Culpable – “The Last Sighting” | Episode 5

Podcast: Culpable
Host: Dennis Cooper
Date: September 22, 2025

Overview of Episode

In “The Last Sighting,” host Dennis Cooper dives into the last known movements of 17-year-old Danny Violette, who vanished for 11 days in 1998 before his body was found under suspicious circumstances. This episode explores new investigative efforts led by college students at Tiffin University, inconsistencies in witness accounts, and the persistent ambiguities obscuring what really happened to Danny on that critical night. Through original interviews, case file analysis, and testimonials, the episode underscores both the frustrations and dogged determination that define cold case investigations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Investigative Hurdles and Institutional Friction

• Michael Curtis (Detective & Professor) reflects on challenges facing detectives in cold cases, citing issues like the early ruling of “undetermined death” impeding deeper investigation.
  • Quote [03:26]: “Being a detective is hard work… These guys did a good job despite the fact that they kind of had their hands tied. Like, we're still at an undetermined death at this point. That's bullshit.” – Michael Curtis
• Michael Curtis vocalizes his intent to “ruffle some feathers” with fresh inquiries, alluding to previous investigative missteps:
  • Quote [48:45]: “There's no doubt in my mind. When I go to Willard, I'm going to ruffle some feathers because I'm going to ask some tough questions that they're not going to like… there's some people working that case that shouldn't have worked that case.” – Michael Curtis

2. Cold Case Fellowship at Tiffin University

• Dennis visits the Cold Case Fellowship program, where students collaborate on real, unsolved cases like Danny’s.
• Mentors Malia Whaley and Claire Campbell describe the interdisciplinary rigor and unique career avenues this program offers.
  • Quote [12:41]: “I've enjoyed it. I really have… It brings a new experience, something I don’t think I ever thought I would get the chance to do.” – Malia Whaley
• Students are tasked with immediate “victimology,” then move into “suspectology,” hoping to break new ground.
  • Quote [09:58]: “We’re just kind of trying to see into Danny’s life and figure out what could have happened, maybe what his mindset was… then after our victimology, we'll probably start going into some suspect ology.” – Malia Whaley

Emotional Stakes and Motivation

• Students articulate a sincere desire to help Danny’s family, not just hone investigative skills.
  • Quote [14:43]: “My goal would be to at least find one more lead, something maybe they haven’t uncovered before, maybe getting somebody to step forward…” – Malia Whaley

3. Establishing Danny’s Timeline: The Last Known Sighting

(See key discussion from 19:25 – 47:44)

Saturday, October 24, 1998

• Dennis methodically reconstructs Danny’s last hours using both official narratives and recorded interviews.

Testimonies Explored

• Charlie reports seeing Danny twice:
  • Morning: Walking home from Judd’s.
  • Night (approx. 7pm): Meets at Missler’s grocery. Danny planned to go to a party, looking for friends Chad, Steve, and Matt.
• JR (“Junior”): Confirms seeing Danny near Missler’s around 7pm, but offers minimal detail and does not corroborate being with Charlie at the time.
• Chad: In original police interviews and in Dennis’ recent conversation, Chad says he did not see Danny at Missler’s that night, contradicting a later narrative suggesting Danny approached Chad’s car at a red light.

Inconsistencies and Uncertainties

• Narratives and interviews about who saw whom and when conflict, including switching of friends’ names and lack of mutual acknowledgement in statements.
  • Quote [34:16]: “Neither of them even mention in their interviews being together. That's just so strange for such a simple thing to not line up.” – Dennis Cooper
• Possible explanation: imperfect police reporting, memory degradation, or information acquired at different times.
• Attempts to re-contact witnesses yield limited new information; JR disengages, Charlie is unreachable, and Chad refutes seeing Danny at Missler’s.

Motives & Circumstantial Theories

• Drugs and possible debts discussed (Danny carrying and selling acid; torn money found at scene); no clear motive emerges.
  • Quote [27:29]: “Why do you think he's dead?... It's probably over drugs. Hated me because nobody hated him.” – Chad, via Charlie’s interview

4. Student Investigative Process Going Forward

• Each fellowship team is narrowing their lists of people to question and compiling insights for Michael Curtis to lead external follow-ups.
  • Quote [47:59]: “After we pick out those people... we'll give it to Dr. Curtis, who's working on the case, and he'll go talk to these people and he'll ask the questions that we compiled for those people.” – Malia Whaley

5. Reflections on Cold Case Investigation

• Frustrations about inconsistencies are clear, but so is renewed hope—a “possibility we will get some answers, and… I haven’t felt that way in a long, long time.” (Malia Whaley and Chad, [50:31 – 50:45])
• Curtis stresses importance of fresh eyes and unrelenting persistence, confronting potential past errors to generate new leads.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |-----------|------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:26 | Michael Curtis | “Being a detective is hard work. It's attention to detail. It's noticing things...” | | 09:58 | Malia Whaley | “We're just kind of trying to see into Danny's life and figure out what could have happened...” | | 12:41 | Malia Whaley | “I've enjoyed it. I really have... It brings a new experience...” | | 14:43 | Malia Whaley | “My goal would be to at least find one more lead, something maybe they haven't uncovered before...” | | 27:29 | Chad (via Charlie) | “Why do you think he's dead?... It's probably over drugs. Hated me because nobody hated him.” | | 34:16 | Dennis Cooper | “Neither of them even mention in their interviews being together. That's just so strange...” | | 43:03 | Chad | “Yeah, 25 years. It's kind of like the memory's there, but it's... lifetimes ago...” | | 45:35 | Chad | “That's a new one to me. Yeah, that's definitely fabricated because I... didn't see him that day.” | | 46:05 | Chad | “At this point, I just want the truth. It would just be great just to know the one true story.” | | 47:32 | Malia Whaley | “We're just going to have to go through, check every door and... hopefully soon we can find the door that'll open...” | | 48:45 | Michael Curtis | “There's no doubt in my mind... I'm going to ruffle some feathers because I'm going to ask some tough questions...” |

Important Segment Timeline

• 03:26 – 05:07: Michael Curtis on institutional challenges and class atmosphere at Tiffin.
• 06:01 – 15:15: Student introductions, motivations, and structure of the Cold Case Fellowship.
• 19:25 – 47:44: Deep dive into witness testimonies, timeline reconstruction, and inconsistencies.
• 47:59 – 48:45: Student and mentor plans for next investigative steps.
• 48:45 – End: Michael Curtis’ commitment to pushing the investigation further; anticipatory teaser for next episode.

Conclusion

“The Last Sighting” is a meticulous, immersive examination of the complexities in cold case investigation—specifically unraveling the confounding web of who last saw Danny Violette alive and when. The episode highlights the renewed energy and novel approaches brought by Tiffin University’s student sleuths under the stern but inspiring guidance of Michael Curtis. While the contradictions and gaps in witness memories prove daunting, both students and professionals remain determined to bring overdue clarity—and perhaps justice—to Danny’s story.

For tips regarding Danny Violette’s death, visit: culpablepodcast.com or contact the Huron County Sheriff's Office at (419) 668-6912.