Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"This is one of those where like, explain to me anything that makes sense. That ticks all the boxes, that explains everything in a reasonable way at least, and it doesn't even get close." — Britt
"I mean, there are too many things that just don't add up. And without knowing all of the details behind why the FBI makes this decision, Arnold and Ruby's families are furious." — Ashley Flowers
"The only thing I can think of is maybe mistakes made early in the investigation. And this is kind of the family's theory, too, because they point to that second round of lab test results, because they wonder if that report hadn't been released because it showed authorities missed something or messed something up, and they don't want that getting out." — Ashley Flowers
The episode recounts the 1992 disappearance of Arnold Arshambo and Ruby Bruegert after a car accident in South Dakota, initially witnessed by Tracy Dion, a 17-year-old who was also in the vehicle. Dion reported that after the crash, she was trapped in the overturned car while Arnold and Ruby vanished. Despite extensive searches of the surrounding area, including a ditch and nearby woods, no trace of the couple was found for months. Authorities initially considered the possibility of a DUI-related flight but were met with skepticism from friends and family who described Arnold and Ruby as responsible individuals with strong family ties.
The case took a grim turn in March 1993 when Ruby's body was discovered in the ditch near the accident site, followed by Arnold's body shortly after the ditch was drained. The discovery raised significant questions due to the bodies' proximity to meticulously searched areas and discrepancies in decomposition rates, suggesting they may have been placed there after the initial searches. Further complicating matters were the coroner's inability to determine a specific cause of death beyond exposure and inconsistencies regarding the depth and condition of the ditch at the time of the accident, making the timeline of events unclear.
Persistent anomalies, including unexplained keys found on Arnold and conflicting witness sightings of the couple alive after their supposed deaths, fueled suspicions of foul play and a potential cover-up. The investigation faced numerous roadblocks, including the withholding of a second lab report and the eventual closure of the case by the FBI in 1999 due to insufficient evidence of foul play. The episode concludes by highlighting the families' frustration, the community's concerns about potential bias due to the couple's Native American heritage, and the lingering questions surrounding the case, emphasizing the ongoing need for answers.