Dead Ends

Four people. Four vanishings. No clear answers.
In this episode of Dead Ends, we look at four deeply unsettling disappearance cases that still leave huge questions behind: the Sodder Children, Brian Shaffer, Brandon Swanson, and Danny Filippidis.
From children who disappeared during a house fire, to a man who walked out of a bar and was never seen again, to a student who vanished after a late-night phone call, to a skier who somehow reappeared thousands of miles away — these are cases where the trail goes cold fast.
We break down the facts, the timelines, the strange details, and the theories people still argue about today.
 
Cases covered:
6:28 Danny Filippidis
18:38 Brandon Swanson
31:34 The Sodder Children
49:24 Brian Shaffer
 
This podcast contains discussions of crime, distressing events, and disturbing themes. Listener discretion is advised.
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The Zodiac Killer is one of the most infamous unsolved serial killer cases in history. In this episode of Dead Ends, we break down the confirmed murders, the 408 cipher, the letters sent to the press, and the main suspects including Arthur Leigh Allen and Richard Hoffman.
From Lake Herman Road and Blue Rock Springs to Lake Berryessa and Presidio Heights, this is a full deep dive into the Zodiac case, the timeline, the evidence, and the theories that still surround it today.
 
0:00 Introduction
10:27 Case Overview: The Zodiac Killer
15:43 First Zodiac Murder: Lake Herman Road (David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen)
21:44 Second Zodiac Murder: Blue Rock Springs (Darlene Ferrin and Michael Mageau)
30:30 The 408 Cipher
40:28 Third Zodiac Murder: Lake Berryessa (Bryan Hartnell and Cecelia Shepard)
50:50 Fourth Zodiac Murder: Presidio Heights (Paul Stine)
1:06:08 Suspects, Theories & Investigation
1:08:09 Richard Hoffman
1:12:06 Arthur Leigh Allen
 
The Zodiac Killer terrorised Northern California in the late 1960s, leaving behind murdered couples, a dead cab driver, cryptic letters, and ciphers that still fascinate investigators today. In this episode, we examine the canonical attacks, the surviving victims, the cipher sent to the press, and the suspects most often linked to the case.
 
Join the conversation in the comments — who do you think was the Zodiac Killer?
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In 1947, one month after the Murder of the Black Dahlia, Jeanne French was murdered in what would come to be known as the Red Lipstick Murder.
Were these murders linked?
 
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Email: deadendspod2025@gmail.com
 
#truecrimestories #coldcase #unsolvedmystery

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Email: deadendspod2025@gmail.com

In this episode, we dive into one of Unsolved Mysteries’ most unsettling cases — The Ghost in Apartment 14. What starts as a seemingly classic haunting quickly spirals into something far more disturbing, blurring the line between paranormal fear and real-world danger.
A woman moves into Apartment 14 hoping for a fresh start, but almost immediately begins experiencing strange and escalating disturbances. Unexplained noises, objects moving, and unusual smells give way to physical paranormal events. When friends and family witness unusual activity for themselves, the case takes a darker turn.
As investigators dig into the apartment’s past, a violent crime connected to the unit is uncovered — the kidnapping and murder of Marie Elizabeth Spannhake and also, the kidnapping and escape of Colleen Stan.
We break down the timeline of events, discuss the leading theories and the most important question: why is Marie Elizabeth Spannhake’s case still unsolved?
 
What We Cover:
The reported haunting of Apartment 14 - escalating disturbances and unexplained injuries
Witness accounts from friends and family
The apartment’s violent history - the disappearance of Marie Elizabeth Spennhake
The kidnapping and escape of Colleen Stan
Why this case remains unsolved
 
⚠️ Content Warning:
This episode contains discussion of violence, physical & sexual assault, kidnapping, murder and references to cults. Listener discretion is advised.
 
Join the Conversation:
What case from this year stayed with you the most? And which survival story inspired you? We’d love to hear from you.
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As we close out the year, we’re stepping away from a single case and opening the files on Dead Ends itself. This Christmas special is a looser, more reflective episode — a chance to look back at the stories that stayed with us, the moments that shocked us, and the cases we still can’t stop thinking about.
We revisit some of the most memorable investigations we’ve covered this year, share our favourite moments behind the scenes, and reflect on how researching these cases has changed the way we see true crime.
But this episode isn’t just about endings. To balance the darkness, we also shine a light on something we don’t talk about often enough — the people who survived. We explore powerful stories of near misses, quick thinking, and sheer resilience — cases where victims escaped, fought back, or trusted their instincts and lived to tell the story.
It’s a reminder that while many trails go cold, not all stories end in tragedy.
 
What We Cover:
A recap of the cases we covered this year
The moments that shocked, frustrated, or stayed with us the longest
Behind-the-scenes reflections and unexpected discoveries
Listener interactions and the impact of the community
Stories of victims who escaped attempted murder
Why survival stories matter in true crime
 
⚠️ Content Warning:
This episode includes discussion of violent crime and attempted murder. While some stories focus on survival, listener discretion is advised.
🎁 A Holiday Thank You
Thank you for listening, sharing, and supporting Dead Ends throughout the year. This episode marks the end of our season as we take a short two-week break — but we’ll be back in the new year with new cases, colder trails, and plenty more digging.
Join the Conversation:
What case from this year stayed with you the most? And which survival story inspired you? We’d love to hear from you.
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This week’s mini episode explores two haunting cases that continue to raise the same question: how can something so shocking remain unresolved?
Erica covers the disappearance of Suzie Lamplugh, a 25-year-old London estate agent who vanished in broad daylight in 1986 after arranging a house viewing with a man she referred to as “Mr Kipper.” Despite a prime suspect and decades of investigation, Suzie was never found — and her case forever changed personal safety practices across the UK.
Pete takes us back to 1912 Iowa, to the Villisca Axe Murder House, where eight people — including six children — were brutally murdered in their sleep. The crime shocked a nation, produced a long list of suspects, and remains one of America’s most infamous unsolved mass murders.
Two cases. Two eras. And suspects that many believe were hiding in plain sight.
 
⚠️ Content Warning:
This mini episode includes discussion of abduction, murder, and violence against adults and children. Listener discretion is advised.
 
Join the Conversation:
Do you think these cases had obvious suspects from the start? We want to hear your thoughts.
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On a freezing January night in rural Northumberland, 28-year-old taxi driver Evelyn Foster picked up a male passenger for what should have been a routine fare. Hours later, she was found severely burned beside her smouldering car on a remote stretch of road.
Before she died from her injuries, Evelyn gave a disturbing account of an attack — one involving a mysterious man, a struggle, and a fire that consumed everything except the unanswered questions.
Despite a large-scale investigation, conflicting witness statements, and Evelyn’s own fading testimony, no one was ever charged. This case remains one of the most debated and enigmatic murders in early 20th-century Britain.
 
What We Cover:
Background on Evelyn Foster and the community she lived in
The last confirmed sightings of Evelyn on the night of her attack
The discovery of her burning vehicle and injuries
Evelyn’s dying account and why it became controversial
The mysterious passenger: what we know and what doesn’t add up
Police theories vs. public speculation
Why this case went cold — and why some believe it was never solved
Our theories and discussion
 
⚠️ Content Warning:
This episode discusses violence, severe burns, and the death of a young woman. Listener discretion is advised.
 
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We want to hear your thoughts, theories, and questions about this case.
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