Washed Away
A podcast that breathes new life into Washington state's coldest cases. Host, Ashley Smith, talks to experts and family members. Can she help solve these mysteries or have all the answers been... washed away?
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BONUS: Case Updates
02/28/2023
BONUS: Case Updates
Welcome back to Washed Away, a podcast that breathes new life into Washington State’s coldest cases. On this episode I’ll be giving you some updates on a few of the cases you’ve already heard about on the show: Mary Anderson, Tom Wales, Helen Doe, Sofia Juarez, and more. To view sources for this episode, please visit .
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/26085684
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SNOHOMISH COUNTY: Does
05/31/2022
SNOHOMISH COUNTY: Does
I was recently invited to take a tour of the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office and I got to interview investigator, Jane Jorgensen. We talked about the details of her job, Snohomish County’s unidentified and recently identified cases, and how much of a role genealogy plays in finding out who someone was. You’ll hear a lot of names, dates, and locations on this special episode as we try to bring more attention to folks who either still need help to solve the mystery of who they were or to help figure out who killed them. Welcome to Washed Away.
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/23274041
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SPANAWAY: Chris Virdell
04/27/2022
SPANAWAY: Chris Virdell
On the morning of February 9th, 2012, a teenager disappeared on his way to work in Spanaway, Washington. He left behind no clues, no witnesses, and no answers for what would be two very long years. His own parents would have to turn into detectives to try and find him because no one else would. And this tragic case will end with not one, but two shocking and senseless murders. Paul and Melanie Virdell share their son's story with me on this infuriating episode of Washed Away. Show notes can be found at
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/22930265
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BREMERTON: Nikki Anderson and Adrienne Hale
03/04/2022
BREMERTON: Nikki Anderson and Adrienne Hale
On a January night in 1986, a young mother and her daughter were strangled to death in their Bremerton home. Over the years several persons of interests would be looked at for taking their lives and this case would be re-examined each decade that it remained cold. But on this episode of Washed Away, Detective Martin Garland tells me the murders of Nikki Anderson and Adrienne Hale are now closer than ever to being solved. Show notes can be found at
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/22334009
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PINNACLE LAKE: Mary Cooper and Susanna Stodden
10/14/2021
PINNACLE LAKE: Mary Cooper and Susanna Stodden
It’s no secret that nature is one of the things people love the most about the Pacific Northwest. And the outdoors are supposed to be a peaceful place, where you can go to clear your head and escape from the real world. So when two avid hikers, who spent a lot of their time outdoors, were seemingly executed on a trail in 2006, it was a harsh reality check for people here in Washington State. And it was a complete nightmare for the victims’ family. On this episode of Washed Away, I’m covering the unsolved murders of mother and daughter, Mary Cooper and Susanna Stodden. Plus David Stodden tells me about his loved ones and Josh Hallmark from True Crime BS shares insight from his coverage of serial killer, Israel Keyes. Show notes can be found at (CW: Murder)
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/20823938
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CAPITOL HILL: Tanya Frazier
08/05/2021
CAPITOL HILL: Tanya Frazier
1994 was a year that would forever change the city of Seattle. From the suicide of Kurt Cobain to the launch of Amazon dot com, it was a uniquely important year that would go down in the city’s history books and news archives. But something else happened that year that most people haven’t heard about… until now. On this episode of Washed Away, I’m covering the tragic kidnapping and murder of 14 year old Tanya Frazier. And I'm joined by Tanya's loved ones: Teara Frazier and Sherry Mammoser. (CW: Murder, Sexual Assault)
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/20051492
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BONUS: The Twin Peaks Murder
07/22/2021
BONUS: The Twin Peaks Murder
There’s an unsolved murder that took place almost 3,000 miles away from Washington State and yet it remains linked to this part of the country because of a cult TV show from the 90s. This special episode of Washed Away for the North Bend Film Festival is all about Hazel Drew, the woman whose mysterious death was used as inspiration for Twin Peaks.
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/19878515
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GREEN RIVER: GRK's Other Victims
06/25/2021
GREEN RIVER: GRK's Other Victims
Gary Ridgway AKA the Green River Killer murdered women in Washington state from 1982 to 1998, but possibly could have continued killing until 2001 when he was finally apprehended. Ridgway confessed to 71 murders but was only prosecuted for 49. So who are these other 22 victims? A local true crime researcher has put together an extensive list of murdered, missing, and unidentified women to try and figure that out. On this episode of Washed Away we’ll be talking about the unknown victims of the Green River Killer. Show notes can be found at
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/19602098
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TACOMA: Ann Marie Burr
05/21/2021
TACOMA: Ann Marie Burr
The case I’m covering on this episode of Washed Away comes from Tacoma, Washington and involves a missing little girl, a DNA scavenger hunt, and a possible serial killer suspect. Oh and this case has been cold for almost 6 decades. Let me tell you about the disappearance of Ann Marie Burr. Plus retired detective Lindsey Wade not only discusses her work on this mystery, but also how she managed to track down Ted Bundy's DNA. Show notes can be found at
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/19187234
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TUMWATER: Logan Schiendelman
04/22/2021
TUMWATER: Logan Schiendelman
A teenager from Tumwater woke up one morning, told his grandmother he had an epiphany, and then seemingly vanished off the face of the earth. He left behind his phone and wallet and soon his car was spotted several times on I-5, sometimes parked on the side of the road, but eventually drifting across several lanes of traffic. On this episode of Washed Away, I’m gonna tell you about one of the strangest missing persons cases that Washington state has seen in a long time. What the heck happened to Logan Schiendelman? James Baysinger from Hide and Seek provides insight from his investigation. Show notes can be found at
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/18818783
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TENINO: Nancy Moyer and Karen Bodine
03/04/2021
TENINO: Nancy Moyer and Karen Bodine
Today's episode is focused on two separate cases instead of the usual one and I interview two daughters, who are not related, but definitely know each other. One is Sam Moyer, whose mother Nancy went missing in Tenino, Washington in 2009. The other is Karlee Bodine, whose mother Karen was murdered in Rochester, Washington in 2007. While Nancy and Karen may have never known each other, their children have bonded over a shared fight - for justice. This is Washed Away. Show notes can be found at (CW: Murder)
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/18186548
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KENNEWICK: Sofia Juarez
02/18/2021
KENNEWICK: Sofia Juarez
On February 4th, 2003 a little girl left her home in Kennewick for a quick trip to the store, just a few blocks away. She was supposed to be getting in the car of a family friend who had just left, but when he later returned without her… the family realized that there had been a huge miscommunication. It’s the case that triggered the first-ever Amber Alert here in Washington state. This episode of Washed Away is about the disappearance of Sofia Juarez. And I talk to someone who was at the scene of the crime the night she went missing, Commander Randy Maynard. Show notes can be found at .
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/17995538
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BONUS: The Hahn Mansion
10/30/2020
BONUS: The Hahn Mansion
Spooky season is by far my favorite time of year, so I wanted to release a special episode of Washed Away to celebrate. You'll hear me talking to a paranormal investigator out of Spokane, Amanda Paulson, as she tells me about her experiences at some of Eastern Washington's most haunted locations. There's some history, mystery, ghosts, and even a little bit of murder. Consider this your content warning, though truly this episode is much more casual and lighthearted than usual... in my opinion. Hope you enjoy it and Happy Halloween!
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/16611461
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KALAMA: Helen Doe
10/22/2020
KALAMA: Helen Doe
This is an interesting and unique case because it doesn't involve a murder or a suicide - there wasn't necessarily anything nefarious going on at all - it was just a tragic accident that became an ongoing mystery. Who was the hitchhiker that died in a truck collision near Mount St. Helens in 1991? Let's try to find out on this episode of Washed Away. Detective Sergeant Stacy Moate and Carri Gordon, the Program Manager of the WSP Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit both help me tell this story. Show notes can be found at .
