
True Case Files
shedding light on missing/unsolved/true crime stuff. insta: @truecrimecrystals
Pages, Lists & Timelines
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
The Disappearance and Death of Madison Scott

Sunday, May 21, 2023
The Disappearance of Ruthey Macenzie Smith
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image source |
Ruthey Macenzie Smith has been missing since March 2nd, 2022. The then-19-year-old was last seen in Los Angeles, California. Prior to her disappearance, Ruthey had been seen around Figueroa and 70th Street - an area well known for prostitution. She seemingly vanished from said area and has never been seen or heard from again.
According to family members, Ruthey was a typical kid throughout her early teenage years. She was an ally for the LGBTQ community, and she enjoyed listening to One Direction. Things seemingly changed for Ruthey after she became a mother at the age of 16. Ruthey's aunt stated that Ruthey needed financial help to support her daughter, and a group of new friends introduced her to sex work as a way to make ends meet.
Ruthey initially did not share that she was involved in sex work, but her family had their suspicions. Those suspicions were confirmed on Christmas Day 2021. Ruthey showed up late to her family's Christmas celebration at their home in Long Beach - and reports state that she was "messed up". During that celebration, she admitted to being involved in sex work and she said she wanted to stop.
Ruthey's family subsequently sought help from Gems Uncut - a nonprofit organization that helps victims of sexual exploitation. Ruthey still continued with the sex work, but it was clear she wanted out. In fact, just days before her disappearance, she once again stated that did not want to do it anymore, and she feared that she was going to get abducted.
After Ruthey's loved ones discovered that she was missing, they immediately began to fear that she was trafficked. Unfortunately, Ruthey remains missing today. Authorities in Long Beach are investigating her disappearance. If you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please contact authorities at 562-435-6711.
-Sources:
Charley Project
KTLA
Long Beach Post
Monday, May 15, 2023
The Disappearance and Murder of Trish Haynes
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Doug and Ashley Ruff Smith |
Most reports state that Trish and Ashley Ruff met in high school. Ashley herself said that they had known each other since childhood. In 2018, Trish and Ashley reconnected on Facebook. While staying in Rumney, Trish expressed her feelings of isolation from staying in a place so remote. It was then that Ashley offered for Trish to come stay with her and her family in Grafton. Trish accepted the offer.
The discovery of remains.
source:unionleader.com |
In August 2019, Doug Smith allegedly fired a gun at a moving vehicle. After this, a warrant was obtained for his arrest for both brandishing/firing a weapon and possessing a weapon as a convicted felon. Doug turned himself in on September 5th, 2019. He was then charged with "reckless conduct, possessing a weapon as a felon, and several misdemeanors of criminal threatening, mischief and theft." Doug posted bail after his arraignment and went home.
As of today, no arrests have been made for the murder of Trish Haynes. Most have all but concluded that Ashley and Doug are responsible. Trish's loved ones are hoping that one day justice will be served. They have vowed to continue the fight until they can see Trish's killer(s) convicted.
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Sources:
ABC 7
Saturday, May 6, 2023
The Disappearance of Katrina Kinsey
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Katrina Kinsey has been missing since August 14th, 2021. The then-18-year-old was last seen at her family's home in Jackson, Mississippi. Katrina's father told authorities that he saw his daughter right before he left for an overnight work shift. When he returned home the following morning, Katrina was gone. She has never been seen or heard from again.
There are very few details available in Katrina's case. It appears that the local news has had minimal - if any - reporting about her disappearance. Katrina's social media accounts do not seem to have any pertinent information that would help solve the case.
It is unknown is Katrina left on her own accord or if any of her personal items were missing from the home. The details of her life around the time of her disappearance remain unknown as well. What is known is that Katrina has not been seen since August of 2021 - and her wellbeing is not accounted for.
The Jackson Police Department is tasked with solving Katrina's case. If you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please contact authorities at 601-960-1234.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
The Disappearance of Kristen Galvan
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Aryion Jackson (image source) |
Jackson has not been charged with anything related to Kristen's current disappearance. It's possible, and some think it's likely, that he has information about Kristen's whereabouts, but at this time he has not revealed that information.
Although the DNA from the deceased infant was reportedly not a match to Kristen, it seems odd that the private investigator never received the requested documentation with the DNA results. It also seems suspicious that the private investigator received a message that Kristen had given birth in a port-a-potty, and then a deceased infant was found in one. It's possible that someone was pretending to be Kristen - but who? And why?
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
The Disappearance and Death of Shawnta Pankey
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Shawnta Pankey vanished in Idaho on April 15th, 2018. The then-25-year-old was seen near her Grangeville apartment with her boyfriend, Eddie Mills, around 2:00 AM. Surveillance cameras captured the couple making several trips back and forth from the apartment to Mills' car while carrying camping gear. Shawnta and Mills left the apartment building in the vehicle around 2:15 AM. By 11:06 AM, Mills returned to the apartment building alone. Shawnta was never seen or heard from again.
Sources:
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Timeline: The Case of Katie and Steven Pladl
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Katie Pladl (18) and her biological father Steven Pladl (42) pictured together in 2016 |
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Alyssa Garcia (source) |
January 1998: 17-year-old Alyssa gives birth to a baby girl fathered by Steven. They name the little girl Denise.
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Steven and Alyssa's baby girl (source) |
1998 cont.: According to Alyssa, Steven was abusive towards their infant daughter. Alyssa alleged that Steven would pinch Denise “until her body was left black and blue. The cruel father would also stuff Katie in a cooler to drown out her crying, preventing Alyssa from freeing the terrified infant until she was on the verge of suffocating.” (DailyMail). Despite this, though, Alyssa stays with Steven and eventually ends up marrying him.
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Town in New York, where Katie moved as an infant after being adopted by the Fuscos |
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Katie Fusco at age 18 (source) |
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Alyssa Pladl and Katie Pladl reunited in 2016 - pictured together with Alyssa and Steven's two younger daughters (source) |
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Katie and Steven in 2017, while Katie was pregnant (source) |
May 23rd, 2017: Alyssa reads her 11-year-old daughter’s diary after a visit with Steven and Katie. From there, Alyssa learns that her ex-husband was engaging in a sexual relationship with their oldest biological daughter. She also learns that Katie is pregnant with Steven’s baby. After confronting Steven about it, Alyssa decides to contact the police.
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Pages from the diary of Alyssa and Steven's 11-year-old, describing Steven's relationship with Katie. Click to enlarge. (source) |
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Katie, Steven & family at their July 2017 wedding (dailymail) |
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Katie with Bennett (2017) |
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Scene where Steven shot Anthony Fusco and Katie before turning the gun on himself |
Unfortunately, this disturbing tale ended violently. An officer working the case stated, “we may never understand the mindset or motives of Steven Pladl, but we do know his actions have shattered the lives of countless people.”
The Disappearance and Death of Madison Scott
Madison Scott was last seen during the early morning hours of May 28th, 2011 . The previous evening, 20-year-old Madison and a friend dr...

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Katie Pladl (18) and her biological father Steven Pladl (42) pictured together in 2016 The story of Katie and Steven Pladl is one of th...
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Jorden Sopher had just recently turned 18 years old when she vanished on May 23rd, 2006. The teen girl lived in Wabash, Indiana at the time ...
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image source Shawnta Pankey vanished in Idaho on April 15th, 2018 . The then-25-year-old was seen near her Grangeville apartment with her b...