Locating the Lost

Travis hartford
  • 4.6 (11)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Mysteries of the missing, the unsolved and the paranormal Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/locatingthelost/support

  1. ***LIVE*** MISSING BROOKE HILL

    2D AGO

    ***LIVE*** MISSING BROOKE HILL

    How does a 16-year-old girl vanish into thin air and remain missing for nearly three decades? This week on Locating the Lost, we are reopening the chilling 1997 cold case of Brooke Elaine Hill.Brooke was last seen in Morgan County, Indiana, before being reported missing from Putnam County. For 30 years, her trail has been cold—no paper trail, no CODIS entry, and far too many unanswered questions. Joining us is Brooke’s cousin, Alisha Schwab, who is breaking the silence to share the real story of the girl behind the poster and the tireless fight to finally bring her home.The Theories We’re Diving Into:The 'Runaway' Narrative: Was Brooke truly a runaway, as originally reported, or was that a cover for something much darker?The Florida Connection: Did Brooke really make it to Florida, or is this a decades-old red herring?The Unidentified: Because Brooke isn’t in the CODIS system, could she have been found years ago and remains a 'Jane Doe' today?Someone, somewhere, knows what happened that night in Indiana. It’s time to find the truth.Listen now and help us bring Brooke home.Follow the missing Brooke Hill FB page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...Follow us on all social media: https://linktr.ee/locatingthelost#BrookeHill #MissingPerson #TrueCrimePodcast #ColdCase #Indiana #JusticeForBrooke #MissingInIndiana #LocatingTheLost #AlishaSchwab #FindBrookeHill #TrueCrimeCommunity #UnsolvedMysteries #JaneDoe #MissingChild #MorganCounty #PutnamCounty

    1h 6m
  2. ***LIVE*** THE MAN IN THE GREEN VAN -JUSTICE FOR LILLIAN PAYNE

    MAR 22

    ***LIVE*** THE MAN IN THE GREEN VAN -JUSTICE FOR LILLIAN PAYNE

    In this deep-dive episode of Locating the Lost, we sit down with Kimberly Truitt, the aunt of Lillian Ann Marie Payne, to dissect one of the most haunting unsolved homicides in the Carolinas. In May 2020, Lillian stepped away from a Pilot gas station in Rock Hill and into a mystery that would end months later in the quiet woods of Chester County.Kimberly brings us into the heart of the heartbreak, detailing the frantic search and the grim discovery that changed their family forever. But we aren’t just looking back—we are looking for the truth. Together, we explore the chilling theories that continue to swirl around Lillian’s final moments:The "Green Caravan" Mystery: Who was behind the wheel of the vehicle Lillian was last seen entering? Was this a pre-arranged meeting, or a crime of opportunity?The Familiar Face Theory: Based on Lillian’s movements that day, did she know her killer? We discuss the possibility that someone within her social circle holds the key to the entire case.The Chester County Connection: Why was Lillian’s body found in such a remote area of Lowrys? We examine whether the killer had intimate knowledge of the local landscape or if it was a desperate attempt to hide the evidence.Lillian was a girl with a life ahead of her, not a cold case file. Kimberly shares the memories that keep the family's fire burning and the evidence they believe the public needs to see to finally break this case wide open.YOUR TURN TO TAKE ACTION:A killer has been free for years. You might have the one piece of information that connects the dots.📍 HAVE INFO? Contact the Chester County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers of York County (803-628-3059). You can remain anonymous.📢 SHARE HER STORY: Use the links below to spread the word. One share could reach the person who knows the truth.🎧 FOLLOW US: https://linktr.ee/locatingthelost⚖️ JUSTICE FOR LILLIAN:   / justiceforlillianpayne  #LocatingTheLost #JusticeForLillianPayne #TrueCrimePodcast #UnsolvedMurder #ColdCase #SouthCarolinaCrime #LillianPayne #RockHillSC #ChesterCounty #GreenCaravan #TrueCrimeCommunity #SolveThisCase

    1 hr
  3. ***LIVE*** WHO KILLED SCOTT SAMPSON

    MAR 14

    ***LIVE*** WHO KILLED SCOTT SAMPSON

    On a bitter November night in 1990, the West End of Portland was quiet—until the silence was shattered by a crime that remains frozen in time. Scott Sampson was only 26 years old when he was left to die on a cold sidewalk outside Pine Street Variety. For over 30 years, the details have been shrouded in official silence, but the grief of a family remains as sharp as the day it began.In this investigative episode of Locating the Lost, we go beyond the police tape with Scott’s sister, Sandra Hill and his son Shawn. With raw empathy and a relentless search for truth, Sandra and Shawn walk us through the timeline of Scott's final night: the borrowed bicycle, the 7-Eleven stop, and the unidentified man seen walking beside him just moments before his life was stolen.We dig deep into the investigative gaps—why was a fatal wound overlooked by witnesses? What secrets are still held by the streets of Portland? This isn't just a recount of a cold case; it is a families plea for the one thing the state has yet to provide: Accountability.Listen LIVE as we piece together the fragments of a life cut short and the investigation that refuses to go cold.📢 CALL TO ACTIONThe truth doesn't have an expiration date. We are asking the Portland community and true crime advocates everywhere to help us break the silence. If you have any information—no matter how small—regarding the night of November 13, 1990:Reach Out: Contact the Portland Police Criminal Investigations Division at (207) 874-8533.Stay Anonymous: Use the Crime Stoppers Tip Line by texting "PPDME" to 847411.Share Scott’s Story: Follow Locating the Lost on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this episode. Every share brings us one step closer to the lead that changes everything.FOLLOW US: https://linktr.ee/locatingthelost#LocatingTheLost #JusticeForScottSampson #ColdCaseFiles #PortlandMaine #TrueCrimeCommunity #SandraHill #InvestigativeJournalism #UnsolvedHomicide #MaineCrime #MissingPieces

    56 min
  4. ***LIVE*** THE DISAPPEARANCE OF TIM CULLEN -A Vanishing in Largo

    MAR 8

    ***LIVE*** THE DISAPPEARANCE OF TIM CULLEN -A Vanishing in Largo

    On a humid January day in 2018, 24-year-old Timothy Cullen sent a final text to his mother, Elaine: "I love you.". In that moment, he was just a young man with a bright future and a "Believe the Impossible" tattoo etched into his arm. But hours later, Timothy—a 6'5" gentle soul with high-functioning autism—vanished into thin air from his home in Largo, Florida.The mystery only deepened when his black 1999 Honda Civic was discovered abandoned at an apartment complex in Clearwater. It wasn't just left behind; it was a crime scene in motion. First, it was tagged for towing. Days later, it had been moved to a different spot, its windows rolled halfway down, and its license plates stripped away.Who moved the car? And who was the "person of interest" that allegedly spent Timothy's final known hours with him—only to die in a shootout months later, taking his secrets to the grave?. We sit down with Elaine Cullen for a heartbreaking look at a mother's refusal to give up on her son, and Linda who is an advocate for Timothy helping Elaine fight for justice. Calls to Action (CTA)Submit a Tip: "Someone in Largo or Clearwater saw something in early 2018. If you have any information, call the Largo Police Department at 727-586-7480 or contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement".Share Timothy's Face: Help us make this story go viral. Follow the Remembering Tim Cullen page on Facebook and share his photos to keep his memory aliveSubscribe & Review: To ensure we can continue investigating cases like Timothy's, subscribe to Locating the Lost on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review#TimothyCullen #MissingInFlorida #LocatingTheLost #ColdCaseMystery #LargoFL #JusticeForTimmy #AutismAwareness #TrueCrimeStory #ClearwaterFL #BelieveTheImpossible #Missing

    32 min
  5. ***LIVE***MITCHELL WALTERS: The Long Walk to Nowhere

    MAR 5

    ***LIVE***MITCHELL WALTERS: The Long Walk to Nowhere

    What happens when a loved one walks out the door and simply never returns? On July 26, 2025, Mitchell Walters left his home in Kilgore, Texas, reportedly heading toward Tyler on foot. He hasn’t been seen or heard from since.In this powerful episode of Locating the Lost, we are joined by Mitchell’s sister, Tiffany Walters. Tiffany opens up about the "unbearable agony" of the last several months and the family’s relentless pursuit of the truth. We dive into the specific details that could solve this case—from Mitchell’s hand-painted Nike Air Max shoes to his distinct neck and forearm tattoos.This isn't just a story; it's a search for a brother, a son, and a friend. We’re calling on the East Texas community and our listeners nationwide to look closely at the facts. One tip, one sighting, or one piece of video footage could be the key to bringing Mitchell home.Critical Case Facts:Last Seen: July 26, 2025, in Kilgore, TX.Physical Identifiers: 5'7", 145 lbs, with "MRW" tattooed on his neck and a smoking gun on his forearm.Unique Lead: He was wearing black Nike Air Max shoes with the word "MAX" hand-painted in red.🚨 CALL TO ACTION:We need your help to spread Mitchell’s face across the internet. Please share this episode on your social media feeds. If you lived or traveled along the route between Kilgore and Tyler in late July 2025 and saw anything unusual, contact the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office at 903-237-2544.For all our social media and podcast links visit:https://linktr.ee/locatingthelost?utm#MitchellWalters #MissingPerson #EastTexas #KilgoreTX #TylerTX #LocatingTheLost #TrueCrimeTexas #BringHimHome #MissingInTexas #ColdCase #HelpFindMitchell

    58 min
  6. ***LIVE*** AIDAN VICTORIA SPEAR -The Last Goodbye

    FEB 22

    ***LIVE*** AIDAN VICTORIA SPEAR -The Last Goodbye

    In this episode of Locating the Lost, we speak with Jessica Brown, a mother fueled by a relentless love and a demand for justice for her daughter, Aidan Victoria Spear.On January 24, 2022, Aidan was just minutes away from a fresh start at a rehabilitation facility in Tacoma, Washington. A final text at 10:40 a.m. promised she was on her way—but she never arrived. Since that morning, her family has navigated a labyrinth of cold leads, persons of interest who remain free, and the heartbreaking reality of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis.Jessica joins us to pull back the curtain on the investigation, share the truth about Aidan's life beyond the headlines, and name the names of those who may hold the key to bringing her daughter home.How you can help:If you have information regarding Aidan Spear, Kristopher Mykel Moore, or Andre Harris, please contact the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.To Follow the Bring Aidan Spear Home FB page use this link: https://www.facebook.com/p/Help-us-bring-AIDAN-SPEAR-HOME-100085845255103/ FMI on her case go to the SEASON OF JUSTICE website here: https://seasonofjustice.org/featured/aidan-spear/Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/locatingthelost?utm#LocatingTheLost #AidanSpear #MMIP #NoMoreStolenSisters #BringAidanHome #JusticeForAidan #TrueCrimeWashington #MissingInTacoma #IndigenousJustice #Missing #Truecrime

    1h 3m
  7. ***LIVE*** TENA MASHELL PREAST -The Stranger at the Door

    FEB 20

    ***LIVE*** TENA MASHELL PREAST -The Stranger at the Door

    On August 4, 1991, 19-year-old Tena Mashell Preast stepped out of her Lawton, Oklahoma home to speak with a mysterious visitor. She didn't take her purse, her keys, or even her shoes. In just 20 minutes, the vibrant young woman with a "heart of gold" vanished without a trace, leaving a family to spend the next 34 years fighting for the truth.In this deeply emotional episode of Locating the Lost, we sit down with Laurie McCauley, Tena’s cousin and the sister-figure who raised her. Laurie shares the raw, unfiltered reality of a family left behind by a system that often overlooked Tena. We explore the investigative hurdles, the missed opportunities, and the theories that continue to haunt those who loved her.We’re diving into the theories and the chilling details:The Cellar Secret: Why was a dirt-packed cellar on the property suddenly filled in shortly after Tena disappeared?The Restraining Order: Within a year before she vanished, Tena had taken legal steps to protect herself from an ex-boyfriend.The "Man at the Door": Was the mysterious visitor a stranger, or someone Tena knew well enough to step outside without her belongings?The Lawton Serial Killer: Does Tena’s case link to the notorious Cache Road killings, or was her proximity to victim Barbara Berry just a tragic coincidence?Tattoos of Identity: We discuss the importance of her unique tattoos—the word "Cameel" and a yellow smiley face with a red bullet hole saying "Have a nice day"—as potential keys to finding her today.📢 WE NEED YOUR VOICES:Silence is the only thing keeping this case cold. If you lived in Lawton in the early '90s or have information about the property on NW 17th Street, your tip could be the missing piece of the puzzle.How you can help:Submit a Tip: Contact the Lawton Police Department at 580-581-3270 (Reference Case #1991-7194).Share Her Story: Visit Oklahoma Cold Cases to share Tena’s profile and keep her name alive.Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.Our LinkTree to follow on all social media: https://linktr.ee/locatingthelost?utm...#LocatingTheLost #TenaPreast #JusticeForTena #MissingInOklahoma #LawtonColdCase #TrueCrimePodcast #OklahomaColdCases #ColdCase #MissingPerson #SilenceIsBetrayal #Missing #Truecrime

    1 hr
  8. ***LIVE***HUNTING A GHOST -THE LECESSE FILES

    JAN 31

    ***LIVE***HUNTING A GHOST -THE LECESSE FILES

    Imagine your son calls you, breathless and terrified, claiming he’s being hunted by "people in high places." You tell him to come home, but he never arrives. When the police find his car, his shoes, and his backpack scattered across the woods of Dartmouth, they discover something even more bizarre: Charlie Allen Jr. no longer exists. Just days before vanishing, he had legally changed his name to Neo Babson Maximus.It is now 2026, and the trail has been cold for nearly two decades—but Private Investigator John Leccese is still hunting for the truth. In this gripping interview, the former detective takes us inside the investigation that defined his career and continues to haunt him.In this episode, we tackle the questions that won't go away:The Paranoid Protocol: We deconstruct the final, frantic voicemails. Was Charlie’s fear of "important people" a symptom of his bipolar disorder, or did he stumble upon something he wasn't supposed to see at UMass Dartmouth?The "Polite" Intruder: John Leccese walks us through the strangest lead in the file—the man matching Charlie’s description who broke into a local home, apologized to the homeowner by name, and then dissolved back into the forest.Sifting the Shadows: From organized ground searches to analyzing 19 years of "sightings," Leccese reveals the hardest part of tracking a man who didn't want to be found.The 2026 Breakthrough? We discuss how modern technology and renewed interest in cold cases are putting pressure on the original evidence. Is there a digital footprint for "Neo" that we’ve missed?Guest Spotlight:John Leccese, owner of Orion Investigations, is a retired law enforcement officer who has become the Allen family’s strongest ally. He brings a tactical, "no-stone-unturned" perspective to a case that sits at the intersection of mental health and mystery.Be the Key to the Case:Charlie's family deserves peace. If you have any information, no matter how small, please contact Orion Investigations at (781) 435-1139 or the Massachusetts State Police at (508) 993-8373To follow us on all our social media platforms:https://linktr.ee/locatingthelost?utm...#TrueCrimeCommunity#Crime#TrueCrimePodcast#Podcast#CrimeStory#Crimestory#Mystery #MurderMystery#ColdCase#Unsolved#MissingPerson#CriminalJustice#Documentary#Forensics#Investigation#TrueCrimeAddict#PodcastRecommendation#Suspense#Thriller

    1h 1m
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4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Mysteries of the missing, the unsolved and the paranormal Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/locatingthelost/support

Information

  • Creator
    Travis hartford
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Travis hartford
  • Show Website
    Locating the Lost

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