Voices for the Victims
Dakota Spotlight is a true crime series investigating unsolved murders, cold cases, and missing persons in North Dakota and the Midwest. Hosted by investigative journalist James Wolner, each season takes a deep dive into one case, from rural crime and small town murders to decades-old disappearances. Through meticulous research, exclusive interviews, and on-the-ground reporting, Dakota Spotlight brings forgotten crimes back into the public eye and gives voice to victims and their families. Along
212 most recent episodes
Visit website →James is joined by Dakota Spotlight researcher Mari Zoerb Hansen for a conversation with investigative reporters Hayley Fox and Betsy Shepherd about the making of Valley of Shadows, their deep dive into the disappearance of Los Angeles County Sheriff
James sits down with award-winning filmmaker and host of Someone Knows Something, David Ridgen. We talk about his approach to storytelling, how he works with families, and what it really means to stay with a case over time. We also get into his lates
Years pass, and the case remains. In this final episode, we hear from people still connected to that night, to the investigation, and to what followed. They reflect on what has changed, what has not, and the question that still lingers at the center
Inside the courtroom, the story is told again, through testimony, through argument, through the structure of a trial. And when it is all over, the jury returns a verdict, not guilty. A moment that resolves one question, and leaves others behind.
Mus
Here, we look at the case as it was built. What investigators believed, what prosecutors brought forward, the evidence piece by piece. And the questions that come with it, not just what it shows, but what it cannot fully explain.
Music by HandTurner
Before all of this, there was Joel. In this episode, we step away from the investigation and spend time with the people who knew him. The stories are simple, but they stay with you, offering a picture of who he was and a quiet reminder of what was lo
Now the focus turns to Travis Stay, who was there that night, moving through the same space and crossing paths with the same people. As investigators begin to build a timeline, his name comes into sharper view. It leads from those early questions tow
In the hours after Joel is found, the story begins to shift and scatter. Witnesses recall different things, a clown, a cowboy, a hunter, a lion, people arriving and leaving, a party bus pulling in and out. Detectives are left to sort through fragment
We begin with a 2026 interview with Sergeant Suby of the Grand Forks Police Department, sharing where the Joel Lovelien case stands today. Then we return to the original 2023 episode, and back to October 27, 2007, a crowded Halloween night at the Bro
Journalist Melissa Jeltsen joins me to discuss the investigation behind her podcast What Happened to Talina Zar. In April 2020, a woman posted a troubling message on Facebook about COVID-19 and then vanished. What followed was an unusual search invo
James sits down with investigative journalist Gina Barton, host and creator of the USA Today true crime podcast Untested, to talk about a case that illustrates the real-world consequences of untested rape kits. In this episode of Untested, Detective
In September 1992, Tammy Haas was 19 and figuring out her next step in life. After attending a homecoming celebration in Yankton, South Dakota, she and her on-again-off-again boyfriend crossed the Missouri River to a farm party in Nebraska. By mornin
James sits down with Harry, the host and victim behind The Rachel Cancer Scam, before sharing Episode One of his story. What Harry once believed was a twenty-year love story slowly revealed itself to be a long-term romance scam built on lies, emotion
This episode examines how Raymond Matzker assumed the identity of William T. Boerum and used it to secure jobs, credentials, and professional standing across multiple states. As the deception went unchecked, the stolen identity became a shield behind
This episode presents the complete police interview of Edward Royal Reitan, recorded following his arrest for the 1990 murder of Robin Enockson in Driscoll, North Dakota. The interrogation is presented in full, allowing listeners to hear Reitan’s own
I’m joined by returning guest Peter Hicks, whose music with Sleepy Driver was heard in Season Two of Dakota Spotlight—but this time to talk about his debut novel Roughing It, written under the pen name Andi Ellis. We discuss his shift from songwritin
This Case Snapshot examines the 1990 murder of Robin Enockson in rural North Dakota. Beginning with an escape from a state hospital a decade earlier, the episode lays out the crime, the investigation, and how the case was ultimately resolved years la
Forty years after 22-year-old Kelly Jean Robinson was found floating in a gravel pit pond in rural Minnesota, her case had gone cold — until DNA tests taken by an adopted man revealed that Kelly was his biological mother, and she had been murdered.
In the season’s final chapter, Dakota Spotlight returns to Rapidan, Minnesota—to the classmates, friends, and families still living in the shadow of Ray Dahms’s murder. Host James Wolner traces the final years of Brian Lee Hendrickson, from later cri
By the early 1980s, Brian Lee Hendrickson was still working at the Minnesota Home School in Sauk Centre, supervising teenage girls. When one of them—Michelle—spoke up, she was dismissed as unstable and her accusation brushed aside. Hendrickson walked
This episode looks inside Minnesota’s prison and parole system during the years when Brian Lee Hendrickson was behind bars—and how shifting attitudes toward rehabilitation vs punishment helped lead to his early release. We hear from Brian’s brothers,
The second half concludes the You Killed Chris story — newly abridged and remastered. Through interviews, archives, and reflection, I revisit Linda’s decades-long effort to confront the man she believes murdered her college friend — and how her deter
A newly abridged and remastered two-part version of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice. In 1968, 18-year-old Christine Rothschild was found murdered outside Sterling Hall on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. This first part take
Episode 3 follows Brian Lee Hendrickson’s case through late 1965 and 1966, as court procedures, psychiatric evaluations, and a Minnesota trial unfold under the state’s Youth Conservation Commission. At the same time, a new Supreme Court ruling on Mir
