Murder: True Crime Stories - Summary of Episode "UNSOLVED: Cathy Cesnik 1"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Murder: True Crime Stories
• Host: Carter Roy
• Description: Explore the depths of history’s most notorious murders, focusing on the real stories and the people most affected.
• Episode: UNSOLVED: Cathy Cesnik 1
• Release Date: December 17, 2024

Introduction

In the first episode of "UNSOLVED: Cathy Cesnik," host Carter Roy delves into the mysterious disappearance and subsequent murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a beloved Catholic school teacher in Baltimore, Maryland. Released on December 17, 2024, this episode sets the stage for unraveling a case that has perplexed authorities and haunted families for decades.

Cathy Cesnik's Early Life and Calling to the Church

Birth and Family Background (00:05 - 05:15) Cathy Saznik, known affectionately as Kathy, was born on November 17, 1942, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As the eldest of three daughters in a Slovenian immigrant family, Kathy assumed significant responsibility early on, caring for her younger sisters while her parents worked tirelessly to support the family. Her nurturing nature extended into her academic life, where she excelled as a student, earning top grades, accolades such as May Queen, and the title of valedictorian upon her graduation in 1960.

Choosing the Path of a Nun (05:15 - 13:08) Inspired by her devoutly religious upbringing, Kathy felt a profound call to serve as a nun. At 18, she moved to Baltimore to join the School Sisters of Notre Dame, a teaching order focused on educating children. By 1967, Kathy had officially taken her vows, choosing the name Sister Joanita in honor of St. Joan of Arc. Her progressive spirit resonated with the evolving Catholic Church, which was encouraging nuns to adopt more modern roles and impact underserved communities.

Professional Life and Progressive Teaching Methods

Teaching at Archbishop Keough High School (00:00 - 11:21) Sister Cathy assumed a teaching position at Archbishop Keough Catholic High School in 1965, where she was known for her innovative and sometimes controversial teaching methods. Notably, she assigned her students "The Scarlet Letter," a book that was banned in many schools at the time, encouraging critical thinking and challenging societal norms within the religious educational framework.

The Disappearance of Sister Cathy (13:08 - 24:00)

Life Changes and the Night She Disappeared (13:08 - 24:00) In the fall of 1969, Cathy took a temporary leave from the convent and moved to the Catonsville neighborhood, taking a position at Western High School, a public all-girls school. Sharing an apartment with Sister Russell Phillips, Cathy balanced her new responsibilities with personal joys, such as her sister Marilyn's engagement in November 1969.

On the evening of November 7, 1969, at 7:30 PM (13:08), Cathy left the apartment to purchase an engagement gift from the Edmondson Village Shopping Center. Promising to return by midnight, Cathy never came back. Her roommate, Sister Russell, became increasingly concerned as hours passed without her return. By one in the morning (15:00), fearing the worst, Russell enlisted the help of priests Pete McKeon and Jerry Kube to search for Cathy.

Discovery of the Suspicious Vehicle (15:00 - 24:00) By 4 AM (20:00), with no news from the police, the group discovered Cathy's green Ford Maverick parked oddly in a no-parking zone. The car showed signs of having been off-road, with mud-caked tires and branches in the antenna. Inside, they found a box of dinner rolls from the department store Cathy had visited, but the vehicle was eerily filled with leaves and brush. A forked twig attached to the turn signal and a yellow thread matching Cathy's sweater raised immediate suspicions.

Despite extensive searches involving officers and K9 teams across a 14-block radius, no trace of Cathy was found. Captain John Barnold Jr. of the Baltimore Police Department initially classified her case as a missing person, citing the odd evidence but no definitive signs of foul play.

Connection to Joyce Malachi's Murder

Parallel Case Emerges (24:00 - 25:05) Just four days after Cathy's disappearance, another brutal murder occurred. On November 11, 1969, Joyce Malachi, a 20-year-old woman, was found murdered near Fort Meade's Patuxent Research Refuge. Similarities between Joyce’s case and Cathy’s disappearance—such as the unlocked cars and the victims' recent presence at shopping centers—led journalists and some investigators to speculate about a potential connection. However, authorities maintained that the two cases were unrelated, and Joyce’s case eventually went cold.

Investigation Developments and Cold Case Status

Initial Investigation and Cold Case (25:05 - 24:00 following) As months passed with no leads, Cathy's case faded into obscurity within the Baltimore County Police Department. Despite numerous potential suspects and various leads explored over two decades, the case remained unsolved, leaving Cathy's family and friends without closure.

Breakthrough After Two Decades (24:00 onward) In a significant turn of events that occurred in January 1970 (25:05), nearly two months after Cathy’s disappearance, Captain Bud Romer of the Baltimore County Police Department received a call about a potential discovery near Monumental Avenue. On January 3rd, 1970, hunters uncovered Cathy’s partially decomposed body at the Lansdowne Landfill. The autopsy revealed she had died from blunt force trauma, although the exact weapon remained unidentified. This turned the missing persons case into a homicide investigation, intensifying efforts to uncover the truth behind her murder.

Notable Quotes and Attributions

• Carter Roy (00:00): “People's lives are like a story. There's a beginning, a middle, and an end. But you don't always know which part you're on. Sometimes the final chapter arrives far too soon, and we don't always get to know the real ending.”

• Captain John Barnold Jr. (Narrated by Carter Roy): “Although the circumstances around Kathy's disappearance were suspicious, our investigation hadn't turned up any evidence of foul play.”

• Catherine Saznik's Impact (Narrated by Carter Roy): “Sister Russell was shocked to see it. Kathy had told her she was driving to the shopping center. So why was the car here when Kathy wasn't?”

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The first episode of "UNSOLVED: Cathy Cesnik" masterfully chronicles the life, disappearance, and eventual tragic death of Sister Cathy Cesnik. Through detailed storytelling and meticulous examination of the investigated clues, Carter Roy presents a compelling narrative that underscores the complexities of unsolved crimes. The episode concludes with the revelation of Cathy's body, setting the stage for further exploration of her murder, potential suspects, and the lingering questions that remain unanswered.

Upcoming Episode: The second part promises to delve deeper into the scandal links, suspects, and current status of the case, striving to uncover the truths obscured by time.

Credits

This episode was executive produced by Max Cutler and directed by Ron Shapiro, with contributions from writer Morgan O'Hanlon, editor Natalie Pertzovsky, fact-checker Haniya Said, sound designer Russell Nash, and production assistant Sarah Carroll. Hosted by Carter Roy, "Murder: True Crime Stories" is a Crime House original podcast powered by PAVE Studios.

For those intrigued by the complexities of true crime and the quest for justice, subscribing to "Murder: True Crime Stories" offers an in-depth look into cases that demand attention and resolution.