Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Genre (s): Talk & Interview, Business, News, Documentary, Events & Specials. Happy New Year! Less than three months after Sepich's slaying, Avila was arrested for aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon (knife) and resisting an officer. While the killings were initially believed to be the work of a serial killer, the involvement of a sex trafficking ring has been suspected. On December 9, 2010, Albuquerque police released six photos of seven other unidentified women who may also be linked to West Mesa. An ambulance was called, and his heart stopped on the way to the hospital. The West Mesa Murders are the killings of eleven women whose remains were found buried in 2009 in the desert on the West Mesa of Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. 2023 www.lcsun-news.com. Stars Josh Mankiewicz reports from New. Then in 2009, a human bone was discovered in the desert, something that was neither surprising nor sinister for that part of the country, but this one was soon identified as recent rather than historic, and eventually, excavation led to the unearthing of no fewer than eleven complete bodies (plus one foetus). A detective's daughter is abducted and murdered despite several phone calls to police dispatchers from her husband, a concerned driver, and even the victim herself.A detective's daughter is abducted and murdered despite several phone calls to police dispatchers from her husband, a concerned driver, and even the victim herself.A detective's daughter is abducted and murdered despite several phone calls to police dispatchers from her husband, a concerned driver, and even the victim herself. Police were desperate for answers but kept coming up empty. Despite being only 3 years old, Sara was questioned by police as she was home all day with her mother's body. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Nicole Perez and Robert Browman / Journal Staff Writers A sinister force seemed to be snatching women off the streets of Albuquerque. In an exchange for a plea deal, Scott, 30, was sentenced to 85 years in prison for stranglingDelores Dewitt, 42, and her 20-year-old daughter Ebony. He is serving his time in Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y. Sara Krauseneck continued to support her father, even after he was convicted. Her husband Jim had already left for the Eastman Kodak Company, where he worked as an economist. Jim Krauseneck was their only suspect, but police could not find any evidence to support this theory. She's in the f---ing basement," Jimmy Allan screamed into the phone, according to a recording obtained by "Dateline: The Last Day," a new series devoted to exploring victims' final hours to shed light on their deaths, available to stream on Peacock. ", "Albuquerque police release photos in West Mesa murders investigation", "Joplin man says he has been cleared of suspicion in serial murders", "Colorado killer quizzed in mesa murders", "Accused serial rapist, West Mesa murder suspect sentenced to 36 years in rape case", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=West_Mesa_murders&oldid=1149650025, Crimes against sex workers in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 April 2023, at 15:13. Link copied. Robert Jones. LAS CRUCES Many residentsremember Katie Sepich from news storiesa young woman who walked home from a house party early one morning and never made it back insideher own home. She was 23 when she disappeared. Tonight's episode of Dateline: Unforgettable Season 2 will have Josh Mankiewicz narrate the story of the dedicated detective Ida Lopez, who is still working on these decade-old cases to help the victims and their families find some form of justice. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. Between 2018-19 Chicago had 849 murders. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. Of course, this was all circumstantial and in 1982, technology wasn't able to give investigators any answers. "She was always my protector but also my best friend.". In 2014, a breakthrough on a decades-old case caused Albuquerque police to become interested in Joseph Blea as a suspect for the murders. "Her whole life was an adventure. Three years later, Jim Krauseneck was convicted of Cathleen's murder and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, per the New York Post. He said he pulled over to make sure she was OK, then followed her to make sure she got home safely. In 2005, she was handed two missing persons files including missing 