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Welcome to Murder By Nature, where the darkness of true crime, unsolved disappearances, and chilling mysteries come to life. I’m your host, Jazmin Ramirez, and if you’re brave enough to join us, prepare for a journey into the unknown.

References:

• https://luminolpod.com/blog/f/the-captivity-of-jessyca-mullenberg
• https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2954522&page=1
• https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-jessyca-mullenbe/161513907/
• https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-7th-circuit/1297379.html
• https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-jessyca-mullenberg-now/
• https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-steven-oliver-now/
• https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/12/29/Missing-13-year-old-girl-found-in-Texas/6788820213200/
• https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/news/a49502/i-was-kidnapped-and-raped-by-my-neighbor/
• https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3332762/Mom-two-kidnapped-raped-neighbor-13-admits-memory-horrific-abduction-haunts-20-years-on.html
• https://people.com/jessyca-mullenberg-kidnapping-survivor-advocacy-efforts-8719046
• https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13912871/woman-jessyca-mullenberg-kidnapped-wisconsin-teacher-aide-survivor.html
• https://www.weau.com/content/news/Raising-awareness-Kidnapped-teen-shares-story-20-years-later-420418333.html

The streets of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, were quiet, lined with cozy homes and the sounds of children playing in backyards. It was the kind of place where parents felt safe letting their kids ride their bikes until the streetlights flickered on. But in the fall of 1995, that sense of security was shattered. A girl vanished without a trace—one moment, she was there, a bright, imaginative 13-year-old with dreams of becoming a writer. The next, she was gone.

Her name was Jessyca Mullenberg.

Jessyca’s life had already seen its share of changes. After her parents divorced, she moved to Wausau, Wisconsin, with her mother, stepfather, and two younger brothers. She missed Eau Claire, missed the familiarity of her old neighborhood. But she still visited her father often, spending weekends with him in the house she once called home. It was during those visits that she met a man who would change the course of her life forever.

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What leads a promising college student to vanish without a trace? Join me, Jazmin Ramirez, on a gripping journey as we unravel the enigma of Bryce David Laspisa's disappearance—a case that continues to baffle and haunt those who knew him. Bryce's story takes a troubling turn as we explore his life from an impressive freshman year at Sierra College to the unsettling behaviors that marked his sophomore year. Through vivid accounts from friends like his roommate Sean and girlfriend Kim, we uncover the concerning escalation of Bryce's alcohol use and his alarming dependency on Vyvanse, painting a portrait of a young man spiraling into mystery.

Bryce's transformation from a thriving student to someone who alarmed his loved ones with erratic behavior is just the beginning. We dig into the eerie sequence of events that led to his car being found abandoned and crashed, with no sign of Bryce himself. As his mother, Karen, and a stranger named Christian try desperately to ensure his safety, Bryce's cryptic decisions and actions only deepen the puzzle. Even as roadside assistance is called to his location, the unresolved nature of his intentions leaves us questioning what truly happened in those last moments he was seen.

Despite exhaustive search efforts and a reward for information, Bryce remains missing, leaving a void for his family and friends that is both chilling and heartbreaking. This episode of Murder by Nature is a poignant reminder of how quickly a familiar life can morph into an inexplicable mystery. I invite you to listen, reflect, and remain vigilant, as Bryce's unresolved story is a powerful testament to the unknown shadows that can lurk in our everyday lives. Join me next week for another compelling narrative that challenges the boundaries of understanding and safety.

• Reddit
• https://allthatsinteresting.com/bryce-laspisa
• https://www.ranker.com/list/bryce-laspisa-disappearance/patrick-thornton
• https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/bryce-laspisa-missing-person-castaic-lake/1959070/
• https://missingpeopleinamerica.org/missing/bryce-laspisa
• https://themorbidlibrary.com/the-missing-bryce-laspisa/
• https://storiesoftheunsolved.com/2019/02/11/the-disappearance-of-bryce-laspisa/
• https://uncovered.com/cases/bryce-laspisa
• https://www.chillingcrimes.com/blogs/news/bryce-laspisa
• https://wegotthiscovered.com/true-crime/the-tragic-true-story-of-what-happened-to-bryce-laspia-explained/
• https://abc7.com/missing-man-castaic-lake/5507392/
• https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/id-shows/what-was-bryce-laspisa-desperate-to-tell-his-parents-on-the-day-he-went-missing
• https://disappearedblog.com/bryce-laspisa/hcha

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Vanderhoof, British Columbia—a picturesque town surrounded by dense forests and rugged terrain. It's a place where life moves at a steady, familiar pace and where everyone seems to know each other. But in May 2011, the close-knit community was shaken by the disappearance of a young woman whose vibrant personality and adventurous spirit were the heart of those who knew her.

Madison Scott, or Maddy as her loved ones called her, was born on April 29, 1991, to Eldon and Dawn Scott. Growing up alongside her siblings Ben and Georgia, Maddy’s life was filled with love, laughter, and a healthy dose of adventure. She was a force of nature, just as comfortable in a dress as she was in her work coveralls. Whether she was tearing through the trails on her dirt bike or gliding gracefully across the ice as a figure skater, Maddy embraced life with boundless energy.

She thrived on spontaneity, often planning impromptu adventures or performing in amateur video productions with her friends. Her vivacious, playful personality was magnetic—she lit up every room she entered. But Maddy wasn’t just about fun. She had a compassionate and generous heart, always willing to lend a hand or bring a smile to someone’s face.

