A message from show creator Jacob Randall.

An unsolved missing persons case from 2016 might have a simple explanation. But unanswered questions cast doubt on the story that has been told.




- - - Sources - - -

https://web.archive.org/web/20160630012150/http://www.arkansasmatters.com:80/news/local-news/family-and-friends-search-for-missing-pike-county-woman
“Family and Friends Search for Missing Pike County Woman…”

https://www.ark.org/asp/alerts/mnaa/silver.php
Arkansas Department of Public Safety

https://www.publicpolicerecord.com/arkansas/hotspringsnationalpark-jail/Hentsch_Joseph/1033-15
“Hot Springs National Park Arrest Records for Inmate Joseph Steven Hentsch”

http://arkansas911news.com/sheriffs-lock-1222016-garland-county/
SHERIFF’S LOCK-UP (12/2/2016) – GARLAND COUNTY (Arkansas)

https://swarkansasnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2016-05-04.pdf
“SEARCH CONTINUES FOR BEAN Arkansas State Police lead investigation” by Heather Grabin

https://rosterhome.blogspot.com/2016/08/arkansas-court-cases-filed-april-3-2015.html
Arkansas Court Cases, Filed April 3, 2015

https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/silver-alert-delight-arkansas/
Silver Alert: Delight, Arkansas

https://www.swarkansasnews.com/2016/05/amity-woman-71-still-missing-boyfriend-still-in-jail/
“Amity woman, 71, still missing; boyfriend still in jail” by Nashville News Leader

http://www.magnoliareporter.com/news_and_business/regional_news/article_d517c3e4-098d-11e6-88f8-a7f7ef07d4eb.html
“Silver Alert" out for missing Pike County woman”

In 1969, Betsy Aardsma was murdered in the library at Penn State University. The case remains unsolved, but the identity of her killer may exist in the pages of a book called “Murder In The Stacks: Penn State, Betsy Aardsma, and the Killer Who Got Away.” Featuring author David DeKok.

- - - Sources - - -
“Murder In The Stacks: Penn State, Betsy Aardsma, and the Killer Who Got Away” by David DeKok

“Murder in the Stacks: 50 years later, still no answers.” by Erin Hogge
https://www.collegian.psu.edu/news/campus/murder-in-the-stacks-50-years-later-still-no-answers/article_b6280ed6-1a18-11ea-a966-2b1ac6ebcdcb.html

"2 Authors peg lancaster native as mystery murderer of 19 year old...Betsy Aardsma"
https://lancasteronline.com/news/2-authors-peg-lancaster-native-as-mystery-murderer-of-19-year-old-penn-state-student/article_8f21c2e9-fbfc-5e28-aa5b-f93e046975bc.html

"Author David DeKok discusses Penn State's infamous 'Murder in the Stacks': A live chat recap" by Gary Dwight Miller
https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2014/08/author_david_dekok_a_live_chat.html

"‘Murder in the Stacks’: 45-year-old Betsy Aardsma case intrigues author David DeKok" by Jason Klose
https://www.centredaily.com/living/article42872370.html

"Author, talking in Emmaus, talks about who murdered Betsey at Penn State" by Margie Peterson
https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/mc-murder-stacks-penn-state-dave-dekok-2-20150413-story.html

"The West Michigan Woman At The Heart Of..." by Eric Meier
https://k1025.com/betsy-aardsma/

"MYSTERY KILLING The chilling unsolved murder of Betsy Aardsma who was butchered in her university library… and the two main suspects have never been tracked down" by Lauren Windlehttps://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/4514592/chilling-unsolved-murder-betsy-aardsma/

Something exciting is happening in the world of true crime. An organization called Uncovered is empowering everyday people to come together in the pursuit of justice. In this episode, we speak to Ashlee Fujawa and Rachael Rosselet about building a community of Citizen Detectives and a powerful new database of information for unsolved murders and missing persons cases.

Website:
https://uncovered.com/

Fundraiser:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/uncovered-a-cold-case-platform/x/26951544#/

In this bonus episode, author Phyllis Raybin Emert shares a few more memories from her time at Penn State University shortly after Betsy Aardsma was murdered in 1969.


