The Vault

4.8 (68)
TRUE CRIME
UPDATED DAILY

Join host Trisha Taurinskas as we delve into the news vault for a fresh look at the cold cases, crime and intrigue in our upper Midwest communities. Brought to you by Forum Communications Company.

5D AGO

Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots | PART 2

This is part 2 in the series, "Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots," which examines the devastating impact of a flawed investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department into the 1972 slaying of 16-year-old Joli Truelson – and her family’s renewed fight for answers in the wake of a killer’s confession. Joli Truelson was picked up on the evening of July 3, 1972 in Uptown Minneapolis by a man driving a newer model, gold-colored, two-door vehicle. Her body was discovered 15 hours later in Minnehaha Creek, four miles away. She died from blunt force trauma to the back of her head, insinuating that she was running away from her attacker. Critical evidence was thrown away, including the possible murder weapon. Since then, her case has gone cold. Joli Truelson’s brother, though, always thought her death could be linked to a similar crime: the death of 25-year-old Mary Schlais in 1974. On Nov. 7, 2024, Jon K Miller, 84, confessed to picking up Mary Schlais while she was hitchhiking in Minneapolis. When she refused to have sex with him, he stabbed her 15 times. He drove to Dunn County, Wisconsin – roughly 90 miles away – and dumped her body in a ditch. An eyewitness saw it all – and called it in to authorities. He described the man as being in his mid-30s with mid-length brown hair. He described the vehicle as a newer model, gold-colored, two-door car. The killer went more than 50 years without being caught, until advancements in DNA led authorities to Jon K Miller's rural Minnesota assisted living facility door. When confronted with evidence, he confessed. With the help of Joli Truelson’s family, this series digs deep into the life and criminal history of Jon K Miller, attempting to answer the question: Did he murder Joli Truelson? Jon K Miller has been questioned in Joli Truelson’s murder investigation, but has not been charged with any crimes related to her death. The Vault is a Forum Communications podcast. This episode is hosted by investigative reporter Trisha Taurinksas. To reach Trisha, email her at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com For more information on this case, visit https://www.inforum.com/people/joli-truelson

22 min
MAR 14

Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots | PART 1

This series examines the devastating impact of a flawed investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department into the 1972 slaying of 16-year-old Joli Truelson – and her family’s renewed fight for answers in the wake of a killer’s confession. Joli Truelson was picked up on the evening of July 3, 1972 in Uptown Minneapolis by a man driving a newer model, gold-colored, two-door vehicle. Her body was discovered 15 hours later in Minnehaha Creek, four miles away. She died from blunt force trauma to the back of her head, insinuating that she was running away from her attacker. Critical evidence was thrown away, including the possible murder weapon. Since then, her case has gone cold. Joli Truelson’s brother, though, always thought her death could be linked to a similar crime: the death of 25-year-old Mary Schlais in 1974. On Nov. 7, 2024, Jon K Miller, 84, confessed to picking up Mary Schlais while she was hitchhiking in Minneapolis. When she refused to have sex with him, he stabbed her 15 times. He drove to Dunn County, Wisconsin – roughly 90 miles away – and dumped her body in a ditch. An eyewitness saw it all – and called it in to authorities. He described the man as being in his mid-30s with mid-length brown hair. He described the vehicle as a newer model, gold-colored, two-door car. The killer went more than 50 years without being caught, until advancements in DNA led authorities to Jon K Miller's rural Minnesota assisted living facility door. When confronted with evidence, he confessed. With the help of Joli Truelson’s family, this series digs deep into the life and criminal history of Jon K Miller, attempting to answer the question: Did he murder Joli Truelson? Jon K Miller has been questioned in Joli Truelson’s murder investigation, but has not been charged with any crimes related to her death. The Vault is a Forum Communications podcast. This episode is hosted by investigative reporter Trisha Taurinksas. For more information on this case, visit https://www.inforum.com/people/joli-truelson

24 min
JAN 22

Is There a Cult in North Dakota? PART 1

How a 'cult' took hold in the small town of Neche, North Dakota In the summer of 2024, reporters C.S. Hagen and Drew Trafton presented a reporting series and two-part documentary highlighting the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, a Christian sect that began in the U.K. in the 1800s and has since branched out globally. The PBCC also has historic ties to the small town of Neche, North Dakota. Former members report that the church is responsible for a wide range of misconduct, from money laundering schemes to complicity with sexual assault. For this first in a three-part audio series, C.S. and Drew sit down with Trisha Taurinskas to discuss their reporting and give listeners a glimpse inside the church, what it believes and the accusations of its former members.

51 min
JAN 22

Is There a Cult in North Dakota? PART 2

A former 'cult' member describes sexual assault and forced separation from family According to former members, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has operated for years in the small town of Neche, North Dakota, using fear and the separation from family to keep its members in line. In this episode, the second in a three-part audio series, we hear from a former PBCC member who experienced numerous incidents of sexual assault as a young girl and was shunned from her community and family when she made the choice to leave the church as an adult. Also, reporters Drew Trafton and C.S. Hagen discuss the methods of control the church uses.

32 min
JAN 22

Is There a Cult in North Dakota? PART 3

A helping hand to former Plymouth Brethren members In the last of this three-part audio series, host Trisha Taurinskas interviews Carman Drever, a former member of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and outspoken critic of the church. Drever shares her experiences within the church and goes into detail about the PBCC's control over its members, who face separation from their family if they step out of line. Since leaving the PBCC, Drever has devoted her energy to providing information and resources to other former cult members who often have no other place to turn.

1h 12m
07/16/2024

BONUS EPISODE: The Disappearance of Belinda Van Lith

This episode provides the full hour-long interview with Timothy Crosby, the main suspect in the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith. The in-person interview is conducted by Forum reporter Trisha Taurinskas at the secure Moose Lake Sex Offender Program facility in January 2024. Trisha Taurinskas can be reached at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com Questions related to this interview can be directed to Trisha -- or left as a review in Apple Podcasts. You can find all of our work on this case at inforum.com/Belinda. There, you’ll discover our print stories that accompany every podcast episode. Those stories include images from the casefile, and photos of Belinda, Timothy Crosby and others mentioned in this story. You can also visit our Facebook Group, The Vault: True Crime from the Upper Midwest to discuss the case with others who are listening or reading the series.

1h 16m
04/16/2024

PART 7: The Disappearance of Belinda Van Lith

This is part 7, the final episode in the series on the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith, and the investigation that followed. In this episode, we explore new information brought to light through listener contributions, including potential suspects and insight into the day Belinda went missing. We also discuss Belinda's troll necklace, which contained a white stone. A white jewelry stone was recovered from Timothy Crosby's home during the 2009 search warrant execution. Is there a connection? Find out in this episode. Finally, we hear from Belinda's siblings about who Belinda was, and the impact her disappearance had on the entire family. You can find all of our work on this case at inforum.com/Belinda. There, you’ll discover our print stories that accompany every podcast episode. Those stories include images from the casefile, and photos of Belinda, Timothy Crosby and others mentioned in this story. You can also visit our Facebook Group, The Vault: True Crime from the Upper Midwest to discuss the case with others who are listening or reading the series. If you have any information related to this case, email Trisha Taurinskas at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com

27 min
04/05/2024

PART 6: The Disappearance of Belinda Van Lith

This is part 6 in an ongoing series on the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith, and the investigation that followed. In part 6 of this series, reporter and host Trisha Taurinskas sits down to interview the main suspect, Timothy Crosby, at the secure Moose Lake Sex Offender Treatment Program facility, where he is locked up indefinately. This episode we examine how Belinda's investigation led to Timothy Crosby's involuntarily commitment as a dangerous sexual offender and a danger to society. To learn more about what was discovered during Belinda's investigation, listen to this episode. You can find all of our work on this case at inforum.com/Belinda. There, you’ll discover our print stories that accompany every podcast episode. Those stories include images from the casefile, and photos of Belinda, Timothy Crosby and others mentioned in this story. You can also visit our Facebook Group, The Vault: True Crime from the Upper Midwest to discuss the case with others who are listening or reading the series. If you have any information related to this case, email Trisha Taurinskas at ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com

30 min

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4.8

out of 5

68 Ratings

Amazing Podcast-beautifully written and thoughtful

06/16/2024

BooKatAs

I became aware of this podcast and this story by TrueCrime garage. There was a 2 part episode done on Belinda’s story, and they recommended listening to this podcast. I binged the entire podcast in one evening. The podcast is beautifully written and goes through all the information in detail. The writer / narrator brings such a heartfelt message to the listener, you can not help but feel for Belinda’s family - it’s heartbreaking. But the last episode is truly dedicated to Belinda’s siblings , who miss her terribly. They paint such a wonderful picture of her life and the person they believe she would have become. It’s a must listen to story and hopefully more information will come out for her family to have peace.
Amazing podcast

06/13/2024

addytwin23

Every single episode is golden. She captured the heartbreak the family STILL endures. Hoping they get answers sooner than later. They have waited WAY too long for justice and answers. Incredibly through with the research done for this podcast. Hoping for updates in the near future.
Honest, informative, chilling, heartbreaking

05/01/2024

SotaGrrl

This podcast was riveting - it totally drew me in. Organized and thorough research, direct yet sensitive delivery, and brave confrontation of a person of interest. I hope that her work shines new light on Belinda’s disappearance and helps finally bring the truth forward.
Belinda Van Lith

04/18/2024

LaRue62

Trisha again did a superb podcast! I listen to every podcast.

Join host Trisha Taurinskas as we delve into the news vault for a fresh look at the cold cases, crime and intrigue in our upper Midwest communities. Brought to you by Forum Communications Company.