Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"But sometimes it takes a little podcast and three years of work to get people working together and thinking outside of the box." — Britt
"Indigenous people, especially those who go missing or are murdered, are treated vastly different than their white counterparts." — Host
"There are just too many pieces of the puzzle still missing basically, there's like a lot of smoke here but they can't find the fire." — Britt
This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the multi-year investigation surrounding the murder of Reese Pocan, an Indigenous woman from Milwaukee whose remains were discovered in Shaboygan County, Wisconsin, years apart and across jurisdictions. The initial discovery of a decomposed body with missing head and hands in 1989 was initially classified as undetermined due to potential animal predation. However, the subsequent discovery of human hands in a different county and persistent investigation eventually led to the identification of the victim as Reese Pocan, who had been reported missing in August 1989.
The investigation highlights significant challenges, including jurisdictional barriers, initial underestimation of the case's severity, and a lack of resources. The narrative also brings to light the systemic neglect and apathy often faced by Indigenous women who go missing or are murdered, a point emphasized by Reese's daughter, Michelle. The episode traces the timeline of Reese's last known movements, her relationships with ex-boyfriend Larry and boyfriend Chris, and the various tips and potential suspects that emerged over the decades. The current investigation, led by Detective Nathan Hatch, is actively pursuing leads, re-interviewing suspects, and collaborating with federal agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs, suggesting a potential connection to a larger pattern of unsolved crimes in the region.
The podcast utilizes direct interviews with Reese's daughter Charlie, the retired Medical Examiner, and Detective Hatch to provide a comprehensive and emotional perspective. The story underscores the complexities of cold case investigations, the importance of dedicated investigators like Detective Hatch, and the ongoing struggle for justice for victims like Reese Pocan and potentially others connected to a suspected serial killer in Wisconsin. The narrative concludes by suggesting that the investigation is actively exploring connections to other dismemberment cases in the state, promising further revelations in upcoming episodes.