The Disappearance of Michael McClain

Michael McClain has been missing since April 21st, 2019. 

The then-29-year-old lived in Manchester, New Hampshire at the time of his disappearance, but he was last seen at a nightclub in nearby Nashua. Michael was at the club with friends when a fight broke out between two women. He reportedly knew one of the women, and he attempted to break up the fight when it escalated outside of the building. 

Police arrived on the scene shortly thereafter, which led the crowd of people to disperse in different directions. At that point, Michael's friends became separated from him. Michael's last known contact occurred shortly after the crowd dispersed. He called his boss shortly before 2:00 AM and stated, "They're after me. More than one." When his boss tried to call him back, there was no answer. 

Michael also sent three texts to a friend, stating "HELP LOL OUR”, “what stood aloof”, and “Eldridge bro”. The last text seemingly referenced Eldrige Street, which is located near the nightclub. Michael's friends reportedly attempted to find him and/or get in touch with him for the next 45 minutes to no avail. 

Michael's friends went home afterwards, hoping that Michael would eventually return to his friend's house to retrieve his car. He never did, nor did he ever return to his own home. Michael's loved ones have never seen or heard from him again.

After Michael was reported missing, it was determined that he was sighted one last time around 3:30 AM. At that time, surveillance cameras at the Riverfront Landing Apartment complex captured him entering and exiting the parking garage. This is the last confirmed sighting of Michael; his whereabouts after exiting the parking garage remain unknown to this day.

Michael's loved ones do not believe he is missing on his own accord. Both his bank and social media accounts have been inactive since his disappearance. Investigators have theorized that Michael might have drowned in the nearby Merrimack River. His family does not believe this to be true as they stated Michael was a strong swimmer. A search of the area has not turned up Michael's body.

Michael remains missing today. His case is being investigated by the Nashua Police Department. If you have any information that could lead to Michael's whereabouts, please contact authorities at (603) 594-3583.

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Sources:
Charley Project
Help Find Missing - Michael McClain
NamUs
NBC News
True Crime New England

The Disappearance & Presumed Murder of Aranda Briones

Aranda Briones vanished on January 13th, 2019. The then-16-year-old teen left her Moreno Valley, California home that day after telling her family that she was going to spend the day with a male friend from school. Aranda never returned home and was never seen or heard from again.

The male friend - later identified as then-18-year-old Owen Skylar Shover - stated that he dropped Aranda off at Moreno Valley Community Park between 6:00 and 6:30 PM. However, investigators looked at footage of the park, and Aranda was not seen at any point that day. Additionally, Owen said that he saw Aranda get into a four-door grey sedan. Aranda’s family reportedly does not know anybody with a car of that description, and said car was not seen on the park’s surveillance footage either.

According to Aranda’s brother, her Snapchat map feature placed her phone at a completely different location on the evening of January 13th. A female friend reportedly told Aranda’s family that she noticed Aranda’s Snapchat was showing her in Rubidoux that evening. When the friend texted Aranda to ask what she was doing there, Aranda’s phone was abruptly shut off. The phone was never turned on again.

The investigation into Aranda’s disappearance picked up quickly. Moreno Valley police began investigating a day after she was last seen. Shortly thereafter, the FBI joined the search. The investigation led detectives back to the person Aranda was last seen with: Owen Shover.

A few weeks later, Owen Shover and his older brother Gary Shover, (then 21) were arrested and charged with Aranda’s murder. At the time of their arrests, investigators did not reveal many details in the case. They also did not reveal the extent of Gary's involvement. Additionally, it was noted that the search for Aranda was still ongoing.

It was initially reported that both Owen and Gary planned to plead not guilty. After that, news about the case went stagnant. Years passed without any updates in the case. Aranda remained missing and still remains missing today.

Over five years later, the case finally began to have some movement. In 2024, news about the events leading up to Aranda's disappearance - and a possible motive for her murder - was finally revealed. 

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The November 2017 incident.

Source: Facebook

A 2024 report cites an incident that occurred all the way back in November 2017 that might have been a motivating factor in Aranda's murder. As previously noted, Aranda and Owen were friends who met in high school. In 2017, the two teens attended Moreno Valley High School together.

On November 7th, 2017, Aranda and Owen were amongst a group of teens who decided to skip school and go to Community Park instead. Owen had a small-caliber handgun in his possession during this outing. At some point, a school resource officer looking for truants spotted the group.

As the officer approached them, the teens began fleeing in different directions. In the midst of this, Owen tossed his handgun to Aranda and told her to hide it. Frightened, Aranda tossed the gun into a drainage canal. The officer saw this, and Aranda was subsequently detained.

The expulsion.

Aranda was later questioned by both officers and school administrators. She then explained that the gun belonged to Owen; he is the one who brought it to the park that day. As a result, both Aranda and Owen faced disciplinary action.

In February 2018, the school board voted to expel both teens from Moreno Valley High School. Owen was reportedly furious over the expulsion from Moreno Valley. According to the trial brief, he was angry in particular about "what he evidently perceived as Aranda’s betrayal of trust." 

After the expulsion, Aranda enrolled in a local continuation school. Owen moved in with his father and enrolled in a continuation school in Hesperia. It appears that the friendship between the two teens deteriorated as a result. 

In fact, a report on Aranda's disappearance from February 2019 alludes to this lapse in her friendship with Owen. Aranda's uncle is quoted in the article, saying "He used to go to Moreno Valley High School, and they stopped hanging out for, like, a year. She never talked about him and then, all of a sudden, they started hanging out and out of the blue air she disappeared." 

Evidence of premeditation.

It's clear that Aranda and Owen had reconnected by January 2019. According to the prosecution, there is evidence that shows Aranda's murder was premeditated before even they got back in touch. The prosecution stated Owen planned to feign interest in rekindling a friendship with Aranda so he could lure her to her death. 

Let's back up to November 2018 - just two months before Aranda's disappearance. During this time, according to detectives, Owen began using social media and text messages to try and purchase a gun. Detectives reportedly found "a series of Snapchat, Facebook and other conversations initiated by the defendant" in which he expressed interest in buying a firearm. 

Those messages reportedly occurred between November 2018 and January 2019. By January 2019, Owen finally obtained a gun. Shortly thereafter, he contacted Aranda.

January 12th - 13th, 2019: Aranda and Owen make plans.

On January 12th, 2019, Owen reportedly sent Aranda a text message, "inviting her to join him the following day while he made drug deliveries and 'robs drug dealers.'” Aranda accepted the invite. The two agreed to meet up at Bayside Park the next day.

Aranda arrived at the park shortly before 5:00 PM on January 13th, 2019. She was accompanied by friends before she left the park with Owen. The two friends watched as she got into Owen's Nissan Ventra. According to reports, the two then "headed north toward Box Springs Mountain."

By all accounts, Aranda appeared happy to be spending time with Owen. The trial brief states that she "posted several pictures to social media accounts within an hour, showing her and Shover in his car, expressing elation to be with her “homie,” who was letting her do some of the driving."

At some point, though, Aranda went silent. She abruptly stopped posting on social media and responding to her messages from friends and family. Owen's phone activity, however, remained active for the next few hours.

January 13th, 2019: 6:00 PM - 10:15 PM.

Cell phone pings indicate that Owen's vehicle started heading towards San Bernadino around 6:00 PM. While in route towards that area, Owen reportedly sent his older brother, Gary, a message that read, "Be ready for tonight. Get shovels and lighter fluid ready."

At some point afterwards, Owen picked Gary up from a mobile home park. Phone pings tracked the two brothers traveling "north into the San Bernardino Mountains via state Routes 138 and 18." Then, between the hours of 8:33 PM and 10:14 PM, Owen's phone was reportedly shut off. By time it was turned back on, Owen and Gary were back at their father's residence. 

Aranda, on the other hand, had not returned home. She was reported missing shortly thereafter.

Investigating Aranda's disappearance.

Police identified Owen Shover as the last person Aranda was seen with very early into the investigation. Owen denied knowledge of Aranda's whereabouts. He acknowledged spending time with her on the day she vanished, but he said he dropped her off between 6:00 and 6:30 PM and never saw her again. As previously noted, he also said he saw Aranda getting into a different vehicle. 

Police were unable to corroborate Owen's story, which inevitably made him look suspicious. As the investigation continued, more and more evidence pointed to Owen's guilt. Owen's car was searched, during which Luminol was used. The spray reported showed "the possible presence of a significant amount of blood that had pooled toward the bottom of the trunk, underneath the carpeting."

Investigators had learned about Aranda and Owen's friendship rift after they were both expelled in 2018. This pointed to evidence of motive. Additionally, the evidence from Owen's cell phone data implicated not only him, but his older brother Gary, as well. 

February 11th, 2019: The arrests.

Owen Shover and Gary Shover were arrested at their father's residence in Hesperia on February 11th, 2019. Reports state that both homicide and SWAT investigators went to the home to detain the two men. 

