Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"The family advocate we talked to has a guest, though, they think it could have been Deanna, because police seem to have spoken to this source multiple times. But again, so much reduction, I don't know for sure." — Britt
"But this second loan, no one can figure out why John and Shelley took that one out or where the money went." — Ashley Flowers
"And he swore to God on his life, on his kids, and his family, that he did not kill John." — John's brother-in-law (as recounted by Ashley Flowers)
The episode chronicles the disappearance of John and Shelley Markley, a couple from Bristolville, Ohio, who vanished on December 15, 1995, leaving behind their five children. Initial observations at their home suggested a hasty departure, with items like Shelley's purse, cigarettes, and their funeral attire laid out, while John's truck and gun cabinet were missing or disturbed. Early theories considered a voluntary departure due to grief over John's twin sister's recent death, but the prolonged absence and their dedication as parents quickly shifted suspicion to foul play.
Investigators explored various avenues, including the possibility of John's trucking business being a cover for drug trafficking, a theory dismissed by the family and lacking evidence. The discovery of John's truck abandoned with tarps and potentially evidence inside, coupled with the missing $2,400 from a safe and two missing guns, deepened the mystery. Financial records revealed a recent loan taken out by the couple, the purpose of which remained unclear, adding another layer of financial strain or unexplained activity. A critical witness, a bank teller, provided the last known sighting of John and Shelley, noting their presence in John's truck with an unidentified slim man with dark hair, shortly before they went missing.
The case took a dramatic turn with ransom calls claiming John and Shelley were held in Toronto, escalating to threats of cult sacrifice. This led to a sting operation where Jean, John's brother-in-law, attempted to deliver ransom money. The operation resulted in the arrest of Stephen Durst, a former employee of John's with a history of disputes and threats against John. While Durst was convicted of extortion, the evidence linking him directly to the disappearance remained inconclusive, and he maintained his innocence. The investigation also delved into a complex family history involving Shelley's mother's affair and a suspicious death, leading to theories about Shelley potentially orchestrating her own disappearance or being involved in an extortion scheme stemming from that past. Decades later, despite ongoing investigations, tips, and searches, John and Shelley Markley remain missing, with the case continuing to be a source of distress and unanswered questions for their family.