25-year-old Michelle. [9][23] They confiscated "tens of thousands" of photos from the man, who reportedly used to visit the state fair in Albuquerque. She was a ball of fire from day one," Dave said in a Dateline NBC video honoring his daughter. Euphoria Star Sydney Sweeneys White Hot Bikini Is Out of Control, Sydney Sweeney, Algee Smith, Euphoria, image: courtesy of HBO, 2012-2023, 2paragraphs Productions, LLC. Lopezs alma mater) who has written several books on serial killings, said: You cant have a colder cold case, Gibson said. As a mother, I was in pain for the relatives; as a Social Worker I believe the interviewer put himself above the seemingly poor, lower class and less worthy families. Best of NBC News . Dateline: Unforgettable: Who is detective Ida Lopez and what is her role in the investigation of the Albuquerque disappearances. Her complete depth of knowledge of this case is not something that can be just passed along to the next detective who takes over the case, Tixier said. Ida Lopez, a missing persons detective from the Alberquerque Police Department, became increasingly attached to the unsolved homicide of 11 women and an unborn fetus, whose remains were discovered in one of the city's deserts back in 2009. David Bragg. The show featured emotional interviews with Katie'sparents, Dave and Jayann Sepich, her siblings, her former roommate and law enforcement detectives, includingformer Las Cruces police detective Mark Myers and retired Capt. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Fred Reynolds was a pimp who knew one of the missing women and reportedly had photos of missing sex workers; he died of natural causes in January 2009. "And to find out what we actually accomplished. After locating his daughter, Jim Krauseneck headed next door to his neighbor Eileen Marron-Keating's house and asked her to look after Sara while he called the police. In 2008, Jayann started "DNA Saves," a nonprofit that aims to educate lawmakers and the public about power of DNA testing. Marron-Keating accompanied Jim Krauseneck and his daughter to the Brighton Police Department. [21][27] Blea had women's underwear and jewellery not belonging to his wife or daughter in his home and allegedly told a cellmate that he had hired the West Mesa victims, who he called "trashy". Albuquerque police spokesperson Tanner Tixier stated that she returned in 2015 to continue working on the unsolved case. ATF Special Agent David Cheplak said Scott took his craft seriously. Scott studied criminal forensics TV shows which helped him in his criminal endeavors whether it was hiding his DNA by always wearing gloves, or turning off his cell phone and going so far as taking out the battery because he thought that perhaps the police might be able to trace where his cell phone was at the time of any of these crimes. Dateline NBC airs Sundays at 10pm. The information is there but he gave no respect for the sufferings of the parents or siblings. Dave Sepich remembered his daughter as a go-getter. Prosecutors dropped charges in the other killings (mother and daughterKaren and Karissa Lofton, and Vilma Butler). 'Dateline' has answers. var sc_project=8656821; "The justice system has failed my parents, myself, and both sides of my family," said Sara, addressing the court during her father's sentencing. (L-R): Jim Krauseneck, Sara Krauseneck, and Cathleen Krauseneck. Dateline: Unforgettable airs every Tuesday on Oxygen at 8:00 PM ET. [12] Michelle Valdez was four months pregnant at the time of her death.[13]. by 2Paragraphs in Culture, True Crime Murder TV | July 27, 2019, The Dateline episode Somebodys Daughter shines the light on Albuquerque Detective Ida Lopez. Several suspects have been named, but none were arrested or charged. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Jim Krauseneck eventually put a stop to the questions and left for Michigan with Sara, where his family lived, the following day. At the time of his arrest the now 67-year-old was living in Arizona with his wife Sharon. Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. Eleanor Griego, one of the victims' mothers, had previously mentioned while commenting on the case: APD Detective Mark Manary, who continued working on the disappearances after Ida's retirement, also deserves a special mention. Remains of women discovered near Albuquerque, New Mexico, US, List of fugitives from justice who disappeared, List of serial killers in the United States, "The West Mesa Murders: A Central American Connection? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Investigators said it was a random encounter. The Dateline episode "Somebody's Daughter" shines the light on Albuquerque Detective Ida Lopez. Episodes S31. Police work is heavily criticized. (Source: NBC News) From the beginning, she was an. By 2006, development had encroached on the area, and soon after, the site was disturbed, buried, and platted for residential development. On the morning of Feb. 19, 1982, 29-year-old Cathleen Krauseneck was home with her 3-year-old daughter Sara in the town of Brighton, N.Y. just outside of Rochester. Brittani was lying on the floor, covered in blood. The family of the victim was able to get a law passed Florida requiring 911 dispatch operators to be state certified position. Latinos are not all junkies, dealers, prostitutes nor ignorant illegal aliens. West Mesa Homicide Investigation Police release photos to help solve West Mesa murders Police Dave Sepich remembered his daughter as a go-getter. Decades later, the case still remains unsolved. Dateline. She had been strangled, sexually assaulted and her body partially burned. Manary has pursued multiple tips and leads this year, but nothing has panned out, Tixier said. READ:'Dateline' to feature 2003 slaying of NMSU student Katie Sepich. Authorities were focused on the fact that Jim Krauseneck lied about receiving his doctoral degree from Colorado State, per Cincinannati.com. | By Dateline NBC Facebook Log In Watch Home Live Shows Explore More Home Live Shows Explore Dateline: Somebody's Daughter Like Comment Share 99 17 Comments 8.1K Views Dateline NBC His mother Shapearl Wells is not giving up the fight to find out the truth. There was no blood in his car, which doesnt add up with the story that he was shot while sitting in his car. "It would have identified her killer sooner, but it wouldnt have saved her," Jayann stated on "Dateline.". After the episode aired Feb. 21, friends and family of Katieshared their memories. . Please try to instill a spirit of charity and forgiveness in your future considerations. See production, box office & company info. Dateline: Somebody's Daughter | The two missing person's cases would mark the beginning of the biggest case in Ida Lopez's career Dateline tonight at 9/8c. Legislature Proposals to modernize New Mexico's Legislature Proposals to modernize New Mexico's Legislature by paying lawmakers a salary and extending legislative session lengths fell short of the finish line during this State Police, Sierra County deputies involved in shooting near New Mexico State Police officers and deputies from the Sierra County Sheriff's Office were involved in a shooting south of Truth or Consequences on 42 top music events in May: Get your tickets MAY 2 l Haley Heynderickx, 7 p.m., Meow Wolf, Santa Fe,tickets.meowwolf.com 3 l Joseph, 7 p.m., Meow Wolf, Santa Fe,tickets.meowwolf.com 3 l Wednesday, 7 Nicole Perez and Robert Browman / Journal Staff Writers, Corley twins' prep tennis success is both familiar and familial, Syracuse transfer looks to shine for University of New Mexico basketball women, Round 3 of Aggie-Lobo baseball is Tuesday; Aggies will try what worked once before, Three men sentenced in torture, killings of 14- and 15-year-old boys in 2018. In one case, there was a DNA sample but the rape test kit was not re-tested until 2010, eventually linking Blea to the rape. The investigation led the detective to discover at least 17 more similar cases of missing women, whom she referred to as "her girls.". In 2011, the Katie's Lawwas expanded to include all felony arrests. Somebody's Daughter | Dateline NBC Episode on Amazon Music Somebody's Daughter Dateline NBC Sep 20 2021 1 hr 24 mins A sinister force seems to be snatching women off the streets of Albuquerque. She told authorities a "bad man" was in her parents' room, per New York Post. 'Dateline' Is Covering Her 2019 Murder. [9] Police confirmed that they had cleared Erwin as a suspect. Thanks to DNA testing, Katie's Lawwentinto effect in New Mexico in 2006 and requiresanyone arrested on a violent crime to submit a DNA sample. She started about a year ago, according to Albuquerque police spokesman Tanner Tixier. "She was. Prior to Lopezs return, one investigator, Detective Mark Manary, remained on the case full time. [7], On February 2, 2009, a woman walking a dog found a human bone on the West Mesa, and reported it to police. var sc_security="6134e3f5"; We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. [18][19], No official suspects have ever been named in connection with the murders. Somebody's Daughter Episode aired Jul 14, 2018 IMDb RATING 7.6 /10 5 YOUR RATING Rate Crime Detectives often hit dead ends that can stop them cold but, for one young detective, dead ends were just another place to start. By 2016, Jim Krauseneck was their only suspect. A sinister force seemed to be snatching women off the streets of Albuquerque. 