The Shover brothers. (ABC News)

At first, police remained quiet about the evidence they had against the two young men. Eventually, it was revealed that Owen Shover was charged with both conspiring to commit murder and first-degree murder. Gary Shover was charged with first-degree murder and a special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait.

The slow road to justice.

Both Owen and Gary pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. After that, news about Aranda's case grew scarce. The case was inevitably slowed down by the onset of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. However, it continued to be hit with delays, even after the world began to function regularly again after quarantine. 

After a preliminary hearing in 2022, a judge dismissed the first-degree murder and lying in wait charges against Gary Shover. Instead, he was to be charged with accessory to murder. Gary still maintained his not guilty plea.

Summer 2024: Gary pleads guilty; Owen is found guilty.

After years of waiting, Aranda's case finally began to move forward in 2024. In June 2024, Gary Shover pleaded guilty to accessory after-the-fact to first-degree murder. He was immediately sentenced to a year in jail, plus another year of probation and he will be required to pay victim restitution. 

Two months later, in August 2024, Owen Shover's trial began. During the trial, the prosecution presented the evidence that supported the theory that Owen wanted revenge on Aranda after getting expelled. After killing her, it was stated that Owen, with the help of Gary, hid Aranda's body in the San Bernardino mountains. The jury deliberated for less than a day before they returned a guilty verdict.

A sentencing hearing is expected to taste place in October 2024. 

Aranda's body has still not been found. 

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Sources:
ABC 7

CBS News
Charley Project
Court TV
LA Times
My News LA
Patch

The Murder of Courtney Phillips

Courtney Phillips was only 23 years-old when she was murdered on April 5th, 2015. She lived in San Antonio, Texas prior to her untimely death. Courtney's body was found on the afternoon of April 5th, lying face down on the floor of a house in the 200 block of Edge Avenue. She had suffered stab wounds to the neck. Police were immediately able to determine that Courtney's wounds were not self-inflicted. Her death was quickly classified as a murder.

Throughout the investigation, detectives learned that Courtney went to the house on Edge Avenue that day to meet up with 19-year-old Isaac Estrada. Initial reports stated that investigators did not know why Courtney and Estrada planned to meet up that day. Still, Estrada was immediately named as the prime suspect in the case. However, investigators were unable to locate him. 

Isaac Estrada

It was soon believed that Estrada was hiding from police. He was put on a wanted list, but years passed without any updates in the case. However, in 2022, more details about the case were revealed.

At that time, it reported that Courtney was dropped off at the house on Edge Avenue that afternoon for a date with Estrada. Courtney's text messages revealed that the two had arranged to meet up at the residence - however, Estrada did not live there. In fact, the homeowners were out of town at the time the murder took place.

Once Estrada was identified as a suspect in Courtney's murder, investigators learned that he had been accused of a similar crime just three months earlier. In this instance, Estrada reportedly lured the victim to meet up with him under the pretext of a date, and then ended up robbing the victim.

Finally, in March 2023, Isaac Estrada was captured. After 8 years on the run, Estrada was finally located by authorities in Eagle Pass, Texas. He was arrested and taken into custody on March 4th, 2023. Estrada was charged with evading arrest, first-degree aggravated robbery and first-degree capital murder. 

Estrada initially planned to plead guilty to the charges, but in July 2024, he accepted a plea deal. As part of the plea deal, Estrada was able to plead to the lesser charge of murder rather than capital murder. He was subsequently sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder and an additional 5 years for aggravated robbery.

Estrada will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence. 

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Sources:
Daily Crime
KENS 5
KSAT
San Antonio Express-Herald

List Series: Southeast Mysteries Vol. II

The following is the second installment of a new posting series: Southeast Mysteries. This list contains an unsolved murder or disappearance from the remaining six states in the Southeast region of the United States: Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Links to more detailed write-ups and tip submissions for each case are provided.

SOUTHEAST MYSTERIES: VOLUME TWO.

GEORGIA:

Name: Blake Chappell

Case type: Disappearance and murder.

Age: 17

Dates: Vanished on October 16th, 2011, remains found in December 2011.

Blake Chappell was only 17 years-old when he vanished during the early morning hours of October 16th, 2011. He was last seen alive in Newnan, Georgia. Blake was at his friend Austin's house on the evening of October 15th, where he planned to spend the night. However, at some point between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM, he snuck out of Austin's house and walked approximately three miles to his girlfriend's house. 

Blake reportedly snuck in through his girlfriend's bedroom window around 4:30 AM. About half an hour later, one of his girlfriend's relatives caught Blake in the bedroom. Knowing he was not supposed to be there, Blake quickly left the residence and began walking back toward Austin's house. 

During his walk, Blake texted with his girlfriend several times. Around 5:30 AM, he sent her a message saying he was stopped by a police officer who asked where he was going. He sent one final text a few minutes later before ceasing all communication. Blake never arrived back at Austin's house and was never heard from again. His mother reported him missing by 11:00 AM that morning.

Extensive searches for Blake came up empty. Then, over two months later, passersby in Summer Grove spotted human remains in a local creek near East Newnan. Police were called, and the human remains were later identified as that of Blake Chappell. An autopsy revealed that he died of a gunshot wound to the head.

Several years have passed since Blake was found murdered, and the case still remains unsolved. There has been speculation about various potential persons of interest, but at this time, no one has been publicly named as a suspect. In 2024, new search warrants were executed in the case. Said evidence is currently still being analyzed.

If you have any information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of Blake's killer(s), please contact investigators at unsolvedhomicide@cityofnewnan.org.

Read more about Blake's case.

FLORIDA:

Name: Tyvon Whitford 

Age: 25

Case type: Murder

Date: June 9th, 2007

Tyvon Whitford was shot to death inside her Hawthorn, Florida home on June 9th, 2007. The 25-year-old woman had moved into the Hawthorn residence just about a month before her life was tragically taken. She was raising a 5-year-old son and was also approximately 6 months pregnant at the time of her death.

On the evening of the murder, Tyvon called 9-1-1 just minutes before she was killed. Unfortunately, the dispatcher was unable to gather any pertinent information before the call was disconnected. A few minutes later, another 9-1-1 call came through - this time from Tyvon's boyfriend. He told dispatchers that he found Tyvon covered in blood. First responders rushed to the scene and found Tyvon suffering from gunshot wounds. Both her and her unborn child would eventually succumb to their injuries. 

Tyvon's boyfriend told police that he went to her residence that evening to bring her Tylenol. He has inevitably been looked into as a suspect, but at this time, he has never been called a suspect. In fact, investigators specifically stated that they were unable to put Tyvon's boyfriend "unable to put him or anybody else at the house at the time of the shooting." The only other person at the residence was Tyvon's 5-year-old son, who was asleep when the shooting occurred.

Tyvon's case is considered to be a cold case. Her family is still fighting for answers. 

If you have any information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of Tyvon's killer(s), please contact the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office at 386-329-0801.

Read more about Tyvon's case. 

MISSISSIPPI:

Name: Sarah Rozniewski (Cooper)

Case type: Missing person

Age at disappearance: 31

Dates: Last seen May 31st, 2021; reported missing March 21st, 2022. 

Sarah Rozniewski has been missing since May of 2021. The then-31-year-old was living in St. Martin, Mississippi at the time of her disappearance. Sarah was not reported missing until March 21st, 2022 - after a friend reported to Biloxi Police that she had not seen or heard from Sarah in several months. In fact, none of Sarah's loved ones had heard from her since the previous spring. Family members had already attempted to report her missing months earlier; police reportedly brushed off their concerns, citing that Sarah is an adult and is free to come and go. 

Once investigators finally did begin to investigate Sarah's disappearance, it was determined that her last bank activity occurred on May 10th, 2021 - nearly ten months before she was reported missing. According to MissingSippi.org, the last known sighting of Sarah occurred weeks later, on May 31st, 2021, at her apartment in St. Martin. Details about that last sighting have not been disclosed. Sarah has never been seen or heard from again.

Years have passed since Sarah's disappearance, and no trace of her has been found. It's unclear if police have any suspects or persons of interest. Details about the investigation have been kept under wraps, but the case remains open.

If you have any information that could lead to the whereabouts of Sarah Rozniewski, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Police Department at (228)769-3024 or submit a tip online.

Read more about Sarah's case. 

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ALABAMA:

Name: Sherri Smith

Case type: Murder

Age: 32

Date: November 21st, 2011

During the early morning hours of November 21st, 2011, police in Fairfield, Alabama responded to a local residence after a burglar alarm was triggered. When police arrived on the scene, they found a young woman - eventually identified as Sherri Terese Smith - deceased in the master bedroom. She had been shot and stabbed to death. Her death was immediately classified as a murder.

Although officers responded to Sherri's home after a burglar alarm went off, police were otherwise unable to find any signs of forced entry. Additionally, no other items were missing from the home. As such, investigators ruled out a robbery as a motive. 

In fact, police believe that Sherri's murder was personal, and that she knew her killer(s). Investigators reportedly have found DNA on the scene that could lead to the case being solved. However, years have passed, and no persons of interest or suspects have ever been publicly announced. 

If you have any information that could lead to the arrest/conviction of Sherri's killer(s), please call the Alabama Attorney General’s Office Cold Case Tip Line at (866) 419-1236, or email coldcasetips@ago.state.al.us. 

Read more about Sherri's case.

LOUISIANA:

Name: Shamia Little

Case type: Kidnapping and murder

Age: 17

Dates: Kidnapped on July 6th, 2021, remains found July 12th, 2021.

Shamia Little was only 17 years-old when her life was tragically taken in July 2021. She was, reportedly kidnapped from Douglas William Park in Shreveport, Louisiana on July 6th. Shamia went to the park that evening with a male friend. 

According to said friend, an unknown man approached him and Shamia around 11:00 PM. The man reportedly pointed a gun at them, took their cell phones, and then led them into a nearby wooded area. At some point, Shamia's friend was able to run away. He then flagged down a police officer parked nearby on Greenwood Road. By this point, Shamia and the gunman were nowhere to be found. 

Six days later, Shamia's body was found behind a business in the 4100 block of Curtis Lane. She had been shot to death. Investigators are still searching for Shamia's killer, and the FBI is involved in the case. The friend who was with Shamia the night she was reportedly abducted was questioned at length and has not been identified as a suspect.

Shortly after the news about Shamia's murder broke, investigators announced that they had a suspect. Still, years have passed, and an arrest has yet to be made. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to Shamia's killer(s). 

If you have any information that could help solve the murder of Shamia Little, please submit a tip. 

Read more about Shamia's case.

ARKANSAS:

 

Name: Tracy Jones

Case type: Disappearance and murder

Age: 19

Dates: Missing on November 15th, 2006, remains found November 26th.

Tracy Jones disappeared in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 15th, 2006. The 19-year-old woman went missing after being dropped off at a local truck stop where she intended to sell magazine subscriptions to truckers. Tracy was seen talking to several different people at the truck stop throughout the day, but at one point, she seemingly vanished without a trace.

Tracy was reported missing on November 17th, 2006, by Robert Blair, her employer and boyfriend. Days later, on November 26th, Tracy's body was found lying in a ditch in a semi-wooded area off of Highway 61 in Memphis, Tennessee. Her body was partially nude and had been bound with duct tape. An autopsy confirmed Tracy had been sexually assaulted, stabbed, and beaten. She ultimately died from blunt force trauma to the head. 

Investigators later revealed that they do not believe Tracy was killed in the location she was found. However, the coroner was unable to determine a time of death. In fact, certain reports state that Tracy was likely killed closer to November 26th than November 15th. This means Tracy was possibly held against her will for days before she was murdered. 

The FBI has been involved in the investigation for several years, but Tracy's murder remains unsolved. DNA evidence has been collected, but unfortunately, her killer's identity is still unknown. There is a monetary reward available for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of Tracy's killer(s).

If you have any information that could help solve Tracy's case, please submit a tip.

Read more about Tracy's case.

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Other installments of this list:

• Southeast Mysteries Vol. I

Other area-based mysteries:

• Mideast Mysteries
• Midwest Mysteries Vol. I
• Midwest Mysteries Vol. II
• New England Mysteries
• Rocky Mountain Mysteries

The Murder of Blaze Bernstein

Blaze Bernstein (19) was a pre-medical student at University of Pennsylvania when he disappeared in Lake Forest, California on January 2nd, 2018.

At the time of his disappearance, Blaze was on winter break and was in his hometown in Orange County, California. On the evening of his disappearance, Blaze was picked up from his parents’ house by Samuel Woodward (then 20), an acquaintance Blaze knew from high school. He never returned home that night, and his parents reported him missing after he failed to show up for a dental appointment the following day.

When investigators questioned Woodward, he told them that after he picked up Blaze, he drove the two of them to a nearby Hobby Lobby parking lot to “catch up.” Later, the two of them drove to Borrego Park. Woodward told police that Blaze got out of the car at the park and never returned. He said he waited for Blaze for an hour before driving to his girlfriend’s house. 

Police immediately noticed several inconsistencies in Woodward’s story. When questioned about his girlfriend, Woodward apparently could not remember her last name or where she lived—despite the fact that he told police that he went to her house after Blaze’s disappearance. Additionally, Woodward had abrasions on his arms, which he blamed on being in a fight club.

On January 9th, 2018, Blaze’s body was found in Borrego Park. He had been stabbed to death. Just a few days later, Woodward was arrested for Blaze’s murder. The arrest came after investigators found DNA evidence that linked him to the crime scene. In fact, certain evidence they found made investigators believe that Woodward had returned to the crime scene days after the murder as well. 

