The Dark Oak

Just Us Gals Productions

Attention all shiver-seekers! The Dark Oak is a weekly thrill and chill inducing mystery podcast. Every Wednesday, Stefanie and Cynthia will present to you a true tale of the supernatural, the macabre, historical crimes, cryptids, the unexplained and the downright spooky.

To help ease your fears, we also include The Branch of Hope Foundation, which connects you to the human side of our cases by giving back to non-profit organizations related to the first episode of the month.

If you enjoy guilt free listening and your interest falls somewhere between Bigfoot and Jack the Ripper, The Dark Oak has you covered. Throw in some real time reactions including gasps and laughs and you’ve got the perfect podcast. So grab your coffee, sweet tea or tall glass of wine and settle in for your shadowy adventure. The Dark Oak is waiting!

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#175
Yesterday · 44 min
Episode 164: Kent Jacobs - A Well-Worn Path
Kent Jacobs, a 41-year-old Lumbee man with an intellectual disability who functioned at about a nine-year-old level, disappeared on March 10, 2002, while taking his usual Sunday walk through his childhood neighborhood in Hope Mills, North Carolina, after a weekend at his mother Martha’s home; he was last seen around 5 p.m. wearing a distinctive Harley-Davidson hoodie and carrying about $200 in cash. A massive search involving helicopters, dogs, boats, and hundreds of volunteers found no trace of him. Authorities later classified the case as a presumed homicide based on an informant tip that he may have been robbed and killed in a planned attack, possibly by people who knew him, though no arrests were made and his body was never found. A later lead involving felon Clifton Jones, who allegedly said Jacobs was buried in a refrigerator on his property, produced an incomplete 2010 search that recovered nothing; Jones had already died and much of the land went unexamined. Jacobs was declared legally dead in 2012, but the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office still lists the case as an open homicide. His family, especially sister Jackie, who left her life in Seattle to search for him, has never stopped seeking answers, and his mother kept his bedroom unchanged with a candle in the window hoping he would find his way home. Sources: Dateline: Missing in America. (n.d.). Via Fyyd: Podcast, Search, Engine. https://fyyd.de/podcast/dateline-missing-in-america/3 Buczek, K. (2025, February 13). He left for a routine walk in 2002 but missed curfew, never made it home, and has remained missing ever since. Chip Chick. https://www.chipchick.com/2025/02/he-left-for-a-routine-walk-in-2002-but-missed-curfew-never-made-it-home-and-has-remained-missing-ever-since Sederstrom, J. (2023, December 20). Family still searching for answers after man vanishes during routine Sunday walk. Oxygen. https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/kent-jacobs-missing-in-north-carolina-dateline-recap Kent Jacobs – The Charley Project. (n.d.). https://charleyproject.org/case/kent-jacobs Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#174
September 2 · 1 hr
Episode 163: Where is Mary Agnes Gross?
In June 1962, 20-year-old Marlys Gross gave birth to a daughter named Mary Agnes at Worthington Regional Hospital in Minnesota after a difficult, heavily sedated labor; she later recalled seeing the infant’s feet move and briefly viewing a baby who did not look dead—not cyanotic, with dark hair and forceps marks—before being told the child had lived only about an hour. She was too ill to attend the funeral, but her friend Judy Voges saw a different-looking infant at the funeral home, her mother Clara photographed a closed casket and noticed an unknown family mourning at the gravesite, and only one fresh grave was visible despite reports that another baby, Pamela Rae Dickey, had also died and been buried the same day. Official records later proved contradictory—a birth certificate describing a healthy live birth at 6:23 p.m. versus a death certificate calling the infant stillborn at 6:20 p.m.—the cemetery had no burial record for Mary Agnes, an anonymous photo of a family with a newborn arrived three months later, and a 1996 exhumation found remains that DNA showed belonged to neither Mary Agnes nor Pamela. The case remains unsolved: whether Mary Agnes died and the records and burial were simply mishandled, or whether a living infant was taken and another child’s body placed in the grave, has never been resolved. Sources: https://web.archive.org/web/19990222082412/http:/unsolved.com/magross.html https://groups.google.com/g/alt.crime/c/GGrerrScq1Y https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Mary_Agnes_Gross https://open.spotify.com/episode/2u6PQBzRUwzE1BfMe3rjwA Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#173
August 26 · 44 min
Episode 162: Jelani Day
