Return to the Highway of Tears

Breakthrough: The First Cases Solved with Cat DNA

In this episode, Rachel and Krystal explore two groundbreaking cases where cat DNA helped solve homicides — one in England, one in Canada. From a torso found on a British beach to a leather jacket buried near a shallow grave, these cases reshaped forensic science and expanded the definition of trace evidence. Featuring the first use of cat DNA in a UK homicide trial and the first animal‑DNA conviction in North America. Key Topics: * The Body on the Beach (Southsea, England, 2012) * The Snowball Case (Prince Edward Island, 1994–1996) * Animal DNA in forensic science * Trace evidence and pet hair transfer * How new forensic techniques enter the courtroom

The Unsolved Disappearance of Phoenix Coldon

On December 18, 2011, 23‑year‑old Phoenix Lucille Coldon left her family’s home in Spanish Lake, Missouri, got into her mother’s black Chevy Blazer, and drove away without explanation. Two hours later, the SUV was found abandoned in East St. Louis — engine running, driver’s door open, personal belongings inside. Her parents wouldn’t learn about the vehicle for two weeks. In this episode, we explore Phoenix’s life, the timeline of her disappearance, investigative gaps, systemic issues affecting missing Black women, and the unanswered questions that still haunt this case more than a decade later. We approach Phoenix’s story with care, grounding every detail in credible reporting and centering the humanity of a young woman whose life was far more complex than the headlines suggested. What We Cover * Phoenix’s upbringing, talents, and the pressures she navigated * The final day she was seen * The abandoned SUV and the two‑week communication gap * Conflicting timelines and investigative challenges * Media coverage and the “secret life” narrative * Systemic disparities in missing‑person responses * Theories explored by investigators and journalists * Where the case stands today * Thought‑provoking questions about justice, identity, and systemic reform If You Have Information St. Louis County Police Department: 314‑231‑1212 CrimeStoppers: 866‑371‑TIPS

Unsolved: Brianna Maitland

Seventeen‑year‑old Brianna Maitland vanished on March 19, 2004, after leaving her shift at the Black Lantern Inn in Montgomery, Vermont. Hours later, her car was found backed into an abandoned farmhouse known as the Dutchburn House — driver’s door unlocked, turn signal still blinking, personal items scattered on the ground. But Brianna was gone. In this episode, we break down the timeline, the contradictions, the investigative leads, and the unanswered questions that have shaped this case for more than twenty years. No sensationalism. No speculation. Just the facts, the context, and the gaps that still matter. What We Cover * Brianna’s final day and last confirmed movements * The Dutchburn House scene and why it still raises questions * Investigative leads, searches, and publicly acknowledged theories * Timeline contradictions and what they mean * The impact of early assumptions and delayed connections * Thought‑provoking questions that remain unanswered Key Questions We Explore * Why was Brianna’s car backed into the Dutchburn House? * What happened in the minutes between leaving work and the crash site? * Why wasn’t the car linked to her disappearance for nearly a week? * What evidence was lost during that delay? * Who was on that road that night — and why? If You Have Information Contact the Vermont State Police: https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit [https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit] 📚 REFERENCES (REPUTABLE SOURCES WITH LINKS) These are the sources used to ground the episode’s factual content: Vermont State Police – Official Case Page * https://vsp.vermont.gov/unsolved/missing/maitland [https://vsp.vermont.gov/unsolved/missing/maitland] ( [https://www.bing.com/search?q=%22https%3A%2F%2Fvsp.vermont.gov%2Funsolved%2Fmissing%2Fmaitland%22&utm_source=copilot.com]vsp.vermont.gov [http://vsp.vermont.gov] in Bing) [https://www.bing.com/search?q=%22https%3A%2F%2Fvsp.vermont.gov%2Funsolved%2Fmissing%2Fmaitland%22&utm_source=copilot.com] FBI Missing Persons – Brianna Maitland * https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/brianna-maitland [https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/brianna-maitland] ( [https://www.bing.com/search?q=%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fbi.gov%2Fwanted%2Fkidnap%2Fbrianna-maitland%22&utm_source=copilot.com]fbi.gov [http://fbi.gov] in Bing) [https://www.bing.com/search?q=%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fbi.gov%2Fwanted%2Fkidnap%2Fbrianna-maitland%22&utm_source=copilot.com] The Charley Project – Brianna Maitland https://charleyproject.org/case/brianna-alexis-maitland [https://charleyproject.org/case/brianna-alexis-maitland]

The Case of Mikelle Biggs

On January 2nd, 1999, 11‑year‑old Mikelle Biggs walked outside with her little sister to wait for the ice cream truck. Minutes later, she was gone. Her purple bike lay on its side. The front wheel was still spinning. Two quarters were on the pavement. And no one saw what happened. This episode examines one of Arizona’s most haunting cold cases — a disappearance that unfolded in under two minutes, before AMBER Alerts existed in the state, and before modern child‑abduction protocols were in place. We explore the timeline, the investigation, the long‑standing person of interest, the myths that have grown around the case, and the family who has spent 25 years searching for answers. If you have information about the disappearance of Mikelle Biggs, contact the Mesa Police Department. Content Notes: Missing child, abduction, discussion of sexual violence (non‑graphic), long‑term unresolved cases. Credits: Hosted by Rachel & Krystal Written and produced by Co‑workers & Crime Research from publicly available law enforcement statements and reputable reporting

Return to the Highway of Tears

Before the world knew the phrase Highway of Tears, families in northern British Columbia were already losing daughters, sisters, and mothers — and fighting to be heard. In this episode, we revisit the earliest known cases connected to Highway 16: Gloria Moody (1969), Helen Claire Frost (1970), and Tracey Clifton (1970s). Their stories reveal the roots of a crisis decades in the making. This episode explores investigative gaps, transportation inequality, and missing documentation — and honors the women whose stories shaped the foundation of this crisis.