Intro
In this episode of “The Daily” podcast, titled “The Sunday Read: ‘Podcasters Took Up Her Sister’s Murder Investigation. Then They Turned on Her’,” the true crime genre and the impact of crowdsourcing on solving cold cases are explored through the story of Liz Flat’s journey to solve her sister’s 50-year-old murder. The episode delves into the complexities of true crime storytelling and the consequences of collective efforts to solve mysteries.
Main Takeaways
The True Crime Industrial Complex
- True Crime storytelling has adapted to new technology and media formats, creating the True Crime Industrial Complex.
- The true crime genre has a long history and adapts quickly to new technologies.
- CrimeCon, a true crime conference, was attended by notable figures like Nancy Grace and Dr. Phil.
Crowdsourcing a Cold Case
- Liz Flat’s efforts to solve her sister’s 50-year-old murder led her to become a target of some individuals also interested in solving the case.
- Liz’s desperation to solve her sister’s murder led her to meet independent investigators at CrimeCon, who proposed crowdsourcing the case.
- George, Jared, and Jennifer Bucultz, podcasters and investigators, presented on using crowdsourcing to solve cold cases.
- The idea of crowdsourcing a crime investigation led to disagreements and gossip within the community, raising the question of whether collective desire to solve a mystery does more harm than good.
The Impact of Unsolved Murders
- Debbie’s murder in 1975 deeply impacted Flat, who was eight years old at the time.
- Debbie, Flat’s older sister, was a surrogate mother figure and was tragically killed at the age of 18.
- Debbie was found dead in the carport, stabbed 17 times, and her sister, Flat, felt responsible for her death, thinking she could have prevented it if she had stayed over that night.
- The news of Debbie’s killing captivated the community, with the newspaper promising to run daily front-page articles about her murder until the killer was found.
The Emotional Toll and Struggles
- Flat started her journey to find her sister’s killer in 2016, feeling a strong urge to do so, despite knowing little about the world of law enforcement and criminal justice.
- Flat struggled emotionally while going through the case file and crime scene photos.
- Flat and her mother worked to prove that Lucas didn’t kill Debbie, feeling let down by the police.
- Flat struggled with mental strength after the release of the Confession Killer and couldn’t give interviews as planned.
The Complexities of Crowdsourcing and Relationships
- After moving out of her shared house with her mom, Flat began to mourn and connected with Buckeleton and Jared to investigate Debbie’s case.
- Buckeleton and Jared used crowdsourcing techniques to bring attention to the case and potentially bring more resources to the investigation.
- Their approach was focused on using crowdsourcing to generate media attention and bring awareness to the crime, as well as providing a safer option for sharing information.
- Investigators’ relationship evolved, with tensions arising due to their involvement in a series about Debbie’s case.
The Challenges of Seeking Justice
- Flat and Tiffany Ballard Moore, whose sister’s murder case also went unsolved, meet with Vincent Strange, a podcaster.
- Both women bonded over their similar experiences with unsolved murder cases.
- Moore’s sister’s murder case gained attention through a podcast called Hell and Gone.
- Moore and Flat feel that the stories and scrutiny surrounding their sisters won’t disappear anytime soon.
Summary
The True Crime Industrial Complex
The true crime genre has evolved over time, adapting to new technologies and media formats. CrimeCon, a true crime conference attended by notable figures, has become a platform for discussing cold cases and sharing investigative techniques. This complex industry attracts both true crime enthusiasts and professionals.
Crowdsourcing a Cold Case
Liz Flat’s quest to solve her sister’s murder led her to meet independent investigators at CrimeCon who proposed crowdsourcing the case. The idea of collective efforts to solve mysteries gained traction, but it also brought disagreements and gossip within the community. The question of whether crowdsourcing does more harm than good in crime investigations was raised.
The Impact of Unsolved Murders
Debbie’s murder deeply affected Liz Flat, who felt responsible for her sister’s death. The community was captivated by the case, with daily front-page articles in the newspaper. The unsolved murder haunted Flat and fueled her determination to find the truth.
The Emotional Toll and Struggles
Embarking on a journey to solve her sister’s murder took an emotional toll on Liz Flat. Going through the case file and crime scene photos was challenging. Flat’s frustration with law enforcement and her struggles with mental strength added to the complexity of her quest for justice.
The Complexities of Crowdsourcing and Relationships
After moving out of her shared house, Liz Flat connected with investigators Buckeleton and Jared to investigate Debbie’s case. They employed crowdsourcing techniques to bring attention to the case and engage the community. However, tensions arose within the investigative team due to their involvement in a series about the case.
The Challenges of Seeking Justice
Liz Flat and Tiffany Ballard Moore, who also had a sister’s murder case go unsolved, met with a podcaster named Vincent Strange. They discussed the challenges they faced and the ongoing scrutiny surrounding their sisters’ cases. Despite the difficulties, they remain determined to seek justice and find closure.
Conclusion
The story of Liz Flat’s journey to solve her sister’s murder highlights the complexities of the true crime genre and the impact of crowdsourcing on cold case investigations. It raises important questions about the collective desire to solve mysteries and the potential consequences of such efforts. Despite the challenges and emotional toll, Flat and others like her continue to fight for justice and closure for their loved ones.
