Keystone Cold Cases

Episode 77: Kathleen ”Kathy” Kelly - Missing (1981)

Kathleen Kelly was a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She grew up in some troublesome circumstances, but by the time she was 12 she was very independent, yet of course still loved her time with friends. One day, after going to a skating rink with some of her favorite people, she left and walked to her sister’s house. After leaving her sister’s house, she was never seen again. Listen as Sarah tells the story and discusses theories with Chelsea and Grace. Sources, photos, and additional information available at kccpod.com 

Episode 76: The Smiley Face Killer Theory

In 2008 a polarizing theory was posed about the supposed "accidental" drowning deaths of young men in different cities across the US.  Listen as Grace gives a brief history and explanation of the Smiley Face Killer Theory.  Sources available at kccpod.com. 

Episode 75: Dakota James - Murdered? (2017)

Dakota James was a grad student at Duquesne University in 2017.  He had a bright future ahead of him and it seemed like everything in his life was going well.  No one could ever have guessed that the evening of January 25 would be the last time anyone would see Dakota alive.  His body was discovered in the Ohio River six weeks after he was reported missing.  Was this some terrible accident?  A suicide?  A hate crime?  Or maybe even tied to similar cases in the area, hinting at a possible serial killer at large? Whatever happened, his family has yet to get all of their questions answered. Listen as Grace tells the story and discusses theories with Chelsea and Sarah. Sources and photos available at kccpod.com. 

Please note: after speaking with a source close to the case we will be adding some corrections/additions to our blog at kccpod.com/blog. 

Episode 74: Christine ”Chris” Guenther - Murdered (1981)

Chris Guenther was a typical 15 year old in 1981 Pittsburgh. She attended school, she loved her Steelers, and she got sick from time to time. In October of 1981, Chris had an ear infection. She left school early to check in with her doctor before heading to a Steelers game with her family and best friend. But she would never make it to the doctor’s office or that game. After going missing that night, her family waited 5 days to learn of the discovery of her body across the county line. Listen this week as Sarah tells the story and discusses theories of what happened to Chris Gunther with Chelsea and Grace. Sources and additional information available at kccpod.com.

Episode 73: David Lee Branton - Missing (1993)

David Lee Branton seemed like the all American man. His family had a well known name in the Lehigh Valley community. He made his own way by opening up his own law firm. He was successful and living his life. Out of nowhere he disappeared with no trace; leaving behind all of his belongings. In the aftermath, it comes out that he had a substance abuse issue and there are rumors rippling of him possibly being a closeted gay. Could this be why not only his family but his own community “swept” this case under the rug? Listen as Chelsea tells the story and discusses theories with Grace and Sarah. Sources and images available at kccpod.com 

Episode 72: Michele ”Shelly” Reidenbach - Missing (1981)

Her senior year had just begun, and even though she wasn’t feeling well, a teenaged Michele Reidenbach was primped for her senior photo appointment. After having her photo taken, Michele went to her after-school job. During this work shift, she left her job for a few minutes to get something from the pharmacy. Once she purchased her cold meds, she began walking across the parking lot to go back to work. At that moment, she vanished in plain sight. Listen as Sarah tells the story and discusses theories with Grace. More information, photos, and sources available at kccpod.com.

Episode 71: Jesse Farber - Missing (2015)

Jesse’s ex last saw him on the 8th of August 2015. He had been acting strange recently and she was concerned. She remembered he said, “I have to do this on my own, but when it’s over we’ll all be together again.” Days later he called to tell her he was being chased by coyotes in the woods and was never heard from again.  Listen as Chelsea tells the story and discusses theories with Grace.  Sources and photos available at kccpod.com.

Episode 70: Eric Pyles - Missing (2000)

Eric Pyles got off the bus after a typical day. Instead of walking home he walked to Jonestown Bible Church. He was seen by a church worker and it assumed he was going to use the bathroom. That was the last time he was seen. The worker left later that night and saw footprints headed to the woods. Bloodhounds confirmed his scent to the woods as well. Did a rough home life contribute to him walking off, or did his bad habits of running away and hitch hiking lead to his demise? Listen as Chelsea tells the story and discusses theories with Sarah. Sources and additional information available at kccpod.com. 

Episode 69: Gwendel ”Gwen” Greenblatt - Murdered (2003)

Gwendel Greenblatt was literally that person whose “smile lit up a room.”  Her family and friends adored her. Unfortunately, she was in an emotionally abusive relationship and there didn’t seem to be anything her friends and family could say to convince her to leave.  When Gwen’s friend Christina hears a scream and then silence during a phone call, it quickly becomes clear that something horrific has happened to Gwen. Listen in as Grace tells the story and discusses theories with Sarah. Sources and further information available at kccpod.com. 

Episode 68: Gail Matthews and Tamara Berkheiser - Murdered (1994)

When Gail Matthews and Tamara Berkheiser failed to show up for a daily breakfast at Gail’s mother’s house, the panic began. In less than a few hours, Gail’s mother would discover that her daughter, Gail, aged 23, and granddaughter, Tamara, aged 5, were both murdered by an unknown assailant on the night of September 1, 1994. Who would kill this woman and her daughter, and what motive would they have? Listen to the case this week as Sarah tells the story and discusses theories with Chelsea and Grace. All sources and photos are available at kccpod.com.