October 31, 2024 • 30 mins
What happened to Christine Hurlburt on a fateful night in 1968? Step back in time with us as we uncover the story of a vibrant teenager whose disappearance rocked the community of Holyoke, Massachusetts. Against the backdrop of a nation caught in the storm of sociopolitical upheaval, we explore how Christine's mysterious fate intertwined with the fabric of a small town. From her dreams of becoming a music teacher to the moments leading up to her last known whereabouts, we piece together the tapestry of her short-lived life in a city grappling with change. The search for Christine became a poignant chapter in Holyoke's history, a period marked by a community's relentless pursuit of answers in the face of daunting challenges. As we walk through the evidence and theories considered by detectives, you'll gain insight into the complexities of this unsolved murder mystery and the enduring questions that still haunt investigators today. This episode is more than a journey into a cold case; it is an exploration of the human spirit and resilience. We invite you to engage with us, to be part of the conversation, and perhaps even contribute your perspectives. Your engagement could be instrumental in breathing new life into an old case that still casts a shadow over Holyoke. Join us on this path of discovery, as we honor Christine and seek justice for a family and community still yearning for closure.
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Be Weird. Stay Different. Don't Trust Anyone!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
The world is dark and twisted, but somehow we find
the light.
We dive into the darkness, fromparanormal to true crime.
Welcome to Dark CrossroadsPodcast, hosted by Roxanne
Fletcher.
This is your stop for allthings true crime and paranormal
(01:14):
From the infamous story of theNew Bedford Highway Killer to
the chilling tale of the BlackEyed Children, dark Crossroads
Podcast is a truly deep diveinto the stories that frighten
and fascinate you.
All links to the show will beprovided in this episode's
description, and don't forget tolet us know what you think of
today's episode so we can makeit better when you can find your
(01:43):
way home, we'll hear, pickedour crossroads.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Hey guys, today we're going to be going back in time
to 1968, a year of seismicshifts in American culture, from
the devastating assassinationsof Martin Luther King Jr and
Robert F Kennedy to the heightof the Vietnam War protests.
But away from the nationalheadlines, in the small city of
(02:13):
Holyoke, massachusetts, atragedy was about to unfold that
would haunt the community fordecades to come.
October 5th of 1968, as the sunset on a crisp autumn Saturday,
16-year-old Christine Hurlburtwas getting ready for a night
out at Mountain Park, a localamusement park and dance hall.
(02:35):
She kissed her parents goodbye,promising to be home by her
curfew, but little did anyoneknow that this would be the last
time the Hurlburt family wouldsee their daughter alive.
In this episode, we're going tobe walking you through
Christine's story, the events ofthat fateful night, the
desperate search that followedand the ongoing quest for
(02:55):
justice that spans more thanfive decades.
We'll transport you back to1960s, holyoke, massachusetts,
examining every detail of thisperplexing case.
But this isn't just a storyabout a crime.
It's a story about a vibrantyoung life cut way too short, a
family that was forever changedand a community's loss of
(03:18):
innocence.
It's a devastating reminderthat behind every cold case file
is a human story waiting to betold.
As we delve into this case, Iwant you, our listeners, to
imagine yourselves as part ofthis investigation.
What details stand out to you?
What questions would you haveasked?
Your fresh perspectives mightjust be the key to unlocking
(03:40):
this decades-old mystery.
No detail is too small, andit's never too late for the
truth to come to light.
Close your eyes for a moment andpicture this it's October in
the year 1968 in Holyoke,massachusetts.
The leaves are turningbrilliant shades of red and gold
, there is a crisp chill in theair and the city is buzzing with
(04:02):
the energy of change.
Holyoke, which is known as thePaper City, was a bustling
industrial town with apopulation of about 52,000
people.
Picture busy streets lined withbrick buildings, paper mills
churning out products andteenagers hanging out at local
diners discussing the latestBeatles album or debating the
(04:24):
merits of the ongoing VietnamWar.
Holyoke in 1968 was a city intransition.
The textile industry wasdeclining, but there was still a
strong sense of community.
You had this mix of longtimeresidents and new immigrants,
primarily from Puerto Rico.
The city was grappling witheconomic challenges, but there
(04:46):
was also this undercurrent ofoptimism.
The younger generation waspushing for change, both locally
and as part of the broadernational movements.
For those of you that are notfamiliar with Holyoke, mountain
Park was more than just anamusement park.
It was the heart ofentertainment in this region.
Perched on Mount Tom, thisbeloved park had been drawing
(05:10):
crowds since the late 1800s.
Mountain Park was the place tobe.
On the weekends there wererides, but for the teenagers at
the time it was all about theballroom.
Every Saturday night there'd bea dance, live bands.
The latest hits it was theirown little piece of Woodstock.
The latest hits it was theirown little piece of Woodstock.
(05:30):
Everyone who was anyone wouldbe there.
It was innocent fun until itwasn't.
The Mountain Park Ballroom isthe key to our story.
This grand venue hosted dancesand concerts drawing young
people from all over the region.
It was here, on a Saturdaynight in October, that the story
begins October 5th 1968.
The occasion was a dance at theMountain Park Ballroom.
(05:53):
As the sun set and the lightsof Mountain Park flickered to
life, hundreds of teenagers madetheir way to this ballroom,
excited for a night of music anddancing.
Among them was Christine,unaware that she was about to
become the center of a mysterythat would baffle investigators
for decades to come.
But before we delve into theevents of that night, let's take
(06:16):
a moment to get to knowChristine.
After all, she is more thanjust a case file.
She was a vibrant young womanwith dreams, fears and a whole
life ahead of her.
Christine Ann Hurlburt was bornon March 15th of 1952.
She was a junior at HolyokeHigh School.
She was known for her friendlydemeanor and her passion for
(06:38):
music.
Her younger brother, michael,described her as always humming
or singing something.
