Into The Dark Podcast Episode 128: "The Night Tracey Vanished"
Host: Peyton Moreland
Release Date: July 16, 2025
Podcast Description: Into The Dark is a true crime podcast infused with elements of horror and mystery. Host Payton Moreland explores different cases each week, dissecting the facts and contemplating the enduring question, “Why do people do what they do?”. Additionally, Payton delves into conspiracy theories, hauntings, and all things spooky, inviting listeners to journey deeper into the dark every Wednesday.
1. Introduction
Peyton Moreland opens the episode with a personal anecdote about her dog, Daisy, showcasing her relatable and engaging hosting style. She transitions seamlessly into the main case of the week, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of Tracy Gilpin's mysterious disappearance and murder.
2. Background of Tracy Gilpin
Timestamp: [01:16]
Tracy Gilpin, a 15-year-old from Kingston, Massachusetts, was known for her charismatic personality and active social life. Living with her mother and older sister, Carrie, Tracy had a habit of staying out late, a trait that became a family routine over time.
Key Points:
- Family Dynamics: Tracy was the middle child, with an 11-month younger sister, Carrie, and a younger brother.
- School and Work: Despite her social tendencies, Tracy maintained good grades and worked part-time at Blue Cross Blue Shield.
- Social Life: Tracy was well-liked and trusted as a babysitter in her community.
3. The Disappearance
Timestamp: [05:45]
On October 1, 1986, after a night of babysitting, Tracy attends a party nearby. Planning to return home around 10:30 PM, she initially leaves with two friends. As the night progresses, her friends leave, leaving Tracy to walk home alone in her safe neighborhood.
Key Points:
- Last Known Movements: Tracy buys cigarettes and attempts to call her friend for a ride home but is unable to get a response.
- Final Moments: Trailing alone, Tracy exits the convenience store and is never seen alive again.
Notable Quote:
Carrie Moreland reflects, “Tracy has always been responsible. Her disappearance was completely out of character.”
4. Discovery of Tragedy
Timestamp: [06:30]
A week passes with no news of Tracy. Her family, initially dismissing it as another one of Tracy's late nights, becomes frantic when friends report not hearing from her. Their desperation peaks when Tracy's body is found in the Miles Standish State Forest, 14 miles from home.
Key Points:
- Cause of Death: Tracy was murdered; her head crushed by a 74-pound rock, leading to fatal skull fractures.
- Forensic Findings: Decomposition indicated she had been dead for approximately three weeks.
5. The Investigation
Timestamp: [12:15]
Despite the gruesome discovery, the initial investigation stalls. Limited evidence, including inconclusive DNA due to the era's technological constraints, leaves the police without viable leads.
Key Points:
- Police Response: Initial dismissal of the case as a runaway despite evidential signs of foul play.
- Community Efforts: Family-led search parties and missing person reports yield no new information.
Notable Quote:
Peyton Moreland states, “The detectives were at a dead end, and Tracy’s family felt the weight of helplessness.”
6. Carrie Gilpin's Pursuit of Justice
Timestamp: [16:50]
Tracy's older sister, Carrie, driven by the unresolved case, becomes passionate about justice. Her journey leads her to a career in law enforcement, ultimately rising to the rank of colonel with the Massachusetts State Police.
Key Points:
- Career Path: Carrie’s motivation stems from her sister’s unsolved murder.
- Advancement: Her dedication results in leadership roles within the police department.
- Reopening the Case: As a colonel, Carrie gains the authority to revisit Tracy’s cold case.
7. The Breakthrough: Michael Hand's Confession
Timestamp: [22:40]
In 2018, decades after Tracy's murder, a pivotal moment occurs when Michael Hand, a 59-year-old man, claims responsibility for Tracy’s death during a police interrogation.
Key Points:
- Michael Hand's Account: He alleges witnessing Tracy’s abduction and claims to have accidentally killed her while attempting to help.
- Police Interrogation Tactics: Employing aggressive methods, including extended interrogations and polygraph tests, the police extract a confession from Michael.
- Evidence and Doubts: Despite Michael's confession, DNA evidence does not match Tracy’s, casting significant doubt on his guilt.
Notable Quote:
Peyton Moreland reflects, “It's hard to know where the truth lies and whether Michael will actually be convicted.”
8. Legal Proceedings and Controversy
Timestamp: [29:10]
Michael Hand's confessions are challenged in court, deemed coerced due to the intense interrogation methods. His legal team argues the confession is inadmissible, leading to delays and wrongful detention without a trial.
Key Points:
- Court Rulings: Both confessions, including one made to a pastor, are excluded from evidence.
- Current Status: As of the episode's release, Michael remains incarcerated, awaiting trial with unresolved legal battles over his guilt.
Notable Quote:
Peyton Moreland muses, “Maybe she found the culprit after decades of hard work… Or maybe the evidence will show Michael's innocent and she'll have to dive right back into the search.”
9. Ongoing Uncertainty and Reflections
Timestamp: [34:00]
The case remains shrouded in ambiguity. While some inmates claim Michael confessed publicly, the absence of DNA evidence and the exclusion of his confessions leave room for doubt. Peyton underscores the complexities and emotional toll on Tracy’s family, particularly Carrie, who continues to seek closure.
Key Points:
- Public Opinion: Mixed feelings about Michael’s guilt or innocence persist within the community.
- Family’s Struggle: The Gilpin family grapples with the unresolved nature of Tracy’s murder, contemplating future steps regardless of the case’s legal outcome.
Notable Quote:
Peyton Moreland concludes, “There's probably always be room for a little uncertainty here.”
10. Conclusion
Peyton wraps up the episode by reflecting on the precarious balance between law enforcement's pursuit of justice and the ethical considerations surrounding interrogation tactics. She emphasizes the enduring impact of unresolved cases on families and the community, leaving listeners contemplating the fine line between truth and coercion.
Notable Quote:
Peyton Moreland states, “I wish detectives wouldn't have gone as hard in interrogation because they didn't have a lot of evidence. And that is a fine line to walk.”
Final Thoughts:
Episode 128 of Into The Dark offers a gripping exploration of Tracy Gilpin's tragic disappearance and the subsequent quest for truth by her family, particularly her sister Carrie. The episode delves into themes of justice, ethical law enforcement practices, and the lingering questions that haunt unresolved cases. Through detailed narration and poignant reflections, Peyton Moreland invites listeners to ponder the complexities of human behavior and the elusive nature of truth in the dark corridors of true crime.