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Host 1
Hey, true crime besties. Welcome back to an allnew episode of Serial. Hey everybody.
Annie Elise
Welcome back to an all new episode of Serial with me, your host, Annie Elise. Today we are doing headline highlights, meaning.
Host 1
We are going through, I mean, it's obviously pretty obvious, right?
Annie Elise
We're going through all the headline highlights.
Host 1
This week, everything that's going on in the true crime world. And there's one case that I really.
Annie Elise
Want to break down in more detail than usual for these episodes where it's the one.
Host 1
You probably have seen it somewhere on your feed. If you haven't, don't worry, I'm going to break it all down for you.
Annie Elise
But it's the missing woman from Maui. It is a very, very interesting story.
Host 1
We have a lot to talk about with it. So there are some other cases I want to just touch on first and then we're going to like deep dive.
Annie Elise
Or mini deep dive, I should say into that case. But let's first talk about a very bizarre case where a microchipped dog ended up helping identify a woman's killer. Now, this story is just all around.
Host 1
Crazy, if I'm going to be honest, and it certainly is a case case.
Annie Elise
Where thankfully justice was served.
Host 1
But let me break it down for you.
Annie Elise
So a man named Derek Dagno was just sentenced to life in prison on November 7. This was for murdering his cousin Mandy Reynolds back in April of 2023. But you will never believe this because one of the key players who actually led to the arrest of Derek was none other than Mandy's pupster, her loyal little puppy dog. So let's dive back into 2023 and.
Host 1
Let me break down how this all went down.
Annie Elise
So an unidentified body was found burning in a storage container on April 5. The storage container was just sitting there on a field in Texas. However, when the body was discovered, the remains were burnt beyond recognition and nobody had any idea who it could possibly be. Also, what they found in that storage container was a Shell casing. Now, first responders on the scene also saw a white dog that was apparently just like, frantically barking and was also refusing to leave. The next day after the body had been removed, witnesses said that the dog stayed in that exact same spot and just would still not leave the scene.
Host 1
Like, I don't know.
Annie Elise
I know dogs are loyal guys, but, like, this is next level. So the officials realized, okay, something must be up here. Like, what is going on with this dog? Why is this dog not leaving? So they took the dog into custody, and it turned out that this little pupster, his name was Titan, was microchipped. The microchip also showed that Titan belonged to a woman named Mandy Reynolds.
Host 1
So they immediately, of course, went to go search her home, check her out.
Annie Elise
Say, like, hey, your dog's been sitting in this field.
Host 1
Is everything okay?
Annie Elise
But when the police got to Mandy's home, they found that it was completely, basically empty. Somebody had stolen all of her possessions, somebody had stolen her car, just taken it, and things looked super shady. Then two days later, somebody was spotted driving Mandy's car, but they weren't in Texas. They were in Kansas. And the person driving turned out to be her cousin Derek. So police tried to pull Derek over, but then he sped away, trying to get, like, in this high speed chase.
Host 1
Thinking he could get away, and he.
Annie Elise
Crashed into another car. So he got out, he ran into.
Host 1
A grocery store, you know, trying to hide, as though you can, like, hide.
Annie Elise
Behind the canned food aisle.
Host 1
I don't know.
Annie Elise
But, you know, he was caught, obviously, and he was taken into custody by police. So when the police then went and searched her stolen car, they immediately found Mandy's cell phone along with a handgun. So the next step was for the crime lab to confirm that the gun was a match to that shell casing that had been found in that storage container with the remains. And when they matched it, they were also able to determine that it was used to kill Mandy with a single gunshot to the head. So then more security footage was found, and it was found of Derek leading up to Mandy's murder. Surveillance video caught Derek at a Walmart on April 5th buying that storage container, the identical one to the one Mandy was burned in. He also bough bought a shovel and he bought a gas can.
Host 1
And how people still do not understand.
Annie Elise
That there is CCTV footage, camera footage.
Host 1
All the things, and you just like.
Annie Elise
Go to Walmart or Target or Lowe's.
Host 1
Or wherever you're going, and you have like, this how to dispose of a body murder kit on your list.
Annie Elise
You Are a.
Host 1
But like I say, we love to see it.
Annie Elise
We love to see dummies, we love to see their Google history. We love to see them and their receipts.
Host 1
So thank you for being so stupid. It makes law enforcement's job a lot easier.
Annie Elise
But anyway, so they see him on camera buying all of this stuff. And in addition to being seen on camera in the store as he was leaving the parking lot, Titan, that little pupster, that loyal dog of Mandy's, is seen sticking his furry little head out of the car window. So he had taken this little dog.
Host 1
With him for this, like, kill list.
Annie Elise
Body disposal list of the dog's owner. And not for nothing, but Derek's cousin. Now, Derek actually turned out to also.
Host 1
Have a pretty long criminal record and.
Annie Elise
A pretty big history of violence, if I'm going to be honest. He had been convicted nine times in the past. He had been convicted of burglary, aggravated assault, possession of drugs, criminal discharge of a firearm. I mean, the list just goes on and on and on and on. There was also a warrant out for his arrest at the time of the murder for felony probation. Take a listen.
Legal Expert
Been to prison in Kansas before for violent offenses. They even learned he had shot another individual as a juvenile in Kansas. He was just extremely an. Is an extremely violent individual and he cannot be trusted with the safety of this or any other community. So life, we felt like, was the only just verdict.
Annie Elise
So his cousin Mandy was apparently letting Derek stay with her for a month until he got back on his feet.
Host 1
Just being truly like a nice, kind hearted family member. Right.
Annie Elise
So I mean, how this went from her literally letting him stay with her and putting a roof over his scummy.
Host 1
Head to him shooting her and then burning her body. It's just absurd to me.
Annie Elise
He was clearly a very violent person, but Mandy was just trying to help. She was trying to look out for someone in her family, her cousin, like, trying to be a good person.
Mandy's Friend
She's always wanting a. Eager, I guess, to say, to help others, very outgoing. She. She didn't like staying in one place at any one, you know, any one place for very long.
Annie Elise
In the end, it took the jury only 40 minutes to decide that Derek was guilty. And they sentenced his sorry ass to life in prison.
Host 1
On November 7, however, he will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.
Annie Elise
Now, during the trial, it did get pretty heated, which I guess makes sense.
Host 1
Since the victim and the murderer are.
Annie Elise
Literally in the same family.
Host 1
I mean, there was definitely bound to.
Annie Elise
Be some level of divide.
Host 1
So family members started fighting each other.
Annie Elise
After the verdict was announced, some of them even had to be escorted out in handcuffs, Which I have to say, that is. Not only is it to be expected to some degree, because some family members will always be loyal to family members, regardless what they've done, what they've been.
Host 1
Charged with, convicted of, but it's like.
Annie Elise
Now, when you look at it and.
Host 1
Really break it down.
Annie Elise
Not only did this sleazeball Derek kill his cousin who was trying to help.
Host 1
Him for whatever reason, but now he.
Annie Elise
Has completely divided his entire family. He's not only ruined their lives by killing a family member of theirs, but ruined their lives. By now, they're turning against their own family members.
Host 1
It's horrible.
Annie Elise
In the trial, too, Derek was just.
Host 1
Kind of like a piece of crap.
Annie Elise
He had been constantly interrupting the judge. He was interrupting family members as they.
Host 1
Were testifying on Mandy's behalf. I mean, just a true garbage human being through and through.
Legal Expert
All of these people on both sides are all members of the same family, so there's a lot of bitterness and anger and hurt between those people. And so that erupted a little bit following the verdict.
Annie Elise
One of the attorneys on the case said that since Mandy didn't really have any ties to the area, her dog.
Host 1
Titan was one of the keys to solving her murder.
Annie Elise
Which you gotta just say, we all love dogs, right?
Host 1
I'm a dog girl through and through.
Annie Elise
They're loyal, they're cute, they're fluffy, they're amazing.
Host 1
But, like, talk about true love and loyalty, because Titan literally refused to leave Mandy no matter what.
Annie Elise
So you can tell just how much love was between them, a dog and its owner.
Host 1
The bond, all of it.
Mandy's Friend
She spoiled that dog bad. Just talked about it, you know, Loved and spoiled puppy. He was definitely that. He knew his mama, and he had nothing but love for her.
Annie Elise
And in a very heartwarming detail, just days after the murder, Mandy's best friend ended up adopting Titan. And she said that he is doing very well, he's acclimating to his new.
Host 1
Home, and she took him in as her own, which I think that he.
Annie Elise
That is just so beyond sweet. Now, this next case has a couple.
Host 1
Of twists, but it's gonna start almost.
Annie Elise
Sounding identical to the last case that we discussed.
Host 1
But I promise you, your hearing is intact. You're hearing this, right? But a man has been arrested and charged with murder after human remains were.
Annie Elise
Found on a property in Texas. Sounds familiar, right? What's going on in Texas? What's in the water? But what's even crazier is that these remains belonged to the missing mother of his 8 year old child. So Mahogany Washington, along with her 8 year old son were back reported missing on June 19th. But their family told the police that they actually hadn't seen or spoken to them since July of 2022, which, that's.
Host 1
A pretty long time ago, right? So I'm not really sure why it.
Annie Elise
Took so long for her and the.
Host 1
Child to be declared missing, but that's.
Annie Elise
How it went down. So the father of Mahogany's son was a man named Michael Dean Davis Jr. They weren't married, but they did have a child together. And Michael was supposedly living on a property in Buffalo, Texas. And the investigation into Mahogany's disappearance led to him being a suspect in it. So on October 22, the Leon County Sheriff's office searched Michael's home in Buffalo. Now, Michael was nowhere to be seen. But what they did find was pretty horrifying because on the property they found human remains. The Criminal Investigation Division confirmed that the remains belonged to Mahogany Washington. However, through all of that, there was still no sign of Michael and still no sign of their 8 year old son. Now, a little bit after finding the body, police were tipped off that Michael had actually moved and he was now supposedly living with the missing son in Laredo, Texas, which is about 130 miles away from Buffalo.
