Going West: True Crime – Episode 457: Joshua Guimond

Release Date: November 27, 2024
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman
Produced by: Dark West Productions

Introduction

In Episode 457 of Going West: True Crime, hosts Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman delve into the perplexing case of Joshua Guimond, a 20-year-old St. John’s University student who vanished without a trace on November 9, 2002. The episode meticulously unpacks the intricacies of Joshua’s disappearance, the extensive but fruitless search efforts, and the myriad of theories that continue to surround this unsolved mystery.

Background of Joshua Guimond

Joshua "Josh" Guimond was born on June 18, 1982, in Redwoods Falls, Minnesota. Raised in Maple Lake, Minnesota, Josh was an exceptional student with aspirations of attending Yale Law School and eventually running for President of the United States by the age of 35. Highly regarded for his academic prowess, leadership qualities, and adventurous spirit, Josh was deeply involved in campus life at St. John’s University, serving as student council vice president, class president, and graduating as valedictorian in 2000.

The Night of Disappearance

On the night of November 9, 2002, Josh attended a dorm party at St. John’s University. After a day filled with academics and social interactions, Josh, along with friends Nick and Alex, went to a low-key poker game at Metten Court Apartments around 11 PM. According to attendee accounts, Josh appeared to be either intoxicated or fine, conflicting reports that fueled early confusion.

At approximately 12:00 AM, Josh left the party abruptly without saying goodbye, which initially led his friends to believe he was simply making a late-night trip to the bathroom. However, when Josh failed to return to his dorm room the following morning, concern quickly escalated. His computer was found to be playing and skipping music tracks between 11:52 PM and 12:32 AM, suggesting either Josh returned to his room or someone else had access to his computer (00:00-00:32).

Investigation Efforts

The Stearns County Sheriff's Office mobilized extensive search operations, including helicopter overflights, ground patrols, and deploying 100 National Guard members. Efforts focused on nearby bodies of water such as Stump Lake, East Gemini Lake, and Sagatagan Lake, where divers found no trace of Josh. Additionally, tracking dogs initially followed his scent from Metten Court to Stumpf Lake but eventually lost it.

Josh’s father, Brian Guimond, played a pivotal role in the search, even organizing public searches and later suing the Sheriff's Office for inadequate investigation efforts. The involvement of Patty Wetterling, a parent of another missing child, highlighted the community's desperation for answers.

Theories and Speculations

Multiple theories emerged regarding Josh’s disappearance:

1. Accidental Fall into Water: The initial assumption by investigators focused on Josh possibly falling into Stump Lake. However, dense vegetation and submerged debris complicated the search, making it plausible that if he had fallen into a marsh or swamp, his body might never surface.

   • Notable Quote: Brian Guimond expressed frustration, stating, “They keep saying he's in the lake. They've kept saying the same thing today” (Heath, 14:48).

2. Foul Play: Dissatisfaction with the primary theory led Brian and friends to believe that Josh was abducted and possibly murdered. This theory gained traction due to the secretive nature of St. John’s University and the prevalence of sexual abuse allegations against monks on campus.

   • Daphne’s Insight: “Josh was being preyed upon by a Catholic monk? Not necessarily, but possibly” (27:05).

3. Involvement of University Monks: The recent settlement regarding sexual misconduct by monks at St. John’s University raised suspicions. Despite no direct evidence linking the monks to Josh’s disappearance, the timing and environment raised red flags.

   • Notable Quote: An email from a student claimed misconduct by Father Bruce Walmering occurred in fall 2002, the same period as Josh’s disappearance (29:18).

4. Roommate Suspicions: Nick, one of Josh’s roommates, came under scrutiny due to discrepancies in his alibi and reluctance to undergo a polygraph test. Although never officially a suspect, his behavior raised eyebrows.

   • Notable Quote: Nick’s reluctance was captured as, “I did not want to cloud the investigation with false positives or leads since I knew that I wasn't involved” (Heath, 36:37).

5. Internet History Deletion: Josh’s computer history was scrubbed using a free Internet history cleaner shortly after his disappearance. This unusual activity suggested possible attempts to erase digital evidence, leading to further speculation about the motive behind his disappearance.

   • Notable Quote: Heath speculated, “The Internet scrubber was downloaded... it's entirely possible that Nick scrubbed the computer to save his friend from said embarrassment” (Heath, 47:26).

Digital Footprint and Personal Ads

Investigators discovered that Josh had been active on Yahoo Personals, operating under multiple personas—three accounts, one male and two female—with a collage of 28 photos of different men found on his computer. This activity led to theories that Josh might have been exploring his sexuality, potentially making him vulnerable to threats or abduction by someone he met online.

• Daphne’s Analysis: “Josh was planning to meet up with somebody that night and potentially somebody took him out of the area” (Daphne, 59:17).

Despite the release of these photos, no concrete leads emerged from this angle, leaving the identities and intentions of these online contacts shrouded in mystery.

Suspicious Elements and Additional Evidence

Several suspicious elements added layers to the mystery:

1. Suspicious Vehicle Sightings: Campus security reported sightings of an orange Pontiac Sunfire near unlit areas of the university, where a male individual was seen exiting the vehicle and entering wooded areas.

   • Daphne’s Observation: “Stump Lake... was he someone that Josh was talking to?” (Heath, 53:12).

2. Life Safety Reports: These reports included incidents where an orange Pontiac Sunfire was seen dropping off students late at night, but the vehicle owner was later found to have crushed his car at a scrap facility, eliminating potential DNA evidence.

3. Restraining Orders and Lawsuits: Brian Guimond faced legal barriers, including a restraining order preventing him from organizing further searches. His subsequent lawsuit against the Sheriff's Office for mishandling the investigation was denied, further complicating the quest for answers.

4. Unsolved Mysteries Feature: Josh’s case was featured on Unsolved Mysteries in 2022, which led to a surge in public tips, yet the case remains unsolved.

Current Status and Conclusion

As of the episode’s release in 2024, Joshua Guimond remains missing, with no definitive resolution to his disappearance after 20 years. The case presents numerous unresolved questions:

• Who had access to Josh’s computer, and why was his internet history deleted?
• Was there foul play involved, potentially linked to the abusive environment at St. John’s University?
• Could his online activities on Yahoo Personals have been a factor in his disappearance?
• What role, if any, did his roommate Nick play in the investigation or the events leading to Josh’s vanishing?

Daphne and Heath emphasize the importance of keeping Josh’s story in the public eye, urging listeners to provide any information that could aid in solving this long-standing mystery.

• Closing Appeal: “If you have any information about the disappearance of Joshua Guimond, please call the Stearns County Sheriff's office at 320-259-3700” (Daphne, 63:14).

Notable Quotes

• Heath: “It is mind blowing and we cannot wait to see what you guys have to say about this case.” (01:00)
• Daphne: “It's a head scratch.” (00:59)
• Brian Guimond: “They keep saying he's in the lake. They've kept saying the same thing today.” (14:48)
• Heath: “The Internet history was scrubbed... It is entirely possible that Nick scrubbed the computer to save his friend from said embarrassment.” (47:26)

Call to Action

The hosts encourage listeners to engage with the case via their social media platforms:

• Instagram: @goingwestpodcast
• Facebook: Going West Podcast

They invite listeners to share their theories, provide tips, and keep the discussion alive in hopes of uncovering new leads that might finally bring closure to Joshua Guimond’s family and friends.

Final Thoughts

Episode 457 of Going West: True Crime presents a comprehensive exploration of Joshua Guimond’s mysterious disappearance, highlighting the complexities of the investigation and the enduring hope for answers. Through detailed storytelling, the hosts effectively convey the emotional toll on Josh’s loved ones and the persistent quest for justice in the face of elusive evidence.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and serve as reference points for notable quotes and discussions.