The Fall Line: True Crime

TFL x OST
TFL x OST
  • 4.6 (4.2K)
  • True Crime
  • Weekly Series

The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, and missing persons. We shine a light on what's been under-investigated, under-covered, or both — diving deep into unsolved homicides, disappearances, and unidentified John and Jane Does. Through interviews with law enforcement, forensic experts, victim advocates, and families, we investigate what happened and why these cases remain unsolved. We dig into current issues in forensic science, DNA evidence, and criminal justice — and confront the disparities that leave underrepresented victims, including those lost to serial killers, without headlines or justice. Every episode is victim-centered, not drama-driven. Real cases. Real families. Real justice.

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  1. Episode 1

    Opelika: The Murder of Sylvia Lou Dowdell

    In 1998, a 38-year-old mother of seven, Sylvia Lou Dowdell, was murdered in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her body was left under a bridge, and her family in her hometown of Opelika waited to hear word of an arrest in her case. After all, a history of violence against Sylvia indicated what might have happened. But nearly 30 years later, her homicide remains unsolved, and two of her adult children, Precious and Steve, are heading up a renewed push for answers.  Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline  #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline  for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.  Anyone with information regarding Sylvia's murder is encouraged to contact the Macon County Sheriff's Office at (334) 724-0669. Her family is offering a 5,000-dollar reward in her case.  Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists.  The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com.  All rights reserved, 2026

  2. Episode 2

    Tuskegee: The Murder of Sylvia Lou Dowdell, Part 2

    We continue our coverage of the unsolved murder of Opelika, Alabama mother Sylvia Lou Dowdell, whose remains were discovered in Tuskegee just after Mother's Day 1998. This episode, we examine the crime scene, the forensic evidence, and the investigation.  Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline  #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline  for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.  Anyone with information regarding Sylvia's murder is encouraged to contact the Macon County Sheriff's Office at (334) 724-0669. Her family is offering a 5,000-dollar reward in her case.  Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists.  The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com.  All rights reserved, 2026

  3. Episode 3

    Precious Child: The Murder of Sylvia Lou Dowdell, Part 3

    We continue our coverage of the unsolved murder of Opelika, Alabama mother Sylvia Lou Dowdell, whose remains were discovered in Tuskegee just after Mother's Day 1998. Her daughter, Precious, still has questions--especially about the insurance police taken out on her mother before her death.  Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline  #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline  for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.  Anyone with information regarding Sylvia's murder is encouraged to contact the Macon County Sheriff's Office at (334) 724-0669. Her family is offering a 5,000-dollar reward in her case.  Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists.  The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com.  All rights reserved, 2026

  4. Episode 4

    Constantine: The Murder of Lavern Chupp

    Lavern "Vern" Chupp was a well-known figure in St Joseph County, Michigan, where his Old Order Amish family had deep roots, and his skill at construction and carpentry meant he'd worked with just about everyone in the various townships surrounding his home. A devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Lavern was a popular man--but like anyone else, he had difficult business dealings and personal conflict. He lived alone, and his family sometimes worried that he was on his own; however, they never expected that he'd face violence at the hands of an unknown attacker.  Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline  #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline  for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.  Anyone with information regarding  Lavern Chupp's murder  is encouraged to contact the Michigan State Police at (269) 558-0500. Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists.  The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com.  All rights reserved, 2026

  5. Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Early/Ad-Free: Opelika: The Murder of Sylvia Dowdell

    Opelika: The Murder of Sylvia Lou Dowdell In 1998, a 38-year-old mother of seven, Sylvia Lou Dowdell, was murdered in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her body was left under a bridge, and her family in her hometown of Opelika waited to hear word of an arrest in her case. After all, a history of violence against Sylvia indicated what might have happened. But nearly 30 years later, her homicide remains unsolved, and two of her adult children, Precious and Steve, are heading up a renewed push for answers. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Anyone with information regarding Sylvia’s murder is encouraged to contact the Macon County Sheriff's Office at (334) 724-0669. Her family is offering a 5,000-dollar reward in her case. Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists. The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com. All rights reserved, 2026

  6. Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Early/Ad-Free: Tuskegee: The Murder of Sylvia Lou Dowdell, Part 2

    Tuskegee: The Murder of Sylvia Lou Dowdell, Part 2 We continue our coverage of the unsolved murder of Opelika, Alabama mother Sylvia Lou Dowdell, whose remains were discovered in Tuskegee just after Mother’s Day 1998. This episode, we examine the crime scene, the forensic evidence, and the investigation. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Anyone with information regarding Sylvia’s murder is encouraged to contact the Macon County Sheriff's Office at (334) 724-0669. Her family is offering a 5,000-dollar reward in her case. Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists. The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com. All rights reserved, 2026

  7. Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Early/Ad-Free: Precious Child: The Murder of Sylvia Dowdell, Part 3

    Precious Child: The Murder of Sylvia Lou Dowdell, Part 3 We continue our coverage of the unsolved murder of Opelika, Alabama mother Sylvia Lou Dowdell, whose remains were discovered in Tuskegee just after Mother’s Day 1998. Her daughter, Precious, still has questions--especially about the insurance police taken out on her mother before her death. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Anyone with information regarding Sylvia’s murder is encouraged to contact the Macon County Sheriff's Office at (334) 724-0669. Her family is offering a 5,000-dollar reward in her case. Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists. The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com. All rights reserved, 2026

  8. Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Early/Ad-free: Constantine: The Murder of Lavern Chupp

    Lavern “Vern” Chupp was a well-known figure in St Joseph County, Michigan, where his Old Order Amish family had deep roots, and his skill at construction and carpentry meant he’d worked with just about everyone in the various townships surrounding his home. A devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Lavern was a popular man--but like anyone else, he had difficult business dealings and personal conflict. He lived alone, and his family sometimes worried that he was on his own; however, they never expected that he’d face violence at the hands of an unknown attacker. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Anyone with information regarding Lavern Chupp’s murder is encouraged to contact the Michigan State Police at (269) 558-0500. Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists. The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com. All rights reserved, 2026

  9. Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Early/Ad-Free: After Ancestry: How TreeScope Is Changing IGG Casework

    We continue our coverage of the ways in which Accredited Investigative Genetic Genealogists (AIGG) C are approaching the massive changes in the field of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG/IGG) following the update in the language of Ancestry.com’s TOS regarding access to historical records and family trees. In this episode, we speak with Tracie Boyle, a longstanding and talented AIGG whose experience includes work with DNA Doe Project and at Ramapo College. Tracie’s new program, TreeScope, looks to help close the gaps, and to provide researchers with a tool that will make identifying John and Jane Does and suspects, as well as non-forensic casework, easier. Treescope: https://boylegenealogy.com/tools/treescope/overview.html Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists. The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com. All rights reserved, 2026 Posted Just now

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4.6
out of 5
4,245 Ratings

About

The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, and missing persons. We shine a light on what's been under-investigated, under-covered, or both — diving deep into unsolved homicides, disappearances, and unidentified John and Jane Does. Through interviews with law enforcement, forensic experts, victim advocates, and families, we investigate what happened and why these cases remain unsolved. We dig into current issues in forensic science, DNA evidence, and criminal justice — and confront the disparities that leave underrepresented victims, including those lost to serial killers, without headlines or justice. Every episode is victim-centered, not drama-driven. Real cases. Real families. Real justice.

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