Outlook WA, United States📍
March 24, 1993

Michael (34) - Bludgeoned and stabbed

Lynn (34) - stabbed

Jason (12) - Bludgeoned and stabbed

Bryan (6) - Bludgeoned and stabbed

The Skeltoin family suffered a horrific tragedy in their home in Outlook, Washington. The crime was committed by 14-year-olds Miguel Gaitan and Joel Ramos, who were classmates of 12 year old Jason. On the night of March 24, they broke into the Skelton household and launched a violent attack on each family member. Michael, who had a disability, was brutally beaten and stabbed; Jason was killed while attempting to help his father, Being brutally beaten and also stabbed. Lynn was assaulted while in the shower, unaware that her husband and son were already deceased. She died in the bathroom from multiple stab wounds; and Bryan was murdered while hiding under his bed covers. Bryan suffered severe stab wounds and sustained a traumatic beating from a wooden log from the family's fireplace.

Shortly after the killings, both Gaitan and Ramos were apprehended. Ramos admitted guilt to four counts of first-degree murder and received an 80-year prison sentence. Gaitan was found guilty of four counts of aggravated first-degree murder and was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without the chance of parole.

In the years that followed, changes in juvenile sentencing laws affected their cases. During a hearing in 2013, Ramos's sentence was extended to 85 years, and his appeals, including one to the U.S. Supreme Court, were rejected. However, due to new state laws regarding juvenile offenders, Ramos was released in January 2020 after serving more than 26 years. Gaitan's sentence was later adjusted to four concurrent terms of 25 years to life. He was released in 2024.

Detroit MI, United States📍
June 14, 1971

On June 14, 1971, Detroit, Michigan, experienced one of its most tragic mass killings, known as the Hazelwood Massacre. Eight people were discovered shot to death, with some of them found bound and/or bound together. The deceased were identified as; 

Robert Gardner (20's) - shot in the head

Katherine Louise Winston (20's) - shot in the head

Narcissa Lee Brown (teen) - shot in the head

Katherine Betty Basser (20's) - shot in the head

Sharon Brown (20's) - shot in the head

Romandel Burton (teen) - shot in the head

Carl Carrington Mounts Jr (20's) - shot in the head

Lloyd Kenneth Tyler (20's) - shot in the head

Robert Gardner, one of the victims, had a background in heroin trafficking and pimping. Authorities suspected that the massacre was a deliberate attack aimed at Gardner, with the other victims being killed to prevent them from serving as witnesses. It was believed that the motive stemmed from retaliation for Gardner's alleged theft from two drug dealers in Toronto earlier that same year.

At that time, this incident represented the deadliest mass murder in Detroit's history. Despite thorough investigations, no suspects were apprehended, leaving the case officially unresolved. The Hazelwood Massacre added to Detroit's notorious reputation during the 1970s, a decade when the city had the highest homicide rate in the nation and was often labeled "Murder City."

The investigation remains open, and justice for the victims has yet to be served. 

Derbyshire United Kingdom📍
September 12, 1973

wendy sewell (32) - Bludgeoned and beaten with a pickaxe handle

On September 12th, 1973, Wendy Sewell, a local legal secretary, entered Bakewell Cemetery during her lunch break. She was seen walking alone through a secluded path known as "Lover's Walk." Shortly afterward, she was found in the cemetery by 17-year-old groundskeeper Stephen Downing, unconscious and severely injured.

She had been struck repeatedly over the head with a heavy object—later confirmed to be a pickaxe handle used as a weapon. Her skirt had been lifted, suggesting possible sexual assault, though reports were conflicted.

Wendy later died in the hospital from brain bleeding and swelling due to blunt force trauma. It was determined that her skull had sustained 5 deadly blows. Her case was classified as a homicide.

Stephen Downing, who found the body and raised the alarm, was arrested later that day. Police claimed he acted "odd" and sweated during questioning. He had a very low reading age and was questioned for nine hours with no solicitor or parent present. He eventually signed a confession.

Downing was convicted in 1974 but released in 2001 after his conviction was declared unsafe due to the coerced confession and lack of physical evidence.

Wesley Square London, UK📍
1940's - 1950's

Known VICTIMS:

Ethel Christie Evans (28) - Strangled
Beryl Evans (19) - Strangled
Geraldine Evans (13 mo) - Strangled
6+ Unidentified victims

John Christie was a notorious British serial killer active during the 1940's and 1950's, known for committing a series of murders, many of which occurred in his home at 10 Rillington Place, London. His crimes were discovered after his arrest in 1953, but his history of violence and deception went largely undetected for several years.

Christie was initially able to avoid suspicion, largely due to his status as a seemingly ordinary man who had a job in the civil service and was viewed as a respectable neighbor. However, after the police wrongly executed Timothy Evans for the murder of his wife and daughter, Christie’s true crimes began to surface.

In 1953, the bodies of Beryl and her daughter were discovered in the back garden of 10 Rillington Place, along with a series of other remains. Christie was arrested and charged with the murders. During questioning, he admitted to the killings, but he also claimed to have killed many more.

Post-mortem examinations of the victims revealed strangulation as the cause of death, with many of the bodies showing signs of sexual assault or post-mortem mutilation. Christie’s victims were often in a semi-conscious state when he killed them, which indicated a level of premeditation and an understanding of the psychological manipulation he had over his victims.

The bodies of his victims were often hidden in small, confined spaces, such as cupboards or behind false walls in his apartment. In some cases, Christie had been able to conceal the victims for days or weeks without arousing suspicion from his neighbors or even from law enforcement.

