Island Crime

Experts say Investigative Genetic Genealogy, also known as IGG, is showing incredible promise in solving cold cases abroad. But the technology is not yet commonly used in Canada. Could Cheri, Melissa and Kimberly’s cases one day be solved through IGG? And what’s preventing law enforcement from using it more frequently in Canada?

The 'teen hooker’ headlines are symbolic of the very real stigma and victim blaming involved in the cases of Cheri, Melissa and Kimberly. What role did the shaming of sexually exploited youth play in the murders, the investigations and how the media told their stories?

When Melissa, Cheri and Kimberly were killed in Victoria, there may have been four serial killers preying on sex trade workers and sexually exploited youth on the coast. Who are these predators, and what has been done to exclude them from the cases on the island?

The men close to Cheri, Melissa and Kimberly, at the time of their deaths, are all potential suspects. Boyfriends, pimps, and sex traffickers, could any of them have wanted the girls gone?

Cheri, Kimberly and Melissa were all last seen on the stroll in downtown Victoria. The activities of the area starkly contrast the elegant image Victoria is trying to sell tourists. It becomes a fertile hunting ground for predators.

Melissa Nicholson’s badly beaten body is found on the side of the road.  Newspapers at the time describe her as "teen hooker #3", but her family only remembers her big smile, sparkly personality, and honey-coloured hair. The 17-year-old is last seen on the Victoria stroll.

Cheri Lynn Smith spends her days reading the bible and writing to her parents. Before she's killed, Cheri is lured away from her Regina home by a sex trafficker posing as her boyfriend. Not long after, a horseback rider finds her body in the underbrush outside of Victoria, B.C., Canada.

For three decades, Rhonda has wondered why someone killed her high school friend Kimberly Gallup. Kimberly was a young girl who loved the Kansas City Chiefs and Bon Jovi. Her death has a lasting impact on all who knew her.

The year is 1990 and within about 12 months three teenage girls will be murdered in Victoria, B.C., Canada. Before they were found dead, all three girls were lured into sex trafficking with promises of love and money. Today, it's been more than thirty years since they were killed, and their killer, or killers, have never been found.

If you were accused of being involved in a terrible crime what would you do? William Curry is anxious to clear his name once and for all. He's tired of rumours suggesting he was involved in Lisa Marie Young's disappearance. Christopher Adair has chosen to remain silent. Now one of his relatives wants to put an end to the secrecy.

Island Crime is committed to keeping 'cold cases' in the public eye and leaving no stone unturned. In this episode, you'll hear an update to Island Crime Seasons 1-5.

As Amber's hometown prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of her disappearance, a forest fire severs the connection to the community. Port Alberni quietly grieves her loss, still waiting for answers. In this episode, a woman believes she may have witnessed Amber and her boyfriend together the weekend after her disappearance. And a man who never knew Amber, becomes an online antagonist, provoking a response. This episode was recorded and edited before news of Justin Hall's death became public. An update message has been added to reflect this most recent development.

As the first anniversary of Amber Manthorne's disappearance approaches, her family and friends prepare to say their goodbyes and celebrate Amber's life. Meanwhile, the search for Amber and the investigation into her case carries on. In this episode, Amber's sister Shannon speaks publicly for the first time and an avid river adventurer shares that he might have found evidence, which could be helpful to the investigation. This episode was recorded and edited before news of Justin Hall's death became public. An update message has been added at the beginning to reflect this most recent development.

Don't poke the bear. It's a warning I heard a number of times as I worked on the story of 'Whiskey Creek'. After almost three years of silence, reverberations from the series are being felt across the island. I'll open up about the aftermath of reporting on this story and the knock-on effects on the victims' families.

When Shawn McGrath emerged from incarceration he wound up out in the woods. What could have helped him succeed outside of prison? And how can we prevent another Whiskey Creek from happening?

John McGrath knows his boy, Shawn, was no angel. And now, years later, he's ready to share his theory about the Whiskey Creek murders for the first time.

Two weeks before the Whiskey Creek shootings, a young woman’s body is found on a nearby highway. The 22-year-old knew the Whiskey Creek victims and spent time there. Is her death somehow connected?

A Vancouver Island mother believes her son may have been held hostage at Whiskey Creek. In her eyes, he is an innocent victim in an act of vigilantism. But he has never been named publicly as one of the victims. What will his mom do in order to seek justice for her boy?

Today, the lone survivor of the Whiskey Creek massacre lives in fear that those responsible for the slaughter are still planning to finish him off. After the attack, he fled to the mainland, warned never to return. But now he wants to come home.

Fresh out of jail and with nowhere to go, Shawn McGrath lands in a trailer in Whiskey Creek. That's when problems in the community begin. His encampment in the woods is a magnet for the young and vulnerable. How far will the community go to protect their own?

It's Halloween Night 2020. Neighbours hear loud noises coming from the bush. They assume the sounds are fireworks marking late night festivities. The next afternoon a dirt biker stumbles across a scene straight out of a Hollywood drama. Burned out vehicles, three dead bodies, four dead dogs and, incredibly, a survivor. Thank you to CHEK News for use of audio from video archival footage.

On Halloween night in 2020, a mass shooting took place near the resort community of Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island. Three people are found dead in a make-shift encampment deep in the woods. Beside them, four dead dogs and a burned-out trailer. Now, more than two years on, the case is at a standstill. Island Crime Season 5: Whiskey Creek explores the secrecy and fear surrounding the shootings. New episodes coming May 9.

Note: The Victoria police were given access to this story in advance of it being published. If the police choose to offer a comment or clarification, the series will be updated to include the response. A tip about an alleged attempt abduction, preceding Michael Dunahee's disappearance leads to an exploration into the life of a now deceased local man.

Note: The Victoria police were given access to this story in advance of it being published. If the police choose to offer a comment or clarification, the series will be updated to include the response. In September 1989, just over a year before Michael Dunahee's disappearance (March 24, 1991), there is an alleged attempted abduction of a 3 year old boy in virtually the same location. In this episode what is known about that incident, and the man who was involved.

Up until now what happened to Lisa Marie Young, in the hours after she left 'The Jungle' nightclub, has been unclear. We know she attended a couple of house parties, but no one present at those gatherings has ever publicly described the events leading up to Lisa's disappearance on June 30th 2002. In this episode one of the young men there that night, finally breaks his silence.

Twenty years on, there are now new searches for Lisa Marie Young. The fresh attention is reopening old wounds and bringing unwanted attention to some.

Brandon Cairney has been missing from Port Alberni since October 2017. On September 22nd 2022, Brandon surfaced alive.

Amber's disappearance devastates those who love her. In this episode, close friends wrestle with the thought of life without Amber and look to the past to find clues about what was really going on in Amber's world.

Amber lives for summer. She works at a boat shop, her home is out at the lake and she makes the most out of the sunny season. A colleague, a friend and a woman Amber never met, shine a light on how Amber's bright spark may have been darkened forever.

Tensions are high in Amber's hometown of Port Alberni, while Amber remains missing. What can be learned of Amber's boyfriend, allegedly the last person known to be with her before she vanishes?

As time passes with no sign of Amber, friends fear the worst. The town is on edge and the behaviour of Amber's boyfriend adds to the tension.

When 40-year-old Amber Manthorne fails to show up to work on Friday, July 8th, 2022, her friends immediately believe something is wrong. At first, it is thought that Amber is with her boyfriend, Justin Hall, but then Justin surfaces days later, without Amber, leaving more questions than answers.

Amber is a cherished member of her Port Alberni community; a loyal friend, devoted daughter, a really ‘cool chick’, bubbly and always cheerful. So it's no surprise that a community of people dubbed 'Amber's Army' have come together to help find her. Amidst the desperate search for Amber, friends take time to talk about her and answer questions about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

Christopher William Adair is the last person known to be seen with Lisa Marie Young before she vanished in 2002. He has never been charged in connection with her disappearance and detectives currently investigating Lisa's case can't say much about him. But now there is a $50,000 reward for information leading to finding Lisa's remains.

“Don't get into a vehicle with a driver you don't know.” This was the golden rule Don Young taught his daughter, Lisa Marie Young. But twenty years ago, on June 29th 2002, Lisa broke her father's rule. She got into a red Jaguar driven by a charming young man and was never seen alive again.

Keinan Hebert is just three when he is abducted from his bed in a small B.C. community in 2011. The Hebert’s credit the Amber alert with helping to keep their son alive. Crystal Dunahee played a role in establishing the system. She has devoted her life to missing children through her work in Child Find B.C.

Michael’s sister Caitlin hopes her brother is still alive. If so, genetic detective Cece Moore believes private DNA banks provide the best shot of finding him. RCMP Forensic artist Cpl Virginia Bernier joins forces with the Victoria police to put a face to the grown man-who would be Michael Dunahee today.

Stranger abductions are rare and getting rarer. In this episode, you'll hear a woman who believes she witnessed Michael’s abduction. An American expert on child abductions puts Michael’s case into context.

There are more than 30 child sex offenders living in the community at the time Michael vanishes. Current case lead Victoria Detective Sergeant Michelle Robertson discusses how she includes or excludes suspects as she updates the investigation.

In 2005, the name of a designated dangerous offender first surfaces, as someone with information about Michael Dunahee's disappearance. Mr. X claims to know what happened, but his story keeps changing. Note: Mr X's voice has been altered out of respect for his victims and his own protection.

There are few names publicly associated as possible suspects in Michael’s case. One of them is Vernon Seitz. The deceased Milwaukee barber makes disturbing confessions to his psychiatrist Dr. Victoria Fetter. One of Michael’s missing posters is found in Seitz’s home after he dies. Did he have anything to do with Michael’s abduction?

Victoria Detective Sergeant Al Cochrane takes on a new cold case position. He reviews every single Michael Dunahee tip that has come in. The problem becomes too many viable leads.

The Investigation Begins: Michael’s case quickly balloons, involving multiple local police forces, the RCMP and the FBI. Tips flood in from around the globe. Managing the size of the file becomes a challenge.

The search for Michael Dunahee spans 30 years, and begins just minutes after he vanishes. Crystal Dunahee's football team & lifelong friends ‘The Hellcats’ play a huge role in those early hours. Retired Victoria police detective John Ducker is called in on a day off to help. Perspectives from those involved in the immediate aftermath of Michael's disappearance.

On Sunday March 24th 1991, 4 year old Michael Dunahee disappears near a Victoria playground while his parents are close by.

In 1991, 4-year-old Michael Dunahee vanished from a playground in Victoria, BC. His case remains one of the largest unsolved mysteries in Canada. Listen to Missing Michael on January 18th.

Season 3: Missing Michael. Available January 2022.

Questions answered, exclusive new information on the missing men and the latest reaction to the ‘Gone Boys’ investigation.

Daniel MacDonnell’s dad wishes his son had sought help for his mental health. But like many men, Daniel struggled along on his own. Now Daniel is gone. Why self-reliance could be a death sentence for men like Daniel.

If there is a serial predator on the island, it’s possible they have targeted victims alone on the roadside. A criminologist, a criminal profiler and an FBI analyst bring their expertise to an exploration of the serial killer theory.

Loral McLeod is determined to find her handsome charismatic big brother Kelly. In the years before he goes missing Kelly’s life spirals downward into addiction and homelessness. Now Loral believes her brother was murdered.

Meet the RCMP statistician, the coroners and the dominatrix working to understand the data points representing the missing men's cases.

Ian Henry loves drumming, spear fishing and cycling. He is 26 when he disappears from the small island community, he calls home. Ian suffers from schizophrenia; without his medication he can’t function. His disappearance along with those of other men in his Cowichan First Nation has left his community unable to move forward.

14 year old Desmond Peter was last seen walking along the side of the highway. As a child Desmond witnessed a horrific murder which upended his world and altered the course of his life. Rumours abound about Desmond’s fate, but his family fears he may have been a victim of a predator.

Thousands of people go missing each year. But almost all of them are found. But on Vancouver Island, young men are going missing and staying missing. Brandon Cairney is athletic, handsome and bright. Then, one tragic night he suffers a brain injury in a car accident and his life takes a tragic turn. Brandon vanishes from his small island community leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. ****Update September 23 2022 Brandon Cairney has been located alive. I've added a new update to the series to reflect this change.

To the public they are faces on faded missing person posters. To their parents, they are their boys, and they are gone. Most missing persons cases are resolved quickly. But on Vancouver Island in recent years, some men have vanished without a trace. Follow the mystery of Vancouver Island’s missing men, on ‘Gone Boys’ Island … Continue reading "Season 2: Gone Boys"

After Lisa Marie Young disappeared in 2002, a meth dealer named Bob heard rumours that Lisa had been murdered at a specific location. Alone, he searched. Now 18 years later, a police team is conducting searches in this same spot. And Bob has just come forward with a new piece of information, possible evidence of what happened the night Lisa vanished.

Lisa's hometown was once dubbed 'the city without pity', an allusion to dark themes of drugs, gangs, and a conspiracy of silence thwarting the investigation into Lisa's case. In the summer of 2020, Lisa's community finally steps up for her, embracing her story in ways both symbolic and significant. And cracks begin to form, opening up a no longer cold case.

For 9 months, the Mounties refused requests to be interviewed for this podcast. Now, the lead investigator on Lisa Marie Young's case, Cpl Markus Muntener and spokesperson Const. Gary O'Brien sit down for an in-depth interview about the investigation.

After the first episodes drop, interest in Lisa Marie Young's case explodes. In Episode 7, you'll hear perspectives from two women who came forward after listening to 'Where is Lisa?' They have important information to share about the night Lisa vanished, and about one of the individuals who is a person of interest in Lisa Marie Young's case. Note: This episode was originally recorded in June 2020. It was remixed with original script & audio for a better listening experience in September 2022.

The last of the original planned episodes of S1. This episode introduces those who sparked the inspiration for this podcast: Musician Alison Crowe was friends with Lisa and wrote a haunting song in her memory, Alison’s manager and former white collar crime investigator Adrian DuPlessis, and the tenacious high school friend and advocate Cyndy Hall. As new information surfaces the series continues... Note: This episode was originally recorded in May 2020. It was remixed with original script & audio for a better listening experience in September 2022.

Dave was a self described gangster and bad guy. Now he’s a born again Christian who claims to have inside information on what happened to Lisa. Lorimer Shenher is a former police detective who wrote a book about a serial killer he helped catch. Two men worlds apart, share their unique perspectives on Lisa’s case. Note: This episode was originally recorded in May 2020. It was remixed with original script & audio for a better listening experience in September 2022.

In their desperation, with no new leads, Lisa’s family turn to a psychic for help. Norm Pratt describes himself as a spiritual intuitive. He has successfully worked with police to find missing people. Now he heads into the forest with Lisa’s loved ones to search for Lisa. Note: This episode was originally recorded in May 2020. It was remixed with original script & audio for a better listening experience in September 2022.

CHEK TV Reporter Kendall Hanson is a rookie when he is first assigned the story of the search for Lisa Marie Young. Kendall will forge a lifelong friendship with Lisa’s mother Joanne. Kendall details his fascination with Lisa’s story, and why eighteen years on Lisa’s case still keeps him awake at night. Note: This episode was originally recorded in May 2020. It was remixed with original script & audio for a better listening experience in September 2022.

The evening Lisa vanished began in the most ordinary way. Lisa and her dad watched TV and enjoyed a beer together. They were close. When she says goodbye and heads out into the night to meet friends, Lisa’s father Don Young has no idea he will never see Lisa again. Don recounts what happened that night and describes the immediate aftermath of losing Lisa. Note: This episode was originally recorded in May 2020. It was remixed with original script & audio for a better listening experience in September 2022.

Lisa fits the true crime victim cliche. The petite stunning brunette is just 21 when she disappears. In Episode 1 the focus is squarely on the victim as we meet her friends and family and discover who Lisa was in life, and why losing Lisa continues to haunt those who love her the most. Note: This episode was originally recorded in May 2020. It was remixed with original script & audio for a better listening experience in September 2022.

On a long weekend in the summer of 2002, Lisa Marie Young went out to celebrate a friend's birthday. She was starting a new job, moving to a new apartment with big dreams of becoming a sportscaster. But that night, Lisa got into a red jaguar with a young man from a prominent family and was never seen again. People who live in Lisa's hometown believe they know who is responsible for her disappearance. Producer Laura Palmer explores the tragic real life tale behind an urban legend haunting a small island community.