Unsolved News: Global Roundup
Your weekly roundup of True Crime, Unsolved Murder & Mysteries from around the world
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Africa
🇨🇫Central African Republic: Unsolved murder of three Russian journalists left hanging
The three were in the country in 2018 to film a documentary. Orkhan Dzhemal, Alexander Rastorguyev and Kirill Radchenko were ambushed in their vehicle in a supposed robbery but as valuables were left behind -it appears political motives may be more likely. More here.
🇰🇪Kenya: Upmarket apartment block linked to two unsolved murders
The body of Sheila Njeri Murage, 33, was discovered in the flowerbed of Santonia Court Kilimani, Nairobi on July 17 2020. She had attended a party in one of the apartments and been sexually assaulted before her death. In 2012, another woman, Careen Chepchumba, was found murdered in her apartment, according to a court inquest, police bungled the investigation. More here.
Bonus: South African True Crime podcast ‘True Crime South Africa’ digs into the unsolved case of murdered mother Sibille Zanner.
Asia
🇮🇳India: Ayurvedic doctor who murdered over 100 people arrested in Delhi
Serial killer Devender Sharma dumped his victims bodies in a canal infested with crocodiles. The horrific murders were committed to harvest organs. Sharma “lost count” of the actual number of victims. More here.
🇮🇱Israel: According to a leading criminologist there is at least one serial killer operating in Israel currently
Avi Dawidowicz has done extensive research into serial killers and murders in the country and points out alarming gaps in the police’s knowledge and abilities as well as over-reliance on US based research. More here.
🇯🇵Japan: 1995 Hachioji supermarket triple murder case unsolved after 25 years
The three victims Megumi Yabuki, 17, Hiromi Maeda, 16, and Noriko Inagaki, 47 were shot in the head. There is a ¥6 Million reward. More here.
Bonus: Play detective and dig in to Japanese Locked Room Mysteries.
🇵🇭Philippines: Latest murder of long-time activist Randy Echanis brings new questions about other unsolved activist murders
72-year-old Randy was a police consultant as well as long-time peace activist. Randy and his housemate, Louie Tagapia were found dead on Monday 10th August with stab wounds. According to the human rights group Karapatan, 182 activists and human rights defenders have been killed between July 2016, when President Rodrigo Duterte took power, and June 30, 2020. More here.
🇹🇭Thailand: 2000 murder of British Backpacker Kirsty Jones - case closes unsolved
Kirsty Jones was a vibrant and adventurous young 23-year-old woman when she was murdered in popular tourist destination Chiang Mai. Her family have pushed Thai investigators for 20 years to keep digging. This month the case was closed, tragically unsolved. More here.
Bonus: Look out for our upcoming in-depth coverage of the Kirsty Jones case and other worryingly unsolved tourist murders in Thailand.
Europe
🇮🇪Ireland: French authorities make a 3rd attempt to extradite Ian Bailey, a suspect in the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier
Sophie, a 39-year-old TV Producer was bludgeoned to death on 23rd December 1996 near her remote holiday cottage in Skull, West Cork. Mr Bailey has maintained his innocence since and, although the cloud of suspicion has hung over him, no charges have been brought by the Guarda and the case remains open. More here.
🇩🇪Germany: Witness against Christian B - main suspect in Madeleine McCann murder - is unreliable according to lawyer
The lawyer claims witness made statements in exchange for leniency. The notorious missing persons case is now being solidly pursued as a murder in the first major developments since Madeleine’s 2007 disappearance. More here.
🇬🇧United Kingdom: Private Investigator identifies notorious criminal as a suspect in 1990 murder of Ann Heron
The victims husband Peter Heron was initially charged with her murder but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence. Investigator Jen Jarvie has pointed to prison escapee Michael Benson as a ‘viable suspect’. More here.
North America
🐾Kentucky: Renewed appeal in 1999 shooting murder
In Bowling Green, on October 17th, 1999 Kevin L. Ragland was shot and killed outside his own home. His girlfriend informed police Ragland, whom she found bleeding, told her before dying that he had been robbed and his necklace was missing. Tragically Ragland was able to call his mother as he was dying. His brother appealed for information in solving the 21-year mystery. More here.
⭐Texas: Podcast duo raise money for Billboard in unsolved murder
On April 19, 2016 in Midlothian, Terri “Missy” Bevers was stabbed to death as she was opening a church hall. The mother-of-three’s murderer has never been found and despite some CCTV footage of the suspect, police are unable to determine what gender her killer was. True Crime Broads, which focuses on the case, are using Gofundme to raise money for a billboard about the crime. More here.
🗝️Pennsylvania: 1978 murder case re-opened
29-year-old Maxine Andrews was shot & killed on November 6th 1978, in Johnstown outside Ace’s Lounge. Her brother, Clarence, now wants answers to what happened to the sister that regularly made him laugh and “had a fun personality.” After Clarence attended the Police Station earlier this month, the case has been re-opened. More here.
⬆️North Carolina: Event aims to keep cases of Indigenous women in spotlight
The ‘Raising Our Voices’ event aims to make sure the deaths are not forgotten and to support the community. Many of the murders remain unsolved and the investigations cold. Unfortunately data suggests indigenous women are more susceptible to violence and often cases are not given as much media attention as others. More here.
Bonus: I will be doing a series of investigations on missing and murdered indigenous people across the world. Please feel free to make suggestions to tips@unsolvednews.com or my twitter @unsolvednewscom
🐝 Utah: 6-year-old Rosie Tapia’s murder remains unsolved after 25 years
The little girl was kidnapped from her home in the early morning hours of Aug. 13, 1995. Tragically, she was found floating in a canal off the Jordan River. Last year police released a sketch of the possible suspect, a 16 or 17 year-old Hispanic man. Her mother, Lewine, has been tortured by the events of that day for over 25 years. More here.
🔨Alabama: 1999 cold case allegedly solved with arrest of victim’s brother/son
Joe Daniel Stallions has been charged with the shooting deaths at their home of his mother Bobbi Ingram, and his sister, 17-year-old Jodi Stallions, after over 21 years as a free man. The suspect’s infant daughter was also at the property but escaped unharmed. More here.
Oceania
🇦🇺Australia: Murder of country teen Michelle Bright in 1999 sees arrest
The case I covered in the first newsletter has finally had some positive movement after a former neighbour was arrested. In case you missed it - read about the arrest and the suspect here. And more about the circumstances of the case here.
Bonus: The arrest in the Bright case has given other cold case victims family’s hope.
South America
🇨🇴Colombia: Five black teens murdered while out flying kites
The shocking & brutal murders have highlighted a huge problem with the treatment and status of ethnic minorities in the country. An innocent day of kite-flying for the five friends, aged between 14-18, ended in a horrific discovery of the boys tortured bodies in a field. No arrests have yet been made. More here.
If you would like to see me cover a case as part of the detailed newsletters please send me an email at tips@unsolvednews.com - I would love to hear from you. Look out for the next investigation in the Unsolved News newsletter this coming Thursday.
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