The Investigation Begins

The morning of February 5, 1975, changed everything. A call to the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office led deputies to a quiet home on East Mead Avenue—and to the body of 18-year-old Linda Madison.

In this episode of The D-Lo Show, host Ryan “D-Lo” DeLozier walks through the early hours of the investigation: the chilling 5 a.m. phone call from Joe Brooks, the discovery of Linda’s body, and the immediate arrest that followed. As detectives began to piece together what happened, Joe’s version of events began to shift—and the evidence told a different story.

This episode explores the early police work, the autopsy, the inconsistencies in Joe’s statements, and the growing case against him. Through newspaper reports, court records, and expert analysis, we begin to understand how the investigation unfolded—and why the community was already bracing for a trial.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, domestic violence, pregnancy, and gun violence. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 or reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.