Clues with Morgan Abshur and Kayla Moore: MISSING: Adea Shabani

Hosted by Crime House, powered by PAVE Studios

Overview

In the episode titled "MISSING: Adea Shabani," hosts Morgan Abshur and Kayla Moore delve into the perplexing and tragic disappearance of Adea Shabani, an aspiring actress from Macedonia who moved to Los Angeles to chase her Hollywood dreams. This case, marked by deceptive relationships, suspicious behaviors, and unresolved clues, remains shrouded in mystery despite extensive investigations.

Background of Adea Shabani

Kayla Moore [01:21]: "Adeya was born on March 16, 1992. Although her parents were Albanian, she grew up in the neighboring country of North Macedonia, which is just north of Greece."

Adea Shabani was depicted as a vibrant and ambitious young woman with dreams of becoming a famous actress. Her magnetic personality and dedication led her to enroll at the prestigious Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theater in Los Angeles. In 2016, at the age of 24, she moved to LA, securing an apartment on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a symbol of her aspirations.

Relationship with Chris Spots

Morgan Abshur [09:14]: "Adea and Chris seemed to be falling in love. They quickly became scene partners and soon their relationship intensified."

Adea formed a close bond with Chris Spots, an aspiring actor in his early 30s who had moved to LA from Colorado. Chris, who held a degree in psychology, leveraged his understanding of human behavior to excel in acting. Their relationship progressed rapidly, culminating in Chris proposing to Adea after just four months of dating in January 2018. Despite their swift commitment, red flags began to surface, hinting at deeper issues.

Disappearance of Adea Shabani

On the morning of February 23, 2018, after a romantic Valentine's Day dinner, Adea and Chris reportedly had a severe argument. According to Chris, Adea ended the relationship abruptly, declaring she never wanted to see him again. Adea was last seen that afternoon, and her sudden disappearance raised immediate concerns among her friends and family, especially since she was known for her constant communication.

Initial Investigation and Suspicion on Chris

Morgan Abshur [14:45]: "It was not usual for her to leave her door unlocked."

When authorities conducted a welfare check on Adea's apartment, they found her front door unlocked—a highly unusual and concerning sign in Hollywood. Inside, everything appeared normal except for the absence of her phone and purse, suggesting she had left willingly. The police initially considered the possibility that Adea had simply left town.

Chris, however, exhibited suspicious behavior. He delayed responding to calls from Adea's friends and maintained conflicting stories about their breakup. Notably, Chris was simultaneously engaged to Mary El Malik, a nurse with whom he had been in a four-year relationship, complicating his narrative.

Chris's Behavior and Flight

As Adea remained missing, Chris's actions grew increasingly erratic. He requested to leave the couple's shared apartment, citing concerns over Adea's family having ties to the Albanian mafia—a claim with no supporting evidence. In early March, Chris left LA without Mary, effectively going into hiding, further arousing suspicion.

High-Speed Chase and Suicide of Chris

On March 22, 2018, a nearly month-old missing person case led police to Chris. A red light camera in San Bernardino captured his pickup truck, prompting a tense pursuit. During the chase, Chris exhibited reckless behavior, including fleeing the initial stop and invading the personal space of a passenger. The chase culminated in Chris driving at high speeds until officers deployed spike strips, forcing him to pull over. Instead of complying, Chris remained in the truck and shot himself, dying instantly on the scene.

Kayla Moore [37:31]: "All of them are very strange...script pages for one of Chris's upcoming auditions, which also, if you have over 100 rounds of ammunition, I'm thinking you're considering doing something a little bit more drastic than just taking your own life."

Clues and Evidence

1. Phone Records and Google Data

Morgan Abshur [34:03]: "According to his cell phone data, Chris was stopped there for 40 minutes on February 23rd. And investigators think that this is more than enough time to kill someone and then bury a body."

Police accessed Chris's cell phone records, revealing that he had been in a remote area called Lake of the Woods north of LA for approximately 40 minutes on the day Adea disappeared. This discovery positioned Chris as a person of interest, although no physical evidence was found at the initial search site.

Subsequent Google location data provided a more precise timeline, showing Chris's movements that contradicted his initial statements. His data indicated that he and Adea had made only two brief stops before reaching a secluded spot where Adea's body was later found.

2. Chris’s Confession to Merez

Chris allegedly confessed to his estranged father, Merez, about killing Adea during a visit on the night of February 23rd. Kayla Moore [44:22]: "He felt very certain that he did help Chris cover it up."

Kim Merez, Chris's ex-wife, claimed that Chris revealed details about the murder to him, including accusations against Adea and a traumatic confession about the crime. However, Merez provided inconsistent accounts, further muddying the investigation.

3. Discovery of Adea’s Body

Kayla Moore [56:02]: "The autopsy determined that Adea had died of blunt force trauma to her head."

On March 26, 2018, Adea’s body was discovered in the Spenceville Wildlife Area near Sacramento, wrapped in a tarp and secured with twine—clear indicators of foul play. The autopsy confirmed she died from blunt force trauma to the head. Despite these findings, Chris's suicide left investigators without a definitive perpetrator.

4. Involvement of Merez and Additional Clues

Merez's late-night phone call to Chris’s mother, Jade, and the discovery of a suspiciously large hole near his property raised questions about his potential involvement or knowledge of the crime.

Morgan Abshur [53:39]: "Come on. So you have to wonder, like, what part of all of this is he lying about?"

An anonymous crime scene investigator suggested that the materials found with Adea's body—twine and tarp—originated from Merez's farm, implying a possible link.

Theories and Unresolved Questions

Several lingering questions remain:

• Merez's Role: Although there's no physical evidence implicating Merez, his behavior and conflicting statements suggest he might have knowledge about Chris’s actions.

• Alternate Suspects: The unusual evidence regarding Adea's computer usage and the possibility of another individual accessing her apartment remain unexplored.

• Pregnancy Claims: Adea’s friend mentioned a potential pregnancy, but no evidence was found during the autopsy to support this claim.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The disappearance and subsequent murder of Adea Shabani highlight a case fraught with deception, conflicting stories, and elusive evidence. While Chris Spots emerges as a primary suspect due to his suspicious behavior and the circumstances surrounding his flight and suicide, the involvement of his father, Merez, introduces complexity that remains unresolved.

Kayla Moore [68:58]: "It is just a really sad case."

Ultimately, Adea Shabani's case underscores the challenges in solving high-profile disappearances where personal relationships are intertwined with deceit, leaving loved ones searching for closure amid unanswered questions.

New Segment: Missing Person of the Week

In an effort to make a tangible difference, the hosts introduced a new segment aimed at highlighting missing persons to garner public assistance and awareness.

Kayla Moore [67:45]: "This week we're going to highlight David Round..."

Spotlight: David Round

• Location: Gresham, Oregon
• Description: 67-year-old male, cognitive disability, missing daily medication.
• Last Seen: April 23rd, 1000 block of Southeast 213th Avenue
• Details: Described as black, 5ft 10in, 190 pounds, bald, brown eyes, last seen in dark clothing.
• Call to Action: If seen, contact authorities via 911 or the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.

The segment aims to encourage community involvement and aid in locating missing individuals, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in resolving such cases.

Closing Remarks

The hosts emphasized the emotional impact of Adea's case and the ongoing need for support and awareness in missing person investigations. They encouraged listeners to share their theories, feedback, and engage with the community to help unravel unresolved cases.

Morgan Abshur [69:07]: "I feel very unresolved right now."

Kayla Moore [69:22]: "We hope that you guys found this case impactful..."

Notable Quotes:

• Morgan Abshur [00:40]: "There was love bombing, there's gaslighting, there's. There's a lot going on here, you guys."

• Kayla Moore [07:05]: "Adeya had high goals for herself. She attended the American University of Paris."

• Morgan Abshur [26:16]: "This is our first break in this case because when police end up looking at the security footage..."

• Kayla Moore [45:21]: "So it is adding up in some ways."

• Morgan Abshur [53:39]: "Come on. So you have to wonder, like, what part of all of this is he lying about?"

Final Note

Adea Shabani’s story is a poignant reminder of the fragility of dreams and the darkness that can lurk behind seemingly perfect facades. As Morgan and Kayla continue to seek answers, they honor Adea’s memory by striving for justice and awareness in the world of true crime.