Issue 60, January 29, 2024

Illinois Man Charged with First-Degree Murder of Wife and Three Daughters Sparks Community Grief and Call to Action, Man Fatally Shot by Teenage Neighbor in Garland, Texas

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

What is the term for a crime scene investigation method that involves working from the inside out, often used in outdoor crime scenes?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

‎PODCAST: Cover Up | Body Brokers: Body Snatchers

In the "Cover Up" podcast, ex-body broker Philip Guyett exposes the clandestine realm of body part commerce. A journalist's inquiry ignites an investigation into Sunset Mesa's practices.

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What’s Happening Now

Illinois Man Charged with First-Degree Murder of Wife and Three Daughters Sparks Community Grief and Call to Action

Maher Kassem, a 63-year-old man from Illinois, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

He is accused of shooting and killing his wife, Majeda, and their three daughters, Halema, Hanan, and Zahia, following an argument.

Kassem called 911 to report the shooting, and police found the four women dead in their home.

Kassem was arrested after making statements about his involvement in the crime.

The community of Tinley Park is devastated by the loss of these innocent women, and Mayor Michael Glotz expressed his deep sadness over the tragedy.

It is unclear if Kassem has entered a plea or hired an attorney.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Man Fatally Shot by Teenage Neighbor in Garland, Texas; Neighbor Charged with Murder

A 33-year-old man from Garland, Texas was fatally shot by his teenage neighbor.

The incident occurred on Saturday night in the 1600 block of Running River Road.

The victim, identified as Rontarious Hamilton, was found outside and was rushed to a hospital where he later died.

Police determined that Hamilton and his 18-year-old neighbor, Isaiah Kellough, were involved in a disturbance prior to the shooting.

Kellough was immediately arrested and has been charged with murder.

Limited details about the cause of the disturbance are available, and the investigation is ongoing.

🩸Safety Tip of the Day: First Aid Tips for Gunshot Wounds

Apply pressure and elevate. If someone sustains a gunshot wound, immediately apply pressure to the wound to control bleeding. Elevate the injured area if possible to reduce blood flow. Call 911 and keep the person calm while waiting for help to arrive.

Cold Case Highlights

After four decades, the Halloween murder case of Clifford Smith in 1982 finally leads to the arrest of Ronald Jack Anderson in 2023

The Halloween murder case of Clifford Smith in 1982 remained unsolved for over four decades.

Smith's body was discovered a month after he went missing, but no arrests were made.

However, on Halloween 2023, 41 years after the murder, detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post arrested Ronald Jack Anderson for the crime.

Anderson was taken into custody without incident and is currently held in Jackson County Jail.

Investigators believe Anderson shot Smith after taking a shotgun from a residence where they had been together.

The case was reopened in 2015, leading to Anderson's arrest on the anniversary of the murder.

Anchorage Police Seek Information in 2005 Murder of Oleg "Al" Bohlouli

Anchorage Police are seeking information to help solve the murder of Oleg "Al" Bohlouli, which took place in early July 2005.

Bohlouli, 45, was shot and killed inside his home on Lucky Road at approximately 3 a.m.

A witness reported that an unidentified man broke into the house, shot Bohlouli, and fled the scene.

If you have any information about the person responsible for this murder, please contact Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or submit a tip anonymously on their website.

The family is offering a reward in addition to the $1,000 reward from Crime Stoppers.

PODCAST: The Trail Went Cold | The Mysterious Death of Patrick Mullins

On January 27, 2013, in Bradenton, Florida, 52-year-old Patrick Mullins vanished after boating on Braden River. His abandoned boat was found miles away.

Nine days later, his body, fatally shot in the head and weighted down with an anchor, was discovered in Tampa Bay. Was it murder or suicide? Explore the mystery.

In the 2024 episode of "Trail Went Cold," we'll delve into a contentious case highlighted on the Netflix revival of "Unsolved Mysteries."

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
Spiral Search

In a spiral search at a crime scene, investigators start from a central point and work outward in a circular pattern. This method helps ensure no area is missed, like when you spiral outwards from the center of a notebook doodle. It's effective for finding evidence and clues.