Joe Bova was a man living the good life. He was married with a good job and a prominent position in his local union. He was well liked by everyone including neighbors, coworkers, fellow union members, members of his church, and the community of Merrillville, Indiana at large. One cool September morning however. A large explosion would rock the streets of Merrillville, shattering the quiet peace of the predawn hours. A neighbor would investigate the source of the explosion to find a burning vehicle, and outside of it would be Joe Bova. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 34, The Murder of Joe Bova.

Herald Times Article: https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2021/05/16/w-indiana-labor-officials-1989-bombing-death-still-mystery/46069913/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/pw48fm/on_september_13_1989_43yearold_joseph_bova_was/

Article Screenshots: https://imgur.com/a/yz7EALB

Other articles from the The Munster and Herald Times found on www.newslibrary.com

Links to patreon social media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

Midwest Mystery Files is produced, written, recorded, and edited by Jeremiah Baustian. Licensing for "Evil Rising" granted via Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/license/?id=49f9b059-179f-4d66-9120-c22aae817005

2003. Thirteen year old Rebecca Williams had just finished up her eighth grade year at Morton Middle School in Omaha, Nebraska. At the time she was living with her mother, but was set to move to Las Vegas, Nevada to live with her father. On a normal June day, she would leave her home in the Park Meadows Mobile Home Community and head to a nearby playground. When she failed to return home, her mother would report her missing to the police. Initially considered a runaway by the police, a grim discovery two weeks later proved them mistaken when Rebecca’s body would be found. An investigation would ensue, and a surprising prime suspect would be revealed. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 33, the Murder of Rebecca Williams.

Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

All sources were archived articles from the Omaha World Herald via: www.newspapers.com and www.newslibrary.com 

MIdwest Mystery Files is written, produced, and hosted by Jeremiah Baustian

I'm trying to do some additional digging on the next cold case episode so for this month I'm releasing May 2023's patreon episode.

This epsiode focuses on Mormon fundamentalist and extremist Jeffrey Lundgren, who led a cult in Kirtland, Ohio and is responsible for the murder of an entire family.

Patreon and Socials: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles  

Crime Journal Article: https://www.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/mass/lundgren/index_1.html

Last Podcast on the Left series on Mormonism: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0fi5zxiqhFLLUfuzVuGptm?si=388995b9f0e048b2

*Midwest Mystery Files in written, recorded, and produced by Jeremiah Baustian

In March of 2008, father of five, soon to be six, MIchael Womack would vanish without a trace from Alton, IL. Only for his truck to be found almost 30 miles away, clean and wiped of any fingerprints.

Then, in July of 2011, father of two, Jared Hanna would leave his home in Jerseyville, IL. After failing to pick up his daughters from their mother, Jared’s pick up truck would be found almost 70 miles away, abandoned and out of gas. Potential sightings of Jared before the truck was found would surface, but no answers would come. 

This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 32, The disappearance of Michael Womack and Jared Hanna

Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles

Cryptic Soup Podcast: https://linktr.ee/crypticsouppod 

Live Laugh Murder Podcast: https://linktr.ee/livelaughmurderpodcast 

Michael Womack Charley Project Page: https://charleyproject.org/case/michael-anthony-womack

Jared Hanna at Uncovered: https://uncovered.com/cases/jared-hanna

Missing Podcast episode on Jared and Interview with Heather Hanna: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mTQREkp4JdivBsVLyFyTi?si=3136cfbc776e4de2

MIdwest Mystery Files is written, produced, and hosted by Jeremiah Baustian

On a warm summer day in July of 2012, 10 year old Lyric Cook-Morrissey, and her cousin 8 year old Elizabeth Collins would head out in the town of Evansdale, Iowa on what was to be a typical bike ride. However, as the time the girls should have been home would come and go, Lyric and Elizabeth’s grandmother and parents would become increasingly concerned. After the family would fail to locate the girls, police would be contacted, and a massive search would begin. Eventually Lyric and Elizabeth’s bikes would be found on a trail at Meyers Lake on the south side of town. Relentless search efforts would focus on the lake and nearby areas, however, it wouldn’t be until the following November that their horrific fate would be discovered. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode 31, the Murder of Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins.

Malice and Mocktails:  https://linktr.ee/maliceandmocktails

Patreon: www.patreon.com/Midwestmysteryfiles

Lyric and Elizabeth Iowa Cold Case Page: https://iowacoldcases.org/case-summaries/lyric-cook-and-elizabeth-collins

The Elizabeth Collins Foundation: https://elizabethcollinsfoundation.org/

KCRG 10 Year Coverage: https://www.kcrg.com/2022/07/13/lyric-elizabeth-ten-years-later/

Life had been hectic lately for 15 year old Rachel Pratt, she had recently found she was going to be a mother and was in her first trimester of pregnancy. Not being bogged down, she continued to live life as normally as she could. In January of 1995, Rachel would perform in a school band concert, then come home to settle in with her siblings while her mother worked an overnight shift. Rachel's mother would come home early, after several calls to the house would result in a busy signal. Upon returning, she would find that Rachel had vanished. This is Midwest Mystery Files, Episode Twenty-eight, The Disappearance of Rachel Pratt.

Patreon and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/MidwestMysteryFiles