Texarkana Moonlight Murders

When we first covered the disappearance of 14-year-old Laureen Rahn back in Episode 006, the case already felt unsettling: the dark apartment building, the unscrewed lightbulbs, the open doors, the strange phone calls, and the lingering question of whether Laureen left on her own or whether someone led her into the darkness. But years later, the story is not quite the same. In this collaboration episode, we join Speculating Wildly About Crime, Dark Woods Paranormal, and Midnight Mystery Archive to revisit Laureen’s case with fresh eyes, new conversations, and details that challenge some of what many of us thought we knew. Together, we discuss the pieces of the original story that may not hold up, the people who have come forward with new perspective, the possibility that the focus of the case may have been pointed in the wrong direction for decades, and why a renewed push from investigators could matter now more than ever. This is not just a look back at an old case. It is a reminder that sometimes the truth is not found in the loudest theory, but in the details someone finally decides to share. If you have any information about Laureen Rahn’s disappearance, please contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at 603-271-2663 or email [email protected]. And if you are already caught up on regular Coffee and Cases episodes and want more content, you can join us on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/coffeeandcases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the spring of 1946, Texarkana was trying to return to normal. The war was over. Families were settling back into familiar routines. Teenagers went to dances. Couples drove out to quiet roads. Many people still left their doors unlocked, because that was the kind of place they believed they lived in. Then, between February and May, that sense of safety shattered. Across the Texas-Arkansas border, a series of brutal nighttime attacks left five people dead, three others wounded, and an entire community afraid of the dark. The newspapers gave the attacker a name: the Phantom Killer. But who was he? If you’re all caught up and want more Coffee and Cases content, join us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/coffeeandcases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On January 24, 2006, 24-year-old Jennifer Joyce Kesse disappeared from Orlando, Florida, while leaving for work. Nearly two decades later, her family is still fighting to learn what happened to her. In Part 3, we examine the investigation itself. What crucial opportunities may have been lost during the earliest hours? Why did Jennifer’s family have to fight for access to her case files? What did their private investigation uncover—and could new DNA testing, artificial intelligence, and renewed attention from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement finally bring answers? If you have not listened to Parts 1 and 2, we encourage you to begin there before joining us for the final chapter in our coverage of Jennifer’s case. To support the Kesse family’s continued search for Jennifer, visit their GoFundMe:https://www.gofundme.com/f/kasmv-help-us-find-jennifer-kesse For additional Coffee and Cases content, join us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/coffeeandcases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On January 24, 2006, 24-year-old Jennifer Kesse vanished from Orlando, Florida, after what should have been an ordinary Tuesday morning. Jennifer was responsible, cautious, ambitious, and deeply connected to the people who loved her. She had just returned from vacation, gone back to work, spoken with her family and boyfriend, and appeared to be settling right back into the life she had carefully built for herself. Then, sometime between getting ready for work and arriving there, Jennifer disappeared. In Part 2 of our coverage, we follow the rapidly unfolding search as Jennifer’s family and coworkers try to understand how a responsible, dependable young woman could seemingly vanish between her Orlando condo and her workplace. With no obvious signs of a struggle inside her home and only Jennifer, her work belongings, and her car missing, investigators are left with urgent questions—and very few clear answers. If you have not yet listened to Part 1, we strongly recommend beginning there for the full timeline of Jennifer’s final confirmed hours. For additional Coffee and Cases content, bonus episodes, and ways to support the show, join us on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/coffeeandcases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A short note and a thank you to all of you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the county fair came to town. Jeremy Bright begged his mom to allow him to attend. When she agreed, she had no idea the lifelong heartache that would result. How could a 14-year-old boy just disappear from a crowd with not a single clue? Please consider supporting the pod by joining us over on our Patreon page! Are you up-to-date on all our regular content? Be a part of the C & C Fam by going to https://www.patreon.com/coffeeandcases to register! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On January 24, 2006, 24-year-old Jennifer Kesse vanished from Orlando, Florida, after what should have been an ordinary Tuesday morning. Jennifer was responsible, cautious, ambitious, and deeply connected to the people who loved her. She had just returned from vacation, gone back to work, spoken with her family and boyfriend, and appeared to be settling right back into the life she had carefully built for herself. Then, sometime between getting ready for work and arriving there, Jennifer disappeared. In Part 1 of our deep dive into Jennifer’s case, we take a closer look at the woman behind the headlines, the life she was building, the unsettling circumstances surrounding her condo complex, and the first alarming hours after her family realized something was terribly wrong. For additional Coffee and Cases content, bonus episodes, and ways to support the show, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/coffeeandcases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After flying to San Francisco for the summer, 18-year-old Kristen Modafferi told her sister that she was “learning about life.” Unfortunately, life has a dark side. Link to order form for the cookbook: ⁠http://www.kristenfoundation.org/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=hw&report=sp&ID=009⁠ Link to order form for the bracelet: ⁠http://www.kristenfoundation.org/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=hw&report=sp&ID=010⁠ If you would like to make a donation to the Kristen Foundation, please see the link below: ⁠http://www.kristenfoundation.org/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=hw&report=sp&ID=107⁠ Please also consider supporting Coffee and Cases by joining us over on our Patreon page! Are you up-to-date on all our regular content?! Be a part of the C & C Fam by going to ⁠https://www.patreon.com/coffeeandcases⁠ to register! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One small change to a schedule-- Blake Dickus staying a bit longer with his dad and step-mom to have lunch-- changed the course of so many lives forever. After Blake’s dad returned to work from a lunch at home with his family, someone came into his home and brutally murdered his wife, Chynna, and his ten-year-old son. But who could have committed such a senseless act? Please also consider supporting Coffee and Cases by joining us over on our Patreon page! Are you up-to-date on all our regular content?! Be a part of the C & C Fam by going to ⁠https://www.patreon.com/coffeeandcases⁠ to register! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On May 14, 2008, 19-year-old Brandon Swanson disappeared near Porter, Minnesota, after calling his parents for help in the middle of the night. What should have been a simple drive home after celebrating the end of the college semester became one of the most haunting missing persons cases in Minnesota history. Brandon was on the phone with his father when something happened. Then the call went silent. Nearly two decades later, his family is still waiting for answers. If you are interested in bonus content for our show or in getting some Coffee and Cases swag, please consider joining Patreon. There are various levels to fit your needs, all of which can be found here: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/coffeeandcases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices