Unsolved

Crime-Justice

More often than we’d like to believe, people get away with murder. As cases grow cold, cops retire. Witnesses die. Evidence disappears. Unsolved, a true crime podcast series from USA TODAY and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, guides listeners through these real-life mysteries, uncovering new clues along the way. Season four of Unsolved delves into the disappearance of Alexis Patterson, a 7-year-old girl who disappeared on her way to school in 2002. At first, there was a massive search and sympathy for her family, but that quickly changed as her parents became suspects. Over the years, there have been conspiracy theories and false leads and cases of mistaken identity. Still, her mom has never given up hope that Alexis will come home again someday. Season three of Unsolved tells the story of Father Alfred Kunz, whose throat was slit inside St. Michael School in 1998. Some believe his death was linked to his battles against evil. Others believe his all-too-human flaws were to blame. Season two of Unsolved, released in 2017, examines the case of toddler Michelle Manders, who vanished from her bedroom in the middle of the night in 1981. Did she wander alone into the darkness? Or was she kidnapped? Season one of Unsolved, released in 2015, explores the circumstances surrounding the death of 14-year-old John Zera, who disappeared from Franklin High School in 1976. The seven episodes follow investigators through decades of dead ends as they hold on to hope of finding the killer. Subscribe to Unsolved on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio or wherever you get your podcasts. For more information on the series, visit http://usatoday.com/unsolved.

Location:

United States

Genres:

Crime-Justice

Storytelling

Podcasts

Description:

More often than we’d like to believe, people get away with murder. As cases grow cold, cops retire. Witnesses die. Evidence disappears. Unsolved, a true crime podcast series from USA TODAY and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, guides listeners through these real-life mysteries, uncovering new clues along the way. Season four of Unsolved delves into the disappearance of Alexis Patterson, a 7-year-old girl who disappeared on her way to school in 2002. At first, there was a massive search and sympathy for her family, but that quickly changed as her parents became suspects. Over the years, there have been conspiracy theories and false leads and cases of mistaken identity. Still, her mom has never given up hope that Alexis will come home again someday. Season three of Unsolved tells the story of Father Alfred Kunz, whose throat was slit inside St. Michael School in 1998. Some believe his death was linked to his battles against evil. Others believe his all-too-human flaws were to blame. Season two of Unsolved, released in 2017, examines the case of toddler Michelle Manders, who vanished from her bedroom in the middle of the night in 1981. Did she wander alone into the darkness? Or was she kidnapped? Season one of Unsolved, released in 2015, explores the circumstances surrounding the death of 14-year-old John Zera, who disappeared from Franklin High School in 1976. The seven episodes follow investigators through decades of dead ends as they hold on to hope of finding the killer. Subscribe to Unsolved on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio or wherever you get your podcasts. For more information on the series, visit http://usatoday.com/unsolved.

Twitter:

@journalsentinal

Language:

English

Website:

http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/unsolved-335136521.html

Episodes

Introducing: My Cousin Augie

7/10/2024

In 1978, Milwaukee tavern owner Augie Palmisano was killed in a car bombing. Although many suspected crime boss Frank Balistreri, the murder was never solved. 45 years later, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Mary Spicuzza goes on a journey to find out the truth.

Duration:00:11:06

S4 Ep8: Be careful what you wish for

6/21/2023

After more than 20 years of turning us down, the Milwaukee Police finally release more than 10,000 pages of records on their investigation of Alexis’ case. Some of the contents are completely unexpected.

Duration:00:37:25

S4 Ep7: A DNA discovery

6/14/2023

After a three-year delay in reporting due to the pandemic, we ask the experts to evaluate the DNA profiles of Alexis' mother and the woman in Ohio to figure out, once and for all, whether the two are related.

Duration:00:31:09

S4 Ep6: The road trip

6/7/2023

Two reporters travel to Ohio to see if they can get to the bottom of the claims that a young woman there is Alexis Patterson.

Duration:00:33:21

S4 Ep5: A package from Ohio

5/31/2023

Fourteen years after Alexis disappeared, a man from Ohio comes forward to say he believes his estranged wife might be the missing girl.

