# Unsolved mysteries and murders **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443 "2018-03-12T18:49:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/81 "2018-04-25T05:13:02Z")
Given the recent documentary and the fact I’m half way through my second book in the last four days, the EAR/ONS/Golden State Killer has really recaptured my fascination… [URL=“[https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/golden-state-killer-its-not-over/](https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/golden-state-killer-its-not-over/)”] This has been around for years, I traveled to Cali for business during what became the ONS part of his crime spree, I’m a ‘true crime’ devotee, but an immersion and re-reading of this whole account just brings two huge questions to mind: [ol] [li]SOMEONE out there knows who he is/was…ample evidence of potential accomplices including possibly a female…why has no one come forward??[/li][li]Is this the luckiest criminal to ever to walk the face of the Earth? OK, silly question, I get it, but given the time, the lack of technology, the lack of interdepartmental communications and the mere fact people didn’t call the cops when they saw suspicious activity means he may get away with this forever…[/li][/ol] It’s maddening that the statue of limitations have run out on the rapes in NorCal, so, even if he is arrested tomorrow, he would be linked but never charged with those crimes, but SOMEBODY knows who this person is…he took trinkets, things, tokens, ID’s, one earring of a pair, rings, somewhere, there is a treasure trove of evidence sitting, waiting to be discovered… If he’s dead (certainly a possibility given the last connected crime was 1986), somebody has is it or knows of its disposition…if he’s still alive, it’s his prized possessions… ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/82 "2018-04-25T07:32:11Z")
> [@betterlifethroughchemistry](#): > > Given the recent documentary and the fact I’m half way through my second book in the last four days, the EAR/ONS/Golden State Killer has really recaptured my fascination… Press conference today at 12pm Pacific! Don’t want to get your hopes up, but there are rumours of a DNA match and an arrest. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/83 "2018-04-25T12:36:43Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > The 1931 “Wallace murder” in Britain is also a good one. > > Julia Wallace is murdered; her husband is tried, convicted and sentenced to death as the killer. However, after re-examination if evidence, an appeal was lodged and he ended up acquitted. > > That murder remains unsolved today. > > Link: [William Herbert Wallace - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Herbert_Wallace) I’m reading Yseult Bridges’ book on the Wallace case right now; she definitely thinks Wallace killed his wife. I liked her books on [Adelaide Bartlett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimlico_Mystery), [Constance Kent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constance_Kent), and the [Bravos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bravo)–all of which also involve murders that still have a mystery about them. But this book seems more heavy-handed and I think she jumps to several conclusions without any good evidence for them. Dorothy Sayers wrote a more fair, even-handed analysis of the Wallace case, in that she isn’t trying to prove Wallace’s guilt or innocence. Off on a tangent: Whenever I read about the Wallace case, I wonder if the McCartney whom Wallace was playing chess with when he received the mysterious Qualtrough message was a relative of the not-yet-born-in-1931 Paul. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/84 "2018-04-25T15:38:01Z")
I am incredibly intrigued by the Diane Schuler multiple-murder-by-car case (the horrific 2009 Taconic Parkway wreck). Despite what her idiot husband has claimed over and over, she was obviously driving drunk and stoned off her ass and there was a pretty intense intentionality in killing herself, her kids, and her nieces that day – and whatever other folks got in her way: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009\_Taconic\_State\_Parkway\_crash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Taconic_State_Parkway_crash) We, of course, know the perpetrator and the victims, but it’s just such a deeply odd case. The “why?” of this won’t, I think, ever be satisfactorily answered. I think the people who may know the real story (secret drinker and stoner? Suicidal? Homicidal? Mentally ill?) won’t ever come forward; or, no one knows the real story. It seems Diane was an incredibly private person and it’s possible nobody knew anything was awry. HBO made an excellent documentary, _There’s Something Wrong with Aunt Diane_, that I highly recommend. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/85 "2018-04-25T17:00:42Z")
