Issue 160, June 17, 2024

Ongoing Search for Missing American Tourist in Greece Intensifies Following Discovery of Dead Body, The Hunt for Hannibal: The Disappearance and Murder of Three Women in the Early 2000s

June 17, 2024

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

Who is the fictional character Hannibal Lecter based on?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

PODCAST: Smoke Screen | My Friend, The Serial Killer

Steve Fishman, an intern at a Connecticut newspaper and frequent hitchhiker, dismisses an unnerving ride until the driver confesses to being a serial killer targeting hitchhikers. Seizing the chance for a major story, Steve aims to tell the tale from the perspective of someone who nearly became a victim.

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What’s Happening Now

Ongoing Search for Missing American Tourist in Greece Intensifies Following Discovery of Dead Body

The search for a missing American tourist in Greece is ongoing, with the latest development being the discovery of a dead American near Corfu.

The tourist was reported missing on Thursday and was last seen with two female tourists at a cafe on Tuesday.

The American tourist was visiting Mathraki, a small island west of Corfu, with a Greek-American friend.

This incident adds to a recent string of deaths and disappearances of tourists in Greek islands.

Authorities are still searching for three people, including the American, who have been reported missing on various islands.

The Hunt for Hannibal: The Disappearance and Murder of Three Women in the Early 2000s

The disappearance of three women in the early 2000s put their families on paths filled with twists, turning these instances into the ultimate tests of love and determination.

Two investigators were challenged to solve the mystery and uncovered a killer with the chilling nickname of Hannibal.

The killer was ultimately identified to be Scott Kimball, who was responsible for the deaths of the missing women.

Despite his involvement in the murders, Scott Kimball refused to reveal any accomplices.

An emotional trial ensued, resulting in Kimball's sentencing to 70 years in prison for the murders of Kaysi McLeod, LeAnn Emry, and Jennifer Marcum.

🚙 Safety Tip of the Day: Keep Travel Plans Off Social Media to Avoid Predators

Publicly sharing your location or travel plans can make you a target for criminals who might exploit this information. Keeping such details private helps protect your safety while traveling.

Cold Case Highlights

Genetic Genealogy Leads to Breakthrough in 24-Year-Old Cold Case

The body found in a 24-year-old cold case in Weld County, Colorado has been identified as Christopher Scott Case from Rock Springs.

The body was discovered in Greeley in 2000, but remained unidentified until recently.

The man was last seen in Nevada in 1998, and no evidence of foul play was found.

Through forensic genetic genealogy, relatives in Nevada were located in 2022, helping to confirm the identity of the body as Christopher Case.

The breakthrough in the case came in December 2023 when further genetic testing confirmed the remains belonged to Christopher.

Detective Byron Kastilahn credited genetic genealogy for solving the cold case.

Unraveling the Mystery: How Forensic Genetic Genealogy Solved a 24-Year-Old Cold Case

In a 24-year-old cold case in Weld County, Colorado, John Doe 2000 was finally identified as Christopher Scott Case in December 2023.

His remains were found in 2000 with no evidence of foul play.

Forensic genetic genealogy helped connect his DNA to relatives in Nevada.

Detective Byron Kastilahn worked tirelessly on the case, using new technology to solve it.

This success has inspired efforts to solve other unidentified human remains cases using the same method.

Despite the passage of time, law enforcement remains dedicated to solving cold cases like Christopher's, providing closure for loved ones and telling the victim's story.

‎PODCAST: Crime Junkie | MURDERED: Devan Duniver

When a beloved five-year-old is brutally murdered, authorities unexpectedly arrest a 12-year-old neighbor. Community doubts intensify as prosecutorial misconduct emerges, raising questions about whether investigators targeted the right person or if tunnel vision led to the victimization of another child.

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
Dr. Alfredo Ballí Treviño

Author Thomas Harris was inspired by Dr. Alfredo Ballí Treviño, a Mexican physician and convicted murderer, whom he met while researching in a prison. Treviño's background and demeanor influenced the creation of the sophisticated and intelligent character of Hannibal Lecter.