Episode Guide
Season 1
Episode 1 – The Disappearance of Tracy Pickett (1992)
In August of 1992, fourteen year old Tracy Pickett disappeared from Webb City, Missouri after a night spent with friends. Witnesses last saw her leaving an apartment barefoot with an older man, and from that moment forward she was never seen again. Her disappearance sparked a community wide search that turned up few clues and left investigators puzzled. More than three decades later, Tracy’s case remains unsolved, and her family continues to live without answers. This episode revisits the timeline, explores theories, and asks how such a young life could vanish so completely in a small Ozarks town.
Episode 2 – Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman (1999)
On a cold night in December of 1999, a mobile home in Welch, Oklahoma burned to the ground. Inside were the bodies of Kathy and Danny Freeman, murdered before the fire started. Missing from the scene were sixteen year olds Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, who had been staying at the home for a sleepover. For years, investigators chased rumors and false leads, while the families refused to give up hope. Although arrests were eventually made nearly twenty years later, the girls’ bodies have never been found. This episode tells the story of a case that devastated two families and haunted the Four States region.
Episode 3 – The Murder of Gwendolyn Creekmore (1950)
In May of 1950, Joplin was shaken by the brutal murder of Gwendolyn “Gwen” Creekmore, a wealthy but disabled woman often referred to as the “poor little rich girl.” She was discovered in the home she shared with her mother, bludgeoned, poisoned, and set on fire in a shocking crime that made headlines across Missouri. Despite multiple suspects and countless theories, no one was ever charged. For decades, whispers about greed, family conflicts, and hidden relationships swirled through the community. This episode revisits one of the oldest and most chilling unsolved murders in Joplin’s history, a case that continues to fascinate local historians and true crime enthusiasts alike.
Episode 4 – The Murder of Jennifer Judd (1992)
On May 11, 1992, the quiet town of Baxter Springs, Kansas, was rocked by the discovery of twenty year old Jennifer Judd’s body. Her brutal murder devastated her family and stunned the community, leaving behind questions that have never been answered. The investigation took many turns, from rumors of jealous boyfriends to a possible confession by a convicted killer, but nothing ever led to a resolution. Over thirty years later, Jennifer’s case remains unsolved, and her loved ones continue to seek justice. This episode walks through the known facts and theories, keeping Jennifer’s story alive in hopes that someone will one day step forward with the truth.
Episode 5 – The Springfield Three (1992)
In June of 1992, three women vanished from a small home in Springfield, Missouri, without leaving a trace. Sherrill Levitt, her daughter Suzie Streeter, and Suzie’s friend Stacy McCall disappeared overnight, leaving behind their cars, purses, and even the family dog. The case quickly became one of the most infamous mysteries in Missouri, drawing media attention and hundreds of tips, but no resolution ever came. Theories range from an abduction gone wrong to the involvement of known criminals in the area, yet none have been proven. This episode explores the timeline of that night, the desperate search for answers, and the legacy of fear and unanswered questions left in the wake of the Springfield Three.
Episode 6 – The Murder of Kenneth “Jay” Mathews (2022)
On May 16, 2022, Kenneth “Jay” Mathews was walking through a Joplin neighborhood with a friend when shots rang out. Jay was struck multiple times and killed in the street, while his friend was wounded but survived. The brazen attack shocked residents of the area and left police with a case that, despite tips and appeals for information, remains unsolved. Authorities have not released many details, fueling speculation and concern in the community. This episode looks at what is known about the night Jay lost his life and why his murder continues to cast a shadow over Joplin.
Episode 7 – The Murder of Socorro Mendoza (1997)
In February of 1997, the life of forty two year old Socorro Moran Mendoza ended violently in Rogers, Arkansas. Her body was discovered in Benton County under circumstances that pointed clearly to homicide, but investigators were unable to identify her killer. With limited media coverage at the time and few new leads in the years since, Socorro’s case has largely been forgotten outside of her family. She was a mother, a member of her community, and a woman whose story deserves to be told. This episode shines a light on her life, the mystery of her death, and the hope that renewed attention could bring answers.
Episode 8 – The Death of Jim Potts (2003)
In August of 2003, private investigator Jim Potts was found dead on a rural highway near Wyandotte, Oklahoma. Authorities quickly ruled his death a suicide, but many who knew him, including his family, believe otherwise. Potts had been investigating corruption and crime in the border town of Galena, Kansas, work that may have made him enemies. Questions about the scene, the evidence, and the hasty ruling have fueled suspicions for over twenty years. This episode examines Jim’s life, his work as a determined investigator, and the possibility that he paid the ultimate price for uncovering dangerous truths.
Episode 9 – The Murder of Lucinda “Cindy” Adams (1991)
In 1991, thirty seven year old Cindy Adams of Joplin, Missouri, was murdered, leaving behind two young children and a heartbroken family. The details of her killing were disturbing, yet despite a full investigation, the case eventually went cold. Decades later, her murder remains unsolved, a painful reminder of how even horrific crimes can fade from public attention. Cindy’s loved ones still wait for justice, and her story continues to resonate with those who remember her. This episode brings her case back into focus and asks what it will take to finally solve it.
Episode 10 – The Disappearance of Sarah Burton (2018)
On a summer night in July of 2018, twenty eight year old Sarah Burton was last seen walking in Joplin, Missouri. A mother of two, Sarah never made it home, and her disappearance triggered an extensive investigation involving local police and the FBI. Hundreds of leads have been followed, but Sarah has never been found. Her family continues to search and to keep her memory alive, refusing to let her case be forgotten. This episode lays out the timeline of her last known movements, the efforts made to find her, and the enduring mystery of what happened to Sarah Burton.