Hazel’s Last Hand

Kate Colvin
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

In a small Idaho logging town nestled among the pines, one murder changed everything. More than thirty years later, the murder of Hazel Martin remains unsolved. Hazel's Last Hand follows an active, independent investigation into what happened to Hazel in 1996. Through interviews with family members, friends, investigators, and those connected to the case, we revisit the events surrounding her disappearance and murder, reexamine the known facts, and explore the unanswered questions that continue to haunt this close-knit community. Because after 30 years, we haven’t forgotten.

Episodes

  1. Aug 19

    HLH Episode 7: Crime Stoppers of Idaho

    Episode 7: Crime Stoppers of Idaho When an investigation stalls, fear of retaliation often keeps vital witnesses silent, especially in close-knit communities. In this episode, host Kate Colvin sits down with Casey from Crime Stoppers of Idaho to break down how this independent non-profit bridges the gap between the public and law enforcement without compromising safety. Key Topics Covered Mission & Independence: Why Crime Stoppers operates as an independent non-profit rather than a police department branch, and its vital role in rural Idaho communities.Guaranteed Anonymity: The technology and procedures used to strip away identifying data (like IP addresses and phone numbers) to ensure tipsters remain entirely untraceable.The Tip Lifecycle & Rewards: How anonymous tips reach investigators and how tipsters securely collect cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or felony charge.Community Involvement: How the public can support the organization through tax-deductible donations, volunteering, and local advocacy. Special Note on Hazel’s Case: If a tip submitted to Crime Stoppers leads to the closure of Hazel’s case, the tipster will receive both the Crime Stoppers cash reward and the Hazel’s Last Hand podcast reward fund, fully processed with guaranteed anonymity. How to Submit an Anonymous Tip Call: 208-343-COPS (2677)Web: 343cops.comMobile App: Download the free P3 Tips app Episode Credits Host & Producer: Kate ColvinSound Design: John and Holly BoswellResearch Assistance: Andrea Rourick, Bonnie Scoles, Cretia Bunny, Paula Frazier, Whitney Dixon, Ellie Helbing.Writing Assistance: Brian Potter

  2. Aug 13

    Episode 6: A Town on Foot

    Episode 6: A Town on Foot Thirty years after Hazel Martin disappeared and was murdered, questions remain about what happened during the first critical days of the search. In Episode 6 of Hazel’s Last Hand, we step into those frantic days following Hazel’s disappearance and examine the massive community effort to find her, from the first organized search on May 19, 1996, to the discovery of Hazel’s bedding in the Palouse River and her slippers along Highway 6. We also take a closer look at the weather, the search dogs, the unusually high river, and the geography surrounding Hazel’s home and the places where evidence was discovered. But this episode also uncovers something that changes a long-held detail in Hazel’s story. For nearly three decades, Hazel’s slippers have been described as having been found on a bridge over the Palouse River. But when I spoke with Dave Fraser, the Idaho Department of Transportation employee who actually picked them up in 1996, he remembered something very different. In This Episode The organized search for Hazel beginning Sunday, May 19, 1996The weather conditions during the first days of the searchWhat the search dogs reportedly did at Hazel's homeThe role of the Palouse River in the searchThe discovery of Hazel's bedding behind Bennett's Lumber MillWhy the location of the bedding raises important questions about where it entered the riverThe discovery of Hazel's slippers along Highway 6New information about exactly where those slippers were foundThe massive search involving 193 people from across Northern IdahoWhy searchers were instructed to avoid areas where potential evidence had been discoveredThe role memory can play in a case three decades oldA potentially significant report of a pickup truck parked behind the Palouse Grange the night Hazel disappearedWhat we know, what we don't know, and what questions remain unansweredDo You Remember a Pickup Truck Behind the Palouse Grange? One of the most important requests in this episode involves a reported sighting from the night Hazel disappeared. A pickup truck was reportedly parked between the three large grain bins behind the Palouse Grange as people were leaving after playing pinochle. If you were at the Palouse Grange that night or heard someone talking about a truck being there, we want to hear from you. Have Information About Hazel? If you have any information about Hazel Martin's disappearance and murder, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact law enforcement. The Latah County Sheriff's Office remains the lead investigative agency. Latah County Sheriff's Office:  208-882-2216 You can also request to remain anonymous. Tips may also be routed through regional Crime Stoppers programs or anonymous tip lines. You can also contact Hazel’s Last Hand directly at ⁠hazelslasthand@gmail.com⁠. Support the Investigation You can help support efforts to resolve Hazel's murder by contributing to the reward fund through Break the Case. Coming Up The investigation doesn't end here. In upcoming episodes, we'll explore the discovery of Hazel's partial remains and information surrounding a potential first location where her body may have been placed before being moved. We'll continue separating what is known from what is speculation and examining the evidence, locations, memories, and unanswered questions that remain after thirty years. We don't need you to solve Hazel's case. We just need you to share what you remember. Credits Hazel’s Last Hand is written, produced, and hosted by Kate Colvin. Sound Design: John and Holly Boswell Research Assistance: Andrea Rourick, Bonnie Scoles, Cretia Bunny, Paula Frazier, Whitney Dixon, and Ellie Helbing Writing Assistance: Brian Potter A podcast for the community, by the community. Disclaimer Hazel’s Last Hand follows an active, unsolved murder case. This investigation is happening in real time. All individuals are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

