Crime Salad Podcast Summary

Episode: Finding Tracy Hill | Columbiana County, Ohio
Hosts: Ashley and Ricky
Release Date: September 11, 2025

Overview

This episode dives into the mysterious 2001 disappearance of Tracy Marie Evans Hill from Columbiana County, Ohio. With archival research, rare news clippings, and preserved online forum posts, hosts Ashley and Ricky attempt to reconstruct Tracy’s story—from her background and final days, to the investigation, the prime suspect, and ongoing efforts to solve her case. The episode focuses on how fragile evidence, vanishing online records, and a mounting pattern of violence surrounding her estranged husband have left Tracy’s case unsolved for more than two decades.

Episode Breakdown

1. Introducing Tracy Hill (02:19 - 04:54)

• Tracy Marie Evans Hill, born December 29, 1976, grew up in Holmes County, Ohio.
• In 2001: 24 years old, separated from husband, working at a machine shop, attending Kent State University’s Salem campus.
• Described as warm and approachable, nicknamed “Bear,” loved Tweety Bird, had a Tweety Bird tattoo.
  • Ashley (03:51): “She was young and full of personality.”

2. Tracy’s Relationship and Protective Order (04:54 - 07:18)

• Married Clifford Hill—the background and details of their relationship obscure due to lack of public records.
• Their relationship deteriorated, leading to separation.
• Tracy filed for (and was granted) a protective order against Clifford on June 6, 2001, though there is some confusion on the timing in differing sources.
• Court records with more details aren't available; most public records have expired from digital databases.

3. Tracy’s Disappearance Timeline (07:18 - 13:02)

• Last confirmed sighting: June 7, 2001, at Duo Corp, North Lima, Ohio, where Tracy worked.
• The next day, a “woman claiming to be Tracy” called her workplace to report absence. It is unclear if this was Tracy.
  • Ricky (07:18): “All we know is that it was, quote, a woman claiming to be Tracy. But… never been proven if the voice… was really Tracy or someone pretending to be her.”
• Tracy was absent from work for nine days; professors/classmates at Kent State also noted her absence.
• A college official called her parents, who revealed they hadn’t heard from Tracy in 2-3 weeks—out of character for her.
• Tracy’s parents filed a missing person's report.

4. Discovery at the Mobile Home & Initial Search (09:15 - 13:02)

• Tracy’s personal items (clothes, glasses, makeup, jewelry, contact lenses) left behind, along with dirty dishes—uncharacteristic for Tracy.
  • Ashley (09:15): “All of Tracy's personal belongings were still there… dirty dishes stacked on the table… extremely uncharacteristic of Tracy.”
• Only her car and purse were missing.
• Tracy was last seen wearing her engagement and wedding rings, which seemed odd considering the recent separation and protective order.
  • Ashley (10:21): “The fact that Tracy was wearing her engagement ring and wedding band… at this point, Tracy and Clifford were separated…”

5. Finding the Car and Clifford’s Involvement (13:02 - 15:20)

• Tracy’s car, registered to her mother, found at Mark’s Landing, a restaurant/marina at Guilford Lake.
• Police confirmed Clifford Hill had been driving the car; the details are murky in different news sources.
• Tracy’s mother stated Clifford did not have permission to use the car. Clifford was arrested for unauthorized use.
  • Ricky (14:52): "That makes it clear that Tracy and Clifford weren't in good standing.”

6. Investigation and Evidence Gathering (15:20 - 19:29)

• Clifford claimed Tracy had given him permission to use the car and denied knowing about her disappearance.
• Car was forensically searched: no evidence (no blood, fingerprints, etc.) found.
• Investigators launched a three-day search of Guilford Lake with dive teams and cadaver-sniffing dogs. Multiple dogs detected the scent of human remains in a specific area.
  • Ashley (19:29): “Cadaver sniffing dogs brought aboard boats had repeatedly picked up the scent of human remains in that area.”
• Poor underwater conditions hampered searches; nothing physical was recovered.

7. Family Advocacy and Keeping the Case Alive (22:25 - 29:38)

• By 2005, Tracy’s family (led by her mother and aunt) launched a website and posted pleas for information, even as original resources faded.
  • Quoted from the website:
    • Ashley (23:53): “When it comes to Tracy's whereabouts, I fear the worst but am hoping for the best... I need to know what happened to my daughter.”
• Family met with investigators in 2006, who admitted every lead was circumstantial and that Tracy's disappearance was still being actively worked.
• Clifford was in prison for unrelated thefts and remained a person of interest. His pattern of crime included the unauthorized use of Tracy's car and a violent robbery of an Amish woman in 2004.
  • Ricky (27:40): “Shouldn't he be, like, staying under the radar, but instead he's robbing an Amish woman for six bucks and a bible? Like, what the hell is that?”

8. Escalation & Continued Suspicions (29:38 - 32:45)

• After release from prison, Clifford committed a violent home invasion and shooting in 2009; sentenced to 23 years.
• Each crime kept Clifford on the investigators' radar but did not bring new evidence in Tracy’s case.
  • Ashley (31:06): “It's becoming increasingly clear what kind of man this is and what he's capable of.”
• Despite suspicions, lack of Tracy’s body meant the case could not progress.

9. Rumors, Online Leads, and Unverified Claims (32:45 - 35:00)

• Anonymous forum post (2016) detailed a theory: Tracy’s body had been stored in a freezer and disposed of in a swamp using a wood chipper by Clifford and an accomplice, naming specific individuals and locations.
• Ashley and Ricky exercise caution: no evidence supports this, no confirmation from law enforcement, and they avoid naming anyone alleged in the post.
  • Ashley (34:23): “Rumors on the Internet can spread so fast… Until there’s documentation or a police report backing it up, it’s better to treat these claims as unverified.”

10. Recent Developments and Ongoing Efforts (35:00 - 37:21)

• As of 2024, Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office (led by Sheriff Brian McLaughlin) renewed efforts, re-interviewing old contacts, hoping advances in technology and shifting loyalties could bring answers.
• Clifford Hill still remains the only publicly identified person of interest.
• The draining of Guilford Lake for repairs may open new opportunities for evidence recovery.
  • Ashley (36:55): “If her remains are in this lake, there may be some updates pretty soon as the lake is being drained.”

11. Call to Action and Reflections (37:21 - 38:14)

• Tracy’s family continues to advocate for answers; investigators plead for anyone with information to come forward (Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office: 330-424-7255).
• Ashley and Ricky emphasize Tracy’s lasting absence from her life and loved ones, reiterating that foul play is strongly suspected.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ashley (03:51): “She was young and full of personality.”
• Ricky (07:18): “All we know is that it was, quote, a woman claiming to be Tracy.”
• Ashley (09:15): “[Dirty dishes]… extremely uncharacteristic of Tracy.”
• Ashley (10:21): “The fact that Tracy was wearing her engagement ring and wedding band… at this point, Tracy and Clifford were separated…”
• Ricky (14:52): "That makes it clear that Tracy and Clifford weren't in good standing.”
• Ashley (19:29): “Cadaver sniffing dogs brought aboard boats had repeatedly picked up the scent of human remains in that area.”
• Ricky (27:40): “Shouldn't he be, like, staying under the radar, but instead he's robbing an Amish woman for six bucks and a bible? Like, what the hell is that?”
• Ashley (31:06): “It's becoming increasingly clear what kind of man this is and what he's capable of.”
• Ashley (34:23): “Rumors on the Internet can spread so fast… Until there’s documentation or a police report backing it up, it’s better to treat these claims as unverified.”
• Ashley (36:55): “If her remains are in this lake, there may be some updates pretty soon as the lake is being drained.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Tracy’s Background/Personality: 02:19 – 04:54
• Protective Order & Separation: 04:54 – 07:18
• Disappearance Timeline: 07:18 – 09:15
• Evidence at Home: 09:15 – 13:02
• Car Discovery & Clifford’s Arrest: 13:02 – 15:20
• Lake Search: 19:29 – 22:25
• Family’s Website Appeal: 22:25 – 23:53
• Clifford’s Crime Pattern: 27:40 – 31:06
• Anonymous Online Rumor: 32:45 – 34:23
• Recent Renewed Investigation: 35:00 – 36:55
• Lake Draining & Hope: 36:55 – 37:21
• Call to Action: 37:21 – 38:14

Tone and Reflection

The episode balances detailed reporting with empathy for Tracy and her family. The hosts maintain a respectful and contemplative tone, never sensationalizing the case, and repeatedly stress the importance of caution with unverified information. Their discussion of evidence, legal obstacles, and the pain of not knowing is both poignant and informative.

Conclusion & Next Steps

The disappearance of Tracy Hill remains unsolved, but dedicated family, persistent investigators, and evolving technology keep hope alive. New searches prompted by environmental changes (lake draining) offer fresh opportunities for closure. Listeners are encouraged to assist in any way possible if they possess information and to keep memory of Tracy alive.

Contact for Tips: Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office — 330-424-7255

Note: This summary focuses on the case details and the important moments of the discussion. Promotional and non-content segments have been omitted.