While investigating the nature of Blaze and Woodward’s relationship, it was revealed that the two were not close friends in high school. They weren’t reportedly enemies either; they just simply didn’t run in the same social circles. However, police found text messages that Blaze sent to two different female friends in June of 2017 that indicated that Woodward had hit on him. Blaze, who was openly gay, seemed happy about this interaction. 

If Woodward had actually hit on Blaze, investigators found this interesting—because Woodward told had previously investigators that Blaze had kissed him on the lips as they sat in the car on the evening of January 2nd, 2018, and that the kiss was unwanted. Woodward told investigators that he pushed him away and called him derogatory names after that.

After investigating Woodward’s background, police found that he was a member of a Neo-Nazi group called the Attomwaffen Division. The group is described as “relatively small, but incredibly anti-Semitic and hateful.” Noting that Blaze was both gay and Jewish, Woodward was charged with a hate crime as well.

The Santa Ana District’s Attorney announced the enhancement in Woodward's charges after finding evidence on his cell phone, laptop, and social media accounts that revealed his hateful intentions. The DA also explained that the evidence included “a large number of texts and images that spew hate at every protected group.”  The content was described as very homophobic, misogynistic and antisemitic.

Woodward pleaded not guilty to the charges. Then, several years passed without any movement in the case. Woodward finally went to trial in 2024, during which evidence of his hateful actions and struggles with his own sexuality were revealed. 

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The prosecution's case.

During opening statements, District Attorney Jennifer Walker told the jury that the state would present evidence that Samuel Woodward murdered Blaze Bernstein because Blaze was gay. The investigation into Blaze's murder revealed evidence that suggested Woodward's actions were premeditated and motivated by hate. Such evidence was found in Woodward's car, phone, and computer - including text messages between Blaze and Woodward prior to the murder. 

The prosecution stated that Woodward had a "shovel-like device", his father's folding knife, and a sleeping bag in his vehicle when he picked Blaze up on the evening of January 2nd, 2018. The folding knife is believed to be the murder weapon. The sleeping bag was later found to have been stained with Blaze's blood. 

Text messages between Blaze and Woodward revealed that the two had matched on Tinder in June 2017. Woodward alleged that he was "pranking" when they matched. He later told Blaze that he was still straight, but "I might make an exception for you."

Further evidence from Woodward's phone revealed that Woodward had a habit of reaching out to gay men online and then abruptly cutting off communication. Evidence also showed Woodward's affiliation with homophobic and antisemitic hate groups.

Woodward's defense.

Source: Orange County Register

Samuel Woodward's defense attorneys did not deny that Woodward was responsible for Blaze's death. However, they argued that the murder was not premeditated, nor was it the result of the hate crime. Woodward's attorney stated that he "was conflicted by his own sexuality and acted in a fit of rage." 

Woodward himself took the stand during the trial. He admitted to matching with Blaze on a dating app and meeting up on the evening of January 2nd, 2018. Woodward said that he and Blaze were laying in Borrego Park together when Blaze "began to touch him in a sexual manner."

Woodward explained that, at some point, he saw a light on Blaze's phone and was afraid he was sending pictures or videos to others. Woodward said he "felt an anger like he’d never felt in his whole life," and subsequently stabbed Blaze to death.

Woodward's defense attorneys also cited that Woodward had undiagnosed autism which left him "vulnerable to recruitment" of the hate group in which he was affiliated. The defense argued that he joined such a group for a sense of belonging and eventually grew "disillusioned" with their ideals.

The jury.

Due to the fact that Woodward admitted on the stand to stabbing Blaze, the jury was not tasked with determining whether or not he was responsible for Blaze's death. Instead, they were asked to determine whether he was guilty of first-degree murder and a hate crime, as the prosecution suggested; or, if he was guilty of voluntary manslaughter, as his defense suggested.

The jury deliberated for a day before finding Samuel Woodward guilty of first-degree murder and a hate crime in the killing of Blaze Bernstein. The verdict was a relief to Blaze's loved ones and members of the community alike. Blaze's mother spoke to reporters after the verdict, stating, "This is a great relief that justice was served and this despicable human who murdered our son will no longer be a threat to the public."