Christine's best friend, susanname changed for privacy
purposes, of course shared thismemory.
Chris was the kind of friendthat everybody wanted to have.
She was always ready with ajoke or a kind word.
She had this dream of becominga music teacher Used to say she
(06:59):
wanted to bring music to everykid in Holyoke.
It's hard to think about allthe things that she never got to
do with her life.
As we move forward in our story, I want you to keep Christine
in mind, not as a victim, but asa 16-year-old girl full of life
and potential.
It is this Christine, thesinger, the friend, the daughter
, whose story we're here to tellNow, back to October 5th of
(07:22):
1968, a Saturday like any otherin Holyoke, but one that would
soon be etched into the city'smemory.
To be able to make it moredigestible, I broke down what we
know about Christine'smovements on this day.
In the morning, christine helpsher mother with household chores
, discussing her plans for theevening dance.
In the afternoon she spendstime with her friend Susan
(07:45):
picking out an outfit for thisdance.
In the early evening, around7pm, christine leaves her home
at 245 Franklin Street tellingher parents that she's going to
Mountain Park Dance.
At 7.30pm approximately,christine arrives at Mountain
Park Ballroom with a group offriends.
At 9.45pm that night.
(08:06):
The last confirmed sighting ofChristine was at the dance.
11 pm that night wasChristine's curfew.
She never returned home andthis is when her parents begin
to worry.
Now let's set the stage forthat fateful night.
The Mountain Park Ballroom isalive with energy.
Over 800 people have gatheredfor this dance.
(08:27):
Picture a sea of bell-bottoms,miniskirts and the latest 60s
fashions.
The air is electric, with thesound of laughter, chatter and
the latest hits blaring from thespeakers.
Among the crowd is Christine.
She's wearing a blue blouse anda sweater her favorite outfit.
She's dancing with her friends,likely excited about the night
(08:49):
ahead, completely unaware thatthese are her final hours.
To give you a sense of theatmosphere that night, it was a
typical Saturday night dance.
The band was playing covers ofthe Beatles, the Doors.
One person quoted that theyremember Hello, I Love you was a
big hit that night.
Everybody was just having thegreatest time.
(09:09):
This person also stated theydidn't know Christine personally
, but they remember seeing herthere.
She was dancing, laughing withher friends.
It was surreal to think aboutthat now, but as the night wore
on, something went wrong.
At some point Christineseparated from her friends.
It's unclear exactly when orwhy this happened, but her
friend Susan recalls we were alldancing together and then I
(09:33):
don't know, maybe around 9.30 orso, I realized I couldn't see
Chris anymore.
I figured that she had gone tothe bathroom or stepped outside
for some air.
We weren't too worried at first, but then she never came back.
This is the point where thingsstart to get murky.
We don't know exactly whathappened after Christine was
(09:53):
last seen at this dance.
Did she leave with somebody?
Did she try to walk home?
Was she taken against her will?
These questions have plaguedinvestigators for decades.
What we do know is that by 11pm Christine hadn't returned
home and her parents had begunto worry.
And by the next day, on October6th, her parents had reported
(10:14):
her missing to the HolyokePolice Crime Prevention Bureau.
And just like that, a missingpersons case was started, one
that would soon turn intosomething far more sinister.
Now I want you to put yourselfin the shoes of the
investigators now.
What questions would you beasking?
Who would you want to talk toas we move into this next
segment about the search forChristine?
(10:36):
Keep these questions in mind.
Your fresh perspectives mightjust shed some new light on this
decades-old case.
As the news of Christine'sdisappearance spread, the
Holyoke community sprang intoaction.
This is a breakdown of thesearch efforts.
On October 6th, the policebegin their investigation,
(10:56):
interviewing Christine's friendsand other attendees at the
dance.
On October 7th, the firstorganized search parties are
formed, focusing on the areasaround Mountain Park and the
routes Christine might havetaken home.
On October 8th through 11th,the search expands.
Flyers with Christine'sdescription are distributed
(11:17):
throughout Holyoke andneighboring towns.
Local media begins covering thestory To give you a sense of
the community's involvement.
A retired police officer who wasa rookie cop at the time of her
disappearance, stated I hadnever seen anything like this.
The whole town just cametogether.
We had volunteers from allwalks of life Teachers, factory
(11:39):
workers, housewives all were outsearching.
You could feel the tension inthe air.
Everybody was hoping that wewould find Christine safe and
sound.
But as the days went by, thathope slowly started to fade.
The search was extensive,covering not just the immediate
area around Mountain Park butalso expanding into the
(12:00):
surrounding woods andneighborhoods.
People were out there from dawntill dusk calling her name,
looking for any sign of her.
People stated that theyremember thinking how vast the
woods seemed, how easy it wouldbe for somebody to hide
something out there.
It was a scary thought to many.
They all wanted to find her,but deep down they were also
(12:22):
afraid of what they might find.
As the days turned into a week,the community's worst fears
were about to be realized.
But before we get to that,let's take a moment to consider
the investigation.
Up to this point the police hadbeen working tirelessly,
following every lead that theycould.
They'd interviewed dozens ofpeople who were at the Mountain
(12:42):
Park dance that night.
They searched Christine's roomlooking for any clues about
where she might have gone or whoshe might have been with.
One of the challenges theyfaced was the sheer number of
potential witnesses.
With over 800 people at thisdance, piecing together a clear
timeline of events was adaunting task.
(13:03):
Also, as the days passed,memories became less reliable.
One of the biggest hurdles in acase like this is time.
Every hour that passes makes itharder to find physical
evidence, harder for witnessesto remember crucial details, and
in Christine's case there wasthe added complication of the
(13:23):
mountain park location.
It was a popular spot, withpeople coming and going all the
time.
Distinguishing between usualactivity and something
suspicious becomes incrediblychallenging.
As the search continued,tensions in Holyoke were rising.
Parents were keeping a muchcloser eye on their children.
The carefree atmosphere thathad characterized Mountain Park
(13:46):
was replaced by a sense ofunease.
The community was about tolearn a harsh lesson about the
fragility of safety andinnocence.
Little did anyone know the mostheart-wrenching turn in this
investigation was yet to come.
On October 12th of 1968, exactlyone week after Christine's
(14:06):
disappearance, in a twist offate that can only be described
as heartbreaking, it wasn't thepolice or search parties who
made the grim discovery.
It was Christine's own family.
Christine's father, thomas, andher 15-year-old brother,
michael, had decided to conducttheir own search.
Perhaps driven by a father'sintuition or complete
(14:28):
desperation, they set out to anarea off the Mountain Park
access road.
Try to imagine this scene afather and son fueled by a mix
of hope and dread, pushingthrough the autumn foliage.
Then a flash of recognitionChristine's shoe lying a few
yards away from where they wouldfind her body.
The moment of discovery waslater recounted by Michael in a
(14:50):
statement to the police.
This is an excerpt from thatstatement.
I saw the shoe first.
I knew it was hers.
I called out to my dad and westarted searching frantically.
That's when we found her.
She was lying there, partiallycovered by leaves.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
It didn't look real.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
It looked like a horrible dream that I could not
wake up from.
I remember my dad telling menot to look, but I couldn't turn
away.
That's my sister.
The police and the medicalexaminer were immediately called
to the scene.
The grim details that emergedpainted a horrifying picture of
Christine's final moments.
The medical examiner wouldlater determine that Christine
had died from multiple blows tothe head and of strangulation.
(15:30):
She was found with a sweateraround her neck, her blue blouse
covering the lower part of herbody.
This discovery turned a missingperson's case into a homicide
investigation, sendingshockwaves through the community
and leaving a family devastated.
Based on the reports, it appearsthat Christine had been
(15:50):
deceased for several days whenshe was found.
The multiple blows to the headsuggested a violent attack,
possibly with a blunt object thestrangulation.
This indicates a very personal,close contact form of violence.
It's not an easy thing to talkabout, but understanding these
details is crucial for piecingtogether what happened.
(16:11):
One detail that puzzledinvestigators was the location
of where Christine was found.
It was an area that had beensearched earlier in the week.
This raised a troublingquestion had Christine's body
been moved after her death orhad the initial searches simply
missed her.
Another crucial piece ofinformation came from a group of
(16:33):
Mount Holyoke College students.
They had been in the exact areawhere Christine was found just
four days earlier enjoying thefall foliage.
They reported seeing nothingsuspicious at the time.
This timeline suggests thatChristine's body was placed in
this location sometime betweenOctober 8th and October 12th.
(16:54):
This crucial detail wouldbecome a focal point of the
investigation.
The discovery of her body sentripples of shock and fear
through Holyoke.
The community that had cometogether in hope during the
search was now united in griefand in fear.
A local reporter at the timestated that they have covered
(17:14):
many stories in their career,but nothing quite like this.
The mood in Holyoke changedovernight.
There was this palpable senseof loss of innocence that was
shattered.
People were scared and angry.
They wanted answers and theywanted them fast.
There was vigils and demandsfor justice.
It was a community in mourning,but also a community determined
(17:37):
to find the truth.
As the news of Christine'smurder began to spread, the
investigation entered a new,more intense phase.
But before we delve into that,let's take a moment to remember
Christine as she was in life andnot just as a victim.
Her high school yearbook, whichwas published after her death
(17:57):
included this tribute from herclassmates Christine Hurlburt,
1952-1968.
A melody that was cut short toosoon.
Your laughter and kindness willecho in our hearts forever.
As we move into the next phaseof our story, the investigation,
I want you, our listeners, tokeep Christine in mind.
(18:20):
Remember that behind every coldcase file is a human story, a
life full of potential,tragically cut short.
It's in honor of Christine andall victims like her that we
continue to seek the truth, nomatter how much time has passed.
With the discovery ofChristine's body, the
investigation kicked into highgear.
(18:41):
The Holyoke Police Department,assisted by the Massachusetts
State Police, launched afull-scale homicide
investigation.
This is a breakdown of theinitial investigation the crime
scene, where investigatorsmeticulously combed the area
where Christine was found,collecting any potential
evidence.
They were particularlyinterested in understanding why
(19:03):
this location had been chosen.
The timeline, where detectivesworked to establish a detailed
timeline of Christine's lastknown movements.
This included re-interviewingeverybody that had been at the
Mountain Park dance Potentialsuspects, where the
investigation cast a wide net.
Looking into Christine'spersonal life, her friends and
(19:25):
even examining any recentparolees in the area, with a
history of violent crimes.
And last, physical evidence,while details about physical
evidence have been kept underwraps by investigators.
We know that Christine'sclothing and items found at the
scene were sent for forensicanalysis To give us insight into
(19:45):
how such an investigation wouldhave been conducted.
In 1968, we gained some insightfrom a retired detective who had
worked similar cases duringthis era.
A quote from this detective isYou've got to remember, this was
before DNA testing, before alot of forensic techniques that
is around today.
They relied heavily on witnessstatements, on building
(20:07):
timelines, on good old-fashioneddetective work.
In a case like this, with somany potential witnesses from
the dance, it would have been amassive undertaking to interview
every single one of them,cross-reference statements and
then try to piece together whathappened.
One of the key challenges thatinvestigators faced was the lack
of obvious suspects.
(20:27):
Christine was well-liked withno known enemies.
This led them to consider thepossibility that her murder
might have been a crime ofopportunity rather than a
targeted attack.
The nature of the crime, theblunt force, trauma and the
strangulation suggested a highlevel of personal violence.
This often indicates that theperpetrator knew the victim.
(20:48):
However, the seemingly randomnature of Christine's
disappearance from a crowdedevent could point to an
opportunistic crime.
It is this contradiction thatmakes this case so puzzling.
As the investigation progressed, several theories emerged the
known assailant theory this wasa theory that Christine had left
(21:09):
the dance willingly withsomebody that she knew and the
encounter possibly turnedviolent.
The stranger abduction theorythis suggested that Christine
was forcibly taken by a stranger, possibly somebody who had been
watching the comings and goingsat Mountain Park.
The Mountain Perpetrator'sTheory Some investigators
(21:30):
believed that the crime mighthave involved more than one
person.
Given the difficulty ofsubduing a victim and moving a
body without being noticed.
Each of these theories has itsstrengths and its weaknesses and
over the years, investigatorshave revisited them multiple
times.
One aspect of the case that hascontinued to baffle
(21:52):
investigators is the locationwhere her body was found.
The location is puzzling for acouple of reasons.
First, it's an area that hadbeen searched earlier in the
week, which suggests that thebody was moved there later.
Second, it is not an easy spotto access, especially if you're
carrying a body.
It implies that the perpetratoreither knew the area quite well
(22:16):
or took a significant risk.
Either way, it's a crucialpiece of the puzzle.
As weeks quickly turned intomonths and months turned into
years, the investigationcontinued, but solid leads were
hard to come by.
The case remained open, butactive investigation gradually
slowed, as it often does in coldcases.
(22:38):
Christine's case would seerenewed interest decades later,
thanks to advancements inforensic technology and a new
generation of investigators thatwere determined to solve this
cold case.
In 1998, 30 years afterChristine's murder, the case was
reopened as part of a cold caseinitiative.
(22:59):
Detective Mark Sullivan, wholed this renewed investigation,
shared these insights.
When we reopened the case, wehad the advantage of new
forensic techniques,particularly DNA analysis.
We re-examined all the physicalevidence that had been
preserved.
While I can't go into specificsdue to the ongoing nature of
(23:22):
the investigation, I can saythat we were able to develop new
leads that weren't possible in1968.
This renewed investigation alsolooked into potential
connections with other unsolvedcases in the area.
One case that drew particularattention was the murder of
13-year-old Danny Cruteau inneighboring Springfield in 1972.
(23:45):
While there's no concreteevidence linking these cases,
the proximity in both time andlocation has led some to wonder
if there could be a possibleconnection.
Could the same person beresponsible for both crimes?
These are the questions thathave haunted investigators and
the community for over fivedecades.
As we move into our finalsegment, we'll look at where the
(24:08):
case stands today and thelasting impact it has had on
Holyoke and beyond.
The impact of Christine's murderon Holyoke was profound and it
was long-lasting.
A community that once felt safewas now looking over its
shoulder.
Parents held their children alittle bit more closer.
The carefree atmosphere ofevents like the Mountain Park
(24:31):
dances were forever changed.
Holyoke was never the sameafter Christine's murder.
It was almost like a light wentout.
People were more cautious anddefinitely more suspicious.
Mountain Park, which had beenthis place of joy and fun.
It took on this darker tone.
Parents were being muchstricter about where children
went and who they were with.
(24:51):
It was like the whole city lostits innocence.
For the Hurlburt family, thepain is unimaginable.
They've lived for over 50 yearswithout any answers, without
justice for Christine.
While the family has largelyavoided public statements over
the years, christine's brother,michael, shared this thought
with the public.
Not a day goes by that I don'tthink about Christine, about
(25:15):
what happened to her, about allthe life that she never got to
live.
Our family has never been thesame.
We want justice, of course wewant justice, but more than that
, we want answers and we want toknow why Today, christine's
case still remains open.
It is listed as the first caseon the unsolved homicides
section of the Hampton CountyDistrict Attorney's website.
(25:36):
Investigators still hope forthat one crucial piece of
information that could breakthis case wide open.
The following is a snippet ofan interview that District
Attorney Elena Sanchez providedabout the case.
This case remains an activeinvestigation.
While it's been over fivedecades, we have not given up.
(25:56):
Advances in forensic technologymean we're constantly
re-examining evidence.
We believe that someone outthere knows something and we
urge them to come forward.
It's never too late for justice.
This statement brings us to you, our listeners.
Somebody out there does knowsomething.
Maybe it's a detail that seemedunimportant at the time.
(26:19):
Maybe it's a conversation thatwas overheard years ago.
No piece of information is toosmall for this case.
If you have any informationabout Christina's case, please
contact the Hampton CountyDistrict Attorney's Office.
You can find their contactinformation on their website,
which isunsolvedmassachusettscom.
(26:40):
Christine's case serves as astark reminder of the
long-lasting impact the unsolvedcrimes have on families and
also on communities.
It's a call for justice thathas echoed through the decades,
a mystery that still continuesto haunt Holyoke.
As we close this episode, we'releft with many questions.
(27:01):
Will justice ever truly beserved for Christine?
Will her family ever get theanswers that they've sought for
so long?
Her case may be cold, but it isfar from forgotten.
Thank you for joining us onthis journey into one of
Massachusetts' most perplexingcold cases.
Remember that it is truly nevertoo late for the truth to come
(27:22):
to light.
Every mystery has a solution.
We just haven't found this oneyet.
Alrighty, so it's that time,guys, to say goodbye, but before
I do so, I just want to send athank you to all of my listeners
(27:44):
for your continued love andsupport and for sending in cases
that you want covered andstories that you want read on
the podcast.
We truly accept all stories,including scary, paranormal and
funny.
Any cases you want covered orstories that you want read on
the podcast, just please sendthem in to darkcrossroadspodcast
at gmailcom.
Thank you for hanging out againtoday and if you want any more
(28:06):
information about the podcast orcases and stories that we cover
, then head on over to thewebsite at
wwwdarkcrossroadspodcastcom.
There you can find all of theinformation about the podcast, a
link to our merch and also ourblog covering all of the cases
that we cover.
You can also find us on allsocial media platforms.
(28:27):
Don't forget to like share ratereview, subscribe wherever
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(28:47):
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And with all of this said,please don't forget to be weird,
stay different and don't trustanyone.
Thank you.
The world is dark and twisted, but somehow we find
the light.
We dive into the darkness, fromparanormal to true crime.
Welcome to Dark CrossroadsPodcast, hosted by Roxanne
Fletcher.
This is your stop for allthings true crime and paranormal
(01:14):
From the infamous story of theNew Bedford Highway Killer to
the chilling tale of the BlackEyed Children, dark Crossroads
Podcast is a truly deep diveinto the stories that frighten
and fascinate you.
All links to the show will beprovided in this episode's
description, and don't forget tolet us know what you think of
today's episode so we can makeit better when you can find your
(01:43):
way home, we'll hear, pickedour crossroads.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Hey guys, today we're going to be going back in time
to 1968, a year of seismicshifts in American culture, from
the devastating assassinationsof Martin Luther King Jr and
Robert F Kennedy to the heightof the Vietnam War protests.
But away from the nationalheadlines, in the small city of
(02:13):
Holyoke, massachusetts, atragedy was about to unfold that
would haunt the community fordecades to come.
October 5th of 1968, as the sunset on a crisp autumn Saturday,
16-year-old Christine Hurlburtwas getting ready for a night
out at Mountain Park, a localamusement park and dance hall.
(02:35):
She kissed her parents goodbye,promising to be home by her
curfew, but little did anyoneknow that this would be the last
time the Hurlburt family wouldsee their daughter alive.
In this episode, we're going tobe walking you through
Christine's story, the events ofthat fateful night, the
desperate search that followedand the ongoing quest for
(02:55):
justice that spans more thanfive decades.
We'll transport you back to1960s, holyoke, massachusetts,
examining every detail of thisperplexing case.
But this isn't just a storyabout a crime.
It's a story about a vibrantyoung life cut way too short, a
family that was forever changedand a community's loss of
(03:18):
innocence.
It's a devastating reminderthat behind every cold case file
is a human story waiting to betold.
As we delve into this case, Iwant you, our listeners, to
imagine yourselves as part ofthis investigation.
What details stand out to you?
What questions would you haveasked?
Your fresh perspectives mightjust be the key to unlocking
(03:40):
this decades-old mystery.
No detail is too small, andit's never too late for the
truth to come to light.
Close your eyes for a moment andpicture this it's October in
the year 1968 in Holyoke,massachusetts.
The leaves are turningbrilliant shades of red and gold
, there is a crisp chill in theair and the city is buzzing with
(04:02):
the energy of change.
Holyoke, which is known as thePaper City, was a bustling
industrial town with apopulation of about 52,000
people.
Picture busy streets lined withbrick buildings, paper mills
churning out products andteenagers hanging out at local
diners discussing the latestBeatles album or debating the
(04:24):
merits of the ongoing VietnamWar.
Holyoke in 1968 was a city intransition.
The textile industry wasdeclining, but there was still a
strong sense of community.
You had this mix of longtimeresidents and new immigrants,
primarily from Puerto Rico.
The city was grappling witheconomic challenges, but there
(04:46):
was also this undercurrent ofoptimism.
The younger generation waspushing for change, both locally
and as part of the broadernational movements.
For those of you that are notfamiliar with Holyoke, mountain
Park was more than just anamusement park.
It was the heart ofentertainment in this region.
Perched on Mount Tom, thisbeloved park had been drawing
(05:10):
crowds since the late 1800s.
Mountain Park was the place tobe.
On the weekends there wererides, but for the teenagers at
the time it was all about theballroom.
Every Saturday night there'd bea dance, live bands.
The latest hits it was theirown little piece of Woodstock.
The latest hits it was theirown little piece of Woodstock.
(05:30):
Everyone who was anyone wouldbe there.
It was innocent fun until itwasn't.
The Mountain Park Ballroom isthe key to our story.
This grand venue hosted dancesand concerts drawing young
people from all over the region.
It was here, on a Saturdaynight in October, that the story
begins October 5th 1968.
The occasion was a dance at theMountain Park Ballroom.
(05:53):
As the sun set and the lightsof Mountain Park flickered to
life, hundreds of teenagers madetheir way to this ballroom,
excited for a night of music anddancing.
Among them was Christine,unaware that she was about to
become the center of a mysterythat would baffle investigators
for decades to come.
But before we delve into theevents of that night, let's take
(06:16):
a moment to get to knowChristine.
After all, she is more thanjust a case file.
She was a vibrant young womanwith dreams, fears and a whole
life ahead of her.
Christine Ann Hurlburt was bornon March 15th of 1952.
She was a junior at HolyokeHigh School.
She was known for her friendlydemeanor and her passion for
(06:38):
music.
Her younger brother, michael,described her as always humming
or singing something.
Christine's best friend, susanname changed for privacy
purposes, of course shared thismemory.
Chris was the kind of friendthat everybody wanted to have.
She was always ready with ajoke or a kind word.
She had this dream of becominga music teacher Used to say she
(06:59):
wanted to bring music to everykid in Holyoke.
It's hard to think about allthe things that she never got to
do with her life.
As we move forward in our story, I want you to keep Christine
in mind, not as a victim, but asa 16-year-old girl full of life
and potential.
It is this Christine, thesinger, the friend, the daughter
, whose story we're here to tellNow, back to October 5th of
(07:22):
1968, a Saturday like any otherin Holyoke, but one that would
soon be etched into the city'smemory.
To be able to make it moredigestible, I broke down what we
know about Christine'smovements on this day.
In the morning, christine helpsher mother with household chores
, discussing her plans for theevening dance.
In the afternoon she spendstime with her friend Susan
(07:45):
picking out an outfit for thisdance.
In the early evening, around7pm, christine leaves her home
at 245 Franklin Street tellingher parents that she's going to
Mountain Park Dance.
At 7.30pm approximately,christine arrives at Mountain
Park Ballroom with a group offriends.
At 9.45pm that night.
(08:06):
The last confirmed sighting ofChristine was at the dance.
11 pm that night wasChristine's curfew.
She never returned home andthis is when her parents begin
to worry.
Now let's set the stage forthat fateful night.
The Mountain Park Ballroom isalive with energy.
Over 800 people have gatheredfor this dance.
(08:27):
Picture a sea of bell-bottoms,miniskirts and the latest 60s
fashions.
The air is electric, with thesound of laughter, chatter and
the latest hits blaring from thespeakers.
Among the crowd is Christine.
She's wearing a blue blouse anda sweater her favorite outfit.
She's dancing with her friends,likely excited about the night
(08:49):
ahead, completely unaware thatthese are her final hours.
To give you a sense of theatmosphere that night, it was a
typical Saturday night dance.
The band was playing covers ofthe Beatles, the Doors.
One person quoted that theyremember Hello, I Love you was a
big hit that night.
Everybody was just having thegreatest time.
(09:09):
This person also stated theydidn't know Christine personally
, but they remember seeing herthere.
She was dancing, laughing withher friends.
It was surreal to think aboutthat now, but as the night wore
on, something went wrong.
At some point Christineseparated from her friends.
It's unclear exactly when orwhy this happened, but her
friend Susan recalls we were alldancing together and then I
(09:33):
don't know, maybe around 9.30 orso, I realized I couldn't see
Chris anymore.
I figured that she had gone tothe bathroom or stepped outside
for some air.
We weren't too worried at first, but then she never came back.
This is the point where thingsstart to get murky.
We don't know exactly whathappened after Christine was
(09:53):
last seen at this dance.
Did she leave with somebody?
Did she try to walk home?
Was she taken against her will?
These questions have plaguedinvestigators for decades.
What we do know is that by 11pm Christine hadn't returned
home and her parents had begunto worry.
And by the next day, on October6th, her parents had reported
(10:14):
her missing to the HolyokePolice Crime Prevention Bureau.
And just like that, a missingpersons case was started, one
that would soon turn intosomething far more sinister.
Now I want you to put yourselfin the shoes of the
investigators now.
What questions would you beasking?
Who would you want to talk toas we move into this next
segment about the search forChristine?
(10:36):
Keep these questions in mind.
Your fresh perspectives mightjust shed some new light on this
decades-old case.
As the news of Christine'sdisappearance spread, the
Holyoke community sprang intoaction.
This is a breakdown of thesearch efforts.
On October 6th, the policebegin their investigation,
(10:56):
interviewing Christine's friendsand other attendees at the
dance.
On October 7th, the firstorganized search parties are
formed, focusing on the areasaround Mountain Park and the
routes Christine might havetaken home.
On October 8th through 11th,the search expands.
Flyers with Christine'sdescription are distributed
(11:17):
throughout Holyoke andneighboring towns.
Local media begins covering thestory To give you a sense of
the community's involvement.
A retired police officer who wasa rookie cop at the time of her
disappearance, stated I hadnever seen anything like this.
The whole town just cametogether.
We had volunteers from allwalks of life Teachers, factory
(11:39):
workers, housewives all were outsearching.
You could feel the tension inthe air.
Everybody was hoping that wewould find Christine safe and
sound.
But as the days went by, thathope slowly started to fade.
The search was extensive,covering not just the immediate
area around Mountain Park butalso expanding into the
(12:00):
surrounding woods andneighborhoods.
People were out there from dawntill dusk calling her name,
looking for any sign of her.
People stated that theyremember thinking how vast the
woods seemed, how easy it wouldbe for somebody to hide
something out there.
It was a scary thought to many.
They all wanted to find her,but deep down they were also
(12:22):
afraid of what they might find.
As the days turned into a week,the community's worst fears
were about to be realized.
But before we get to that,let's take a moment to consider
the investigation.
Up to this point the police hadbeen working tirelessly,
following every lead that theycould.
They'd interviewed dozens ofpeople who were at the Mountain
(12:42):
Park dance that night.
They searched Christine's roomlooking for any clues about
where she might have gone or whoshe might have been with.
One of the challenges theyfaced was the sheer number of
potential witnesses.
With over 800 people at thisdance, piecing together a clear
timeline of events was adaunting task.
(13:03):
Also, as the days passed,memories became less reliable.
One of the biggest hurdles in acase like this is time.
Every hour that passes makes itharder to find physical
evidence, harder for witnessesto remember crucial details, and
in Christine's case there wasthe added complication of the
(13:23):
mountain park location.
It was a popular spot, withpeople coming and going all the
time.
Distinguishing between usualactivity and something
suspicious becomes incrediblychallenging.
As the search continued,tensions in Holyoke were rising.
Parents were keeping a muchcloser eye on their children.
The carefree atmosphere thathad characterized Mountain Park
(13:46):
was replaced by a sense ofunease.
The community was about tolearn a harsh lesson about the
fragility of safety andinnocence.
Little did anyone know the mostheart-wrenching turn in this
investigation was yet to come.
On October 12th of 1968, exactlyone week after Christine's
(14:06):
disappearance, in a twist offate that can only be described
as heartbreaking, it wasn't thepolice or search parties who
made the grim discovery.
It was Christine's own family.
Christine's father, thomas, andher 15-year-old brother,
michael, had decided to conducttheir own search.
Perhaps driven by a father'sintuition or complete
(14:28):
desperation, they set out to anarea off the Mountain Park
access road.
Try to imagine this scene afather and son fueled by a mix
of hope and dread, pushingthrough the autumn foliage.
Then a flash of recognitionChristine's shoe lying a few
yards away from where they wouldfind her body.
The moment of discovery waslater recounted by Michael in a
(14:50):
statement to the police.
This is an excerpt from thatstatement.
I saw the shoe first.
I knew it was hers.
I called out to my dad and westarted searching frantically.
That's when we found her.
She was lying there, partiallycovered by leaves.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
It didn't look real.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
It looked like a horrible dream that I could not
wake up from.
I remember my dad telling menot to look, but I couldn't turn
away.
That's my sister.
The police and the medicalexaminer were immediately called
to the scene.
The grim details that emergedpainted a horrifying picture of
Christine's final moments.
The medical examiner wouldlater determine that Christine
had died from multiple blows tothe head and of strangulation.
(15:30):
She was found with a sweateraround her neck, her blue blouse
covering the lower part of herbody.
This discovery turned a missingperson's case into a homicide
investigation, sendingshockwaves through the community
and leaving a family devastated.
Based on the reports, it appearsthat Christine had been
(15:50):
deceased for several days whenshe was found.
The multiple blows to the headsuggested a violent attack,
possibly with a blunt object thestrangulation.
This indicates a very personal,close contact form of violence.
It's not an easy thing to talkabout, but understanding these
details is crucial for piecingtogether what happened.
(16:11):
One detail that puzzledinvestigators was the location
of where Christine was found.
It was an area that had beensearched earlier in the week.
This raised a troublingquestion had Christine's body
been moved after her death orhad the initial searches simply
missed her.
Another crucial piece ofinformation came from a group of
(16:33):
Mount Holyoke College students.
They had been in the exact areawhere Christine was found just
four days earlier enjoying thefall foliage.
They reported seeing nothingsuspicious at the time.
This timeline suggests thatChristine's body was placed in
this location sometime betweenOctober 8th and October 12th.
(16:54):
This crucial detail wouldbecome a focal point of the
investigation.
The discovery of her body sentripples of shock and fear
through Holyoke.
The community that had cometogether in hope during the
search was now united in griefand in fear.
A local reporter at the timestated that they have covered
(17:14):
many stories in their career,but nothing quite like this.
The mood in Holyoke changedovernight.
There was this palpable senseof loss of innocence that was
shattered.
People were scared and angry.
They wanted answers and theywanted them fast.
There was vigils and demandsfor justice.
It was a community in mourning,but also a community determined
(17:37):
to find the truth.
As the news of Christine'smurder began to spread, the
investigation entered a new,more intense phase.
But before we delve into that,let's take a moment to remember
Christine as she was in life andnot just as a victim.
Her high school yearbook, whichwas published after her death
(17:57):
included this tribute from herclassmates Christine Hurlburt,
1952-1968.
A melody that was cut short toosoon.
Your laughter and kindness willecho in our hearts forever.
As we move into the next phaseof our story, the investigation,
I want you, our listeners, tokeep Christine in mind.
(18:20):
Remember that behind every coldcase file is a human story, a
life full of potential,tragically cut short.
It's in honor of Christine andall victims like her that we
continue to seek the truth, nomatter how much time has passed.
With the discovery ofChristine's body, the
investigation kicked into highgear.
(18:41):
The Holyoke Police Department,assisted by the Massachusetts
State Police, launched afull-scale homicide
investigation.
This is a breakdown of theinitial investigation the crime
scene, where investigatorsmeticulously combed the area
where Christine was found,collecting any potential
evidence.
They were particularlyinterested in understanding why
(19:03):
this location had been chosen.
The timeline, where detectivesworked to establish a detailed
timeline of Christine's lastknown movements.
This included re-interviewingeverybody that had been at the
Mountain Park dance Potentialsuspects, where the
investigation cast a wide net.
Looking into Christine'spersonal life, her friends and
(19:25):
even examining any recentparolees in the area, with a
history of violent crimes.
And last, physical evidence,while details about physical
evidence have been kept underwraps by investigators.
We know that Christine'sclothing and items found at the
scene were sent for forensicanalysis To give us insight into
(19:45):
how such an investigation wouldhave been conducted.
In 1968, we gained some insightfrom a retired detective who had
worked similar cases duringthis era.
A quote from this detective isYou've got to remember, this was
before DNA testing, before alot of forensic techniques that
is around today.
They relied heavily on witnessstatements, on building
(20:07):
timelines, on good old-fashioneddetective work.
In a case like this, with somany potential witnesses from
the dance, it would have been amassive undertaking to interview
every single one of them,cross-reference statements and
then try to piece together whathappened.
One of the key challenges thatinvestigators faced was the lack
of obvious suspects.
(20:27):
Christine was well-liked withno known enemies.
This led them to consider thepossibility that her murder
might have been a crime ofopportunity rather than a
targeted attack.
The nature of the crime, theblunt force, trauma and the
strangulation suggested a highlevel of personal violence.
This often indicates that theperpetrator knew the victim.
(20:48):
However, the seemingly randomnature of Christine's
disappearance from a crowdedevent could point to an
opportunistic crime.
It is this contradiction thatmakes this case so puzzling.
As the investigation progressed, several theories emerged the
known assailant theory this wasa theory that Christine had left
(21:09):
the dance willingly withsomebody that she knew and the
encounter possibly turnedviolent.
The stranger abduction theorythis suggested that Christine
was forcibly taken by a stranger, possibly somebody who had been
watching the comings and goingsat Mountain Park.
The Mountain Perpetrator'sTheory Some investigators
(21:30):
believed that the crime mighthave involved more than one
person.
Given the difficulty ofsubduing a victim and moving a
body without being noticed.
Each of these theories has itsstrengths and its weaknesses and
over the years, investigatorshave revisited them multiple
times.
One aspect of the case that hascontinued to baffle
(21:52):
investigators is the locationwhere her body was found.
The location is puzzling for acouple of reasons.
First, it's an area that hadbeen searched earlier in the
week, which suggests that thebody was moved there later.
Second, it is not an easy spotto access, especially if you're
carrying a body.
It implies that the perpetratoreither knew the area quite well
(22:16):
or took a significant risk.
Either way, it's a crucialpiece of the puzzle.
As weeks quickly turned intomonths and months turned into
years, the investigationcontinued, but solid leads were
hard to come by.
The case remained open, butactive investigation gradually
slowed, as it often does in coldcases.
(22:38):
Christine's case would seerenewed interest decades later,
thanks to advancements inforensic technology and a new
generation of investigators thatwere determined to solve this
cold case.
In 1998, 30 years afterChristine's murder, the case was
reopened as part of a cold caseinitiative.
(22:59):
Detective Mark Sullivan, wholed this renewed investigation,
shared these insights.
When we reopened the case, wehad the advantage of new
forensic techniques,particularly DNA analysis.
We re-examined all the physicalevidence that had been
preserved.
While I can't go into specificsdue to the ongoing nature of
(23:22):
the investigation, I can saythat we were able to develop new
leads that weren't possible in1968.
This renewed investigation alsolooked into potential
connections with other unsolvedcases in the area.
One case that drew particularattention was the murder of
13-year-old Danny Cruteau inneighboring Springfield in 1972.
(23:45):
While there's no concreteevidence linking these cases,
the proximity in both time andlocation has led some to wonder
if there could be a possibleconnection.
Could the same person beresponsible for both crimes?
These are the questions thathave haunted investigators and
the community for over fivedecades.
As we move into our finalsegment, we'll look at where the
(24:08):
case stands today and thelasting impact it has had on
Holyoke and beyond.
The impact of Christine's murderon Holyoke was profound and it
was long-lasting.
A community that once felt safewas now looking over its
shoulder.
Parents held their children alittle bit more closer.
The carefree atmosphere ofevents like the Mountain Park
(24:31):
dances were forever changed.
Holyoke was never the sameafter Christine's murder.
It was almost like a light wentout.
People were more cautious anddefinitely more suspicious.
Mountain Park, which had beenthis place of joy and fun.
It took on this darker tone.
Parents were being muchstricter about where children
went and who they were with.
(24:51):
It was like the whole city lostits innocence.
For the Hurlburt family, thepain is unimaginable.
They've lived for over 50 yearswithout any answers, without
justice for Christine.
While the family has largelyavoided public statements over
the years, christine's brother,michael, shared this thought
with the public.
Not a day goes by that I don'tthink about Christine, about
(25:15):
what happened to her, about allthe life that she never got to
live.
Our family has never been thesame.
We want justice, of course wewant justice, but more than that
, we want answers and we want toknow why Today, christine's
case still remains open.
It is listed as the first caseon the unsolved homicides
section of the Hampton CountyDistrict Attorney's website.
(25:36):
Investigators still hope forthat one crucial piece of
information that could breakthis case wide open.
The following is a snippet ofan interview that District
Attorney Elena Sanchez providedabout the case.
This case remains an activeinvestigation.
While it's been over fivedecades, we have not given up.
(25:56):
Advances in forensic technologymean we're constantly
re-examining evidence.
We believe that someone outthere knows something and we
urge them to come forward.
It's never too late for justice.
This statement brings us to you, our listeners.
Somebody out there does knowsomething.
Maybe it's a detail that seemedunimportant at the time.
(26:19):
Maybe it's a conversation thatwas overheard years ago.
No piece of information is toosmall for this case.
If you have any informationabout Christina's case, please
contact the Hampton CountyDistrict Attorney's Office.
You can find their contactinformation on their website,
which isunsolvedmassachusettscom.
(26:40):
Christine's case serves as astark reminder of the
long-lasting impact the unsolvedcrimes have on families and
also on communities.
It's a call for justice thathas echoed through the decades,
a mystery that still continuesto haunt Holyoke.
As we close this episode, we'releft with many questions.
(27:01):
Will justice ever truly beserved for Christine?
Will her family ever get theanswers that they've sought for
so long?
Her case may be cold, but it isfar from forgotten.
Thank you for joining us onthis journey into one of
Massachusetts' most perplexingcold cases.
Remember that it is truly nevertoo late for the truth to come
(27:22):
to light.
Every mystery has a solution.
We just haven't found this oneyet.
Alrighty, so it's that time,guys, to say goodbye, but before
I do so, I just want to send athank you to all of my listeners
(27:44):
for your continued love andsupport and for sending in cases
that you want covered andstories that you want read on
the podcast.
We truly accept all stories,including scary, paranormal and
funny.
Any cases you want covered orstories that you want read on
the podcast, just please sendthem in to darkcrossroadspodcast
at gmailcom.
Thank you for hanging out againtoday and if you want any more
(28:06):
information about the podcast orcases and stories that we cover
, then head on over to thewebsite at
wwwdarkcrossroadspodcastcom.
There you can find all of theinformation about the podcast, a
link to our merch and also ourblog covering all of the cases
that we cover.
You can also find us on allsocial media platforms.
(28:27):
Don't forget to like share ratereview, subscribe wherever
you're listening to us.
You can subscribe to thepodcast for bonus information.
There is a link in all episodesin the notes that we'll send
you to our subscription page andwith that you will get bonus
content, discount on futuremerch and a lot of extra goodies
.
Every single dollar that comesthrough donations or through our
(28:47):
subscription goes straight intothe podcast, helping fund
research and it really helps usout and keeps this podcast going
.
And with all of this said,please don't forget to be weird,
stay different and don't trustanyone.
Thank you.
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