Yolanda Panek was a rising star—a record-breaking athlete, Rose Festival Court representative, and mentor to dozens of middle school girls in Portland’s science and math programs. But in July 1995, the 21-year-old mother vanished without a trace. The next morning, her car was found abandoned with her two-year-old son inside, unharmed, and evidence pointed to a shocking case of intimate partner violence.
In this episode, we examine the investigation into Panek’s disappearance, the evidence that led to her killer’s conviction despite her body never being recovered, and the lasting legacy she left through programs supporting survivors of domestic violence.
📍 Portland, Oregon | July 1995
📖 Featuring an original poem written in her honor, read by Milcania Diaz-Rojas (40 acres Homekilling Queen)
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More about Milcania Diaz-Rojas:
Milcania Diaz-Rojas is a rising Dominican-Canadian actor and writer based in Toronto. Milcania secured her debut role in the HBO feature film SHARE. Since then, she has starred in several notable film and television productions, including HOMEKILLING QUEEN (Lifetime), THE BOLD TYPE (Freeform), and SLIP (Roku).
As a 2023-2024 alumna of the prestigious CBC Actors Conservatory at the Canadian Film Centre, Milcania made her writing debut with the short film ZURY. Her performance in the film has garnered significant attention, winning several awards and nominations.
Most recently, Milcania can be seen in her leading role in the post-apocalyptic thriller 40 ACRES, which had its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, and is now streaming on HULU. She has also taken on a leading role in the indie film FAT LADY SRIRACHA that has yet to be released.
With her dedication to her craft, Milcania Diaz-Rojas is establishing herself as a dynamic force in the entertainment industry.
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