"And as we all know, a lot of the time, it just takes the right person hearing a story to be able to find justice and bring closure to families and loved ones." — Ashley Flowers
"This is a quintessential challenge loved ones of missing Indigenous persons' face all too often. Overlapped between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement jurisdictions is a major herp barrier in addressing the missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis, often causing confusion over the responsibility for investigations." — Britt (paraphrased sentiment from Kelsey Turner reporting)
"We are hoping the police will find her body. I want some miracle to happen, but I'm a logical man. We're at the point of dealing with the reality we will never see Abigail again." — Doug Andrews (paraphrased from Sam Cooper reporting)
This episode, dedicated to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Month, brings to light the often-overlooked crisis through a detailed examination of five distinct cases. The narrative begins with the unsolved murder of Terry McCulley in 1983, highlighting the challenges of early investigations, the impact of decomposition, and the eventual identification of a suspect through circumstantial evidence, yet without a conviction. The episode then transitions to the chilling 911 call of Alyssa McLemore in 2009, illustrating the initial hesitance of law enforcement to escalate the case, the systemic misidentification of her ethnicity in databases, and the profound lack of progress despite persistent family advocacy.
Further cases include the disappearance of Kendra Battello in 2022, where family struggles with mental health and substance use disorder complicate the investigation, and the disappearance of her boyfriend, Colby Shepard, adds another layer of mystery. The episode also covers the case of Kit Mora, a minor who disappeared from Omak, Washington, detailing failures in school and law enforcement oversight, inter-jurisdictional challenges, and the eventual acknowledgement of the case by law enforcement after significant delays. Finally, the story of Abigail Andrews, a pregnant Métis woman from British Columbia who disappeared in 2010, underscores the family's ongoing anguish, the police's belief that a suspect exists but lacks sufficient evidence for charges, and the Métis community's fight against being forgotten.
Across these narratives, a recurring theme is the systemic neglect, insufficient resources, and jurisdictional complexities that hinder investigations into MMIP cases. The podcast emphasizes the critical role of community awareness, advocacy, and the hope that sharing these stories can lead to vital tips and ultimately, justice and closure for the families involved. The episode concludes by directing listeners to resources and encouraging them to share the stories to help bring attention to the broader MMIP crisis.