Who Killed Kelly? | PART 2
The Vault
In part 2 of this series, the team at The Vault tries to track down a man previously considered a potential suspect in the 1984 murder of Kelly Jean Robinson. In the process, they run across a new potential person of interest: a convicted murderer who preyed on South Dakota workers in the 1980s. He was a free man in 1984 -- and he was known to frequent The Frontier Bar, where Kelly Robinson was last seen leaving. For images from court documents and photos of kelly, visit: This episode is written and produced by Trisha Taurinskas. A special thank you to Jean Monthei for her...
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Who Killed Kelly? | PART 1
The Vault
Forty years after a 22-year-old woman was found floating in gravel pit pond in rural Minnesota, a man who was adopted an infant took two at-home DNA tests. The results led him to the discovery that his biological mom was Kelly Jean Robinson, the woman found dead in the pond. She had been murdered, and her case had gone cold. In coordination with Kelly's family, the team at The Vault obtained the investigative file, which included never-before-released information. New suspects emerged. Details about her autopsy were exposed. And, for the first time, Kelly's family learned a very critical...
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The Cocaine King of Minnesota | The Story Behind The Story
The Vault
In this episode, Trisha Taurinskas takes listeners behind the scenes of the investigative process behind the The Vault's most recent web series, "Minnesota Vice," through an interview with the author: Jeremy Fugleberg. The series focuses on the story of Casey Ramirez, a drug smuggler who tried to hide out while living large in a little Midwest town. It examines how the feds caught up with him, and what happens to a small town’s soul when it decides it won’t ask too many questions. To access to the full series, visit https://www.inforum.com/minnesota-vice
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Cold Case Arrest: Baby Angel's Story
The Vault
The arrest of a well-known Winona resident in the 2011 cold case death of a newborn baby found floating in the Mississippi River stunned the community. Jennifer Baechle is a pillar in the local arts and music scene. She's a wife and mother of two, who volunteers with nonprofits and cooks for church fundraisers, including one benefiting the Winona Immigration Network. She’s an English instructor at Winona State University, her alma mater. Forensic geneology led investigators to Baechle's door, with concrete DNA evidence indicating Baechle is the mother. Yet the...
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Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots | PART 5
The Vault
In the final part of this series, we learn what the Minneapolis Police Department told Joli Truelson's family in a recent meeting -- and we learn the fate of her investigation. For more information on Joli Truelson, including photos, visit: For more information on Jon Keith Miller, visit: To contact Trisha Taurinskas, email Want to support The Vault? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Positive reviews help generate search visibility, which means more awareness for the cases we cover.
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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...
info_outlineDonald Blom.
His name creeped into Minnesota households through newscasts when he was arrested and charged for the abduction and murder of 19-year-old Katie Poirer in 1999. Find out why investigators consider him a person of interest in the 1993 stabbing and murder of 19-year-old Holly Spangler -- and how new DNA technology could determine if Donald Blom was, in fact, involved.
Written, narrated and produced by Trisha Taurinskas
You can find the full story here: https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/a-minnesota-detectives-final-mission-prove-who-killed-holly-spangler