> [@MickNickMaggies](#): > > Press conference today at 12pm Pacific! Don’t want to get your hopes up, but there are rumours of a DNA match and an arrest. It’s sounding like they got him: [East Area Rapist suspect arrested in decades-old case, source says. FBI agents at home of Citrus Heights man](http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article209779364.html) The press got the name Joseph James DeAngelo from public records. He’s apparently lived near Sacramento for decades. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/86 "2018-04-25T17:21:22Z")
He just quit being a serial killer? ---
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/87 "2018-04-25T21:38:20Z")
> [@MickNickMaggies](#): > > Press conference today at 12pm Pacific! Don’t want to get your hopes up, but there are rumours of a DNA match and an arrest. Just crazy, having first heard about this at the time I travelled to SoCal for business (before they connected EAR and ONS) and then watching it on “Unsolved Mysteries” years later, it was due to the recent HLN documentary and recent books that I re-educated myself (OK, my wife said, obsessed) over this case…I was up until 1:00 a.m. reading and just was compelled to post my questions as it was driving me crazy that SOMEONE must know who he is…turns out, someone did, I guess it was a tip from the public that lead to them collecting his DNA and arresting him… Thank God they found him alive as we MIGHT get some answers the multitude of questions, but most importantly so the victims and and the families can get some semblance of closure and peace… ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/88 "2018-04-25T21:48:43Z")
> [@betterlifethroughchemistry](#): > > Just crazy, having first heard about this at the time I travelled to SoCal for business (before they connected EAR and ONS) and then watching it on “Unsolved Mysteries” years later, it was due to the recent HLN documentary and recent books that I re-educated myself (OK, my wife said, obsessed) over this case…I was up until 1:00 a.m. reading and just was compelled to post my questions as it was driving me crazy that SOMEONE must know who he is…turns out, someone did, I guess it was a tip from the public that lead to them collecting his DNA and arresting him… > > Thank God they found him alive as we MIGHT get some answers the multitude of questions, but most importantly so the victims and and the families can get some semblance of closure and peace… Reports on other dedicated EAR/ONS websites that the suspect is co-operating. It seems as if he was VR all along. This surprises me. I had tended to dismiss the VR link. ---
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/89 "2018-04-25T22:41:53Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > Reports on other dedicated EAR/ONS websites that the suspect is co-operating. It seems as if he was VR all along. This surprises me. I had tended to dismiss the VR link. I totally agree with the VR - I was just debating a colleague the other day why I DIDN’T think EAR/ONS was the VR, but WAS the C Cat, she came up to me this afternoon and said, “HA!!”, I said, “Yup, evidently, you were right…” I hope he is cooperating, so many questions to be answered… ---
**Author:** ![Princess\_Perfume](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/princess_perfume/32/16518_2.png) [@Princess\_Perfume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princess_Perfume)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/90 "2018-09-08T12:34:08Z")
[The Nurse and the Brownie](https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/a-mother-her-daughter-and-a-murder-case-that-got-away-from-all-20100618-ymx2.html) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/91 "2018-09-08T14:00:25Z")
What about Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Lyle Goldman? There’s never been a conviction in that case! ---
**Author:** ![Princess\_Perfume](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/princess_perfume/32/16518_2.png) [@Princess\_Perfume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princess_Perfume)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/92 "2018-09-08T21:50:04Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > What about Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Lyle Goldman? There’s never been a conviction in that case! The black members of the jury were too concerned with making a civil rights statement then seeing OJ go to prison. No Justice. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/93 "2018-09-08T22:23:04Z")
Theres a case here in South Arkansas. The Disappearance of Maud Crawford. She was an attorney in the 40s snd 50s. Her husband had went to the movies and she was home alone. Sitting in a chair snapping green beans with her dog by her side. Her husband came home and she was gone. No sign of her has ever been found. She was working on a case for a rich woman whose family were trying to get her committed or determined unable to conduct her financial affairs. Rumors have flown for years about this rich family. They are still in the area. ---