Host 1
So authorities decided to then stalk out Michael's home.
Annie Elise
They knew that Michael was probably armed and he was also apparently known to.
Host 1
Have pretty violent tendencies.
Annie Elise
So they had to come up with a plan to get Michael in custody.
Host 1
Without harming their child, even though they.
Annie Elise
Still didn't even know if the child was actually living with him or was safe or Alive. So on November 12, they waited in.
Host 1
Front of his home.
Annie Elise
And it was when Michael walked out just to check his mail, A simple little walking out front errand, and police swarmed the property and arrested him. There's also a picture that was snapped.
Host 1
Of Michael being put in the back.
Annie Elise
Of the police car.
Host 1
And let me just say, this picture is pretty haunting because Michael looks all.
Annie Elise
Disheveled, his shirt is unzipped, his hair is all messy.
Host 1
His eyes have this like wild, empty look to them.
Annie Elise
It is so cringe, so crazy. So after they get him in the.
Host 1
Car and like away, they go inside.
Annie Elise
To search his home. And when they did that is when they found his 8 year old son, who luckily was unharmed. Through all of this, inside the house, police also found multiple rifles, a gas mask, and an armored suit. The son was put into the care of cps and Michael is currently being.
Host 1
Held At Webb County Jail.
Annie Elise
His bond is set at $3 million, and he's facing murder charges as well as additional charges of endangerment of a child. What the motive was here, what the plan was here, who knows? Who knows if he was going to end up trying to kill his son, maybe kill himself? Who knows? To have, like, a gas mask and all these things is a little bit.
Host 1
Bizarre, but I'm just thankful that they.
Annie Elise
Found him, they caught him. His bond is incredibly high, so hopefully he won't be getting out anytime soon, and hopefully the son will go with.
Host 1
Relatives or at least a loving family.
Annie Elise
It still is an ongoing investigation with so many unanswered questions, though, because Mahogany's cause of death hasn't been confirmed. We still don't know why he killed her.
Host 1
We don't know if maybe they were in a custody battle. So I'm gonna keep tabs on this and I will definitely keep you updated.
Annie Elise
Now, this next case isn't in Texas.
Host 1
But it's Texas adjacent, and it is very, very disturbing. And honestly, I don't know what's in the air. It's not far from Texas, as I said, but it is kind of another.
Annie Elise
Similar story about human remains being found.
Host 1
On a property, however, not Texas.
Annie Elise
This time it's New Mexico. And also a little bit of a difference this time, instead of actual, like, full bodies and human remains, what was found was fragments of up to 20 human skulls, which. This is just so insane because it.
Host 1
Just shows how many freaks and creeps are truly out there.
Annie Elise
So this all started after a very disturbing chance encounter in Jal, a city in New Mexico. A local resident was giving a man named Cecil via Nguyen Wa.
Host 1
I'm sorry, it is such a mouthful, guys. Via N. One more time, via Nuiva. It's. People are going to come for me, but I'm trying as hard as I can.
Annie Elise
Guys, It's. It's a tongue twister. Cecil. Cecil. So a resident was giving Cecil a ride. The man said that Cecil had two suspicious bags with him, though, and was also making very, quote, alarming statements to this other man throughout the drive. And if that wasn't already creepy enough, Cecil apparently then started throwing and scattering.
Host 1
Things out of the car. And the things that he was, like.
Annie Elise
Chucking out the window.
Host 1
It wasn't like, littering. It wasn't a McDonald's cup. Not that that's okay.
Annie Elise
I hate littering.
Host 1
But it looked like they could be.
Annie Elise
Bones, like pieces of bones, just chucking them out the window, which. What? Meaning that Cecil literally hopped into this random stranger's car with two strange bags and just started saying weird things and throwing what looked to be broken bones.
Host 1
Out of the car. I honestly have no idea what I.
Annie Elise
Would do if I was in this driver's position.
Host 1
It's honestly so creepy and so sc.
Annie Elise
So obviously this driver reported what happened to the police. And then on November 5, authorities decided to search the area. When they did, they found the bone fragments that Cecil had been throwing from the car. And it was later confirmed that they were in fact human bones. Experts later said that the remains included parts of the human skull and parts of the human jawbone. So then the authorities did a very extensive search of the property that Cecil was staying at, which was where even more bones were found. And they found a total total of up to 20 human skulls to zero. I mean, it is just unheard of. It is.
Host 1
It was like his own personal freaking graveyard just purely for human skulls. Which my question is, where are the.
Annie Elise
Rest of the bodies?
Host 1
Right.
Annie Elise
Also, the home that Cecil was staying at is, quote, associated with rumors of human remains, which I don't know what that exactly means, if that means that.
Host 1
There are more human remains there or what the deal is like a true.
Annie Elise
House of horrors, but it's all just.
Host 1
Chilling, freaky, and like, honestly a complete.
Annie Elise
Mystery at this point. Now, obviously the community and just everybody is, you know, obviously unsettled, to say the least. The bones are currently being examined and tested, but that could take up to a month for results to actually come in, for any answers to come through. So for now, everybody is just wondering, who did these bones belong to? How did they die? How did they get there? Were they all killed by the same person? Is this place literally just a dumping ground? So hopefully these questions all get answered by the investigation, but right now a.
Host 1
Lot of things are honestly just left in the dark.
Annie Elise
Investigators are also looking into how any of these remains could be tied to missing persons cases. And there is one particular that is catching everybody's attention. 43 year old Angela McMains went missing in 2019. And she was living on the same exact street when she went missing as where the bones were found. Authorities said that these remains could be closely tied to her disappearance just because of how close she was to the property. However, they haven't released any other details. Angela's children, who were 18, 16 and 14 years old when she went missing, have all been desperately searching for their mother. When Angela disappeared, she left behind her wallet, her phone and her diabetes medication. She was also known to be a super protective mom.
Host 1
Who would never just, like, up and leave her kids.
Annie Elise
Since she's gone missing, the case has grown cold. However, now, as you can imagine, her family is waiting to see if any of those remains come back as a match to their missing mother. And I mean, maybe if it is a match, maybe it can bring the.
Host 1
Family some sort of peace or closure. But regardless of that, it would still.
Annie Elise
Just be so heartbreaking to find a family member's remains.
Host 1
So my heart goes out to all.
Annie Elise
Of the families involved. Investigators are also seeing if maybe there's a possibility that any of these remains.
Host 1
Were being purchased or sold online because there is a market for that on the dark web, as disgusting as that is.
Annie Elise
But in the end, it all really depends on the test results to decide where to go next with this investigation.
Host 1
As for Cecil, he's kind of an enigma to me.
Annie Elise
He was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor of criminal trespassing and he's currently.
Host 1
Being held in jail.
Annie Elise
But there's not any information about him yet to any sort of connection to the remains. Also no connection to if he owns the property that he was staying at. If he's a suspect, it's really just a true massive mystery.
Host 1
So I'm going to keep you updated. I'm going to follow this one closely. It is definitely a weird one. We're now going to take a quick, quick break. I'm going to just grab something to drink. We're going to hear from our sponsors.
Annie Elise
Then I want to talk to you.
Host 1
About this stabbing spree that just went down in New York City. And then we are going to do.
Annie Elise
The mini deep dive into the missing woman from Maui.
Host 1
So we will be right back.
Annie Elise
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Annie Elise
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Annie Elise
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Host 1
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Annie Elise
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Host 1
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Annie Elise
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Host 1
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Annie Elise
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Host 1
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Annie Elise
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Host 1
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Annie Elise
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Host 1
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Annie Elise
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Host 1
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Annie Elise
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Host 1
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Annie Elise
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Host 1
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Annie Elise
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Annie Elise
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Host 1
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Annie Elise
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Host 1
Up to three different people in three.
Annie Elise
Different locations in Manhattan and just completely unprovoked, he just attacked them. The first stabbing happened in the morning outside of a construction site in Chelsea.
Host 1
Which is a really busy area around like 23rd Street. I don't know if you're familiar with New York, but it's a really busy area.
Annie Elise
A 36 year old man was working and Raymond allegedly just walked up to him and stabbed him in the stomach. The man was taken to the hospital, but unfortunately he didn't make it. Now, not long after that, Raymond then went to Kip's Bay and he went up to a man who was fishing and he stabbed him multiple times. The 68 year old fisherman was transported to a hospital as well, but then passed away a day later. And that wasn't enough because then Raymond attacked a third person this time. He walked up to a 36 year old woman in midtown and he stabbed her and she also sadly passed away. So none of the victims made it. Now all of these killings, get this, they happened within just two and a.
Host 1
Half hours of each other.
Annie Elise
I mean, it all happened so fast, like it truly was a killing spree one after the other and like traveling to all these different corners of New York. And it was also just. It's so insane when you think about how it was so out in the.
Host 1
Open in, you know, just populated areas.
Annie Elise
Just out in the open for anybody to see. So he clearly didn't care about being seen or being caught.
Witness 1
And I saw this homeless guy walking with a purse and I saw this guy in the car telling him, stop, drop the bag, stop. I told him to stop, it's not worth it, there's gonna be cops up ahead. And of course he didn't listen.
Witness 2
This is where I live. And for three people to get to be stabbed out of the blue, it's sad. I'm talking.
Annie Elise
Raymond does have a history of serious mental health issues. And he had also been released from prison just a month before these attacks. And actually, Raymond had spent most of this past year behind bars.
Host 1
He was serving time for burglary, assault.
Annie Elise
Convictions, grand larceny, and the list goes on and on. But I mean, he had at least eight arrests in just New York City alone. And he also had so many more run ins with the police because of his mental Health issues. He also spent time in a psych facility this past May where he reportedly.
Host 1
Assaulted one of the officers there.
Annie Elise
He also has criminal records in other states.
Host 1
So just a very checkered, long, lengthy history.
Annie Elise
But my question is, how was this guy with such an intense history of violence and so many arrests and so.
Host 1
Many run ins with the law, just.
Annie Elise
Out able to walk the streets. He also had a detailed history of mental health issues. And sadly, him being allowed out and about resulted in three people losing their lives.
Mental Health Expert
There's some real questions that we need to look at on why he was on the street. And he has some severe mental health issues that should have been examined and that's what we're looking at as part of the investigation.
Annie Elise
Raymond is currently being held in custody.
Host 1
And is charged with three counts of first degree murder.
Annie Elise
According to the police, he also actually confessed to the stabbings during the interrogation.
Host 1
So we'll see if this was just, you know, a component of mental health, if there was something else at play. But it's definitely heartbreaking for all of the families.
Annie Elise
Now let's talk about this case that was going down from Maui to LAX in California.
Host 1
All of these things, because there were.
Annie Elise
Some really weird text messages sent before this woman disappeared. Let me rewind a bit. So on November 8, Hana Kobayashi was flying from her home in Maui, Hawaii to visit her family in New York City. However, Hannah never made it. She somehow just vanished into thin air. The 31 year old woman was catching a connecting flight in Los Angeles. However, when she landed in lax, she somehow missed her connecting flight to New York. So a lot of people think that, okay, well, because she missed the connecting flight, maybe she just decided to stay.
Host 1
A couple of days in LA.
Annie Elise
She also had attended an event in.
Host 1
LA on November 10th at the Grove.
Annie Elise
Shopping center, which is about an hour away from the airport. It was a Nike event and she even posted a photo of a LeBron James logo and a Nike logo on her Instagram page. She was also seen on video at this event. Now, at this point, she was still in contact with her family and she had told them about her new plans for getting to New York, that she was just taking, you know, a little pit stop in la.
Host 1
After all, she even had plans with.
Annie Elise
Her aunt to go see a show.
Host 1
Together when she got to New York.
Annie Elise
So the next day on November 11, Hannah went back to the LAX airport, but for some reason, she never ended up boarding any other flight. Her phone was also completely turned off and she stopped having any communication with her family and her friends. All of her phone calls then started going straight to voicemail. None of the text messages were going.
Host 1
Through, and her family said that there.
Annie Elise
Was also no way of tracking her location. But then things got more worrisome when Hannah's family and friends revealed a series of very unusual text messages that were sent from Hannah the day before. She sent a text to her aunt saying, I'm charging my phone and heading back to the airport to get to nyc. I might need some help getting there. It's a long story. She also texted some friends of hers saying that she was headed back to the airport to get to New York and that she had just finished a very intense spiritual awakening. Her mom also got text messages saying that she hadn't been able to get to New York yet and that somebody had hacked her and had taken her identity so that she could not fly. She also said that she was scared that she couldn't go back home. Then one of her friends got a pretty insane text message.
Host 1
It said, quote, I got pretty much.
Annie Elise
Tricked into giving away all of my funds for somebody that I thought that I loved. In another text message, it said that she had been deep hacked. She said that somebody hacked her, completely wiped her identity, stole all of her money, and that she was just left wildly confused and lost. Now, there's a lot of questions about this, right?
Host 1
Did she have some sort of secret relationship?
Annie Elise
Was this why she missed the connecting flight because she was meeting up with this secret lover in LA and spending.
Host 1
A few days with them?
Annie Elise
Who was this mystery person? What was this spiritual awakening that she had that was so intense? Were there drugs involved? Was she catfished? I mean, so many questions. But the thing about all of these text messages is that everyone in her family, her mom, her sister, her aunt, her friends, they all thought that these messages were weird. They thought that they just did not sound like Hannah. Now, at some point in the text messages, she also called family members of.
Host 1
Hers babe, which she had never done before. That's like, imagine if you're texting your brother or your uncle right now or somebody like, hey, babe. Hey. This, like, it just feels out of.
Annie Elise
The ordinary right now.
Host 1
Speaking of the spiritual awakening, Hannah was known to be a free spirit, but.
Annie Elise
She definitely would never just disappear on her family without a trace. So the whole situation is just so.
Host 1
So beyond out of character for Hannah, making everything all the more unsettling.
Hannah's Family Member
We have, like, an unwritten rule that we always check in, no matter if it's me, Sid, Hope, or Hannah, that we. It's like, okay, I'm here and I'm safe. It's not a, it's not a normal behavior of hers to just completely disappear or to have something so planned out because once she has her mindset on something as far as traveling become hell or high water, she's there.
Hannah's Father
We wouldn't be here, her father wouldn't be here, her aunt wouldn't be here, her uncles wouldn't be here. And if we thought that this was normal behavior, Hannah doesn't know a single soul in la.
Annie Elise
Now it also came out in an interesting detail that Hannah's ex boyfriend was also on that flight with her from Maui to la. They had booked this trip together before they broke up. However, they apparently didn't speak on the plane and he ended up boarding that connecting flight to New York when Hannah stayed behind.
Host 1
So is there something suspicious there? I don't know.
Annie Elise
He ended up going all the way through to New York where she didn't. Hannah's father also has come out saying that the ex boyfriend has been cooperating with the authorities and with her family.
Host 1
But it is strange, right? And I mean the whole thing.
Annie Elise
It's also strange. Hannah missed the connecting flight and stayed.
Host 1
An extra three days in la.
Annie Elise
She apparently attended events. Those text messages she sent to her family about losing her money, her identity and not feeling safe. But then her family saying those text messages didn't sound like they were coming from Hannah.
Host 1
I mean, the whole thing kind of.
Annie Elise
Feels like a wild goose chase or something.
Host 1
Oddly, I don't even know the word.
Annie Elise
Just I want to say fabricated, but maybe not.
Host 1
But like, could somebody have taken her.
Annie Elise
Phone, not only sent those messages, but posted some of the photos showing she was at this event?
Host 1
If it was just the logos we've.
Annie Elise
Seen in a lot of recent cases, unfortunately, people continue to try to pretend.
Host 1
That they are assuming that person's identity or whatever because they want people to think that they're still alive. Could she have said that somebody stole her identity? But maybe that wasn't really her who.
Annie Elise
Was saying that it was somebody else so that there was some sort of COVID up. If there were funds that were missing.
Host 1
To where they're like, oh yeah, her.
Annie Elise
Identity got stolen, that's why. But really it was this person. I don't know.
Host 1
So what I mean by that, sorry, I know I'm talking in circles, is like, did she not say that her identity was stolen? But was it the person who stole her identity saying that as part of the COVID up? It's just so, so strange. So all of this was happening in.
Annie Elise
You know early to mid month. But then on November 17, Hannah's family posted on Facebook saying that they saw security footage of Hannah spotted somewhere in downtown la. She was in the Pico Metro station.
Host 1
Area and her family's post said that.
Annie Elise
In the footage Hannah looked like she was in very bad condition. Also that she was not alone. So I'm not sure if that means another person was literally seen physically with her, if maybe she looked like she.
Host 1
Was speaking to somebody or if maybe this other person was somebody that the family recognized.
Annie Elise
That was the only detail that was released about the video, just that she was in bad condition and that she wasn't alone. Now, this investigation is obviously ongoing, so new details and new information about Hannah are coming out as time goes on and Hannah's family is urging anyone, absolutely anyone with information to help find her. It's also being said that there is a lot more information that's known. However, it's not being posted online because they don't want to jeopardize the investigation. So.
Host 1
And I completely understand that, especially if they don't want to tip somebody off. But I have been getting a lot.
Annie Elise
Of requests for this case. We will definitely keep our eyes on it. Hopefully Hannah is found safe, sound, well.
Host 1
Reunited with her family. But I'd imagine it's only a matter.
Annie Elise
Of time before the truth comes out. It always does, right? The whole mystery is just so crazy and so sad for everybody involved.
Host 1
So let me know what you think about this case.
Annie Elise
Spread this Share the link to this.
Host 1
Episode so that hopefully more people are.
Annie Elise
Aware of this case. And let's just hope that Hannah is found safe and sound.
Host 1
Thank you guys so much for tuning.
Annie Elise
Into another episode of Headline Highlights. I will be back on the mic with you first thing Monday morning with an all new deep dive of a case. And as a reminder, if you want.
Host 1
Access to over 70 bonus episodes that we put out every week, they're exclusive to Apple Podcasts or Patreon and they're all ad free.
Annie Elise
You can get access to that through the Apple Podcast app or over on.
Host 1
Patreon patreon.com Annealise we put out a bonus episode every single week.
Annie Elise
We've been doing it for a while.
Host 1
So right now you can unlock about.
Annie Elise
70 bonus episodes if you do that. And you can check that out if you feel like you need more content to binge.
Host 1
All right, guys, thank you so much. I will be back on the mic with you soon.
Annie Elise
And until the next one, stay safe.
Host 1
Be nice, don't kill people, just get a divorce. And just don't be a bad human.
Annie Elise
All right.
Host 1
Bye, guys.
Serialously with Annie Elise - Episode 216 Summary
Title: Hannah Kobayashi Missing Maui Woman, 20 Human Skulls Found, NYC Stabbing Spree & Dog Solves Murder Case
Release Date: November 21, 2024
Host/Author: 10 to LIFE & Audioboom Studios
Introduction
In Episode 216 of Serialously with Annie Elise, host Annie Elise delves into a series of gripping true crime cases, offering in-depth analyses and updates. This episode, aptly titled "Hannah Kobayashi Missing Maui Woman, 20 Human Skulls Found, NYC Stabbing Spree & Dog Solves Murder Case," covers a range of disturbing and intriguing incidents, from a loyal dog aiding in a murder investigation to a chilling series of stabbings in New York City.
Overview
Annie Elise begins the episode by recounting the unusual case of Derek Dagno, who was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his cousin, Mandy Reynolds. What sets this case apart is the pivotal role played by Mandy's dog, Titan, in leading authorities to Derek.
Case Details
April 5, 2023: Authorities discovered an unidentified, burned body in a storage container in a Texas field. The remains were unrecognizable, and a shell casing was found at the scene.
Titan's Behavior: A white dog was seen persistently barking and refusing to leave the area. The following day, Titan remained at the scene, prompting officials to investigate further.
Investigation Breakthrough: Through Titan's microchip, police identified Mandy Reynolds as the dog's owner. Upon searching Mandy's home, they found her possessions missing, including her car.
Derek Dagno's Arrest: Derek was spotted driving Mandy's stolen car in Kansas. A high-speed chase ensued, culminating in his arrest after crashing into another vehicle. Inside the car, Mandy's cellphone and a handgun were found. Forensic analysis confirmed the gun matched the shell casing from the crime scene, and it was determined that Mandy was killed by a single gunshot to the head.
Evidence Against Derek: Surveillance footage showed Derek purchasing items like a storage container, shovel, and gas can—tools indicative of attempting to dispose of a body. Additionally, footage captured Titan with Derek in the car, linking him directly to the crime.
Derek's Criminal History: Derek had a lengthy record, including nine prior convictions for burglary, aggravated assault, drug possession, and firearm discharge. A legal expert noted, “[06:05] He was just extremely an. Is an extremely violent individual and he cannot be trusted with the safety of this or any other community.”
Trial and Aftermath
The trial was swift, with the jury taking only 40 minutes to declare Derek guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison, with eligibility for parole after 30 years on November 7. The verdict caused significant rifts within the family, leading to heated confrontations and some family members being escorted out in handcuffs.
Insights
This case underscores the profound loyalty of animals and their potential to influence criminal investigations. Titan's unwavering presence at the crime scene was instrumental in unraveling the mystery behind Mandy's disappearance and death.
Overview
Next, Annie Elise discusses the harrowing case of Mahogany Washington, a 43-year-old woman who went missing along with her 8-year-old son. Their disappearance led to the discovery of human remains and the subsequent arrest of Michael Dean Davis Jr., the father of Mahogany's son.
Case Details
Disappearance: Mahogany Washington and her son were last seen on June 19. Although they had been out of contact since July 2022, their absence wasn't formally reported until much later.
Investigation: Michael Dean Davis Jr., who had been living on a property in Buffalo, Texas, became the prime suspect. On October 22, the Leon County Sheriff's Office searched Michael's home and discovered human remains, which were later confirmed by the Criminal Investigation Division as belonging to Mahogany.
Arrest: On November 12, authorities located Michael in Laredo, Texas, 130 miles away from Buffalo. A strategic operation led to his arrest without endangering his son. Inside Michael's home, officers found multiple rifles, a gas mask, and an armored suit. His son was unharmed and placed under the care of Child Protective Services.
Charges: Michael faces murder charges and additional charges of endangerment of a child. His bond is set at $3 million.
Ongoing Investigation
The motive behind Mahogany's disappearance remains unclear. Authorities are exploring various angles, including potential custody battles or other personal conflicts. The fact that Mahogany's cause of death hasn't been confirmed leaves many questions unanswered.
Insights
This case highlights the complexities involved in missing persons investigations, especially when immediate family members are potential suspects. The safety of the child involved adds another layer of urgency and sensitivity to the investigation.
Overview
Annie Elise shifts focus to a baffling discovery in Jal, New Mexico, where up to 20 human skull fragments were found on a property tied to Cecil via Nguyen Wa.
Case Details
Suspicious Activity: A local resident noticed Cecil exhibiting strange behavior, including making alarming statements and throwing suspicious items out of his car window. Upon reviewing surveillance footage, authorities identified the objects as bone fragments.
Discovery: On November 5, police searched Cecil's property and unearthed human bones, including parts of skulls and jawbones. This grim find expanded to include up to 20 human skulls in total.
Connection to Missing Persons: Authorities are investigating potential links between these remains and existing missing persons cases. Notably, Angela McMains, who disappeared in 2019 from the same street where the bones were found, is a primary focus.
Speculations: There are theories that these remains might be related to dark web activities, such as the sale or purchase of human remains. However, without conclusive test results, the investigation remains speculative.
