This episode of True Crime Garage provides updates on the Boardman Murders, discussing the breakthroughs in two unsolved cases of three boys who were murdered in the early 1970s. The chapter explores the suspicious death of another young boy, featuring disagreements with the coroner's findings. The podcast also covers the progress in the investigation of the Brad Bellino case, including the use of DNA evidence and the controversy surrounding testimonies and sightings.
Joseph Norman Hill is identified as the likely perpetrator of Brad Bellino's murder through DNA evidence and police commend the efforts of former Chief Jeffrey Patterson in pursuing the case.
There are no significant connections between Brad Bellino's murder and the 1970 murder of Thomas Baird, as the autopsy of Brad Bellino shows he died quickly after leaving his friend's home and Baird communicated information about his attacker.
Boardman PD is seeking information about Joseph Hill's activities and connections in Ohio and California to uncover other potential crimes he may have committed.
Deep dives
Key Point 1: Boardman Police announce they know who was responsible for Brad Bellino's murder
Boardman Township Police announced that they believe Joseph Norman Hill, a former township resident who died in 2019, is responsible for the 1972 murder of 12-year-old Brad Bellino. Through DNA analysis and testing, investigators were able to link Joseph Hill to the crime with a 98.2% probability. The police praised the efforts of former Chief Jeffrey Patterson in reopening the case and pursuing DNA evidence.
Key Point 2: Bellino's murder was not connected to Thomas Baird's murder
Although there was speculation about a connection between Brad Bellino's murder and the 1970 murder of Thomas Baird, police clarified that there were significant differences in the cases, and Brad Bellino's autopsy revealed that he died quickly after leaving his friend's home the night he was killed. Police also mentioned that Thomas Baird communicated information about his attacker, suggesting that the cases were not connected.
Key Point 3: Hill's lack of connection to the Bellino family and community
Investigation revealed that there was no connection between Joseph Hill and Brad Bellino, his family, or the Bellino community. Hill owned a gold Monte Carlo and moved to California in 1978, residing in different locations until his death in 2019. Boardman PD is seeking information about Hill's activities and connections, both in Ohio and California, to potentially uncover other crimes he may have committed.
Key Point 4: Boardman PD's commitment to the case
Boardman Police Department dedicated significant resources, time, and manpower to solve Brad Bellino's murder over the course of 50 years. They spent over $29,000 on testing physical evidence and pursued leads and DNA analysis. Their relentless efforts and the closing of the case demonstrate their commitment to seeking justice for Bellino and ensuring safety for the community.
Key Point 5: Community impact and closure
The resolution of Brad Bellino's case brings closure not only to his family but also to the community of Boardman, Ohio. The announcement emphasizes that the community will not tolerate unsolved crimes against children and sends a powerful message that law enforcement will work tirelessly to find answers and hold perpetrators accountable.
Last year we covered the unsolved murders of three boys. The murders all occurred in Boardman, Ohio in the early 1970’s. Those episodes are #567 to #570 on your Garage Radio Dial. In 2023 these three cases that remained unsolved for over fifty years, detectives made big breaks in two of the cases. Please join us this week for a couple of happier days in the Garage and we discuss the big breaks, the updates and finally getting the answers for the families and this wonderful community that has been haunted for decades by the killings of three of there own. If you have any further information regarding this case please reach out to the good detectives of the Boardman PD @ 1-330-726-4144
Beer of the Week - Nosferatu Red IPA by The Great Lakes Brewing Company
Garage Grade - 4 out of 5 bottle caps
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