Out Of The Shadows

"Throwaways: The Classroom Detectives," the fourth installment of our series, takes a remarkable turn as we step into a classroom where a high school project transcends the confines of conventional education. Forget the simple science fair exhibits of terrariums or the explosive reactions of a Mentos-dropped Coke volcano. This is where academia and real-world investigation collide, thanks to the innovative spirit of Alex Campbell and his extraordinary class of teenagers.In this episode, we dive into the story of how a school project evolved into a groundbreaking forensic examination. Alex, a visionary teacher, led his students through a hands-on criminal investigation, enlisting the expertise of an FBI profiler to delve into the haunting patterns surrounding the Redhead Murders. This collaboration wasn't just about theoretical learning; it was a pivotal moment that shifted the trajectory of our investigation by confirming a suspicion we dared not voice alone—that a serial killer was indeed at work

In episode three of "Throwaways: Viral Justice," we explore the ripple effect of storytelling and its power to resurrect cold cases from the silence of the archives to the forefront of public attention. This chapter begins with Shane, whose tenacious research into the forgotten case of the Barbourville Jane Doe ignited a spark of interest across the communities tethered to the Bible Belt's local media. As Shane's narrative found its way onto Foul Play, it wasn't long before the tale of the unsolved murder began to reverberate through the corridors of small-town newsrooms and onto the screens of crime bloggers nationwide. The renewed intrigue is a testament to the profound impact that sharing these stories can have — giving voice to the voiceless and igniting a collective determination for resolution. Spurred by this burgeoning interest, I turned to a trusted ally in the investigative community, Gemma Hoskins. Known for her sharp insights and indefatigable spirit, Gemma suggested harnessing

In the second episode of "Throwaways: Shadows at the Crossroads," we delve deep into the world of the truck stop hustler, a figure as misunderstood as they are stigmatized. 'Lot Lizards' is the term that has echoed through the trailer parks and late-night rest stops of America — not as a badge of honor, but as a label born out of mockery and perpetuated by stereotypes. These aren't the glamourous scenes from far-flung locales with their high-stakes espionage and luxury escorts.Instead, our story is rooted in the grit and struggle of the blue-collar sex trade where Hollywood's caricatures meet harsh reality. Picture the scene: the archetypal 'rustbelt hooker' with her leopard print and red lipstick, a figure both vilified and romanticized in equal measure, bearing the unseen scars of a life lived on the precipice of society's margins. We trace the origin of this derisive moniker back to its roots, examining how a quip from a comedian in the 1970s has evolved into a lexicon o

In the premiere episode of our gripping new series "Throwaways: The Forgotten Strands," we unravel the chilling narrative of the Redhead Murders. The episode embarks on a haunting journey through the depths of one of the most enigmatic serial killing sprees of the 1980s, inviting listeners to join me as I trace the killer's bloodstained path and bring to light the stories of those who fell victim to his wrath.Our story begins with a personal account of my entanglement in the investigation that breathed new life into cold cases and opened up wounds that seemed long forgotten. With painstaking research and dogged determination, I pursued leads that would eventually pinpoint a predator who exploited the era's blind spots to traffic in human misery. Through a blend of narrative storytelling and investigative journalism, this episode offers a raw and unflinching look at the danger that truck stops and forgotten highways posed to vulnerable souls dubbed 'Lot Lizards'. These women, often marg