Christie’s trial took place in 1953, where he was found guilty of the murders of Beryl Evans and her daughter Geraldine. His conviction was based on the discovery of the bodies, his confessions, and forensic evidence. He was sentenced to death by hanging.

John Christie was executed on July 15, 1953, at Pentonville Prison, but his legacy remains controversial, particularly due to the wrongful execution of Timothy Evans. The case was pivotal in raising awareness about the issue of miscarriages of justice in Britain, and it contributed to the eventual abolition of the death penalty in the UK in 1965.

Bellevue Idaho, United States📍
September 2, 2003

Alan Scott Johnson (52) - Shot once in the chest
Diane Johnson (46) - shot once in the chest

On the morning of September 2, 2003, the quiet town of Bellevue, Idaho, was shattered by the brutal double murder of Alan and Diane Johnson in their own home at 1171 Glen Aspen Drive. The killer? Their 16-year-old daughter, Sarah Marie Johnson.

Sarah used her father’s .264-caliber bolt-action hunting rifle, taken from the guesthouse where her brother lived, to carry out the murders. Her father, 46-year-old Alan, was asleep in bed when she shot him once in the chest, killing him instantly. She then walked into the bathroom, where her mother, 52-year-old Diane, was taking a shower, and shot her through the heart at close range.

Sarah discarded the weapon and gloves in the garbage outside and ran to a neighbor’s house screaming that her parents had been killed, pretending to be shocked and afraid. But her story quickly unraveled under investigation. Detectives found gunshot residue on a pink bathrobe she was seen wearing, and her DNA was discovered on a latex glove used to handle the rifle.

The motive? Investigators revealed that Sarah had been secretly dating 19-year-old Bruno Santos, a man with a criminal record. Her parents had forbidden the relationship, which reportedly enraged her. Prosecutors argued that the murders were a calculated attempt to eliminate the people standing in her way.

In 2005, Sarah was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. Her appeals have been denied, and she remains in prison.

The case stunned the nation—not just because of the brutality, but because of the cold premeditation shown by a teenage girl. It remains one of Idaho’s most chilling and tragic family murders to date.

Mount Vernon Ohio, United States📍
November 10, 2010

TINA HERMAN (32) - Stabbed & Dismembered
Stephanie Sprang (41) - Stabbed & Dismembered
Kody Maynard (11) - Stabbed & Dismembered
Sarah Maynard (13) - Held Captive & sexually assaulted - She was Saved by police 4 days after Hoffman killed her family

In November 2010, the quiet community of Howard, Ohio, was shaken by a gruesome and bizarre crime committed by a man whose obsession with trees and leaves earned him the chilling nickname: The Leaf Killer. What unfolded was a horrifying triple murder, a child abduction, and a discovery that would haunt investigators for years.

On November 10, 2010, Tina Herrmann (32), her son Kody Maynard (11), and her friend Stephanie Sprang (41) vanished from Tina’s home at 481 King Beach Drive in the Apple Valley area of Howard. Tina had missed work, prompting coworkers to check in. Deputies arrived at her home and discovered a disturbing amount of blood, but no sign of the occupants. Tina’s 13-year-old daughter, Sarah Maynard, was also missing.

Authorities launched a large-scale search across Knox County. Surveillance footage and neighborhood tips eventually led them to Matthew Hoffman, a 30-year-old unemployed tree trimmer from nearby Mount Vernon. Hoffman had a criminal history, including a previous arson conviction, and was known for his strange behavior. His house was filled with piles of leaves—on the floor, in the bathtub, and even forming what looked like a nest.

On November 14, just four days after the abduction, police raided Hoffman’s home and made a chilling discovery. Sarah Maynard was found alive in the basement, bound and held captive on a bed made of leaves. Despite being physically restrained, she was rescued unharmed. Her survival was the only hopeful moment in an otherwise horrific case.

During his confession, Hoffman admitted to breaking into the Herrmann home, killing the two adult females and male child - dismembering their bodies in the bathtub, and hiding the remains inside a hollow tree in a wooded area near Fredericktown. Investigators found the remains packed into a large oak tree, in line with Hoffman’s deep and disturbing fixation on trees and nature. He told authorities he had abducted Sarah because he "wanted a girl" and killed the others to avoid being caught.
Both tina and Stephanie had died from multiple stab wounds in the back and chest before being dismembered. Kody had died from a stab wound to the back of the head before he was also dismembered.

Hoffman was charged with multiple counts, including aggravated murder, kidnapping, rape, burglary, and abuse of a corpse. He pleaded guilty in January 2011 to avoid the death penalty and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Sarah Maynard was later reunited with her family and has chosen to live her life privately. The case became notorious not just for its brutality but for its surreal details—leaves packed inside a home, bodies hidden in a tree, and a lone survivor rescued from a basement nest. Matthew Hoffman’s crimes remain one of the most disturbing cases in Ohio's history.

South Wales, United Kingdom📍
November 6, 2014

Cerys Yemm (22) - Blunt Force Trauma - Head + Sharp Force Trauma - Face/Neck

Matthew Williams, a 34-year-old man from South Wales, had a long history of violence, drug abuse, and mental health issues. On the night of November 6, 2014, just weeks after his release from prison, he invited 22-year-old Cerys Yemm back to his room at the Sirhowy Arms Hotel in Argoed, Caerphilly—a former hotel converted into a halfway house for ex-offenders. Cerys was not a resident at the facility, and it's believed the two had met earlier that evening. In the early hours of the morning, staff at the hostel became concerned after hearing strange noises and noticing that Williams had locked his door. Using a master key to gain entry, they were met with a horrific scene: Williams was crouched over Cerys's body, covered in blood, and actively eating parts of her face and eyeball.