When 25-year-old graduate student failed to come home on a routine August day, his family immediately knew something was wrong. His family filed a missing persons report and Jelani's vehicle was found an hour away from where he was last seen, abandoned on a dead-end street. More than a week went by before a badly decomposed body was found in a nearby river, but it took nearly three weeks for the remains to be identified as Jelani Day. Investigators immediately believed that Jelani took his own life but his friends and family have never believed that to be the case and instead believe Jelani to be the victim of foul play. Five years after his death, Jelani's family created the Jelani Day Foundation which offers support to the families of missing persons of color and honors Jelani's life and legacy while continuing to keep his case in the public eye. Sources: https://www.kcra.com/article/help-me-find-justice-questions-outweigh-answers-in-the-case-of-jelani-day/38081079 https://www.wandtv.com/news/illinois/5-years-later-jelani-day-s-family-continues-fight-for-answers/article_4727c96f-ffe8-470f-ad91-3ca7a2ccf684.html https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow/story/turning-pain-into-purpose-jelani-days-family-talks-foundation-four-years-after-his-death jelanidayfoundation.org Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#172
August 5 · 37 min
Episode 161: The Abduction of Kevin Verville Jr.
On July 1, 1980, a woman calling herself "Sheila" approached Kevin's parents, Angelina and Kevin Verville Sr. at their off-base military apartment complex. Posing as a social worker from a military family assistance program, she gained their trust by offering free support for young families. The woman offered to drive Angelina and baby Kevin to her office to enroll in the program. Under the guise of picking up another family, the abductor asked Angelina to step out of the car to knock on a door, but when Angelina complied, sped away with baby Kevin inside. Authorities believe that baby Kevin is still alive and has probably been living under a false identity for the last 46 years. Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#171
July 30 · 1 hr 1 min
Episode 160: Black Eyed Children
In the dead of night, pale figures that look like children—yet somehow are not—appear at car windows and doorways, their eyes pure voids of black that swallow the light. They speak in flat, too-adult voices, asking only to be invited inside, for the ancient rule binds them: without permission they cannot cross the threshold. First whispered into the world by a Texas journalist’s chilling 1996 encounter and then carried on the early internet’s currents, these Black-Eyed Children leave witnesses frozen in primal dread; refuse them and they simply vanish, accept them and misfortune is said to follow. Whether demons wearing the faces of the innocent, travelers from some other realm, or a collective nightmare given form, they continue to surface across the globe, their true nature still hidden in the dark. Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#170
July 23 · 56 min
Episode 159: The Circleville Letters
In the mid-to-late 1970s, the quiet Ohio town of Circleville was gripped by a wave of anonymous letters that transformed a close-knit community into one of fear and suspicion. Most postmarked from Columbus, the letters were handwritten in stark block capitals, unsigned, and filled with disturbingly precise details and accusations. The most prominent target was Mary Gillispie, a school bus driver accused of having an affair with school superintendent Gordon Massie. The writer claimed to have been “observing” her house, noted that she had children, ordered her to “stay away from Massie,” and warned of dire consequences if she failed to comply. Mary’s husband, Ron Gillispie, also received letters, some urging him to confront the alleged affair and others suggesting violence. On August 19, 1977, after answering a phone call that left him agitated, Ron left the house armed and died in a single-vehicle crash. Officially ruled accidental, the incident fueled lingering suspicions of foul play. As the campaign intensified, the letters threatened to expose secrets through media, posters, and billboards. Spanning roughly 18 years—from about 1976 to 1994—the ordeal deeply eroded trust within the community. The investigation was hampered by scant physical evidence and the strong possibility that the writer was a local resident. In 1983, Paul Freshour was convicted of attempted murder in connection with a booby-trapped sign placed on Mary’s bus route, though he was never charged with authoring the letters. His conviction rested on a disputed handwriting analysis later questioned by forensic experts. Letters continued to arrive even while he was imprisoned, leaving the case steeped in controversy. The Circleville Letters stand as a chilling reminder of how intimate knowledge, anonymous threats, and communal suspicion can intertwine, leaving behind a legacy of unresolved questions and a town forever changed. Sources: https://www.thevintagenews.com/2024/03/01/circleville-letters/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/circleville-letters-author-unmask/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEDYK5veqwg&t=3s Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#169