Duration:00:28:12

S4 Ep4: A double life

5/24/2023

Some witnesses say they saw a red truck outside Alexis' school around the time she vanished. Could it have belonged to a serial killer?

Duration:00:31:41

S4 Ep3: Where would she have gone?

5/17/2023

Police come up with the theory that Alexis ran away after her mom tells them about an argument over cupcakes.

Duration:00:32:27

S4 Ep2: A guilty man walked free

5/10/2023

Alexis’ stepfather, LaRon Bourgeois, has a troubled history with police. That is enough to raise their suspicions after she disappears.

Duration:00:34:02

S4 Ep1: She never made it to school

5/3/2023

Despite Milwaukee’s history of segregation and distrust between Black residents and police, the whole city comes together to search for 7-year-old Alexis Patterson, who disappeared somewhere in the 242 steps between her home and school.

Duration:00:31:44

S4: Coming May 3: Season 4

4/19/2023

Alexis Patterson’s walk home from school was just 242 steps. But on May 3, 2002, the 7-year-old never made it. The story of Alexis’ disappearance started with a massive search and sympathy for her family, but that quickly changed as her parents became suspects. Over the years, there have been conspiracy theories and false leads and cases of mistaken identity. Still, her mom has never given up hope that Alexis will come home again someday.

Duration:00:03:25

S4: We're working on season 4

5/17/2022

I’m working on a new investigation about missing children of color, and one of them is going to be the focus of Season 4.

Duration:00:03:31

S3 Ep11: Bonus episode: Unsolved Live

4/24/2019

Still have questions about the murder of Father Alfred Kunz? Want to hear more about what was going on behind the scenes of the podcast and of the investigation? Kunz's good friend Peter Kelly and retired detective Dawn Johnson joined host Gina Barton at a live event, where they provided some answers.

Duration:00:29:03

S3 Ep10: 'Forgive offenses'

3/27/2019

Twenty years after Kunz’s murder, members of his former parish gathered at Mass to pray for his soul. Police, who had launched a social media campaign in connection with the anniversary, scanned the crowd for their suspects.

Duration:00:36:51

S3 Ep9: 'Bear Wrongs Patiently'

3/20/2019

Detective Wayne Honer was among those who did not believe teacher Brian Jackson killed Father Kunz. While Detective Kevin Hughes was chasing Jackson, Honer focused on a different suspect.

Duration:00:28:28

S3 Ep8: 'Comfort the Sorrowful'

3/13/2019

Immediately after Father Alfred Kunz’s death, St. Michael teacher Brian Jackson moved in with Kunz’s best friend, Father Charles Fiore. Detective Kevin Hughes was convinced Jackson was the killer. Support for this episode comes from Audible. Go to audible.com/un to listen to your favorite books.

Duration:00:32:44

Introducing: Case Closed

3/8/2019

Here is another true crime podcast you might like. Season one of Case Closed tells the story of Erin Corwin, a young military wife who was murdered in 2014. She was living with her husband, Jon, a Marine corporal, when she left to scout hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park. She never came back.

Duration:00:25:29

S3 Ep7: 'Shelter the Homeless'

3/6/2019

A Dane County sheriff’s deputy came to believe his nephew, Joe Cavanaugh, was Father Kunz’s killer. The attack on Kunz was similar to one Cavanaugh was believed to have committed against his grandfather.

Duration:00:25:52

S3 Ep6: 'Counsel the Doubtful'

2/27/2019

St. Michael had been robbed in the months before Father Alfred Kunz’s death, and police believed the robbery and Kunz’s murder may have been connected.

Duration:00:26:19

S3 Ep5: 'Pray for the Living and the Dead '

2/20/2019

Police have evidence that Father Alfred Kunz had performed exorcisms without the support of the church hierarchy, which official Catholic exorcists characterize as risky and foolish. Support for this episode comes from Care/Of. For 50% off your first month of personalized Care/Of vitamins, visit takecareof.com and use promo code MJS50.

Duration:00:26:24

S3 Ep4: 'Admonish the Sinner'

2/13/2019

Father Alfred Kunz and Father Charles Fiore had reportedly been investigating sexual misconduct by priests without authorization from church leadership. Their efforts crossed the state line into Illinois.

Duration:00:25:35