33 ‘Mysterious’ True Crime Cases That Probably Have Simple Explanations
The ‘Smiley Face Killer’ concept is simply drunk individuals wandering off and getting harm
“The disappearance of Jesse Ross, from Chicago, in 2006. I discussed that I believe this case is fairly easy to clarify…Jesse was drunk that night, and many individuals confirmed he gave the impression to be slurring his phrases, and having hassle strolling. He received up 20 minutes right into a 2:30am assembly, saying one thing to a good friend, and by no means got here again. The lodge he was at for this assembly apparently (in line with a podcast I’ve heard) had a backyard/treed space behind it, that led to the river, and was solely a few block away from the mouth of the river, resulting in Lake Michigan. It was fairly doubtless that he was on the market, drunk, fell into the river, and his physique is in Lake Michigan. Then his household started to suspect he was nonetheless alive, and pushed the investigation that manner. In addition they swore he wouldn’t have left of his personal accord. I can suppose of some circumstances, off the highest of my head, the place it was household or buddies who got here ahead in a seemingly easy case, and began saying that sure issues didn’t add up, primarily based on what they know of their liked one.” — [deleted user]
(For extra on the ‘Smiley Face Killer’ theory, take a look at Jim Goad’s article.)
The ‘Lacking’ Roanoke Colony
Background on the “mysterious” Roanoke Colony here.
“To start with, they carved Croatoan, which was the identify of a spot the settlers knew, right into a tree. I’m fairly positive that that’s the settler equal of leaving a notice on the kitchen desk saying “I went to my mother’s”. The arguments which are made from “Why would they try this?” or “However they have been coming again with provides…” are so absent of the information of what journey and provide runs have been like again within the 1600s. Hell, they have been unhealthy by means of the later 1800s. You could possibly sail again to Europe for a resupply and uncover the corporate funding your settlement went out of enterprise, now you’d be compelled to both discover a new firm to fund the provides to return or fund it your self. Many occasions the return to the early colonies ended up taking years. If the settlers left behind discovered themselves operating out of meals, medication, or provides to stay, and the Croatoan’s allowed them into their settlements, that was more than likely precisely the place they went, particularly in the event that they didn’t know the way lengthy it will be earlier than they might be resupplied.” — u/Mr_Sleep_tight
One other affordable concept about Roanoke
“I’ve truly heard a concept that the “misplaced colony” was principally a conspiracy. Man reveals again up at Roanoke, the colony has clearly starved/been attacked by natives/died of illness, so he spins the mysterious disappearence story so as to not harm colonization propaganda again in England, as a result of a “misplaced” colony remains to be much more palatable than a colony that was worn out. It’s an intriguing thought.” — satorsquarepants
The “epidemic of lacking individuals within the nationwide parks” phenomena
Background on the story here.
“I really feel like most circumstances of “an individual went climbing within the woods and died/disappeared. What occurred??” Are simply merely succumbing to the weather. There are some circumstances of mysterious circumstances for positive. However half the time it’s some mixture of not being correctly geared up, getting misplaced, getting caught within the woods after darkish, overestimating your talents/underestimating how onerous climbing may be, inebriation, and many others.” — scorodites
“Missing time”
“Misplaced time resulting from medical points in all probability accounts for the overwhelming majority of UFO abduction and “glitch within the matrix” tales too. I’ve a good friend whose mother had a sort of stroke whereas out on a stroll. She confirmed up again at dwelling, unable to recall the place she had been for the previous few hours, however not exhibiting the everyday signs that most individuals affiliate with strokes. They by no means would have found out what prompted the reminiscence misplaced in the event that they hadn’t gone instantly to the physician after she confirmed up. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to place two and two collectively and notice that aliens is probably not at fault in lots of of those circumstances.” — satorsquarepants
Jeanette DePalma is an instance of “satanic panic”
Background on the case here.
“Most up-to-date updates present no indicators of ‘witchcraft’, that her purse and cash have been taken from the scene however the contents of the purse (lip stick,inhaler) have been strewn about carefully across the physique, the world was referred to as a ‘get together space’ by police however it was truly an overgrown bush space with a variety of lifeless branches. It appears she was robbed and murdered, left within the brush of NJ.” —
Maura Murray
Background on the case here.
“To me it’s fairly easy that she was driving drunk, panicked that she was going to get caught, ran, and succumbed to the weather. I believed it much more when my household rented a cabin a number of summers in the past in the identical space of New Hampshire the place she went lacking. My mother and I went to take a fast little stroll by means of the woods on a small path behind our cabin that the proprietor beneficial. We’re each pretty skilled hikers and swear that we stayed on the path all the time, however we received waaaay misplaced. Like, began to panic that perhaps we have been truly, actually misplaced and wouldn’t have the ability to discover our manner out earlier than sundown. We lastly heard highway noise and adopted it out of the woods, then needed to stroll 2 miles on the aspect of the highway again to our cabin website. Individuals actually underestimate simply how straightforward it’s to get misplaced within the woods.” — caseythegirl
Elisa Lam
Background on the case here.
“I was creeped out by it however I watched the Netflix sequence on the case and, while there are bizarre coincidences (such because the TB check being named a Lam-Elisa check), it’s apparent she was simply not taking her meds appropriately, had a manic episode and both went into the water tank to swim and couldn’t get again out or unintentionally fell in and couldn’t get again out. We received’t ever know what occurred however it’s positively been sensationalized and made into one thing it’s not. No ghosts or foul play, only a unhappy woman in a tragic place.” — mol1999
“Her post-mortem confirmed her antidepressants have been in her system, however they couldn’t discover her temper stabilizer/antipsychotics. A bipolar individual on solely an antidepressant can simply be despatched right into a manic episode (talking from expertise right here). All of the “mysteries” are simply solved. The roof entry? Door was locked, however many individuals have confirmed you possibly can attain the roof by the hearth entry. Heavy lid? Somebody having a manic episode can have additional energy. Lid closed behind her? I’ve all the time thought she may have gotten it half open, then began to lean in, and she or he fell in and it wasn’t absolutely open, so it shut behind her. Or I just lately heard {that a} upkeep individual mentioned it was open after they first went up.” — CassieBear1
“I’d be keen to wager you cash that Eliza was affected by a delusion, believing she was being chased or adopted. She went operating by means of the lodge, onto the elevator, up and down these halls, hallucinating typically but additionally believing everybody she encountered was in on it, too.
So if everybody in every single place you look is chasing after you, you suppose, and you may’t get to your room with out somebody seeing you go in, what are you going to do? Cover. Cover someplace till they’re gone.
I believe she went into that water tank on goal. Yeah, the lid might have been heavy to elevate, however in case you’re scared to dying, you’ll discover the energy to do virtually something. So she will get in there and is hiding. However she will be able to’t climb out. After a number of hours of treading water, the moist garments and footwear begin weighing her down. So she takes them off, and treads water till she will be able to’t any extra. She made a colossal mistake by getting in there to cover. However she cant take that again now, and she or he drowns then dies.
I’m schizoaffective, and when I’m not taking my meds, I endure delusions like this. Being pursued is a standard one, and it may be brought on by one thing so simple as seeing the identical individuals within the grocery retailer proper after I noticed them at WalMart. Perhaps I had a struggle with my boyfriend earlier than I went to the shop. That provides any false beliefs I could have the tone of anger or somebody being upset with me. So then everybody who’s eyes meet mine are working with the individuals who “adopted” me, and in my thoughts, everybody’s in on it.
I panic. I sweat. My coronary heart kilos. I think about shadows by my automobile are individuals crouching down behind the automobile, ready to assault me. This will get actually disruptive to my dwelling life. I can’t be regular after I’m considering like this. Because of this I HAVE to remain on my medicine. Not taking my medication is just not an choice. These ideas that aren’t even true change into overwhelming. I can’t do or consider the rest.
Individuals who don’t have this stuff occur to them don’t perceive. As a result of delusions are false ideas which are inside an individual’s head that nobody else can see. I get so indignant about individuals who level to Ellis’s conduct and go “oooh, freaky!” You don’t snigger and level at a toddler who’s bald from chemo and make enjoyable of them for that. Why is it okay to guage Eliza’s conduct? She was sick. It’s not okay to belittle somebody for the sickness they’ve and the signs they’re exhibiting.
