"If I am wrong, then I'm sorry for it. But when you see something like I saw, and it's instilled in your memory banks, then you don't forget it. That is the individual, and there is certain things that I saw that lead me to believe it was the individual Mr. Dill." — Tim Waltall
"No parent should have to experience the loss of a child, but Sarah will continue to fight for answers until justice is finally served." — Ashley Flowers
"She claims they committed, 'acts of misconduct' during the investigation back in 1995." — Ashley Flowers (reporting on Sarah Teague's lawsuit)
This episode of Crime Junkie recounts the abduction of Heather Teague on August 26, 1995, from Newburgh Beach in Indiana. The initial report came from a witness, Tim Waltall, who observed a man abducting a sunbathing woman. The investigation was immediately hampered by jurisdictional issues and a discrepancy in the number of witnesses present. Despite extensive searches and the development of composite sketches, the case proved difficult, with early leads like a red Ford Bronco and potential suspects like Marvin Ray Dill, who later died by suicide, not yielding definitive answers.
Over the years, Heather's mother, Sarah Teague, became a persistent advocate, organizing searches, engaging private investigators, and persistently pushing law enforcement for updates. The investigation saw several potential leads, including the possibility of a serial killer named Glenn Rogers and the discovery of unidentified skeletal remains that were eventually identified as another missing person. Forensic analysis of Marvin Dill's Bronco revealed unidentified blood and hair, but these did not conclusively link him to Heather's disappearance.
The case remained a cold case for decades, with Sarah Teague continuing her relentless pursuit of justice. She filed lawsuits, requested grand juries, and worked to uncover new information, including potential links to drug rings and witness protection programs. The episode highlights the emotional toll on Sarah and the systemic challenges in solving long-term disappearances, underscoring the need for continued investigation and public awareness.