In the aftermath of Ray Dahms’s killing, Blue Earth County investigators launch a Minnesota murder investigation that soon points to a local teenager, Brian Lee Hendrickson. When they finally bring him in for questioning, Hendrickson shocks officers
In 1965, seventeen-year-old Brian Hendrickson committed a small-town murder when he walked into a gas station outside Mankato, Minnesota, and shot clerk Ray Dahms twice at close range. Sentenced to forty years, he served just over five.The case would
On October 27, 2007, Joel Lovelien stepped outside the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota, during a night filled with costumes, celebration, and heavy drinking. Moments later, he was found in the parking lot, gravely injured. Despite a rapi
Episode 6, Escape to the Movies, brings forward Misty Jones — remembered as the girl with the little red car — in a 2020 interview. Misty recalls her early path into a party lifestyle, her personal struggles since 1998, and her account of the night B
The arrest of Brian Erickstad and Robert Lawrence confirmed their role in Barbara and Gordon Erickstad’s murders, but the aftermath shocked the community. Episode 5, A Sick Salute, reveals how the East Sweet crew rallied disturbingly behind the kille
The night before Barbara and Gordon Erickstad’s murders revealed troubling signs in Bismarck, North Dakota. Episode 4, One of These Days, traces September 16, 1998, through interviews and police files. Detectives Bob Haas and Steve Lundin worked para
Episode 3, Patience Pays Off, captures how patient police work broke open the Erickstad murder case. Barbara and Gordon Erickstad’s deaths had left Bismarck shaken in 1998. Detectives pressed a hesitant witness until the truth began to surface, while
Detective Lloyd Halvorson knew where to look for answers about the murders of Barbara and Gordon Erickstad in 1998. Episode 2, Never Ever Narc, follows Bismarck police as they questioned Brian Erickstad’s teenage friends and the East Sweet crew, sear
September 1998 brought a chilling moment in Bismarck, North Dakota, when 17-year-old Aimee walked into the police station. She suspected her boyfriend, Brian Erickstad, had harmed his parents. A welfare check was meant to set things straight — but it
In this gripping update on the Barbara Cotton cold case, we delve into new testimony surrounding one of North Dakota's most enduring unsolved disappearances. Barbara Louise Cotton vanished from Williston in 1981, and after decades of silence, a man w
In July of 2018, 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts went on a run in her small hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa. Something she’d done countless times before. But this time, she didn’t come home. What followed was a search unlike anything this town had ever seen.
What if 90% of Frank Abagnale’s claims are totally made up? In this special Dakota Spotlight episode, host James Wolner talks with Javier Leiva, creator of PRETEND, about his season The Real Catch Me If You Can. In this series, Javier debunks Abagnal
In this Case Snapshot, Dakota Spotlight investigates the 1984 disappearance of 12-year-old Sharon Bald Eagle, who vanished while traveling from South Dakota to Idaho. This unsolved mystery devastated her family and community and led to the capture of
In September 1991, Joseph “Joe” Anderson, a millionaire cattleman, was found murdered under mysterious circumstances in Jamestown, North Dakota. His body was discovered in the trunk of his own Buick at the Gladstone Inn parking lot, sparking one of t
In 1995, 75-year-old retired truck driver Talmadge “Pat” Patton vanished from his home in the rural town of Alexander, North Dakota. When his daughter came to check on him, she found clues that pointed to a troubling disappearance but no clear answer
In 1995, Mary K. Ross, a 25-year-old single mother and college student, was brutally stabbed to death in her Sioux Falls, South Dakota apartment while her baby watched. Her murder remains one of the city’s most haunting crimes, raising painful questi
In July 2002, 19-year-old Russell Turcotte disappeared while hitchhiking home to Montana. Last seen at a truck stop in Grand Forks, his body was discovered months later near Devils Lake. Russell had been murdered, and two decades later his case remai
Part 5 (Chapters 23–27): As the story draws to a close, Doug Rolfstad faces the full weight of his choices, with each moment tightening the grip of consequences. What began with a mysterious manila envelope of cash now races toward a chaotic and unex
Part 4 (Chapters 17–22): With tensions simmering, Doug Rolfstad follows through on key parts of the plan as new information surfaces and close calls tighten the grip of fear. As pressure builds and alliances prove uncertain, Doug must navigate the we
Keith Schmidt was last seen on the morning of May 20, 2024, in Dickinson, North Dakota. His unexplained disappearance shocked the community and left his family searching for answers. This episode retraces the days leading up to when Keith was last se
Part 3 (Chapters 12–16): Tension rises as Doug Rolfstad is pulled further from his life as a Bismarck plumber into a world of fear, paranoia, and uncertainty. With unsettling discoveries piling up and new layers of danger emerging, Doug must confront
Getting started as a bank robber isn’t easy for Joe Loya. It takes courage … and rage. But Joe does the math. Thousands of dollars gained for a few minutes work. That’s what he figures he deserves. Meanwhile at home, losses mount.
Get the Money and
Part 2 (Chapters 6–11): Returning to Bismarck, Doug Rolfstad puts a plan in motion to protect his daughter Mandy and make sense of the manila envelope full of cash. With each cautious step, the pressure mounts, the danger sharpens, and an unsettling
In 1962, 14-year-old Larry Jo Phebus vanished from Tioga, North Dakota. Months later, two farmers found his body in a snow-covered field, sparking one of the state’s earliest and most haunting cold cases. Six decades later, the murder of Larry Jo Phe
Part 1 (Chapters 1–5): In the opening chapters of Dead Cold Drop, Bismarck plumber Doug Rolfstad meets his daughter Mandy at a Valley City truck stop after her urgent request. There, she reveals a manila envelope filled with cash, drawing father and
This isn’t your typical true crime story.
