Crime Junkie – INFAMOUS: The Mulholland Drive Murders

Air Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Ashley Flowers with Brit Prawat
Summary Prepared By: [Podcast Summarizer AI]

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode, Ashley and Brit dissect two haunting cold cases from late-1960s Los Angeles: the murders of Jane Doe 59 (later identified as Reet Jurvidson) and Marina Habe. Examining the meticulous efforts of cold case detectives, the episode explores the challenges of solving decades-old cases, the influence of famous crimes like the Manson murders, and the persistence required to put a name to unknown victims and—hopefully—their killers. The hosts delve into how new forensic technologies, dedicated detective work, and public participation might yet bring long-awaited answers.

Key Discussion Points

1. Discovery of Jane Doe 59 (Reet Jurvidson) [01:53–09:36]

• Detective Cliff Shepard, a veteran newly assigned to the cold case unit in 2003, stumbles across a bloody tan lace bra in the mishandled LAPD archives—evidence from the 1969 case of Jane Doe 59.
• The victim was found in November 1969: white female, mid-20s, stabbed in the neck over 150 times and dumped in a ravine off Mulholland Drive.
• No initial suspects or solid leads; evidence poorly preserved; the victim was cremated after remaining unidentified.
• The only potentially testable evidence: the bloody bra.

Notable Quote:
Ashley Flowers [03:11]: “He sees something that should never be, ever be in these boxes—a tan lace bra stained with blood. Not sealed, not tagged, just, like, shoved in this box with yellowing case files.”

2. Investigation Challenges and Early Theories [05:45–11:42]

• Other possible evidence, like a pair of men’s prescription glasses, is missing or destroyed.
• Police initially thought it could be related to organized crime or high-profile killers (e.g., the Manson Family), fueled by contemporaneous rumors and the 1974 book Helter Skelter.
• Detective Shepard, noting a reference in Helter Skelter, finds Jane Doe 59’s murder was speculated to be linked to the Manson Family and possibly connected to another unsolved murder in the same area: Marina Habe.

Notable Quote:
Ashley Flowers [09:36]: “It was another detail in that paragraph that stands out to Detective Shepard… Bugliosi mentions another young woman, 17-year-old Marina Habe, who was also brutally stabbed—just 10 months before…”

3. The Case of Marina Habe [13:11–23:48]

• Marina Habe, 17, abducted and murdered in December 1968.
• Her mother witnessed suspicious activity the night Marina disappeared—a young man and a black sedan in the driveway, after Marina returned from a night out.
• Marina’s body was discovered stabbed and strangled in a ravine off Mulholland Drive on New Year’s Day, 1969.
• Evidence of recent meal, potential sexual assault, and at least two possible assailants.
• Investigators chased leads involving sexual predators, then temporally aligned Marina’s death with the later Manson murders.

Notable Quotes:
Ashley Flowers [15:29]: “It sounded kind of like an older model… another car, a black sedan, parked in the driveway… the man runs toward it, yelling something like ‘go’, before jumping in.”
Ashley Flowers [20:16]: “And does the family know who the other guy is? ... Could she have made up a fake boyfriend because she was dating this older guy she knew? It’d be a little bit scandalous.”

4. Parallels and Divergences: Linking the Cases [23:06–26:49]

• Both victims ate shortly before death. Both murdered in secluded spots off Mulholland Drive. Both suffered extremely violent attacks.
• However, DNA or forensic links are elusive. The possibility of multiple attackers; speculation about links to high-profile killers like the Michigan Co-Ed Killer or Manson Family.
• Detective Shepard and later Detective Louis Rivera maintain cautious optimism, exploring all avenues.

Notable Quote:
Ashley Flowers [26:08]: “If Marina and Jane Doe 59 were killed by the same person, the answer to both cases might lie in one piece of evidence.”

5. Identifying Jane Doe 59: The Reet Jurvidson Breakthrough [28:14–33:04]

• Detective Shepard retires in 2012, leaving the unsolved case to Detective Rivera.
• True crime journalist Michelle McNamara features the case in her blog, which reaches Reet Jurvidson’s sister in Canada.
• Identification is achieved using family jewelry and confirmed with DNA: Jane Doe 59 is Reet Jurvidson.

Notable Quote:
Ashley Flowers [30:40]: “She says her dad had two rings made from an old pair of cufflinks… And a ring found on this Jane Doe matches the one Reet’s sister has.”

6. Reet's Last Days and the Search for 'Jean' [31:37–38:15]

• Reet, a free-spirited young woman from Canada, moves to LA after meeting a man named Jean (or John).
• Stayed in an apartment near Paramount Studios; last written contact was an October 31, 1969 postcard.
• Reet’s friends recall two French Canadian men named 'Jean', but decades later, their last names and whereabouts are unknown.
• Police create forensic sketches, but no leads develop.

7. Are the Cases Connected? [38:22–39:19]

• Detective Rivera eventually reviews Marina Habe’s files (from a different jurisdiction).
• Despite similarities, Rivera’s gut says the two girls were likely murdered by different perpetrators.

Notable Quote:
Ashley Flowers [39:00]: “His gut feeling is that these are actually separate cases… There’s always a chance, but with everything he knows, it feels unlikely to him.”

8. Standalone Theories and Suspects [39:19–46:10]

• Marina’s case:

  • Suspicion falls on her date John (later discovered to have been married), and local criminals.
  • Marina’s father’s CIA/OSS background explored (ultimately seems unrelated).
  • An LA biker/drug dealer “Spanky” (Kirk Smith) emerges as a potential suspect; ties to a motorcycle found at the scene.
  • Many records and forensic kits may be missing, untested, or water-damaged.

• Reet’s case:

  • Investigation turns to her associates, especially 'Jean(s)' from Montreal.
  • Experts believe her murder was extremely personal, possibly by someone she knew intimately.

Notable Quotes:
Ashley Flowers [41:44]: “Police actually, when they found her body, found an old motorcycle frame at the crime scene and actually took the whole thing into evidence.”
Ashley Flowers [43:27]: “We might… there is physical evidence in her [Marina’s] case that hasn’t been tested yet… The question is, do they still have it?”

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Ashley Flowers [19:52]: “All these years later, like, he [Marina’s date, John] couldn’t be sure if that is the person who was with them that night.”
• Ashley Flowers [28:20]: “One person hears him, though—Michelle McNamara.”
• Ashley Flowers [34:21]: “[Reet’s family] never filed a missing persons report… everyone kind of assumed she just chose to cut ties with them and was starting over in LA.”
• Ashley Flowers [46:10]: “The key to solving Reet’s case lies in finding those two Jeans—especially the one she followed to LA.”

Calls to Action and Public Appeal [46:10–47:15]

• Listeners are encouraged to speak to parents/grandparents who lived in LA or Canada in the late 1960s and to report any knowledge about:
  • Anyone named Jean or Pierre from Montreal living in LA in 1969.
  • The black sedan seen during Marina’s disappearance.
  • Activity at the Hollywood Executive Apartments near Paramount.
  • Marina’s night at the Troubadour.
• Contact info for police is provided in the episode show notes.

Notable Quote:
Ashley Flowers [46:59]: “Maybe, like Michelle McNamara’s blog, one day this episode will find the right person who remembers John.”

Conclusion

The episode closes with a passionate reminder of the importance of sharing these stories to keep both cases alive. Advances in forensic technology may yet reveal crucial evidence, but justice will depend on the memories and willingness of those connected—however distantly—to the victims. The hosts urge listeners to review show notes for details on how to share tips with authorities.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|:-------------:| | Introduction & significance of cold cases | 01:51 | | Discovery of Jane Doe 59/initial evidence | 01:53–05:45 | | Case file mishandling and first investigation | 05:45–09:36 | | Manson link and parallels to Marina Habe | 09:36–13:11 | | Marina Habe's timeline and investigation | 13:11–26:02 | | Parallels between the two cases | 23:06–26:49 | | The DNA journey and delays | 26:49–28:14 | | Michelle McNamara's role in identification | 28:14–30:40 | | Reet Jurvidson’s background and LA stay | 31:37–38:15 | | Connection between the cases examined | 38:22–39:19 | | Theories and playable suspects | 39:19–46:10 | | Public appeal, call to action | 46:10–47:15 |

Additional Resources

• See the show notes for police contact information and links to forensic sketches.
• Visit crimejunkiepodcast.com for full source lists and to join the fan club.