned from a camping trip in July of 1984. Days later, Chris's car was found abandoned at a nearby mall. Chris was nowhere to be found. But Richard Brunt was hiding a violent past. Years earlier, he had been convicted of murdering his partner in Florida before relocating to New Hampshire, where he attempted to build a new life. As Chris's disappearance deepened, attention turned to the last person known to have seen him, and investigators soon began to question whether the same dangerous patterns that marked Richard Brunt’s past had followed him north. If you have any information on the disappearance of Chris Bird, please contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at (603) 271-3658 or email [email protected]. Episode sources and photos: ⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/christopher-bird⁠-2 Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1984 - Windham, New Hampshire 1975 - Plantation, Florida When 25-year-old Chris Bird didn't return home after a camping trip in New Hampshire with a friend in July of 1984, alarm bells began to ring. Days later, his car was found abandoned at a nearby mall with a flat tire-Chris was nowhere to be found. Nearly a decade earlier, on New Year's Day in 1975, the Broward County Sheriff's Department in southern Florida received a call from New Hampshire authorities: someone had confessed to a murder in their area. When police arrived at the home, they found 28-year-old George P. Long dead on the floor. Two cases, seemingly unrelated. Different states. Years apart. But when a newspaper article exposed a troubling past, the connections became impossible to ignore—leading investigators to focus on the one person both cases had in common. If you have any information on the disappearance of Chris Bird, please contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at (603) 271-3658 or email [email protected]. Episode sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/christopher-bird Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen to My Victorian Nightmare, a podcast about mysterious deaths, morbid fascinations, true crime and disturbing stories from the Victorian era. This preview is from episode 82, “Madame Vesta la Viesta’s Galactic Love Affairs & The Meek’s Family Murders.” In this episode, Genevieve discussed the eccentric Madame Vesta la Viesta, the galactic mystic and clairvoyant, suicidal ghosts, mediums in spirit cabinets, and the horrifying Meeks family murder of 1894. Listen anywhere you find your spooky podcasts. Apple: https://apple.co/41fDSqA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Td3FtsVMWFyHFoHdsCVca?si=845f36a241ac4380 Podlink: https://pod.link/1749899895 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1993. Chelmsford, Massachusetts. 23-year-old Deborah Lynne Bates, known as Debbie, was trying to start over after leaving her abusive ex, George, with whom she shared a child. She wasn't perfect, but she was determined to build a better life. One February night in 1993, seven months pregnant, Debbie stepped out of her apartment for a pack of cigarettes and vanished. She never came home. Police treated her disappearance as routine, but her family knew she would never abandon her young son. The case lay practically dormant until 2004, when a gruesome discovery that was meant to stay buried turned up on the side of the hideaway—raising questions no one was ready to answer. If you have any information on what happened to Deborah Bates, please contact the Massachusetts State Police at the Middlesex District Attorney's office at 781-897-6600. Episode sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/deborah-bates Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back in November 2024, I spoke with investigative genetic genealogist Cairenn Binder of Ramapo College about the basics of investigative genetic genealogy and how it helps solve cold cases and restore the names of unidentified people. Now, in an interview with Laurah Norton of The Fall Line, Cairenn returns to discuss a recent development that has shaken the field. Changes to the terms of service at Ancestry affecting access to historical records and family trees could have major implications for investigators working to identify John and Jane Does and generate leads in homicide cases. Many genealogists fear the policy shift could impact both current investigations and cases still waiting to be solved. Cairenn helps break down the key updates—and what they could mean moving forward. Sources for The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Mentioned in the episode: ⁠NYT article⁠ Read Laurah's book, Lay Them to Rest Revisit "Cracking Cold Cases Using Investigative Genetic Genealogy" originally published 11/5/2024: ⁠https://murdershetold.com/episodes/investigative-genetic-genealogy⁠ Support the show: ⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠ Instagram: ⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠ TikTok: ⁠@murdershetold⁠ Facebook: ⁠/mstpodcast⁠ Website: ⁠murdershetold.com⁠ ----- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1975 - Concord, New Hampshire. In May 1975, a rent collector knocked on the door of 22-year-old Judith Lord’s apartment. There was no answer—only the sound of her baby crying. When he went inside, he found Judy dead in her upstairs bedroom. From the beginning, police had suspects. The case moved quickly. An arrest felt imminent. But then, a single scientific conclusion shifted the trajectory of the investigation. What should have been a straight path to justice became a decades-long detour. This is a story about a young mother, a community shaken, and a murder investigation steered off course by flawed forensics—a mistake that cost years, and a resolution that came far too late. Episode sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/judy-lord Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1937 - Mexico, Missouri On the eve of Thanksgiving in 1937, 46-year-old Margaret Mortimer, who went by Peggy, was just steps from her front door when she was attacked and killed by an unknown assailant. Investigators found few clues and no obvious suspects, despite a city-wide manhunt. And as early leads faded, local police turned to Ira Cooper, the St. Louis Police Department’s first Black lieutenant, hoping his sterling reputation could bring answers to a case already slipping away. The murder shocked the industrial town of Mexico, Missouri. Peggy was well known and widely liked, with no clear enemies. But on that cold November night, someone was waiting—and the question remains: who? Episode sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/margaret-peggy-mortimer Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1981 - Winchendon, Massachusetts. On January 30, 1981, 19-year-old Nancy Williams picked up a last-minute shift at the Cumberland Farms in Winchendon, Massachusetts. Just two hours before closing, an unknown assailant entered the store, robbed it, and brutally stabbed Nancy, leaving her for dead behind the counter. The crime stunned locals, who struggled to believe something so violent could happen in their quiet town. Even more unsettling was the thought that the person responsible may have simply blended back into the community—never identified, never held accountable. Now, 45 years later, Nancy’s case is being revived in the hope that renewed attention, advances in forensic technology, and fresh tips can finally bring justice for Nancy. Cumberland Farms is now offering a $25K reward for information that leads to the conviction in Nancy’s case. If you have info that can help, please contact the Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Case Unit at 1-855-MA-SOLVE (1-855-627-6583) or email [email protected]. Episode sources and photos: https://murdershetold.com/episodes/nancy-williams Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1963 - Wytopitlock, Maine. In April of 1963, a violent discovery was made inside a tiny, one-room cabin in the woods off Route 2A in Aroostook County. 