Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots | PART 4
The Vault
In part 4 of this series examining the 1972 Minneapolis murder of 16-year-old Joli Truelson, we examine the criminal -- and violent -- history of Jon Keith Miller, a potential suspect who was sentenced in March of 2025 for the 1974 murder of 25-year-old Mary Schlais. Miller picked up Mary Schlais while she was hitchiking in Uptown. Joli Truelson was also picked up while she was hitchhiking in Uptown. To see our print coverage on Joli Truelson, Mary Schlais and Jon Keith Miller, visit: This podcast is hosted by Forum News Service reporter Trisha Taurinskas. You can contact Trisha by...
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Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots | PART 3
The Vault
In part 3 of this series, we cover the plea/sentencing hearing of Jon Keith Miller for the 1974 murder of 25-year-old Mary Schlais. Miller has been questioned in Joli Truelson's 1972 murder. Both girls hitchiked in Uptown Minneapolis before being killed. Schlais' body was dumped in a Wisconsin snowbank. Joli's body was found in Minneapolis' Minnehaha Creek. Jon Keith Miller was arrested for Schlais' murder in November 2024 after DNA analysis confirmed at the scene. Before confessing to investigators, he repeatedly denied killing Mary. To contact Trisha Taurinskas, email...
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Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots | PART 2
The Vault
This is part 2 in the series, "Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots," which examines the devastating impact of a flawed investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department into the 1972 slaying of 16-year-old Joli Truelson – and her family’s renewed fight for answers in the wake of a killer’s confession. Joli Truelson was picked up on the evening of July 3, 1972 in Uptown Minneapolis by a man driving a newer model, gold-colored, two-door vehicle. Her body was discovered 15 hours later in Minnehaha Creek, four miles away. She died from blunt force trauma to the back of her head,...
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Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots | PART 1
The Vault
This series examines the devastating impact of a flawed investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department into the 1972 slaying of 16-year-old Joli Truelson – and her family’s renewed fight for answers in the wake of a killer’s confession. Joli Truelson was picked up on the evening of July 3, 1972 in Uptown Minneapolis by a man driving a newer model, gold-colored, two-door vehicle. Her body was discovered 15 hours later in Minnehaha Creek, four miles away. She died from blunt force trauma to the back of her head, insinuating that she was running away from her attacker....
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Is There a Cult in North Dakota? PART 1
The Vault
How a 'cult' took hold in the small town of Neche, North Dakota In the summer of 2024, reporters C.S. Hagen and Drew Trafton presented a reporting series and two-part documentary highlighting the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, a Christian sect that began in the U.K. in the 1800s and has since branched out globally. The PBCC also has historic ties to the small town of Neche, North Dakota. Former members report that the church is responsible for a wide range of misconduct, from money laundering schemes to complicity with sexual assault. For this first in a...
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Is There a Cult in North Dakota? PART 2
The Vault
A former 'cult' member describes sexual assault and forced separation from family According to former members, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has operated for years in the small town of Neche, North Dakota, using fear and the separation from family to keep its members in line. In this episode, the second in a three-part audio series, we hear from a former PBCC member who experienced numerous incidents of sexual assault as a young girl and was shunned from her community and family when she made the choice to leave the church as an adult. Also, reporters Drew Trafton and...
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Is There a Cult in North Dakota? PART 3
The Vault
A helping hand to former Plymouth Brethren members In the last of this three-part audio series, host Trisha Taurinskas interviews Carman Drever, a former member of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and outspoken critic of the church. Drever shares her experiences within the church and goes into detail about the PBCC's control over its members, who face separation from their family if they step out of line. Since leaving the PBCC, Drever has devoted her energy to providing information and resources to other former cult members who often have no other place to turn.
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BONUS EPISODE: The Disappearance of Belinda Van Lith
The Vault
This episode provides the full hour-long interview with Timothy Crosby, the main suspect in the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith. The in-person interview is conducted by Forum reporter Trisha Taurinskas at the secure Moose Lake Sex Offender Program facility in January 2024. Trisha Taurinskas can be reached at Questions related to this interview can be directed to Trisha -- or left as a review in Apple Podcasts. You can find all of our work on this case at . There, you’ll discover our print stories that accompany every podcast episode. Those stories include...
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PART 7: The Disappearance of Belinda Van Lith
The Vault
This is part 7, the final episode in the series on the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith, and the investigation that followed. In this episode, we explore new information brought to light through listener contributions, including potential suspects and insight into the day Belinda went missing. We also discuss Belinda's troll necklace, which contained a white stone. A white jewelry stone was recovered from Timothy Crosby's home during the 2009 search warrant execution. Is there a connection? Find out in this episode. Finally, we hear from Belinda's siblings...
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PART 6: The Disappearance of Belinda Van Lith
The Vault
This is part 6 in an ongoing series on the disappearance of Belinda Van Lith, and the investigation that followed. In part 6 of this series, reporter and host Trisha Taurinskas sits down to interview the main suspect, Timothy Crosby, at the secure Moose Lake Sex Offender Treatment Program facility, where he is locked up indefinately. This episode we examine how Belinda's investigation led to Timothy Crosby's involuntarily commitment as a dangerous sexual offender and a danger to society. To learn more about what was discovered during Belinda's investigation,...
info_outlineHours before Helen Lundstrom’s death, she and her husband sat at the dining room table, preparing Sunday school lessons for the weekend. It was a normal Saturday night — a weekend ritual for the church leaders.
Yet what came next was anything but routine.
Written, narrated and produced by Trisha Taurinskas