- - - Sources - - -
“Murder In The Stacks: Penn State, Betsy Aardsma, and the Killer Who Got Away” by David DeKok

“Murder in the Stacks: 50 years later, still no answers.” by Erin Hogge
https://www.collegian.psu.edu/news/campus/murder-in-the-stacks-50-years-later-still-no-answers/article_b6280ed6-1a18-11ea-a966-2b1ac6ebcdcb.html

"2 Authors peg lancaster native as mystery murderer of 19 year old...Betsy Aardsma"
https://lancasteronline.com/news/2-authors-peg-lancaster-native-as-mystery-murderer-of-19-year-old-penn-state-student/article_8f21c2e9-fbfc-5e28-aa5b-f93e046975bc.html

"Author David DeKok discusses Penn State's infamous 'Murder in the Stacks': A live chat recap" by Gary Dwight Miller
https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2014/08/author_david_dekok_a_live_chat.html

"‘Murder in the Stacks’: 45-year-old Betsy Aardsma case intrigues author David DeKok" by Jason Klose
https://www.centredaily.com/living/article42872370.html

"Author, talking in Emmaus, talks about who murdered Betsey at Penn State" by Margie Peterson
https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/mc-murder-stacks-penn-state-dave-dekok-2-20150413-story.html

"The West Michigan Woman At The Heart Of..." by Eric Meier
https://k1025.com/betsy-aardsma/

"MYSTERY KILLING The chilling unsolved murder of Betsy Aardsma who was butchered in her university library… and the two main suspects have never been tracked down" by Lauren Windlehttps://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/4514592/chilling-unsolved-murder-betsy-aardsma/

Crime Of Your Life is a true crime podcast where your host, Jacob Randall, tells stories about unsolved murders, obscure missing persons cases, and bizarre mysteries that often leave us with more questions than answers. Everybody has that one crime that they'll never forget...

Over 50 years have passed since a bright young woman named Betsy Aardsma was found murdered in the library at Penn State University. Her killer has never been brought to justice, and the mystery behind her death has become a legend. In this episode of Crime Of Your Life, we speak to a former student who remembers the crime. Featuring mystery author Phyllis Raybin Emert.


- - - Sources - - -
“Murder In The Stacks: Penn State, Betsy Aardsma, and the Killer Who Got Away” by David DeKok

“Murder in the Stacks: 50 years later, still no answers.” by Erin Hogge
https://www.collegian.psu.edu/news/campus/murder-in-the-stacks-50-years-later-still-no-answers/article_b6280ed6-1a18-11ea-a966-2b1ac6ebcdcb.html

"2 Authors peg lancaster native as mystery murderer of 19 year old...Betsy Aardsma"
https://lancasteronline.com/news/2-authors-peg-lancaster-native-as-mystery-murderer-of-19-year-old-penn-state-student/article_8f21c2e9-fbfc-5e28-aa5b-f93e046975bc.html

"Author David DeKok discusses Penn State's infamous 'Murder in the Stacks': A live chat recap" by Gary Dwight Miller
https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2014/08/author_david_dekok_a_live_chat.html

"‘Murder in the Stacks’: 45-year-old Betsy Aardsma case intrigues author David DeKok" by Jason Klose
https://www.centredaily.com/living/article42872370.html

"Author, talking in Emmaus, talks about who murdered Betsey at Penn State" by Margie Peterson
https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/mc-murder-stacks-penn-state-dave-dekok-2-20150413-story.html

"The West Michigan Woman At The Heart Of..." by Eric Meier
https://k1025.com/betsy-aardsma/

"MYSTERY KILLING The chilling unsolved murder of Betsy Aardsma who was butchered in her university library… and the two main suspects have never been tracked down" by Lauren Windlehttps://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/4514592/chilling-unsolved-murder-betsy-aardsma/

Another person has gone missing in Arkansas. Once again, where are the details?


- - - - - Sources - - - - -

https://morgannickfoundation.com/
(Morgan's Story, information by Colleen Nick.)

https://neverforgotten.ar.gov/home/details/412
(Missing person profile)

A young woman named Margie Ada Snead went missing in 1974. The story behind her case has also disappeared. But we only need a few additional details to piece together a new narrative. It's worth a try, isn't it?




- - - Sources - - -

* Many of the following are included in previous episode

https://www.thv11.com/article/news/little-rock-man-still-missing-after-search-continues-for-10-days/91-76417ac7-991a-4cb1-b45e-f90e3e28bead
“Little Rock man still missing after running errands over a week ago” by Mercedes Mackay

https://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/arkansas-news/search-team-brings-in-dogs-to-search-for-missing-arkansas-man/
“Search team brings in dogs to search for missing Arkansas man” by Haylee Brooks

https://katv.com/news/local/police-searching-for-missing-little-rock-man-last-seen-2-weeks-ago
“Police searching for missing Little Rock man last seen nearly 2 weeks ago” - KATV

https://www.facebook.com/HotSpringsPD/
“MISSING PERSON” - Posted on December 14th, 2020 - Hot Springs Police Department (Arkansas)

https://www.dps.arkansas.gov/crime-info-support/arkansas-crime-information-center/community-information/missing-persons-information/

https://neverforgotten.ar.gov/home/details/287
Margie Ada Snead - Missing Person

https://neverforgotten.ar.gov/home/details/359
Serinity Lashay Hosey - Missing Person

