Tag Archives: Murder

Christian Klengenberg –Explorer, Trader, Whaler – Murderer?

August 30, 2023EpisodeChristian Klengenberg, Herschel Island, Murder, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier, Murder in Alaska, Robin Barefield, Serial Killer, Whalingmurder-in-the-last-frontier

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Christian Klengenberg greatly impacted Inuit settlements in the Arctic from Nome to central Canada. Many of his descendants are community leaders and active in Canadian politics. However, not all stories about Christian Klengenberg are good. He returned from one fateful voyage with only five of his nine crew members on board, and according to the remaining crewmen, Klengenberg murdered the four who were missing.

Sources

Harper, Kenn. “Christian Klengenberg, an Arctic enigma.” February 26, 2009. Nunatsiaq News. https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/Christian_Klengenberg_an_Arctic_enigma/

Harper, Kenn. “Christian Klengenberg: The rest of the story.” March 12, 2009. Nunatsiaq News. https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/Christian_Klengenberg_The_rest_of_the_story/

Hunt, William R. Distant Justice. Chapter 12: “Tough Characters.” 1987. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.

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Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

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Robin Barefield is the author of five Alaska wilderness mystery novels, Big Game, Murder Over Kodiak, The Fisherman’s Daughter, Karluk Bones, and Massacre at Bear Creek Lodge. She has also written two non-fiction books: Kodiak Island Wildlife and Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. Sign up to subscribe to her free monthly newsletter on true murder and mystery in Alaska.

Subscribe to Robin’s free, monthly Murder and Mystery Newsletter for more stories about true crime and mystery from Alaska.
Join her on:
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Visit her website at http://robinbarefield.com
Check out her books at Author Masterminds

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If you would like to support Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier? Become a patron and join The Last Frontier Club.
Each month Robin will provide one or more of the following to club members.
· An extra episode of Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier available only for club members.
· Behind the scenes glimpses of life and wildlife in the Kodiak wilderness.
· Breaking news about ongoing murder cases and new crimes in Alaska

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What Happened to Linda Skeek

June 15, 2023EpisodeAnchorage Murder, Linda Skeek, Murder, Murder and Mystery in Alaska, Murder in Alaska, Robin Barefield, True Crime in Alaskamurder-in-the-last-frontier

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Linda Skeek had three beautiful children and an excellent job, but she did not have a good marriage. However, Linda’s relationship with her husband, Thomas, seemed somewhat improved on New Year’s Eve, 2015. They loaded their kids in their new Navigator SUV and drove to downtown Anchorage to see the fireworks. They watched the movie Minions on the Navigator’s DVD player until the New Year’s festivities began. Linda texted with her sisters and posted photos of her family on Facebook. However, not long after midnight and at the beginning of 2016, Linda’s texts and Facebook posts stopped, and no one saw or heard from her again.

Sources:

Boots, Michelle T. “Domestic violence, personal disputes behind many deaths.” January 1,2017. Alaska Dispatch News.

Boots, Michelle T. “The murder suspect says his wife is merely missing. Prosecutors say he bought supplies to clean up the scene.” February 26, 2019. Anchorage Daily News. https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2019/02/27/in-anchorage-a-rare-murder-trial-without-a-body/

McGee, Madeline. “Jury finds Anchorage man not guilty of murder connection with wife’s disappearance.” March 28, 2019. Anchorage Daily News. https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2019/03/28/jury-finds-anchorage-man-not-guilty-of-murder-in-connection-to-wifes-disappearance/

The Charley Project. “Linda Louise Skeek.” n.d. https://charleyproject.org/case/linda-louise-skeek.

Basic Trendy. “Linda Skeek: Went missing, investigation and more. n.d. https://www.basictrendy.com/linda-skeek-went-missing-investigation-and-more/

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Now Available

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Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

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Join the Murder and Mystery in the First Frontier Facebook Group!

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Listen to a New Podcast from the Members of Author Masterminds

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Andrew Dolchok’s Painful Existence

May 24, 2023EpisodeAlaska criminal insanity laws, Alaska True Crime, Dolchok, Murder, Murder and Mystery in Alaska, Robin Barefield, True Crimemurder-in-the-last-frontier

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Andrew Dolchok had glaring psychological issues, and he was often violent. Still, judges repeatedly released him from jail until one night when Andrew Dolchok’s demons convinced him to murder his cab driver.

Sources:

1-22-1982. Dolchok v. State. Justia U.S. Law. https://law.justia.com/cases/alaska/supreme-court/1982/3920-0.html

Brennan, Tom. 2005. The Search For Yellow 39. Cold Crime. Epicenter Press.

7-14-1971. Anchorage AP. Daily Sitka Sentinel.

