Issue 62, January 31, 2024

Mother of Aiden Leos Testifies in Court as Suspect Smiles and Fatally Shoots Her Son in Road Rage Incident, 37-Year-Old Man Arrested After Newborn's Body Found in Nature Park

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

Who is the pioneering aviator who piloted her ill-fated attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 1937 and remains one of the most famous missing person cases in the US up to this day?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

PODCAST: Once Upon a Crime | The Girl in the Box - Part 1

‎Part 2 - In 1977, a hitchhiker falls prey to a married couple, enduring seven years of captivity marked by torture, sensory deprivation, and sexual abuse. Despite one captor revealing a chance for escape, the victim faces deep brainwashing and control, diminishing her hope of freedom amidst a harrowing ordeal of survival and manipulation.

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What’s Happening Now

Mother of Aiden Leos Testifies in Court as Marcus Anthony Eriz Smiles and Fatally Shoots Her Son in Road Rage Incident

Joanna Cloonan, the mother of Aiden Leos, testified in court that Marcus Anthony Eriz smiled at her before fatally shooting her son in a road rage incident in May 2021.

Eriz has been charged with second-degree murder and other counts.

Aiden was sitting in the backseat of a car driven by his mother when the shooting occurred.

Cloonan recounted the moments before the shooting, stating that Eriz's girlfriend, Wynn Lee, cut her off and flashed a peace sign before Cloonan made a middle-finger gesture.

Cloonan tried to distance herself from the couple, but Eriz looked at her, smiled, and then opened fire.

Two weeks after the shooting, Eriz and Lee were arrested.

Eriz has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and shooting at a vehicle, while Lee has been charged with accessory after the fact and being in possession of a firearm in a vehicle.

37-Year-Old Man Arrested After Newborn's Body Found in Washington Nature Park

A 37-year-old man, Jordan Sorensen, was arrested in Port Townsend, Wash.

after the body of his newborn child was discovered under some bushes in a nature park.

Sorensen is facing charges of unlawful disposal of human remains and removal/concealment of a dead body.

The child, less than one month old, was kidnapped by Sorensen on Friday, Jan. 19 which led to an extensive manhunt.

The Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) had given Sorensen temporary custody of the child, but he needed to submit a clean urine test to spend time with the baby alone.

DCYF became concerned when Sorensen took the child and was hiding from Child Protective Services.

Sorensen claims that he fell asleep with the child on his lap and woke up to find the baby face down with blood coming from his face.

The cause of death has not been determined pending a post-mortem examination.

🔍Safety Tip of the Day: Filing a Missing Person Report

One crucial tip when filing a missing person report is to act swiftly. Time is of the essence in such cases. Don't delay in reporting the disappearance to law enforcement, as immediate action increases the chances of locating the missing individual safely. When filing a missing person report, provide as many details as possible: physical description, last known whereabouts, recent activities, and any relevant personal information. Collaborate closely with law enforcement, and consider contacting national missing persons databases and local media to increase visibility and aid in the search.

Cold Case Highlights

UPDATE: Unsolved Disappearance | Family Appeals for Information on Missing 14-year-old Clarissa Castro

In 1991, 14-year-old Clarissa Castro disappeared from her family's Spring Valley home and has not been seen since.

Clarissa's sister, Celestina Ramirez, recalls a sense of foreboding leading up to her disappearance and visited her multiple times on the day she went missing.

A sibling reported seeing Clarissa get into a car, unsure if it was voluntary or forced.

Ramirez attempted to file a missing persons report but was unable due to her age.

Two months later, a body was discovered in the Otay Valley area, but the connection was not made until two years later when an audit on missing persons prompted further investigation.

The case remains unsolved, and Clarissa's family is appealing to the public for any information.

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LOOKING BACK: Unsolved Murder of Clarissa Castro Leaves San Diego Community Searching for Justice

The San Diego community has been haunted by the unsolved case of Clarissa Castro, who went missing from her home at the age of 14 more than 20 years ago.

Despite extensive efforts from the police and the community to find answers, the pieces of the puzzle have not fit together.

In 1992, Clarissa's body was tragically discovered in the Otay Valley area, wrapped in trash bags.

The case was determined to be a murder, but no significant leads were found.

The lack of closure has left the community and Clarissa's family searching for answers and hoping for justice.

PODCAST: The Deck | The Clarissa Castro Cold Case

In '91, 14-year-old Clarissa vanished after a night with friends. Years later, her disappearance was solved, unraveling a realm of mysteries.

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart, pioneering aviator, disappeared in 1937 during an attempted circumnavigation of the globe. While flying over the Pacific Ocean, her Lockheed Electra vanished. Despite extensive efforts, her plane wreckage hasn't been conclusively found, fueling theories ranging from crash-landing on an uninhabited island to capture by Japanese forces.