cover of episode Episode 602: The Strange Death of Cindy James (Part 2)

Episode 602: The Strange Death of Cindy James (Part 2)

2024/9/19
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Morbid

Chapters

Cindy James' claims of harassment and assault are investigated, with conflicting polygraph results and her refusal to see a psychiatrist raising suspicions.
  • Cindy James reported repeated harassment and assault.
  • Detective Valuer Smith suspected something was off about her story.
  • Cindy took polygraph exams showing signs of deception.
  • Her refusal to see a psychiatrist due to stigma concerns was noted.

Shownotes Transcript

After opening an investigation into Cindy’s death, investigators learned that, for nearly a decade leading up to her death, Cindy James had repeatedly reported to Richmond Police that she was a victim of harassment, stalking, and assault, and had even turned over threatening letters and answering machine messages as evidence of the harassment; yet local police were unable to verify her story or intervene to protect her.

At first, Cindy’s death appeared to be the inevitable and tragic conclusion of a years’-long campaign of harassment and terror by an unknown stalker; however, when investigators began digging into Cindy’s personal history, they discovered evidence that contradicted their initial assumptions and pointed towards a far stranger explanation for her death.

Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me The Axe Podcast for research and writing support!

References

Graham, Patracia. 1989. "We could have done better for Cindy." The Province, June 16: 37.

Hall, Neal. 1989. "Body believed to be missing nurse's." Vancouver Sun, June 9: 1.

—. 1990. "Ex-spouse angrily denied woman's lurid charge." Vancouver Sun, March 7: A12.

—. 1990. "James' ex-husband tells of fear police would frame him." Vancouver Sun, March 8: 19.

—. 1990. "James felt abandoned, ex-husband testifies ." Vancouver Sun, May 8: 16.

—. 1990. "James inquest hears of 1984 kidnap claim." Vancouver Sun, March 2: 15.

—. 1990. "James recalled bloody tale." Vancouver Sun, March 6: 19.

—. 1990. "Under siege." Vancouver Sun, March 24: A9.

Horwood, Holly. 1990. "James inquest a strain for jurors." The Province, May 31: 4.

—. 1990. "Nurse changed her story." The Province, February 28: 6.

—. 1990. "Threats, attacks preceded death." The Province, February 27: 2.

Jiwa, Salim. 1989. "Body is nurse's." *The Province *, June 9: 5.

—. 1989. "Somebody tailed Cindy." The Province, June 1: 4.

Mulgrew, Ian. 1991. Who Killed Cindy James? Seal Press: New York, NY.

Pemberton, Kim. 1989. "Strange ordeal of Cindy James." Vancouver Sun, July 13: 17.

Vancouver Sun. 1989. "Abduction feared by nurse's dad." Vancouver Sun, June 2: 37.

—. 1990. "Conflicting evidence fabricated tangled puzzle for inquest." Vancouver Sun, May 29: 9.

—. 1990. "Coroner's jury to hear of mysterious incidents." Vancouver Sun, February 26: 21.

—. 1989. "Police ask help in locating missing nurse." Vancouver Sun, May 30: 33.

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