68-year-old Emil Andrew Martens was found brutally beaten to death, setting off a brief and fragmented investigation that produced a swirl of suspects, rumors, and unanswered questions. Today, Emil Martens’ name does not appear on any official unsolved case lists in Maine. His life, his death, and the circumstances surrounding a brutal crime remain largely forgotten—buried in history… until now. This is the life and death of Emil Martens. Episode sources and photos: https://murdershetold.com/episodes/emil-martens Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This special episode to kick off the New Year brings together fellow true crime podcasters Aaron Habel of Generation Why, and Lucy Fitzgerald from Wine & Crime for a wide-ranging, candid conversation. We dive into our work as podcasters, the very real flaws of the justice system, debate the possibility of quantifiable alien activity, relive Kristen's hilarious and slightly surreal encounter in Ireland, and unpack what genuinely unnerves us most (spoiler: ghosts). Learn more about Gen Why and Wine & Crime: Gen Why: https://genwhypod.com/ Wine & Crime: https://wineandcrimepodcast.com ---- Support the show: ⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠ Instagram: ⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠ TikTok: ⁠@murdershetold⁠ Facebook: ⁠/mstpodcast⁠ Website: ⁠murdershetold.com⁠ --- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tis the season for true crime chaos! Hosts Kristen Seavey from Murder, She Told, Javier Leiva from PRETEND, and Shaun from Sins & Survivors join forces to explore Christmas crimes gone horribly wrong. From a bath salts-fueled home decorator in suburban Ohio to a serial burglar stealing Robert De Niro's wrapped presents right from under his tree, these real-life Grinches prove that the holidays bring out the worst in some people. The hosts also dive into the disturbing case of postal workers who intercepted letters to Santa meant for underprivileged children...stealing laptops, iPads, and gift cards intended for kids in need. But the main event is a fresh-off-the-press case from Bangor, Maine. When a couple woke up to find a stranger sleeping on their couch surrounded by their unwrapped Christmas presents. Police body cam footage reveals just how terrifying this "funny" story really was. Follow Pretend and Sins and Survivors wherever you're listening now. Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Special bonus episode! Kristen is joined by fellow true crime podcasters Javier Leva from Pretend, and Shaun from Sins and Survivors for a special "Podcasters on Podcasters" style crossover conversation where we let our guard down and talk shop. Follow Pretend and Sins and Survivors wherever you're listening now. Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1990 - Portland, Maine.  When Portland Police responded to a call of a man lying on the sidewalk in front of Pine Street Variety on a chilly November night in 1990, they initially assumed he’d simply passed out after drinking. But 26-year-old Scott Sampson—a father of two young boys—was already dead, and had been for hours, with no one calling for help. 35 years have passed, yet Scott’s sister remains anchored to the same questions that rose the moment his death was discovered. Imperfect but deeply loved, Scott was a devoted father, friend, brother, and son. And his mother’s dying wish remained heartbreakingly simple: to know who was responsible, and to know why. If you have information on the murder of Scott Sampson, you can call the Portland Police anonymous crime tip line at 207-874-8584. You may also text keyword “PPDME” and a message to 847411 (TIP411). Episode sources and photos: https://murdershetold.com/episodes/scott-sampson Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1989 - Concord, New Hampshire. When the bouncer at Take Five Music Hall in Concord, NH saw 21-year-old David Braley darting into the woods after being kicked out, he thought little of it and moved on. But that fleeting glimpse would turn out to be the last time anyone saw David alive. Months of frantic searching ended on a cool spring day in 1990, when a body appeared along the Merrimack River. David’s discovery answered one question—but raised countless others. What exactly happened on the night of November 10, 1989? And who were the two men last seen with him at the bar? Were you at Take Five the night David Braley was killed? If you have any information that can help, please submit a tip to the NH Cold Case Unit tip line at 800-525-5555, email [email protected] or submit a tip online at https://business.nh.gov/ColdCaseTips. Episode sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/david-braley Support the show: ⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2012 - Cambridge, Massachusetts. On a June evening in 2012, 16-year-old Charlene Holmes, who went by Chay, was exactly where she was supposed to be—walking home with friends in her own neighborhood in Cambridge—when a car crept down Willow Street. Moments later, shots rang out. She wasn’t the intended target. She was a bright, hopeful teenager caught in someone else’s crossfire. More than a decade later, police and Chay’s family still search for answers — and for the mysterious dark car seen circling the block that night. If you have any information on the murder of Charlene Holmes, please contact the Massachusetts State Police at (781) 897-6600, or Cambridge Police Investigations Section at (617) 349-3370. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling (617) 349-3359 or online at https//www.cambridgepolice.org/tips. Episode sources and photos: https://murdershetold.com/episodes/charlene-holmes Support the show: ⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@murdershetold⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠/mstpodcast⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠ ---- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices