Crime Junkie Podcast Summary: BREAKING NEWS MURDERED: Marcus Rutledge
Episode Release Date: February 10, 2025
Host: Ashley Flowers
Co-Hosts: Britt Prawat and Delia D'Ambra
Introduction and Case Overview
In this gripping episode of Crime Junkie, host Ashley Flowers delves deep into the mysterious disappearance of Marcus Rutledge, a case that has left both his family and investigators searching for answers for years. The episode meticulously chronicles the timeline of Marcus's disappearance, the secrets he kept, and the subsequent developments that have kept the case in the public eye.
Initial Disappearance and Investigative Breakthroughs
June 8, 1998: Marcus Rutledge, a 23-year-old student at Tennessee State University (TSU), fails to meet his girlfriend Tawania for their scheduled meeting. Unlike his usual promptness, Marcus does not answer his cell phone, prompting Tawania to reach out to his parents, David and Geraldine Rutledge, in Southeast Michigan.
"So unlike him... Even when she calls Athan, like, he doesn't think she's overreacting. He's just as concerned." (06:07)
Concerned by the unusual behavior, Tawania, with the help of Marcus's best friend Ethan Gibbs Jr., breaks into Marcus's duplex apartment. Inside, they discover unsettling signs: Marcus's Rottweiler confined in the bathroom without food or water and evidence that Marcus had not planned to leave—his clothes were undisturbed, and no personal belongings were missing.
Despite these discoveries, Marcus remains missing, and his landline phone is taken by Tawania. Detective Matt Filter, now overseeing the case, reveals that when Tawania unplugged the phone, all stored numbers were erased, rendering that piece of evidence useless (08:28).
Unveiling Marcus's Secret Life
As investigators probe deeper, they uncover that Marcus had been living a double life unbeknownst to his family. Contrary to previous beliefs, Marcus had dropped out of college in 1997 and had been involved in selling weed, primarily to fellow students. This revelation shocks his parents, David and Geraldine, who had always seen Marcus as a dedicated student ready to graduate soon.
"Marcus's family is hurt and confused to find all of this out like this. It completely goes against his upbringing." (15:22)
Further complicating the case, it is revealed that Marcus had another daughter with Tawania, a fact unknown even to his parents until 2010 when Marcus's son connected with her on Facebook.
Related Case: The Murder of Ethan Gibbs Jr.
February 1999: The disappearance of Marcus begins to intertwine with the murder of Ethan Gibbs Jr., Marcus's best friend. Athan, who had recently moved in with a suspicious new roommate, Charles D. Brown, Jr., is found dead in their duplex, having been shot multiple times. Investigators suspect Charles due to:
- Eyewitness accounts linking a red Chevy Corsica—which closely resembles Marcus's missing Plymouth—to the scene.
- Charles's known criminal background and suspicious behavior post-murder.
Despite strong suspicions, the case against Charles falters due to insufficient evidence, and charges are dismissed, leaving Athan's murder unsolved.
"Detective Filter stated that the DA wasn't confident they could get a conviction, so they just dismissed the charges." (42:56)
Recent Developments and Discovery of Remains
After years of stagnation, a significant breakthrough occurs when remains, identified as Marcus Rutledge's, are discovered:
January 31, [Year Unspecified]: A skull found by a hunter in woods near Ashland City highway and Pecan Valley Road is confirmed to belong to Marcus through DNA matching with his daughter’s profile added to CODIS years earlier. This discovery shifts the investigation from a missing person's case to an active homicide investigation.
"The DNA match that they got was a match to DNA collected from Marcus's daughter." (54:52)
Detective Filter emphasizes the need for new information, stating that the remains provide a location but little else about Marcus's death. The absence of wounds or markings on the skull leaves many questions unanswered.
Current Status and Ongoing Investigations
With Marcus Rutledge now classified as a homicide victim, Detective Filter expresses skepticism about resolving the case through forensic means alone. He urges anyone with information to come forward, highlighting that understanding Marcus's double life and his connections might be key to unraveling the mystery.
"Detective Filter doesn't think this case is going to be solved by science. What they need is for someone who knows the truth to finally start talking." (51:46)
The podcast concludes by encouraging listeners who might have information to contact the Metro Nashville Police Department, emphasizing the enduring hope of Marcus's family for closure.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- "So unlike him... Even when she calls Athan, like, he doesn't think she's overreacting. He's just as concerned." (06:07)
- "Marcus's family is hurt and confused to find all of this out like this. It completely goes against his upbringing." (15:22)
- "Detective Filter doesn't think this case is going to be solved by science. What they need is for someone who knows the truth to finally start talking." (51:46)
Conclusion
This episode of Crime Junkie offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the Marcus Rutledge case, highlighting the complexities of his disappearance, the secrets that surfaced, and the intertwined fates of those around him. Through detailed narrative and insightful analysis, host Ashley Flowers presents a compelling call to action for listeners to aid in bringing justice to Marcus and his family.
For more information and source material, visit crimejunkiepodcast.com.
Follow Crime Junkie on Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast