Trace Evidence

Steven Pacheco

Trace Evidence is a weekly true crime podcast that focuses on unsolved cases, from chilling murders to missing persons. Join host Steven Pacheco as he examines each case, diving deep into the evidence and exploring the theories which revolve around them. For each unsolved case, there are the victims and their families, who want answers and the abductors and murders who hide the truth.

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UPDATE - Little Christmas Doe Identified & Arrests Made
Nov 14 2023
UPDATE - Little Christmas Doe Identified & Arrests Made
On December 21st, 1988, in rural Ware County, Georgia, investigators were called to a disturbing scene. Down a dirt road, in a dusty turn around utilized as a makeshift, illegal dump, a truck driver found the remains of an unidentified child. The child, a black female, had been wrapped in a blanket, placed inside a duffle bag and covered over with concrete. That bag was then put inside a footlocker or trunk, which was also then filled with concrete. The trunk was then wrapped in tape, sealed in thick plastic and shoved inside an old, broken television console.For more than thirty years investigators with multiple departments, including the GBI, have worked to uncover the child's identity. Now, it appears, they have broken the case open.Just yesterday, the GBI held a press conference to announce the child has been positively identified as Kenyatta Odom of Albany, GA. In addition to her identification, her biological mother, Evelyn Odom has been arrested alongside her former live-in boyfriend, Ulyster Sanders, Senior. Both have been charged with murder.Sponsored by: ZocDoc! Visit ZocDoc.com/TRACE to download the ZocDoc app FREE! // Babbel! Visit Babbel.com/TRACE for 55% off your subscription!Social Media and Subscription Link Tree"Lay Them to Rest" by Laurah Norton on AmazonMusic Courtesy of: "Wounded" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation #missingperson #traceevidence #doe #christmasdoe #kenyattaodom #odom #evelynodom #warecounty #georgiaunsolved #gbi #genetic #othram #geneticgenealogy
233 - The Murder of Paul Jones & The Disappearance of Melody Jones
Nov 3 2023
233 - The Murder of Paul Jones & The Disappearance of Melody Jones
On the morning of May 5th, 1983, a horrified mother entered the home shared by her daughter and son-in-law and came upon a grisly scene. Her son-in-law, twenty year old Paul Jones, lay dead on the bedroom floor the victim of a stabbing. Despite her desperate search she could find no trace of her nineteen year old daughter, Melody.Investigators with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office and the OSBI theorized that intruders had entered the couples' home during the night, murdered Paul and abducted Melody. Working with a severe lack of evidence, they struggled to put the pieces together and a lack of tips left them devoid of suspect.More than forty years later, Paul's killer has never been identified and Melody has never been located. While some believe it to be a random crime, perpetrated by a sick and desperate criminal, others wonder if the truth might be found closer to home.Sponsored by: ZocDoc! Visit ZocDoc.com/TRACE to download the ZocDoc app FREE! Social Media and Subscription Link TreeMusic Courtesy of: "Wounded" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation #missingperson #traceevidence #pauljones #melodyjones #OSBI #oklahoma #oklahomacrime #unsolved #homicide #murder #abduction
232 - The Murder of Little Christmas Doe
Oct 21 2023
232 - The Murder of Little Christmas Doe
On Wednesday, December 21st, 1988, a timber truck driver making his way through rural Georgia made a horrifying discovery. Just off US Route 82, down at the end of a long dirt road, in a dusty turn out which doubled as an illegal dumping ground, he found the remains of an unidentified toddler wedged inside of an old television console.Investigators would later reveal that the child, described as a young black girl, was estimated to be between the ages of 3 and 4 and had likely been dead for thirty to sixty days. Whoever had dumped her in that spot had first wrapped her in a blanket, placed her inside of a duffel bag, filled that bag with concrete, and then put it inside of a metal foot locker which was also filled with concrete. It was a scene so bizarre, so disturbing, it continues to haunt the investigators who worked it.Despite their sincerest efforts, the case grew cold and the child's true identity remained illusive. Twenty-one years later, in 2009, an anonymous tipster claimed that the child might have been named Bridget, could have been from the city of Albany and might have family living in Tifton. All these years later and both little Christmas Doe's identity and that of her killer remain unknown.Sponsored by: ZocDoc! Visit ZocDoc.com/TRACE to download the ZocDoc app FREE! | Babbel! Visit Babbel.com/TRACE for 55% off your subscription!UPDATE: On Monday, November 13, 2023, the GBI held a press conference to announce the child has been positively identified as Kenyatta Odom of Albany, GA. In addition to her identification, her biological mother, Evelyn Odom has been arrested alongside her former live-in boyfriend, Ulyster Sanders, Senior. Both have been charged with murder.Social Media and Subscription Link TreeMusic Courtesy of: "Wounded" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation #missingperson #traceevidence #JaneDoe #ChristmasDoe #LittleChristmasDoe #unidentified #UID #WareCounty #GeorgiaTrueCrime #GBI #Millwood
231 - The Disappearance of LaTonya Roberts
Oct 2 2023
231 - The Disappearance of LaTonya Roberts
The last time anyone spoke to LaTonya Roberts was the last night she was ever seen alive. Around 11 PM on Friday, December 16th, 1994, she called her sister and asked if she wanted to go to the club. In the end, LaTonya seemed set to head off on her own but when she didn't come home, everyone knew something was terribly wrong.Her father found her abandoned car two days later, on Sunday. It was parked half a mile from the club she was supposed to attend. The doors were locked and there was no sign of forced entry, although one tire was flat. Whether this was accidental or sabotage has never been determined. Police found themselves with an utter lack of evidence and few investigative avenues to explore. Then they learned the grim truth; that LaTonya had been a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her boyfriend, a man who just one month earlier, had threatened to kill her and bury her in a citrus grove. Did LaTonya's boyfriend make good on his threat or is someone else responsible for her mysterious disappearance?Social Media and Subscription Link TreeMusic Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation #missingperson #traceevidence #LaTonyaRoberts #orlando #orlandounsolved #floridacrime #floridaunsolved #abudction
230 - The Murder of Trisha Meredith
Sep 16 2023
230 - The Murder of Trisha Meredith
On an unseasonably warm night in Northwest Indianapolis, nineteen year old Trisha Meredith made the two minute walk from her new apartment to the laundry room. Accompanied by her boyfriend, he went back to make a call while Trisha stayed behind. Sometime during the thirty minutes, an unknown killer entered the room and attacked Trisha.Evidence at the scene showed Trisha had fought, tooth and nail, against her assailant. She sustained multiple defensive wounds before she sought shelter, trying unsuccessfully to squeeze behind a washing machine to avoid the blade of her attacker. When her boyfriend returned, he found Trisha bleeding profusely after being thrown into a utility closet.The crime occurred in broad daylight, at a busy time of day, in a wide open laundry room with a massive set of windows in front, giving passersby a clean and unimpeded view. Yet, there were no witnesses to either the murder or the killer's escape. Nearly four decades later, the truth of that bitter evening remain unknown and Trisha's killer is still unidentified.Justice for Trisha Kay Meredith Facebook PageSponsored by: Factor! Visit FactorMeals.com/Trace50 and use code Trace50 to get 50% off! | Babbel! Visit Babbel.com/Trace for 55% off your subscription today!Social Media and Subscription Link TreeMusic Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation #missingperson #traceevidence #indianacrime #indianapoliscrime #indianaunsolved #murder #homicide #SpringHill #TrishaMeredith #BrandonMeredith
229 - The Vanishing of Colleen Perris
Aug 19 2023
229 - The Vanishing of Colleen Perris
Eighteen year old Colleen Perris had the world at her fingertips and couldn't wait to chase down her dreams whether they led to Hollywood or American Idol, she was game. Then, on a lazy Saturday afternoon her cell phone rang and she quickly left the house. She has never been seen again.Six days later her car was found in a strip mall parking lot, resting in a space beside an abandoned fast food restaurant. Her purse was inside, though her wallet and phone were missing and bad weather had completely erased any forensic evidence from the exterior. It was another bright avenue that terminated in a dead end.For more than twenty years Colleen's parents have fought to discover the truth of her fate. Friends, family and the community as a whole came together to pass out fliers, raise rewards and bring awareness to he vibrant and loving young woman's terrible disappearance. Police were left with the belief that Colleen had been a victim of foul play. The only question was: had it been a random encounter or a planned crime carried out and executed by someone she trusted, maybe even a family member. One thing is for certain, whoever called Colleen's phone that Saturday afternoon might hold the answers to this mystery.Sponsored by: FabFitFun! Visit FabFitFun.com/Trace to receive 20% off new membership where you can receive discounts up to 70% off!Social Media and Subscription Link TreeMusic Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation #missingperson #traceevidence #floridacrime #missingperson #abduction #homicide #plantation #ColleenPerris #Perris
228 - The Murder of Mandi Alexander & Mary Drake
Aug 12 2023
