Crime Junkie Podcast Summary Episode: MURDERED: Kristin David
Release Date: July 28, 2025
Host: Ashley Flowers
Co-Host: Britt Prawat

1. Introduction to the Case

In this episode of Crime Junkie, hosts Ashley Flowers and Britt Prawat delve into the haunting case of Kristin David, a 22-year-old University of Idaho student who was brutally murdered in June 1981. This case stands out amidst a series of disappearances and murders in the Lewis-Clark Valley area of the Pacific Northwest due to its particularly gruesome nature—Kristin was found dismembered in garbage bags floating in the Snake River.

Ashley Flowers sets the stage by highlighting the uniqueness of Kristin's case:

"She always gets lumped in with a group of missing and murdered people from this small Pacific Northwest area that authorities and community locals believe were all killed by the same man. But this case has always been the outlier because of how this young woman was found dismembered and in garbage bags floating in the Snake River."
(Timestamp: 02:16)

2. Disappearance and Initial Investigation

Kristin David disappeared on June 25, 1981, when she traveled from her campus apartment in Lewiston, Idaho, to Moscow, Idaho, to retrieve her bike and some belongings. She planned to return by bike the following morning. However, Kristin never made it back, and both she and her bike vanished somewhere along Highway 95.

Initially, her disappearance did not immediately raise suspicions of foul play. It was only after several days that authorities began to consider the possibility of a crime. As local news spread, numerous sightings of Kristin emerged from the day she disappeared, some implying she was alone and simply biking, while others suggested a more sinister presence.

3. Witness Statements

Several witness accounts became pivotal in shaping the investigation. Notably, multiple witnesses reported seeing a man and a brown van near the area where Kristin was last seen.

• First Witness: Observed a brown van parked by the roadside with Kristin loading her bike into the back, her demeanor not appearing distressed.

  "She didn't look distressed, so he didn't stop or do anything or whatever."
  (Timestamp: 04:00)

• James (Second Witness): Saw a similar brown van near Genesee, Idaho, with Kristin near the back, alongside another shadowy figure, though he did not stop to intervene.

  "He saw a shadow and two feet on the opposite side of the van."
  (Timestamp: 06:00)

Under hypnosis, some witnesses recalled partial details of the van's license plate, with "737" being a recurring element across testimonies.

Britt Prawat inquires about the driver’s description:

"Were any of them able to describe the driver?"
(Timestamp: 07:11)

Ashley Flowers responds with details:

"One witness described the man as approximately 30 years old, a white guy, 5'10 to 6' tall, with a husky build, trimmed beard, brown hair, wearing a brown and white checkered shirt and army-type khaki pants."
(Timestamp: 07:14)

4. Police Investigation and Challenges

The investigation faced significant hurdles due to the lack of concrete evidence. No biological material or personal items belonging to Kristin were recovered, aside from some hair samples. The decomposition of her body in water further limited forensic analysis.

Ashley Flowers highlights the difficulty in gathering evidence:

"Investigators were left with little hope of collecting any biological evidence."
(Timestamp: 08:44)

A crucial clue was the use of newspapers from specific dates during the wrapping of Kristin's body parts.

"Each body part was wrapped in newspapers from four different issues of the Lewiston Mourning Tribune."
(Timestamp: 12:10)

Detective Jackie Nichols expressed her thoughts on the meticulous nature of the crime, suggesting it was not hastily executed.

"Nothing about this feels sloppy or rushed."
(Timestamp: 12:33)

Attempts to locate the brown van through DMV records yielded no leads, as the license plates did not match any existing vehicles in the area.

5. Possible Suspects

Several individuals came under suspicion during the investigation:

• George Williamson (Buzz):
  Initially a person of interest due to his residence near Kristin's intended stay and similarities to the composite sketch. However, Detective Nichols clarified that Buzz's claims about his past were fabricated, and the FBI ultimately ruled him out.

  "The FBI has ruled him out."
  (Timestamp: 30:03)

• Donald White and Larry Knopf:
  Involvement arose from Donald's claims about Larry's abusive behavior, but lack of verifiable evidence led investigators to dismiss these leads.

  "Detective Nichols told us that Don's ramblings were immensely drug-fueled."
  (Timestamp: 32:46)

• Pete Madsen:
  A figure tied to suspicious activities and providing fabricated alibis. Despite investigations, the FBI tentatively ruled him out, leaving questions unanswered.

  "The FBI tentatively rules out all of the Pete Matsons."
  (Timestamp: 41:16)

• Harry Hantman:
  A more lingering suspect, previously involved in violent crimes and on the run, resurfacing years later with a potential connection to Kristin's case. However, he died by suicide in 1994 before any conclusive evidence could be gathered.

  "Harry was somewhat of a career student... he died by suicide in 1994."
  (Timestamp: 55:06)

The complexity of potential suspects underscores the challenges faced by investigators in connecting Kristin's case to any definitive individual.

6. Other Clues and Investigative Leads

Additional intriguing details emerged, such as the discovery of bloody towels and a suitcase stand in the Sacagawea Lodge hotel, which may be connected to Kristin's murder. However, inconsistencies in witness accounts and the inability to verify these leads left investigators with more questions than answers.

Ashley Flowers reflects on the dubious nature of the housekeeper’s testimony:

"Detective Nichols wonders if maybe she embellished her story still."
(Timestamp: 41:16)

7. Call to Action for Audience

In a bid to solve Kristin’s mystery, Ashley solicits the help of listeners to identify any similar cases or suspects, emphasizing the collective power of the Crime Junkie community.

"I'm looking for more cases that could fit into a similar mo."
(Timestamp: 55:17)

Listeners are encouraged to contact the FBI with any pertinent information, as the investigation remains active with ongoing analysis, especially concerning the newspaper wrappings found with Kristin's remains.

8. Listener's Good News Segment

The episode concludes with a heartfelt message from a listener named Lysandra, who credits Crime Junkie with helping her avoid a potentially dangerous encounter. She recounts a personal experience where awareness from the podcast led her to recognize and evade a possible abduction scenario.

Lysandra's Testimonial:

"Because of you, I didn't take that chance. I wanted to share in case other LGBTQ girlies wonder if these traffickers caught onto women's suspicions."
(Timestamp: 62:05)

Ashley Flowers expresses gratitude and relief:

"But for it to be a specific... one fireball shot was just like, I stopped in my tracks."
(Timestamp: 64:15)

Conclusion

The Crime Junkie episode on Kristin David meticulously unpacks a decades-old mystery, highlighting the persistent quest for justice and the continuous efforts by both authorities and the community to unravel the truth. Through detailed narrative and active listener engagement, Ashley and Britt underscore the enduring impact of unresolved cases and the collective responsibility to seek closure for the victims and their families.

For more details and to contribute information, listeners are directed to visit crimejunkiepodcast.com.