Brittani Ard steps back into the shadowy labyrinth of memories, scars, and fragile ties that bind us to our past. Where wounds still ache and the bonds of connection blur between salvation and entrapment. Af
More than 30 years ago, Eric’s brother Jacob was murdered—a case that remains unresolved to this day. In this conversation, we discuss his pursuit of justice and explore the ethical challenges of creating content in the ever-growing, often problemati
Slaycation is a darkly funny true crime podcast hosted by Kim Davis, a former social worker and true crime fanatic, her comedy-writer husband Adam “Tex” Davis, and Emmy-nominated producer Jerry Kolber. Blending horror, humor, and empathy, Slaycation
In 1978, the body of a young woman was discovered in a rural Iowa ditch—no name, no missing persons report, and clear signs of a violent death. For 27 years, she was known only as a Jane Doe. Her name was Wilma June Nissen. She was 23 years old and b
In 2002, Madison McGhee’s father, John McGhee, was shot and killed in his own home in Belmont County, Ohio. Driven by her desire to find justice she began conducting her own investigation into his murder that remains unsolved to this day. The police
In this debut installment of Friday Night Fiction, a harmless social media group turns sinister in Fargo, North Dakota. When a local banker’s carefully planned Friday night is derailed by a group of self-appointed parking vigilantes, what begins as a
We introduce you to our new series of original crime-inspired short stories, all set in North Dakota and the Upper Midwest. If you're a fan of true crime but curious to explore fictional tales with the same tension, twists, and emotional depth—this s
In May 1971, Pam Jackson and Sherri Miller were two seventeen-year-olds driving to an end-of-the-school-year party in a rundown Studebaker Lark when they seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth. In this episode James interviews author Lou Rag
On the evening of July 3, 1972, 16-year-old Joli Truelson stood hitchhiking in Uptown Minneapolis, MN. Just 15 hours later she was found deceased in Minnehaha Creek, four miles away. She died from blunt force trauma to the back of her head. In this e
In 2017, Deon Wiggett confronted a repressed trauma: he had been sexually abused by a schoolteacher as a teenager. His response was to create "My Only Story," a podcast exploring justice, activism, and revenge. Dakota Spotlight interviewed Wiggett in
Continuing a Dakota Spotlight Valentine’s tradition, this special episode features an interview with Bruce Blackman, the mastermind behind the 1976 hit Moonlight Feels Right by Starbuck. James chats with Bruce about the song’s romantic charm, its ico
In this postscript to Homicide at House of Bottles, we revisit key moments from the 1999 Bismarck murder of Robbie Rahrich through archival news reports recorded immediately after the homicide and following the arrest of a suspect. Former detective B
In the final scheduled episode of Homicide at House of Bottles, we reflect on the profound impact of Robbie Rahrich’s life and death while exploring themes of justice, rehabilitation, and accountability. This episode features conversations with Shawn
In Episode 5 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the case of Shawn Helmenstein moves toward resolution. After confessing to the 1999 murder of Robbie Rahrich, Helmenstein participates in a videotaped walkthrough of the crime scene, calmly recounting his
In Episode 4 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the story intertwines poignant memories with pivotal breakthroughs in the investigation of the 1999 Bismarck murder of Robbie Rahrich. In Clinton, Montana, Detectives Haas and Wooten close in on primary s
In this special mid-season update, listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at Season 11, Homicide at House of Bottles. Along with reflections on the investigation so far, this episode includes a Spotlight PLUS preview with exclusive materials from Epi
In Episode 3 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the investigation into the 1999 murder of Robbie Rahrich expands across North Dakota and Montana. Detectives pursue leads tied to the House of Bottles, including former employees with complicated historie
In Episode 2 of Homicide at House of Bottles, the investigation into the 1999 murder of Robbie Rahrich intensifies. Detectives arrived at the liquor store crime scene in the early hours of February 21, processing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and
Welcome to Season 11 of Homicide at House of Bottles, an investigation into the 1999 murder of Robbie Rahrich at the House of Bottles liquor store in Bismarck, North Dakota. In Episode 1, we set the stage during a bustling winter weekend filled with
Crime reporter Dan Box joins us to discuss Bowraville, his podcast about the tragic murders of three Aboriginal children in a small Australian town. Teaming up with The Australian, Dan investigates how all three vanished from the same street and sear
A kindergarten teacher masterminds a brutal murder and shows no remorse.
In this special, stand-alone episode we learn about a macabre crime from the true north. In 2015, Angila Wilder was brutally murdered in her home while her two-year-old child sl
I Woke Up To A Girl Watching Me Sleep - The Driftwood Drifter - Creepy Guy On A Bus - The Dam Man - Accidentally Stumbled Into A Christian Cult - This is Disturbed.
Featuring narration by:
Kyra Cornett
Elizabeth Flood
Brian Jeffords
Kat Carter
Terra
We share the full audio of a police interrogation from March 2021 with Jesse Huy, who killed three family members and then turned himself in. This recording includes a full confession and reveals the disturbing reasons behind the murders, offering a
Joel Lovelien was just 38-years-old when he was found beaten to death outside of the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota on a Halloween-themed Saturday night in 2007. Who killed Joel Lovelien?
Music by HandTurner and Wowza in Kalamazoo
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Part 2 of 2 - James continues his intriguing yet sometimes exhausting conversation with the AI chatbot. In Part 2, they delve into notable crimes near James' hometown, covering the Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders, Steven Stayner, and the Zebra Killings
Part 1 of 2 - In an attempt to deepen his understanding of AI, James interviews an expert who, interestingly enough, happens to be an AI chatbot. The interview proves challenging, as the AI often becomes evasive, stalls, or even "walks out" of the co
James interviews researcher Mari Zoerb Hansen. Mari, a UW grad, played a crucial role in creating “You Killed Chris.” They share behind-the-scenes details and how the story became part of Dakota Spotlight. They also take a walk around the UW campus,
Part 2 of 2: The story of Sajid Hussain’s mysterious death in Sweden takes on broader significance when examined alongside the case of Karima Baloch, a fellow activist who also fled Pakistan and was later found dead under suspicious circumstances. Th
Part 1 of 2: Sajid Hussain, a Pakistani journalist forced into exile for reporting on human rights abuses in Balochistan, vanished in Sweden in 2020. Weeks later, his body was found in the Fyris River near Uppsala. Swedish police concluded there was
Season 5, Episode 1 - Five Blocks From Home
15 year old Barbara Louise Cotton vanished from the streets of Williston, North Dakota on April 11, 1981 five blocks from her home. What happened to Barbara Cotton? In episode 1, while others called Barbara
Ohio Mysteries: The Great Locomotive Chase Pt 1
In 1862, 23 Ohio soldiers, led by a Kentucky union spy, stole deep into the south with the intent of stealing a train and using it to destroy telegraph lines, railroad tracks and bridges and cripple the
In this riveting, must-listen interview, award-winning paranormal researcher Morgan Knudsen and true crime writer Mike Browne sit down with journalist and author Matt Baglio (THE RITE, ARGO, HOSTAGE TO THE DEVIL) to delve into Matt's firsthand experi
Season 3, Episode 1. On a quiet Friday morning in September of 1998 a 17 year old girl named Aimee walked into the Police Department in Bismarck, North Dakota. The young woman said she wasn’t exactly sure, but she had a hunch that her 18 year old boy
In South Africa, a school teacher was assassinated in front of her class by hit-men. Who would take out a contract on a school teacher? That's what Paul McNally wanted to find out with Season 2 of his gripping podcast Alibi. Dakota Spotlight spoke wi
Dakota Spotlight has reached the 10 season milestone, and we look back to where it all began with Victor Newberry.
Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/
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Episode 6, the finale of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice, brings together reflections on Linda’s unwavering determination to solve the 1968 murder of Christine Rothschild. Others weigh in on her theories and persistence, while a chilli
Episode 5 of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice explores Linda’s deepening investigation into Niels Jorgensen. Becoming an expert on his family history, she exposes long-standing lies and contradictions. On the 40th anniversary of Christi
Episode 4 of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice follows the police effort to seek public assistance in solving Christine Rothschild’s 1968 murder. Investigators interview surgeon Niels Jorgensen, the man Linda had reported for harassing C
Episode 3 of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice recounts the morning of Christine Rothschild’s murder. After taking her usual walk, Christine’s body is discovered in the bushes near Sterling Hall on the UW–Madison campus. As police launch
In this episode, James shares what it is like to be an independent podcaster and a preview of the upcoming Spotlight PLUS Bonus Episode with Mari Zoerb Hansen.
Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/
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Episode 2 of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice offers a closer look at Christine Rothschild’s life on campus at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Friends share memories of dorm life at Ann Emery Hall and Christine’s personal struggles
Episode 1 of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for Justice begins with the shocking and unsolved 1968 murder of 18-year-old freshman Christine Rothschild outside Sterling Hall on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. Journalist James Wolner in
In this episode, James interviews Trisha Taurinskas, creator and host of "The Disappearance of Belinda Van Lith"; a podcast detailing the events surrounding the 1974 cold case in Eagle Lake, MN. Trisha's investigation into Belinda's disappearance exp
Originally broadcast Summer 2021.
When Kirra McLoughlin died her boyfriend said she must have overdosed on prescription drugs. That didn't explain the over one hundred bruises on her body however. And yet, nobody has been charged with Kirra's death.
The 1976 murders of Wade and Ellen Zick shocked the small town of Zeeland, North Dakota, and remain one of the region’s most disturbing true crime cases. Episode 9, Sebastian Speaks Out, features a telephone interview with Sebastian Feist from federa
The 1976 murders of Wade and Ellen Zick devastated the small town of Zeeland, North Dakota, leaving behind one of the region’s most haunting true crime cases. Episode 7, Crossing the Street, examines chapters Guns and Piggy Banks, California Dreaming
In this episode James interviews Lee Strubinger, creator of "Short Walk", a nine-episode podcast, detailing the events surrounding former South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. The story covers the period from when Ravnsborg struck and killed
The 1976 Zeeland murders of Wade and Ellen Zick remain one of North Dakota’s most disturbing cold cases. Episode 6, Flip a Coin, explores the events that followed with chapters including Valentine’s Day, County Jail, Strong Coffee and Nazis, Worse th
The 1976 murders of Wade and Ellen Zick remain one of North Dakota’s most haunting true crime cases. Episode 5, Caramel Rolls, continues the story with chapters Caramel Rolls, Say Something, and It’s About Time. These moments reveal the community’s u
The brutal 1976 murders of Wade and Ellen Zick in Zeeland, North Dakota left investigators and neighbors chasing every possible lead. Episode 4, Pink Slip, moves deeper into the story with chapters including Sunland, The House on Third Street, Sour C
In this episode we recap the Zeeland Rebroadcast and provide sneak-peaks of exclusive content available to Spotlight PLUS subscribers.
Permission to use the music in this episode kindly granted by Sleepy Driver https://sleepydriver.bandcamp.com
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On July 11, 1976, Wade and Ellen Zick were murdered in their Zeeland, North Dakota home, leaving a community devastated. Episode 3, Z is for Zick, revisits that night with chapters including Until Dawn, Z is for Zick, First Daylight, Hitchhiker, and
Valentines special episode: Interview with singer/songwriter Bruce Blackman, the musician behind the 1976 hit Moonlight Feels Right, heard right here in Season 4. Bruce shares thoughts about his life, his music and recalls almost freezing his finger
The 1976 murders of Wade and Ellen Zick left Zeeland, North Dakota shaken and desperate for answers. Episode 2, No Banker Tomorrow, continues the investigation with chapters including Party Line, We Think We Found Something, No Banker Tomorrow, and E
In this bonus episode of the 2024 rebroadcast of Zeeland, a present-day interview with Peter Hicks. Peter is the singer and songwriter for the band Sleepy Driver. Their amazing music is sprinkled throughout the season. Peter looks back on the collabo
On July 11, 1976, Wade and Ellen Zick were murdered in their home in Zeeland, North Dakota, leaving the small town reeling. Episode 1, A Deed Without a Name, begins the investigation into this shocking crime. Chapters include Sunday Morning Sidewalks
Episode 9 gives new perspective on the 2019 RJR murders in Mandan, North Dakota, as Chad Isaak’s mother and two of his sisters speak publicly for the first time in four and a half years. Who was Isaak as a child, as a man, and what warning signs did
Episode 7 focuses on Adam Fuehrer and Robert Fakler, two of the four victims murdered at RJR Maintenance in Mandan, North Dakota. Adam’s wife, sister, brother-in-law, and stepmother reflect on his life, while Robert Fakler’s wife and daughter share t
Who were Bill and Lois Cobb, two of the four people murdered at RJR Maintenance in Mandan, North Dakota? Episode 6 honors their lives through the voices of friends and loved ones who recall their childhoods, personalities, and passions. Bill and Lois
Episode 5 takes listeners inside the investigation of the 2019 RJR murders in Mandan, North Dakota, with the full audio from Special Agent Joe Arens’ first interview and interrogation of Chad Isaak. Witnesses also describe Isaak’s odd behavior around
A grainy security camera in Center, North Dakota, captured the white Ford F-150 linked to the Mandan murders. Episode 4 recounts how investigators circulated the image statewide until detective Justin Krohmer realized the truck resembled one owned by
To catch the masked man in orange who carried out the RJR murders, investigators turned to surveillance video across North Dakota. Episode 3 follows law enforcement as they piece together the killer’s movements from local businesses, only to have the
The morning of April 1, 2019, unfolded in chaos as the bodies of four RJR Maintenance employees were discovered in Mandan, North Dakota. Episode 2 takes listeners minute by minute through Bockheim’s discovery, the 911 call, and the arrival of first r
On April 1, 2019, four people were killed inside RJR Maintenance and Management in Mandan, North Dakota. Episode 1 recalls the shocking discovery of Robert Fakler, William Cobb, Lois Cobb, and Adam Fuehrer, and host James Wolner shares his perspectiv
I'm still between Dakota Spotlight seasons, so today I am rebroadcasting for you one of my earliest pieces of audio work - an episode of a show I created to basically learn how to podcast in the first place - before Dakota Spotlight even existed. In
It's summer 2023. Finally!
Dakota Spotlight is in between seasons and in research mode.
Meanwhile here is a story by Trisha Taurinskas at The Vault.
Check out The Vault podcast
email - James at [email protected]: facebook.com/groups/da
Episode 7, 15 Years Later, reflects on the unresolved 2007 murder of Joel Lovelien outside the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Host James Wolner interviews Travis Stay’s defense attorney, Peter Wold, and speaks with Heather (Holter) Kee
Episode 6, Travis on Trial, takes a close look at the 2008 trial of Travis Stay, who was accused of murdering Joel Lovelien outside the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota. After 14 days of testimony, Stay was found not guilty. Host James Wo
Episode 5, The Evidence Against Travis Stay, examines what investigators and prosecutors believed tied Travis Stay to the 2007 murder of Joel Lovelien outside the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Through interviews with detectives and th
Episode 4, A Portrait of Joel, steps away from the investigation to focus on the man at the center of this story: Joel Lovelien. Family and friends recall his humor, generosity, and the way he brought smiles to everyone who knew him. Their stories pa
Hey Everyone, I'm working hard on the next episode of Season 8, Unresolved, the murder of Joel Lovelien.
Meanwhile, here is part 3 of my colleauge Trisha Taurinska's investigation into the death of Refugio Rodriguez in Montevideo, Minnesota. https://
Episode 3, Travis Stay, the Man in Yellow, examines the movements and actions of Travis Stay and his friends during the weekend of Joel Lovelien’s murder in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Stay, who was seen in a lion costume that night, became the centra
This is not a full episode, but rather just a quick little update and request for some assistance. Also a quick chat with Wowza in Kalamazoo.
Today is March 13th, 2023 and episode 3 of Season 8 will be out in two days–that's season 8, Unresolved the
In the second episode of Unresolved, The Murder of Joel Lovelien, investigators begin piecing together the first hours after Joel was found beaten outside the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Episode 2, The Clown, the Cowboy, and the Hun
On October 27, 2007, Joel Lovelien was beaten to death outside the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota, during a night of Halloween costumes and heavy drinking. Episode 1, Halloween at The Broken Drum, revisits that chaotic night, when Joel
A sneak peak at Season 8 coming March 1st and titled Unresolved - The Murder of Joel Lovelien.
Also part 2 of Trisha Taurinska's investigation into the death of Refugio Rodriguez in Montevideo, Minnesota. https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/invest
Hello Dakota Spotlight followers: I have a bit of a holiday treat for you today, which I am very excited to share with you.
A few weeks ago, I traveled to the town of Montevideo, Minnesota. I was there to take part in a meeting with three of my colle
Episode 10, Follow the Red Dirt Road, asks whether the unusual red dirt on Shelly Julson’s car is a key clue in her 1994 disappearance. By connecting details in her cold case file to this overlooked evidence, host James Wolner questions if investigat
Episode 9, Frightened, Followed, Harassed, digs into the harassment Shelly Julson faced before her disappearance in 1994 Bismarck. She reported being followed, receiving hang-up calls, and named Bismarck police officer Donald Schaffer as a harasser.