228 - The Murder of Mandi Alexander & Mary Drake
On a hot and humid tuesday night in September of 2002, Great Bend, Kansas was rocked by a brutal and senseless double murder. Twenty-four year old Mandi Alexander was working her third day in her new job at the Dolly Madison Bakery when she was brutally murdered.Seventy-nine year old Mary Drake, a lifelong resident of Great Bend, dropped in to the bakery that night to pickup a loaf of bread. Authorities theorize that she walked in either right after or in the middle of Mandi's murder. When the killer saw her, he couldn't allow her to escape alive.For more than twenty years the mystery behind these brutal and heinous crimes have haunted the friends and family who continue to grieve without answers. Was this a targeted attack, a robbery gone wrong or a completely random act of violence?The Dolly Madison Murders Documentary \|/ Aaron Mull's YouTube ChannelSocial Media and Subscription Link TreeSponsored by: ZocDoc! Visit ZocDoc.com/Trace and download the ZocDoc App for FREE! | Babbel! Get 55% off your subscription at Babbel.com/Trace today! | Factor! Head to FactorMeals.com/Trace50 and use code Trace50 to get 50% off!Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation #missingperson #traceevidence #truecrimes #kansascrime #kansasunsolved #dollymadison #doublehomicide #mandialexander #marydrake #greatbend #murder
227 - 3 Case Updates & LISK
Jul 21 2023
227 - 3 Case Updates & LISK
In this week's special update episode we'll address three cases previously covered on Trace Evidence.First we'll begin with the arrest and conviction of Isaac Moye in the murder of Unique Harris, previously covered in Episode 30. Then we'll turn our attention to one of the most infamous disappearances in American history - Tara Calico - and the announcements of the Valencia County Sheriff's Office that charges are pending. Then, we look into the horrifying murder of an unknown child referred to at Little Jane Doe or the St. Louis Jane Doe. Recently, a social media post has reinvigorated investigators who are hoping for their first major break in 40 years.Finally, after the fantastic news that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the four Gilgo Beach victims, we'll take a few minutes to summarise the case and examine some thoughts surrounding the arrest of Rex Heuermann, the case as a whole and what this may mean about additional unsolved cases and future investigation.Social Media and Subscription Link TreeSponsored by: FabFitFun! Visit FabFitFun.com/Trace and save today on amazing brands and products at prices you won't believe!Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation #missingperson #traceevidence #truecrimes #LISK #LongIslandSerialKiller #UniqueHarris #IsaacMoye #TaraCalico #Calico #LittleJaneDoe #StLouisJaneDoe #JaneDoe
226 - The Vanishing of Charles David Hope
Jul 15 2023
226 - The Vanishing of Charles David Hope
Social Media and Subscription Link TreeOn a humid, Florida night in March of 1982, forty-one year old Charles David Hope walked out of a popular seafood restaurant and mysteriously vanished. His truck was later found parked at his real estate business with the doors locked and windows rolled up. Inside police found several personal affects but no signs of a crime.At the time it was theorized that Charles might have fled the state, perhaps to take on a new adventure, or maybe, in fear for his life. However, as decades have rolled on, other more sinister theories have risen to the surface. Might Charles have killed by drug traffickers? Could he have been hunted down by an angry husband who didn't appreciate the way the notorious flirt talked to his wife? Or, is it possible, that Charles was himself involved in illegal acts that eventually led to his disappearance?Sponsored by: ZocDoc! Visit ZocDoc.com/Trace and download the ZocDoc App for FREE! | Babbel! Visit Babbel.com/Trace to get 55% off your subscription today!Music Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation #missingperson #traceevidence #truecrimes #charleshope #mysterious #FloridaCrime #hernando #hernandocounty #centralflorida #gulf #trafficking #homicide
225 - The Disappearance of Kristen Charbonneau
Jun 30 2023
225 - The Disappearance of Kristen Charbonneau
Sponsored by: Nom Nom! Visit TryNom.com/Trace for 50% off your no-risk, two week trial today!On a hot and humid summer afternoon in North Texas, a twenty-four year old woman seemingly vanished in broad daylight. Just before 4 PM, Kristen Charbonneau stepped out from beneath the pink canopy of Baby Doll's, a gentleman's club located on the border between Euless and Fort Worth. She has never been seen again.For years her family have waged a dedicated campaign to bring attention to her case, to locate the missing woman and to see the man responsible placed behind bars. Just when the case was beginning to grow cold everything changed when a suspect was arrested and charged with first degree murder.Unfortunately, after a prime witness recanted her statement, he walked free, leaving both investigators and the Charbonneau family to continue the search for Kristen while wading through a murky pool of lies, deception and immeasurable grief.Charbonneau Family WebsiteUse promo code "Trace" to save 10% on your ticket to CrimeCon in Orlando at CrimeCon.comTrace Evidence FacebookInstagramTwitterOfficial WebsiteOfficial MerchMusic Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation #missingperson #traceevidence #truecrimes #mysterious #KristenCharbonneau #Charbonneau #texascrime #euless
224 - The Disappearance of Karen Denise Wells
Jun 17 2023
224 - The Disappearance of Karen Denise Wells
Sponsored by: ZocDoc! Visit ZocDoc.com/Trace to download the app FREE!In early April of 1994, twenty-three year old Karen Denise Wells received an urgent call from a dear friend. This friend was in a bad place and was really struggling so Denise decided to make the 1,400 mile drive from Oklahoma to New Jersey to visit. Tragically, she would never return.Less than three days after embarking on her trip, Denise would mysteriously vanish. Investigators found themselves struggling to put the pieces together as almost none of the story made sense to them. It didn't take long to realize something more sinister had occurred and that Denise's own friend may have been involved.Nearly thirty years later and Denise's fate has never been determined. While details are scarce and the official timeline is full of holes there is one thing investigators agree on; someone knows exactly what happened to the bright, loving single mother who hasn't been heard from in nearly three decades.Use promo code "Trace" to save 10% on your ticket to CrimeCon in Orlando at CrimeCon.comTrace Evidence FacebookInstagramTwitterOfficial WebsiteOfficial MerchMusic Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #realcrimes #disappearance #disappeared #missing #unsolved #unsolvedmysteries #evidence #investigation #missingperson #traceevidence #truecrimes #mysterious #DeniseWells #KarenDeniseWells #bergen #haskell #carlisle #middlesex
221 - The Disappearance of Susan Wolff Cappel
May 13 2023
221 - The Disappearance of Susan Wolff Cappel
Sponsored by: ZocDoc! Visit ZocDoc.com/Trace and download the App today for FREE! | Use promo code "TRACE" to save 10% on your pass at CrimeCon.comNineteen year old Susan Wolff Cappel was in the middle of a divorce and custody battle, but she wasn't going to let that slow her down. After moving back in with her parents she picked up two jobs, started purchasing supplies to take care of her son and had just begun repainting her childhood bedroom for him. Then, she mysteriously vanished.Just hours after a call from her lawyer that a date had been set for the custody hearing, Sue was elated. She couldn't wait to get her son back into her arms. She left her parents home smiling, heading off to a short shift at work. At approximately 9pm, she exited the store and was met by an older model, light blue car as she was walking toward her own.After the exchange of a few words, Sue got into the car and has never been seen again. That was more than 41 years ago, on the night of Tuesday, March 16th, 1982. For more than four decades her parents have fought to bring their daughter home. They've been met by disinterest from the media, an abhorrantly handled case by investigators and constant rumors of the horrors their daughter may have experienced.Trace Evidence FacebookInstagramTwitterOfficial WebsiteOfficial MerchMusic Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #missingperson #missingmom #newcomerstown #unsolved #mysterious #creepydisappearance #coldcase #unsolvedmysteries
216 - The Disappearance of Barbara Holik
Mar 11 2023
216 - The Disappearance of Barbara Holik
Sponsored by: ZocDoc! Visit ZocDoc.com/Trace and download the app for FREE! | Visit CrimeCon.com and use promo code "Trace" to save 10% today!Barbara Holik fell in love with the American west. Drawn to New Mexico, she emigrated to the states in late 1989 and ultimately settled in Taos. There she established herself as an artist, selling hand crafter jewelry and finely painted pottery. She made friends, delved deep into the history of the region and often led tours through the towns and surrounding wildernes. She was a popular woman who engraciated herself to the local community up until the day she vanished.When Barbara failed to show up for work two days in a row, her boss reported her missing. Investigators from the Taos Police Department found an absence of evidence at her apartment; nothing to suggest a crime had been commited but for the woman's absence. Unfortunately for them this lack of evidence would become the default state of the case.What happened to Barbara Holik? Was she the victim of a random crime, or perhaps a targeted one? Did she leave of her own volition, or was she forcibly abducted? Nearly thirty years later and the answers to those questions remain undiscovered.Trace Evidence FacebookInstagramTwitterOfficial WebsiteOfficial MerchMusic Courtesy of: "Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#crime #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #missingperson #abduction #newmexico #taos