That folks don’t perceive it, okay, tremendous, however I can fill individuals in. I behave fairly usually 90% of the time. It could be bizarre to see me behave abnormally, too. Nevertheless it isn’t fascinating or humorous. Or entertaining. Or spooky. It’s truly actually scary for me. Till one thing or somebody snaps me out of it.
That she wasn’t exhibiting all out psychotic signs all day every single day doesn’t make her incapable of getting this critical of signs. Particularly when she was off her drugs, jet lagged, in an unfamiliar place, alone and consuming alcohol. ALL of these issues can set off psychosis for me all by themselves. I’ll wager any a kind of have been a set off of hers. And he or she went into that tank on goal, as a result of she was psychotic, was having a delusion that she was being adopted and she or he believed she needed to disguise.
Edited so as to add: Sorry concerning the soapbox right here, children. I simply really feel very strongly about this for apparent causes. The extra individuals perceive psychological diseases like mine and Elisa’s, the extra doubtless persons are to be tolerant in direction of us, and the much less doubtless we’re to take anybody’s actions negatively and permit that to feed any false ideas or beliefs we’re having. That makes everybody safer. And if ONE individual has a much less extreme psychotic episode and had much less discomfort as a result of ONE individual handled them with extra empathy after studying this, then embarrassing myself and calling myself out is price it to me. As a result of I understand how that feels.” — wththrowitaway
Kenneka Jenkins
Background on the story here.
“She died in a lodge freezer. However they’ve video of her stumbling in there after partying and she or he doubtless froze to dying. The web exploded with theories however it was fairly apparent to me what occurred. It doesn’t take a lot to carry the physique temp down an excessive amount of.” — simulationsunflower
Corrie McKeague
Background on the story here.
“He was blackout drunk and located someplace sheltered to sleep, and tragically was virtually definitely crushed by the truck that collected the bin a number of hours later (the load of the bin was later discovered to have registered at round 200 kilos, far heavier than another).
So many individuals merely can not settle for that he would get right into a bin, regardless of his father saying he had achieved it earlier than when drunk, and there being footage of a) him falling asleep in a doorway earlier that evening and b) drunkenly stumbling into the alcove the place the bins have been saved (and no footage of him leaving, which might have been unimaginable except he left within the bin).
Comparable tragic eventualities defined by the poor determination making that extreme alcohol consumption could cause. And I’m not judging, I’ve ended up in probably harmful conditions myself when blackout drunk earlier than.” — poodlesquish
“100%!!! No person is judging anybody for getting black out drunk and positively no person thinks anybody deserves it for getting themselves into that situ, however I’ll brazenly admit I’ve put myself in some significantly unhealthy conditions because of alcohol. I’m simply fortunate none of them had any critical repercussions. However I’ve walked previous numerous individuals after nights out, who’re falling asleep in doorways. It occurs so simply as a result of your physique is shutting down after hours of alcohol! It may be particularly expedited in case you take another medicine.” — MambyPamby8
“I received drunk as soon as and we have been taking part in disguise and search outdoors. I hid in a bush, in winter, and rattling close to fell asleep. I snapped out of it fast and was like shit, I’ll freeze to dying. Yet one more shot and I might’ve fell asleep in that bush and more than likely died (I later discovered I used to be the one one taking part in disguise and search lol).” — TheForrestWanderer
The Morgan Ingram case
Background on the case here.
“Anytime a household insists it couldn’t be suicide solely as a result of “they might by no means try this!” I really feel that we’ve got to dismiss that declare. Other than the stigma of admitting somebody in your loved ones was combating psychological sickness, the individual may have proven no indicators. After a traumatic occasion like that it’s no marvel households react that manner however I believe investigators ought to all the time take these claims with a grain of salt.” — duckducknarwhal
“So true. Some time again I switched to hormonal bc, telling my then husband that I didn’t do effectively on it however needed to attempt once more. I shortly spiraled uncontrolled. I virtually misplaced a job I had been at for some time and liked. I felt like I used to be strolling by means of mud every single day. Every little thing was a wrestle. My husband and I had points. I used to be significantly contemplating suicide after I simply stopped taking the tablet in the future. Once I informed him, he was shocked. This was an individual I lived with, day in and time out. He requested why I didn’t simply inform him since we agreed beforehand that I might inform him if I began feeling bad- the answer- it was too onerous. You may stay with somebody and actually don’t know what they’re going by means of.” — bluevioletta
“Laypeople simply aren’t good at detecting signs as signs, plus the individual themselves will doubtless wrestle to articulate it except they have already got some information and are keen to deal with it as a illness. Many aren’t, perhaps as a result of we’re reluctant to deal with ourselves as biologically predetermined.” — DramShopLaw
“Lacking” Malaysia Airways Flight 370
Background on the case here.
“There’s nothing mysterious concerning the location of MH370. They’ve simply by no means searched the world the airplane can be if the captain managed the descent till the very finish, and that’s very in all probability what occurred.” — Vegetable-Bat-8475
“It’s been solved, however nobody actually appears to just accept that as a result of all the airplane, or at the very least nearly all of it, hasn’t been discovered.
Captain Zaharie dedicated a deliberate homicide/suicide by purposefully altering the flight path & crashing the airplane–terrible, however not the primary time this has occurred. The unique Malaysian investigation was hampered by each Malaysian Airways and the Malaysian authorities, neither of which needed to confess that there have been critical issues ignored by each. The data they hid from worldwide teams and search events prompted the flawed space/s of the Pacific and Indian Oceans to be looked for years. However we now know the airplane crashed someplace within the western Indian Ocean, as a result of individuals have truly discovered components of the airplane washing up on islands in and nations bordering the western Indian Ocean (notably Réunion, the place the primary confirmed piece was discovered; Madagascar; Mozambique). A lawyer named Blaine Gibson (not the voice actor) has spearheaded the hassle to search out items of the airplane and has contacts with locals all throughout these areas.
That is a good article summarizing what is the closest to the full story we’ll ever get; there’s no thriller left, actually.” — TheGlitterMahdi
Kendrick Johnson
Background on the case here.
“I do know most individuals agree that it was more than likely an accident however the deceptive theories pushed by the household are nonetheless floating round different boards and within the media.” — theditzydoc
“There’s a video on YouTube the place they examined this – rolled up a wonderfully wholesome highschool jock in the identical sort of mat (voluntarily after all lol) and requested him to scream as loudly as he may. Couldn’t hear a sound from the skin. He was solely within the mat for half a minute or so however he got here out of it clearly out of breath, shiny pink and sweaty. Completely horrifying solution to die.” — freeeeels
The Flannan Isles Lighthouse case
Background on the case here.
“The lads had beforehand been fined for storm injury to gear earlier within the yr, in order that they have been in all probability outdoors in unhealthy climate securing gear after they have been hit by a rogue wave. The one who wasn’t carrying his coat in all probability ran outdoors in a rush to warn the others they usually have been all caught out. It was a tragic case of individuals making a number of small selections to interrupt protocol that left a thriller. All the “creepy ” and “mysterious” parts just like the diary and the half-eaten meal on the desk and all the things else have been added years later by a man who wrote a poem about it. On the time it occurred, it was assumed that they have been victims of unhealthy climate and nothing extra. (I’ve a Nationwide Library of Scotland account and I’ve been in a position to learn the unique newspaper studies from the time.)” — benamurghal
Rey Rivera
This story was featured within the new season of Unsolved Mysteries Netflix did, and I extremely suggest it!
“I believe this was merely a psychological break and suicide. Actually the circumstances of the suicide have been uncommon — however not inexplicable. And whereas his employer was sort of shady, which one isn’t?” — yourhelpfulfriend
“This case has so much in frequent with the Jack Parsons Wheeler case. Each have been featured on Unsolved Mysteries and completely downplay the function of psychological sickness. Relations are sometimes in denial concerning the victims psychological state and these true crime documentaries wish to play issues up for the sake of mysteriousness.” — AudaciousTickle
Madeleine McCann
Background on the case here.
“She was doubtless kidnapped and killed inside hours of her disappearance, as horrible because it sounds. It’s not onerous to note a bunch of adults routine of going again n forth checking on children whenever you’re in a public place. Somebody took the chance to get her after they seen nobody was there. So many different lacking kids’s circumstances may’ve gotten the eye that her case received, like minority kids, however the media was too busy sensationalizing this household & making documentaries and many others.” — pwa09
Brandon Lawson
Background information on the case here.