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/3666dfar.html

https://truecrimeandanimereviews.home.blog/2019/08/29/ted-bundy-unknown-victims-list/

https://www.kark.com/news/local-news/pulaski-county-deputies-investigating-body-found-in-murray-lock-dam/
“ Pulaski County deputies investigating body found floating in Murray Lock & Dam” by THV11 Digial

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/jan/29/deputies-id-body-man-found-arkansas-river/
“Man's body found in Arkansas River near bridge” by Neal Earley

Two men recently disappeared in Arkansas within the same two weeks, but the details are only available in one case. Every true crime podcaster knows the feeling of searching without a map...



- - - Sources - - -
https://www.thv11.com/article/news/little-rock-man-still-missing-after-search-continues-for-10-days/91-76417ac7-991a-4cb1-b45e-f90e3e28bead
“Little Rock man still missing after running errands over a week ago” by Mercedes Mackay

https://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/arkansas-news/search-team-brings-in-dogs-to-search-for-missing-arkansas-man/
“Search team brings in dogs to search for missing Arkansas man” by Haylee Brooks

https://katv.com/news/local/police-searching-for-missing-little-rock-man-last-seen-2-weeks-ago
“Police searching for missing Little Rock man last seen nearly 2 weeks ago” - KATV

https://www.facebook.com/HotSpringsPD/
“MISSING PERSON” - Posted on December 14th, 2020 - Hot Springs Police Department (Arkansas)

https://www.dps.arkansas.gov/crime-info-support/arkansas-crime-information-center/community-information/missing-persons-information/

https://neverforgotten.ar.gov/home/details/287
Margie Ada Snead - Missing Person

https://neverforgotten.ar.gov/home/details/359
Serinity Lashay Hosey - Missing Person

Podcast art designed by Chas Coffman.
www.chascoffmandesign.com

Over 50 years have passed since a bright young woman named Betsy Aardsma was found murdered in the library at Penn State University. Her killer has never been brought to justice, and the mystery behind her death has become a legend. In an upcoming episode of Crime Of Your Life, we explore a timeline of the case and speak with a former student who remembers the crime. Featuring an interview with Phyllis Raybin Emert - published author of 50 books and over 100 articles for middle school and high school students. Coming Soon!


- - - Sources - - -
“Murder In The Stacks: Penn State, Betsy Aardsma, and the Killer Who Got Away” by David DeKok

https://www.collegian.psu.edu/news/campus/murder-in-the-stacks-50-years-later-still-no-answers/article_b6280ed6-1a18-11ea-a966-2b1ac6ebcdcb.html
“Murder in the Stacks: 50 years later, still no answers.” by Erin Hogge

Strange and unsettling crimes seem to take place around Halloween. In this special episode, we examine the bizarre disappearances of domesticated black cats.





- - - Sources - - -
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1999/10/27/locked-into-halloween/af2b8186-3b45-4e6c-b8d6-f16f1fff7ec6/
“Locked Into Halloween” by Michael Ruane

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/daily/oct99/cats27.htm
“Fears Prompt Shelters to Suspend Cat Adoptions for Halloween” by Michael Ruane

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/03/spate-black-cat-disappearances-yorkshire-village-prompts-fears/
“Spate of black cat disappearances in Yorkshire village prompts fears of Halloween thefts…” By Victoria Ward

https://people.com/pets/missing-cat-found-15-years-later/
“Lucky Black Cat Returns Home 15 Years After He Went Missing…” Kelli Bender

https://www.newson6.com/story/5e34e700e0c96e774b35d4c4/metro-pet-owners-concerned-as-black-cats-go-missing-on-halloween
“Metro Pet Owners Concerned As Black Cats Go Missing on Halloween” - News 9 Staff

Additional information from:

humanesociety.org

biography.com

https://www.twincities.com/2006/11/30/u-senior-was-flung-into-river-cops-told/
“UMN senior Chris Jenkins was flung into river…” by Tad Vezner

https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/02/nyregion/police-seek-motive-in-deaths-of-student-and-a-photographer.html
“Police Seek Motive In Deaths Of Student And A Photographer…” NYT Staff

In September of 1989, a man named Bennie Wint disappeared. For two decades, he was presumed dead. But the truth would reveal a tale of deception that no one could have expected.





