Disappeared: Cases That Need Answers
Malevolent Mischief: True Stories of Horror
Deep Dive
Why did Asha Degree leave her house in the middle of the night during a storm?
The motivation behind Asha's actions remains unknown. She packed her belongings, including her favorite Tweety Bird purse, a t-shirt, and candy, and left her house at around 3:30 AM in a heavy storm. No clear reason has been identified.
What were the initial clues found after Asha Degree's disappearance?
Initial clues included Asha's hair bow found near the highway where she was last seen, indicating she had left on her own. Ten months later, her book bag was discovered wrapped in a plastic bag, 26 miles from her home, containing personal items and a photograph of an unidentified girl.
What theories have been proposed to explain Asha Degree's disappearance?
Theories include Asha being lured by someone she trusted, influenced by a story like 'The Whipping Boy' which her class had recently read, or possibly abducted by an opportunistic predator. However, no definitive evidence supports any of these theories.
Why did Evelyn Hartley's father become concerned when he couldn't reach her?
Evelyn's father, Richard, had a habit of checking in on her when she babysat. When he called the Rasmussen home at 8:30 PM and 9:00 PM without an answer, he grew concerned as Evelyn was known to be cautious and responsible, making her unavailability unusual.
What significant clue did Evelyn Hartley's father find at the Rasmussen home?
Richard found Evelyn's shoe lying on the ground outside the Rasmussen home, near a basement window that was slightly ajar and had its screen pried off. This discovery indicated something was terribly wrong.
What were the primary theories surrounding Evelyn Hartley's disappearance?
Theories included potential involvement of Ed Gein, a local man who escaped from a mental institution, and the possibility of a premeditated abduction by someone who had been watching Evelyn. However, no concrete evidence tied any suspect to the crime.
Why did Cheryl Levitt's friend Janice become worried about her and the two girls?
Janice became worried when her daughter, Stacey McCall, didn't show up for planned events and calls to Cheryl's house went unanswered. Her concern grew as the hours passed without any contact from the three women.
What was the initial scene like when Janice entered Cheryl Levitt's house?
The house was eerily silent and orderly, with all three women's belongings scattered throughout the living room, including their keys and wallets. Cheryl's bed appeared slept in, and a broken porch light was the only sign of disruption.
What significant lead emerged early in the investigation of the Springfield Three?
An early lead involved a green Dodge van reportedly seen near Cheryl's home around the time the women went missing. Witnesses claimed the van had been idling in the neighborhood, but the van's owner was never located.
What were the primary theories surrounding Phoebe Hansjuk's death?
Theories included accidental death due to intoxication and confusion, deliberate self-harm driven by emotional turmoil, and foul play involving someone else. Each theory had significant inconsistencies and lacked definitive evidence.
What significant clue did the investigation find in Phoebe Hansjuk's apartment?
The investigation found small drops of blood, broken glass, and a handwritten note with unclear and disorganized content, suggesting some kind of distress or conflict before Phoebe's final moments.
Why did the forensic evidence complicate the accidental death theory in Phoebe Hansjuk's case?
The forensic evidence showed that entering the garbage chute required deliberate effort and coordination, which was highly improbable given Phoebe's intoxication and sedative intake. Additionally, her injuries suggested resistance during her descent, conflicting with the accidental theory.
- Asha was a responsible and cautious child.
- She left her home in the middle of a storm with a backpack.
- Her disappearance remains unsolved, with few concrete leads.
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