In this stand-alone episode we do a follow up interview with Alison Sandy, journalist and producer of the Australian podcast The Lady Vanishes about the fascinating and captivating news being uncovered in the investigation into Marion Barter's disapp
Episode 8, A Missing Mother’s Son, introduces Jaden Julson, who grew up without his mother after her disappearance in 1994 Bismarck. He reflects on the impact of loss, the role of his father and grandfather, and how Shelly’s case shaped his life. The
Episode 7, Interview with Tony, centers on Tony Hulm, Shelly Julson’s boyfriend and Burnt Creek Club bartender. He recalls their turbulent relationship, the harassment Shelly reported, and considers whether she may have left to start a new life. His
Family and investigation collide in Episode 5, Don’t Give Up. Shelly Julson’s parents, Wes and Linda, share their memories, while retired officer Rob Carvell recalls responding to the 1994 missing person report and reopening the case in 2016. A close
Retired Bismarck detective Bill Connor, who worked Shelly Julson’s case from 2005–2010, revisits The Mysterious Disappearance of Michele Julson. Episode 4, Stones Unturned, highlights the We Fest sighting, the discovery of Shelly’s car at the Comfort
Rumors and leads clouded the case of Shelly Julson after she disappeared in 1994. Episode 3, Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe, asks: Was Shelly partying with railroad workers at the Comfort Inn? Why did another Burnt Creek Bar patron vanish? And what was she r
Officer Cliff Emmert searched Shelly Julson’s world of bingo halls, bowling alleys, and bars after her 1994 disappearance in Bismarck, North Dakota. Episode 2, In Shelly’s Shadows, uncovers disturbing reports that she was being harassed and followed,
The 1994 disappearance of Michele “Shelly” Julson in Bismarck, North Dakota, begins in Episode 1, Fly on the Wall. With unprecedented access to her cold case file, host James Wolner examines the early investigation and the troubling events leading up
Barbara Cotton’s 1981 disappearance remains a haunting North Dakota cold case. Episode 21, But, I Saw Barb Cotton!, features Jeri Martinez-Kueffler, who recounts spotting Barbara in broad daylight the year she vanished. When she reported the sighting
Episode 11 closes the season with a focus on the human cost of the 1993 disappearance of Kristin Joy Diede and Robert Michael “Bob” Anderson. For decades, their families and friends have lived with grief, uncertainty, and silence, carrying unanswered
Episode 10 shifts from facts to theories in the unsolved 1993 disappearance of Kristin Joy Diede and Robert Michael “Bob” Anderson. Four working theories about what may have happened are presented to retired North Dakota homicide detective Bob Haas,
Episode 9 presents the complete conversation with Clyde Diede, a chiropractor from Winner, South Dakota, and Kristin Joy Diede’s husband at the time of her 1993 disappearance with Robert Michael “Bob” Anderson. Clyde encountered Kristin at the Diede
Episode 8 uncovers new layers in the disappearance of Kristin Joy Diede and Robert Michael “Bob” Anderson. Former Minnesota TV reporter Dan MacDonald recalls his chilling 1995 trip to Wishek, North Dakota, where he tried to ask questions about the ca
Episode 7, How Two People Vanish, asks why the 1993 disappearance of Kristin Joy Diede and Robert Michael “Bob” Anderson from Wishek, North Dakota, never triggered a massive manhunt or widespread media coverage. Was it about who they were — or who th
Episode 6 uncovers a critical clue in the 1993 disappearance of Kristin Joy Diede and Robert Michael “Bob” Anderson. Days after they were last seen in Wishek, North Dakota, Bob’s 1979 Dodge B200 van turned up abandoned in a Burlington Northern railro
Episode 5, Secrets of Storytelling: Interview with James Wolner, pauses the live investigation into The Untold Story of Kristin Joy Diede and Bob Anderson for an update and behind-the-scenes conversation. Jeremy Fugleberg interviews Dakota Spotlight
Episode 4, Looking Over Her Shoulder, explores the danger Kristin Joy Diede faced before her disappearance in 1993. Her marriage to Clyde Diede had collapsed, and after a domestic assault conviction, a judge issued a two-year no-contact order. But fr
Episode 3 examines who Kristin Joy Diede and Robert Michael “Bob” Anderson were before they vanished in 1993. Their personal histories and complicated relationship provide vital context for understanding why they traveled from Minnesota to Wishek, No
Episode 2, Last Days, traces the final movements of Kristin Joy Diede and Robert Michael “Bob” Anderson before their 1993 disappearance in North Dakota. Host James Wolner and co-producer Jeremy Fugleberg speak with the last people to see and talk wit
The 1993 vanishing of Kristin Joy Diede and Robert Michael “Bob” Anderson begins with Episode 1, Surprised By Secrets. The two set out on a North Dakota road trip and were never seen again. Authorities believe Kristin and Bob were murdered, yet decad
Barbara Louise Cotton’s disappearance in 1981 remains one of North Dakota’s most troubling cold cases. Episode 20, Lost Suicide Note, brings forward two powerful perspectives: Sandee Evanson, Barbara’s childhood friend, reflects on her enduring searc
Part 2 of 2 - Host James Wolner and his daughter head to a small apartment in Sweden to learn more about the lives and deaths of Sajid Hussain and Karima Baloch. Music by Väsen
Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at ht
Part 1 of 2 - What do these things have in common: missing Barbara Cotton from Williston, ND, a hitman in Italy, secret agents, international crime and 3,300 pounds of heroin seized in a Dutch port city? I’ll tell you. They are all included in this 2
Barbara Cotton’s 1981 disappearance remains unsolved, but for the first time, Red Sullivan shares his account publicly. Episode 19, Red Sullivan Speaks Out, includes an exclusive interview with Sullivan, who was with person of interest Stacey Werder
The Barbara Cotton cold case continues to raise difficult questions about persons of interest. Episode 18, The Inquest, examines the coroner’s hearing into Stacey Demarr Werder, who died by suicide three months after Barbara vanished. His associate,
Barbara Louise Cotton’s 1981 disappearance in Williston, North Dakota, remains an unsolved murder, but a grassroots movement is keeping her memory alive. Episode 17, The FindBarbCotton Movement, features Lisa Jo Schiele, Diane (Cotton) Schiele, and K
David Feist, one of three men convicted for the murders of Wade and Ellen Zick in 1976 is scheduled to be released after serving 45 years in federal prison. David Feist is the third and last of the three to be released from prison. His younger broth
Deon Wiggett woke up one day in 2017 with a startling realization. He had blocked out a traumatic experience from his past; he had been sexually abused as a teen by a schoolteacher. Anger turned to action and the result is a beautifully produced podc
In South Africa a school teacher was assassinated in front of her class by hit-men. Who would take out a contract on a school teacher? That's what Paul McNally wanted to find out with Season 2 of his gripping podcast Alibi. Dakota Spotlight spoke wit
Interview with crime reporter Dan Box about his podcast Bowraville. Three aboriginal children were murdered in a small Australian town. All three vanished from the same street.
With his podcast Bowraville, Dan Box teamed up with The Australian went
Interview with Eric Carter-Landin of True Consequences podcast. Eric's brother Jacob was murdered over 30 years ago and justice has not been served. I talk with Eric about the ethics of creating true crime content in this very popular yet problematic
When Kirra McLoughlin died her boyfriend said she must have overdosed on prescription drugs. That didn't explain the over one hundred bruises on her body however. And yet, nobody has been charged with Kirra's death.
That didn't sit well with Jamie
When an innocent teenager is murdered, family members are left devastated and heartbroken. The closest these loved-ones can get to some kind of closure is when the person or persons responsible are apprehended and convicted of the crime. Sometimes th
This is the first installment of our summer series about mysterious crimes and disappearances from around the globe and the people who fight to get justice for victims and their families.
