Summary of Crime Junkie Episode: "MISSING: The Mishawaka Girls"

Introduction

In the May 6, 2025 episode of Crime Junkie, titled "MISSING: The Mishawaka Girls," hosts Ashley Flowers and Britt Prawat delve into a seemingly compelling true crime narrative. At first glance, the episode appears to follow the traditional Crime Junkie format, exploring the mysterious disappearances of two young women from Mishawaka, Indiana. However, as the episode unfolds, it takes an unexpected turn, revealing a promotional twist for Ashley's new mystery thriller novel, The Missing Half.

The Disappearance of Jules Connor and Casey Monroe

The episode begins with Ashley Flowers introducing the case of Jules Connor and Casey Monroe, two sisters from Mishawaka with strikingly similar disappearances.

• Jules Connor's Disappearance (00:00 - 03:24):

  On August 4, 2012, at 3 a.m., Jenna Connor wakes up to find her sister Jules missing from their shared home in Osceola, Indiana. Jules, who works late at Harry's Dive Bar in South Bend, typically returns home by one or two in the morning. Jenna's initial concern leads her to search for Jules, discovering her sister's car abandoned on the side of the road with the driver's side door open and personal belongings scattered inside. Despite her efforts, Jules remains missing (Ashley Flowers, 00:04).

• Casey Monroe's Disappearance (03:24 - 04:57):

  Just two weeks later, on August 17th, 2012, another young woman, 19-year-old Casey Monroe, vanishes under eerily similar circumstances. Casey's car is found abandoned in Grand Rapids, Michigan, mirroring the scene of Jules' disappearance with the driver's side door open and personal items left behind. Unlike Jules, Casey had no apparent reason to be in Grand Rapids, deepening the mystery (Ashley Flowers, 03:31).

Investigation and Unresolved Questions

The podcast highlights the lack of connection between the two cases, despite their geographical and circumstantial similarities.

• Separate Investigations:

  Law enforcement agencies treat the cases independently, unable to find any link beyond their shared hometown. This separation impedes any progress in identifying a common perpetrator or motive (Ashley Flowers, 05:03).

• Families' Resignation:

  Years pass without resolution, leading Jules and Casey's families to accept the grim possibility that their loved ones are dead and the culprits have evaded justice (Ashley Flowers, 05:03).

Jenna Connor's Determination

Jenna Connor remains unsatisfied with the lack of progress, believing that there is a missing link that could solve both cases. Her quest leads her to seek out her younger sister, Nick, in hopes of uncovering new evidence that could reveal the truth behind Jules and Casey's disappearances (Ashley Flowers, 05:03).

The Twist: A Promotional Reveal

As the narrative builds tension, the episode takes an unexpected turn at 06:04.

• Introduction of a Fictional Element:

  Ashley Flowers reveals that the story of Jules and Casey is not a true case but the foundation for her upcoming mystery thriller novel, The Missing Half. This revelation shifts the episode from a true crime discussion to a promotional segment for her book (Ashley Flowers, 06:04).

• Host's Promotion:

  Both Ashley and Britt express excitement about the novel. Britt humorously acknowledges the surprise twist, saying, "Cue crime junkies Immediately hating you, I know" (Britt, 06:07), while Ashley assures listeners that The Missing Half offers "hours more content" and promises that fans will love the book as much as they enjoy the podcast (Ashley Flowers, 06:07).

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a heartfelt endorsement of The Missing Half, encouraging listeners to purchase the novel to solve the mystery alongside the protagonist. Ashley expresses her anticipation for her audience to engage with the book, emphasizing its release on May 6, 2025, and availability in bookstores and online (Ashley Flowers, 06:30).

Notable Quotes

• Ashley Flowers (00:04): "This is the story of Jules Connor and Casey Monroe."
• Ashley Flowers (03:31): "They grew up in Mishawaka, right in the middle of the two."
• Ashley Flowers (05:03): "Jules and Casey were probably dead, and whoever killed them probably got away with murder."
• Britt (06:07): "Only for a minute, I hope, because what I just gave you, you guys, is not a real case."
• Ashley Flowers (06:30): "The Missing Half has officially hit stores as of May 6th."

Final Thoughts

"MISSING: The Mishawaka Girls" serves a dual purpose: it engages listeners with a seemingly true crime story while cleverly introducing Ashley Flowers' new novel. This episode exemplifies the hosts' ability to blend narrative storytelling with promotional content, maintaining listener interest through an unexpected and creative twist.