The staff immediately called the police. When officers arrived, they used a Taser to subdue Williams. He was restrained but quickly became unresponsive and died at the scene shortly afterward. Paramedics attempted to revive him, but he was declared dead. A later toxicology report confirmed he had taken mephedrone—commonly known as "meow meow"—a powerful synthetic stimulant known to cause hallucinations and extreme paranoia, especially when combined with other substances.

Cerys had suffered extensive injuries, and the attack was described by investigators as feral and frenzied. There was no sign of weapons—just brutal, physical violence. Williams had a fascination with horror, zombies, and cannibalism, and had previously made disturbing comments to friends about wanting to try eating someone. Despite this, he had been placed in a publicly accessible facility with minimal mental health supervision.

The case sparked widespread outrage and horror across the UK, with tabloids dubbing him the "Cannibal Killer" and "Vampire of Argoed." The public demanded answers about how someone with his history—convictions for violent assaults and documented psychosis—could have been released into a low-security environment. An inquest into his death ruled that the combination of drugs and pre-existing heart issues likely caused his death following the use of the Taser, though the officers were cleared of wrongdoing.

Though the crime occurred in 2014, its roots trace back to systemic failures in 2012 and earlier—when Williams first began exhibiting worsening violent and erratic behavior. His case became a disturbing reminder of how untreated mental illness and substance abuse can spiral into devastating violence, and how cracks in the system can lead to tragedy not just for the victims, but for the communities meant to be protected.

Los Angeles California, United States📍
July 1, 1981

Ronald Launius (37) - Bludgeoned to death

Billy DeVerell (42) - Bludgeoned to death

Joy Miller (46) - Bludgeoned to death

Barbara Richardson (22) - Bludgeoned to death

Susan Launius (29) - Suffered a traumatic brain injury but survived

In the early morning hours of July 1, 1981, four people were bludgeoned to death in a small drug den located at 8763 Wonderland Avenue in the Laurel Canyon area of Los Angeles. The victims — Ronald Launius, Billy DeVerell, Joy Miller, and Barbara Richardson — were found in what would later be described as one of the most savage crime scenes in the city's history. A fifth person, Susan Launius (Ronald’s wife), was critically injured but survived with permanent brain damage and no memory of the attack.

The group was part of a loosely organized gang of drug dealers known as the Wonderland Gang, heavily involved in cocaine and heroin trafficking. Just two days before the murders, the gang had robbed and viciously beat a wealthy nightclub owner and underworld figure named Eddie Nash, stealing cash, drugs, and jewelry from his Hollywood Hills home.

Eddie Nash was no small-time player — he had deep ties to organized crime and owned several clubs in L.A. He was known for being ruthless, paranoid, and extremely well-connected. After the robbery, Nash was enraged and reportedly vowed revenge.

Enter John Holmes, the famous adult film star known for his role in over 2,000 pornographic films. He was spiraling at the time, heavily addicted to drugs, broke, and trying to cling to relevance. He had ties to both the Wonderland Gang and Eddie Nash, and evidence suggests he was the one who let the gang into Nash’s house for the robbery, likely trying to regain favor with the gang or get a cut of the loot.

Following the robbery, Holmes allegedly led Nash’s men to the Wonderland house as part of a deadly retaliation plan. What happened next was a bloodbath — the victims were bludgeoned to death with metal pipes, the attack so savage that investigators reported blood “everywhere,” and that the walls and ceilings were splattered. The brutality gave rise to the nickname “Four on the Floor”, because of how the bodies were discovered.

John Holmes was later arrested and charged with the murders but was acquitted after claiming he was forced to participate under threat. He never fully admitted his role but remained under a cloud of suspicion until his death in 1988. Eddie Nash was eventually prosecuted for the crime in the early 2000s under federal RICO charges and struck a plea deal that acknowledged his involvement in obstructing justice and ordering retribution, but not the murders themselves.

The Wonderland Murders have become infamous not just because of their brutality, but because they laid bare the seedy connection between Hollywood glamor and organized crime, and because justice was never cleanly served. The house at 8763 Wonderland Avenue still stands today — a quiet, unsuspecting place that hides a dark legacy.

Poughkeepsie New York, United States📍
December, 1985

Joann Nichols (55) - Blunt Force Trauma

In 1985, JoAnn Nichols, a 55-year-old elementary school teacher from Poughkeepsie, New York, was reported missing by her husband, James Nichols. According to him, she had left the house after an argument and never came back. Police searched the area, but there were no signs of JoAnn. Her car was found parked not far from their home, and there was no evidence of foul play. She simply vanished.

At the time, JoAnn and James were known in the community — especially after a tragedy had already struck their family. Their only child, a son named James Jr., had died in 1982 from drowning. He was just 13 years old. After JoAnn went missing, the general belief was that she may have taken her own life, grief-stricken over the death of her son. But those who knew her well weren’t convinced.

The case eventually went cold. James Nichols continued living in the same house — the same house he had shared with JoAnn — until his own death in December 2011.

That’s when everything changed.

After James’s passing, a cleaning crew was sent to clear out the home. On June 28, 2013, while removing a false wall in the basement behind a cabinet, they discovered a skeleton hidden in a sealed container. Authorities were called, and dental records confirmed what had once seemed impossible:

It was JoAnn Nichols.

She had been there the entire time — dead, in her own home, behind a wall, for 28 years.

An autopsy determined that she had died from blunt force trauma to the head. The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide. The shocking part? The wall she was found behind had been nailed shut from the outside and sealed — something a stranger would not have had the time or access to do without detection. It quickly became clear that the person who had put her there was James Nichols, her husband.

After hiding her body, he had filed the missing person report and continued living in the house for decades — even holding onto her possessions, and living just feet above her remains.

Even more chilling: investigators found a handwritten confession among James Nichols’ belongings after his death. In it, he admitted to killing JoAnn and hiding her body in the wall — but he never gave a motive, and no one will ever fully know why.

The Nichols home has since become a grim reminder that sometimes the answers are far closer than anyone ever imagines — and that a house can keep horrifying secrets for decades without anyone suspecting a thing.

Grover Beach California, United States📍
October, 2018

Athena Valentiny (64) - Exsanguination due to severe neck wounds

In October 2018, the body of 64-year-old nurse Athena Valentiny was discovered in her Grover Beach, California condo after she missed work, prompting her worried colleagues to request a welfare check. Upon arrival, officers found that she had been viciously attacked as she was surrounded in a pool of blood. though in her position, it was hard for officers to tell how she died at first. 

An autopsy reveaved that athena had died from nearly 11 knife wounds. With some of these being slashes, and others being stab wounds.

The investigation soon focused on her son, Levente Laszlo Lazar, a 26-year-old residing in Indiana at the time. Although his physical distance initially suggested he was uninvolved, further inquiry revealed a troubling scheme motivated by financial gain.

Lazar had covertly traveled from Indiana to California shortly before the murder, utilizing a burner phone and taking measures to conceal his whereabouts. Surveillance footage captured a vehicle resembling his near his mother’s residence around the time of the crime. Even more incriminating, digital forensics indicated that Lazar had searched for news related to a murder on his mother’s street prior to the public discovery of the crime. Additionally, police discovered a copy of Valentiny’s will in his Indiana apartment, which named him as the sole beneficiary, reinforcing the theory that he murdered his mother for her inheritance.

He was apprehended in Indiana in November 2018 and subsequently extradited to California for trial. Prosecutors portrayed the case as a premeditated murder fueled by greed. In October 2019, Lazar was found guilty of first-degree murder with the added circumstance of financial motivation. He received a life sentence without the possibility of parole in December of that year. The case garnered national media attention and was later featured on Investigation Discovery’s “Caught in the Net,” showcasing how technology and digital evidence were pivotal in solving the crime. 

Dalkeith Scotland, United Kingdom📍
June 30, 2003

Jodie Jones (14) - Stabbed multiple times & her throat was slashed

Jodie Jones was a 14-year-old girl from Dalkeith, Scotland, who was brutally murdered on June 30, 2003. She had been out walking to meet her boyfriend and was last seen heading into a wooded area near her home. Her body was discovered the following day, hidden in a secluded part of the woods near a footpath. She had been stabbed multiple times and her body was severely mutilated. The murder was particularly shocking due to the brutal nature of the crime and the fact that Jodie was so young.

The police investigation initially struggled to make progress, but they soon focused their attention on Luke Mitchell, Jodie’s 14-year-old boyfriend. Mitchell had been known to have a troubled background, and his behavior during the investigation raised suspicion. He had initially claimed to have been at home when Jodie was killed, but inconsistencies in his story, combined with forensic evidence, led to his eventual arrest. Investigators found that Mitchell had been in the woods near the crime scene the night of the murder, and his behavior after Jodie’s death was seen as suspicious.

During his trial, it was revealed that Mitchell had a fascination with violent imagery and had been experimenting with the occult. Prosecutors presented evidence that suggested Mitchell had planned the murder. The case gained widespread media attention, in part because of the shocking nature of the crime and the fact that both the victim and the perpetrator were so young.

Luke Mitchell was convicted of murder in 2004, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment. His conviction was controversial from the outset, and many believed the case was based on circumstantial evidence, with some speculating that Mitchell had been wrongly convicted. There were debates surrounding the lack of direct physical evidence linking him to the murder, and some believed the case against him was primarily built on his odd behavior and a supposed motive based on his obsession with violence. Despite these arguments, Mitchell’s conviction was upheld after appeals, and he remains in prison.

The case became notorious not just because of the brutal murder, but also due to the issues raised about the fairness of the trial and whether a teenager should have been convicted based on the available evidence. Jodie’s death left a lasting impact on her family and the local community, and her murder continues to be a source of public debate and media coverage.

Solebury Township Pennsylvania, United States📍
July 5-7, 2017

Thomas Meo (21) - Shot and ran over with a backhoe

Dean Finocchiaro (19) - shot 

Jimi Patrick (19) - shot

Mark Sturgis (22) - shot

Between July 5 and July 7, 2017, four young men—Jimi Taro Patrick (19), Dean Finocchiaro (19), Thomas Meo (21), and Mark Sturgis (22)—vanished in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Their disappearances triggered an extensive investigation involving both local law enforcement and the FBI. The case reached a turning point with the arrest of Cosmo DiNardo, a 20-year-old from Bensalem, Pennsylvania, who confessed to enticing the men to his family's farm in Solebury Township under the guise of selling marijuana, only to murder them.

DiNardo's cousin, Sean Kratz, was also charged in connection with the killings. Kratz faced multiple charges, including three counts of criminal homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, and abuse of a corpse, among others. Unlike DiNardo, Kratz had a history of criminal activity, including burglary and theft.