7-15-1971. Search expands for murder suspect. Anchorage Daily Times.

7-21-1971. Andrew Dolchok charged in death of taxi driver. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

7-21-1971. Suspect charged in cab driver’s death. Anchorage Daily News.

7-22-1971. Dolchok is given 10 days for plea. Anchorage Daily Times.

7-28-1971. Bail holds, says judge. Anchorage Daily Times.

Weaver, Howard. 10-6-1972. Dolchok is found guilty of murder. Anchorage Daily News.

10-6-1972. Judge rejects insanity plea, finds man guilty of murder. Anchorage Daily Times.

10-7-1972. Not so crazy. Anchorage Daily Times

11-29-1972. Judge gives life term. Anchorage Daily Times.

1-23-1982. Supreme Court turns down murderer’s second appeal. Anchorage Daily Times.

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Want to learn more about Magic Mind or give it a try? Here’s the link.

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And get up to 50% off your subscription for the next 10 days with my code
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Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

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Join the Murder and Mystery in the First Frontier Facebook Group!

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Listen to a New Podcast from the Members of Author Masterminds

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The Savage Murder of Cynthia Hoffman

March 22, 2023EpisodeCatfishing, Cynthia Hoffman, Darin Schilmiller, Denali Brehmer, Murder, Murder in Alaska, Robin Barefield, True Crimemurder-in-the-last-frontier

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I don’t usually do an episode about a case until the case either works through the legal system or it seems unsolvable. I could not ignore this sickening crime, though. There is nothing worse than children killing children, except perhaps when a teenager murders her best friend for thepromise of money.

Sources

Brehmer, Schilmiller, McIntosh, and Leyland all pleaded not guilty. I’ll keep you updated.

Sources:

Farzan, Noori. Chilling Tale of killing, catfishing. The Washington Post. https://digitaledition.chicagotribune.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=019ceeaf-d496-43d1-95e6-70dea767eba9

Burke, Jill. 6-17-2019. Who is accused killer Darin Schilmiller? Former classmates of catfishing ‘millionaire’ – turned – murder suspect talk about disturbing past. Alaska’s News Source. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/content/news/Who-is-accused-killer-Darin-Schilmiller-Cynthia-Hoffman-murder-suspect-511444111.html

Ortega, Michael. 6-18-2019. Interactive timeline: The murder of Cynthia Hoffman. 650kenai.iheart.com. https://650keni.iheart.com/content/2019-06-18-interactive-timeline-the-murder-of-cynthia-hoffman/

Downing, Suzanne. 6-18-2019. Accused of thrill killing, Schilmiller, Brehmer now indicted for child porn. https://mustreadalaska.com/accused-thrill-killing-schilmiller-brehmer-indicted-child-porn/

Derysh, Igor. 6-19-2019. Denali Brehmer: 5 Fast facts you need to know. Heavy.com. https://heavy.com/news/2019/06/denali-brehmer/

McGee, Madeline. 8-9-2019. Indiana man accused of plotting Cynthia Hoffman killing pleads not guilty to murder charges. Anchorage Daily News. https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2019/08/09/indiana-man-accused-of-plotting-cynthia-hoffman-killing-pleads-not-guilty-to-murder-charges/#:~:text=In%20his%20second%20court%20appearance,the%20murder%20charges%20against%20him.

Now Available

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Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

I still have a few promo codes available for this audiobook. If you would like a code, send me an email.

these are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Join the Murder and Mystery in the First Frontier Facebook Group!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Listen to a New Podcast from the Members of Author Masterminds

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Robin Barefield is the author of four Alaska wilderness mystery novels, Big Game, Murder Over Kodiak, The Fisherman’s Daughter, Karluk Bones, and Massacre at Bear Creek Lodge. Sign up to subscribe to her free, monthly newsletter on true murder and mystery in Alaska.

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A Bloody Anchorage Night

September 9, 2020EpisodeAlaska Insanity Defense, Charles Meach, Insanity Defense, Murder, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier, Robin Barefield, True Crime in Alaska, True Crime Podcastmurder-in-the-last-frontier

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It took a horrible murder for Alaska to revise its statutes for the criminally insane from some of the most lenient sentencing laws in the country to the strictest laws in the U.S. for the insanity defense.

On the night of May 3, 1982, one veteran Anchorage police officer was quoted as saying, “This has got to be one of the grisliest nights I’ve ever seen.” Within an hour, seven people lost their lives. Three died in the Black Bull bar in the Muldoon section of Anchorage, and the other four were shot in Russian Jack Springs Park in East Anchorage. At first, investigators wondered if the two crime scenes were connected, but they soon learned nothing linked the two horrific events.

Sources

Ice Cold Killers Season Two, Episode One: Blood Red Sun.

