American Homicide: S1:E14 – The Disappearance of Danny Burroughs, Part 1

Release Date: January 23, 2025
Host: Sloan Glass
Produced by iHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts

Introduction

In the fourteenth episode of American Homicide, host Sloan Glass delves into the mysterious disappearance of Danny Burroughs, a seemingly ordinary man whose vanishing has left a trail of unanswered questions in the small town of May's Landing, New Jersey. This episode meticulously unpacks the events leading up to Danny's disappearance, the intricate dynamics of his personal life, and the subsequent investigation led by Detective Frank Shaleck.

Background: Danny and Loretta’s Relationship

Sloan Glass sets the stage by introducing Danny Burroughs and his long-term relationship with Loretta, his high school sweetheart. Their reunion decades after high school seemed like the rekindling of a lifelong romance, but beneath the surface, cracks were beginning to form.

• Sloan Glass (02:46): "Danny just disappears into thin air."
• Loretta's Friend (02:33): "Danny had a way of just finding something wrong with everybody."

Danny and Loretta had married in 1997 and were considered pillars of their community. Danny was known for his handyman skills and passion for fixing cars and model airplanes, while Loretta was a beloved nurse and devoted grandmother. Despite their seemingly strong bond, tensions arose over lifestyle choices, particularly Danny's desire to retire to Florida—a notion that Loretta vehemently opposed to stay close to her family.

The Conflict: Desire to Move to Florida

The crux of their relationship issues centered around Danny's aspiration to relocate to Florida, a plan that Sarasota's icy winters contrasted sharply with May's Landing's serene suburbs.

• Chris Geogan (05:11): "Danny moved to New Jersey, May’s Landing."
• Loretta's Friend (08:30): "Danny wanted to move to Florida. He didn’t like the cold and Loretta was unhappy about it."

Loretta's commitment to her family and her role as a caregiver clashed with Danny's personal desires. This ongoing dispute created a strained environment that ultimately contributed to the unraveling of their marriage.

The Disappearance: August 2007

In the summer of 2007, Danny underwent shoulder surgery, leading to a slow recovery during which he was often seen working around his yard despite his injury. Shortly after, Loretta discovered Danny with another woman—a waitress from Florida—reporting that he had left her for this new relationship.

• Ed Dwyer (10:05): "He left her for a waitress in Florida."
• Sloan Glass (10:46): "But apparently, it wasn’t the lobster that Danny was craving. It was the young blonde waitress with the yellow Hummer."

Danny's sudden departure included leaving behind his vehicle, tools, model airplanes, and even basic necessities like his cell phone and toothbrush, raising immediate suspicions among friends and family.

Initial Investigation: Police Involvement

As months passed without any sign of Danny, his brother Ray took the initiative to file a missing persons report—a move that set off the official investigation led by Detective Frank Shaleck.

• Detective Frank Shaleck (15:24): "Danny was just, just kind of like your basic all-around guy who could fix anything and, you know, was very handy."

The investigation revealed inconsistencies in Loretta's account, particularly regarding the power of attorney document Danny had allegedly signed before vanishing. Suspicion grew as law enforcement and Ray questioned the legitimacy of the paperwork, with indications that Danny's signature might have been forged.

• Detective Frank Shaleck (31:46): "According to the timestamp, the notarized date on the power of attorney was June 10, two days before it was even created."

These red flags prompted Detective Shaleck to obtain search warrants for Loretta's current residence and her sister's house, aiming to uncover any hidden evidence related to Danny's disappearance.

Ray’s Pursuit: Seeking the Truth

Unable to rely solely on the police investigation, Ray Burroughs took matters into his own hands by creating websites and a Facebook page to gather leads and keep Danny's case in the public eye. His distrust of Loretta’s narrative fueled his determination to uncover the truth.

• Ray Burroughs (24:50): "He left without any of his belongings. Nothing. I say BS to her story and many, many lies."

Ray’s relentless pursuit highlighted the fractures within the Burroughs family and the community’s perception of Loretta, casting further doubt on her version of events.

Breakthrough: Suspicious Power of Attorney

A critical turning point in the investigation occurred six years after Danny's disappearance when the Atlanta County Cold Case Unit examined the power of attorney document, uncovering signs of forgery. This discovery was instrumental in moving the case forward, allowing Detective Shaleck to seek additional search warrants.

• Sloan Glass (31:28): "In other words, the power of attorney document was created fraudulently."

This revelation hinted at a deeper layer of deceit and manipulation, suggesting that Danny may not have left of his own volition but was possibly coerced or deceived into his disappearance.

Climactic Search: Uncovering New Evidence

On May 17, 2013, Detective Shaleck and Investigator Lynn Docherty executed a search warrant at Loretta's sister's house. Their discovery was pivotal, setting the stage for the next phase of the investigation.

• Detective Frank Shaleck (32:37): "Our goal was to locate a copy of the power of attorney so we could compare signatures and the original information on the original paper."

The tension reached its peak as Loretta, unprepared and visibly shaken, was confronted with the search warrants, leading to a dramatic revelation that would be explored in Part 2 of the episode.

Conclusion and Teaser for Part 2

The episode concludes on a cliffhanger, with Detective Shaleck receiving a crucial phone call that promises to unveil the truth behind Danny Burroughs' disappearance. Sloan Glass effectively builds anticipation for the ensuing investigation, leaving listeners eager for the continuation of this gripping case.

Notable Quotes

• Detective Frank Shaleck (23:55): "I've handled missing person cases for most of my career and it involves hundreds of cases and I've never seen anyone get a divorce after someone went missing, especially when that person was not found at that point."

• Loretta's Friend (20:05): "She got to the point where if he was gonna live his life in Florida, she was getting rid of all his things that made him happy. It's just a hard thing to go through because I've gone through it myself, and I think she felt lonely."

• Ray Burroughs (24:53): "He left without any of his belongings. Nothing. I say BS to her story and many, many lies."

Production Notes

American Homicide is meticulously produced by Glass Podcast in partnership with iHeartPodcasts. The episode features in-depth interviews, authentic audio clips, and a compelling narrative crafted by Sloan Glass, supported by a dedicated production team including executive producers Nancy Glass and Todd Ganz.

Looking Ahead

As American Homicide continues to unravel the disappearance of Danny Burroughs, listeners can anticipate a deeper exploration of the case in the upcoming second part. The intricate web of relationships, deceit, and unanswered questions promises to keep audiences engaged and invested in uncovering the truth.

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