  3. Aug 7

    HLH Episode 5: Monsters In Our Backyard

    Episode 5 Summary:  In this episode of Hazel’s Last Hand, host Kate Colvin examines three distinct, high-profile criminal cases from the Inland Northwest spanning 1991 to 2005. While these cases occurred in close geographic proximity to Potlatch, Idaho, and shared uncanny surface details with Hazel's unsolved abduction, this episode systematically dispels lingering community rumors by establishing that none of these perpetrators were involved in Hazel's death. Clearing these red herrings helps sharpen the investigation's focus on the true, localized facts. Key Topics  IntroThe illusion of safety and distance in the Inland Northwest.How small-town geography can mask real threats operating along shared highway corridors.Clearing the Red HerringsAddress to the community regarding local history, rumors, and overlapping names/dates.Explicit confirmation: The three cases featured in this episode are completely unrelated to Hazel’s unsolved case.The 1991 Potlatch Murder & The Great EscapeVictim: Ronald Boone, a local Potlatch area farmer.Perpetrator: Roger Dale Babb and common-law wife Kathy Spencer.The Event: Boone invited Babb and Spencer back to his farmhouse after drinking at a local tavern; Babb shot Boone in his sleep for cash, a wallet, and his truck.The Escape: In September 1997, after being transferred to Basile Detention Center in Louisiana due to Idaho prison overcrowding, Babb and four felons cut through security fences.Resolution: Babb surrendered at a bus station payphone in Beaumont, Texas, three days later, stating, "I'm tired of running.""The Other Mrs. Martin" (Pullman, 1996)Victim: Dorothy Martin, vibrant senior living at Stateside Condominiums in Pullman, WA.The Crime: An intruder stole a master key ring from the manager's office and unlocked unit #1, suffocating Dorothy in her bed and stealing a multi-diamond ring.Addressing the Rumors: Comparison between Dorothy Martin and Hazel Martin.The Breakthrough & Hitman Plot: In 2000, police identified home-invader Bradley Steckman (tipped off by Dorothy's house cleaner, Skye Hanson). In prison, Steckman confessed to a separate 1998 murder-for-hire plot involving Barbara Loesch in Post Falls, ID, orchestrated by Hanson and Tina Loesch.Key Differences: Dorothy’s case was a solved inside-job burglary/murder in an apartment complex; Hazel was abducted from a rural property along Highway 6, her remains discovered a year later off Highway 6.Joseph Edward Duncan III & The Shadow Over North IdahoProfile: Serial child predator and fugitive operating across the Pacific Northwest.The 2005 Groene Family Murders: Stalked a rural home near Wolf Lodge Bay (Coeur d'Alene) using night-vision goggles. Bludgeoned Brenda Groene, Mark McKenzie, and Slade Groene; abducted 9-year-old Dylan and 8-year-old Shasta.Capture & National Scope: Duncan was spotted by Denny's employees in Coeur d'Alene on July 2, 2005, leading to Shasta's rescue.Confessions: Linked to Seattle cold cases (Sammiejo White, Carmen Cubias) and California murders (Anthony Martinez). Journal entries detailed his calculated travel logs along regional highways.Outcome: Sentenced to federal death row; died in prison on March 28, 2021.Conclusion & ReflectionA sobering look at how violent offenders pass through rural blacktops and small-town gathering spots.Refocusing the community's effort back onto the distinct truth behind Hazel's disappearance.Episode Credits ·      Written, Produced, and Hosted by: Kate Colvin ·      Sound Design: John Boswell and Holly Boswell ·      Research Assistance: Andrea Rourick, Bonnie Scoles, Cretia Bunny, Paula Frazier, Whitney Dixon, and Ellie Helbing ·      Writing Assistance: Brian Potter ·      Production Note: A podcast for the community, by the community. Disclaimer: Hazel's Last Hand covers an active, unsolved murder investigation. All individuals mentioned in connection with open investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

  4. Jul 26

    HLH Episode 4: The Anatomy of a Crime Scene

    HLH Episode 4: The Anatomy of a Crime Scene In this episode, we pull back the yellow tape to examine the critical first 24 hours after Hazel vanished. We break down the physical layout of the crime scene, look into the potential entry points used by the intruder, and address the devastating ways the active scene was compromised by early law enforcement assumptions. What We Cover in This Episode: An Important Correction: Kate addresses a timeline error from Episode 3.The Crime Scene Visuals: A look at the physical evidence left behind, including a disturbed spare bedroom window, a broken decorative lattice, disturbed bedding, and a mysterious wet spot on Hazel's stripped master mattress.The Motives and Small-Town Rumors: We dissect four distinct rumors that circulated through the community after Hazel's disappearance:The Y2K Myth: The false rumor that Hazel hoarded cash in her home safe out of fear of a banking collapse.The "Y" Property Sale: How the sale of commercial property sparked dangerous local theories regarding a massive cash payout or a bitter revenge plot over a failed contract.The Debt Dilemma: The theory that a desperate individual targeted Hazel to clear a personal debt.The Predator Rumor: Evaluating the psychological and forensic reality of a local stalker profile, and why an offender might opportunistically target an isolated, vulnerable home.A Compromised Investigation: How the initial police assumption that Hazel simply "wandered off" led to the catastrophic mishandling of physical evidence, including allowing individuals to live inside the active crime scene for days.Coming Up Next: A preview of upcoming episodes focusing search and rescue efforts, K9 search efforts, the theory that Hazel's body was temporarily staged at Jerome Creek, a mysterious visit to her husband Shorty, and the family's decision to consult a psychic.Want to follow along visually? Head to our website and social media channels to view archival photos of Hazel’s home and layout from the time of the investigation. Connect, Support, and Share Help us break the thirty-year silence. A reward fund has been established for information leading to the closure of Hazel's case. Submit a Tip: If you have any information regarding the disappearance and murder of Hazel Martin, please contact authorities or submit a tip through your local Crime Stoppers.Donate to the Reward Fund: Visit Break the Case to securely contribute to the reward fund and help incentivize the truth.Episode Credits: Host, Writer, & Producer: Kate ColvinSound Design: John and Holly BoswellResearch Assistance: Andrea Rourick, Bonnie Scoles, Cretia Bunny, Paula Frazier, Whitney Dixon, Kent McGreal, Joan Thompson, and Ellie HelblingWriting Assistance: Brian PotterDisclaimer: This podcast follows an active, unsolved murder case. This investigation is happening in real time. All individuals are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

  5. Jul 21

    HLH Episode 3: Hazel is Missing

    On May 17, 1996, Hazel Martin’s worst fear came true in her own home. For thirty years, her family has carried a devastating reality: her murder remains unsolved. In this week's episode of Hazel’s Last Hand, host Kate Colvin takes us back to the chilling morning of the crime scene, dissecting the psychological details, the timeline, and the baffling forensic evidence left behind on a bare mattress. "Thirty years is a long time to keep a secret. But over three decades, things change. Relationships end, alliances splinter, and old loyalties fade... It is time to do the right thing." - Kate Colvin, Host Next Week on Hazel’s Last Hand We dive headfirst into the baffling early days of the investigation and the small-town police blunders that permanently altered the crime scene, including the logic-defying theory that Hazel simply "wandered off" into a torrential storm. Plus, a look into a mysterious visitor Hazel's husband received at the nursing home. Connect, Support, and Share Help us break the thirty-year silence. A reward fund has been established for information leading to the closure of Hazel's case. Submit a Tip: If you have any information regarding the disappearance and murder of Hazel Martin, please contact authorities or submit a tip through your local Crime Stoppers.Donate to the Reward Fund: Visit Break the Case to securely contribute to the reward fund and help incentivize the truth.Episode Credits: Host, Writer, & Producer: Kate ColvinSound Design: John and Holly BoswellResearch Assistance: Andrea Rourick, Bonnie Scoles, Cretia Bunny, Paula Frazier, Whitney Dixon, Kent Dion and Ellie HelblingWriting Assistance: Brian Potter Disclaimer: This podcast follows an active, unsolved murder case. This investigation is happening in real time. All individuals are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