July 15 · 51 min
Episode 158: The Disappearance of Lynette Hooker - Overboard in Paradise
Lynette Hooker, a 55-year-old Michigan woman and avid sailor, disappeared on the night of April 4, 2026, while in the Bahamas with her husband of about 25 years, Brian Hooker. According to Brian’s account, the couple had dinner at the Abaco Inn in Hope Town and were returning to their anchored sailboat, the Soulmate, in an 8-foot dinghy near Elbow Cay when rough weather caused Lynette to fall overboard; he said she was holding the keys (stopping the engine), strong currents swept her away, and he paddled the powerless dinghy to shore, arriving in Marsh Harbour around 4 a.m. on April 5 before reporting her missing. No body has been recovered despite initial and later resumed searches by Bahamian authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard. The case has raised significant questions due to inconsistencies and this case is still being actively investigated. Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#168
July 8 · 48 min
Episode 157: The Great Kentucky Meat Shower
On March 3, 1876, chunks of raw animal meat fell from a clear sky over a farm near Olympia Springs in Bath County, Kentucky, for several minutes while Mrs. Crouch was making soap outside. The pieces, mostly two to four inches across, resembled fresh beef, were tasted by locals as mutton or venison, and carried a foul odor like a dead body, with no wind, clouds, or birds observed. Multiple witnesses confirmed the event, which made national headlines. Microscopic analysis proved the material was real animal tissue—mainly lung, muscle, and cartilage—while the leading theory suggests vultures regurgitated partially digested carrion mid-flight. However, this explanation remains unproven due to the lack of visible birds, the gentle localized fall, and other inconsistencies. A preserved sample still exists at Transylvania University, but DNA testing was inconclusive, leaving the exact origin and cause of this bizarre incident a lasting mystery more than 150 years later. Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#167
July 1 · 41 min
Episode 156: Laralee Spear - So Close to Home
On April 25, 1994, 15-year-old Laralee Spear was abducted and brutally murdered just one month shy of her 16th birthday. She was reported missing by her mother when she failed to arrive home after school at the expected time. After checking with neighbors, Laralee’s mother learned that she had last been seen getting off her school bus, which was only a ten-minute walk from the family’s home. A quick search ensued, but it ended tragically. More than three decades later, Laralee’s murder remains unsolved, with no known persons of interest. Sources: https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/news/2024/september/fdle-vso-help-solve-the-laralee-spear-cold-case https://www.facebook.com/Mizzle20/posts/%EF%B8%8F-justice-for-laralee-30-years-later-%EF%B8%8Finvestigators-in-volusia-county-florida-ar/1488187345999812/ https://www.youtube. Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#166
June 25 · 57 min
Episode 155: Barbara Nantais - One Night on the Sand
In August 1978, 15-year-old Barbara Nantais and her 17-year-old boyfriend Jim Alt were attacked while sleeping in zipped-together sleeping bags on Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego, California, after a night out with friends who remained in a nearby car. An unknown assailant severely beat Alt on the head with a rock and log from a fire pit, leaving him with life-threatening traumatic brain injuries, permanent metal plates in his skull, amnesia regarding the attack, and lifelong PTSD. Nantais was brutally murdered—she was beaten, strangled, sexually assaulted, had one breast mutilated, and her nude body was posed spread-eagle on the sand with wet sand stuffed in her mouth. The case quickly went cold despite an active investigation, as no murder weapon was recovered, the crowded beach environment hindered evidence collection, and 1970s forensic techniques (limited to basic serology and microscopy with no DNA profiling) offered little identifying power. Similarities in method to the 1984 murder of 14-year-old Claire Hough at the same beach initially raised questions of a possible serial offender, but authorities later concluded the cases were not connected. To this day, the Nantais murder remains an unsolved San Diego Police Department cold case with no identified suspects. Branch of Hope: Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation is a UK-registered charity founded in 2002 by the family of Caroline Ann Stuttle, a young British traveler who tragically lost her life while on a gap year in Australia. For more than twenty years, the organization has focused on promoting safer independent travel for young people and backpackers. It offers free educational resources, safety workshops, school presentations, and practical guides that help gap-year students and first-time adventurers prepare responsibly and stay safe on the road. While the foundation now serves primarily as a lasting information archive, its materials remain freely available and continue to support thousands of young travelers each year. Sources: Barbara Nantais | City of San Diego Official Website. (n.d.). https://www.sandiego.gov/police/news-center/cold-cases/barbara-nantais Schlesinger, R. (2024, July 7). Were the murders of California teens the work of a serial killer? CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-torrey-pines-beach-murders-blood-in-the-sand/ Sullivan, K. (2025, November 10). 