At Nechako Valley Secondary School, Maddy struck a delicate balance between academics and her vibrant social life. While she was more focused on forging friendships and savoring her teenage years, she still met the demands of her studies. After graduating in 2009, she followed in her father’s footsteps, working as an apprentice heavy-duty mechanic in the logging industry—a testament to her determination and grit.

But for all her light and energy, Maddy’s story took a dark and inexplicable turn. It was a weekend that was supposed to be filled with laughter, celebration, and friends. Late May in British Columbia marked the start of camping season, a time when locals would gather at places like Hogsback Lake to soak in the beauty of nature. For Madison Scott, or Maddy as her friends and family called her, the weekend of May 27th, 2011, would be one to remember—but not in the way anyone expected.

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In the quiet heartland of Nebraska, an ordinary man named Dave Kroupa found himself trapped in a nightmare of obsession and terror after a brief romance turned into an unimaginable descent into horror. This chilling true crime story begins with a casual date and spirals into a relentless three-year saga of harassment, deception, and paranoia. After meeting Cari Farver, a vibrant woman with a troubled past, Dave’s life quickly escalates into chaos when Cari mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a trail of unexplainable messages.

Over the next few years, Dave is bombarded with thousands of threatening texts and emails from a shadowy figure, whose identity seems to remain just out of reach. But the torment doesn’t end there. The story delves deeper into the twisted web of lies, heartbreak, and obsession that leads to a disturbing revelation, unraveling a tale of stalking, manipulation, and a tragic loss that shakes everyone involved.

Join us as we explore the haunting case of Cari Farver’s disappearance, the terrifying consequences of a broken relationship, and the lengths a disturbed individual will go to in order to remain unseen—and yet, disturbingly, always present.

This is a story of deception, danger, and the unknown that will leave you questioning how well we truly know the people in our live

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In the quiet heartland of Nebraska, an ordinary man named Dave Kroupa found himself trapped in a nightmare of obsession and terror after a brief romance turned into an unimaginable descent into horror. This chilling true crime story begins with a casual date and spirals into a relentless three-year saga of harassment, deception, and paranoia. After meeting Cari Farver, a vibrant woman with a troubled past, Dave’s life quickly escalates into chaos when Cari mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a trail of unexplainable messages.

Over the next few years, Dave is bombarded with thousands of threatening texts and emails from a shadowy figure, whose identity seems to remain just out of reach. But the torment doesn’t end there. The story delves deeper into the twisted web of lies, heartbreak, and obsession that leads to a disturbing revelation, unraveling a tale of stalking, manipulation, and a tragic loss that shakes everyone involved.

Join us as we explore the haunting case of Cari Farver’s disappearance, the terrifying consequences of a broken relationship, and the lengths a disturbed individual will go to in order to remain unseen—and yet, disturbingly, always present.

This is a story of deception, danger, and the unknown that will leave you questioning how well we truly know the people in our lives.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the unsettling case of Tara Calico, who disappeared on September 20, 1988, while cycling near her home in Belen, New Mexico. We’ll explore the last moments of her life, the frantic search that followed, and the community's relentless efforts to find her.

Join us as we unpack the theories and leads that have surfaced over the decades, the impact of Tara's case on the community, and the ongoing quest for closure. This episode is not just about a disappearance; it’s a poignant reminder of the lives affected and the enduring mystery that still captivates true crime enthusiasts today.

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On January 25th, 2019, in the quiet town of Tomball, Texas, a seemingly ordinary morning turned into a nightmare. Elizabeth 'Liz' Barraza, a 29-year-old with dreams of a blissful anniversary trip to Florida, was setting up for a last-minute garage sale when an unimaginable act of violence unfolded. Her husband, Sergio, left for work just moments before the unspeakable tragedy struck. A black Nissan Frontier Pro-4X pulled up near the Barraza's driveway, and an unknown figure stepped out, approaching Elizabeth with apparent familiarity. Little did she know that her life was about to be cut short in the most horrific manner. Elizabeth's neighbors, going about their own routines that fateful morning, heard her friendly "good morning" to the mysterious visitor. But within seconds, the atmosphere shattered as gunshots echoed through the peaceful neighborhood, leaving Elizabeth lying in her driveway, gasping for help that never came.

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On September 23, 2002, 18-year-old Rachel Burkheimer, was forced to watch her own grave being dug by her ex-boyfriend and his gang in foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

Rachel Burkheimer resided, worked, and attended high school in the Tulalip Reservation, spanning over 22,000 acres in Snohomish County, near Everett, Washington.

Rachel's social circles and wide-reaching connections were beyond her parents ability to keep track of. During Rachel's early years, her parents harbored concerns about her hearing, as she remained nonverbal until nearly reaching the age of three. Once she found her voice however, it seemed as though a floodgate had opened. With a vivid imagination, she excelled at mimicking others and possessed a library of amusing voices that brought endless joy and entertainment to her family.

Despite her petite stature of just 4 feet 11 inches, Rachel possessed a tremendous sense of might and independence. She had a penchant for wearing four-inch heels wherever she went, and her makeup kit was the size of a toolbox. With her infectious smile and striking bright blue eyes, she effortlessly caught the attention of those around her.

In August 2001, Rachel experienced a devastating loss when one of her best friends Cory Haynes was tragically killed in a rollover car accident. His sudden passing deeply affected her, leading her to find solace in preserving his memory. She took the death extremely hard and, in her grief, attached his pictures all over her Subaru dashboard and room. She hung his obituary on her bedroom wall.

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