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The Dark Oak

Just Us Gals Productionsthedarkoakpodcast.podbean.com
Attention all shiver-seekers! The Dark Oak is a weekly thrill and chill inducing mystery podcast. Every Wednesday, Stefanie and Cynthia will present to you a true tale of the supernatural, the macabre, historical crimes, cryptids, the unexplained and the downright spooky. To help ease your fears, we also include The Branch of Hope Foundation, which connects you to the human side of our cases by giving back to non-profit organizations related to the first episode of the month. If you enjoy guilt free listening and your interest falls somewhere between Bigfoot and Jack the Ripper, The Dark Oak has you covered. Throw in some real time reactions including gasps and laughs and you’ve got the perfect podcast. So grab your coffee, sweet tea or tall glass of wine and settle in for your shadowy adventure. The Dark Oak is waiting!
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Episodes

Episode 85: What Happened to Olivia Lone Bear?

Please, welcome our special guest, Coffee and Cases! Make sure you give them a follow and a five-star review! linktr.ee/coffeeandcases When Olivia Lone Bear went missing on October 24, 2017, her family was thrust into a search that would span years, uncovering a series of perplexing details that would leave them without answers. This episode delves into the mysterious circumstances surrounding Olivia's disappearance, from the cryptic final texts sent from her phone to the unexplainable discovery...

Feb 12, 20251 hr 11 minEp. 91

Episode 84: The Unsolved Murder of Elizabeth Barraza

On the morning of January 25, 2019, 29-year-old Liz Barraza cheerfully set up a garage sale in the driveway of the Tomball, Texas home she shared with her husband Sergio and their beloved dachshund, Diesel. The fun loving, vivacious Liz was excited to make a little extra cash to use on her upcoming 5th wedding anniversary trip to sunny Orlando, Florida. While setting up the garage sale, Liz would be shot four times by an unknown assailant. Shockingly, the entire incident was caught on surveillan...

Feb 05, 20251 hr 27 minEp. 90

Episode 83: Where is Paola Miranda Rosa?

Paola Miranda Rosa, 31, vanished from Wekiva Springs State Park on December 18, 2021. Last seen on a video created by an unnamed eyewitness, her car was found in the park despite initial denials by a ranger. The investigation by Osceola County Sheriff's Office was criticized for being inadequate, suggesting suicide or alligator attack with little evidence. Her family, unsatisfied, conducted their own searches, hired a PI, and is now pushing for FBI involvement, especially after the lead detectiv...

Jan 29, 20251 hr 15 minEp. 89

Episode 82: The Bloody Benders

The Bloody Benders were a family of serial killers active in Labette County, Kansas, from 1871 to 1873. Consisting of John Bender Sr., his wife Elvira (or Almira), their son John Jr., and daughter Kate, they operated a small inn and general store on the Osage Trail, which was frequented by travelers. The family would invite guests to sit at a table with their backs against a curtain, where they would be struck from behind with a hammer, usually by John Sr. or John Jr., while distracted by Kate, ...

Jan 22, 202551 minEp. 88

Episode 81: The Karen Read Trial - Part 2 of 2

After a night out on January 28, 2022, 46-year-old Boston Police Officer was discovered dead in his friend's driveway, covered in snow. The already bizarre scene was made more chaotic when John's girlfriend, Karen Read, was allegedly heard by first responders saying "I hit him! I hit him!" Almost immediately law enforcement determined that John's death was a result of Karen Read purposely hitting him with her vehicle the night before.....but this case wasn't so cut and dry. Almost all of the wit...

Jan 15, 202559 minEp. 87

Episode 80: The Karen Read Trial - Part 1 of 2

After a night out on January 28, 2022, 46 year old Boston Police Officer was discovered dead in his friend's driveway, covered in snow. The already bizarre scene was made more chaotic when John's girlfriend, Karen Read, was allegedly heard by first responders saying "I hit him! I hit him!" Almost immediately law enforcement determined that John's death was a result of Karen Read purposely hitting him with her vehicle the night before.....but this case wasn't so cut and dry. Almost all of the wit...

Jan 08, 20251 hr 17 minEp. 86

New Year, New Binge 2025 - Episode 2 of 2

Welcome, true-crime lovers, to New Year, New Binge 2025 Edition! What you’ll find included is your guide to an exciting lineup of podcasts that will make 2025 your best year for listening yet. New Years is a time for resolutions, and mine is simple: to share with you the most captivating, chilling, and downright binge-worthy true-crime podcasts. Whether you’re looking to uncover unsolved mysteries or dive into deep investigative storytelling, I’ve got you covered. Be sure to follow all of the po...

Jan 03, 20251 hr 34 minEp. 85

New Year, New Binge 2025 - Episode 1 of 2

Welcome, true-crime lovers, to New Year, New Binge 2025 Edition! What you’ll find included is your guide to an exciting lineup of podcasts that will make 2025 your best year for listening yet. New Years is a time for resolutions, and mine is simple: to share with you the most captivating, chilling, and downright binge-worthy true-crime podcasts. Whether you’re looking to uncover unsolved mysteries or dive into deep investigative storytelling, I’ve got you covered. Be sure to follow all of the po...

Jan 02, 20251 hr 21 minEp. 84

Episode 79: The Suspicious Death of Ben Keita

On Nov 26, 2016, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, 18-year-old high school student Ben Keita was reported missing by his parents, Ibrahima and Aissata Keita. He apparently left his home in Lake Stevens, Washington State by himself, without his wallet, phone or car. Temperatures around that time were freezing, and his family was worried the cold could trigger problems for Ben’s sickle cell anemia. Because Ben left his cell phone behind, the police were not able to get a precise location to begin t...

Jan 01, 20251 hr 1 minEp. 83

Episode 78: The Monsters and Mysteries of Christmas

Merry Christmas Day from The Dark Oak! Christmas traditions run deep in every culture and every family. In America, the legend of St Nicholas reigns supreme. But it turns out that Santa Claus is only one of the many fables, legends and haunts that come alive around the celebration of Christmas. So, today I present to you, The Monsters of Christmas. Join us for discussions of The Tomten, The Yule Family (including the Yule boys and the Yule Cat), Mari Lwyd, Belsnickel, Krampus, and more! Sources:...

Dec 25, 202451 minEp. 82

Episode 77: The Murder of JonBenet Ramsey - Part 2 of 2

We know the tragic story well: a 6-year-old beauty queen is found murdered in her upscale home the day after Christmas. Police and the media immediately zero in on the usual suspects...the remaining three members of the Ramsey family. Nearly three decades later we have learned that much of what we were "fed" in the days, weeks, months and years since JonBenet's death has been skewed to fit a particular narrative. Unfortunately, the downside of having a case so widely covered is that much of the ...

Dec 18, 20241 hr 11 minEp. 81

Episode 76: The Murder of JonBenet Ramsey - Part 1 of 2

We know the tragic story well: a 6-year-old beauty queen is found murdered in her upscale home the day after Christmas. Police and the media immediately zero in on the usual suspects...the remaining three members of the Ramsey family. Nearly three decades later we have learned that much of what we were "fed" in the days, weeks, months and years since JonBenet's death has been skewed to fit a particular narrative. Unfortunately, the downside of having a case so widely covered is that much of the ...

Dec 11, 202453 minEp. 80

Episode 75: The Murder of Patricia Jeschke and Wrongful Conviction of Sandra Hemme

Sandra Hemme, is the longest known wrongfully convicted woman in the United States. Sandra was just 20 years old when she was found guilty of the murder of Patricia Jeschke, despite no solid evidence that she committed the crime. She didn’t know the murder victim, there were no witnesses, and no DNA evidence ever connected to her. We will give you all the information on Sandra, Patricia's murder, Sandra's conviction and exoneration, and maybe most shockingly of all, the person suspected of being...

Dec 04, 202457 minEp. 79

Episode 74: The Thanksgiving Day Blount Family Bombing

On the night of November 28th, 1985, several members of the Blount Family had gathered at a family trailer in the Hilltop Mobile Home Park that lay in the suburbs of Fort Worth, Texas. The gathering consisted of Joe Blount, a skilled mechanic, Joe’s wife Susan, Robert who was Joe and Susan’s teenaged son, Joe’s daughter Angela, Joe’s brother Carl Blount and Carl’s estranged son Michael Columbus. The family sat down and ate dinner between 4 and 5pm, after dinner was finished, Carl went home. At 9...

Nov 27, 202445 minEp. 78

Episode 73: The Unsolved Murder of Missy Bevers

April 17, 2016, was a very rainy day in Midlothian, Texas and 45-year-old Missy Bevers was scheduled to teach a fitness class outside of Creekside Church at five the next morning. That evening Missy posted on her FB page” If it’s raining, we’re still training!” giving the time and location of the class with instructions to meet inside the church building instead of their usual spot in the parking lot. Around 5:00 am the next morning, students arrived at the church, but instead of being met with ...

Nov 20, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 77

Episode 72: The Disappearance of Cherryl Lamont Pearson

It seemed like a typical day for 37-year-old Dr. Cherryl Lamont Pearson on January 4, 2002. She attended a Memphis Grizzlies game then she headed home to hang with two of her friends. When her friends left at 1am, she told her friends she was heading to be because she needed to be up early to babysit her nieces and nephews the next morning. After taking a 5 second phone call at 1:58am on Saturday, Cherryl disappeared into thin air. What happened to Cherryl Pearson? Sources: Four years later, gri...

Nov 13, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 76

Episode 71: Inside the Mica Miller Case

On April 27, 2024, 30-year-old South Carolina woman, Mica Miller, placed a disturbing 911 call. She was found later that evening having been killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. At first glance, Mica’s death sounds like a tragic suicide; however, in the days, weeks and months since, many dark secrets have surfaced including allegations of abuse by her estranged husband, Pastor John Paul Miller, leaving many of us asking…. 'Who is actually responsible for Mica Miller’s death?' Sources: Kelle...

Nov 06, 20241 hr 8 minEp. 75

Episode 70: The Life and Death of Edgar Allen Poe - An Oaktober Fest Special Edition

Welcome to Oaktober Fest, The Dark Oak's celebration of the spooky month of October! Every week this month, we will bring you a case that is sure to get you in the creepy mood. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The father of mystery and the American horror story, Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic who is best known for his poetry and terrifying short stories. You would be hard pressed to find a reader who didn't get shivers up their spine at the very thought of the Raven's "Neverm...

Oct 30, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 74

Episode 69: Bella in the Wych Elm - An Oaktober Fest Special Edition

Welcome to Oaktober Fest, The Dark Oak's celebration of the spooky month of October! Every week this month, we will bring you a case that is sure to get you in the creepy mood. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ On April 18, 1943, local boys Robert Hart, Thomas Willetts, Bob Farmer and Fred Payne wandered into Hagley Wood, part of the estate belonging to Lord Cobham near Wychbury Hill, when they came across a large wych elm. The wych elm before them was ancient with a gnarled base and long stretched out branches growing...

Oct 23, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 73

Episode 68: Ron Sisman and Elizabeth Platzman: The Son of Sam Story - An Oaktober Fest Special Edition

Welcome to Oaktober Fest, The Dark Oak's celebration of the spooky month of October! Every week this month, we will bring you a case that is sure to get you in the creepy mood. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ On the Halloween of 1981, Ron Sisman and his girlfriend Elizabeth Platzman were found brutally executed in Ron's ransacked Manhattan apartment. Detectives originally believed the murders to be drug related, however, a prison informant came forward saying he had information about the case. The informants source? ...

Oct 16, 202459 minEp. 72

Episode 67: What Happened to Sandra Hughes? - An Oaktober Fest Special Edition

Welcome to Oaktober Fest, The Dark Oak's celebration of the spooky month of October! Every week this month, we will bring you a case that is sure to get you in the creepy mood. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ While the rest of the world was feeling the chaos of the Covid 19 global pandemic, 54-year-old Sandra Hughes decided to spend time in the place she felt most at home...the great outdoors. What began as a simple solo camping trip turned into one of the most mysterious missing person cases in recent years. Chaotic...

Oct 09, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 71

Episode 66: Death Watch on the Hanging Hill & The Blue Sentinel of Peddlers Rock - An Oaktober Fest Special Edition

Welcome to Oaktober Fest, The Dark Oak's celebration of the spooky month of October! Every week this month, we will bring you a case that is sure to get you in the creepy mood. This week Stefanie shares the tales of two spectral dogs, steeped in history, active to this day, and sure to haunt your dreams. Sources: Clyne, P. E. (1977). Ghostly Animals of America. Dodd Mead. Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of ...