Brennan, Tom. 2001. By Reason of Insanity. Murder at 40 Below. Epicenter Press.

Murderpedia, Charles L. Meach III. Available at https://murderpedia.org/male.M/m/meach-charles.htm

New York Times (1982), New Law on Insanity Plea Stirs Dispute in Alaska. Available at https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/22/us/new-law-on-insanity-plea-stirs-dispute-in-alaska.html

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If you would like to support Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier? Become a patron and join The Last Frontier Club.
Each month I will provide one or more of the following to club members.
· An extra episode of Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier available only for club members.
· Behind the scenes glimpses of life and wildlife in the Kodiak wilderness.
· Breaking news about ongoing murder cases and new crimes in Alaska
· Merchandise or discounts on MMLF merchandise or handmade glass jewelry
Become a Patron!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Check out the store: Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier merchandise.

____________________________________________________________________________

Subscribe to my free, monthly Murder and Mystery Newsletter for more stories about true crime and mystery from Alaska.
Join me on:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
Visit my website at http://robinbarefield.com
Check out my books at Author Masterminds

___________________________________________________________________________

Robin Barefield is the author of four Alaska wilderness mystery novels, Big Game, Murder Over Kodiak, The Fisherman’s Daughter, and Karluk Bones. Sign up to subscribe to her free, monthly newsletter on true murder and mystery in Alaska.

The Search for Bethany

July 12, 2020EpisodeBethany Correira, Mike Lawson, Murder, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier, Murder in Alaska, Robin Barefield, Talkeetna, True Crimemurder-in-the-last-frontier

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Talkeetna, Alaska, is considered the gateway to Mt. Denali (McKinley), the highest mountain in North America. In the summer, tourists, including mountain climbers, hikers, flight-seers, and those who just want to view the majestic mountain, flock to Talkeetna. In the winter, though, the tourists leave, and the 800 residents who remain settle down to quiet lives, watching magnificent displays of the northern lights, playing in the deep snow, raising their children, and gathering for social events to help them forget the cold, dark winter. Talkeetna is a small town where nearly everyone knows everyone else, and when Bethany Correira disappeared, residents immediately responded to search for one of their own.

Billy and Linda Correira moved to Talkeetna in the 1970s. They built a log cabin near a pond and raised two sons and two daughters. Linda home-schooled her kids, taught them to be independent, and told them they could accomplish anything they wanted in life. Bethany, the second oldest child, was sweet and self-sufficient. Before she was twenty years old, Bethany had gone to Nepal as a Christian missionary, sailed in the South Pacific while working as a nanny for a doctor’s family, and worked in base camps with climbers at the base of Mt. Denali. She sewed patches on her favorite backpack from all the places she had traveled. Bethany was athletic, smart, beautiful, and knew how to take care of herself.

Sources:

Klinkhart, Glen. 2014. Finding Bethany. A True Crime Memoir. SecurusMedia.

James, David. 2014. ‘Finding Bethany’ details detective’s quest to solve horrific murder
https://www.adn.com/books/article/finding-bethany-details-detectives-quest-solve-horrific-murder/2014/07/20/

Mystery at Bootlegger’s Cove. Dateline. NBC.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24831943/ns/dateline_nbc-crime_reports/t/mystery-bootleggers-cove/#.XwJv8ShKgeE

Johnson, Greg. 2-2008. Lawson draws 99 years. MatSu Valley Frontiersman.
https://www.frontiersman.com/news/lawson-draws-99-years/article_d21b98e0-cace-5983-aeea-f5eea9a06570.html

___________________________________________________________________________
If you would like to support Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier? Become a patron and join The Last Frontier Club.
Each month I will provide one or more of the following to club members.
· An extra episode of Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier available only for club members.
· Behind the scenes glimpses of life and wildlife in the Kodiak wilderness.
· Breaking news about ongoing murder cases and new crimes in Alaska
· Merchandise or discounts on MMLF merchandise or handmade glass jewelry
Become a Patron!

____________________________________________________________________________

Check out the store: Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier merchandise.

___________________________________________________________________________

Subscribe to my free, monthly Murder and Mystery Newsletter.
Join me on:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn

Visit my website at http://robinbarefield.com

Check out my books at Author Masterminds

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Exclusive, free access to the author’s finest short, timely articles.
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Receive new and upcoming book club benefits.

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A Deadly Custody Battle

April 26, 2020EpisodeBob Pfeil, Mary Ann Poll, Murder, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier, Muriel Pfeil, Neil Mackay, Real Ghost Chatter, Robin Barefield, True Crime Podcastmurder-in-the-last-frontier

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Neil Mackay was ruthless in both his personal and business dealings, and associates learned not to cross him. When a car bomb instantly killed his ex-wife, Muriel Pfeil, police knew Mackay had planned her murder, but they could not find enough evidence to charge him with the crime. Muriel’s brother, Bob, believed Mackay murdered his sister, and he fought Mackay for custody over Neil and Muriel’s son. Mackay became enraged and obsessed with Bob Pfeil and plotted how to destroy his nemesis.

