June 26, 2024 • 25 mins
In this story, I delve into the chilling unsolved case of the Springfield Three - the mysterious disappearance of three women from their home in 1992. Join me as I explore the evidence, theories, and potential suspects in this true crime cold case that has baffled investigators for decades. If you're a fan of unsolved mysteries, you won't want to miss this video. Help me bring justice to the Springfield Three by sharing this case and spreading awareness of their story. #unsolvedmystery #unsolved #truecrime #truestory
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
This case is a perplexing and unsolved mystery that began on June 1992 in Springfield, Missouri.
(00:07):
Three women, Cheryl Levitt, her daughter, Suzanne, mostly known as Susie Streeter,
and their friends, Stacey McCall, all vanished without a trace from the Levitt's home
after Susie and Stacey's graduation celebration. There were no signs of struggle found at the
scene. Their personal belongings left behind, indicating they had planned to return. Since then,
(00:28):
numerous theories and suspects have emerged, yet the fate of these three ladies remains unknown,
making it one of the most persistent disappearances I've researched. Join me for a ride through
strange and mysterious here at Odd Mysteries Stories. Have you ever heard of the Springfield 3?
(00:48):
It's an unsolved mystery that began on a seemingly ordinary summer day, June 7, 1992,
in Springfield, Missouri. Three people, friends, Suzanne, mostly known as Susie Streeter and Stacey
McCall, along with Streeter's mother, Cheryl Levitt, vanished without a trace from Levitt's home.
This case has puzzled and intrigued many over the years. But who were they and what exactly
(01:13):
happened that day? Cheryl Elizabeth Levitt, at 47 years old, stood at five feet tall, weighing 110
pounds. With her short, light-blonde hair, brown eyes, and pierced ears, she was not just a
cosmetologist at a local salon, but also a devoted single mother. Her close bond with her
(01:33):
daughter, Susie, was well known. Susie, a 19-year-old at the time, was slightly taller than her mother
at five feet two inches and weighed 102 pounds. She had shoulder-length, blonde hair, brown eyes,
and a few distinguishable marks, a scar on her upper right forearm, and small mole on the left
corner of her mouth, and not to forget, her left ear was pierced twice. Completing the trio was
(01:58):
Stacey Kathleen McCall. An 18-year-old friend of Susie, Stacey was five feet three inches tall
and weighed 120 pounds. Her long, dark, blonde hair and light-colored eyes made her easily
recognizable among her peers. The disappearance of these three individuals from the leave at home,
leaving behind their personal belongings and no sign of struggle, raises several questions.
(02:22):
What happened to them after that night? Why were there no clues leading to their whereabouts?
Let's delve into the details of the case of a missing persons that began in the early hours of
June 7th. The timeline of events starts on June 6th, a day of celebration, and a significant
milestone for two young women, Susie Streeter and Stacey McCall, who had just graduated from
(02:46):
Kickapoo High School. The joy of graduation was followed by a night of attending various graduation
parties, a rite of passage for many. The last sighting of Streeter and McCall was around 2 a.m.
on June 7th, as they left the final party of the evening. Interestingly, they were also spotted in
Battlefield, a nearby town, a detail that adds another layer to the timeline of their last known
(03:09):
movement. Initially, the plan was for Streeter and McCall to spend the night at their friend
Janelle Kirby's house. However, finding Kirby's house too crowded for their comfort, they decided to
head to Streeter's and by extension, Levitt's home at 1717 East Del Mar Street. The evidence suggests
they made it home as their clothing, jewelry, purses, and vehicles were all found at the Levitt
(03:33):
residence the next day. Cheryl Levitt was last heard from at about 11.15 p.m. on June 6th,
during a phone conversation with a friend about a home improvement project. This was the last
piece of normalcy before the inexplicable occurred. When Streeter and McCall didn't show up at Kirby's
home the next morning for a planned day at a water park, Kirby and her boyfriend became concerned
(03:57):
and visited the Levitt home around 9 a.m. They discovered the front door unlocked and entered
to find an unsettling silence. No sign of Streeter, McCall or Levitt. Outside, the cars of the missing
women were still parked, an eerie testament to their sudden disappearance. Kirby noticed a broken
porch light globe, an indication that something amiss had occurred. Her boyfriend, in an attempt to
(04:21):
tidy up inadvertently, swept up what could have been critical evidence. Inside, the house seemed
untouched except for the presence of Levitt and Streeter's dog, Cinnamon, who appeared notably
agitated, adding to the mystery where two phone calls received by Kirby while she was in the house.
Both calls were from an unidentified male-making sexual innuendos, further deepening the disturbing
(04:44):
nature of the case. The initial reception of these calls, followed by immediate hang-ups,
points to the potential significance of these interactions. All of the personal belongings
of the women, including their cars and purses, were left behind. Aside from the broken porch light
globe, there were no obvious signs of a struggle. Notably, a message on the answering machine believed
(05:06):
to potentially hold clues was also subsequently inadvertently erased, a loss that could have
been pivotal in understanding the events leading to their disappearance. In piecing together these
details, several questions arise. What happened after Streeter and McCall arrived at Levitt's home?
Who was the unidentified caller? And could those calls have been connected to their disappearance?
(05:29):
The lack of clear evidence and the erasure of the answering machine message only compound the mystery.
As the mystery of the Springfield 3 deepened, the hours following the initial discovery of their
absence saw a flurry of activity and growing concern. Janice McCall, mother of Stacey McCall,
driven by worry as her daughter failed to respond to calls, visited Cheryl Levitt's home.
(05:52):
Inside, she encountered an eerie scene. All three women's purses were grouped together
on the living room floor, a site that seemed out of place. Additionally, she found her daughter's
clothing from the previous night neatly folded, an indication that Stacey had indeed returned to
the house. Notably, Levitt and Streeter's cigarettes remained inside, suggesting a sudden
(06:15):
departure rather than a planned one. In a state of alarm, Janice took immediate action by calling
the police from the house to report the trio missing. It was during this fraught moment she
checked the phone's answering machine and listened to a strange message. Tragically, the message
was inadvertently erased, a detail that frustrates the story to this day. This erased message,
(06:37):
distinct from the earlier reported prank calls, was considered by police to potentially contain
a vital clue underscoring its significance in the investigation. The report of their disappearance
to the police came more than 16 hours after they were last seen, a gap filled with increasing
anxiety among friends and family. This period saw a significant number of people estimated by
(07:00):
police to be between 10 and 20 people visiting the house, each one potentially altering the
integrity of the crime scene. However, unintentionally, when the police arrived, they took stock of the
scene, noting the absence of visible signs of struggle, with the exception of the shattered
porch light, a detail that hinted at disturbance. Further investigation revealed that Levitt's
(07:22):
bed appeared to have been used, suggesting someone had gone to bed the night of the disappearance.
Crucially, all personal property was left undisturbed, including purses, money, cars, keys, and even
the family dog, painting a picture of normalcy shattered by the women's unexplained absence.
This layering of details, each adding depth to the unfolding mystery, high-level,
(07:45):
unfolding mystery highlights the complexity of the case, the inadvertent erasure of potentially
critical information and the contamination of the scene by well-meaning friends and family
contribute to the tangled web of questions surrounding this mysterious case.
The case took a perplexing turn on December 31, 1992. On this day, an unidentified man reached
(08:10):
out to the America's most wanted hotline, claiming to possess vital information about the case.
Unfortunately, the call was disconnected when the switchboard operator attempted to link up
with Springfield investigators, and despite subsequent appeals from the police urging the
caller to reconnect, he remained silent. Authorities were left to believe that this
individual had prime knowledge of the abductions, a lead that tantalizingly evaporated as quickly as
(08:36):
it appeared. In a twist that deepened the mystery, 1997 marked a pivotal year when Leavitt and Streeter
were declared legally dead, their statuses solemnly adjusted in the absence of concrete evidence to
suggest their whereabouts. Yet, the case remained very much alive in the eyes of law enforcement,
classified under missing persons as the search for answers continued. Adding to the intrigue,
(08:59):
1997 also saw Robert Craig Cox, a figure with a history of kidnapping and robbery convictions,
come forward with a harrowing assertion. Cox claimed to know that the women had been
murdered and boldly stated that their bodies would never be found. Despite the gravity of his claim,
investigators found no reason to lend credibility to his statements, leaving another potential
(09:21):
lead to fade into the background of the case's complex narrative. I will visit this claim again
in the suspect section of this video. A notable development emerged with a tip pointing investigators
towards the South Parking Garage at Cox Hospital as the possible final resting place of the women.
Acting on this tip in 2007, a ground penetrating radar analysis was conducted by mechanical
(09:44):
engineer Rick Norland. The examination revealed three anomalies in the structure's foundation,
consistent with the characteristics of gravesite. Two of the anomalies were parallel and the other
was perpendicular. Springfield Police Department spokesperson Lisa Cox said that the person who
reported the tip provided no evidence or logical reasoning behind this theory at that time or
(10:08):
since then. Despite the intriguing nature of these findings, the Springfield Police Department remained
cautious. Also noted, digging up the area and subsequently reconstructing this structure would
be extremely costly and without any reasonable belief that the bodies could be located here,
it is illogical to do so. The tip, lacking in evidence and backed by a source claiming psychic
insight did not convince the authorities of its validity. The construction timeline of the Parking
(10:34):
Garage, beginning over a year after the disappearances, further diminished the lead's credibility.
Faced with the high costs and logistical challenges of excavation, without a reasonable
belief in the likelihood of discovering the bodies, the decision was made not to pursue this lead further.
In the intriguing case where facts intertwine with one-sided questions, another layer of complexity
(10:58):
emerges with the figure of Dustin Reckla, Susie Streeter's former boyfriend. Let's unravel this
thread, shall we? Months before Susie, her friend Stacey and her mother Cheryl vanished into thin
air. Dustin Reckla broke into a Springfield mausoleum. His loot? A mere $30 worth of gold
(11:18):
fillings from a skull. But why does Rhys last name keep popping up in connection with the
disappearance? The plot thickens when we learn that Susie had given a statement about this
macabre break-in and was rumored to be a potential witness against Reckla in court.
The night Susie and the others disappeared, Reckla, alongside his accomplices Michael Clay
(11:39):
and Joseph Redell, was known to be in the vicinity. The trio, with their shared history
of grave robbing or as the law calls it, felony institutional vandalism, on February 21st 1992
and connections to the dubious galloping goose motorcycle club certainly raises eyebrows.
Redell's act of selling gold fillings at a local pawn shop and the trio's conviction paints a picture
(12:04):
of young men walking a dangerous path. Cheryl Levitt's potential testimony against them in court
concerning the use of her car in the robbery only adds to the motive for retaliation. It seems
straightforward, doesn't it? The motive for making the women disappear appears to be revenge for
their cooperation with the police. Yet the story isn't as cut and dried as it seems. By December
(12:27):
1992, Redell had turned state's witness, escaping any harm. Reckla and Clay, despite their criminal
backgrounds, cooperated with the investigation. And their punishment? Merely probation. It begs
the question, would they risk significant prison time over a crime that concluded with such a
lenient sentence? This leads us to think if Susie's association with Reckla exposed her to other
(12:54):
dangerous individuals potentially involved in her disappearance for reasons unrelated to the
grave robbing incident. The involvement of Reckla, Clay, and Redell in this disappearance remains
a topic of speculation. Could their criminal activities have inadvertently led to a tragic
outcome for Susie, Stacey, and Cheryl? Or is their connection simply a red herring in a case filled
(13:15):
with more questions than answers? The mystery surrounding this case takes another intriguing
twist with the mention of Larry DeWayne Hall and, by extension, his twin brother Gary Hall.
The Hall brothers, particularly Larry, have been linked to numerous disappearances, casting a
shadow of suspicion that extends even to Springfield, Missouri. Larry Hall is a convicted criminal
(13:39):
with a chilling history. Although officially convicted for the murder of two young women,
his own confessions, though later recanted, paint the picture of a man responsible for the deaths
of potentially as many as 39 women, a figure that law enforcement estimates could be even higher,
possibly reaching 42 50 victims. This discrepancy in numbers and the subsequent
(14:00):
retraction of his confessions contribute to the murky waters surrounding his criminal activities.
The Hall brothers' nomadic lifestyle, frequently traveling across the Midwest for
civil war reenactments, adds layers of complexity and mobility to their potential for criminal
activity. This transient nature raises the possibility that Springfield could have been
(14:21):
within their operational range, especially given that Susie Streeter and Stacey McCall share
characteristics with the type of victims Larry reportedly targeted. A particularly intriguing
piece of evidence is Larry's ownership of a Dodge van, matching descriptions provided by witnesses
in relation to the Springfield 3's disappearance. If such a sighting were verified and directly
(14:43):
linked to the case, it would significantly bolster the argument for the Hall brothers' involvement.
However, this connection hinges on several ifs and buts, notably the plausibility of Larry and Gary
being in Springfield and choosing to abduct free women simultaneously, a departure from Larry's
usual pattern of abducting victims individually. Skeptics might question the feasibility of the
(15:05):
brothers driving around Springfield with the abducted women in broad daylight, a move that
appears inconsistent with their known modus operandi of cautious operation and avoidance of
law enforcement detection. Yet, Larry's history of taunting police could suggest a boldness or
recklessness that might support such behavior. Despite these speculative connections, the lack
(15:27):
of concrete evidence and Larry's reluctance to disclose the truth leaves many questions unanswered.
Could the Hall brothers have deviated from their typical pattern to abduct the Springfield 3,
or is this another dead end in a case riddled with mysteries? What do you think?
Let me know in the comments below.
(15:47):
Robert Craig Cox stands out as a notorious figure in the mystifying case of the Springfield 3.
As the only individual to have openly admitted involvement in the disappearance of these women,
Cox's name inevitably draws attention. However, examining the depth of his connection and his
criminal past sheds light on a more complex narrative, suggesting that his claim might hold more
(16:11):
significance for him than it does for solving the case, Cox's criminal history is dark and
undeniably troubling. The case of Sharon Zellers, a Disney World employee who never made at home in
December 1978, marks the beginning of his known criminal activities. Her body, discovered in a
state of severe decomposition, bore the marks of a brutal assault leading to a lengthy investigation
(16:36):
that eventually pointed towards Cox, who was in the area at the time. Despite a wealth of
circumstantial evidence, including hair samples and blood type matches, Cox's conviction for
Zellers' murder was overturned due to the Florida Supreme Court's judgment on the insufficiency
of evidence. After moving to Springfield, Missouri, Cox found himself living in the same city from
(16:57):
which the Springfield 3 would later vanish in 1992. His subsequent criminal endeavors,
including a conviction for an armed robbery in Decatur, Texas, in 1995, further cement
his reputation as a violent criminal with a particular animosity towards women. Cox's involvement
with the Springfield 3 became public in the mid-90s when he began hinting at his knowledge of
(17:20):
their fate. Despite offering a now-discredited alibi for the night of their disappearance,
Cox tantalizingly claimed he would disclose the location of their bodies after his mother's death,
a promise yet to be fulfilled, leaving many to question the veracity of his claim.
The critical analysis of Cox's role in this case reveals a complex interplay between his
(17:40):
criminal history and his desire for notoriety. While he, undeniably, possesses a disturbing
history of violence towards women, the lack of concrete evidence linking him to the Springfield
3 casts doubt on his involvement. Instead, Cox's continued association with the case appears to
serve his interests, providing him with a twisted form of attention and a disturbing means of
(18:04):
exerting influence from behind bars. As I learned more about this case, it became evident that
Cox's claims necessitate scrutiny. His past actions reveal a pattern of sadistic behavior, yet the
concrete evidence required to directly link him to this case remains elusive. This analysis suggests
that while Cox's criminal profile cannot be ignored, the absence of definitive proof and his
(18:29):
motivations for claiming involvement point towards a possibility that his connection to the case may
be more about seeking attention than about genuine guilt. This story serves as a reminder of the
complexities inherent in criminal investigations, where the search for truth is often hampered by
the deceitful narratives crafted by those seeking to manipulate the story for their own ends.
(18:50):
I have serious doubts about this guy. What are your thoughts?
Exploring the depths of this case, Bart's treacher, Susie's older brother and Cheryl's son,
emerges as a figure shrouded in complexity and tragedy. Despite the absence of concrete evidence
implicating him in the disappearance, Bart's life and actions invite scrutiny, not least because
(19:13):
of the often intimate nature of such crimes. It's a well-documented fact that a significant
number of abductions and murders involve someone within the victim's immediate circle. Given this
context, Bart's troubled relationship with his family, particularly amidst his struggles with
alcohol, casts a shadow of suspicion, albeit not conclusively. On the night his mother and sister
(19:36):
vanished, Bart's alibi that he drank and passed out at home lacks verification due to his solitary
living situation. Yet his subsequent cooperation with law enforcement, including undergoing a
polygraph test which he passed, suggests a willingness to clear his name, even if polygraphs
remain controversial in their reliability. Bart's past, marked by legal troubles, including a kidnapping
(20:01):
and coercion case in Las Vegas in the year 2000, and another arrest in 2019 in Tennessee
complicates the narrative. The latter incident, particularly, paints a picture of a man potentially
overwhelmed by his personal demons. Yet the Streeter family statement offers a counter narrative to the
charges of attempted false imprisonment, framing Bart's actions in a less sinister light. The
(20:25):
connection of Bart's personal struggles with the lingering pain of his family's tragedy underscores
the profound impact of this case on their surviving relatives. His history of alcohol abuse and the
public nature of his subsequent legal issues might suggest a man grappling with the immense weight
of loss rather than a mastermind capable of orchestrating such a meticulous crime without
(20:46):
leaving a trace. This analysis leans towards viewing Bart's Streeter through a lens of compassion,
acknowledging his flawed human nature and the tragic backdrop against which his life has unfolded.
The pristine condition of the crime scene, compared with Bart's history of erratic behavior,
under the influence suggests an improbability of his involvement in the precise execution of such a crime.
(21:08):
However, the shadow of doubt cannot be entirely lifted, leaving his role in the mystery of the
Springfield 3 as yet another unresolved thread in a tapestry of anguish and yet to be answered
questions. Do you think that Streeter the son and brother is a good suspect?
In thinking about the details of this case, I have found that over the years several key suspects
(21:32):
have emerged, each bringing their own complex backgrounds and potential motives into the investigation.
Dustin Reckla, Susie's former boyfriend with a criminal history and connections to grave robbing
and his presence in the area on the night of their disappearance. Larry DeWayne Hall,
a suspected serial killer with a pattern of abducting women, was convicted of murder.
(21:54):
The pattern of abducting women was considered due to his operational range and the physical
profiles of Susie and Stacey matching his known victim type. Robert Craig Cox, a convicted
criminal with a history of violent behavior towards women, inserted himself into the case
narrative by claiming knowledge of the women's fate, yet without providing verifiable evidence.
(22:16):
Bart Streeter, Susie's estranged brother, has also been a person of interest due to his troubled past
and the familial connection, though his direct involvement remains speculative.
Each suspect's story intertwines with the disappearance, yet none has been conclusively
linked to the case. The investigation has been complicated by a mix of confessions,
(22:37):
recantations, and a lack of physical evidence, leaving the case open and the whereabouts of
Levitt, Streeter, and McCall remain unknown. Despite numerous leads and the passage of over
multiple decades, the mystery of the Springfield Three persists, emblematic of the enduring quest
for answers in the face of seemingly insurmountable ambiguity. Do you have thoughts about what may
(23:00):
have happened to these three ladies? Do you think any of the suspects portrayed stand out
any more than the others in your mind? If so, who and why? Let me know your thoughts about this case
in the comments below. I sincerely hope you enjoyed this story. If you did, please leave
me a review, download, and share this podcast with your friends. Wasn't this one of the strangest
(23:25):
stories you've ever heard? I followed this story on social media as well, and have found quite an
interesting following of people who have very strong opinions on what happened to these three ladies.
It's almost as if they vanished into thin air. Okay, there was even one commenter that suggested
aliens. I'll leave that comment for another podcast. Tune into my next podcast of a shocking
(23:49):
murder that captivated the entire city of Houston, Texas. It may have in fact been the turning point
in an age old courting ritual where young lovers found themselves a quiet spot to enjoy each other's
company. The lovers' lane murders of Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson were so heinous, so depraved,
that it no doubt caused others couple to avoid this courting ritual. Their killer or killers
(24:13):
have never been caught. Can I ask a favor of you? I'm trying to grow my podcast, so if you enjoyed
my story, please consider following my podcast. If you really enjoyed my podcast, I hope you'll
consider buying me a cup of coffee at my Patreon site. While I enjoy what I do, a good cup of Joe,
sure does keep me motivated to bring your more true unsolved crime stories. Thank you.
This case is a perplexing and unsolved mystery that began on June 1992 in Springfield, Missouri.
(00:07):
Three women, Cheryl Levitt, her daughter, Suzanne, mostly known as Susie Streeter,
and their friends, Stacey McCall, all vanished without a trace from the Levitt's home
after Susie and Stacey's graduation celebration. There were no signs of struggle found at the
scene. Their personal belongings left behind, indicating they had planned to return. Since then,
(00:28):
numerous theories and suspects have emerged, yet the fate of these three ladies remains unknown,
making it one of the most persistent disappearances I've researched. Join me for a ride through
strange and mysterious here at Odd Mysteries Stories. Have you ever heard of the Springfield 3?
(00:48):
It's an unsolved mystery that began on a seemingly ordinary summer day, June 7, 1992,
in Springfield, Missouri. Three people, friends, Suzanne, mostly known as Susie Streeter and Stacey
McCall, along with Streeter's mother, Cheryl Levitt, vanished without a trace from Levitt's home.
This case has puzzled and intrigued many over the years. But who were they and what exactly
(01:13):
happened that day? Cheryl Elizabeth Levitt, at 47 years old, stood at five feet tall, weighing 110
pounds. With her short, light-blonde hair, brown eyes, and pierced ears, she was not just a
cosmetologist at a local salon, but also a devoted single mother. Her close bond with her
(01:33):
daughter, Susie, was well known. Susie, a 19-year-old at the time, was slightly taller than her mother
at five feet two inches and weighed 102 pounds. She had shoulder-length, blonde hair, brown eyes,
and a few distinguishable marks, a scar on her upper right forearm, and small mole on the left
corner of her mouth, and not to forget, her left ear was pierced twice. Completing the trio was
(01:58):
Stacey Kathleen McCall. An 18-year-old friend of Susie, Stacey was five feet three inches tall
and weighed 120 pounds. Her long, dark, blonde hair and light-colored eyes made her easily
recognizable among her peers. The disappearance of these three individuals from the leave at home,
leaving behind their personal belongings and no sign of struggle, raises several questions.
(02:22):
What happened to them after that night? Why were there no clues leading to their whereabouts?
Let's delve into the details of the case of a missing persons that began in the early hours of
June 7th. The timeline of events starts on June 6th, a day of celebration, and a significant
milestone for two young women, Susie Streeter and Stacey McCall, who had just graduated from
(02:46):
Kickapoo High School. The joy of graduation was followed by a night of attending various graduation
parties, a rite of passage for many. The last sighting of Streeter and McCall was around 2 a.m.
on June 7th, as they left the final party of the evening. Interestingly, they were also spotted in
Battlefield, a nearby town, a detail that adds another layer to the timeline of their last known
(03:09):
movement. Initially, the plan was for Streeter and McCall to spend the night at their friend
Janelle Kirby's house. However, finding Kirby's house too crowded for their comfort, they decided to
head to Streeter's and by extension, Levitt's home at 1717 East Del Mar Street. The evidence suggests
they made it home as their clothing, jewelry, purses, and vehicles were all found at the Levitt
(03:33):
residence the next day. Cheryl Levitt was last heard from at about 11.15 p.m. on June 6th,
during a phone conversation with a friend about a home improvement project. This was the last
piece of normalcy before the inexplicable occurred. When Streeter and McCall didn't show up at Kirby's
home the next morning for a planned day at a water park, Kirby and her boyfriend became concerned
(03:57):
and visited the Levitt home around 9 a.m. They discovered the front door unlocked and entered
to find an unsettling silence. No sign of Streeter, McCall or Levitt. Outside, the cars of the missing
women were still parked, an eerie testament to their sudden disappearance. Kirby noticed a broken
porch light globe, an indication that something amiss had occurred. Her boyfriend, in an attempt to
(04:21):
tidy up inadvertently, swept up what could have been critical evidence. Inside, the house seemed
untouched except for the presence of Levitt and Streeter's dog, Cinnamon, who appeared notably
agitated, adding to the mystery where two phone calls received by Kirby while she was in the house.
Both calls were from an unidentified male-making sexual innuendos, further deepening the disturbing
(04:44):
nature of the case. The initial reception of these calls, followed by immediate hang-ups,
points to the potential significance of these interactions. All of the personal belongings
of the women, including their cars and purses, were left behind. Aside from the broken porch light
globe, there were no obvious signs of a struggle. Notably, a message on the answering machine believed
(05:06):
to potentially hold clues was also subsequently inadvertently erased, a loss that could have
been pivotal in understanding the events leading to their disappearance. In piecing together these
details, several questions arise. What happened after Streeter and McCall arrived at Levitt's home?
Who was the unidentified caller? And could those calls have been connected to their disappearance?
(05:29):
The lack of clear evidence and the erasure of the answering machine message only compound the mystery.
As the mystery of the Springfield 3 deepened, the hours following the initial discovery of their
absence saw a flurry of activity and growing concern. Janice McCall, mother of Stacey McCall,
driven by worry as her daughter failed to respond to calls, visited Cheryl Levitt's home.