The tragic events unfolded when DiNardo shot Patrick on July 5, 2017, using a .22-caliber rifle and buried his body in a separate grave on the property, which was a farm in Solebury - belonging to the DiNardo family. Two days later, DiNardo and Kratz lured Finocchiaro to the farm, where Kratz shot him in the head with a handgun belonging to DiNardo's mother. Later that same day, they brought Meo and Sturgis to the site; DiNardo fatally shot Sturgis and injured Meo, whom he subsequently killed by crushing him with a backhoe. The remains of Finocchiaro, Meo, and Sturgis were incinerated in a pig roaster and buried together using heavy machinery.

On May 16, 2018, DiNardo pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and received four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. Initially, Kratz turned down a plea deal but was ultimately convicted on November 15, 2019, of first- and second-degree murder in Finocchiaro's death and voluntary manslaughter in the cases of Meo and Sturgis. He was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole.

Families of the victims initiated wrongful-death lawsuits against DiNardo and his parents, claiming that the parents failed to restrict DiNardo's access to firearms and equipment despite being aware of his mental health challenges and previous unpredictable actions. These lawsuits were resolved confidentially in May 2023. 

The site located at 2827 Aquetong Road in Solebury Township, Pennsylvania, played a crucial role in the 2017 Bucks County murders carried out by Cosmo DiNardo. This property, owned by DiNardo's parents, functioned as a base for the criminal activities.

Discovery of the Victim's Vehicle:

Thomas Meo's Nissan Maxima was located in a shed on the Aquetong Road property. Inside the car, investigators found Meo's title, keys, and a diabetes kit vital for his health.

Timeline of Events: On July 7, 2017, Meo and Mark Sturgis met DiNardo near Peddler's Village. They left Meo's vehicle at the Aquetong Road site before accompanying DiNardo to a nearby farm on Lower York Road, where they were tragically murdered.

Crucial Investigation Lead:

The finding of Meo's car at the Aquetong Road property was a turning point in the investigation. It directed law enforcement's attention to DiNardo and the adjacent farm, leading to the discovery of the victims' burial sites.

Ownership Details: The Aquetong Road property was acquired by DiNardo's mother in 2006. In December 2021, it was transferred to Gina DiNardo for a nominal fee of $1. The property was subsequently listed for sale in 2022.

In conclusion, the property at 2827 Aquetong Road was central to the events of the 2017 Bucks County murders, acting as both a meeting place and a site where vital evidence was uncovered. 

Alliance Ohio, United States📍
April 1, 2001

YVONNE LAYNE (26) - exsanguination DUE TO A SLASHED THROAT

On April 1, 1999, Yvonne was found brutally murdered in her home—her throat slit—while her children were present in the house. David Thorne, her former boyfriend and father of one of her children, was arrested and later convicted of orchestrating her murder by allegedly hiring 18-year-old Joseph Wilkes to carry out the killing. However, significant doubts have been raised about the integrity of the investigation and the validity of the conviction.​

Critics argue that the police focused prematurely on Thorne, neglecting other potential suspects, including individuals within the local police department who had prior interactions with Yvonne. The prosecution's case heavily relied on Wilkes' confession, which was obtained under questionable circumstances. Wilkes, who had cognitive impairments, was allegedly coerced into confessing through intimidation tactics, including threats of the death penalty and exposure to graphic crime scene photos. His confession contained numerous inconsistencies and factual inaccuracies about the crime scene, yet it was pivotal in securing Thorne's conviction.​FREE David Thorne

Further compounding concerns about the case, Thorne's defense attorney was reportedly ineffective, failing to call expert witnesses or challenge the prosecution's narrative effectively. These issues have led to widespread belief that Thorne may have been wrongfully convicted. The case has garnered renewed attention through investigative efforts, including the "Murder in Alliance" podcast, which explores the possibility of Thorne's innocence and seeks to uncover the truth behind Yvonne Layne's tragic death.

The investigation into the murder of Yvonne Layne was also marred by serious misconduct and mishandling by law enforcement, raising grave concerns about the integrity of the crime scene and the treatment of the victim. Officers failed to follow proper forensic protocols from the outset. Photographic evidence and witness statements suggest that police not only neglected to wear protective footwear in the active crime scene—potentially compromising key trace evidence—but also displayed disturbing levels of disrespect toward Yvonne's body. In a particularly graphic and troubling instance, one officer was reported to have lifted Yvonne’s head by her hair to take a clearer photograph of her throat wound, an act that was not only degrading but also risked further contaminating forensic evidence. Additionally, when her body was moved, it was not placed on a clean sheet properly—another breach of standard procedure that could have impacted the collection and preservation of biological evidence. These lapses in professionalism and care have become central to calls for a re-examination of the case, particularly in light of the growing belief that David Thorne was wrongfully convicted. 

Blocksberg, Wernigerode, Germany📍
15-1600's

unknown

The association of the Brocken with witchcraft dates back to at least the early medieval period, with roots deep in Germanic paganism and folklore. Long before Christianity spread across the region, the mountain was considered a sacred site where spirits and supernatural beings dwelled. By the 15th and 16th centuries, during the height of European witch hunts, the Brocken became infamous in legends as the meeting place for witches who supposedly gathered there to worship the Devil, hold Sabbaths, perform dark rituals, and practice sorcery. The most famous gathering was said to happen on Walpurgis Night, the eve of May 1st, when witches from all across the German countryside would fly on broomsticks or shapeshift into animals to ascend the mountain. They were believed to dance around fires, perform blasphemous rites, and make pacts with demonic entities. This imagery was heavily fueled by local folklore and later immortalized by writers like Goethe, who described a vivid, otherworldly witches’ Sabbath at Brocken in his dramatic work "Faust" (1808). The mountain’s frequent fogs, swirling winds, and the eerie natural phenomenon called the "Brocken spectre"—where a person’s shadow is magnified against mist and surrounded by halos of light—likely contributed to its mystical reputation. During the witch-hunting craze, especially from the 1500s to the 1600s, stories of witches traveling to Brocken to learn dark arts were widespread, though actual evidence of organized witchcraft meetings there is more folklore than fact. However, the belief was strong enough that it entered local religious sermons, legal documents, and witch trial confessions, creating a lasting legend that still draws thousands to the mountain today for modern Walpurgis Night celebrations that blend old myth with new festival traditions. 

Kansas City, Missouri, United States📍

January 5th, 1935

Artemus Ogletree (17) - BEATEN AND STABBED

In January 1935, a man using the name "Roland T. Owen" checked into Room 1046 at the Hotel President in Kansas City, Missouri. He brought very little with him—only a hairbrush, comb, and toothpaste—and was described by hotel staff as having a nervous demeanor. Over the next couple of days, various hotel employees noted strange occurrences: the man kept the room dark, seemed to be waiting for someone, and was overheard talking to a mysterious individual named "Don." Maids reported seeing blood stains, a locked phone, and unusual behavior, such as the man sitting in the dark with only a small lamp on.

On January 4, a hotel operator noticed that the room phone had been off the hook for hours. When a bellboy entered the room, he found Owen severely beaten, bound with cords around his neck, wrists, and ankles, and suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite his injuries, he was still alive and claimed he had fallen and hit his head, but he died shortly after being taken to the hospital.

Authorities later discovered that "Roland T. Owen" was actually Artemus Ogletree, a 17-year-old from Birmingham, Alabama, who had left home the year before. His identity was uncovered months later after a woman recognized his photograph in a newspaper and contacted his mother. Strange details followed: shortly after the murder, the Ogletree family received typed letters and telegrams supposedly from Artemus, even though they knew he didn’t know how to type. One letter was postmarked from Egypt.

The case remains unsolved to this day. There were no fingerprints that matched suspects, and the identity of “Don”—if that was even his real name—was never determined. Theories have ranged from a lover’s quarrel, to organized crime, to espionage, but no conclusive evidence has ever emerged. The murder of Artemus Ogletree is still regarded as one of the most mysterious and bizarre unsolved cases of the early 20th century.

St. Louis, Missouri, United States📍

February 28, 1983

Jane Doe (8-11) - COD N/A

THE LACK OF BLOOD IN THE BASEMENT WHERE SHE WAS FOUND SUGGESTS SHE WAS DECEASED BEFORE BEING DECAPITATED.

On February 28, 1983, the remains of a young African-American girl, believed to be between 8 and 11 years old, were found in the basement of a deserted apartment building located at 5635 Clemens Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Two men scavenging for scrap metal made the grim discovery of her body, which was positioned face down with her hands bound behind her back using red and white nylon rope. She was dressed only in a yellow V-neck sweater, and her head was missing, with extensive searches failing to locate it. The autopsy determined that she had been deceased for about five days prior to being found. She appeared well-nourished, showed no evidence of previous abuse, and had red nail polish on her fingers. 

An anthropological assessment revealed she had spina bifida occulta, a mild spinal defect that typically does not present noticeable symptoms. Investigators reached out to local schools, foster homes, and hospitals, but could not find any reports of missing children that matched her description, leading them to suspect she was not from the St. Louis area. Isotope analysis of her bones indicated she likely spent most of her life in the southeastern United States, potentially in states such as Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, or Georgia. 

After spending nine months in the city morgue, the girl was laid to rest in an unmarked grave at Washington Park Cemetery in December 1983, with only a handful of detectives and officials present at the burial. In 2013, her remains were exhumed for additional forensic analysis, but due to inadequate cemetery records, her grave was initially misplaced. Eventually, her remains were found and reburied at Calvary Cemetery in the Garden of Innocents, a section reserved for unidentified children. 

The mystery of the St. Louis Jane Doe remains unresolved, with her identity still unknown. Even with advancements in forensic science and the dedicated work of cold case detectives, no promising leads have surfaced. This case has garnered attention from various media outlets and documentaries, emphasizing the ongoing pursuit of justice and closure.

For those with information or tips, please reach out to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Division at 314-444-5371, or you can submit information anonymously via CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477). 

I DUG INTO THIS CASE A LITTLE BIT, AND ONE OF THE MORE RECENT LEADS I FOUND WAS THAT POLICE WERE LOOKING FOR A POSSIBLE RELATIVE OF OUR JANE DOE IN 2023.

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION HERE:  Jeanetta/Jane Doe Article

Lake Bodom, Espoo, Finland📍

June 5, 1960

Maila Irmeli Björklund (15) - BLUGEONED AND STABBED

Anja Tuulikki Mäki (15) - BLUGEONED AND STABBED

Seppo Antero Boisman (18) - BLUGEONED AND STABBED

Nils Wilhelm Gustafsson (18) - SURVIVED

On June 5, 1960, four Finnish teenagers went camping near Lake Bodom in Espoo, just outside of Helsinki: Maila Irmeli Björklund, Anja Tuulikki Mäki, Seppo Antero Boisman, and Nils Wilhelm Gustafsson. In the early morning hours, an unknown attacker brutally assaulted the group while they slept in their tent. Three of the teens were killed—stabbed and bludgeoned to death through the walls of their tent. Gustafsson, the sole survivor, was found outside the collapsed tent with a broken jaw, a concussion, and knife wounds. He claimed to remember little of the attack.

The case quickly drew national attention. However, the investigation was mishandled in several ways. Police did not secure the scene properly, and evidence was reportedly tampered with or stolen. Witnesses claimed to see a blond man walking away from the area around dawn, but that lead went nowhere. Theories ranged from a local madman to a jealous rival, and some speculated about military escapees.

Decades passed without resolution until 2004, when advances in forensic science led to Gustafsson’s arrest. Authorities accused him of murdering his friends in a drunken fit of rage, alleging that he had gotten into an argument with the group and killed them, possibly after being rejected by Björklund. In 2005, he was acquitted by a Finnish court, which ruled the evidence insufficient and noted that his injuries supported the claim that he had not been the attacker.

The murders of Maila, Anja, and Seppo remain one of Finland’s most haunting cold cases, sparking books, documentaries, and even a horror film. The question of who attacked the teens at Lake Bodom still has no definitive answer.

Badgor, Madhya Pradesh, India📍

February, 2024

AMAN SAMADHIYA - GUN SHOT WOUND

In February 2024, the body of Aman Samadhiya, a resident of the Murar area in Gwalior, was discovered near the ravines of the Sindh River in Nivsai village, Bhind district, Madhya Pradesh. He had sustained a gunshot wound to the right temple, and a spent cartridge was found in his pocket. A two-page suicide note was also recovered, in which Aman expressed distress over a love affair and feelings of neglect from his parents.

The absence of a firearm at the scene raised suspicions of foul play. Authorities suspect that the missing pistol might have been stolen from near the body, and efforts are underway to locate it.

The case remains under investigation as officials work to determine the exact circumstances surrounding Aman's death.

St. Augustine, Florida, United States📍
Est. 1798

Juana Teresa Pellicer Ximenez (26) - suspected illness
Francisco Ximenez (4) - suspected illness
Antonia Ximenez (13 mo) - suspected illness
Andres Ximenez (56) - suspected illness
Eliza Whitehurst (n/a) - Yellow Fever
+8 More confirmed illness related deaths

Tucked away on one of the oldest streets in St. Augustine, Florida, the Ximenez-Fatio House stands as a quiet witness to over two centuries of life, death, and history. Built in 1798 by Spanish merchant Andrés Ximenez, the home originally functioned as a residence and general store. Within just a few years, tragedy struck the family. Juana Teresa Pellicer Ximenez, Andrés’ wife, died in the home at just 26 years old, followed shortly after by two of their young children—Francisco, aged four, and Antonia, only thirteen months old. Andrés himself passed away in the home in 1806.

The property changed hands and eventually became a popular boarding house for travelers, especially during the 19th century when St. Augustine was seen as a healing retreat for those suffering from illness. One such manager, Eliza Whitehurst, died of yellow fever in the house in 1830. Throughout its time as a boarding house, many guests who arrived seeking rest or recovery would never leave. At least thirteen documented deaths occurred within the house, a reflection of the era’s high mortality rates and harsh conditions.

Today, the Ximenez-Fatio House operates as a museum that preserves not just the architecture and daily life of early Florida, but the very human stories that unfolded within its walls. Visitors can explore the rooms where these lives played out and even join candlelit “Mourning & Mortality” tours that offer a somber glimpse into 19th-century death customs. With each creak of the floorboards and flicker of candlelight, the house quietly tells its story—a layered, lasting memory of lives once lived within its coquina stone walls.

Los Angeles, California, United States 📍
1957-1958

Judith Dull (19)  - bound, assaulted, and strangled

Shirley Ann Bridgeford (24) - bound, assaulted, and strangled

Ruth Mercado (24) - bound, assaulted, and strangled

Harvey Glatman’s crimes were carried out between 1957 and 1958 in Southern California, where he preyed on women by exploiting their hopes of modeling opportunities. His first known victim, Judy Dull, a 19-year-old model and newlywed, was contacted by Glatman through a modeling agency. He lured her to his apartment under the guise of a photo session, tied her up at gunpoint, sexually assaulted her, photographed her in bondage, and eventually drove her into the desert where he strangled her with a rope. His second victim, Shirley Ann Bridgeford, was a young mother he met through a “Lonely Hearts” dating service. After taking her on what she believed was a date, Glatman bound, assaulted, and killed her in a similar manner, again discarding her body in a remote desert area. His third confirmed victim, Ruth Mercado, also known as Angela Rojas, was a 24-year-old aspiring actress he met in Los Angeles. As with the others, he promised professional photographs, only to assault, photograph, and strangle her before abandoning her body in the desert. In October 1958, Glatman attempted to abduct another woman, Lorraine Vigil, but she managed to fight back and escape, leading police to his arrest. Upon capture, Glatman calmly confessed to the murders and even led authorities to the locations where he had left the bodies. His fixation on photographing his victims before and after death, paired with his lack of remorse, made his crimes particularly disturbing and notorious in the history of American serial murder. 

3520 North Marshall Street, Philadelphia, PA. US📍

November '86 - March '87

Josefina Rivera (25) - KIDNAPPED AND SURVIVED

SANDRA LINDSAY (24) - KIDNAPPED AND MURDERED

LISA THOMAS (19) - KIDNAPPED AND SURVIVED

DEBORAH DUDLEY (23) - KIDNAPPED AND MURDERED

JACQUELINE ASKINS (18) - KIDNAPPED AND SURVIVED

AGNES ADAMS (24) - KIDNAPPED SURVIVED

Gary Michael Heidnik was an American murderer and serial rapist who kidnapped, tortured and raped six women, murdering two of them, while holding them captive in a self-dug pit in his basement floor in Philadelphia between 1986 and 1987.

Between November 1986 and March 1987, Gary Heidnik carried out a brutal crime spree in Philadelphia by abducting six women and holding them captive in a pit he had dug in the basement of his home, where he raped, tortured, and starved them in an attempt to create his own twisted “family.” His first victim, Josefina Rivera, was lured to his house on November 25, 1986, and became the only captive to ultimately escape. He next kidnapped Sandra Lindsay on December 3, who struggled under captivity and died on February 7, 1987, from a combination of starvation and abuse; Heidnik dismembered her body, cooked parts of it to conceal evidence, and even fed some remains to the other women. In the following months, he abducted Lisa Thomas on December 23, Deborah Dudley on January 2, and Jacqueline Askins on January 18, subjecting them all to the same horrific abuse, while Dudley in particular resisted his control. To punish defiance, Heidnik devised cruel tortures, including chaining the women in freezing water and applying electric current, a method he used to kill Dudley on March 19, disposing of her body in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. On March 23, he abducted his final victim, Agnes Adams, but within days Rivera convinced Heidnik to let her leave briefly, during which she escaped and alerted police, leading to the discovery of the basement prison and the rescue of the surviving four women. In the end, out of the six victims, Rivera, Thomas, Askins, and Adams survived, while Lindsay and Dudley were murdered. 

509 Cherry Ave. Niles, Ohio, United States📍
March 31st, 2015

Marie Belcastro (94) - Bludgeoned To Death

In March 2015, 94-year-old Marie Belcastro was murdered inside her home in Niles, Ohio. Her attacker was her 15-year-old neighbor, Jacob Larosa. He had a long history of behavioral issues, substance abuse, and repeated juvenile court involvement, and he had been released from a juvenile facility just hours before the crime.

Later that day, Larosa went to Belcastro’s home and forced his way inside. Once in the house, he attacked her with a heavy metal flashlight, beating her repeatedly with extreme violence. The assault continued as he dragged her from room to room, rummaging through her belongings and going through her purse. He eventually dragged her into a bedroom, where he attempted to rape her while she was gravely injured. Belcastro died from massive blunt-force trauma to the head.

The crime scene was extremely bloody, showing evidence of a prolonged and brutal struggle. Larosa was found shortly afterward at a hospital, intoxicated and covered in blood. Evidence collected from him directly tied him to the murder.

He was charged as an adult with aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, and attempted rape. In 2018, rather than go to trial, Larosa entered a no-contest plea and was convicted. Later that year, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, along with additional years for the related charges. The judge emphasized the brutality of the crime and the vulnerability of the victim.

In 2021, however, Ohio passed a law that changed how juvenile offenders are sentenced. Because Larosa was 15 at the time, his sentence was modified under the new rules. Instead of life without parole, he became eligible for a parole hearing after 25 years. This decision caused significant controversy, especially among Belcastro’s family, who felt the severity of the crime warranted permanent imprisonment.

Larosa’s first possible parole hearing is expected in 2040.

Not Available
March 31, 1922

Andreas Gruber (63)  - Bludgeoned to death

Cäzilia Gruber (72) - Bludgeoned to death

Viktoria Gabriel (35)  - Bludgeoned to death

Cäzilia Gabriel (7)  - Bludgeoned to death

Josef Gabriel (2)  - Bludgeoned to death

Maria Baumgartner (44) - Bludgeoned to death

In the days leading up to the murders at the isolated Hinterkaifeck farm, unsettling events were already unfolding. Andreas Gruber, the head of the household, reportedly told neighbors that he had discovered footprints in the snow leading from the forest to the farm—but none leading away. He also claimed to hear footsteps in the attic, though repeated searches revealed no intruder. Tools went missing, keys vanished, and the family’s dog behaved erratically. Despite these warning signs, no report was made to authorities. On March 31, 1922, a new maid, Maria Baumgartner, arrived at the farm. It would be her first and last day there.

Sometime that evening, the murders began. Evidence suggests that members of the Gruber–Gabriel family were lured one by one into the barn, where they were attacked and killed with a mattock, a farming tool resembling a pickaxe. Andreas Gruber, his wife Cäzilia, their daughter Viktoria, and Viktoria’s seven-year-old daughter Cäzilia were all killed in this manner. Each victim showed signs of blunt force trauma, and at least one appeared to have survived the initial blow for several hours. Inside the house, the maid Maria Baumgartner and two-year-old Josef Gabriel were murdered separately, likely after the killings in the barn.

What makes the Hinterkaifeck case especially disturbing is what happened after the murders. Evidence strongly indicates that the killer remained on the farm for several days. Livestock were fed, meals were prepared, and the home showed signs of continued use. Smoke was later seen rising from the farmhouse chimney, and neighbors noticed nothing immediately amiss. The bodies were not discovered until April 4, when concerned locals went to check on the family after noticing their prolonged absence.

The investigation that followed was extensive but deeply flawed. Hundreds of suspects were questioned over the years, including neighbors, former employees, and even members of the investigating team. One suspect, Karl Gabriel—Viktoria’s husband who was believed to have died in World War I—was rumored by some to have survived the war, though this theory was never substantiated. Crucial evidence was mishandled, the crime scene was contaminated by onlookers, and early forensic limitations hindered progress.

Despite decades of investigation and speculation, the Hinterkaifeck murders were never solved. No suspect was ever charged, and no definitive motive was established. The farm was eventually demolished, but the case remains one of Germany’s most infamous unsolved crimes—defined not only by the brutality of the murders, but by the eerie signs that the killer was watching long before, and lingering long after, the family was dead.

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unknown - unknoiwn

coming soon