Monster: Freeway Phantom

iHeartPodcasts and Tenderfoot TV•www.iheart.com

Between 1971 and 1972, six black girls went missing in the Washington D.C. area. Their bodies were discarded alongside DC freeways. And their killer was never found. The media dubbed him “The Freeway Phantom.”

From iHeartPodcasts and Tenderfoot TV, a new podcast reinvestigates the 50 year old unsolved murders of these young girls. Journalist and Public Radio veteran Celeste Headlee (NPR, PBS, TEDx) examines old case files and interviews the investigators and family members who are still haunted by these killings. Headlee will ask the questions: Why didn’t these murders make the news headlines? Did law enforcement do enough to solve these crimes? And how do racial disparities impact these types of investigations, past and present? Plus, we’ll explore new evidence which may crack the cold case wide open again.

If you have any information relating to these unsolved crimes, contact the Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 727-9099. If you have a tip and would like to reach out directly to Tenderfoot TV, email us at tips@tenderfoot.tv.

Last refreshed: July 6th, 2025 at 2:35 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Inside The Monster Series [bonus]

Executive Producers Matt Frederick and Trevor Young sit down for an exclusive behind-the-scenes conversation about the makings of the Monster series. Get the scoop from the beginning and find out how a one-off investigation into a serial killer in Atlanta became an award-winning global podcast franchise. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 21, 2025•1 hr 5 min

D.C.'s Missing Voice with Henderson Long [bonus]

Henderson Long has worked on missing persons cases for over a decade. Long was also instrumental in the early stages of our Freeway Phantom investigation. We talk with him about his personal connection to the issue and his work to help families searching for answers in Washington D.C. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 26, 2023•34 min

Courtney's House [bonus]

We explore an issue deeply connected to the missing persons cases we've disccused this season: domestic trafficking. Tina Frundt of Courtney's House in D.C. takes us through her story as a survivor, and how her nonprofit works to combat the effects of human trafficking. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 19, 2023•37 min

The Epidemic [10]

The Freeway Phantom case is but one example of a wider epidemic of missing black girls in DC who don't get the attention they need. How can we fix this? And how can we finally bring the Phantom to justice? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 12, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 10

A New Profile [9]

We recruit a former FBI profiler to create a new profile of the Freeway Phantom. And we look at the systemic issues that led to the Phantom's success. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 05, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 9

Who is the Phantom? [8]

Why was the Phantom never caught? Is it possible he's still alive, walking freely? We explore all evidence pointing to his identity. And we ask: what hope is left? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 28, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Green Vega [7]

More suspects come to light. And we learn about two other murdered girls who may have been unconfirmed victims of the Phantom: 18-year-old Teara Bryant and 14-year-old Angela Barnes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 21, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 7

The Hospital [6]

After a hiatus of 10 months, police find the body of 17-year-old Diane Williams on September 6th, 1972. Diane would be the final confirmed victim of the Freeway Phantom. Sadly, police attention would be diverted away from the case by the Watergate Scandal. Plus, a suspect is revealed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 14, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Catch Me If You Can [5]

In the early morning hours of November 16th, 1971, police discovered the body of 18-year-old Brenda Woodard. But this time, it's clear that the victim fought back against the killer. And in Brenda's coat pocket, police discover a handwritten note from the Phantom. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 07, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 5

The Moniker [4]

On October 1st, 1971, a fourth victim was taken and later found dead: 12-year-old Nenomoshia Yates. Finally, news outlets begin to pick up the story of these murdered black girls. And the media gives the killer a name... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 31, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Did My Mother See Me? [3]

On July 27th, 1971, 10-year-old Brenda Crockett did not return home from a trip to the grocery store. Hours later, Brenda called home to deliver a cryptic message. And then, the line went dead. Her body was discovered just hours later... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 24, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Congress Heights [2]

In early July of 1971, multiple drivers reported seeing a dead body just off a freeway in D.C. Only weeks later was the cadaver recovered. Police eventually discovered it was the body of 16-year-old Darlenia Johnson, who had gone missing weeks earlier. The killer had struck again... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 17, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Forgotten Girls [1]

On April 25th, 1971, 13-year-old Carol Spinks mysteriously disappeared from her neighborhood in southeast Washington D.C. Six days later, her body was discovered off a nearby freeway. Investigators assumed this was a one-off murder. Little did they know, Carol was the first victim of D.C.'s first serial killer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 17, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Freeway Phantom - Official Trailer

'Freeway Phantom' is a new investigative true crime podcast from Tenderfoot TV, iHeartRadio, and Black Bar Mitzvah. Hosted by Celeste Headlee. The first two episodes drop on May 17th, 2023. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 03, 2023•2 min

Hosted on Omny Studio

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