Tag Archives: Murder Podcast

FTA: The Chulitna Charmer

April 24, 2024EpisodeAlaska True Crime, Chulitna Alaska, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier, Murder in Alaska, Murder Podcast, Mystery Podcast, Paul Stavenjord, Robin Barefield, True Crime Podcastmurder-in-the-last-frontier

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People move to the Alaska wilderness either because they enjoy solitude and crave a subsistence lifestyle or because they wish to escape society. People who fall into this second category are either misfits who don’t know how or don’t want to blend in with others, or they are criminals, seeking to escape arrest and hoping to disappear into the vast wilderness. Many of my episodes have dealt with individuals who ran to Alaska from a life of crime elsewhere. They might have hoped to turn their lives around but instead, most brought their problems and psychopathic tendencies with them.

Until Memorial Day weekend in 1997, Paul Stavenjord seemed to have succeeded at escaping his criminal past, but then something in him snapped, leaving two people dead and forever altering the course of Stavenjord’s life.

Sources:

Brennan, Tom, 2003. Murder at 40 Below. Chapter 7: “The bank robber next door.” 2001. Kenmore, WA: Epicenter Press.

Court of Appeals of Alaska, no. A-7418. Stavenjord v. State. March 28, 2003.

Ice Cold Killers. Season 1, Episode 3: “Mountain man.”

Menerey, Amy. “Convicted murderer’s appeal denied.” April 8, 2003. Mat Su Valley Frontiersman.

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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.
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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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Hang by the Neck Until Dead

April 10, 2024EpisodeAlaska Crime and Justice, Alaska History, Alaska Podcast, Alaska Statehood, Alaska True Crime, Capital Punishment, Capital Punishment in Alaska, Death Penalty, Fred Hardy, Murder Podcast, Mystery Podcast, Robin Barefield, Territory of Alaska, True Crimemurder-in-the-last-frontier

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As a state, Alaska has never had the death penalty. It was abolished in 1957, two years before Alaska became the 49^th state in the union. However, from 1869 until 1957, twelve male felons were hanged for murder, robbery, and other crimes. This is the story about the unequal application of the death penalty in Alaska and why capital punishment was abolished in the state.

Sources:

Heaton, John W. Outlaw Tales of Alaska. “Fred Hardy.”2015. Guilford, CT. Rowman & Littlefield.

Green, Melissa S. “A History of the Death Penalty in Alaska.” July 20, 2001. UAA Justice Center Website.

Green, Melissa S. “The Death Penalty in Alaska.” Winter, 2009. Alaska Justice Forum.

Kiffer, Dave. “Abolition of Alaska’s Death Penalty.” October 15, 2005. Sitnews.

Lerman, Averil. “The Trial and Hanging of Nelson Charles.” Spring, 1996. Alaska Justice Forum.

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The Bizarre Murder of a Bush Plane Pilot

March 27, 2024EpisodeAlaska Podcast, Alaska True Crime, Floatplane, Murder and Mystery in Alaska, Murder Podcast, Mystery Podcast, Robert Feather, Robin Barefield, True Crime, William Duryeamurder-in-the-last-frontier

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Anchorage, Alaska, is the small plane capital of the world, and flying in Alaska is a thrilling experience where you can view spectacular scenery and reach remote lakes, rivers, and stretches of wilderness that are inaccessible by road. For the commercial pilots who fly these small planes, though, the job can be stressful at times, and they must depend on their skills and common sense. Commercial pilots in Alaska have a tough job, but near the bottom of a pilot’s list of concerns is the fear he will be murdered on the job. After all, who would want to kill his pilot?

Sources:

“Duryea v. State.” Court of Appeals No. A-6964. Court of Appeals of Alaska. Any Law.

Rinehart, Steve. “Sniper fire kills pilot man who called plane in custody.” May 18, 1983. Anchorage Daily News.

Sullivan, Patty. “Judge sentences killer to 50 years.” January 14, 1998. Anchorage Daily News.

“William Duryea v. State of Alaska, Department of Corrections, and Joseph Schmidt, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections.” July 16, 2012. THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT AT PALMER.

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The Disappearance of British Spy Ian Mackintosh

March 13, 2024EpisodeAlaska Podcast, British Spy, Cold War, Espionage, Ian Mackintosh, Murder and Mystery in Alaska, Murder Podcast, Mystery Podcast, Robin Barefieldmurder-in-the-last-frontier

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On the evening of July 7^th, 1979, a plane disappeared near Kodiak Island in fair weather and moderate seas. News agencies in Alaska reported little about the missing plane and its occupants. Although reports of the apparent fatal crash made more of a splash in Great Britain, official sources offered no comment about the loss of a man who had done so much to protect Britain against the USSR during the Cold War. Even now, the disappearance of Ian Mackintosh is cloaked in secrecy, and many wonder if he died in the plane crash or if the accident was a cover story, allowing Mackintosh to disappear. The 2012 book, The Life and Mysterious Death of Ian Mackintosh by Robert G. Folsom explores everything the author could uncover about a brilliant man’s secret life and mysterious disappearance.

