Author Jax Miller discusses her book Hell in the Heartland, which tells the story of a terrible crime in rural Oklahoma: two parents murdered and two teen girls missing. The podcast explores themes of grief, trauma, police corruption, and the search for justice. It also discusses potential suspects, lack of media attention, new leads, and the emotional impact of crime journalism.
The investigation into the brutal murders and disappearance of two teenage girls in rural Oklahoma in 1999 was plagued by mishandling of the crime scene, lost evidence, and allegations of police corruption.
Despite the challenges and the passage of time, the families of the victims, along with new investigators, remain determined to find answers, seek justice, and bring closure to the case.
Deep dives
The Freeman Family and the Tragic Events
The podcast episode examines the devastating events that took place in rural Oklahoma in 1999, where the Freeman family, consisting of Kathy, Danny, and their daughter Ashley, were brutally murdered and Ashley's best friend Laura Bible went missing. The Freeman family lived in a secluded trailer home, and on the night of December 29th, which happened to be Ashley's birthday, the girls celebrated, but the next morning, their trailer was found on fire. Upon investigation, Kathy's body was discovered, and it was later confirmed that both Kathy and Danny had been shot to death before the fire. The two teenage girls were nowhere to be found.
Potential Suspects and Theories
The podcast delves into the investigation into the murders and the search for the missing girls. Over the years, various theories and potential suspects arose, including the involvement of local drug dealers and possible police corruption. One significant lead pointed towards three men named Phil Welch, David Pennington, and Ronnie Busek, who allegedly had connections to the victims and ties to the drug trade. However, Welch and Pennington had already passed away, and Busek, due to his limited cognitive abilities resulting from brain damage, provided inconsistent information. Despite this, the authorities considered these men as possible culprits.
Challenges in the Investigation
The podcast highlights the difficulties faced by law enforcement and the families of the victims throughout the investigation. The initial response to the crime scene was marred by mishandling, with members of the community trampling over potential evidence. Additionally, there were allegations of lost evidence and possible conflicts of interest involving the local sheriff's office. The families, particularly the Bibles, who were Laura's parents, expressed frustration over the lack of progress in finding the girls and sought answers and justice.
Current Status and Continued Search
The podcast discusses the recent developments in the case, with new investigators taking over and actively working on leads. The families, along with the OSPI agents and the DA's investigators, continue to search for answers and the location of the girls' bodies. Despite the passage of time, the families remain determined to find closure and bring those responsible to justice. A $50,000 reward is still offered for any information leading to the discovery of the girls' remains.
This story centers on a terrible crime in 1999 rural Oklahoma. Two parents were murdered and two teenaged girls in the same trailer went missing. Author Jax Miller details the story in her book, Hell in the Heartland.
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