Chasing Crime

The Disappearance of Billy Smolinski Jr

He vanished without a trace… but someone knows what happened. In August 2004, Billy Smolinski Jr. disappeared from his home in Waterbury under suspicious circumstances. His truck was left behind. His belongings were untouched. And the only clues? A series of strange, unsettling phone calls that didn’t quite make sense. At first, it looked like a missing person case. But as investigators dug deeper, disturbing details began to surface—allegations of conflict, possible violence, and a timeline that raised more questions than answers. Despite years of investigation, no arrests have ever been made, and Billy has never been found. So what really happened that night? Was this a planned disappearance… or something far more sinister? In this episode of Chasing Crime, we break down the timeline, the suspects, and the theories surrounding one of Connecticut’s most haunting unsolved cases. We examine the evidence, the inconsistencies, and the voices still fighting for answers over two decades later. If you know something, say something @chasingcrimepodcast Follow Chasing Crime so you never miss a case. If this episode stays with you—save it, share it, and help keep Billy’s story alive.

The Disappearance of Brian Shaffer

He walked into a bar… and was never seen again. In this episode of Chasing Crime, we break down the chilling and still-unsolved disappearance of Brian Shaffer, a 27-year-old medical student who vanished without a trace after a night out in Ugly Tuna Saloona in Columbus. Surveillance cameras captured Brian entering the bar. But what they never captured… was him leaving. No body. No confirmed sightings. No answers. So what really happened that night? We dive deep into: * The timeline of Brian Shaffer’s disappearance * The mysterious CCTV footage that sparked endless theories * The role of friends, staff, and potential witnesses * The disturbing clues that don’t add up * Theories ranging from accident, foul play, voluntary disappearance… to the truly unexplainable Nearly two decades later, this case remains one of the most baffling missing person mysteries in the United States. If you’re drawn to unsolved disappearances, true crime mysteries, and cases that will leave you questioning everything… this episode is for you. 🎧 Follow, rate, and share Chasing Crime on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 📩 Have a tip or theory? Submit it using the email in our show notes 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @chasingcrimepodcast

The Disappearance of Joan Risch

Can a person truly vanish into thin air? On October 24, 1961, Joan Risch disappeared from her quiet suburban home in Lincoln, Massachusetts, leaving behind a blood-spattered kitchen, a telephone ripped from the wall, and a mystery that has baffled forensic experts for over 60 years. In this episode of Chasing Crime, we dive deep into the cold case of Joan Risch. We move past the sensationalism to examine the hard evidence: the strange Type O blood patterns, the lack of footprints at the scene, and the cryptic library books Joan checked out just weeks before she vanished—books that detailed a "master plan" for a staged disappearance. Research & Sources: * The Charley Project: Case Profile: Joan Carolyn Risch [https://charleyproject.org/case/joan-carolyn-risch] * The Doe Network: Case File 646DFMA [https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/646dfma.html] * Ahern, Stephen H. (2020): A Kitchen Painted in Blood: The Unsolved Disappearance of Joan Risch. * The Boston Globe Archives: Investigative reporting from Oct 1961 – Jan 1962. * Uncovered: Map & Timeline of the Joan Risch Case [https://uncovered.com/cases/joan-risch] * Futility Closet: Research on the Library Blueprint Theory [https://www.futilitycloset.com/2019/10/30/no-one-home/] Follow Chasing Crime: Instagram @chasingcrimepodcast #ChasingCrime #JoanRisch #TrueCrimePodcast #CrimeJunkie #ColdCase #Unsolved #TrueCrimeCommunity #FullBodyChills #MissingPerson

Chasing Crime Podcast Trailer

Wait... stop what you’re doing. Do you know that feeling? The one where you’re staring at a cold case file, and something in your gut is just screaming that the "official" story isn't right? If you’re the person who stays up until 4:00 AM researching cases from states you’ve never even been to, then you’ve finally found your people. Welcome to Chasing Crime, the true crime podcast for the obsessed. Your host, Avery, along with co-host Blake, is skipping the solved cases with the neat little bows. We’re diving deep into the gaps, the redacted timelines, and the shadows of the world’s most frustrating unsolved mysteries. From the cases history tried to bury to the names that were whispered and then forgotten, we aren’t just retelling stories—we’re hunting for the truth. Stop waiting for justice. Start chasing it. New episodes drop every Monday. Hit that Follow button on Spotify right now so you never miss a "Wait, what?" moment. Don't let the trail go cold.