“His brother confirmed that he was utilizing meth. His 911 name feels like somebody having a paranoid psychotic break. I believe he succumbed to the weather.” — kelzo82
Annie McCann
Background on the case here.
“It’s clear to me she dedicated suicide having reached the tip of her rope when her runaway try regarded prefer it was going to fail. She was depressing at dwelling with strict, controlling, overbearing dad and mom, and had a historical past of melancholy. Her dad and mom are simply in huge denial about it.” — Bjnboy
Amy Lynn Bradley
Background on the case here.
“She’s within the ocean, in all probability fell in, however presumably thrown in. The theories of her being kidnapped and smuggled off the ship are so ridiculous.” — yolate
“Each podcast I’ve heard or present I’ve seen about her case references her father jolting off the bed in the course of the evening and feeling like one thing was flawed. I really feel like that is the second she in all probability went over her balcony railing. Both it made a loud noise, or ‘dad and mom instinct’. However yeah, I believe all of these ‘sightings’ weren’t her. And naturally, each time an American feminine disappears, everybody screams ‘intercourse trafficking!!!’. Not that intercourse trafficking isn’t a factor, it’s simply not taking place to EVERY single lacking girl.” — kathi182
“I grew up together with her. We frolicked in highschool and in school. She was superior – so enjoyable, loved partying, and many others. She was liked by lots of people. It was traumatic in our neighborhood when she disappeared. Her dad and mom and brother are super-nice individuals, too. I perceive their need and must consider she’s alive, however the easiest clarification must be what occurred. She drank an excessive amount of, went out on the balcony for a smoke, and by some means fell overboard.” — david_wallace_suckit
Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon
Background on the case here.
“I’m from an space that will get its fair proportion of lacking hikers which are simply by no means discovered, and most of them aren’t in areas as dense as that jungle. I believe there’s a component of ethnocentrism within the theories that they have been like, taken and murdered by wild jungle individuals, when there’s a fairly simply plausible and extra doubtless risk.” — twelvehatsononegoat
Diane Schuler from ‘There’s One thing Fallacious With Aunt Diane’
Background:
“There’s some thriller within the motive: was she a household annihilator who got down to intentionally homicide, or simply an alcoholic who misjudged her tolerance? Both manner, although, the perpetrator and end result are the identical. The documentary isn’t actually meant as a thriller although, however extra of a psychological take a look at the degrees of denial and self-delusion amongst a few of her members of the family, and the way keen they’re to cling to probably the most outlandish theories (she had a foul toothache!) to keep away from accepting that such a “good individual” is also a assassin.” — Orourkova
The Westfield Watcher case
Background here.
“It’s fairly apparent that the Broaddus household faked these letters and that they have been simply attempting to get out of a home they couldn’t afford. Not solely did they’ve a historical past of shopping for homes they couldn’t afford in the long run, however the husband received caught sending threatening letters to the neighbors when their HOA wouldn’t approve of sure renovations to the home. I first realized about this case from Buzzfeed Unsolved, and I used to be truthfully baffled as to how shortly they dismissed the concept the household faked the letters. The truth that there’s a potential Netflix deal in for the household over their story makes them extra suspect imo.” — bug-robot
Jeffrey McDonald
Background here.
“He was a military physician who (in all probability) killed his spouse and kids, however he claimed it was hippies (this occurred very quickly after the Manson murders).
It’s fairly fucking clear he did it, however all his previous buddies simply cant belive it! He would by no means! You didnt know him! Blah blah blah.” — BookQueen13
Dyatlov Move
Background information here.
“It looks as if everybody needs to make it this supernatural factor, however I believe the more than likely clarification is an avalanche. The bare our bodies? It’s not unusual for individuals to take off their garments within the later phases of hypothermia. Bizarre wounds? Scavenging animals or falls from cliffs or bushes. The ripped up tent? Most likely they panicked and received out anyway they might. I don’t suppose we have to contain yetis or aliens or Soviet tremendous weapons.” — aninamouse
Cindy James
Background information here.
“A thriller stalker that retains tying her up solely when she’s anticipating firm so she’s “rescued” within the nick of time? Nah. I believe she screwed up on her (extraordinarily unintentionally) final try and unintentionally killed herself. It’s a basic case of Munchausen.” — PreOpTransCentaur
Johnny Gosch
Background information here.