Woodward is due to be sentenced on October 25th, 2024. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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Sources:
The Daily Pennsylvanian
KTLA
NBC Los Angeles
The Orange County Register
Patch

The Disappearance of Rosalyn Velazquez

Source: Facebook

Rosalyn Velazquez was only 15 years old when she vanished during the early-morning hours of August 24th, 2020. She was last seen leaving her residence in the Azalea Park area of Radcliff, Kentucky. Shortly thereafter, Rosalyn reportedly told a friend on Instagram Live "that she had taken some pills and was walking in nearby woods." She never returned home and has never been seen or heard from again.

According to Rosalyn's mother, it was not unusual for Rosalyn to take walks late at night. She often traveled with her Chapstick and AirPods, but both items were left at home on the morning of her disappearance. Rosalyn also did not take her phone charger, extra clothes, or any other items that indicated she had run away. The only item that she did seemingly take with her was her prescribed medication.

Rosalyn was a student at North Hardin High School at the time of her disappearance. She was attending school online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The apartment complex where she was last seen is located within walking distance of the high school. Searches were reportedly conducted "in and around" the apartment complex and in the areas near her school. Detectives reportedly found no sign of Rosalyn.

Certain reports state that Rosalyn's phone "pinged in several different locations in the Radcliff area" after her disappearance. However, it's unclear where, exactly, the last ping occurred. It appears that the phone has since been disconnected. 

There is very little information about the investigation into Rosalyn's disappearance. A 2023 report on her case states that there are "dozens and dozens of pages of information Radcliff detectives have looked at countless times over the years since Rosalyn Velazquez has gone missing." At this time, it's unknown if detectives have any primary theories or persons of interest in the case. 

There is a monetary reward available for information that could lead to Rosalyn's whereabouts. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Radcliff Police Department at 270-351-4470.

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Sources:
Bring Rosalyn Home
Charley Project
K105
The News-Enterprise
WLKY, (2)

 

List Series: Southeast Mysteries Vol. I

The following is the first installment of a new posting series: Southeast Mysteries. This list contains unsolved murder or disappearance from six states in the Southeast region of the United States: West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Links to more detailed write-ups and tip submissions for each case are provided.

WEST VIRGINIA:

The Disappearance and Murder of Leah Hickman (2007)

Source: Herald-Dispatch

Leah Hickman was only 21 years old when her life was tragically taken during December 2007. The young woman was last seen alive on December 14th, 2007, at the apartment she shared with her sister in Huntington, West Virginia. She was reported missing two days later, after her family was notified that she had not shown up for her shift at a local Dress Barn. 

About a week later, Leah's body was found in a crawl space in the basement of her apartment building. Her body was covered in plastic wrap. An autopsy later determined that she had been strangled to death.

Several years have passed since Leah's tragic murder, but no arrests have ever been made. There has been plenty of speculation about a few different people possibly being involved in Leah's murder - from Leah's sister's ex-boyfriend to Leah's sister herself. As of today, though, these rumors have never been confirmed.

Leah's murder is considered a cold case. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Huntington Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau at (304) 696-4420.

Read the full write-up on Leah's case.

KENTUCKY:

The Murders of Kathy and Samantha Netherland (2014)

Kathy (top), Samantha (bottom)

 Kathy Netherland (48) and Samantha Netherland (16) were found murdered on April 22nd, 2014. The mother and daughter were brutally attacked inside their Bardstown, Kentucky residence. Kathy died as a result of several gunshot wounds, while Samantha was stabbed and bludgeoned to death.

By all accounts, Kathy and Samantha were beloved members of the Bardstown community. Kathy was a special education teacher at a local elementary school. Samantha was a high school student who enjoyed singing in the choir and was looking forward to her junior prom. It's unknown who - or why - anyone would want Kathy and/or Samantha dead. 

No suspects or persons of interest have ever been publicly announced. Kathy's husband, Bob Netherland, passed away from cancer months before the murders occurred. There has been speculation that the murders of Kathy and Samantha were part of a gang initiation, but this has never been confirmed by authorities. 

There has also been speculation that their murders are connected to a stream of other disappearances and murders in the Bardstown area. This, too, has never been confirmed. Over a decade has passed without justice for Kathy and Samantha, and their loved ones are still hoping to find answers. A reward of up to $50,000 is available for anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the killer(s).

If you have any information that could solve the murders of Kathy and Samantha's case, please submit a tip.

Read the full write-up on this case.

VIRGINIA:

The Disappearance of Joan Cook (2010)

Source: Charley Project

Joan Cook has been missing since January 24th, 2010. The then-44-year-old woman was last seen in Salem, Virginia. Joan reportedly left her soon-to-be-ex-husband's house and never returned. She has never been seen or heard from again.

Joan and her husband, Mike, were separated at the time of her disappearance. However, Joan often spent time at Mike's home, as their young daughter lived at his residence. She was doing just that on the day of her disappearance - spending time with her daughter at Mike's home.

According to Mike, Joan left the residence at 11:00 PM to walk to a friend's house. However, said friend would later tell police that she was not home at the time of Joan's disappearance. This brings obvious suspicions about Mike's version of events, but he denies any involvement in Joan's disappearance.

While it appears that Mike has not been ruled out, he has also never been publicly named as a suspect in Joan's disappearance - nor has anyone. She remains missing today, and her disappearance is considered a cold case.

If you have any information that could lead to Joan's whereabouts, please contact the Roanoke County Police Department at 540-562-3265.

Read the full write-up on Joan's disappearance.

TENNESSEE:

The Murder of Chandra Powell (2010)

Source: Chattanooga Times

Chandra Powell was murdered inside her Chattanooga, Tennessee home on October 27th, 2010. The 35-year-old woman was found deceased by her two older children as they returned home from school. Police were called, and it was determined that Chandra had been brutally beaten and stabbed to death. 

Chandra's murder was witnessed by her two younger children - a then 2-year-old and a 16-day-old infant. Neither child was physically harmed. Still, both now have the trauma of their mother being savagely killed in front of them. 

A suspect in Chandra's killing has never been publicly announced. Her ex-husband was incarcerated on unrelated charges at the time of the murder, as was the father of her youngest child. Chandra's boyfriend at the time also reportedly had an alibi that checked out. 

Years have passed, and Chandra's murder remains unsolved. The Chattanooga Police are in charge of investigating her case. 

If you have any information that could solve Chandra's murder, please submit a tip.

Read the full write-up on Chandra's case.

NORTH CAROLINA:

The Disappearance of Brandee Hope Canipe(2006)

Source: Facebook

Brandee Hope Canipe vanished in Mocksville, North Carolina during May of 2006. She was 29 years old at the time of her disappearance. According to her family, Brandee had a habit of taking off and staying out-of-touch for long periods of time. Due to this, Brandee was not reported missing until April 2010 – nearly four years after she disappeared. 

Once detectives began investigating Brandee's disappearance, it was revealed that there had been no activity on her Social Security account since 2006. Eventually, it was determined that Brandee was last seen on May 6th, 2006.

There are many different theories about what might have happened to Brandee. She was reportedly living with a boyfriend in Mocksville at the time of her disappearance. That residence was searched in 2010, after Brandee was finally reported missing, but nothing of significance was found. Investigators have not listed the boyfriend as a suspect, but it appears he has not been ruled out, either.

Brandee was reportedly driving a 4-door Buick sedan prior to her disappearance. Said vehicle has never been recovered, but it also was not registered in Brandee's name, which has made it increasingly difficult to track down. There has been speculation that Brandee and the vehicle ended up in a body of water. Belews Creek has been searched, but no evidence was found. 

Brandee remains missing today. Her family is still trying to find answers.

If you have any information that could lead to Brandee's whereabouts, please contact the Davie County Sheriff’s Office at 336-751-6238.

Read the full write-up on Brandee's case.

SOUTH CAROLINA:

The Murder of Silene Eaddy(2004)

Source: WPDE

Silene Eaddy was only 15 years-old when her life was tragically taken in April 2004. 

It was about 5:00 AM on April 17th when authorities in Columbia, South Carolina responded to reports of a brush fire in an area off Highway 378 near Montgomery Lane and Pincushion Road. As first responders worked to put out the flames, they noticed the body of a teenage girl was lying face down in the brush. She had suffered severe trauma to her body.

Later that day, a Columbia mother reported her 15-year-old daughter missing. The woman said she had last seen her daughter - Silene Eaddy - two days earlier. Silene had a habit of running away but always returned within a day or two. As such, her mother waited two days to report her missing.

When detectives were notified about Silene's disappearance, they immediately suspected that she was the unidentified girl they had found in the brush fire that morning. Dental records, along with a necklace that belonged to Silene, helped confirm these suspicions two days later. The young girl had been savagely beaten and then set on fire.

Over two decades have passed since Silene's tragic murder, and it still remains unsolved. No suspects or persons of interest have ever been publicly announced. Silene's mother passed away in 2020 without ever learning the truth about what happened to her daughter.

Silene's murder is considered an open cold case. There is a monetary reward available in exchange for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of her killer(s).

If you have any information that could help solve Silene's murder, please submit a tip.

Read the full write-up on Silene's case.

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Other area-based mystery lists:

• Rocky Mountain
• Midwest Vol. I & Vol. II
• New England