Don't Talk to Strangers

Don't Talk to Strangers

Don’t talk to Strangers – The Oakland County Child Murders is a limited run podcast focused on nine child murders that took place in and around south Oakland County between January 1, 1976 and March 16, 1977. Four of these murders appear to be the work of an as yet unidentified serial killer known as the Oakland County Child Killer.

Episodes

December 28, 2019 42 mins

In the conclusion of the mini season of Don't Talk to Strangers we cover the delayed arrest of the perpetrators, their trials and the distressing information learned by Jennifer's mother during court proceedings. #Murder #Michigan 

 

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The charming community of Milford Michigan has seen more than its fair share of tragedy and violence. This mini-season of Don't Talk to Strangers explores a double homicide from the summer of 1995. 

#Murder #Michigan 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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October 19, 2019 12 mins

A somber yet optimistic conclusion to season one.

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Credits:

Nina Innsted, writer/host
Lisa Strawn, editor/producer

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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August 2, 2019 58 mins

Nina and fellow researcher Andy Berthiaume discuss the patterns and problems in the Oakland County child murders based on information found in this document. (Note: this is a 250 page PDF. Specific page numbers are mentioned in the episode)

Document Link Url: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/53805NCJRS.pdf

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Credits:

Nina Innsted, writer/host

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June 12, 2019 28 mins

September 1, 1978, 23 year old James Lossing of Mt Clemens commits an unspeakable crime against a child. Macomb County officials were asking - Could Lossing be the long sought after Oakland County Child Killer?

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Credits:

Nina Innsted, writer/host

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May 14, 2019 27 mins

In September 1977, Birmingham, Michigan had it's third murder in less than two years. Authorities are quick to point out that this murder "was not related to the Oakland County Child Killer."

Who murdered art dealer and reverend John McKinney? His business brought him in contact with OCCK victim Timothy King. Could McKinney know about the child killings? Or was it all a coincidence? #murder #art #unsolved #execution

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April 19, 2019 32 mins

The final chapter of Timothy King's abduction and murder.

https://catherinebroad.blog/2013/12/03/act-of-kindness/ (the track suit)

https://catherinebroad.blog/2018/07/15/more-from-2009/. (Dead or institutionalized)

Additional Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/dPEoasBHNiA 

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Credits:

Nina Innsted, writer/host

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March 20, 2019 32 mins

In 1976 law enforcement in Michigan uncovered a pedophile ring operating on North Fox Island, a privately owned property in Lake Michigan. Operating under the name “Brother Paul’s Children’s Mission” activities on North Fox Island allowed wealthy men like Dyer Grossman, Francis D. Shelden and their accomplice, Gerald Richards access to underprivileged kids who were sent to the island for a “camp experience”. This episode also uncov...

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Interview with J. Reuben Appelman, author of "The Kill Jar" and host of ID channel show Children of the Snow, both about his search for information on the Oakland County Child Killer.

 

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February 22, 2019 34 mins

Publications about the death of 11-year-old Timothy King prominently featured the fact that the suspect was driving a blue Gremlin. Nina talks to Tim's brother, Chris King, about the accuracy, origin, and importance of this detail.

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Credits:

Nina Innsted, writer/host
Lisa Strawn, editor/producer

 

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January 30, 2019 29 mins

On February 2, 1977 10 year old Valerie Bishop was beaten, raped, murdered and left in the snow next to an abandoned house. While an arrest was made, the charges were dismissed.

Despite her murder happening in the middle of the Oakland County Child Killings, the task force declined to take on her case.

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Credits:

Nina Innsted, writer/host
Lisa Strawn, editor/producer

 

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January 17, 2019 51 mins

On January 2, 1977 10-year-old Kristine Mihelich stopped by Hartfield Bowling lanes before heading to 7-11 where she purchased a magazine, some candy and a drink.

Then Kristine disappeared.

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Credits:

Nina Innsted, writer/host
Lisa Strawn, editor/producer

 

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December 12, 2018 44 mins

This is the mid-season finale of Don't Talk to Strangers. The Robinson family thought leaving Detroit for the suburbs would keep them safe. Not long after the move, Jill Robinson begins having nightmares, horrific dreams of being shot. Until days before Christmas, when she disappears, and the day after Christmas, Jill is found murdered, shot in the head. Coincidence or premonition?

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Credi...

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November 28, 2018 30 mins

In the summer of 1976, 13 year old Jane Allan is abducted. Local media reports on her as a runaway who met an unfortunate end, but Jane had not run away when she was abducted. Local media used Jane's history as a former runaway and her tragic death to strike fear in children and spread the message that bad things happen to you if you run away from home.

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Credits:

Nina Innsted, writer/host
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November 14, 2018 31 mins

Episode two explores the disappearance and murder of 12-year-old Mark Stebbins from Ferndale. He was last seen near Nine Mile Road and Woodward Avenue. His body would be left in a public area near the side of 10 Mile Road in Southfield.

While his death is the first case attributed to the Oakland County Child Killer, the smothering death of Mark Stebbins remains unsolved.

 

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Credits:

Nina ...

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October 31, 2018 40 mins

The “Babysitter Murders” is a series of three murders, one in Wayne County, one in Macomb County and one in Oakland County.

Two of the victims were babysitting young children when they were assaulted and murdered.

Law enforcement would subsequently close all three cases.

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Credits:

Nina Innsted, writer/host
Lisa Strawn, editor/producer

 

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October 27, 2018 57 secs

Introducing Don't Talk to Strangers - a long-form podcast about the Oakland County child murders. 

 

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