Archive
Examine Dorothy’s filming spots, Midwest crime stories, Dust Bowl landmarks, and eerie prairie folklore.
Zoey Grace Felix was a bright, joyful 5-year-old from Topeka, Kansas. Her life was tragically cut short on October 2, 2023. Zoey Felix was known for her infectious smile and warm spirit. She was adored by family and friends throughout the Topeka community. They remember her as a loving child filled with endless curiosity and heart. Her brief life left a…
Sandra “Sandy” Bird, age 33, was a devoted mother of three, a gifted mathematics teacher, and an active member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Emporia, Kansas. On the evening of July?16, 1983, she drove off a rural gravel road—later dubbed “Bird Bridge”—and her station wagon plunged into the Cottonwood River. Her body was discovered…
Mark?Leenerts, once a respected Kansas Highway Patrol member (2018–2023) and chaplain for the Kansas National Guard’s 190th Air Refueling Wing, experienced a dramatic downfall when surveillance revealed him shoplifting from Walmart stores in Topeka, Kansas. In full uniform—and even while on duty—Leenerts stole dozens of items during self-checkout transactions. The “Skip?Scan” Scheme Between June and…
On the morning of July 7, 2002, police were alerted to a grim discovery in Topeka, Kansas: Mike?Sisco (age 47) and his fiancée, Karen?Harkness (age 53), both shot dead while asleep in their home. Despite more than $1,000 in cash, a Rolex, and jewelry still present, investigators quickly ruled out robbery or burglary. What emerged…
At 139 N. Penn Avenue in Salina, Kansas, the abandoned St. John’s Hospital stands as a poignant reminder of the town’s rich history and the challenges of preserving its architectural heritage. Constructed in 1914 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, the hospital served the community for nearly a century before ceasing operations in…
In the closing days of 2000, the city of Wichita, Kansas, was rocked by a brutal crime spree that would forever scar the community. At the center of this carnage were two brothers—Reginald and Jonathan Carr—whose actions during a week-long rampage came to be known as the Wichita Massacre. Their crimes were so violent and…
On December 22, 1992, 40-year-old Randy Sheridan was gunned down while jogging near his home in Junction City, Kansas. He was shot five times with a 12-gauge shotgun—three times from a passing vehicle and twice at close range as he lay on the ground. The crime shocked the local community and led investigators down a…
A teenager was charged with murder in the deaths of four people found fatally shot in a Wichita house, and another man was charged with helping the teen avoid arrest. Cornelius Oliver, 19, killed his girlfriend, Raeshawnda Wheaton, 18, at her house, as well as her roommate Dessa Ford, and friends Jermaine Levy and Quincy Williams,…
Belle Starr, born Myra Maybelle Shirley on February 5, 1848, in Carthage, Missouri, was an infamous American outlaw of the Old West. She is often referred to as the “Bandit Queen.” Belle Starr is remembered for her association with notorious outlaws and her own criminal activities, which included horse theft, robbery, and consorting with other…
Dolores Davis was murdered by Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill) killer, on January 19, 1991. Rader terrorized the Wichita, Kansas area from 1974 to 1991. He chose Davis as his last known victim. She was a 62-year-old woman. He snuck into her home, strangled her, and then disposed of her…
On September 16, 1986, Dennis Rader, disguised as a telephone repairman, knocked on Vicki Wegerle’s door and requested to check her telephone lines inside her home. Once granted entry, Rader feigned inspecting the telephone lines before pulling out a pistol when Vicki’s back was turned. He then led her to the bedroom, where he tied…
Marine Hedge, 53, was found along a dirt road eight days after she was abducted from her home on April 27, 1985, when she had spent the evening eating dinner and playing bingo with her boyfriend. She had been strangled, and a knotted pair of pantyhose was found nearby. She lived on the same street…
On the night of December 8, 1977, Nancy Fox, a 25-year-old woman living in Wichita, Kansas, fell victim to serial killer Dennis Rader, infamously known as BTK—short for Bind, Torture, Kill. Rader, who was later revealed to be responsible for a string of brutal murders spanning decades, had selected Nancy as his next target through careful surveillance and meticulous planning. That…
Shirley Vian was a mother of five who was brutally murdered in her home in Wichita, Kansas, on March 17, 1977. On that day, Dennis Rader broke into Shirley Vian’s home and attacked her. He bound her hands and strangled her to death. Vian’s three children, who were present in the house at the time,…
Kathryn Bright was attacked in her home in Wichita, Kansas, on April 4, 1974. She was stabbed multiple times but managed to initially survive the assault. Kathryn’s brother, Kevin Bright, was also attacked during the incident but survived. Kathryn Bright House The house is no longer there, but the site is easily accessible. Location: 3217 E…
15 January 1974 The Otero family murder was a series of brutal killings that took place in Wichita, Kansas, in 1974. Four members of the Otero family—Joseph, Julie, Joseph Jr., and Josephine—were bound, tortured, and killed in their home. The man responsible was Dennis Rader. He would later become known as the “BTK Killer.” Location: N.…
Dennis Rader, also known as the “BTK Killer,” is an American serial killer who terrorized the Wichita, Kansas area between the 1970s and early 2000s. “BTK” stands for “Bind, Torture, Kill,” which was Rader’s modus operandi. He killed a total of ten people, including men, women, and children Rader’s first known murders were in 1974,…
George “Machine Gun” Kelly Barnes (1895-1954) was an American gangster and bank robber during the Prohibition era. He was born on July 18, 1895, in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Machine Gun Kelly gained notoriety for his involvement in various criminal activities, including bootlegging, kidnapping, and armed robbery. He earned the nickname “Machine Gun” due to…
BackgroundCandy Montgomery and Betty Gore lived next door in Wylie, Texas. Both were married with children. They met through church and neighborhood events. Rumors of an affair between Montgomery and Allan Gore caused tension. The CrimeOn June 13, 1980, Betty Gore was found in her home. She had sustained multiple axe wounds. The force of…
The Clutter Family The Clutter family lived in Holcomb, Kansas, and were well known for their honesty and hard work. Herbert Clutter ran a successful wheat farm and helped start the local Farm Credit System. He used modern farming methods and led in both civic groups and the Methodist church. Bonnie Clutter was kind and…
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