Malice in the Mitten

In Kalamazoo, 1994, a wife vanished — and a husband had an answer too convenient to be true. Four years later, detectives opened the bathroom wall and found the first crack in his story.
A companion research document for this episode is available for listeners who want to go deeper.Link below:
https://tracypreston4.gumroad.com/l/ujbny
Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt
Story from Angela Hoefler additional research and writing by Tracy Preston
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Additional music, and sound effects from Uppbeat:  wind-rustling-leaves-in-winter-ivo=vicic-1-00-47.mp3 / Old-lock-ticking-in-museum-loop-ivo-vicic-1-00-17.mp3 / scary-piano-music-intro-soundroll-1-00-17.mp3 / starting-car-engine-going-for-a-drive-fascinatedsound-1-00-06.mp3 / paper-shuffle-long-om-fx-2-2-00-03.mp3 / bass-deep-long-jeff-kaale-1-00-06.mp3 / garage-door-opening-electric-chain-pull-jeff-kaale-1-00-06.mp3 / pen-writes-on-paper-gfx-sounds-1-00-04.mp3 / scared-heartbeat-ringing-in-ears-jam-fx-1-00-12(1).mp3 / tap-dripping-water-in-bathroom-joshua-chivers-1-00-34.mp3 / warehouse-shutter-door-pulled-closed-joshua-chivers-1-00-05.mp3 / sour-days-tragic-music-brukowskij1-00-28.mp3 / footsteps-walking-on-wood-boots-gfx-sounds-2-2-00-17.mp3 / cicades-crickets-in-african-bush-at-night-smartsound-fx-1-03-00-mp3 / fishing-boat-leaving-harbor-ftus-1-00-54(1).mp3 / tragic-violin-piano-music-soundroll-melody-1-1-00-15.mp3 / tragic-strings-meme-music-om-fx-1-00-31-.mp3 
Sources: 
CBS News – “Deadly Secret”
CBS News – “Police Close In”
WBXX-FM – Portage Cold Case: The Disappearance of Khristine Smith
Michigan Department of Corrections – Offender Tracking Information System (Russ Smith, MDOC #282885)
Local reporting archives (1994–1999): Kalamazoo Gazette, Detroit Free Press, and CBS affiliate coverage
Interview transcripts and public statements via 48 Hours and Michigan Cold Case Unit (public record)

Good times and great laughter, that's what it's all about!
Sound effects from Upbeat:  robin-birdsong-in-gentle-forest-ivo-vicic-1-01-35.mp3

November is Native American Heritage month. A time celebrate the traditions, languages and stories.  
Story by Todd Preston
Music by Tracy Preston

A senseless murder of a beloved father and mentor, a son's endless pursuit for answers. Please listen, and just maybe we can inspire that one person to finally come forward.  It was an honor and a privilege to tell Joseph's story, as well as to have had the opportunity to interview Mike Gatto.  Our interview is at the end of the show.  
Theme song written and recorded Alan Hunt
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Story researched and written by Tracy Preston
Additional mustic from uppbeat:  time-spiral-tim-schaufert-main-version-43507-02-03.mp3
If someone has information or leads on the murder of Joseph Gatto they should contact the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Homicide/Robbery-Homicide Division.
Non-emergency tip line: 877-ASK-LAPD (877-275-5273). LAPD Online+1
Online contact page: [contact.lapdonline@lapd.online] LAPD Online
If you wish to remain anonymous: call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
It’s best to mention the case by name and any relevant details (date, time, location) when providing a tip so that investigators can reference the correct file.

Still reeling from Mondays show!
Sound effects from uppbeat: robin-birdsong-in-springtime-iv-vicic-1-01-39.mp3

This night the lake turned ruthless. . .and the Edmund Fitzgerald disappeared without a trace.
Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt.
Story researched and written by Todd Preston.
Editing and sound effects by Tracy Preston
Sound effect from uppbeat:  thunder-lightning-ftus-1-00-13(1).mp3 / ocean-storm-from-ship-gfx-sounds-1-1-02-21(1).mp3 / ship-foghorn-blating-gfx-sounds-1-00-10.mp3 / strong-crashing-waves-during-storm-ivo-vicic--1-01-36.mp3
Sources:
NTSB Report – SS Edmund Fitzgerald (1978)https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MAR7803.pdf
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Casualty Reporthttps://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/docs/boards/edmundfitz.pdf
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum — Whitefish Pointhttps://shipwreckmuseum.com/edmund-fitzgerald/
History.com— November 10, 1975https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/november-10/cargo-ship-suddenly-sinks-in-lake-superior
Britannica — Causes & theorieshttps://www.britannica.com/question/What-caused-the-Edmund-Fitzgerald-to-sink
Gordon Lightfoot — Song backgroundhttps://gordonlightfoot.com/wreckoftheedmundfitzgerald.shtml
AP News — Memory & family storieshttps://apnews.com/article/89a5a5b7420852af1bb76128bd99695d
Archaeological & dive reports (CURV-III, 1980s–1990s)Referenced within museum & NOAA archives
Ojibwe Lake Superior lore & Mishipeshu (scholarly references)Compiled via University of Minnesota Duluth Indigenous Studies publications

Fifteen years after three brothers vanished over Thanksgiving weekend in Morenci, Michigan, their father—John Skelton—has been charged with their murders. Once convicted only of unlawful imprisonment, he was days from release when prosecutors reopened the case. Malice in the Mitten revisits the evidence, the haunting scene inside his home, and a mother’s long wait for answers in one of Michigan’s most chilling cold cases.
Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt.
Original artwork by Todd Preston.
Story researched and written by Tracy Preston.
Sound effects and additional music from Uppbeat:  wind-howling-low-intense-smartsound-fx-1-00-57.mp3 - church-bell-single-ring-swoop-1-00-04.mp3 / ironic-sad-meme-piano-string-music-om-fx-1-00-26(1).mp3 

Do you ever think about how old certain foods are?  
Written by Tracy Preston
Original music by Tracy Preston
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Sound effects uploaded from uppbeat:  censor-profanity-beep-long-om-fx-1-00-01.mp3
Sources: 
https://historyfacts.com/famous-figures/article/fascinating-facts-about-every-first-lady/
https://historyfacts.com/world-history/article/5-historical-coincidences-that-blow-our-minds/?lctg=01d933ad-120b-443f-b98b-69cdfe6511ac

In the back of a Michigan cemetery lies a black marble sphere.Legend says it moves on its own.Reflections appear. Whispers echo from the woods.This… is The Witches Ball.
Theme Song written and recorded by Alan Hunt
Story researched and written by Todd Preston
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Recorded and edited by Tracy Preston
Sound effects from Uppbeat:  breathing-close-up-dan-barracuda-reverb-1-00-18.mp3 / axe-impacting-metal-weapon-smartsound-fx-1-00-01.mp3 / haunted-forest-ambience-gfx-sounds-intense-2-00-27(1).mp3 / plastic-button-switch-clicked-volo-1-00-00.mp3
Sources:
Lost In Michigan – The Enigma of the Miller Spherehttps://lostinmichigan.net/the-enigma-of-the-miller-sphere/
Lost In Michigan – Mystery of the Witch’s Ballhttps://lostinmichigan.net/mystery-witchs-ball/
99WFMK – Witch’s Ball 2020https://99wfmk.com/witchs-ball-2020/
WRKR – Witch’s Ballhttps://wrkr.com/witchs-ball-2020/
Haunted Places – Memphis Cemeteryhttps://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/memphis-cemetery/
MichiganHauntedHouses – Real Haunt: Memphis Cemeteryhttps://www.michiganhauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/memphis-cemetery.html
99WFMK – Moving Headstones & Witch’s Ball coveragehttps://99wfmk.com/ixp/689/p/witches-ball-mcmanus-headstone-michigan-haunted/
WKFR – Haunted Moving Headstonehttps://wkfr.com/haunted-moving-headstone-michigan/
net– Haunted Places in Michiganhttps://www.ghostquest.net/haunted-places-michigan-usa.html
Wikipedia – Witch Ballhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_ball
Wikipedia – Memphis, Michiganhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis,_Michigan

Mackinac Island.No cars. No crime. Just summer light and lake air.                Until July 1960 — when a widow went for a walk and never came back.
Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt
Original artwork by Todd Preston
Story researchd and written by Tracy Preston
Recording/editing by Tracy Preston
If you have any information on the murder of Frances Lacey, please contact the Michigan State Police - Cold Case Unit
Tip Line: 313-215-06785 / www.michigan.gov/msp
Author ReferenceRod Sadler — Grim Paradise: The Cold Case Search for the Mackinac Island Killer - https://rodsadlerauthor.com
“Cold Case: 1960 Mackinac Island Murder of Frances Lacey.” 9&10 News, Heritage Broadcasting, 2024.
“The Island’s Only Homicide.” Sun Times News, 2025.
“Unsolved Michigan: Mackinac Island’s Only Known Murder.” The Michigan Enjoyer, 2025.
Murder on the Island: The Death of Frances Lacey. WGRD 97.9 / Townsquare Media, 2024.
“Murder of Dawn Lee Magyar.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, last modified 2025.
People v. Jerald L. Wingeart. Michigan Court of Appeals Records, 2003.
Sadler, Rod. Interview with UP Notable Books Club, April 2024.
Sounds from uppbeat:  vier-siscretion-is-advised-film-clip-movie-guy-1-00-02.mp3 / Horse-shorting-galloping-gfx-sounds-1-00-13.mp3 / foghorn-blowing-on-boat-felix-blume-1-00-04.mp3 / ocean-breeze-seagulls-ambience-gfx-sounds-1-1-02-56.mp3