Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"It is a mistake to limit the seriousness of this issue. Meaning like, why are we reducing the amount of funds being put towards like such a big, they're literally billboards still up. That's like saying don't kind of strike this highway because there's a killer, but we're not going to allocate funds. Right. The problem isn't solved. Let's not take money away from it." — Justice presiding over Cody's sentencing.
The episode begins by celebrating the podcast's two-year anniversary and its growth, including touring. The hosts then transition to the main topic: the "Highway of Tears," a stretch of highway in British Columbia known for a high number of disappearances and murders, particularly of Indigenous women. The narrative focuses on the 2010 arrest of Cody Ledgerbachoff, initially for poaching, but quickly escalating to a homicide investigation following the discovery of 15-year-old Lauren Leslie's body. The initial traffic stop revealed critical clues, including blood evidence and Lauren's identification, leading investigators down a logging road where her body was found.
As the investigation into Lauren's death deepens, authorities began comparing her case to other unsolved disappearances along the Highway of Tears. Eerie similarities emerged, linking Cody Ledgerbachoff to the murders of at least three other women: Jill's to Cinco, Cynthia Moss, and Natasha Montgomery. DNA evidence played a crucial role in connecting him to these victims, highlighting a disturbing pattern of violence. The episode also delves into the broader context of the Highway of Tears, emphasizing that Indigenous women are disproportionately affected by violence, often due to systemic issues like lack of public transportation and socioeconomic challenges, forcing many to hitchhike.
The trial of Cody Ledgerbachoff is detailed, including his controversial testimony where he admitted involvement but blamed the victims' deaths on drug dealers and asserted Lauren's death was a suicide, a claim refuted by forensic evidence. Ultimately, a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in all four cases, resulting in a life sentence. The episode concludes by acknowledging the ongoing investigations into other cases along the Highway of Tears and the systemic challenges that persist, underscoring the importance of continued awareness and investigation.