Podcast Summary: "Kelsie Schelling // 482" – Going West: True Crime

Episode Information:

• Title: Kelsie Schelling // 482
• Release Date: March 4, 2025
• Hosts: Heath Merryman and Daphne Woolsoncroft
• Description: Delving into the mysterious disappearance and murder of Kelsey Schelling, this episode navigates through intricate details, investigations, and eventual resolution years after her vanishing.

Introduction

Heath Merryman and Daphne Woolsoncroft open the episode with enthusiasm, highlighting the complexity and dark undercurrents of Kelsey Schelling's case.

• Heath (02:18): "This case takes place in Colorado today and there are a ton of shady ass characters in this story."
• Daphne (02:37): "Hidden agendas and horrible dark secrets here."

They set the stage for a deep dive into the unsettling details surrounding Kelsey's disappearance, promising a thorough exploration of timelines, evidence, and key players involved.

Background of Kelsey Schelling

Kelsey Schelling, born on February 18, 1991, grew up in Holyoke, Colorado, a small town near Nebraska. She was known for her vibrant personality and love for the outdoors.

• Narration (04:14): "Kelsey Schelling was born to parents Laura and Doug and grew up alongside her brother Colby."

Her parents owned a grocery store, and Kelsey enjoyed activities like ATV riding and dreamed of moving to California. Her teenage years were challenging due to her parents' divorce, leading to depression.

• Daphne (10:02): "Friends called her bubbly and personable. She loved the beach and even dreamed of moving out west."

Relationship with Dante Lucas

Kelsey met Dante Lucas at Northeastern Junior College, leading to an on-again, off-again relationship fraught with issues.

• Heath (07:23): "Dante wasn't great with communication. He would sometimes go days without responding to Kelce's messages."

The relationship was tumultuous, characterized by frequent fights and Dante's neglect, which strained Kelsey's emotional well-being.

• Daphne (11:56): "She was having a hard time because of the rocky relationship with Dante."

Kelsey eventually moved back to Colorado from California due to financial struggles, rekindling her strained relationship with Dante.

Discovery of Pregnancy and Initial Struggles

In February 2013, Kelsey discovered she was eight weeks pregnant with Dante's child, adding another layer of complexity to her already strained relationship.

• Heath (12:44): "Kelsey decided to lean into it, and her parents said that they would eagerly support her."

Dante's reaction to the pregnancy was mixed, displaying anger and indifference, which further destabilized their relationship.

• Daphne (14:10): "Going between neutral and angry, clearly not a great sign here."

The Night of Disappearance

On February 4, 2013, Kelsey attended her first OB-GYN appointment, confirming her pregnancy. Later that day, she left work at Floor and Decor, intending to drive home but never arrived.

• Heath (15:03): "He's such a dick... he's being such a jerk."

She sent cryptic messages to friends and family, claiming she was in the emergency room due to a miscarriage, but her behavior and messaging were uncharacteristic.

• Daphne (17:47): "She was being unusually blunt and her grammar was off, which is not like her."

Kelsey's family grew increasingly concerned as days passed without her contact or return.

Investigation and Evidence

Kelsey's parents reported her missing on February 9, 2013, leading police to focus on Dante Lucas, the last person to see her.

• Heath (20:04): "He's the last person to have seen her."

Surveillance footage revealed Kelsey's car being abandoned twice in Pueblo, Colorado, near Dante's residence, heightening suspicions.

• Heath (26:41): "Both times... in Pueblo, where Dante lives."

Cell phone data showed unusual activity, including a $400 withdrawal at a local ATM, with Dante seen using Kelsey's debit card on camera.

• Daphne (29:07): "He bent the story to fit convenient details."

Despite inconsistencies in Dante's accounts, law enforcement struggled to gather definitive evidence initially.

Suspect Profile: Dante Lucas

Dante's background as a former athlete with poor academic performance and subsequent financial troubles positioned him as a person of interest.

• Heath (07:23): "Dante lacked drive and his grades were poor, but he had dreams of NCAA basketball."

His evasive and contradictory statements during questioning further implicated him in the case.

• Daphne (30:07): "He can't keep his story straight."

Dante's criminal activities, including armed robbery and identity theft, unveiled a pattern of deceit and criminal behavior.

Further Developments and Arrest

Years of investigation yielded limited progress until a significant break came in 2017 when Dante's criminal activities escalated.

• Heath (40:08): "His whole family is totally messed up."

Dante was arrested for aggravated robbery, and DNA evidence linking him and his mother to Kelsey's car strengthened the case against him.

During interrogation, Dante admitted moving Kelsey's car but denied involvement in her murder.

• Heath (41:26): "He moved the car twice but refuses to admit to Kelseing's murder."

Inmates testified to his confession, and surveillance data corroborated his movements on the night of Kelsey's disappearance.

Trial and Conviction

The trial in early 2021 was marked by challenges, including the murder of a key witness, Roxanne Martinez, whom Dante had connections with.

• Daphne (43:23): "Witness was killed, but no direct link was established to Dante."

Despite Dante's continued denials, the prosecution presented compelling evidence, including DNA and admissions from inmates.

Heath and Daphne highlighted the cumulative weight of circumstantial evidence leading to Dante's conviction.

• Heath (44:47): "Circumstantial evidence here is telling."

Ultimately, Dante was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole on March 8, 2021.

• Daphne (46:17): "To this day, Kelsey's remains are still missing."

Aftermath and Legacy

Kelsey's family continues to seek closure, actively searching for her remains and advocating for missing persons.

• Heath (46:17): "Her family is still organizing searches to look for her to this day."

Efforts include organizing a Colorado Missing Persons Day and erecting a memorial bench in Pueblo, honoring Kelsey and connecting the community with her story.

• Daphne (46:17): "The Pueblo community felt the pain of the loss of such a beautiful young woman."

Kelsey's case remains a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by families of missing persons, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and support.

Conclusion

Heath and Daphne conclude the episode by reflecting on Dante's conviction and Kelsey's unresolved remains, expressing hope for future resolution.

• Daphne (48:35): "They're spending all this time on their own just trying to find her themselves."
• Heath (49:18): "Kelsey’s case remains a haunting reminder of unresolved true crimes."

They urge listeners to share the episode to keep Kelsey's story alive and support ongoing efforts to locate her.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Heath Merryman (04:10): "She was just a ton of fun and her mom Laura described her as a firecracker with a big personality and a big laugh."
• Daphne Woolsoncroft (12:44): "But something my mind kind of goes to is maybe she was trying to cover for Dante at the time."
• Heath Merryman (16:19): "It's so apparent just how much he doesn't give a shit."
• Daphne Woolsoncroft (29:07): "Then on the anniversary of Kelsey's disappearance, he became so belligerent that he passed out."
• Heath Merryman (43:51): "The prosecution's assessment that he was angry at Kelsey's decision to keep and raise the baby because it would get in the way of his lofty professional basketball aspirations was also dismissed by the defense."
• Daphne Woolsoncroft (41:43): "There's no answer for that."

Final Thoughts

This episode of "Going West: True Crime" meticulously unravels the tragic story of Kelsey Schelling, highlighting the dark complexities of her disappearance and the eventual conviction of her murderer, Dante Lucas. The hosts provide a balanced narrative, underscored by emotional insights and a commitment to honoring Kelsey's memory.

For More Information:

• Help Find Kelsey Facebook Page: Help Find Kelsey
• Family’s Email: helpfindkelseymail.com
• Pueblo Cold Case Hotline: 303-239-4244

Note: All timestamps correspond to the podcast transcript provided.