Crime Junkie - Uncovering the Truth About the Ghosts of Highway 20
The podcast delves into the chilling story of John Ackroyd, a highway worker in Oregon, who was suspected of being involved in several disappearances and murders from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. Despite being a prime suspect in multiple cases, including the disappearance of Kay Turner and his stepdaughter Randa Pickle, Ackroyd managed to evade conviction for years due to lack of concrete evidence. The podcast highlights the failures in the investigation process, such as ignoring key evidence and witness testimonies, which allowed Ackroyd to continue his crimes. It wasn't until the early 1990s that Ackroyd was finally convicted for the murder of Kay Turner, after new forensic evidence and witness testimonies emerged. The podcast also explores the possibility of Ackroyd being linked to other unsolved cases in the area, suggesting that his crimes may have been more extensive than initially believed. The story underscores the importance of thorough investigations and the impact of systemic failures in the justice system.
Key Points:
- John Ackroyd was a highway worker linked to multiple disappearances and murders in Oregon.
- Despite being a prime suspect, he evaded conviction for years due to lack of evidence.
- Failures in the investigation process, such as ignoring key evidence, allowed him to continue his crimes.
- He was eventually convicted for the murder of Kay Turner in the early 1990s.
- There is speculation that Ackroyd may be linked to other unsolved cases in the area.
Details:
1. 🔍 The Mystery of Highway 20 Unfolds
- From the late '70s to the early '90s, a man in Oregon was repeatedly identified as the last person to see young female victims alive, yet was never convicted due to lack of evidence.
- Notable cases include a jogger disappearing on Christmas Eve, his stepdaughter going missing, and two teens last seen at a diner before a camping trip, all with him as the last known contact.
- Investigative challenges included insufficient forensic evidence and inability to link the suspect conclusively to the crimes.
- The justice system's failure to convict him despite consistent suspicions highlights systemic issues in evidence gathering and case building.
2. 👟 The Mysterious Disappearance of Kay Turner
2.1. Kay Turner's Disappearance on Highway 20
2.2. Search Efforts and Initial Findings
3. 🕵️♂️ Investigating Suspicions: John Ackroyd's Involvement
3.1. Initial Investigation and Missed Leads
3.2. Personal Life Examination
3.3. Discovery and John Ackroyd's Connection
4. 🚨 Cold Case and Missed Opportunities
4.1. Discovery and Initial Investigation
4.2. Suspect's Changing Story
4.3. JN's Previous Criminal Allegation
5. 📞 A New Tragedy: Rachanda Pickle Goes Missing
- In 1990, 13-year-old Rachanda Pickle went missing, with her stepfather John Akroy as the prime suspect due to his suspicious history in other disappearances.
- Rachanda's mother, Linda, mistakenly waited 24 hours before reporting her daughter missing, believing it was a requirement.
- Police clarified that a 24-hour wait is unnecessary for reporting missing children, stressing the urgency in such cases.
- Rachanda's disappearance raised immediate suspicion of foul play because she left without taking any belongings and feared the surrounding woods.
- John Akroy lived in a remote community at Santiam Junction with Rachanda's family, which was strategically located for his work as a highway mechanic.
- Despite being a suspect in prior cases, John Akroy remained free for over a decade after Rachanda's disappearance due to a lack of evidence.
- This case highlights the importance of immediate reporting in missing child cases and the challenges of gathering actionable evidence in remote areas.
6. 👀 Unraveling Clues in Rachanda's Case
6.1. Timeline and Initial Observations
6.2. John's Statements
6.3. John's Actions
6.4. Physical Evidence and Investigation
6.5. Other Suspects and Background
7. 🔗 Linking Crimes: Patterns and Suspicions
7.1. Randa's Disappearance and Cold Cases
7.2. Investigation Breakthrough
7.3. Tracking John Akroy
7.4. New Missing Persons Case
8. 🔒 Arrests, Trials, and Justice Served
- Forensic testing on K Turner's clothes revealed that the waistband of her shorts was cut, and her underwear were reportedly cut as well, indicating a sexual assault.
- Lead fragments found on K Turner's shirt suggested she was shot, aligning with earlier testimonies about her body's condition.
- On May 31st, 1992, police arrested Roger, not John, for K Turner's murder, possibly hoping Roger would testify against John.
- John's storage unit was cleared out the same day Roger was arrested, raising suspicions of tampered evidence.
- John was arrested on June 12th, 1992, over a week after Roger's arrest, potentially allowing time for evidence tampering.
- In October 1992, the bodies of Melissa and Sheila were found, but no forensic evidence linked their deaths to John.
- A coworker reported John had blood on his hands around the time of the girls' disappearance, but didn't initially report it to the police.
- In September 1993, John went on trial for Kay's murder, with testimonies from various witnesses and a forensic anthropologist highlighting inconsistencies in his account.
- John was found guilty on October 6th, 1993, for K Turner's murder, and sentenced to life with a 20-year minimum.
- Roger Beck was also found guilty and received the same sentence; authorities believed he was only involved in Kay's murder.
9. ⚖️ Verdicts and Consequences for John Ackroyd
9.1. Investigation Attempts
9.2. Parole Concerns and Grand Jury Indictment
9.3. Plea Deal and Outcome
9.4. Other Cases and Final Outcome
10. 🕵️♀️ Continuing Mysteries and Unanswered Questions
- Five other individuals have either gone missing or their remains have been found in the area where John operated, suggesting potential connections to other cases.
- A skull of a Jane Doe, referred to as 'Swamp Mountain Doe,' was found in July 1976, a mile off Highway 20, predating John's known crimes.
- In May 1977, 15-year-old Karen Lee and 14-year-old Rodney Grom went missing from Lebanon, with items found later in the woods, indicating possible foul play.
- Karen's clothing was cut in a manner similar to John's known method with other victims, pointing to a potential link.
- 22-year-old Elizabeth Musler went missing in August 1977 and was found in a shallow grave in February 1978, adding to the pattern of suspicious disappearances.
- Another skull was found in 1978 near Snow Creek, close to Highway 20, indicating recurring findings in the area.
- John was questioned broadly about these cases but denied involvement, leaving the connections speculative.
- The investigation remains open, and the public is encouraged to provide any information to the Lyn County Sheriff's Office.