The Disappearance of Timmothy Pitzen

Timestamp to skip the intro chat: (8:00) In 2011, Amy Pitzen and her husband Jim had been having marital issues.  Amy struggled with mental illness and was worried Jim would divorce her and take custody of their son, Timmothy (6). On May 11 that year, minutes after Jim dropped Timmothy off at Kindergarten, Amy went to the school and signed her son out.   She then took him on a road trip that spanned hundreds of miles.  She did not tell Jim her plans.    Jim became worried when he could not get hold of Amy and he made a report to police.  On May 14, Amy’s body was found in a motel room.  There was no sign of Timmothy.  Amy left behind multiple suicide notes, including one that read  “I’ve taken him somewhere safe.  He will be well cared for and he says that he loves you. Please know that there is nothing that you could have said or done that would have changed my mind.” Now, 14 years later, Timmothy remains missing.   Did Amy give him to another family or is the reality more sinister? Read our blog for this case - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2025/04/29/timmothy-pitzen-missing-for-14-years/ Join us on Patreon for weekly exclusive and ad-free content - Patreon.com/truecrimesociety Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety This episode is sponsored by: IQMIX is a zero-sugar drink mix from IQBAR that hydrates, boosts your mood and promotes mental clarity.  Text CRIME to 64000 to get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping.

Timestamp to skip the intro chat: (5:58) In the past few months, the remains of multiple people have been found in different locations in New England.    These discoveries have sparked speculation online and in the media that a serial killer may be stalking the area. We discuss some of the possible victims of this killer and tell their stories.   We also run through some information about John and Jane Doe cases that have been discovered in the region.  Read our blog on this episode Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news Join our community on Patreon for exclusive weekly content and to get all our episodes ad-free This episode is sponsored by: The Skylight Calendar is here to keep your family organized! This beautifully designed digital display syncs with your existing calendars, making it effortless to track events, appointments, and reminders in one easy-to-see place.  Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to SkylightCal.com/tcs

Join hosts Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore as they take you deep into the world of the most notorious crimes ever — where a single clue can crack a case wide open. From shocking murders to serial killers, Clues dives into all the forensic details and brilliant sleuthing of the world's most infamous cases. CLUES is a Crime House Original, powered by PAVE Studios. Follow and listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Timestamp to skip the intro and get straight to the case: (10:11) According to Human Rights Watch, it’s estimated that about 90 per cent of crimes in Mexico are never reported, while a third of reported crimes are never investigated. About 2,600 foreigners have gone missing in Mexico in the past 15 years. In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss two separate cases of foreigners who have gone missing in Mexico. Canadian man Malcom Madsen was a snowbird who enjoyed traveling to Mexico every year.  Malcolm purchased a home near Puerto Vallarta for his girlfriend Marcela Acosta.  In 2018, the couple were seen on CCTV enjoying a night out at a local bar.   Marcela could be seen putting a substance into Malcom’s drink.  Minutes later, they left the bar and Malcom was unsteady on his feet.   He has not been seen since.  Marcela and two accomplices have been sentenced to over 50 years in prison in relation to Malcom’s disappearance. Australian woman Tahnee Shanks had been living in Mexico for years in 2022.   She and her husband Jorge had been having marriage problems, and she planned to return to Australia with their daughter Adelynn.  The family decided to take one last vacation together.  In May 2022, Adelynn was found wandering alone and barefoot outside a church in Cancun.   Now, almost three years later, both Tahnee and Jorge remain missing.  Is Jorge on the run after killing Tahnee or could they both have been murdered by the Mexican cartel? Read our blog for these cases Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news Join us on Patreon for exclusive, ad-free content This episode is sponsored by: IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, text CRIME to sixty-four thousand.  Sign up now and join the over 14 million all-time customers who have already saved and invested over $25 billion dollars with Acorns. Head to acorns.com/tcs or download the Acorns app to get started. 

Timestamps: (5:50) - Tracey Nix Update (10:44) - Amy Lynn Bradley In March 1998, Amy Bradley boarded a Royal Caribbean cruise with her brother, mother and father, looking forward to some fun in the sun. The family enjoyed seeing Aruba and taking advantage of all that the ship had to offer including restaurants, bars and nightclubs. One night on their cruise, Amy and her brother Brad danced until the early morning hours at the nightclub on the ship. They went back to their cabin and Amy was seen asleep by her father just after 5am. When he woke up again at 6am, Amy was gone.   27 years later, Amy remains missing. The investigation into her disappearance has been criticized by her family as Royal Caribbean did not want to alarm other passengers on board.    Over the years, there have been many reported sightings of Amy and it is feared that she has been trafficked and is being forced to work in the sex industry. Was Amy abducted and smuggled off the ship?  Could she still be alive? Or did she fall overboard and drown? Read our blog for this case Check us out on Patreon for weekly bonus episodes and ad free content! Follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news and updates.

Timestamps: (11:10) - Anesthesiologist Cases Anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig and his nuclear engineer wife Arielle had been having marital issues.   Gerhardt suggested a weekend away on Oahu in an attempt to repair the relationship.   While they were taking photos at a lookout, Gerhardt allegedly turned violent.  Arielle has said that he tried to push her off a cliff before beating her with a rock.   She also said that he produced two syringes filled with an unknown substance and attempted to poke her with them.  Gerhardt has been charged with attempted murder. Texas anesthesiologist Raynaldo Riviera Ortiz Jr seemed to have it all.   He owned a multi-million dollar contracting business.   He purchased a mansion and multiple luxury vehicles.  The reality of his life was very different - Raynaldo owed millions of dollars to the IRS.   In 2022, numerous patients at the hospital where Raynaldo worked suffered unusual medical emergencies.  Raynaldo was investigated and it was determined that he had tampered with IV bags.  He has been dubbed a medical terrorist and has recently been sentenced to 190 years in prison. Read our blogs for these cases: Dr Raynaldo Ortiz Dr Gerhardt Konig Be sure to join us on Patreon for exclusive, ad-free content and extra episodes! Follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news  This episode is sponsored by: Storyworth - Give all the “moms” in your life a unique, heartfelt gift you’ll all cherish for years—StoryWorth! Right now, save $10 on your first purchase when you go to Storyworth.com/TCS IQBar - Text CRIME to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. 

