Culpable: The Kid in the Cornfield | Episode 1

Podcast: Culpable
Host: Dennis Cooper (Tenderfoot TV & Audacy)
Date: August 25, 2025

Episode Overview

In the launch of a new case review season, host Dennis Cooper delves into the 1998 death of 17-year-old Danny Violet, whose body was found in a cornfield near Willard, Ohio. Despite compelling evidence of foul play—including signs of assault and asphyxiation—the case has remained unsolved for over 25 years. This episode introduces listeners to Danny’s life, the circumstances of his disappearance, his family’s enduring pain, and the small-town efforts to uncover the truth, setting the stage for a detailed investigation in upcoming segments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction at the Crime Scene (01:23–03:14)

• Host Dennis Cooper, alongside Danielle and Eric Allen, revisits the site where Danny Violet’s body was found. The barren and silent field represents the enduring mystery.
• “I’m standing at the edge of a cornfield. At least that’s what it used to be some 25 years ago... this area is far more significant than it appears.” — Dennis Cooper (01:58)
• The group carefully measures distances from key points, echoing the original investigation’s attempt to reconstruct the scene.

The Mystery and Initial Investigation (03:22–05:14)

• The episode marks the 26th anniversary of Danny Violet’s disappearance, underscoring community frustration.
• Host notes the chilling reality: “They say the older the unsolved case, the less likely it'll ever be solved. People age, their memories fade. Even evidence degrades over time.” (03:33)
• Original police files and crime scene photos have remained largely inaccessible, contributing to the enduring mystery.

Listener Submission: The Spark to Reinvestigate (07:28–08:06)

• Danielle Allen’s email submission about Danny’s case reignited interest, noting how little information was available publicly.
• “There’s hardly any information out there. ... It's been on my mind to submit this to your team.” — Danielle Allen (07:28)
• Dennis describes the case’s almost total absence from media, which made it all the more compelling for deeper investigation.

The Violet Family Opens Up (08:54–11:48)

• Drew Violet, Danny’s younger brother, gives an honest, nuanced picture of Danny’s life—his troubles and also his loving, protective nature.
• “He was one of those kids who just got into a lot of trouble ... but he was a really genuinely good guy that just looked out for his friends and looked out for me and my brother and sister.” — Drew Violet (09:35, 10:06)
• Danny excelled at wrestling, culminating in an award named after him, showing how deeply he impacted his community and team.

The Circumstances Surrounding Danny’s Death (11:48–14:33)

• Drew discusses persistent rumors of overdose but emphasizes evidence pointing to something darker.
• “...lacerations around his neck ... tire marks across his chest ... his cause of death was asphyxiation.” — Drew Violet (13:20)
• The host underlines the inconsistencies in the overdosing theory versus evidence of assault and possible staged elements at the scene.

Family’s Final Interactions and the Search (17:59–22:28)

• Danny’s parents recall their last conversations and the subsequent panic when Danny failed to return home.
• “He just said, ‘good night and I love you.’ And that's the last time I saw him. That was on a Thursday.” — Daniel Violet (17:59)
• Jane Violet describes noticing Danny was “not very coherent” and clammy, then watching him unexpectedly leave the house (18:58).
• Family details the emotional toll and growing fear as Danny remains missing, including a devastating false alarm when his school mistakenly marked him present (21:52).

Discovery and Aftermath (23:24–28:52)

• After 11 days, police inform the Violets that Danny’s body has been found. The revelation devastates both family and friends.
• “We found Danny and he's not, he's not alive.” — Daniel Violet (23:24)
• Drew is emotionally moved by the outpouring at the funeral: “I had to block her out, seeing how upset she was.” (27:24)
• Jessica, Danny’s friend, and Jane recall journal entries and tributes underscoring his lasting impact on those around him (28:52–29:50).

The Ongoing Search for Answers (32:29–34:47)

• In 2014, 16 years after Danny’s death, the Violets hold a press conference to plead for new leads.
• “It’s been a long time and we haven’t known ... I would love to be able to give [my children] some information so they can have a better understanding.” — Jane Violet (32:42)
• A local prosecutor voices his own frustration: “It's one of the most disturbing cases of the ones I've handled. It's an unsolved homicide as far as this office is concerned. I'm not sure it's solvable because it's old.” — Russell Loeffler, quoted by Dennis Cooper (34:04)
• The family’s emotional exhaustion and the community’s sense of defeat are evident.

Renewed Efforts: Accessing the Case File (36:47–39:51)

• Dennis meets Danielle Allen, whose submission propelled the investigation, and Eric Allen as they finally access the full case file after years of resistance.
• Drew’s persistence and Danielle’s organizational role are highlighted as crucial in breaking through bureaucratic red tape.
• “It’s no more waiting for you to wake up one day and decide, today’s the day I’m gonna actually look into Danny’s case. Like, that’s not happening.” — Danielle Allen (39:04)
• The group prepares to sift through hundreds of pages, signaling a new phase in the investigation.

Preview of Upcoming Investigation (40:42–41:19)

• The episode teases future leads, theories, and continued commitment to truth:
  • “You can't hang yourself from a cornstalk.” — Eric Allen (40:43)
  • “He did not overdose. He did not go out there high off his mind and freeze. Danny was strangled to death.” — Danielle Allen (40:50)
  • The podcast will follow leads involving possible suspects, sequences of events, and persistent rumors of a cover-up.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On persistence:
  “What it’s really taken is persistence—a trait Danny was known for. Though most would have described it as stubbornness. Either way, it’s proven to be more effective than waiting.” — Dennis Cooper (06:21)

• Family’s plea:
  “Whatever information you can give ... would really be appreciated.” — Daniel Violet (33:37)

• On the emotional toll:
  “It's terrible to lose a child under any circumstances, but it just compounds it when you don’t know what happened, when it’s a mystery.” — Jane Violet (34:20)

• Catalyst for action:
  “All it takes is one little thing, and it’s kind of like this. If you just keep a steady pace, something else will come along.” — Eric Allen (38:41)

• On responsibility and advocacy:
  “Whatever happened, Danny—he can’t stick up for himself. Only we can do that for him now.” — Danielle Allen (39:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:23 | Arrival at cornfield/crime scene revisiting begins | | 03:22 | Anniversary and background of Danny’s disappearance | | 07:28 | Listener Danielle Allen’s submission triggers revisit | | 08:54 | First conversation with Drew Violet (Danny’s brother) | | 10:06 | Drew discusses closeness and Danny's character | | 13:20 | Details of Danny’s injuries and findings at the scene | | 17:59 | The last family interactions with Danny Violet | | 18:58 | Mother’s discovery Danny is unwell and leaves home | | 21:52 | False hope with school report | | 23:24 | Family notified of Danny’s body being found | | 27:24 | Funerals and friends’ responses | | 28:52 | Journal remembrances from friends and family | | 32:42 | 2014 press conference—family's plea for information | | 34:04 | Prosecutor’s statements on the case’s status | | 36:47 | Case file review begins with Danielle and Eric Allen | | 39:51 | Danielle’s determination to press for answers | | 40:42 | Teaser for investigation focus and future episodes |

Tone and Language

The tone throughout the episode is somber, compassionate, and relentlessly determined. Dennis Cooper maintains a straightforward, empathetic approach, giving space for the Violet family and others to speak candidly about Danny—his complexities, his impact, and the pain of not knowing. The language is clear, direct, and respectful of the emotional gravity, with intermittent moments of gratitude, resilience, and hope for justice and answers.

Conclusion

This opening episode lays a compelling foundation for a season about tenacity, memory, and the pursuit of justice in small-town America. By connecting listeners intimately with the Violet family, providing a clear account of the known facts, and foreshadowing a methodical review of the case file, Dennis Cooper promises a thorough, community-driven re-investigation of one of Ohio’s most haunting unsolved cases.