Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"This is the story of Jeanette Bishop May and Gabriella Guerien. On the morning of Sunday, November 30th, 1980, snow is falling in Sarnano, Italy. It's this medieval hilltop village turned ski resort tucked into the base of a mountain range." — Ashley Flowers
"And it makes you think that they didn't go before because if you did, then why would you go back in a snow storm? Right. And listen, I don't know for sure if they were going to the mountain at that time." — Britt
"So many people, some witnesses included, maybe even suspects are being lost. Two families have been waiting for answers for over 40 years now. And according to what Joya told Natalia News outlet last year, hope is a hard thing to have anymore." — Joya (Gabriella Guerien's daughter), as recounted by Britt
The episode chronicles the baffling disappearance of Jeanette Bishop May and Gabriella Guerien in Sarnano, Italy, during a severe snowstorm in November 1980. Initially presumed to be victims of the weather, their case quickly became complicated by conflicting witness statements, unusual circumstances, and potential links to organized crime and a significant art theft at Christie's in Rome. Investigators grappled with evidence suggesting both an accident and possible foul play, including the discovery of their car in neutral with keys inside, and later, a remote shelter with signs of recent occupation.
Further complicating matters were a series of mysterious telegrams sent to families of prominent individuals, all referencing the same Rome address, which was also connected to the Christie's heist. The presence of a Christie's director on the same street as this address, along with illegal firearms and narcotics found at his property, suggested a potential link, though concrete evidence remained elusive. Theories evolved from a simple accident to abduction for ransom, and even a potential setup involving a known kidnapper found at the referenced address.
Despite numerous leads and investigations, including the eventual discovery of what appeared to be the women's remains months later, many questions remained unanswered. The initial ruling of accidental death by exposure faced challenges due to the circumstances of their discovery and the location of their belongings. Decades later, renewed interest and new theories, including connections to a shadowy group involved in Vatican politics and an Italian antiques dealer with ties to stolen art and a suspicious death, highlight the persistent complexities and the families' enduring search for truth. The case was recently reopened as a double murder investigation based on identified inconsistencies in witness statements, underscoring the deep-seated mystery.