Sources

Folsom, Robert G. The Life and Mysterious Death of Ian Mackintosh.2012. Washington, D.C. Potomac Books, Inc.

Mackintosh, Lawrie. “My brother, Ian Mackintosh.” OpsRoom.Org.

MacLeod, Calum. “Did spy writer’s disappearance mirror his fiction?” January 3, 2013. John O’Groat Journal and Caithness Courier.

Ian Mackintosh. Check-Six.Com.

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FTA: The Tanana Tragedy

February 28, 2024EpisodeAlaska Podcast, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska True Crime, Murder and Mystery in Alaska, Murder Podcast, Mystery Podcast, Robin Barefield, Trooper Murders, True Crime, True Crime Podcastmurder-in-the-last-frontier

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You might be familiar with the recent National Geographic documentary series, Alaska State Troopers. The show followed several troopers from different areas of the state as they made their daily rounds. Two of the troopers featured on the show were Sergeant Patrick “Scott” Johnson and Gabriel “Gabe” Rich. Both men worked out of the Alaska State Troopers’ Fairbanks Rural Service Unit. A camera crew was not with the men on the fateful day of May 1^st, 2014.

Sources

Chomicz, Dorothy. “Kangas found guilty of evidence tampering in Alaska State Trooper deaths.” April 23, 2015. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Chomicz, Dorothy. Arvin Kangas sentenced in case related to Alaska StateTrooper killings.” September 3, 2015. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Chomicz, Dorothy. “Courtroom tenses as Nathanial Kangas murder trial gets underway.” May 9, 2016. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Chomicz, Dorothy. “Pilot describes scene in Tanana minutes after troopers killed.” May 10, 2016. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Edge, Josh. “Man convicted in Tanana trooper killings sentenced to 203 years in prison.” November 3, 2016. Alaska Public Media.

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FTA: Serial Murderer Gary Zieger

January 31, 2024EpisodeAlaska Podcast, Alaska True Crime, Beth van Zanten, Gary Zieger, Murder and Mystery in Alaska, Murder Podcast, Mystery Podcast, Robin Barefield, Serial Killer, Serial Killer Podcast, True Crime, True Crime Podcastmurder-in-the-last-frontier

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Gary Zieger, a brutal serial killer, stalked the streets of Anchorage in the early 1970s. We’ll never know how many people Zieger killed, but eventually, the psychopath made a fatal mistake.

Sources

Brennan, Tom. Cold Crime. Chapter 8: “Alaska’s Billy the Kid.” 2005. Kenmore, WA: Epicenter Press.

Gordon, Mike. “The hired gun.” March 26, 2014. Turnagain Currents.

Hale, Leland. “The lonesome death of Beth van Zanten: The killer is killed.” October 17, 2018. Butcher Baker.

Hale, Leland. “Lonesome death of Beth van Zanten: Whodunnit.” October 18, 2018. Butcher Baker.

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Massacre at Bear Creek Lodge Audiobook Narrated by

Beth Chaplin

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The Secrets of Mendeltna Lodge

January 17, 2024EpisodeAlaska Podcast, Alaska True Crime, Elmer Haab, Medeltna Lodge, Murder and Mystery in Alaska, Murder Podcast, Mystery Podcast, Robin Barefield, Violence Against Womenmurder-in-the-last-frontier

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Neighbors suspected Elmer Haab was up to no good, and when his wife, Bonnie, mysteriously disappeared, they feared Elmer had done something to her. Alaska State Troopers also found the disappearance of Bonnie Haab suspicious, but with no body, there was little they could do.

Sources:

Anderson, Dianne. “Haab leads troopers to pyre where he burned wife’s body.” July 17, 1969. Anchorage Daily Times.

Anderson, Diane. “Man admits he cremated body of his wife.” July 16, 1969. Anchorage Daily Times.

Anderson, Dianne. “The last time he saw Bonnie, her face was bruised and bleeding.” July 7, 19, 1969. Anchorage Daily Times.

Brennan, Tom. Cold Crime. Chapter 2: “Mystery of Mendeltna Lodge.” 2005. Kenmore, WA. Epicenter Press.

Drebert, Richard. “Ashes on the Mendeltna.” Cache of Grace.

Maguire, Sean. “The Mendeltna Creek Lodge near Glenallen has burned down.” KTUU News.

Webster, Dave. “Police crack theft ring; three sought.” February 22, 1968. Anchorage Daily Times.

Webster, Dave. “Suspect in theft ring is arrested.” February 23, 1968. Anchorage Daily Times.

“Elmer Haab nabbed by Arizona Sheriff.” April 10, 1968. Anchorage Daily Times.

“Haab sent to Arizona.” September 4, 1969. Anchorage Daily Times.

“Police jail theft suspect.” March 15, 1968. Anchorage Daily Times.

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Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

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FTA: Murder at the North Pole

December 6, 2023EpisodeAlaska Podcast, Fairbanks Serial Killer, FBI Profile, Murder and Mystery in Alaska, Murder Podcast, Mystery Podcast, North Pole Alaska, North Pole Serial Killer, Robin Barefield, Serial Killer, Thomas Richard Bunday, True Crime Podcastmurder-in-the-last-frontier

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After a string of murders of young women near Fairbanks in the late 1970s and early ’80s, the abductions and murders mysteriously stopped. Troopers didn’t believe the vicious killer had suddenly halted his murder spree, but they feared the predator had moved somewhere else. Unfortunately, at the time, they had no database to track the killer’s movements beyond Alaska. Only the deductive reasoning and hard work of seasoned investigators traced the monster to his new hunting grounds, four thousand miles away.

Sources:

Brennan, Tom. Murder at 40 Below. Chapter 9: “Having trouble with girls.” 2001. Kenmore, WA: Epicenter Press.

Capps, Kris. “Bunday never denied he was killer, trooper recalls.” March 17, 1983. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Capps, Kris. “Bunday was suspect in 1980.” March 17, 1983. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Fisher, Susan. “Authorities were awaiting more facts.” March 17, 1983. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Ice Cold Killers. Season 1, episode 5: “North Pole slay ride.”

“Troopers release summary of Thomas Bunday murder case.” April 29, 1983. Fairbanks Pioneer All Alaska Weekly.

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Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

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Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier Trailer

December 4, 2023UncategorizedAlaska Podcast, Alaska True Crime, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier Trailer, Murder Podcast, Mystery Podcast, Robin Barefield, True Crime, True Crime Podcastmurder-in-the-last-frontier

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Trailer for Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier

Welcome to Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. Listen to tales of true crime and mystery in Alaska.

What evil lay in store for the residents of McCarthy, Alaska, when they gathered to meet their weekly mail plane?

Did infamous serial killer Robert Hansen fly his victims into the wilderness and hunt them just as he had hunted the trophy animals hanging on the walls of his home?

Who slaughtered the Coulthurst family and their crew on the Fishing Vessel Investor and then set fire to the boat?

Who kidnapped the Fandel children?

What horrors awaited the residents of Manley Hot Springs when they visited the boat landing?

Why did a young man in Palmer, Alaska, attack his father and his girlfriend with a machete?

Was the disappearance of the plane carrying Representatives Hale Boggs and Nick Begich an accident or something much more sinister?

Why do so many people step into the Alaska wilderness and disappear?

What is the Alaska Triangle, and is there any evidence that it actually exists?

I invite you to listen to Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier and hear these and many other tales about the dark side of Alaska.

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Who Murdered Cecil Wells?

November 22, 2023EpisodeAlaska Podcast, Cecil Wells, Diane Wells, Murder Podcast, Robin Barefield, The Alaskan Blonde, True Crime in Alaska, True Crime Podcastmurder-in-the-last-frontier

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A wealthy, powerful man, a beautiful widow, a scandalous affair, a murder, and a suicide: This true-life crime drama had it all, except for the answer to the question: Who killed Cecil Wells?

Sources

Bartlett, James T. The Alaskan Blonde. 2022. North Haven, CT. Territory Books.

Reamer, David. “In 1953, Cecil Wells was a rich and powerful Alaska Businessman. His murder made headlines nationwide.” August 30, 2020. Anchorage Daily News.

“Wells, Cecil M.” Alaskahisitory.org. Anchorage 1910 – 1940. Legends and Legacies. https://www.alaskahistory.org/biographies/wells-cecil-m/

For more information on this case:

Read The Alaskan Blonde by James Bartlett

Check out The Alaskan Blonde Website

Watch my interview with James Bartlett, the author of The Alaskan Blonde.

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Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

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Join Beach Blanket Books—a Facebook Event. The Fun begins on May 15th and lasts until the Summer Solstice on June 21st. Join in the games and win some prizes. Sign up now so you don’t miss a thing!

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Sources:

COMING SOON!

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Sources

Now Available

Massacre at Bear Creek Lodge Audiobook Narrated by

Beth Chaplin

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Sources:

Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

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Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

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Trailer for Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier

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Karluk Bones Audiobook Narrated by Beth Chaplin

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