**Author:** ![Princess\_Perfume](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/princess_perfume/32/16518_2.png) [@Princess\_Perfume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princess_Perfume)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/94 "2018-09-08T22:31:33Z")
The Margaret and Seana Tapp (“shawn-ah”, not “see-anna”) case i linked to above haunts me because i also grew up in Melbourne’s outer easy. It’s obvious that little Seana was the real target of the unknown man. since she was raped and Margaret wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/95 "2018-09-09T13:12:12Z")
> [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > This one is local to me, and we’re coming up on the 30th anniversary: [Coming Soon](http://truecrimeguy.com/april-marie-tinsley/) > > The killer left notes and DNA in several places. Nothing has ever come of any of it. > > I was a teenager when April was killed and didn’t live too terribly far away. I remember my friends and myself being scared to go anywhere by ourselves after that. I just came across the Wikipedia [article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_April_Tinsley) on this today. (Your link also has an update.) They’ve arrested a suspect recently. Methods similar to GSK. Old DNA, online DNA partial match, narrow down to two brothers, steal some DNA from a garbage can (used condom :eek:), arrest ensues. We might need an ongoing thread for new developments in cold cases like this. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/96 "2018-09-09T14:12:12Z")
I recently read _We Have Your Daughter_, a 20th-anniversary look back at the JonBenet Ramsey case. I knew that the Boulder Police messed up the initial investigation, but I didn’t realize how bad it was. Two examples: they allowed friends of the Ramseys to inadvertently contaminate the scene; and the police logs do not record the presence of a family friend who freely admits that she was in the house that morning. > **[Paula Woodward: The Unsolved Murder of JonBenét Ramsey Twenty Years Later](https://www.paulawoodward.net/)** > > Official website for We Have Your Daughter: The Unsolved Murder of JonBenét Ramsey Twenty Years Later, by Paula Woodward One potential suspect, who appears tantalizingly suspicious, committed suicide. In my opinion, that investigation was botched, too. > **[Michael Landon Helgoth (1970-1997) - Find a Grave...](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/96418089/michael-landon-helgoth)** > > This man was a suspect in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. He committed suicide two months after the murder, and one day after Bolder District Attorney Alex Hunter announced they were narrowing the search for JonBenet Ramsey's killer. A stun gun was... ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/97 "2018-09-10T14:31:16Z")
I read [Who Killed My Daughter?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Killed_My_Daughter%3F) about the unsolved murder of author Lois Duncan’s eighteen-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn Arquette, in July 1989. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/98 "2018-09-10T17:38:43Z")
I recently discovered a podcast episode about the [Delphi, Indiana murders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Abigail_Williams_and_Liberty_German)of two teenage girls just about a year and a half ago. How it remains unsolved is the real mystery because police have released a picture of the main suspect, a detailed sketch, voice audio, and apparently they have video of at least part, if not all of the crime. But there have been no arrests. It’s a bit of a rabbit hole. ---
**Author:** ![Carryon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/99 "2018-09-15T06:54:24Z")
What amazes me is when I come across some of these that are solved, decades later and the body is found within a half a mile or so of the place of disappearance. It shows how easy it is to overlook things. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443/100 "2018-09-15T14:45:17Z")
> [@betterlifethroughchemistry](#): > > Something very similar happened hear less than two years ago, no public indications of trouble, he just came home, killed his son and wife, set the house on fire and committed suicide, all with his service weapon…there very well could be underlying issues that were never made public, but very similar to the situation you referenced… > > [https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/State-Police-closes-Israel-Roman-murder-suicide-11285808.php](https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/State-Police-closes-Israel-Roman-murder-suicide-11285808.php) I believe this phenomenon is called Family Annihilation: The Suicide…usually a man…has an over-developed sense of importance. Not so much Narciccism, but that others vitally depend on him to survive. For one reason or another he decides killing himself is the only way out, and going on without him is a fate _worse_ than death, so he “mercifully puts them out of their misery.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolved-mysteries-and-murders/810443.md?page=6)