Episode 113: Alex VanDalsen

Catch my Killer

Dec 12 2021 • 44 mins

I spoke with a mother named Jennifer VanDalsen about her son Alex VanDalsen, a twenty-one-year old, who died under mysterious circumstances. Alex was born Jasmine Mckenzie Danaher, but planning on transitioning into a man. Therefore, I will refer to him as Jennifer's son throughout this story. At 15, Alex decided he knew he was a male and wanted to live as one. Throughout this episode I'll refer to the victim as Alex and use male pronouns. He lived in Lafayette, Indiana.


On February 3, 2021, it was a cold and snowy Indiana evening. Alex left home before midnight for unknown reasons. He did not tell anyone where he was going. On February 9th, two thousand twenty one, Alex was found dead. His death was ruled a suicide without any investigation.


Alex's family has taken issue with the ruling. Police told Alex's family that "There was no immediate sign of trauma on the body." However, it wasn't until Alex's body arrived at the funeral home that they discovered he died from a gunshot wound to the head. The family asked the detective why he said there was no trauma to the body when there was a gunshot wound?


It was less than twenty degrees when Alex was found 10 miles from his home. He also had asthma and wasn't dressed for the weather. Such treacherous weather would have made it impossible for him to walk ten miles. He would have died from exposure. Alex's family is certain he met with someone who knows what happened to him.


The family also had a concern about the actual bullet wound. I was informed the entrance wound was larger than the exit. As someone who fired weapons in the military, this isn't feasible. The exit wound is typically larger when leaving the human body.



The family also said Alex wasn't tested for having gunshot residue on his hands and the weapon wasn't checked for fingerprints. Also, Alex didn't own a gun, so where did this gun come from and who owned it?


There were also no shell casings. How could Alex kill himself with a gun and not leave a shell casing behind? And there was no blood splatter at the scene. If Alex killed himself, there would be a casing and blood present at the scene. Most likely Alex was picked up by someone, shot to death and then dumped where he was found. Unfortunately, law enforcement hasn't waivered from the suicide ruling.


Do you know what happened to Alex? Who did he go to meet on the night of his death? How did he end up dead 10 miles near his home? Supposedly, he killed himself. Problem is there were no shells or blood evidence. If have any information regarding Alex VanDalsen, please contact the Tippecanoe County Sheriff sheriff's department at 765-423-9388. And if you would like more information about this case, please visit the Justice for Alex Blake VanDalsen Facebook page.

**** This week's podcast was sponsored by the Raw Truth: Stories of Female Infidelity podcast. For additional information about this podcast, please visit their website: https://www.rawtruthstoriesoffemaleinfidelity.com/

Please also visit my website for more information about my true crime and paranormal newspaper columns at www.themarcabe.com. You can also help support my podcast by purchasing a cup of $5 coffee every month. To help support the podcast, please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/catchmykiller. If you would like to contact me about this podcast, please visit my websites www.catchmykiller.com or www.themarcabe.com

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