(05:52):
Inside, she encountered an eerie scene. All three women's purses were grouped together
on the living room floor, a site that seemed out of place. Additionally, she found her daughter's
clothing from the previous night neatly folded, an indication that Stacey had indeed returned to
the house. Notably, Levitt and Streeter's cigarettes remained inside, suggesting a sudden
(06:15):
departure rather than a planned one. In a state of alarm, Janice took immediate action by calling
the police from the house to report the trio missing. It was during this fraught moment she
checked the phone's answering machine and listened to a strange message. Tragically, the message
was inadvertently erased, a detail that frustrates the story to this day. This erased message,
(06:37):
distinct from the earlier reported prank calls, was considered by police to potentially contain
a vital clue underscoring its significance in the investigation. The report of their disappearance
to the police came more than 16 hours after they were last seen, a gap filled with increasing
anxiety among friends and family. This period saw a significant number of people estimated by
(07:00):
police to be between 10 and 20 people visiting the house, each one potentially altering the
integrity of the crime scene. However, unintentionally, when the police arrived, they took stock of the
scene, noting the absence of visible signs of struggle, with the exception of the shattered
porch light, a detail that hinted at disturbance. Further investigation revealed that Levitt's
(07:22):
bed appeared to have been used, suggesting someone had gone to bed the night of the disappearance.
Crucially, all personal property was left undisturbed, including purses, money, cars, keys, and even
the family dog, painting a picture of normalcy shattered by the women's unexplained absence.
This layering of details, each adding depth to the unfolding mystery, high-level,
(07:45):
unfolding mystery highlights the complexity of the case, the inadvertent erasure of potentially
critical information and the contamination of the scene by well-meaning friends and family
contribute to the tangled web of questions surrounding this mysterious case.
The case took a perplexing turn on December 31, 1992. On this day, an unidentified man reached
(08:10):
out to the America's most wanted hotline, claiming to possess vital information about the case.
Unfortunately, the call was disconnected when the switchboard operator attempted to link up
with Springfield investigators, and despite subsequent appeals from the police urging the
caller to reconnect, he remained silent. Authorities were left to believe that this
individual had prime knowledge of the abductions, a lead that tantalizingly evaporated as quickly as
(08:36):
it appeared. In a twist that deepened the mystery, 1997 marked a pivotal year when Leavitt and Streeter
were declared legally dead, their statuses solemnly adjusted in the absence of concrete evidence to
suggest their whereabouts. Yet, the case remained very much alive in the eyes of law enforcement,
classified under missing persons as the search for answers continued. Adding to the intrigue,
(08:59):
1997 also saw Robert Craig Cox, a figure with a history of kidnapping and robbery convictions,
come forward with a harrowing assertion. Cox claimed to know that the women had been
murdered and boldly stated that their bodies would never be found. Despite the gravity of his claim,
investigators found no reason to lend credibility to his statements, leaving another potential
(09:21):
lead to fade into the background of the case's complex narrative. I will visit this claim again
in the suspect section of this video. A notable development emerged with a tip pointing investigators
towards the South Parking Garage at Cox Hospital as the possible final resting place of the women.
Acting on this tip in 2007, a ground penetrating radar analysis was conducted by mechanical
(09:44):
engineer Rick Norland. The examination revealed three anomalies in the structure's foundation,
consistent with the characteristics of gravesite. Two of the anomalies were parallel and the other
was perpendicular. Springfield Police Department spokesperson Lisa Cox said that the person who
reported the tip provided no evidence or logical reasoning behind this theory at that time or
(10:08):
since then. Despite the intriguing nature of these findings, the Springfield Police Department remained
cautious. Also noted, digging up the area and subsequently reconstructing this structure would
be extremely costly and without any reasonable belief that the bodies could be located here,
it is illogical to do so. The tip, lacking in evidence and backed by a source claiming psychic
insight did not convince the authorities of its validity. The construction timeline of the Parking
(10:34):
Garage, beginning over a year after the disappearances, further diminished the lead's credibility.
Faced with the high costs and logistical challenges of excavation, without a reasonable
belief in the likelihood of discovering the bodies, the decision was made not to pursue this lead further.
In the intriguing case where facts intertwine with one-sided questions, another layer of complexity
(10:58):
emerges with the figure of Dustin Reckla, Susie Streeter's former boyfriend. Let's unravel this
thread, shall we? Months before Susie, her friend Stacey and her mother Cheryl vanished into thin
air. Dustin Reckla broke into a Springfield mausoleum. His loot? A mere $30 worth of gold
(11:18):
fillings from a skull. But why does Rhys last name keep popping up in connection with the
disappearance? The plot thickens when we learn that Susie had given a statement about this
macabre break-in and was rumored to be a potential witness against Reckla in court.
The night Susie and the others disappeared, Reckla, alongside his accomplices Michael Clay
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and Joseph Redell, was known to be in the vicinity. The trio, with their shared history
of grave robbing or as the law calls it, felony institutional vandalism, on February 21st 1992
and connections to the dubious galloping goose motorcycle club certainly raises eyebrows.
Redell's act of selling gold fillings at a local pawn shop and the trio's conviction paints a picture
(12:04):
of young men walking a dangerous path. Cheryl Levitt's potential testimony against them in court
concerning the use of her car in the robbery only adds to the motive for retaliation. It seems
straightforward, doesn't it? The motive for making the women disappear appears to be revenge for
their cooperation with the police. Yet the story isn't as cut and dried as it seems. By December
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1992, Redell had turned state's witness, escaping any harm. Reckla and Clay, despite their criminal
backgrounds, cooperated with the investigation. And their punishment? Merely probation. It begs
the question, would they risk significant prison time over a crime that concluded with such a
lenient sentence? This leads us to think if Susie's association with Reckla exposed her to other
(12:54):
dangerous individuals potentially involved in her disappearance for reasons unrelated to the
grave robbing incident. The involvement of Reckla, Clay, and Redell in this disappearance remains
a topic of speculation. Could their criminal activities have inadvertently led to a tragic
outcome for Susie, Stacey, and Cheryl? Or is their connection simply a red herring in a case filled
(13:15):
with more questions than answers? The mystery surrounding this case takes another intriguing
twist with the mention of Larry DeWayne Hall and, by extension, his twin brother Gary Hall.
The Hall brothers, particularly Larry, have been linked to numerous disappearances, casting a
shadow of suspicion that extends even to Springfield, Missouri. Larry Hall is a convicted criminal
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with a chilling history. Although officially convicted for the murder of two young women,
his own confessions, though later recanted, paint the picture of a man responsible for the deaths
of potentially as many as 39 women, a figure that law enforcement estimates could be even higher,
possibly reaching 42 50 victims. This discrepancy in numbers and the subsequent
(14:00):
retraction of his confessions contribute to the murky waters surrounding his criminal activities.
The Hall brothers' nomadic lifestyle, frequently traveling across the Midwest for
civil war reenactments, adds layers of complexity and mobility to their potential for criminal
activity. This transient nature raises the possibility that Springfield could have been
(14:21):
within their operational range, especially given that Susie Streeter and Stacey McCall share
characteristics with the type of victims Larry reportedly targeted. A particularly intriguing
piece of evidence is Larry's ownership of a Dodge van, matching descriptions provided by witnesses
in relation to the Springfield 3's disappearance. If such a sighting were verified and directly
(14:43):
linked to the case, it would significantly bolster the argument for the Hall brothers' involvement.
However, this connection hinges on several ifs and buts, notably the plausibility of Larry and Gary
being in Springfield and choosing to abduct free women simultaneously, a departure from Larry's
usual pattern of abducting victims individually. Skeptics might question the feasibility of the
(15:05):
brothers driving around Springfield with the abducted women in broad daylight, a move that
appears inconsistent with their known modus operandi of cautious operation and avoidance of
law enforcement detection. Yet, Larry's history of taunting police could suggest a boldness or
recklessness that might support such behavior. Despite these speculative connections, the lack
(15:27):
of concrete evidence and Larry's reluctance to disclose the truth leaves many questions unanswered.
Could the Hall brothers have deviated from their typical pattern to abduct the Springfield 3,
or is this another dead end in a case riddled with mysteries? What do you think?
Let me know in the comments below.
(15:47):
Robert Craig Cox stands out as a notorious figure in the mystifying case of the Springfield 3.
As the only individual to have openly admitted involvement in the disappearance of these women,
Cox's name inevitably draws attention. However, examining the depth of his connection and his
criminal past sheds light on a more complex narrative, suggesting that his claim might hold more
(16:11):
significance for him than it does for solving the case, Cox's criminal history is dark and
undeniably troubling. The case of Sharon Zellers, a Disney World employee who never made at home in
December 1978, marks the beginning of his known criminal activities. Her body, discovered in a
state of severe decomposition, bore the marks of a brutal assault leading to a lengthy investigation
(16:36):
that eventually pointed towards Cox, who was in the area at the time. Despite a wealth of
circumstantial evidence, including hair samples and blood type matches, Cox's conviction for
Zellers' murder was overturned due to the Florida Supreme Court's judgment on the insufficiency
of evidence. After moving to Springfield, Missouri, Cox found himself living in the same city from
(16:57):
which the Springfield 3 would later vanish in 1992. His subsequent criminal endeavors,
including a conviction for an armed robbery in Decatur, Texas, in 1995, further cement
his reputation as a violent criminal with a particular animosity towards women. Cox's involvement
with the Springfield 3 became public in the mid-90s when he began hinting at his knowledge of
(17:20):
their fate. Despite offering a now-discredited alibi for the night of their disappearance,
Cox tantalizingly claimed he would disclose the location of their bodies after his mother's death,
a promise yet to be fulfilled, leaving many to question the veracity of his claim.
The critical analysis of Cox's role in this case reveals a complex interplay between his
(17:40):
criminal history and his desire for notoriety. While he, undeniably, possesses a disturbing
history of violence towards women, the lack of concrete evidence linking him to the Springfield
3 casts doubt on his involvement. Instead, Cox's continued association with the case appears to
serve his interests, providing him with a twisted form of attention and a disturbing means of
(18:04):
exerting influence from behind bars. As I learned more about this case, it became evident that
Cox's claims necessitate scrutiny. His past actions reveal a pattern of sadistic behavior, yet the
concrete evidence required to directly link him to this case remains elusive. This analysis suggests
that while Cox's criminal profile cannot be ignored, the absence of definitive proof and his
(18:29):
motivations for claiming involvement point towards a possibility that his connection to the case may
be more about seeking attention than about genuine guilt. This story serves as a reminder of the
complexities inherent in criminal investigations, where the search for truth is often hampered by
the deceitful narratives crafted by those seeking to manipulate the story for their own ends.