Oct 02, 202453 minEp. 70

Episode 65: Who Killed Robert Wone?

32-year-old Robert Eric Wone could never have imagined that spending the night at an old college friend's house would result in his bizarre murder, yet that is exactly what happened on August 2, 2006. A little over an hour after arriving at the DC home that Joe Price's shares with two other men, Robert was dead and a bizarre 911 call was placed. When first responders arrive to find Robert stabbed to death, but very little blood and no signs of a struggle, suspicions quickly turn to the housemate...

Sep 25, 20241 hr 25 minEp. 69

Episode 64: The Unsolved Murder of David Bacon

An up-and-coming Hollywood actor best known for his role in "The Masked Marvel,” crashed his sports car in a bean field in Los Angeles, California. The actor, christened David Bacon by the famous Hollywood film producer Howard Hughes exited the vehicle and stumble only a few feet before collapsing. In his back was a single stab wound to the back made by a six-inch-long "stiletto-like blade.” Some say it was the result of a love triangle and some say he was cursed from the start. What is known is...

Sep 18, 202455 minEp. 68

Episode 63: Where is Cathy Moulton?

16-year-old Cathy Moulton was reported missing on September 24, 1971. She was last seen in downtown Portland, Maine wearing a navy-blue coat and carrying a brown leather bag. Police immediately decided that she was a runaway and her case remained uninvestigated, that is, until nearly thirty years later, a determined detective Kevin Cady devoted his career to finding answers for the Moulton family. Over the course of several decades, Detective Cady and his team tracked down witnesses and were abl...

Sep 11, 20241 hr 15 minEp. 67

Episode 62: The Disappearance of Ebonee Spears

30-year-old, Ebonee Spears was last seen on Jan. 14, 2016. The week and days before her disappearance were plagued with strange occurrences and troubling moments that have left her family wondering what could have become of Ebonee. On the evening of her disappearance, she attempted to make a phone call at the Wilmington Police Department but was unable to work the lobby's telephone. In a surveillance camera in the station's lobby, she appeared frustrated at being unable to use the phone before w...

Sep 04, 20241 hr 4 minEp. 66

Episode 61: The Unsolved Murder of Garrett Phillips

When a 12-year-old dies suddenly, law enforcement focuses their attention on one man almost exclusively. Surveillance footage seems to contradict the person of interest's alibi. In this episode we have a soccer coach, a Sheriff's deputy and a small town torn apart by the devastating loss of Garrett Phillips. Sources: Who Killed Garrett Phillips. (n.d.). 7 News Staff. (2023, July 3). U.S. Appeals Court strikes down Nick Hillary’s verdict appeal in discrimination case. https://www.wwnytv.com . htt...

Aug 28, 20241 hr 12 minEp. 65

Episode 60: The Disturbing Disappearance of Amy Lynn Bradley

According to the website Maritime Injury Report approximately 400 people have gone missing from cruise ships in the past 20 years. And according to Cruise Lines International Association of the 212 listed as having gone overboard between the years of 2009 and 2019, only 48 people were rescued. While these numbers aren’t insignificant, it is important to realize that approximately 30 million people take cruise ship vacations each year, so, the chances of disappearing while aboard are small. Howev...

Aug 21, 20241 hr 15 minEp. 64

Episode 59: The Unexplained Death of Olivia Jane Ward

When 16-year-old Olivia "Janie" Ward died after a fall at a teen party in the woods, her family began a decades long search to find out what really happened to her on that night. With conflicting autopsies, "misplaced" records, and eyewitness statements that create more questions than answers, Janie's death sadly remains as much a mystery today as it was 35 years ago. Sources: The Waiting Game - Hell and Gone | iHeart. (n.d.). iHeart. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-hell-and-gone-29974699/epi...

Aug 14, 20241 hr 15 minEp. 63

Episode 58: The Disappearance of Marjorie West

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the disappearance of four-year-old Marjorie West remains "the great unsolved mystery of the missing” and the second oldest unsolved child abduction case recorded in American history. At the time of Marjorie’s 1938 disappearance, the search for her was one of the largest for a child since the Lindbergh baby kidnapping six years earlier spanning months and see more than 3,000 local people search for the missing Marjorie. Was Marj...

Aug 07, 202452 minEp. 62
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