“I believe his mom was significantly delusional and have become worse as time glided by. I do really feel sorry for her since she actually believes he got here to see her within the 90s, and many others. I consider it’s more than likely he was killed shortly after he was taken.
There have been a number of younger teenagers/boys across the common space of Gosch that disappeared inside a number of years of each other. One was a paper boy like Johnny, so there may’ve been a serial killer working within the space on the time.” — ContainedCopperplate
DB Cooper is just not a thriller in any respect
“Richard Floyd McCoy had that plan for years. He misplaced the cash in the course of the descent the primary time, so he needed to do it once more months later. That’s the rationale a number of the cash was ultimately discovered however a physique or parachute have been by no means discovered. You had a man leap from a airplane after which be startled on the weight and unruliness of the money. Think about his shock and frustration when all that work and danger became a bag of money tumbling away within the wind and rain of the darkish Pacific Northwest.
I received a PM on the Unsolved Mysteries discussion board of sitcomsonline.com from an previous military buddy of McCoy, emphasizing that McCoy in the course of the ’60s talked about how straightforward it will be to skyjack that sort of airplane and leap from it. The buddy mentioned he all the time knew McCoy was Cooper additionally, and everybody else from his unit agreed.
Sadly the bizarro sorts received ahold of this case and so it’s endlessly destined to linger that manner, the easy clarification shunned by one ridiculous rationalization after one other, like meaningless eyewitness accounts from the stewardesses. Perhaps these stewardesses wish to clarify why McCoy made an in any other case inexplicable drive from Provo to Las Vegas within the wee hours previous the Cooper occasion, in excellent timing to catch a airplane to the Pacific Northwest to launch the caper. Think about what sort of idiot it’s important to be to dismiss that as mere coincidence, or fail to know that the crime is so distinctive and complex only a few individuals may pull it off…that means the identical man doing it twice is landslide favoritism.” — AwsiDooger
The Sodder Youngsters positively died in an unintentional hearth
Background information here.
“They weren’t discovered as a result of 1. The home was FULL OF COAL, which doubtless would feed the hearth to burn hotter. 2. The home was gone in 45 minutes, and in complete burned for practically 8 hours earlier than the hearth division even received there! 3. The daddy bulldozed the stays of the home and stuffed the basement in with dust for a memorial backyard lower than every week after the hearth. After which after that’s after they determined to research and search for the kids’s stays?? I simply really feel like with their strategies and expertise of the time (1945) it’s not unbelievable that they wouldn’t discover something after that. Having 5 of 10 kids kidnapped throughout a raging housefire when there have been members of the family all around the home is so extremely unlikely. How did somebody kidnap FIVE kids who have been asleep on the second flooring of the home with out anyone, together with the older children who have been sleeping within the first flooring, noticing? All of the “odd occasions” surrounding the hearth are both coincidence, or grief stricken dad and mom looking for any shred of hope that they didn’t simply lose 5 kids in a horrible random tragedy.” — RocketGirl2629
Roswell/Space 51
“It was greater than doubtless a climate balloon sort of object that might eavesdrop on russian soundwaves so as to see in the event that they have been testing their very own nukes. The difficulty was the federal government at the moment didn’t need that out in order that they rolled with the UFO story.
What’s worse is there are many UFO circumstances which are genuinely mysterious.” — Imsnawing
The Satan’s Footprints
Background information here.
“They have been partially melted rabbit tracks. Yellow journalism whipped individuals right into a hysteria over them.” — SwelteringSwami
The staircase homicide/s
“That dude killed his spouse however received out of it as a result of he may afford good legal professionals.” — gush30
The Jamison household
Background information here.
“So many individuals wish to suppose the spouse killed herself and her household as a result of she was depressed or as a result of she was a witch (she wasn’t even witch she favored witchy issues). Or individuals suppose medicine gad one thing to do with it due to the surveillance video. However I believe they noticed one thing they weren’t speculated to after which have been killed.” — laurenodonnellf
Jeffrey Epstein
“He killed himself. Finish of story.” — TrippyTrellis
Ellen Greenberg
Background information here.
“The boyfriend did it.” — canadienhockeygirl