Marion Barter, aged 51, boarded a plane in Australia in 1997
The 1981 disappearance of Barbara Louise Cotton is one of North Dakota’s longest-running cold cases. Episode 16, Open Records, explains the role of public records in advancing true crime investigations and how they matter in unsolved murder cases lik
Barbara Louise Cotton’s 1981 disappearance in Williston remains an unsolved murder that continues to spark theories both local and far-reaching. Episode 15, Kidnappings and Cults, Falcons and Dogs, investigates claims of cult activity, kidnapping, an
Barbara Cotton’s 1981 disappearance has influenced culture and investigation alike. Episode 14, Beach Bunny’s Lili Trifilio, Isaac Turner and Thousands of Documents, features conversations about missing persons with musicians Lili Trifilio and Isaac
The Barbara Cotton cold case has generated unusual leads since her 1981 disappearance in Williston, North Dakota. Episode 13, Juarez to Williston, explores a rumored skull on a shelf in Williston, tracks down a friend of Frank J. Delapena, and examin
Barbara Louise Cotton’s 1981 disappearance in Williston, North Dakota, remains an unsolved murder and one of the state’s most haunting cold cases. Episode 12, Love Doesn’t Die, revisits the night Barbara vanished through new witness testimony, memori
Barbara Cotton’s 1981 disappearance at age 15 remains an unsolved murder that haunts North Dakota. Episode 10, For the Love of Our Daughters, highlights a 2021 memorial in Williston’s Recreation Park while reflecting on the responsibility of speaking
The 1981 disappearance of Barbara Cotton remains unsolved, but the violent history of Frank J. Delapena raises chilling questions. Episode 9, The Evil That Lurks, investigates Delapena, who murdered two young girls just a month after Barbara vanished
Barbara Cotton’s 1981 disappearance remains unsolved, and her brother Frank Cotton has long been viewed as a possible person of interest. Episode 8, The Brother in Black, features interviews with Frank’s family, friends, and daughter, alongside a dee
Barbara Cotton’s 1981 disappearance at age 15 remains an open case in Williston, North Dakota. Episode 6, Interview with Williston Police, provides insight into law enforcement’s handling of one of North Dakota’s longest unsolved murders. The discuss
Barbara Cotton’s 1981 disappearance at age 15 remains an open case in Williston, North Dakota. Episode 6, Interview with Williston Police, provides insight into law enforcement’s handling of one of North Dakota’s longest unsolved murders. The discuss
The unsolved 1981 disappearance of Barbara Cotton continues to raise chilling questions. Episode 5, Please Tell Mom I Love Her, recounts a Montana jailhouse call from Barbara’s mysterious boyfriend. His sister Lora, only 15 at the time, remembers his
In 1981, Barbara Cotton vanished from Williston, leaving behind one of North Dakota’s most mysterious cold cases. Episode 4, A Rapist, a Creep, a Private Investigator and Me, joins PI Carrie Abbey as she digs into Barbara’s Social Security records, a
Barbara Cotton’s 1981 disappearance in Williston remains one of North Dakota’s most enduring cold cases. Episode 3, 40 Years of Nothing, revisits the early investigation — what police did, what they didn’t, and why Barbara’s siblings remember so litt
In 1981, 15-year-old Barbara Cotton vanished in Williston, leaving one of North Dakota’s oldest unsolved murders still open. Episode 2, Tributaries of the Truth, explores her last known whereabouts, the role of her boyfriend and a mysterious dinner g
Barbara Cotton’s 1981 disappearance is one of North Dakota’s most haunting cold cases. Episode 1, Five Blocks from Home, revisits her final walk just five blocks from home and the community’s quick dismissal of her as a “runaway.” Childhood friend Sa
Bonus episode: Interview with singer/songwriter Bruce Blackman, the musician behind the 1976 hit Moonlight Feels Right, heard right here in Season 4. Bruce shares thoughts about his life, his music and recalls almost freezing his fingers off in Farg
Bonus episode: A true crime teaser followed by a fascinating interview with musician, cellist and composer Julia Kent. Julia Kent's music is featured throughout Season one of this podcast.
Julia talks about her craft, her life and her creative proc
The 1978 killing of William “Billy” Wolf Jr. remains one of North Dakota’s most troubling unsolved murders. Episode 5, Interview with Detective Baumann, features a conversation with Dan Baumann, the police detective currently assigned to Billy’s cold
The 1978 murder of William “Billy” Wolf Jr. remains one of North Dakota’s darkest cold cases. Episode 4, Motels, Mafias and Stolen Guns, explores two listener tips identifying potential suspects — one already known to law enforcement, and another pos
Nov 26, 2020. Just a quick shout-out on this American holiday to thank all of you who are listening. There is no Season 4 "Chasing Billy" update this week. I am currently working on a couple of leads and hope to have an episode for you in the next we
The brutal 1978 murder of William “Billy” Wolf Jr. remains an unsolved murder and one of North Dakota’s most troubling cold cases. Episode 3, The Pursuit for Justice Continues, features Bud Warren of West Fargo, who went to school with Billy and late
The 1978 murder of William “Billy” Wolf Jr. remains one of North Dakota’s most disturbing cold cases. Episode 2, Time Traveling Back to 1978, explores Billy’s last days alive through the memories of his friend Nanci, offering a personal portrait of w
In August 1978, a man canoeing the Red River near Fargo, North Dakota, discovered two garbage bags containing the severed remains of 18-year-old William “Billy” Wolf Jr. His murder has remained unsolved for more than four decades. Episode 1, A Pursui
A kindergarten teacher masterminds a brutal murder and shows no remorse.
In this special, stand-alone episode we learn about a macabre crime from the true north.