  6. Jul 15

    HLH Episode 2: Hazel's Last Day

    Hazel’s Last Hand — Episode 2: Hazel's Last Day For thirty years, the official narrative of Hazel Martin’s final hours was set in stone. But in this episode, a sudden break in the case completely upends what we thought we knew about the night of May 17, 1996. Host Kate Colvin reveals a game-changing new timeline that might finally explain a question that has haunted investigators for decades: If this was a robbery gone wrong, why didn't the intruder just leave? The Heart of Hazel: We hear from Hazel’s granddaughter, Paula, and great-granddaughter, Whitney, who share who Hazel truly was beyond the cold case file. The Princeton Grange: Step back into 1996 to Hazel's final evening—splitting a sandwich, playing pinochle with dear friends, and winning top female player of the night. The New Discovery: A social media tip leads Kate to the family of Alvin and Alice Cowger, Hazel's card partners. Their revelation completely rewrites her journey home. Scenario A vs. Scenario B: We break down the physics of that night. Did a generous ride home in a purple sedan accidentally trap an intruder inside Hazel's house? Major Case Updates: The Latah County Prosecutor has officially greenlit private cadaver dog searches and advanced DNA testing. Plus, a state cold case investigator is stepping in. Key Detail to Remember: Hazel entered through the back porch, left her shoes and purse (with her $7 winnings) on her favorite catchall chair, changed in the guest room (where she kept her clothes), and went to sleep in the master bedroom. This episode’s major step forward was made possible by the community. We are incredibly grateful to Ellie Helbing for her generous contribution to kickstart Hazel's reward fund. About Ellie: Ellie is a Potlatch native, mother of four, and a dedicated real estate agent with Latah Realty. Work with Ellie: If you are looking for a real estate agent in Latah County who truly cares about this community, connect with Ellie Helbing at Latah Realty. We highly encourage our listeners to check out The Snake River Killer, a phenomenal true crime podcast covering unsolved cases in the Lewiston-Clarkston area. Host: Brandon Schrand Stay tuned—Brandon will be joining us on an upcoming episode of Hazel’s Last Hand! Written, Produced, and Hosted by: Kate Colvin Sound Design: John and Holly Boswell Research Assistance: Andrea Rourick, Bonnie Scoles, Cretia Bunny, Paula Frazier, Whitney Dixon, and Ellie Helbing Writing Assistance: Brian Potter Disclaimer: This podcast follows an active, unsolved murder investigation in real time. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

  7. Jul 7

    HLH Episode 1: The Setting

    In May of 1996, 73-year-old Hazel Martin disappeared into the night after a game of pinochle in Princeton, Idaho. Three decades later, her case remains an active, unsolved murder investigation. In this premier episode of Hazel’s Last Hand, host Kate Colvin takes us back to the closely knit timber towns of Latah County to explore the geographic layout, the devastating historic environmental factors of 1996, and the modern catalyst that inspired the reopening of Hazel's file. This is a real-time investigative podcast. Episode Highlights The Layout of the Land: Understanding the five historic, interconnected towns of the Potlatch School District: Potlatch, Onaway, Hampton, Princeton, and Harvard.The Blind Spot: How State Highway 6 acted as both the community's lifeblood and a transient corridor where a stranger could pass through completely unnoticed.The 100-Year Flood: How the catastrophic 1996 Pacific Northwest floods permanently altered the local terrain, swallowed infrastructure, and severely hampered early search and rescue efforts.The Modern Catalyst: How the tragic 2022 University of Idaho student homicides in nearby Moscow inspired a renewed push for advanced forensics and public urgency in Hazel's decades-old case.Real-Time Progress: A look into the ongoing effort by Latah County to officially digitize Hazel's physical paper files for the first time in history.Support the Investigation & Reward Fund We are proud to announce our official partnership with Break the Case, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting unsolved homicide investigations. Hazel Martin Reward Fund: 100% of every dollar donated goes directly toward a reward for information leading to the successful resolution of Hazel's case.https://breakthecase.org/donate (Select "Hazel Martin Reward Fund" from the dropdown menu)Episode Sponsor A massive thank you to our inaugural sponsor and research assistant, Ellie Helbing of Latah Realty. As a Potlatch native, Ellie is dedicated to giving back to her community and supporting the pursuit of justice for Hazel. If you are looking for a real estate agent in Latah County who will truly have your best interests at heart, contact information for Ellie can be found at: https://latahrealty.com/about-latah-realty/real-estate-agents/ellie-helbling/.   We Need Your Help: Call for Tips Relationships, loyalties, and circumstances change over thirty years. If you withheld information in 1996 out of fear, confusion, or a desire to protect someone, it is not too late to do the right thing. If you remember anything unusual from the weekend of Friday, May 17th, or Saturday, May 18th, 1996, in the Princeton or Potlatch areas, please step forward. Investigators are specifically looking for: Unusual Vehicles: Unfamiliar cars or trucks parked or idling near State Highway 6, Hazel's residence, or the Princeton Grange Hall late Friday night or early Saturday morning.Behavioral Changes: Anyone who suddenly left town, missed appointments without explanation, or showed intense, uncharacteristic anxiety during the search efforts that summer.Second-Hand Information: Any comments, confessions, or slips of the lip made by individuals over the last three decades.Contact Information Lead Agency: Latah County Sheriff’s OfficePhone: (208) 882-2216Anonymous Tips: Request anonymity via the Sheriff's office or route your tip through regional Crime Stoppers.Official Website: hazelslasthand.comEpisode Credits Hazel’s Last Hand is written, produced, and hosted by me, Kate Colvin. Sound design by John and Holly Boswell. Research assistance by Andrea Rourick, Bonnie Scoles, Cretia Bunny, Paula Frazier, Whitney Dixon, and Ellie Helbing. Writing assistance by Brian Potter. A podcast for the community, by the community. Disclaimer Hazel’s Last Hand follows an active, unsolved murder case. This investigation is happening in real time. All individuals are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

  8. Season 1 Trailer

    HLH Trailer

    For nearly 30 years, someone has known the truth. On the night of May 17, 1996, 71-year-old Hazel Martin left a pinochle game at the Princeton Grange Hall in rural Latah County, Idaho, after winning just seven dollars. She drove the short distance home and vanished without a trace. The following morning, her family discovered a house that appeared untouched. There were no signs of forced entry, no struggle, and no indication that anything was wrong… except Hazel was gone. Her bed had been stripped, and the sheets, pillows, and Hazel herself had disappeared. Days later, searchers recovered pieces of evidence along the Palouse River. Nearly a year after Hazel vanished, mushroom hunters made a heartbreaking discovery hidden in the woods just off Highway 6. Hazel's remains were found, and her death was ruled a homicide. Her killer or killers have never been identified. In this trailer for Hazel's Last Hand, host Kate Colvin returns to the community where she grew up to reopen one of Idaho's longest-running unsolved murders. Through exclusive interviews, firsthand accounts, and a fresh examination of the evidence and timeline, this podcast explores not only what happened to Hazel, but who may still be keeping the answers. This is more than a cold case. It's the story of a family still searching for justice, a community forever changed, and the hope that one forgotten memory could finally solve a murder. We are also proud to announce our partnership with Break the Case, a veteran-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping law enforcement solve cold cases. Together, we have established an official reward fund for information leading to the resolution of Hazel Martin's murder. Every donation goes directly toward the reward, and information about contributing can be found on the show website: hazelslasthand.com If you know something, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please come forward. One tip could change everything. Subscribe to Hazel's Last Hand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. A podcast for the community, by the community. Disclaimer: Hazel's Last Hand investigates an active, unsolved homicide. This podcast documents an ongoing investigation. Any individuals discussed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

In a small Idaho logging town nestled among the pines, one murder changed everything. More than thirty years later, the murder of Hazel Martin remains unsolved. Hazel's Last Hand follows an active, independent investigation into what happened to Hazel in 1996. Through interviews with family members, friends, investigators, and those connected to the case, we revisit the events surrounding her disappearance and murder, reexamine the known facts, and explore the unanswered questions that continue to haunt this close-knit community. Because after 30 years, we haven’t forgotten.

Information

  • Creator
    Kate Colvin
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kate Colvin
  • Show Website
    Hazel’s Last Hand