2 teenagers were killed on Torrey Pines Beach 6 years apart | A&E. AETV. https://www.aetv.com/articles/2-teenagers-were-murdered-on-torrey-pines-beach-san-diego-6-years-apart Morford, M. (2022, November 17). EPISODE 59 Barbara Nantais — ABJACK Entertainment. AbJack Entertainment. https://www.abjackentertainment.com/the-murder-in-my-family/episode-59-barbara-nantais Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#165
June 10 · 1 hr 8 min
Episode 154: Lauren Spierer - Bloomington’s Coldest Mystery
Lauren Spierer, a 20-year-old sophomore studying textiles merchandising at Indiana University, disappeared in the early morning hours of June 3, 2011, in Bloomington, Indiana. The night before, she had been out drinking heavily with friends using a fake ID; after leaving Kilroy’s Sports Bar barefoot and without her phone or shoes around 2:27 a.m., she walked with Corey Rossman back to the Smallwood Plaza area, got into a brief altercation outside, then spent time in Rossman’s apartment (where his roommate Michael Beth tried to keep her safe) before moving to neighbor Jay Rosenbaum’s townhome. She was last confirmed seen by Rosenbaum around 4:30 a.m., walking alone and intoxicated along College Avenue toward her own apartment. Lauren had a rare heart condition called long QT syndrome that made her especially vulnerable to fatal arrhythmias when combined with alcohol or drugs (trace cocaine was later found in her room, and Rosenbaum reported she had also used cocaine and crushed Klonopin that night). Despite massive searches, landfill excavations, cadaver-dog alerts, and thousands of tips, no trace of her has ever been found; her boyfriend Jesse Wolff and the three friends were named persons of interest but cooperated fully, passed private and FBI polygraphs, and were never named suspects. Civil negligence suits filed by her family against the friends were dismissed in federal court. As of May 2026 the case remains active and unsolved with the Bloomington and IU police departments. Branch of Hope: Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation is a UK-registered charity founded in 2002 by the family of Caroline Ann Stuttle, a young British traveler who tragically lost her life while on a gap year in Australia. For more than twenty years, the organization has focused on promoting safer independent travel for young people and backpackers. It offers free educational resources, safety workshops, school presentations, and practical guides that help gap-year students and first-time adventurers prepare responsibly and stay safe on the road. While the foundation now serves primarily as a lasting information archive, its materials remain freely available and continue to support thousands of young travelers each year. Sources: The search for Lauren Spierer. (n.d.). The Search for Lauren Spierer. https://findlauren.com/index.html Runevitch, J. (2024, May 29). Investigative journalist releases new book about Lauren Spierer’s disappearance nearly 13 years since she went missing. wthr.com. https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/investigative-journalist-releases-new-book-about-lauren-spierer-disappearance-indiana-university/531-16e65e8c-110e-4e09-9ca6-2bfc27843de4 Ratliff, M. (2025, June 3). WAVE Extra: 14 years later, Lauren Spierer’s loved ones still hold on to hopes of finding the truth. https://www.wave3.com. https://www.wave3.com/2025/06/03/wave-extra-14-years-later-lauren-spierers-loved-ones-still-hold-hopes-finding-truth/ Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#164
June 3 · 59 min
Episode 156: The Family That Couldn't Sleep - The Venetian Curse
In the summer of 1983, a stylish Venetian man named Silvano stepped onto a cruise ship and felt his shirt suddenly soak with sweat for no reason. That single moment marked the beginning of a nightmare that would steal his sleep forever. For over 250 years, one Italian family had been haunted by a mysterious curse: a disease that slowly, relentlessly destroys the brain’s ability to sleep. Victims lie awake for months in a living hell of hallucinations and exhaustion, fully conscious as their bodies burn out and die. What began as a whispered “family disease” in 18th-century Venice was finally named Fatal Familial Insomnia — a prion disorder caused by nothing more than a single misfolded protein that turns the brain’s sleep switchboard into a graveyard of crumpled origami cranes. This is the haunting true story of a genetic curse that science still cannot stop, and the quiet courage of the families who choose to live in the shadow of knowing — or not knowing — their fate. Sources: Max, D.T. The Family That Couldn’t Sleep: A Medical Mystery. Random House, 2006. (The definitive book on the Venetian family’s 250-year saga and Silvano’s story.) Prion Alliance. “About Prion Alliance & Our Mission.” prionalliance.org. (Nonprofit founded by FFI patient-scientists Sonia Vallabh and Eric Minikel.) CJD Foundation. “Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI).” cjdfoundation.org/fatal-familial-insomnia-ffi. (Leading U.S. patient-support organization for all prion diseases.) Khan, Z. and Bollu, P.C. “Fatal Familial Insomnia.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2024. (Most current peer-reviewed medical overview of FFI.) National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). “Fatal Familial Insomnia.” rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/fatal-familial-insomnia. (Clear, family-friendly summary of symptoms, genetics, and history.) Mastrianni, J.A. “Genetic Prion Disease.” In: GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle, 2021. (Gold-standard genetic reference for the PRNP mutation and prion mechanism.) Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#163
May 28 · 1 hr 8 min
Episode 155: Michelle von Emster - Swimming into Darkness
25 year old Michelle Von Emster’s mysterious death in 1994 remains one of San Diego's most notorious mysteries. It was officially ruled a Great White Shark Attack but marine experts disagree with that finding. Why would she have gone swimming in frigid weather? Was it possible that her death was a tragic accident resulting from a fall from nearby cliffs? The most frightening theory of all is that Michelle was a victim of homicide. Years after her death, Michelle’s sister revealed disturbing details from Michelle’s youth that makes the circumstances surrounding her untimely death even more mysterious. Branch of Hope: Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation is a UK-registered charity founded in 2002 by the family of Caroline Ann Stuttle, a young British traveler who tragically lost her life while on a gap year in Australia. For more than twenty years, the organization has focused on promoting safer independent travel for young people and backpackers. It offers free educational resources, safety workshops, school presentations, and practical guides that help gap-year students and first-time adventurers prepare responsibly and stay safe on the road. While the foundation now serves primarily as a lasting information archive, its materials remain freely available and continue to support thousands of young travelers each year. Sources: https://coldcaseexplorations.com/california-cold-or-unsolved-cases/was-this-really-a-shark-attack-death-the-troubling-case-of-michelle-von-emster/ - :~:text=Because%20it%E2%80%99s%20been%20over%2030%20years%20since%20Von https://allthatsinteresting.com/michelle-von-emster Michelle Von Emster: What Really Happened? - HubPages Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#161
May 13 · 1 hr 12 min
Episode 153: Mike Mansholt - The Final Solo Ride
Seventeen-year-old German adventurer Mike Mansholt arrived in Malta in July 2016 for his first solo trip. After a week with his girlfriend, he stayed on alone, rented a mountain bike in Sliema on 18 July, sent a cheerful voice message home, and pedalled off to explore. He was never seen alive again. Days later searchers found his body lying peacefully in a small, sheltered rock hollow thirty metres below the Dingli Cliffs, with his bike and shoes nearby but his backpack, phone, and GoPro missing. When the sealed zinc coffin reached Germany, the remains weighed only sixteen kilograms and showed no signs of embalming. A second autopsy revealed nearly all internal organs were gone. Maltese officials called it an accidental fall with the organs lost to animals and heat; German investigators found the explanation implausible, ruled out a high-impact fall, and could not exclude third-party involvement. Ten years on, the backpack, GoPro, and organs have never been recovered, and the case remains open with conflicting accounts between the two countries. Branch of Hope: Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation is a UK-registered charity founded in 2002 by the family of Caroline Ann Stuttle, a young British traveler who tragically lost her life while on a gap year in Australia. For more than twenty years, the organization has focused on promoting safer independent travel for young people and backpackers. It offers free educational resources, safety workshops, school presentations, and practical guides that help gap-year students and first-time adventurers prepare responsibly and stay safe on the road. While the foundation now serves primarily as a lasting information archive, its materials remain freely available and continue to support thousands of young travelers each year. Sources: Mysterious death of 17-year-old Mike Mansholt, catacombs Dingli Cliffs, Malta - 26 July, 2016. (2026, March 8). Websleuths. https://websleuths.com/threads/mysterious-death-of-17-year-old-mike-mansholt-catacombs-dingli-cliffs-malta-26-july-2016.768799/ Police suspect foul play in German teen’s death at Dingli cliffs. (n.d.). MaltaToday.com.mt. https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/69270/police_suspect_foul_play_in_german_teens_death_at_dingli_cliffs 16 Kilograms: The Empty Body of Mike Mansholt | by Alex Sterling | Medium Father gives up hope of getting answers about son’s death in Malta - The Malta Independent. (2018, August 21). https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2018-08-21/local-news/Father-gives-up-hope-of-getting-answers-about-son-s-death-in-Malta-6736195184 Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#160
May 6 · 54 min
Episode 152: Duncan MacPherson – Frozen Betrayal (Part 2 of 2)
Duncan McPherson was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. In 1989 he went on a trip to Austria and disappeared after a day of snowboarding. Searches proved fruitless until 2003 when his body was found in a melting glacier, the very same glacier on which he was last seen. Despite officials believing his death to have been an accident, the state of his body leaves behind many questions and his death remains officially unsolved. Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community’s safety. Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity. Sources: https://www.coldalongtime.com Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#159
April 29 · 52 min
Episode 151: Duncan MacPherson - Frozen Betrayal (Part 1 of 2)
Duncan McPherson was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. In 1989 he went on a trip to Austria and disappeared after a day of snowboarding. Searches proved fruitless until 2003 when his body was found in a melting glacier, the very same glacier on which he was last seen. Despite officials believing his death to have been an accident, the state of his body leaves behind many questions and his death remains officially unsolved. Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community's safety. Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity. Sources: https://www.coldalongtime.com Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#158
April 22 · 1 hr 6 min
Episode 150: The Miyazawa Massacre - Perfect Family, Perfect Crime
The Miyazawa family lived in a quiet, two-story home near Soshigaya Park in Setayata, Japan. 44 year old Mikio worked for the British marketing firm Interbrand, while Yasuko was a homemaker. They had two children: 8 year old Niina, active in soccer and ballet, and 6 year old Rei. Who would have wanted this picture perfect family dead? That is the question that has haunted the world since December 31, 2000. This case is unlike any we have ever covered here at the Dark Oak, as the killer left behind more than 13,000 pieces of evidence....and yet, authorities don't even have a person of interest. Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community's safety. Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity. Sources: The Sethttps://unresolved.me/the-setagaya-murdersagaya Murders — Unresolved https://www.tokyoweekender.com/art_and_culture/history/the-setagaya-family-murder-case/ https://citytowner.com/setagaya-family-murders-kamisoshigaya-japan/#google_vignette https://japantoday.com/category/crime/setagaya-family-murders-remain-unsolved-after-24-years-1 https://www.youtube.com/live/oadF1Jqy3f8 Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#157
April 15 · 1 hr 11 min
Episode 149: The Zaharias Abduction - Stolen Childhood
On November 20, 1987, in Mission Viejo, California, Susan Zaharias abducted her two toddlers—three-and-a-half-year-old Christopher and fifteen-month-old Lisa—after a violent argument with her husband Louis, assaulting his mother and fleeing with almost nothing for the children. Battling severe alcohol, cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine addiction that had drained the family’s savings, Susan had met Louis in 1977, married him in 1981 despite her family’s fierce disapproval, and used relatives to race through Lake Elsinore, California, then Oklahoma, Detroit, Michigan, and several weeks in Greensburg, Pennsylvania before vanishing from Detroit in January 1988. For nearly 39 years Louis has never stopped searching: he sold almost everything he owned to fund lawyers and investigators, kept Christopher’s favorite blanket and Lisa’s dolls, got matching forearm tattoos of the children, and appeared on Unsolved Mysteries and other shows while moving across states to rebuild his life. Active felony warrants remain for Susan with a $250,000 bond; investigators believe all three are alive with ongoing family contact, and current age-progressed photos show Christopher in his early forties and Lisa nearing forty. Louis still hopes his children will one day learn the truth about the father who never gave up on them. Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community's safety. Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity. Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#156
April 8 · 1 hr 17 min
Episode 148: Unearthed from the Dark Oak: Where is Paola Miranda Rosa?
Today we’re Unearthing Episode 83 from the Dark Oak vault: “Where is Paola Miranda Rosa?” This case is local to us—Paola vanished in a park near where Cynthia and Stefanie grew up. The original investigation was mishandled, but in January 2026 the new Osceola County Sheriff reopened it. Her family now has renewed hope after meeting with authorities, and Crimeline has raised the reward to $5,000. This is the perfect time to spotlight the case and generate new leads. Our Branch of Hope mission is to support families still searching—and this episode could do exactly that. Listen closely—you might hold the key. ________________________________________ Paola Miranda Rosa, 31, vanished from Wekiva Springs State Park on December 18, 2021. Last seen on a video created by an unnamed eyewitness, her car was found in the park despite initial denials by a ranger. The investigation by Osceola County Sheriff's Office was criticized for being inadequate, suggesting suicide or alligator attack with little evidence. Her family, unsatisfied, conducted their own searches, hired a PI, and is now pushing for FBI involvement, especially after the lead detective was added to a Brady list for misconduct. Paola remains missing, with her family advocating for further investigation. Stefanie was able to speak directly to the Miranda family. You won't believe what she found out. Sources: Munoz, L. (2024, December 14). Family of missing Osceola County woman seeks FBI involvement. WESH. https://www.wesh.com/article/missing-osceola-county-woman/63188736 Paola Marie Miranda-Rosa – The Charley Project. (n.d.). https://charleyproject.org/case/paola-marie-miranda-rosa Orlando, F. 3. (2022, May 17). Paola Miranda-Rosa: 5 months since Central Florida woman went missing. FOX 35 Orlando. https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/paola-miranda-rosa-5-months-since-central-florida-woman-went-missing Parks, A. (2022, December 2). Wekiwa Springs State Park In Apopka, FL | America's State Parks. America\\\’s State Parks. https://www.americasstateparks.org/wekiwa-springs-state-park/ How dangerous are black bears? - North American Bear Center. (2024, January 2). North American Bear Center. https://bear.org/bear-facts/how-dangerous-are-black-bears/ Conflicts: A Research Perspective | Urban Coyote Research. (n.d.). https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/coyote-info/conflicts-research-perspective American Alligator | National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). National Wildlife Federation. https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Reptiles/American-Alligator Talcott, A. (2024, January 4). How many people have been killed by alligators in Florida? The number may surprise you. WKMG. https://www.clickorlando.com/features/2024/01/04/how-many-people-have-been-killed-by-alligators-in-florida-it-may-surprise-you/ Barabino, W. (2021, March 6). What is the Brady List? - Law Office of William J. Barabino. Law Office of William J. Barabino. https://www.williambarabino.com/blog/2021/03/06/what-is-the-brady-list/ Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
#155
April 1 · 1 hr 4 min
Episode 147: Missing: Yolanda Bindics
When 25-year-old Yolanda Bindics, a mother of four, failed to return home after her closing shift at the Family Dollar Store in Jamestown, NY, the entire community went into overdrive. Law enforcement dove into the investigation with searches and witness interviews but there was no sign of Yolanda leading the investigation to focus on two persons of interest...the father of Yolanda's youngest child, and a police officer that Yolanda had secretly been dating. Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community's safety. Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity. Sources: https://thecinemaholic.com/what-happened-to-yolanda-bindics-is-she-alive-or-dead/ https://www.wkbw.com/chautauqua-county/its-a-giant-puzzle-potential-new-development-in-yolanda-bindics-cold-case-focuses-on-3-key-locations https://chautauquacountyny.gov/district-attorney/news/update-yolanda-bindics-case-chautauqua-county-sheriffs-office https://buffalonews.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_9a0afaea-3b55-11ed-8b70-d3f111be0f0f.html https://nyscrimestoppers.org/about/ Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

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