Key Insights
Why did the community of Ashland, Ohio, initially find the disappearance of two women so unusual?
Ashland is a small, quiet town with a population of about 20,000, known for its rural setting, university, and Amish community. Missing persons cases are rare, making two disappearances within a short time frame highly unusual.
What was the role of Detective Kim Major in the Ashland Police Department?
Kim Major served as a detective for 23 years, handling violent crime, sex offenses, and child abuse cases. She managed over a thousand such cases during her tenure.
How did Elizabeth Griffith's disappearance impact the community?
Elizabeth was known and well-liked in the community, with many officers keeping an eye on her due to her vulnerability. Her disappearance left the community on edge and deeply concerned.
What was the significance of the 911 call received by the Ashland Police Department on September 13, 2016?
The 911 call was from a woman who had been held captive and was whispering to avoid alerting her abductor. This call led to the rescue of the victim and the eventual capture of Sean Great, a serial killer.
How did Detective Kim Major approach her interviews with Sean Great?
Major used empathy and a calm demeanor to gain Great's trust, allowing him to open up and confess to his crimes. She also secretly recorded the interviews as a backup when the video system malfunctioned.
What was the chilling revelation made by Sean Great during his interrogation?
Great revealed that he had a hunger to kill and demonstrated his strangulation technique on a detective, showing how he had killed his victims.
How did the community of Ashland respond to the discovery of multiple victims in the house on Covert Court?
The community was in shock and disbelief, as such crimes were unprecedented in their quiet town. Many residents felt a need to gather and witness the demolition of the house as a form of closure.
What was the outcome of Sean Great's trial?
Sean Great was found guilty on multiple counts of aggravated murder, rape, and kidnapping. He received the death penalty, which is currently on hold pending an alternative to lethal injection.
How did genetic genealogy help in identifying one of Sean Great's victims?
Genetic genealogy provided a potential identity for an unidentified victim, leading to a DNA comparison with her daughter that confirmed her identity as Dana Nicole Lowry.
What impact did the case have on Detective Kim Major personally?
The case took a significant emotional toll on Major, making her more hypersensitive and affecting her physically. She also faced a chilling threat from Great through a fellow inmate.
Chapters
- A kidnapped woman whispers to 911 while her captor sleeps.
- Police face difficulty locating the correct house due to two identical houses.
- The victim, Jane Doe, is rescued, leading to the arrest of Sean Great.
- Jane Doe reveals a connection between Great and a missing woman, Elizabeth Griffith.
Shownotes Transcript