(18:50):
I have serious doubts about this guy. What are your thoughts?
Exploring the depths of this case, Bart's treacher, Susie's older brother and Cheryl's son,
emerges as a figure shrouded in complexity and tragedy. Despite the absence of concrete evidence
implicating him in the disappearance, Bart's life and actions invite scrutiny, not least because
(19:13):
of the often intimate nature of such crimes. It's a well-documented fact that a significant
number of abductions and murders involve someone within the victim's immediate circle. Given this
context, Bart's troubled relationship with his family, particularly amidst his struggles with
alcohol, casts a shadow of suspicion, albeit not conclusively. On the night his mother and sister
(19:36):
vanished, Bart's alibi that he drank and passed out at home lacks verification due to his solitary
living situation. Yet his subsequent cooperation with law enforcement, including undergoing a
polygraph test which he passed, suggests a willingness to clear his name, even if polygraphs
remain controversial in their reliability. Bart's past, marked by legal troubles, including a kidnapping
(20:01):
and coercion case in Las Vegas in the year 2000, and another arrest in 2019 in Tennessee
complicates the narrative. The latter incident, particularly, paints a picture of a man potentially
overwhelmed by his personal demons. Yet the Streeter family statement offers a counter narrative to the
charges of attempted false imprisonment, framing Bart's actions in a less sinister light. The
(20:25):
connection of Bart's personal struggles with the lingering pain of his family's tragedy underscores
the profound impact of this case on their surviving relatives. His history of alcohol abuse and the
public nature of his subsequent legal issues might suggest a man grappling with the immense weight
of loss rather than a mastermind capable of orchestrating such a meticulous crime without
(20:46):
leaving a trace. This analysis leans towards viewing Bart's Streeter through a lens of compassion,
acknowledging his flawed human nature and the tragic backdrop against which his life has unfolded.
The pristine condition of the crime scene, compared with Bart's history of erratic behavior,
under the influence suggests an improbability of his involvement in the precise execution of such a crime.
(21:08):
However, the shadow of doubt cannot be entirely lifted, leaving his role in the mystery of the
Springfield 3 as yet another unresolved thread in a tapestry of anguish and yet to be answered
questions. Do you think that Streeter the son and brother is a good suspect?
In thinking about the details of this case, I have found that over the years several key suspects
(21:32):
have emerged, each bringing their own complex backgrounds and potential motives into the investigation.
Dustin Reckla, Susie's former boyfriend with a criminal history and connections to grave robbing
and his presence in the area on the night of their disappearance. Larry DeWayne Hall,
a suspected serial killer with a pattern of abducting women, was convicted of murder.
(21:54):
The pattern of abducting women was considered due to his operational range and the physical
profiles of Susie and Stacey matching his known victim type. Robert Craig Cox, a convicted
criminal with a history of violent behavior towards women, inserted himself into the case
narrative by claiming knowledge of the women's fate, yet without providing verifiable evidence.
(22:16):
Bart Streeter, Susie's estranged brother, has also been a person of interest due to his troubled past
and the familial connection, though his direct involvement remains speculative.
Each suspect's story intertwines with the disappearance, yet none has been conclusively
linked to the case. The investigation has been complicated by a mix of confessions,
(22:37):
recantations, and a lack of physical evidence, leaving the case open and the whereabouts of
Levitt, Streeter, and McCall remain unknown. Despite numerous leads and the passage of over
multiple decades, the mystery of the Springfield Three persists, emblematic of the enduring quest
for answers in the face of seemingly insurmountable ambiguity. Do you have thoughts about what may
(23:00):
have happened to these three ladies? Do you think any of the suspects portrayed stand out
any more than the others in your mind? If so, who and why? Let me know your thoughts about this case
in the comments below. I sincerely hope you enjoyed this story. If you did, please leave
me a review, download, and share this podcast with your friends. Wasn't this one of the strangest
(23:25):
stories you've ever heard? I followed this story on social media as well, and have found quite an
interesting following of people who have very strong opinions on what happened to these three ladies.
It's almost as if they vanished into thin air. Okay, there was even one commenter that suggested
aliens. I'll leave that comment for another podcast. Tune into my next podcast of a shocking
(23:49):
murder that captivated the entire city of Houston, Texas. It may have in fact been the turning point
in an age old courting ritual where young lovers found themselves a quiet spot to enjoy each other's
company. The lovers' lane murders of Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson were so heinous, so depraved,
that it no doubt caused others couple to avoid this courting ritual. Their killer or killers
(24:13):
have never been caught. Can I ask a favor of you? I'm trying to grow my podcast, so if you enjoyed
my story, please consider following my podcast. If you really enjoyed my podcast, I hope you'll
consider buying me a cup of coffee at my Patreon site. While I enjoy what I do, a good cup of Joe,
sure does keep me motivated to bring your more true unsolved crime stories. Thank you.
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