Secrets in Skidmore: The Unsolved Disappearance of Branson Perry

Secrets in Skidmore: The Unsolved Disappearance of Branson Perry

When we think about the natural order of life, we expect that one day we'll have to say goodbye to our parents and grandparents. It doesn't make that loss any easier, but it's a reality most of us understand is likely to come. What we don't expect is for a younger family member to die before their time. The grief of losing a child or grandchild is something most people can't imagine, and if it happens once, you hope it's the only tragedy of that kind your family will ever have to endure. But today's story is about a grandmother who faced that heartbreak again and again. In a farming town of fewer than 200 people, JoAnn Stinnett faced tragedy tied to violence three separate times. The case we'll be focusing on today is that of her grandson, Branson Perry, a young man who stepped outside for what should have been a routine task and was never seen again. In discussing his case, we will also talk about the others. Over the years, the town of Skidmore, Missouri has become known for a series of tragic and unusual events that have drawn national attention. The town has developed a reputation that extends far beyond its small size. But behind every headline is a real person and a family left to pick up the pieces. For the past 25 years, Branson's loved ones have lived with unanswered questions, searching for an explanation for what happened after he walked out of sight.  TIPS: CUE Center 24-hour tip line at 910-232-1687, the Nodaway County Sheriff's Office at 660-582-7451, or the Missouri State Highway Patrol Hotline at 1-800-525-5555. Podcast To Check Out: https://shegoesbyjanepodcast.com/ [https://shegoesbyjanepodcast.com/] Educational videos by podcaster Crime with Holly referenced in this episode: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKfNOHwJWWw/?igsh=ZWF2OXJxb3FlYnJh [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKfNOHwJWWw/?igsh=ZWF2OXJxb3FlYnJh] https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8sQRkso/ [https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8sQRkso/] IG: @simplertimecrimepod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@simplertimecrimepod?si=OlCWQ2Ky8qFaof02 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simplertimecrimep?_t=8s31x9iCrNv&_r=1 Music By Universfield: https://pixabay.com/music/mystery-dramatic-atmosphere-with-piano-and-violin-143149/ Source Material: https://www.waff.com/story/2718184/triple-tragedy-for-babys-great-grandmother/ https://www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com/obituary/jo-a-hoffman [https://www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com/obituary/jo-a-hoffman] https://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/public_safety/officers-have-suspect-still-need-evidence-in-21-year-missing-person-case/article_736e0bde-1a7b-11ed-812e-43c8153ca490.html [https://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/public_safety/officers-have-suspect-still-need-evidence-in-21-year-missing-person-case/article_736e0bde-1a7b-11ed-812e-43c8153ca490.html] https://www.maryvilleforum.com/features/laying-out-the-evidence-after-renewed-interest-in-branson-perry-case/article_178fa996-23af-11ef-b0d9-cf8d16406566.html [https://www.maryvilleforum.com/features/laying-out-the-evidence-after-renewed-interest-in-branson-perry-case/article_178fa996-23af-11ef-b0d9-cf8d16406566.html] https://www.nwmissourinews.com/news/article_8b69c8fc-b319-11ef-ac4b-1bcd0b2bac46.html [https://www.nwmissourinews.com/news/article_8b69c8fc-b319-11ef-ac4b-1bcd0b2bac46.html] https://bringbransonhome.wordpress.com/a-mothers-plea/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-after-four-months/199510341/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-4-mo-22/199512596/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-9-months-reward-1/199513157/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-9-monthsreward-2/199513238/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-search-continues-f/199513426/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-polygraph-blurb/199515944/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-soup-dinner-fundra/199516070/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-1-year-22/199516281/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-fbi-links-man-12/199516703/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-fbi-links-man-22/199517049/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-missourian-fulton-man-denied-bo/199517231/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-porn-suspect-goes/199517805/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-fate-of-20-year-old/199520180/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-internet-chat-22/199528475/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-clues-pointing-to/199531038/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-guilty-plea/199532860/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-properties-searche/199533308/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-home-search-3/199534880/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-double-life-12/199535386/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-double-life-22/199535450/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-30-year-term/199536808/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-skidmore-crimes/199537097/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-missourian-mother-of-2-arrested/199537184/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-mother-renews-push/199537333/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-shfit-closert-to-ho/199537566/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-missing-persons-ca/199556538/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-closer-to-home-22/199556656/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-25k-reward/199556693/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-record-12/199556733/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-a-grass-roots-effo/199556812/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-american-republic-skidmores-woes/199556877/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-search-efforts-con/199556977/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-fundraisersrace-c/199557010/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-lamar-helps-with-p/199557052/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-lamar-22/199557075/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-picture-them-home/199557128/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-search-heats-up/199557321/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-promising-lead-dig/199557438/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-promising-lead-dig/199557521/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-keep-hope-alive-1/199557765/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-keeping-hope-alive/199557827/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-10-years-12/199557876/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-rebecca-obit/199557975/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-18-years-12/199558116/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-20-years-22/199558321/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-new [https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-new] https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-possibly-drugs/199558208/ Thumbmail art: Lauren Kelty, host of True Crime BFF Podcast Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-simpler-time-true-crime--6665681/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-simpler-time-true-crime--6665681/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

The Clarksville Killings: The Unsolved Murders of Azuria Johnson and Felicia Carson

Just after the start of the New Year in 1996, two women are found brutally stabbed to death in their own homes in city of Clarksville, TN just days apart. This came only a month after another woman had been found stabbed to death in her Clarksville home. That case would eventually get solved, while the other two are still waiting for answers. Outside of the local area, these cases have not received a ton of coverage. And because so little is known, its never been clear if the cases are connected. Today I’ll walk you through what is known and the theories that are out there, in the hopes that it jogs someone's memory and provides information that could help solve one or both of these cases. TIPS: Clarksville Crimestoppers contact  931-645-TIPS, or go to www.p3tips.com [http://www.p3tips.com/] Both cases have a 10k reward for information leading to an arrest. Case suggestions: simplertimecrimepod@gmail.com IG: @simplertimecrimepod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@simplertimecrimepod?si=OlCWQ2Ky8qFaof02 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simplertimecrimep?_t=8s31x9iCrNv&_r=1 Music By Universfield: https://pixabay.com/music/mystery-dramatic-atmosphere-with-piano-and-violin-143149/ Thumbmail art: Lauren Kelty, host of True Crime BFF Podcast Source Material: https://projectcoldcase.org/2022/09/19/felicia-carson/ https://law.justia.com/cases/tennessee/court-of-criminal-appeals/2011/m2011-00226-cca-r3-cd.html [https://law.justia.com/cases/tennessee/court-of-criminal-appeals/2011/m2011-00226-cca-r3-cd.html] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1277663/carolyn-tina-vega_velazquez [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1277663/carolyn-tina-vega_velazquez] https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-azuria-johnson/199043072/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-connections-studied-1/199044879/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-carolyn-vega-velasque/199046769/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-cvv-remembered-as-lea/199048388/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-connections-22/199049507/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-azuria-johnson/199100667/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-police-believe-no-con/199101737/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-cpd-rejects-link/199103041/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-college-studnet-found-sta/199103136/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-obit-felicia/199103402/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-murders-have-communit/199103509/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-community-on-alert-bu/199103729/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-campus-fear/199103961/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/elizabethton-star-three-recent-slayings/199104239/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-felicia-carson-seek-l/199104331/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-special-task-force-1/199104488/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-special-task-force-2/199104845/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-brother-bill-denmark/199105843/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-another-case-4/199106661/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-carson-reward-12/199106776/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-carson-reward-22/199106933/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-six-unsolved-murders/199107430/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-brother-to-paper/199107890/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-serial-killer-reid/199109009/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-police-seek-murders-c/199109417/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-red-carpet-lounge/199109774/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-two-arrested-in-slayi/199111137/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-vega-velasquez/199111185 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-simpler-time-true-crime--6665681/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-simpler-time-true-crime--6665681/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

The Trap: The Unsolved Murder of Morris Davis Jr.

In April of 1985, a Montana man is working multiple jobs to save money and pursue his dreams. After getting off one job, he went straight to his second job to deliver pizzas. As he approached a regular looking house for delivery, he would have no idea that he was walking into a trap. His own brother would be the first responder who showed up to the house, a scene that has never left him. The investigation produced many suspects, some wrong turns, and closed in closely on a violent repeat offender. But nobody has ever been arrested for this calculated crime and investigators believe its highly likely that more than one person was involved or knows information. More than 40 years later, it could take just one small clue or person coming forward to solve this case. TIPS: call Det. Patrick Levitt at the Great Falls Police Department, his phone number is (406) 455-8509 Case suggestions: simplertimecrimepod@gmail.com IG: @simplertimecrimepod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@simplertimecrimepod?si=OlCWQ2Ky8qFaof02 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simplertimecrimep?_t=8s31x9iCrNv&_r=1 Music By Universfield: https://pixabay.com/music/mystery-dramatic-atmosphere-with-piano-and-violin-143149/ Thumbmail art: Lauren Kelty, host of True Crime BFF Podcast Source Material: https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-20-year-anniversary/198672060/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-20-year-anniversary/198647836/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-delnita-22-survivor/198647506/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-delnita-12/198647467/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-murder-forever-chang/198647358/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-loss-of-rights/198647226/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-inter-lake-incorrect-about-the/198647183/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-unsolved-mysteries-2/198646849/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-unsolved-mysteries-2/198646849/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-gun-recovered-22/198646399/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-dubray-sentenced-to/198645586/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-dubray-guilty/198645366/ https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/mt-supreme-court/1262460.html [https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/mt-supreme-court/1262460.html] https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Morris_Davis [https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Morris_Davis] More newspaper clippings listed at newspapers.com user simplertimecrimepod public clippings Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-simpler-time-true-crime--6665681/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-simpler-time-true-crime--6665681/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Vanished at Kent State: The Unsolved Disappearance of Judy Martins

Just before Memorial Day weekend in 1978, a college student visited a residence hall on the campus of Kent State University. Photos from that night show her smiling and laughing with friends, wearing a playful wig as part of a costume she put on to prank her friends. But sometime after midnight, she left the dorm room to make what should have been a short walk back to her own dorm, a distance reported to be only a few hundred yards. She never made it. In the days and years that followed, the investigation into her disappearance would take countless turns. There were rumors, reported sightings, psychics, and even speculation surrounding a convicted killer believed to have been living in the area at the time. Now, decades later, the case is receiving renewed attention and those taking a fresh look at Judy’s disappearance wonder whether the answers may be with the people she was last with on campus. TIPS: U.S. Marshals at 1-866-4WANTED Case suggestions: simplertimecrimepod@gmail.com IG: @simplertimecrimepod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@simplertimecrimepod?si=OlCWQ2Ky8qFaof02 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simplertimecrimep?_t=8s31x9iCrNv&_r=1 Music By Universfield: https://pixabay.com/music/mystery-dramatic-atmosphere-with-piano-and-violin-143149/ Thumbmail art: Lauren Kelty, host of True Crime BFF Podcast Source Material: https://www.record-courier.com/story/news/crime/2018/05/24/i-think-about-her/12078184007/ https://www.pbs.org/video/vital-pages-what-happened-to-judy-martins-8ajtk9/ https://www.pbswesternreserve.org/blogs/luminus-stories-about-us/we-never-stopped-looking-the-search-for-judy-martins-continues/ https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Law-Enforcement/Investigator/Ohio-Missing-Persons/Missing-Adults-1/Martins [https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Law-Enforcement/Investigator/Ohio-Missing-Persons/Missing-Adults-1/Martins] https://charleyproject.org/case/judy-martins [https://charleyproject.org/case/judy-martins] https://websleuths.com/threads/oh-judy-martins-22-kent-24-may-1978.51675/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-galion-inquirer-kent-state-coed-is-m/198060107/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cleveland-press-statewide-alert-issu/198100884/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-information-sou/198100911/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cleveland-press-cleveland-area-co-ed/198101056/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-missing-coed-in/198101711/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-police-plan-to-use-a-he/198106023/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune-more-on-mexico/198107030/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-garage-sale-dea/198108726/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-no-new-leads/198109904/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-1980-nearly-two-years/198110818/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-10k-offered/198111688/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-posey-isnt-lin/198111752/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-ksu-reward-ends/198111832/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-posey-caught/198111879/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-where-is-judy-martins/198112109/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-where-is-judy-martins-p/198114566/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-where-is-judy-page-3/198114660/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-god-let-it-be/198115878/ https://darkdowneast.com/irisbrown/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-simpler-time-true-crime--6665681/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-simpler-time-true-crime--6665681/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Catching The Monster of Davidson Avenue: The Solved 1996 Murder of Jasmine Porter

In February of 1996, a pregnant woman is attacked in her Bronx apartment with her young son as a witness to the brutal crime. The case seems like it is going to be solved early on when a witness comes forward and names who they say did this. But as quickly as this comes together, it falls apart and the case goes cold for over two decades. That was until a series of events lands the case in the hands of Bronx Homicide Detective Robert Klein who starts reworking the case from the beginning. The investigation into Jasmine’s murder perfectly illustrates how nothing is as seen on TV. Detective Klein’s thoughts on who did it weaved in and out of different people in Jasmine’s social circle as he reinterviewed key people. That was until a DNA hit revealed a name that was nowhere in the police file and uncovered a monster who had terrorized the women of Davidson Avenue for years.   Episode Guest: Robert Klein  Case suggestions: simplertimecrimepod@gmail.com IG: @simplertimecrimepod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@simplertimecrimepod?si=OlCWQ2Ky8qFaof02 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simplertimecrimep?_t=8s31x9iCrNv&_r=1 Music By Universfield: https://pixabay.com/music/mystery-dramatic-atmosphere-with-piano-and-violin-143149/ Thumbmail art: Lauren Kelty, host of True Crime BFF Podcast Source Material: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/19/insider/a-break-in-a-bronx-cold-case-sends-a-reporter-back-to-the-beginning.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/19/insider/a-break-in-a-bronx-cold-case-sends-a-reporter-back-to-the-beginning.html] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/03/nyregion/jasmine-porter-murder-bronx.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/03/nyregion/jasmine-porter-murder-bronx.html] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/nyregion/bronx-cold-case-strangling-plea.html https://www.norwoodnews.org/bronx-man-gets-12-years-for-killing-2nd-pregnant-woman-in-1996-had-also-killed-woman-in-1987/ https://www.bronxda.nyc.gov/downloads/pdf/pr/2026/10-2026-Gregory-Fleetwood-sentenced-1996-strangling-pregnant-woman.pdf https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-reporter-dispatch-thelma-martin/197752043/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-simpler-time-true-crime--6665681/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-simpler-time-true-crime--6665681/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].