"We have gotten quite a few calls from people who heard the podcast. A lot of them were instructed to upload their DNA in order to further the DNA research. Of course, we will never know for sure, but who knows? Maybe one of those people's DNA ultimately led or at least assisted in the father being tracked down. The point is, I really appreciate you doing this story." — Deputy Coroner in Flathead County
"So, listen, yeah, we don't know if it was one of our listeners whose DNA ultimately led to the identification, but the fact that the episode reached enough people to possibly help make the ID like this happened. This is why we do this. This is why we do callouts at the end of episode. This is so freaking cool. This is why we reach out to you guys for like, hey, you could help be a part of this." — Ashley Flowers
"The Sheriff's Office did not release any details about the cause or manner of Gucci's death." — KingFive.com (via podcast host)
The episode begins with a recommendation for the podcast "Park Predators," hosted by Delia D. Ambrette, highlighting its focus on crimes occurring in unexpected places and praising the host's investigative approach. The main segment of the episode provides a crucial update on the Flathead County Doe case, originally covered in an August 2020 mini-episode. The remains, discovered in 2003 in Montana, were identified in February 2022 as Stephen Gooch, a 29-year-old man who went missing in 1995.
Significant details from the original investigation are recapped, including how the age of an "a-leave" bottle and a shoe helped narrow down the time of death to between 1995 and 1996. Despite efforts by law enforcement and the DNA Doe Project, initial genetic genealogy yielded only distant matches. The podcast episode in 2020 served as a call to action, encouraging listeners to submit DNA to aid in identification. This listener engagement appears to have been pivotal, as it led to a closer DNA match with a relative, ultimately identifying Stephen Gooch.
The narrative emphasizes the powerful impact of community involvement in solving cold cases, with a quote from the Deputy Coroner expressing gratitude and acknowledging the potential role of podcast listeners in the identification. While Stephen Gooch has been identified, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the cause and manner of his death, seeking further information from the public. The episode concludes by mentioning other cases covered in their premium fan club content.