Locating the Lost

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

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

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

    2D AGO

    ***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
  2. ***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
  3. ***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
  4. ***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
  5. ***LIVE***UNSOLVED IN MAINE: BERNARD "BUNNY" ROSS JR.

    JAN 22

    ***LIVE***UNSOLVED IN MAINE: BERNARD "BUNNY" ROSS JR.

    On a spring morning in May 1977, 18-year-old Bernard "Bunny" Ross Jr. walked out of his family home in Fort Kent, Maine, and vanished into the vast wilderness of the North Woods. After a series of distressed events—including a brief truck theft that was later forgiven—Bunny's trail went cold on a remote dirt road near the Ashland-Portage town line.For nearly 50 years, the Ross family has lived in the "agony of the unknown," waiting for a knock on the door that never came. The case took a stunning turn in 2016 when his parents received a mysterious anonymous letter claiming to have definitive information about their son’s whereabouts. But who sent it, and why now?In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Ross, Bunny’s brother, to discuss:The Final Hours: The events leading up to Bunny’s disappearance and his state of mind on May 12, 1977.The Search: What it was like for a family in rural Maine to search for a loved one before the era of modern forensics.The Letter: The family's reaction to the anonymous tip that reignited the Maine State Police investigation.A Brother's Perspective: Patrick shares personal memories of "Bunny" and the reality of living with a decades-old cold case.Case Details: Missing Since May 12, 1977LocationAshland/Portage, MaineLast Seen Wearing Green down vest, gold chamois shirt, brown corduroy pantsDistinguishing Marks: Scar on abdomen, chicken pox marks on noseHave information? If you know anything about the disappearance of Bernard "Bunny" Ross Jr., please contact the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit at (207) 973-3750.#Maine #Missing #Missingperson #locatingthelost #bernardross #truecrimecommunity

    53 min
  6. ***LIVE***Bringing Charlotte Heimann Home

    JAN 9

    ***LIVE***Bringing Charlotte Heimann Home

    In October 1981, 27-year-old PhD student Charlotte Heimann stepped out of the Rochester Psychiatric Center for a brief errand and was never seen again. She left behind a four-year-old daughter and a haunting warning that someone was waiting for her at her apartment.Forty-five years later, the silence is finally breaking.In this special update episode, we welcome back Charlotte’s granddaughter, Shyla Jump, to discuss the massive shift in the investigation as we enter 2026. Shyla, a criminal justice professional, has turned a decades-old cold case into an active pursuit of the truth. We dive into the "very big lead" Shyla presented to the Rochester Police Department (RPD) in late 2025, the identification of a specific remote location that may hold the answers the family has been seeking, and the emotional toll of carrying a legacy of trauma.Is a breakthrough finally on the horizon? Join us as we examine the evidence that has investigators looking back at 1981 with fresh eyes.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:The New Evidence: Shyla details the process of vetting recent leads and her collaboration with the RPD Major Crimes Unit.The Power of Advocacy: How Shyla’s expertise has moved the needle on a case that sat dormant for decades.A Family’s Fight: The impact of this investigation on Charlotte’s daughter and the generational quest for closure.Help Bring Charlotte Home:If you lived in the Rochester, NY area in 1981 or have any information regarding the disappearance of Charlotte Heimann, please contact:Rochester Police Department Major Crimes: (585) 428-7157Crime Stoppers: (585) 423-9300 (Anonymous)Follow the Investigation: Join the community and see the latest updates on the Charlotte Heimann Missing 1981 Facebook Page.Follow us: https://linktr.ee/locatingthelost #charlotteheimann #rochesterny #truecrime #locatingthelost

    48 min
  7. ***LIVE*** The Disappearance of Joseph Bichrest

    12/23/2025

    ***LIVE*** The Disappearance of Joseph Bichrest

    On October 16, 1976, 34-year-old attorney Joseph Bichrest disappeared from the small town of Shirley, Maine, along with his blue and white Jeep. He was deeply in debt, facing investigations for theft and tax evasion, and had allegedly made suicidal threats. Was he a desperate man who simply fled the law, using a credit card in Philadelphia two days later to stage a vanishing act? Or, as persistent rumors suggest, was Joseph the victim of foul play, his body and vehicle dumped forever in one of the deep, cold quarries near Greenville? The Jeep has never been found, and the case remains unsolved. Join us as we explore the baffling case that has haunted his family and the Maine State Police for nearly fifty years with his daughter Billie-Jayne. We will be examining the thin line between a calculated escape and a cold-blooded murder. Follow us: https://linktr.ee/locatingthelost #missing #maine #josephbichrest #missingperson

    58 min
  8. ***LIVE*** AYLA REYNOLDS -STATEMENT ANALYSIS WITH JACK FOX

    12/12/2025

    ***LIVE*** AYLA REYNOLDS -STATEMENT ANALYSIS WITH JACK FOX

    What if the key to solving Maine's largest missing child investigation is found not in forensic evidence, but in the words spoken by the people in the house?Join us as statement analysis expert Jack Fox, of "Never a Truer Word", dissects the public statements of the DiPietro family following 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds' disappearance in 2011. Jack isn't just reviewing the facts; he's translating the hidden language of deception used by those who last saw little Ayla. This episode cuts through the noise to focus on the linguistic "tells" and crucial omissions from Ayla's father, Justin DiPietro, who reported an unsupported "abduction" claim.Police believe these individuals are withholding information and that Ayla did not leave the house on her own. Jack Fox is here to show you exactly how their words betray the truth. Brace yourself for a chilling hour of true crime analysis that will change how you view this cold case forever.#truecrime #aylareynolds #jackfox #missingperson #maine #statementanalysisTo Follow Jack: https:https://neveratruerword.start.page/To Follow all of our social media: https://linktr.ee/locatingthelost

    1h 24m
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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
    116
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Travis hartford
  • Show Website
    Locating the Lost

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