Community Impact
The discovery has left the local community in shock and fear, with many questioning the origins and fate of the individuals to whom these remains belonged. The case remains open, with investigators seeking answers through ongoing examinations and searches.
Insights
This disturbing case emphasizes the dark underbelly of human behavior and the challenges law enforcement faces in uncovering the truth behind such macabre discoveries. The connection to a missing person from five years prior adds a layer of unresolved sorrow to the mystery.
Overview
Annie Elise covers the recent stabbing spree in New York City, where Raymond Rivera allegedly killed three individuals within a span of two and a half hours across different Manhattan locations.
Case Details
Incidents: On a recent Monday, Raymond Rivera, aged 51, attacked three people in Chelsea, Kip's Bay, and Midtown Manhattan. Each victim was stabbed multiple times, leading to their eventual deaths despite hospital efforts.
Attack Pattern: The first incident occurred outside a construction site in Chelsea, followed by attacks in Kip's Bay and Midtown. All attacks were unprovoked and occurred in highly populated areas.
Background: Raymond has a history of severe mental health issues and a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for burglary, assault, and other offenses across multiple states. He was released from prison just a month before the attacks and had recently been detained in a psychiatric facility for assaulting an officer.
Arrest and Charges: During interrogation, Raymond confessed to the stabbings. He is now being held in custody, facing three counts of first-degree murder and additional charges related to his actions.
Expert Commentary
A mental health expert involved in the case stated, “[25:11] There's some real questions that we need to look at on why he was on the street. And he has some severe mental health issues that should have been examined and that's what we're looking at as part of the investigation.”
Insights
Raymond's case raises critical questions about the intersection of mental health and criminal justice. His violent outburst highlights potential gaps in the system's ability to rehabilitate and monitor individuals with significant mental health challenges.
Overview
The episode concludes with the enigmatic case of Hannah Kobayashi, a 31-year-old woman who vanished while traveling from Maui to New York City, with suspicious activities noted in Los Angeles.
Case Details
Travel Plans: On November 8, Hannah flew from Maui to NYC but missed her connecting flight at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). She attended a Nike event at The Grove in LA on November 10, as evidenced by her Instagram posts featuring LeBron James and Nike logos.
Disappearance: On November 11, Hannah returned to LAX but failed to board any subsequent flights. Her phone was turned off, and all communications ceased, leading her family to report her missing.
Suspicious Text Messages: Before her disappearance, Hannah sent perplexing texts indicating her phone and identity had been hacked. These messages included statements like, "I might need some help getting there. It's a long story," and claims of being tricked into giving away funds to someone she thought she loved.
Family's Reaction: Hannah's family expressed disbelief, noting that the messages did not sound like her usual communication style. One text included the term "babe," which was uncharacteristic for Hannah.
Ex-Boyfriend's Involvement: Hannah's ex-boyfriend was on the same initial flight but continued to NYC while Hannah remained in LA. He has been cooperating with authorities and her family.
Security Footage: On November 17, security footage surfaced showing Hannah in poor condition at Pico Metro Station in downtown LA, accompanied by an unidentified individual.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they continue to piece together Hannah's last known movements. The investigation is exploring various angles, including potential identity theft, external interference, or clandestine relationships that may have led to her disappearance.
Notable Quotes
“[31:27] Was it the person who stole her identity saying as part of the COVID up? It’s just so, so strange.”
“[32:23] Her son was put into the care of CPS and Michael is currently being.”
Insights
Hannah's disappearance embodies the unsettling uncertainty that often accompanies missing persons cases. The contradictory nature of her last activities and the unusual text messages suggest possible foul play or external manipulation, though definitive conclusions remain elusive.
Conclusion
Episode 216 of Serialously with Annie Elise offers a compelling exploration of diverse true crime cases, each layered with complexity and intrigue. From the unwavering loyalty of a dog aiding in a murder investigation to the tragic consequences of mental health oversights, the episode underscores the multifaceted nature of crime and its profound impact on victims and their loved ones. Annie Elise adeptly navigates these narratives, providing listeners with thorough analyses and thought-provoking insights into each case.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
Legal Expert on Derek Dagno:
“[06:05] He was just extremely an. Is an extremely violent individual and he cannot be trusted with the safety of this or any other community.”
Mental Health Expert on Raymond Rivera:
“[25:11] There's some real questions that we need to look at on why he was on the street. And he has some severe mental health issues that should have been examined and that's what we're looking at as part of the investigation.”
Hannah's Father:
“[30:06] We wouldn't be here, her father wouldn't be here, her aunt wouldn't be here, her uncles wouldn't be here. And if we thought that this was normal behavior, Hannah doesn't know a single soul in la.”
This detailed summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, and insights from Episode 216, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode. Each case is meticulously examined, highlighting the critical elements and emotional undertones that make these true crime stories both compelling and heartbreaking.