Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"Reese had stated that she was scared and depressed and when Geraldine questioned her, Reese indicated that Reese was in danger, Reese confided in Jerry that she was afraid that she would end up like her cousin Ray tore to a lot." — Detective Nathan Hatch
"Jackson County is not the only place anything like this has happened. There are lots of them. There have been bodies found in Vernon. Look across, marathon, and Juno counties all over the state. You have heads without bodies, bodies without heads, bodies without hands. Jackson County is not by itself in any way." — Jackson County Sheriff
"Why is that have to be our own? Are the only ones that keep that flame going? Why can't somebody else help us?" — Michelle (Reese's daughter)
This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the complex and disturbing pattern of dismemberment cases in Wisconsin, focusing on the unsolved murders of Ray Tortellot and Julia Baez. The investigation highlights a significant lack of coordination between law enforcement agencies across different jurisdictions, which has prevented a holistic approach to identifying potential serial offenders. The podcast details the findings of an independent research effort that uncovered at least 12 dismemberment victims in Wisconsin in the years surrounding Reese Pocan's murder, with many cases remaining unsolved and some victims unidentified.
The narrative then shifts to focus on the individual cases of Ray Tortellot and Julia Baez. Ray Tortellot, an 18-year-old indigenous woman, disappeared from the Monomony reservation in 1986. Her case is marked by delayed official recognition of foul play, challenges in gathering evidence due to the nature of her disappearance and the location, and a lack of cooperation from the FBI, who initially stated there was no evidence of a federal crime. Julia Baez, a mother of four, was abducted in Milwaukee in 1990. Her dismembered remains were discovered months later, but her case remained cold for decades due to a transient lifestyle and a lack of immediate reporting, compounded by what appears to be administrative oversights in police follow-ups.
A crucial point of connection revealed is that Reese Pocan had expressed fear of meeting the same fate as her cousin, Ray Tortellot, indicating a potential awareness of danger that was not fully investigated at the time. The episode underscores the profound emotional toll on the victims' families, who have been searching for answers and justice for years, often feeling overlooked and unsupported by the investigative process. The podcast concludes by urging listeners to come forward with any information and provides contact details for Detective Nathan Hatch to aid in these ongoing investigations.