On this episode of They Walk Among America… One balmy afternoon in October 1946, one rancher set out on a routine trip from his farm in Caldwell, Idaho, to his ranch in Jordan Valley. The desolate highway stretched out before him, except for the occasional passing car. As he rounded a bend in the road, he observed a man pulled over to the side with his hood up, indicating trouble. As he drew closer, he recognised the man as somebody who had previously worked for him. He slowed down his car and approached to offer assistance. After crouching down to examine the engine, he felt a heavy object crash down onto his skull, sending a wave of pain throughout his body….
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 56
In rural Kent, the chances of being a victim of violent crime are minimal. The chances of using fatal force to defend yourself are even more unlikely, and having to do it twice seems unbelievable. For over twenty years, one man from Kent appeared to be connected to a significant amount of criminal activity in the area, including the biggest gold heist in history and at least two deaths…
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 55
At the start of 2003, three men were to stand trial for the murder of Arlene Fraser — her estranged husband, Nat Fraser, along with Nat’s friends, Hector Dick and Glenn Lucas. Arlene’s body had not been found, nor had any forensic evidence to show she had been harmed on the day of her disappearance. The trial opened at Edinburgh High Court on January 7th… (Part 3 of 3)
Read moreMirage
On this episode of They Walk Among America… In the early 1990s, Hawaii welcomed millions of visitors to Big Island and the other six inhabited islands. Kilauea volcano on Big Island has been erupting regularly since 1983, making it the world's most active volcano. While most eruptions are self-contained, the unpredictable volatility of nature makes the volcano seem like the most dangerous thing on the island. But a horrific crime in 1991 proved that was not the case. The laid-back feel of Hawaii could lull someone into a false sense of security, making them a victim of those who seek to do them harm…
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 54
Arlene Fraser had mysteriously disappeared from her home in New Elgin without a trace, three and half months prior to her daughter's 6th birthday. The occasion — on August 5th 1998 — marked the 100th day since Arlene had been missing. While a scaled-down investigation was still ongoing, the Grampian Police were struggling to find any answers… (Part 2 of 3).
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 53
Arlene Fraser was at home in the Scottish suburb of New Elgin, one night in early April 1998. From her living room, she noticed something flickering in the darkness outside. Curiosity got the better of her, and Arlene glanced out of the window to see that her car was engulfed in flames. The fire service was alerted, and the blaze was extinguished. The cause was attributed to a mechanical fault. However, Arlene was doubtful. The relationship with her husband had turned violent. He had attacked Arlene the previous month. She suspected he may have been responsible for the fire, and things took an even darker turn two weeks later when Arlene Fraser seemingly vanished into thin air… (Part 1 of 3).
Read moreThrill Killers
On this episode of They Walk Among America… Nestled between the deep blue Atlantic Ocean and the tranquil Isle of Wight Bay lies Ocean City in Maryland. It’s a lively resort town that bustles with activity, particularly over Memorial Day weekend. Crowds of eager party-goers from across the nation flock to this coastal haven, drawn by the lure of white-sand beaches and the nightlife. Martha Crutchley and Joshua Ford were among the swarm of revellers who descended upon Ocean City over Memorial Day weekend 2002. While there, the couple struck up a friendship with another vacationing couple after they agreed to cover their bus fare. Little did they know, however, that this simple act of kindness would lead them directly into a nightmare…
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 52
In modern-day investigations, fingerprints are some of the most valuable clues in identifying a suspect. Automated fingerprint identification systems have reduced the time it takes to compare prints from hundreds of hours to a matter of minutes. Before the revolutionary introduction of automated analysis, investigators had to manually compare prints from a crime scene in order to exclude or implicate suspects in the commission of a crime. In May 1948, an unthinkable murder led to one of the most extensive mass fingerprinting operations in UK history. It solidified fingerprint comparison as one of the most accurate means of identification in criminal investigations…
Read moreSecrets
On this episode of They Walk Among America… Hundreds of thousands of people go missing each year in the United States. Most of those people will be found within the first few days, and the majority of missing persons cases do not involve suspicious circumstances. In some instances, a person is recovered, having met a tragic fate, and while the death of a loved one is incomprehensible, it gives some sense of closure. For others whose loved ones remain missing, a heartbreaking truth would be easier than never knowing at all. As years or decades pass without answers, the continual feeling of loss they carry is matched only by the hope they cling to. Now more than ever, with improvements in policing and forensics, cold cases are being solved, and families are getting long-awaited resolution…
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 51
A young woman had been brutally murdered, and her body was found a short distance from her home. It appeared to be an open and shut case when a man admitted the crime. However, it soon became clear there was a problem with his conviction. Had the wrong person been punished for the murder of Patricia Curran?… (Part 2 of 2).
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 50
Patricia had taken the bus from Belfast to Whiteabbey, where her family’s sprawling mansion, Glen House, stood at the top of a winding, tree-lined lane. It was a journey Patricia made numerous times before, but she always called ahead for an escort to guide her up the dark driveway. This particular evening, something was different. Patricia never made that call, and she never made it home. Her disappearance set off a frenzied investigation that would ultimately expose the dark underbelly of the elite, a world where power and privilege are used to protect the guilty and condemn the innocent… (Part 1 of 2).
Read moreGood Deed
On this episode of They Walk Among America… On this episode of They Walk Among America… William Fischer was a man of mystery in the affluent community of the Hamptons. He was wealthy, well-liked, and was known as a bachelor. But little did his new friends know that he had a dark secret. William had abandoned his family in Monticello, leaving behind a son who was battling cystic fibrosis. He had chosen a life of middle-class luxury over his own flesh and blood. On a stormy night in 1986, William’s son, Billy, paid him a visit. Some time later, Billy called up his friend, Nancy, and asked her to come and collect him. Nancy braved the treacherous weather, and set off on a journey that would drastically change the lives of all three individuals forever…
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 49
Wath upon Dearne near Rotherham was a once popular mining area. Throughout the 19th and early-20th centuries, the demand for coal rose exponentially. As a result, many miners settled in the small South Yorkshire town. They spent most of their lives carrying out the physically intense and life-threatening occupation that powered homes and businesses across Britain. When retirement came, the workers had built a life and had families in the area, so they chose to stay. Their sense of security was shattered in 1988, however, when four people were found murdered — the victims' bodies had been severely mutilated. Officers from the South Yorkshire constabulary would quickly learn that Wath upon Dearne had become the hunting ground for a serial killer, who fantasised about matching the notoriety of The Yorkshire Ripper and Jack the Ripper…
Read moreUnlucky
On this episode of They Walk Among America… Have you ever played the lottery and fantasised about what you would do with your newfound wealth? Buy an expensive sports car, go on a dream holiday, or purchase a sprawling mansion. Many people think that winning the lottery will solve all of their problems, but the reality is the curse of the lottery can often affect the winners, leaving them wishing they never won at all. In 2009, a lottery winner from Florida mysteriously vanished, sparking rumours about his whereabouts. Some speculated that he was evading the FBI, while others suggested he was sick or had even met a gruesome fate.As the investigation into his whereabouts continued, the disturbing truth behind his disappearance began to unravel…
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 48
It was a cold and frosty morning in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, on Friday, February 15th, 2019. Children across the country woke up excited because it was the last day of school before half term. For 19-year-old Leah Croucher, it was a day like any other. She got out of bed, got dressed and set off for work. Leah usually made the short journey on foot, but as 9 AM came and went, she never arrived. Her disappearance would spark a nationwide manhunt as her missing person posters were distributed far and wide. The exhaustive investigation would see officers from the Thames Valley police force trawling through thousands of hours of CCTV footage and knocking on the doors of more than 4,000 homes…
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 47
Helmsley is a small market town within the North York Moors National Park. The VisitHelmsley website describes it as “the perfect base for enjoying the wider area”. Helmsley has numerous attractions, including a nature reserve, an art gallery, abbey ruins, and a market square boasting a range of shops and excellent restaurants. Named Britain's Best Market Town in 2015 by the Great British High Street Awards, the quaint area on the banks of the River Rye is a peaceful and quiet place to live. It is one of Yorkshire's hidden gems, rarely mentioned in the media; that was until a grisly discovery thrust Helmsley under the national spotlight…
Read moreMassacre
On this episode of They Walk Among America… December 15th, 2000. During the early morning, Sedgwick County 911 received an alarming call from a man who told them he had just found a young woman on his porch who was naked, bleeding, and begging for help. The woman relayed a horrifying story to the dispatchers. She told them she had been shot in the head, and that four of her friends had been executed at a soccer field near Greenwich Road, Wichita…
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 46
In some religions and communities, great weight is placed on the family and its so-called collective honour. Name and reputation can overshadow everything else, and a specific code of honour must be followed. Sometimes, when perceived shame has been brought upon a family, the alleged wrongdoer is forced to pay the ultimate price…
Read moreSeason 7 - Episode 45
Torrential rainfall had caused flash floods along the coastal Cliff Road in Salcombe, South Devon. Once there was a break in the clouds on that remarkably wet summer day, holiday goers seized the opportunity to make the most of their vacation. It was around 5 PM on Sunday, June 27th, 2021, when Charlotte Rollings and her family left the beach, and returned to the cottage where they were staying. The clothes designer was walking along the footpath by Bennett Road with her partner and parents, when Charlotte’s mother noticed something unusual…
Read moreBonus Episode 28
The dark web is part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines. It’s rife with criminal activity, from drug sales all the way to targeted attacks. In August 2022, a man was browsing the dark web when he came across a website claiming to provide hitmen for a fee. Curiosity got the better of him, and as he scanned through the forum, one post piqued his interest; a request seemingly from a female asking for a man to be killed in Norfolk…
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