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I have a special treat for you this week. My friend and fellow author and podcaster, Mary Ann Poll, and I are doing cross-over podcasts. Mary Ann hosts the popular podcast, Real Ghost Chatter, and I am a guest on her podcast this week.

In this episode of Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier, I tell you the story about the brutal murder of a woman in downtown Anchorage. Then, on Real Ghost Chatter, Mary Ann and I discuss the ghost of this woman who reportedly haunts the Anchorage café where she once had her travel agency. Mary Ann and I also explore some other Anchorage hauntings.

You can find Real Ghost Chatter with Mary Ann Poll at https://anchor.fm/mary-ann-poll

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Sources

An Angry Man. Cold Crime: Brennan, Tom. 2005. Cold Crime. Epicenter Press. https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Crime-Detectives-Alaskas-Sensational/dp/0974501441/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Cold+Crime%2C+Tom+Brennan&qid=1574108038&s=books&sr=1-1

10-19-1976. Dynamite Expected in Car Bomb Killing. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=17887295&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjMxODI2MDE1LCJpYXQiOjE1ODczNDQzNjEsImV4cCI6MTU4NzQzMDc2MX0.mlirb-0MYcf3fN2U6TKpbTm4O59gtNdcfb0BNvDMFYY

Jenkins, Paul. 11-12-1985. Alleged Contract Shooting Victim Dies. AP Press.
https://apnews.com/31a0160ee34f2987548f678d7358cb99

Turner, Walace. 6-30-1987.Alaskan Murder: Enigma Within an Enigma. New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/30/us/alaskan-murder-enigma-within-an-enigma.html

2-7-1988. Jury Acquits MacKay of Murder. AP Press.
https://apnews.com/3a33ee9d7d1837d298e5930405c7d10d

Mroch, Courtney. 10-27-2019. The Ghost of the Snow City Café. Haunt Jaunts.
https://www.hauntjaunts.net/the-ghost-of-the-snow-city-cafe/

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Would you like to help support Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier? Become a patron and join The Last Frontier Club.
Each month I will provide one or more of the following to club members.

· An extra episode of Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier available only for club members.
· Behind the scenes glimpses of life and wildlife in the Kodiak wilderness.
· Breaking news about ongoing murder cases and new crimes in Alaska
· Merchandise or discounts on MMLF merchandise or handmade glass jewelry

Follow the link and join the club now!

Become a Patron!

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Subscribe to my free, monthly Murder and Mystery Newsletter.

Join me on:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
Visit my website at http://robinbarefield.com

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I am excited to have my novel, Karluk Bones included in the Battle of the Books. Enter the Battle of the Books, and you could win a $500 Amazon Gift Card!

The Newman Family Murders

August 4, 2019EpisodeMurder, Murder and Mystery in Alaska, Newman Family Murders, Robin Barefield, True Crimemurder-in-the-last-frontier

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:28 — 17.9MB) | Embed

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This episode covers the 1987 murders of a mother and her two daughters. This crime angered and terrified Anchorage residents, and they wondered who could commit such a brutal act, and would he strike again?

For More Information about the Newman murders:

Join me on:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Subscribe to Murder and Mystery Newsletter.
Visit my website at http://robinbarefield.com

Robin Barefield is the author of three Alaska wilderness mystery novels, Big Game, Murder Over Kodiak, and The Fisherman’s Daughter. Sign up to subscribe to her free, monthly newsletter on true murder and mystery in Alaska.

Sources

Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

Join the Murder and Mystery in the First Frontier Facebook Group!

Merchandise! Visit the Store

Sources:

Now Available

Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

Join the Murder and Mystery in the First Frontier Facebook Group!

Listen to a New Podcast from the Members of Author Masterminds

Sources:

Want to learn more about Magic Mind or give it a try? Here’s the link.

And get up to 50% off your subscription for the next 10 days with my code MURDERANDMYSTERY

______________________________________________

Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

Join the Murder and Mystery in the First Frontier Facebook Group!

Listen to a New Podcast from the Members of Author Masterminds

Sources

Now Available

______________________________________________

Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

I still have a few promo codes available for this audiobook. If you would like a code, send me an email.

these are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Join the Murder and Mystery in the First Frontier Facebook Group!

Listen to a New Podcast from the Members of Author Masterminds

Sources

Sources:

Sources

And get up to 50% off your subscription for the next 10 days with my code
MURDERANDMYSTERY