- - - Sources - - -

https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=6761530&page=1
“Man Turns Up Alive and Well Nearly 20 Years After Fake Drowning” by Sarah Netter

https://www.top5.com/man-gets-caught-faking/
“‘Drowned’” Man Confesses to Crime, Cops Don’t Buy His Story” by Brad Smith

"Playing Dead - A Journey Through The World of Death Fraud" - by Elizabeth Greenwood

"100 More Stories - The Lessor Known History of Humanity" - by John Hinson

Additional Information from:

Historicalpost.com

In this follow up to "Who Killed Melissa Witt?" we take a look at other disturbing crimes that occurred in Arkansas around the same time the young woman was murdered.





- - - Sources - - -
https://www.texastribune.org/2019/08/21/larry-swearingen-execution-texas/
“Texas executed Larry Swearingen for a 1998 Texas slaying…” by Jolie McCullough

https://www.aymag.com/murder-mystery-mickey-mouse-killer-part-1/
“The Mickey Mouse Killer parts 1 and 2” by Janie Jones

http://www.magnoliareporter.com/news_and_business/regional_news/article_0bb091f8-d1e8-11e9-8fc3-aff0a3a5adc8.html
“NW Arkansas Killer dies in Prison…” By Grant Merrill

http://insidefortsmith.com/2019/09/06/serial-killer-linked-to-area-murders-dies-in-prison/
“Serial killer linked to area murders dies in prison” by Grant Merrill

https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/outreach/back-to-school/melissa-witts-body-found-22-years-ago-investigation-still-open/527-5556593c-22df-4077-b6c3-e7fd7f041f33
“Melissa Witt’s Body Found 22 Years Ago; Investigation Still Open” by Jo Ellison

https://www.4029tv.com/article/mother-marks-21-years-since-morgan-nicks-kidnapping/4463098
“Mother marks 21 years since Morgan Nick’s kidnapping”

Additional information from:

morgannickfoundation.com

https://innocenceproject.org/state-of-texas-executes-innocence-project-client-larry-swearingen-after-u-s-supreme-court-denies-stay/

https://charleyproject.org/case/morgan-chauntel-nick

A&E Cold Case Files - Season 4, Episode 12 “The Monster/A Cousin’s Promise”
Air date: March 19th, 2002

In late 1994, a young woman was abducted in Arkansas. Weeks later, her body was discovered in the Ozark National Forest. Today, the identity of her killer is still a mystery.






- - - Sources - - -
https://www.swtimes.com/entertainmentlife/20170129/documentary-tells-story-of-melissa-witt
“Documentary crew seeking information In Missy Witt abduction, death” by Scott Smith

Southwest Times Record - Archives
“Sketch drawn in Witt Case” by D.J Peters - December 14th, 1994
“Police ask for help finding Witt witness” by Tom Mashall - May 17th, 1995

https://dosouthmagazine.com/justice-for-missy-witt/ -
“Justice for Missy Witt” by Marla Cantrell

https://www.aymag.com/murder-mystery-mickey-mouse-killer-part-1/
“The Mickey Mouse Killer parts 1 and 2” by Janie Jones

https://tulsaworld.com/archive/murder-kidnapping-frustrating-cases-for-law-officer/article_83a55765-61ac-5ff1-8508-04357a21eb04.html
“Murder, Kidnapping Frustrating Cases for Law Office” by Brenda Kilby

https://library.uafs.edu/sites/librarydev.uafs.edu/files/Departments/university_newspapers/un_1995_2-16.pdf
Archives - The Student Newspaper of Westark Community College (December, 1994 - February, 1995)
Authors: Staci L. Chilcoat, Leanna Humphries, Staff Editorial Board

https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/outreach/back-to-school/melissa-witts-body-found-22-years-ago-investigation-still-open/527-5556593c-22df-4077-b6c3-e7fd7f041f33
“Melissa Witt’s Body Found 22 Years Ago; Investigation Still Open” by Jo Ellison

Additional Information:

WhoKilledMelissaWitt.com and the “Who Killed Missy Witt?” Facebook Page - by LaDonna Humphrey

https://www.leagle.com/decision/19972280954fsupp132612114
Carolyn Sue PARNELL, Administratrix of the Estate of Melissa Ann Witt, Deceased, Plaintiff, v. C & N BOWL CORPORATION, INC. d/b/a Bowling World of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Defendant. (February 4th, 1997)