In 2015, Angila Wilder was brutally murdered in her home while her 2 year old child sl
The murders of Barbara and Gordon Erickstad in 1998 shocked Bismarck, North Dakota, and left lasting scars on all connected. Episode 6, Escape to the Movies, introduces Misty Jones — remembered as the girl with the little red car — who, in a 2020 int
The murders of Barbara and Gordon Erickstad in 1998 remain one of Bismarck, North Dakota’s darkest true crime stories. Episode 5, A Sick Salute, follows the arrest of Robert Lawrence and Brian Erickstad after a bloody shoe linked them to the killings
The murders of Barbara and Gordon Erickstad in 1998 exposed a tangled web of loyalty, secrecy, and violence in Bismarck, North Dakota. Episode 4, One of These Days, follows detectives Bob Haas and Steve Lundin as they press forward — one piecing evid
In September 1998, Barbara and Gordon Erickstad’s murders shattered the quiet community of Bismarck, North Dakota. Episode 3, Patience Pays Off, follows how police questioning of a key witness gradually revealed the truth about what happened. That sa
The murders of Barbara and Gordon Erickstad shocked Bismarck, North Dakota in 1998. Episode 2, Never Ever Narc, follows detective Lloyd Halvorson as he zeroes in on 18-year-old Brian Erickstad and 27-year-old Robert Lawrence. With the suspects on the
In September 1998, Barbara and Gordon Erickstad were brutally murdered in their Bismarck, North Dakota home. Episode 1, A Little Red Car, begins the story when 17-year-old Aimee walked into the police station with a chilling suspicion: her boyfriend,
The 1976 murders of Wade and Ellen Zick shocked the small town of Zeeland, North Dakota, and remain one of the region’s most disturbing true crime cases. Episode 9, Sebastian Speaks Out, features a telephone interview with Sebastian Feist from federa
The 1976 murders of Wade and Ellen Zick in Zeeland, North Dakota inspired Season 2 of Dakota Spotlight, one of the state’s most haunting true crime stories. Episode 8, Update – Love Letters & Murder Ballads, shifts focus to music as host James Wolner
The 1976 murders of Wade and Ellen Zick devastated the small town of Zeeland, North Dakota, leaving behind one of the region’s most haunting true crime cases. Episode 7, Crossing the Street, examines chapters Guns and Piggy Banks, California Dreaming
The 1976 Zeeland murders of Wade and Ellen Zick remain one of North Dakota’s most disturbing cold cases. Episode 6, Flip a Coin, explores the events that followed with chapters including Valentine’s Day, County Jail, Strong Coffee and Nazis, Worse th
The 1976 murders of Wade and Ellen Zick remain one of North Dakota’s most haunting true crime cases. Episode 5, Caramel Rolls, continues the story with chapters Caramel Rolls, Say Something, and It’s About Time. These moments reveal the community’s u
The brutal 1976 murders of Wade and Ellen Zick in Zeeland, North Dakota left investigators and neighbors chasing every possible lead. Episode 4, Pink Slip, moves deeper into the story with chapters including Sunland, The House on Third Street, Sour C
On July 11, 1976, Wade and Ellen Zick were murdered in their Zeeland, North Dakota home, leaving a community devastated. Episode 3, Z is for Zick, revisits that night with chapters including Until Dawn, Z is for Zick, First Daylight, Hitchhiker, and
The 1976 murders of Wade and Ellen Zick left Zeeland, North Dakota shaken and desperate for answers. Episode 2, No Banker Tomorrow, continues the investigation with chapters including Party Line, We Think We Found Something, No Banker Tomorrow, and E
On July 11, 1976, Wade and Ellen Zick were murdered in their home in Zeeland, North Dakota, leaving the small town reeling. Episode 1, A Deed Without a Name, begins the investigation into this shocking crime. Chapters include Sunday Morning Sidewalks
While waiting on Season 2 to be released, I’m releasing an edited version of a story I did in 2015 about a young boy with a dream, and the town that got behind him in 1976.
Also a short word on Season 2.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega
Episode 10, A Bar Named Heaven, concludes Season 1 of Dakota Spotlight. Host James Wolner offers his own theory — along with evidence — about the events that may have contributed to the mysterious 2014 death of Victor Newberry, a Glen Ullin bartender
Episode 9, B.L.O.O.D., dives deeper into the unanswered questions surrounding Victor Newberry’s mysterious 2014 death. Why doesn’t the autopsy note blood on Victor’s clothing? Host James Wolner reviews the toxicology report, introduces a “bartender w
Episode 8, Blue Christmas, highlights contradictions and new questions in the investigation of Victor Newberry’s death. Why don’t early media reports match the police report? For Victor, the holiday season was never tied to joy and celebration, and t
Episode 7, Left For Dead, uncovers troubling gaps in the investigation of Victor Newberry’s mysterious 2014 death. Two days after Victor was found next to his running vehicle, a stranger entered the sheriff’s office claiming he had been with Victor a
Episode 6, Just Not Right, explores puzzling details from the night Victor Newberry vanished in Glen Ullin, North Dakota. Listeners hear from Doug, Brad, Steven, and Donna as they recall Victor’s final hours, raising questions about lanyards, key cha
Episode 5, Boys and Girls, brings forward new voices and perspectives on the night Victor Newberry died in Glen Ullin, North Dakota. Host James Wolner meets four of Victor’s friends, who provide fresh information that reshapes the story of his final
Episode 4, Better Left Alone, highlights the challenges host James Wolner faced while navigating North Dakota’s open records laws in his investigation of Victor Newberry’s death. At the Glen Ullin Times newspaper, we learn more about the small town w
Episode 3, You’re a Dead Man, takes listeners deeper into western North Dakota, the place where Victor Newberry lived and died. Glen Ullin is a small town where, as some say, “everybody knows everybody” and people are “accountable” to one another. Wh
Episode 2, Forensic Garbage, explores whether Victor Newberry’s autopsy report should be trusted — or tossed aside as meaningless. After Victor, a Glen Ullin bartender, was found dead next to his running vehicle on a freezing December morning in 2014
Episode 1, Everybody Knows, introduces the story that launched Dakota Spotlight. In a rural North Dakota bar, host James Wolner hears an outlandish tale about the perplexing death of Victor Newberry, a well-known Glen Ullin bartender found dead besid