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/16501574
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WEST SEATTLE: Pearl Kongsle
09/30/2020
WEST SEATTLE: Pearl Kongsle
On this episode of Washed Away I’m covering what could possibly be the oldest and coldest, unsolved case in Seattle’s history. It involves dynamite, a widow, and over 60 years of mystery. This is the truly bizarre story around the bombing of Pearl Kongsle. The other voice you'll hear from is that of retired detective, Mike Ciesynski. Show notes can be found at . (Content Warning: Murder)
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/16220372
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LAKE STICKNEY: Rodney Johnson
08/20/2020
LAKE STICKNEY: Rodney Johnson
The Lake Stickney John Doe has been a mystery since 1994 when his body was found underwater in Snohomish County. Authorities knew so little about him they couldn’t even be sure he was caucasian… and oddly enough his race would change several times throughout the years as authorities tried to ID him. DNA recently gave him his name back - it’s Rodney Johnson - but we still don't know how he ended up in that lake or who killed him. This is Washed Away. You'll also hear from Forensic Artist, Natalie Murry. Show notes can be found at . (Content Warning: Murder)
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/15684953
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QUEEN ANNE: Thomas Wales
07/16/2020
QUEEN ANNE: Thomas Wales
One of the FBI’s major case files is an unsolved murder of Assistant United States Attorney, Thomas Wales, that happened in Seattle back in 2001. This is a case that had all the resources imaginable to solve it, tons of press attention, plus A MILLION DOLLAR REWARD, and yet… almost 19 years later… there are still so many unknowns. The Bureau recently charged someone in this case, but it wasn’t the murderer. Welcome to Washed Away. The hosts of Somebody Somewhere join me for this one. Show notes can be found at . (Content Warning: Murder)
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/15230468
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MINERAL: Diana Robertson
06/25/2020
MINERAL: Diana Robertson
A young mother was murdered in December of 1985 near Mineral, Washington. Her case has remained unsolved for over 3 decades… along with the murders of a couple that took place just four months earlier. These cases have been tied together somewhat by location but mostly because of tube socks found at the crime scenes. Are these cases actually connected? Well, that depends on who you ask. The show Unsolved Mysteries couldn’t even figure this one out, but soon DNA might finally reveal the truth… about what happened to Diana Robertson. This is Washed Away. Detective Beall from Lewis County's Cold Case Unit provides some updates. Show notes can be found at . (Content Warning: Murder, Domestic Violence)
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/14961233
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CARKEEK PARK: Mark Ashland
05/28/2020
CARKEEK PARK: Mark Ashland
On this episode of Washed Away, I'm gonna tell you about a former John Doe whose story started out a lot like Mary Anderson's but recently ended very differently after almost four decades. Mark's niece, Hayley Andreasen walks me through her family's story. Show notes can be found at . (Content Warning: Suicide)
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/14597852
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SEATTLE: Mary Anderson
05/28/2020
SEATTLE: Mary Anderson
On this episode of Washed Away, I'm going to tell you about the unusual death of Mary Anderson, a mysterious woman who claimed to have no relatives, no one to care about what happened to her, and yet she's made a lasting impression on dozens of strangers, including myself. You'll also hear from the Forensic Anthropologist for Washington state, Dr. Kathy Taylor. Show notes can be found at . (Content Warning: Suicide)
/episode/index/show/washedawaypodcast/id/14457191
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Welcome to Washed Away
05/17/2020
Welcome to Washed Away
I’m Ashley Smith, I live in Seattle, and I’m inviting you to listen in as I wade through the murky waters of the Evergreen state and tell the stories behind some of Washington’s biggest crimes and unsolved mysteries. I do research, interview experts, and bring new life to cold cases. Will I actually be able to help solve anything, or have all the answers been... washed away? Find out more at Washed Away is Cosmic Bigfoot production with artwork from Shane Long and music by ispeakwaves.
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