Up and Vanished Up and Vanished Weekly | VANISHED: Denise Griffin
10 snips
Oct 15, 2025 Laurah Norton, an investigative podcaster and author known for her work on cold cases, joins the discussion to explore the chilling case of Joel Rifkin, a serial killer whose victims include identified and unidentified women. They dive into the possibility that Denise Griffin may be among those victims, investigating forensic leads and the importance of family DNA samples. Laurah also sheds light on the challenges of utilizing partial DNA profiles and the stigma surrounding sex work that complicates victim identification.
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Discovery During High-Speed Chase
- New York State troopers chased a truck and found a decomposing woman in the vehicle after a collision on June 28, 1993.
- The driver was arrested and later connected to a string of murders attributed to Joel Rifkin.
Rifkin's Modus Operandi And Sentence
- Joel Rifkin admitted to killing and dismembering multiple women and disposing of parts across New York waterways and sites.
- He was convicted of nine counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to 203 years in prison.
Photo Identification Of Suspected Victim
- Authorities showed Rifkin photos of sex workers from the era to identify victims and he pointed to Denise Griffin as resembling victim six.
- Victim six's body was never found, and Rifkin later said Denise was 'more likely than not' to be victim six.
