Anatomy of Murder: Last Shift (Savannah Gold) – Detailed Summary

Released on May 20, 2025

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Last Shift (Savannah Gold)" of the podcast Anatomy of Murder, hosts Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi and Scott Weinberger delve deep into the tragic homicide of 21-year-old Savannah Gold. Through meticulous examination of the case's layers—the victim, the crime, and the investigation—they uncover the intricate details that led to the resolution of this heartbreaking story.

The Victim: Savannah Gold

Savannah Gold was a vibrant and ambitious young woman living in Jacksonville, Florida. At 21, she had already demonstrated her dedication and resilience by postponing her enrollment at the prestigious Savannah College of Arts and Design to care for her mother, who was battling cancer. Described by her colleagues as "smart, compassionate, and creative," Savannah was beloved both at work and among her friends (04:20).

The Disappearance

On the afternoon of August 2, 2017, Savannah left her home dressed in her server's uniform to report for her shift at Bonefish Grill. Around 6:30 PM that evening, her parents received a suspicious text from Savannah's phone claiming she had fallen in love and was "running away together" with a new boyfriend. The text was fraught with typos and inconsistencies, prompting immediate concern from her family (05:16).

Despite repeated attempts to contact Savannah, her calls and texts went unanswered. Her mother drove to the restaurant only to find Savannah absent but her car with a deliberately slashed tire and her purse still inside—a clear indication that something was amiss (07:03).

Ray Reeves, a former deputy sheriff and current homicide investigator, expressed his disbelief: “There wasn't a time when they didn't stay in contact with each other. And so I knew there's no way that Savannah would have sent this text” (06:14).

Initial Investigation

Detective Reeves and his partner, Michelle Selig, joined the investigation, recognizing the complexity and urgency of the case. They prioritized reviewing surveillance footage from the shopping center where Bonefish Grill was located, hoping to track Savannah's movements. Unfortunately, initial camera footage only provided limited information, capturing Savannah arriving and parking near a black vehicle identified as belonging to Lee Rodarte, a 29-year-old manager at the restaurant (12:21).

The Suspect: Lee Rodarte

Lee Rodarte emerged as a person of interest due to his on-and-off romantic relationship with Savannah, which was known among the restaurant staff but kept secret from her family. Although Rodarte had a clean record aside from minor traffic offenses, his presence in Savannah's parking lot on the day of her disappearance raised suspicions (12:33).

Savannah's brother, Christopher, reported seeing Rodarte in the parking lot, despite Rodarte being scheduled off that day—a discrepancy that intensified the investigation (13:07). Subsequent red light camera footage showed Savannah's car pulling in at 5:31 PM and parking beside Rodarte's vehicle. The video revealed Savannah exiting her car and entering the backseat of Rodarte's car, followed by signs of a struggle (16:14).

The Interview and Confession

Armed with evidence, Detective Reeves and Michelle employed strategic interrogation tactics to elicit the truth from Rodarte. Wearing a bow tie to appear less threatening, Reeves engaged Rodarte in a seemingly casual conversation, gradually presenting evidence that contradicted Rodarte's initial statements. Rodarte initially denied being in the parking lot on the day of Savannah's disappearance but faltered when confronted with video evidence showing his presence (20:24).

Persisting patiently, Reeves and Michelle continued to chip away at Rodarte's alibi. Rodarte eventually confessed to a physical altercation with Savannah in the backseat of his car, leading to her strangulation. He admitted to attempting to burn her body in a makeshift fire pit and later disposing of her remains in a nearby pond (38:57 – 42:24).

Notable Quote:

Ray Reeves [38:57]: "She was hitting me. I just. She wouldn't stop, and I squeezed back."

Post-Arrest Investigation and Trial

Following Rodarte's confession, authorities conducted a thorough search, recovering Savannah's remains from the pond. Forensic evidence, including blood in the backseat of Rodarte's car and items from his residence matching those used in the disposal of Savannah's body, solidified the case against him (44:04 – 45:00).

Despite his confession, Rodarte filed a "stand your ground" motion, claiming Savannah had attacked him, which he argued led to his defensive actions resulting in her death. However, the evidence, including the CCTV footage of Savannah's attempts to escape, overwhelmingly disproved his self-defense claim (45:12 – 46:18).

Ultimately, in February 2021, Rodarte pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a 40-year prison sentence. Savannah's family, seeking closure, agreed to the plea, foregoing the death penalty despite prosecutors' strong case (48:46 – 49:23).

Impact on the Community and Investigators

The case profoundly affected both Savannah's family and the detectives involved. Detective Reeves highlighted the emotional toll such cases take on law enforcement personnel, emphasizing the balance between professional duty and personal grief:

Ray Reeves [51:10]: "When you come home, you just. I can't talk. I have nothing to say. There's times that you just. I have tears in your eyes and you don't know why."

Savannah's murder underscored the importance of dedicated investigative work and the deep human connections that drive law enforcement professionals to seek justice for victims and their families.

Conclusion

The episode concludes by honoring Savannah Gold's memory, highlighting the lasting impact of her loss on her loved ones and the Jacksonville community. Her resilience and the evidence she inadvertently provided through her attempts to escape played a crucial role in solving her case. Detective Reeves remains committed to pursuing justice in future cases, driven by the hope of preventing similar tragedies.

Anasiga Nicolazzi [53:16]: "Savannah fought her attacker, and part of that fight was captured on video. So she herself very much helped law enforcement catch her killer."

The narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the relentless pursuit of truth by those dedicated to uncovering it.

Key Quotes

• Anasiga Nicolazzi [00:22]: "I'm Anasiga Nicolasi, former New York City homicide prosecutor and host of Investigation Discovery's True Conviction."

• Ray Reeves [02:27]: "I just found a way to connect to people on a real level. I was probably less patrol or policeman than most of the guys around me on my squad."

• Ray Reeves [03:26]: "I'm not gonna get jaded, I'm not gonna get cynical. I'm gonna still believe that people, even if they've done something wrong, a lot of those are choices for sure, and a lot of it's circumstances as well."

• Scott Weinberger [10:19]: "Let's go back out to the scene. Let's go talk to the family, and let's get a picture. Let's pretend like we don't know anything, and let's just start like we just got this case now."

• Ray Reeves [25:33]: "We don't plan it, it's just organic. We feed off of each other."

• Ray Reeves [34:38]: "I don't have reasonable suspicion, but I don't have probable cause. And I certainly don't have proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which is what I need to charge him with murder."

Reflective Insights

This case exemplifies the complexities of homicide investigations, where psychological tactics and perseverance are paramount in unraveling the truth. The detectives' ability to build rapport, observe subtle behavioral cues, and patiently dismantle lies proved instrumental in securing a confession and bringing closure to Savannah's family.

Moreover, the episode highlights the profound emotional and psychological impacts such cases have on investigators, underscoring the human element within law enforcement roles.

Final Thoughts

Last Shift (Savannah Gold) offers a detailed exploration of a young woman's untimely death and the unwavering commitment of those who pursue justice on her behalf. It serves as both a tribute to Savannah's memory and a testament to the relentless efforts of detectives like Ray Reeves and his team in the face of tragedy.

Tune in next week for another compelling episode of Anatomy of Murder, as Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi and Scott Weinberger continue to dissect the intricate layers of another tragic case.