1:55 Preview Jenni Bastian Goes Missing 2:01 "She (Katie) was quite something. Victims Jamie Barela, 15 Monica Candelaria, 22 Victoria Chavez, 26 Virginia Cloven, 24 Syllania Edwards, 15 Cinnamon Eks, 32 Doreen Marquez, 24 Julie Nieto, 24 Veronica Romero, 28 Evelyn Salazar, 27 Michelle Valdez, 22 Who Is the West Mesa Bone Collector? **FYI: We've marked this episode as explicit because there are a couple of f-bombs. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. "If she would've left 30 seconds earlier or even a minute earlier or later, he would've never seen her," Myers stated. She believes her mother's real killer got away. IE 11 is not supported. On the morning of Feb. 19, 1982, 29-year-old Cathleen Krauseneck was home with her 3-year-old daughter Sara in the town of Brighton, N.Y. just outside of Rochester. Ida Lopez previously appeared on Dateline in an episode on the West Mesa tragedy which aired in December, 2010. Fortunately, 33 years later, authorities would finally catch a break. Your reporter was offensively judgmental of the family and the victims. The Dateline NBC episode The Unusual Suspect investigates the murders of two mothers and their teenage daughters in Prince Georges County, Maryland and their killer, Jason Thomas Scott. Should NM lawmakers have field offices and staffers? Dana and Mike were married for 16 years, but went through a long and especially ugly divorce. And the murders, which police believe were the work of a serial killer, remain unsolved. Ashley C. Ford's memoir, Somebody's Daughter, tells the story of the author's childhood and coming-of-age, with a focus on her complicated relationships with her mother and . In the early hours of December 20 . Several suspects have been named, but none were arrested or charged. Syllania Edwards, a 15-year-old runaway from Lawton, Oklahoma, was the only African American, and the only victim from out of state. IDAHO FALLS The story of an Idaho woman who killed her spouse in the midst of an embezzlement investigation will be featured on a new 'Dateline NBC' Friday. Had Katie's Law been in effect, he would have been required to submit a DNA sample then. But he seems to have a solid alibi and there is evidence that points to someone else. She waskidnapped and raped before a deranged killerleft her body in a city dump. These unsolved murders remain one of the biggest homidice cases in the Albuquerque Police Department's history. The case remains unsolved till date, with eight girls still missing. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Avila later confessed to killingSepich, saying he nearly struck herwith his truck the night of her slaying. Her siblings are A.J. so many young women missing. by 2Paragraphs in Culture | April 24, 2016. Detective Ida Lopez's dedication to finding these missing women is admirable. When he addressed Jim Krauseneck, the tone was quite different. 2012-2023, 2paragraphs Productions, LLC. (NBC) Friday on "Dateline," when Diane Kyne is found dead in her bedroom, competing stories emerge about which of . Meet Detective Ida Lopez, bringing justice to missing women & their families. She has made waves with her award-winning podcast Somebody about the subject, and the heartbreaking case will be examined on Friday nights Dateline episode The Story of Somebody. "She (Katie) was quite something. 'Dateline' Will Examine Elizabeth Sullivan's Murder Where Is Her Husband Now? WHEC News 10 reports that when Officer Thomas Schirmer arrived at the Krauseneck's home, he saw Jim Krauseneck outside his bedroom with another officer. Offers may be subject to change without notice. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Twins Vivica and Vianca Corley of Eldorado High hope to carry on a tradition of tennis excellence that began with older sisters Ivana and Syracuse transfer looks to shine for University of New You never know when some of those past recruiting trips might pay off. Be the first one to comment on this story. She was really sweet and outgoing but also a little bossy. MORE:Katie's Law is working to save lives, "It's hard to not know who they are. thanks for watching. In 2007, Avila pleaded guilty to multiple felonies and was given a 69-year prison sentence. Albuquerque detective Ida Lopez took it upon herself to uncover the story behind the remains of 11 women and an unborn fetus, which were discovered over 13 years ago, buried in shallow graves in a West Mesa desert. Former APD Detective Ida Lopez appeared on Dateline's "Somebody's Daughter" on Dec. 10, 2010, to discuss the West Mesa murders case. It would take authorities over four decades to catch the person who did it. All Rights Reserved. The Dateline NBC episode "The Unusual Suspect" investigates the murders of two mothers and their teenage daughters in Prince Georges County, Maryland -- and their killer, Jason Thomas Scott. But Avila didn't have to until he was sentenced to a state prison on other charges in November 2005. She had also grown close to the families of the victims by that time. Did Candy Montgomery Really Kill Betty Gore? [9] Some of the women appear to be unconscious, and many share the same physical characteristics as the original 11 victims. Airdate: Tuesday July 12, 2022 at 8.00pm on Oxygen. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Over time, a number of men have attracted police attention, though not named as full suspects, in connection with the murders. After he was shot in the back of the neck by an unknown assailant, he had supposedly . He was "making emotional sounds screaming, growling, that kind of thing he didnt say anything. She lost custody of Hailey and Dustin when the court ruled that Mike was the more stable parent. Source: Twitter/Dateline NBC (video still), Source: YouTube/News 8 WROC (video still), addressing the court during her father's sentencing. Here's What Happened (EXCLUSIVE), What Happened to Denise Hallowell? Police would later determine the murder weapon was an ax that left a 3-inch gash. In 2015, Brighton police revisited this case along with the help of the FBI. Young murder victim helps solve her own cold case nearly 40 years later. Katie's boyfriend at the time, Joe Bischoff,was called in for questioning after detectives and friends discovered the couple had gotten into an argument the night she vanished. Only one signficant discovery was made along the way, which is that they were all murdered. Ida Lopez was unable to solve the case she was so closely attached to before her retirement and relocation in 2014. Watch Dateline Episode: Somebody's Daughter - NBC.com Somebody's Daughter A sinister force seems to be snatching women off the streets of Albuquerque. Two hours. FULL EPISODE: Somebody's Daughter FULL EPISODE: Somebody's Daughter A sinister force seemed to be snatching women off the streets of Albuquerque. Search for missing teens finds seven bodies on Oklahoma property, Celebrities show off their style at Met Gala, 8-year-old shares inspiring cancer treatment story online, Elite prep school admits it fell tragically short after students suicide, Restaurant industry pushes back amid N.Y. move to ban gas stoves in new buildings, How A.I. [1][2], An anonymous tip to authorities at APD and FBI linked the murders to a suspect from Central America. Twins Vivica and Vianca Corley of Eldorado High hope to carry on a tradition of, You never know when some of those past recruiting trips might pay off. Due to the 2008 housing bubble collapse, development on the West Side halted before housing could be built at the burial site. >> and families . As a result of the subsequent police investigation, authorities discovered the remains of 11 women and girls[8] and a fetus buried in the area. Avila said he "suddenly lost it" and attacked her, raping and strangling her. Photograph by Patrick Randak / Courtesy NBC The new podcast series "Killer Role," from the. That was her looking for her own kids when its our kids, said Eleanor Griego, whose daughter was one of the victims. Now, the Journal has learned she is back on the case. In 2009, the bodies of 11 women were found in multiple shallow graves on the West Mesa of Albuquerque but the cases remain unsolved. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Police suspect that the bodies were all buried by the same person or persons, and may be the work of a serial killer, who has since come to be referred to as the West Mesa Bone Collector. After neighbors complained of flooding at the platted site (due to the burial of the natural arroyo), the developer built a retaining wall to channel storm water to a retention pond built in the approximate area of the burial site, inadvertently exposing bones to the surface. Originally aired on NBC on February 1, 2013. This analogy from centuries ago that black people are three-fifths of a human being is still present in society today, and it was present in 2016 when Courtney died.. It would appear the killings stopped after his death. It is not enough for your reporter to offer the dry facts without giving respect to the human and humane nature of grief and the long painful process of healing after the loss of one's child, at any age. Case in, With momentum generated by its first series sweep of the year, the New Mexico baseball. A detective's daughter is abducted and murdered despite several phone calls to police dispatchers from her husband, a concerned driver, and even the victim herself. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Lineup Announced Plus Guest Hosts Anthony Anderson & Mark Rober on . "She was willing to laugh at herself and make fun of herself and be the butt of the joke and still do it with grace and crack everyone up.". [9] The following day the police released an additional photograph of another woman; this woman was subsequently identified by family members, who reported that she had died of natural causes several years earlier. But to those who knew Katie, she was more than a woman who was tragically killed. In 2005, she was handed two missing persons files including missing 25-year-old Michelle Valdez, who worked as a prostitute on the streets of New Mexicos largest city. Who Is Cass College Friend John on Good Witch? Lopez was part of the investigation from the very beginning, when the homicides were a series of missing persons cases related to the disappearance of numerous women. Lopezs investigation found that close to two dozen women with similar profiles were missing. Episode Details & Credits. Her perseverance makes this tale unforgettable for Josh Mankiewicz. Two girls, Michella Welch and Jennifer Bastian, disappeared five months apart while on bike rides through Tacoma's city parks, but decades after the brutal crimes, detectives would come to a surprising and unexpected realization about the crimes. "My . For our first episode of 2018, we outline the still-unsolved murders of the West Mesa Serial Killer. Dateline NBCrevisited the 2003 slaying of Sepich, 'Dateline' to feature 2003 slaying of NMSU student Katie Sepich, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Dannette and Jeannette Millbrook, 15-year-old fraternal twins, were last seen in Augusta, Georgia on March 18, 1990. [This story previously aired on November 7, 2020. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. Dateline has her story. Stephen Wells, president of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, has resigned from his post citing health reasons. In this case, there was almost nothing but bones.. KPRC . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". "Dateline" has five correspondents, and Keith Morrison, seventy-three, is perhaps its most iconic. An emergency room nurse and the paramedics report that Courtney arrived at the hospital wearing handcuffs. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. [26] In 2015, Blea was also suspected by police of killing a sex worker; his DNA sample was located on the inner waistband and belt of a sex worker found dead on Central Ave, a notorious street for sex work in the eastern part of the city. The upcoming episode, titled Somebody's Daughter, will air on Oxygen on Tuesday, July 12, at 8:00 PM ET. [9][14] Police would not say how or where they had obtained the photos. Evidently, in early 1982 the Eastman Kodak Company became aware of this fabrication, as did Cathleen Krauseneck. But we're just going tokeep after it.". Sepich and Caraline Sepich. New Mexico State University", "Fair prostitutes help West Mesa murders", "The Untold Truth Of The West Mesa Murders", "APD Talks 10-Year Investigation Into West Mesa Murders", "The West Mesa Murders And The Bone Collector Behind Them", "Updated: Seven years later, one detective remains on West Mesa killings", "AMW Fugitives West Mesa Bone Collector Case", "Women's photos may link to mesa murders", "West Mesa Serial Killer--$100,000 Reward", "Lawton girl was only teen in mass grave", "Albuquerque police release photos in West Mesa murders investigation (warning: content may be disturbing for some people)", "Police identify 2 women from photos, both alive", "Dateline To Air Story on West Mesa Deaths", "West Mesa Bone Collector Albuquerque NM", "Police Pursue Possible Leads In West Mesa Cases", "Does APD have a suspect in the West Mesa Murders? He killed five women and was convicted of 29 home invasions.