Timestamps (9:22) - Johnny Gosh Final Thoughts (17:00) - Fetish Crimes In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we are going to discuss two separate cases involving fetish-related deaths. Californian wife and mom-of-three Michaela Rylaarsdam (31) has been arrested and charged over the death of Michael Dale (55) in 2023.  It is alleged his death happened following a consensual BDSM session that Michael paid for.  Michaela is alleged to have wrapped Michael in saran wrap, at his request.   She allegedly filmed OnlyFans content as he lay dying beside her. Brendan Banfield has been accused of murdering his wife Christine in 2023.  It is alleged that Brendan worked with the family au-pair Juliana Peres Magalhaes to conduct the crime.   Brendan and Juliana made an account on a fetish website and tried to set up a man named Joseph Ryan to come into their home.   The plan was that Joseph would assault Christine as part of a role-play and that her death would occur as part of that scenario.  Both Joseph and Christine ended up being killed. Also, Stephanie reveals some exciting news in this episode! Blog for this episode Check us out on: Instagram - For the latest crime news and updates Patreon - For exclusive ad-free content and weekly bonus episodes! This episode is sponsored by Nutrafol -  Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code TCS

Timestamps (8:53) - Adan Manzano Update (15:10) - Truck Drivers According to the FBI’s former assistant director Frank Figliuzzi, long-haul truckers may be responsible for over 850 murders in the United States  In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss: The case of long-haul trucker Robert Ben Rhoades, the Truck Stop Serial Killer.   Rhoades has been convicted of four murders and is thought to have killed at least 50 people during his crime spree.   He made a ‘torture dungeon’ in the cab of his truck so that he could restrain his victims. The cases of missing people Judith Casida and Patrick Carnes.   Judith and Patrick have no known connection, but they both disappeared from the exact same desolate exit ramp in Nevada.  Judith disappeared in 2006 and Patrick disappeared in 2011.   Both of their vehicles were left behind and no trace of them has ever been found.  Could they have been victims of a serial killer? Read our blog for these cases Be sure to join us on Patreon for exclusive, ad-free content Follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news This episode is sponsored by: Graza - Head to Graza.co and use TCS to get 10% off of TRIO which includes Sizzle, Frizzle and Drizzle, and get to cookin’ your next chef-quality meal!

Timestamps: (5:58) - Tyler Goodrich Update (15:00) - Johnny Gosch On September 5, 1982, Johnny Gosch (12) left his home in the early morning to carry out his paper route.  His father would usually go with him, but on that fateful day Johnny went alone. Witnesses reported seeing Johnny speaking to different men that morning.  His red wagon, filled with newspapers, would be found abandoned by his father.    There have been reported sightings of Johnny over the years.  Johnny’s mother Noreen has said that in 1997, Johnny showed up at her home to visit her.  Johnny explained to Noreen what had happened during his abduction and said that he still feared for his life.  Noreen said she hugged him at the end of their visit, and watched him leave. Could Johnny really be alive and living a life under the radar?  Did he really visit his mother 15 years after he vanished? Read our blog for this case Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news In our latest Patreon episode, we discuss the case of missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki This episode is sponsored by :    IQBAR is the better-for-you, plant-protein based snacks made with brain-boosting nutrients to refuel, nourish, and satisfy hunger without the sugar crash.  IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, text CRIME to 64-000.  Message and data rates may apply. Nutrafol is the #1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement brand, trusted by over one and a half million people. See thicker, stronger, faster-growing hair with less shedding in just 3-6 months with Nutrafol.  Get $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and use code TCS. Graza is our new favorite olive oil.  Visit Graza.co and use TCS to get 10% off of TRIO which includes Sizzle, Frizzle and Drizzle, and get to cookin’ your next chef-quality meal!

Timestamps (10:30) - Adan Manzano Update (15:30) - Sebastian Rogers (20:30) - Asha Degree (36:14) - Social Scammers Welcome back to another episode of the True Crime Society Podcast. In this episode, we discuss a few different cases: It has been revealed that sports reporter Adan Manzano had Xanax in his system at the time of his death.   The drug had not been prescribed to him. February 26 marked the one year anniversary of the disappearance of Tennessee teen Sebastian Rogers. There have been some new developments in the cold case of missing child Asha Degree.  Asha has now been missing for over 25 years.  We first covered Asha’s case in September 2024 so be sure to listen to that episode first.   New search warrants have been executed. We have learned about some possibly incriminating text messages that were sent between the Dedmon family, who have been investigated in relation to the case. A witness has also alleged that Lizzie Dedmon confessed to killing Asha. We also discuss two ‘Social Scammer’ cases.   Amy Downs aka Slotmachinequeen allegedly took over $1m in donations for charities from her followers.   She then deposited the money into her own accounts.    Marlena Valez is an influencer with over 400k followers on TikTok.   In October 2024, Marlena filmed herself in a Target store.  CCTV shows that she stole items at a self-checkout during that shopping trip.   When police appealed for info, one of Marlena’s followers phoned in an anonymous tip, leading to her arrest. Read our blog for these cases -  Asha Degree Social Scammers Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news Join us on Patreon for ad-free and extra, exclusive content  This episode is sponsored by: IQ Bar:  : Text CRIME to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply