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So Supernatural
PRESENTING: Murder True Crime Stories
00:11:03
Murder: True Crime Stories explores the depths of history's most notorious murders like you've never heard before. Go beyond the crime scene as we search for the real story, and focus on the people impacted the most. Whether or not the case is solved, you'll come away with an understanding of why these stories need to be told.
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- [00:00]
Carter Roy
Rachael.
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Rachael Pecorero
It's Racha Pecorero and Yvette Gentili. And if you're loving so supernatural, you should check out the Crime House Original Murder True Crime Stories each episode of Murder True Crime Stories explores the story of an infamous solved or unsolved murder. From crimes of passion to high profile assassinations, serial killers, and even money motivated murders. Host our friend Carter Roy covers it all. But what sets Murder True Crime Stories apart is the unique approach to these stories. Not just covering the evidence, but highlighting the victims, their lives, what led to their deaths, and if they ever got justice. Some of the names you'll recognize Chandra Levy, Lacey Peterson, and of course one that we have a close connection to, Elizabeth Short, also known as the Black Dahlia. Plus others you may not know like Betsy Aardsma, David Blakely and Theora Hicks. Every episode is full of shocking twists, gripping true crime storytelling and unbelievable moments. Search Murder True Crime Stories and follow along wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Tuesday and now enjoy this special preview of Murder True Crime Stories. The Burger Chef Murders.
- [01:41]
Carter Roy
This is Crime House. For so many young people, a job flipping burgers is a rite of passage. Their first paychecks, their first co workers, their first adult responsibilities. When everything about working is brand new, even scrubbing grease off a stove can be kind of fun. At least if you're doing it alongside your friends. That's how four young employees felt during their closing shift at the Burger Chef fast food restaurant in Speedway, Indiana on November 17, 1978. At 11pm that night, they were laughing and chatting as they locked the doors and started to clean the kitchen. But by midnight, when another co worker stopped by to check on them, the entire closing crew had vanished without a trace. None of them would ever be seen alive again, and their killers would never be brought to justice. 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. I'm Carter Roy and this is True Crime, a Crime House original. Every Tuesday, I'll explore the story of a notorious murder or murders. I'll be bringing awareness to stories that need to be heard, with a focus on those who are impacted. At Crime House, we want to express our gratitude to you, our community, for making this possible. Please support us by rating, reviewing and following Murder True Crime Stories wherever you get your podcasts and to enhance your Murder True Crime Stories listening experience. Subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode ad free. And instead of having to wait for each episode of a two part series, you'll get access to both at once. Plus exciting bonus content. This is the first of two episodes on the Burger Chef murders, a horrific, unsolved, quadruple homicide that's baffled investigators for nearly 50 years. Today, I'll walk you through the night. Four promising young people were kidnapped and killed. Next week in Part two, I'll take you through the investigation and the many obstacles detectives faced, including a number of critical errors that were committed during the investigation. Finally, I'll reveal who some detectives believe committed this terrible crime and why we may never know the truth. All that and more coming up on November 17, 1978, business was good at Indiana's favorite fast food joint, Burger Chef. With a Thanksgiving holiday coming up in Speedway, Indiana, it was the perfect time for folks to fill up on Big Chef and Super Chef burgers. Orders quickly flew from kitchen to counter, thanks in no small part to 20 year old assistant manager Jane Freight, who always made sure every customer left happy. Jane was born on May 2, 1958 to George and Carolyn Freight of Terre Haute, Indiana. Around 1970, Jane's family moved to the Indianapolis area where she would eventually attend Avon High School. From an early age, Jane showed herself to be ambitious and hard working, and when she was 17 she started working for Burger Chef. At that time it was one of the largest hamburger chains in Indiana. Unlike most kids working in fast food, Jane saw her job as more than a chance to earn some spending money, it was a career. She knew that Burger Chef liked to promote from within, so she made herself indispensable, hoping to work her way up to a high paying corporate job. In May of 1978, when Jane was 20, she transferred to the Speedway Burger Chef location at 5725 Crawfordsville Road. Just three months later, in August, she was promoted to assistant manager. Wanting to make the most of the opportunity, she she worked 52 hour weeks and took on any extra responsibility she could. Despite the long hours, Jane always had a smile on her face. Her sunny disposition was so well known her customers nicknamed her Sweet Jane. It's not easy to find an employee as dedicated as Jane, especially in fast food. Corporate even decided to put her in charge of a location of her own starting the next year. Though she didn't know it yet, she was slated to be a store manager before she turned 21, and Jane wasn't the only ambitious employee at The Speedway Burger Chef. 17 year old Ruth Ellen Shelton was intelligent and driven. But unlike Jane, she didn't see herself staying at Burger Chef long term. Ruth loaded her high school schedule with honors classes in math and science. After graduating, she hoped to study computer science at a prestigious university. And she wasn't short on extracurriculars either. On weekends, Ruth sang in her church's choir and enjoyed studying the Bible. With so much on her plate, Ruth wasn't able to keep up with the long hours she was expected to put in at Burger Chef. She'd resigned a few weeks earlier. Though she agreed to stay on through the busy holiday season. As Ruth was moving on from her job at Burger Chef, 16 year old Daniel Davis was just getting started and he was just as ambitious as his co workers. Daniel hoped to join the US Air Force after graduating high school. Just like his older brother had done. To prepare, he joined the Civil Air Patrol, the Air Force's volunteer program for young civilians. While he endured the long wait to enlist, Daniel fed his passion by photographing airplanes. He even learned to develop the photos himself and talked his parents into helping him set up a home darkroom. When he wasn't on air patrol, taking photos or working his 20, 30 hours per week at Burger Chef, Daniel was an honor roll student at Decatur Central High School. With his work ethic and academic ability, everyone who knew Daniel felt he would be a great asset to the Air Force when the time came. The fourth and final employee working that night was 16 year old Mark Flemmonds. Born on December 31, 1961. Most teenagers would have found it frustrating to have their birthday on New Year's Eve. But it didn't matter much to Mark. As devout Jehovah Witnesses, his family didn't celebrate birthdays or holidays. In general, the Flemings were one of very few black families in Speedway at the time. Mr. And Mrs. Flemings knew their children stood out in the community both for their race and their unusual faith. Because of that, they felt it was their duty to raise model citizens. Mark and his six older siblings spent most of their time at home studying religious materials. And when Mark wanted to get an after school job, his father told him he'd need to bring his grades up first. So Mark did just that. In August 1978, his dad finally gave him permission to work as a short order cook at Burger Chef. It was a huge deal for Mark. He wanted to prove to his parents and his co workers that they could rely on him. So when 17 year old ginger Haggard asked if anyone could cover her shift on Friday night while she went on a date, Mark offered to help. At the last minute, though, he changed his mind and asked the store manager if he could back out of the shift. But it was too late to find someone else and Mark agreed to stay. So on the night of November 17, 1978, Mark was at Burger Chef with Jane, Ruth, and Daniel. Daniel's shift ended a little earlier than the others, but another employee called in saying his van had broken down, so Daniel got his parents permission to stay late and help close. Sadly, it was the last shift they would ever work.
- [10:53]
Rachael Pecorero
Thanks so much for listening. To catch the rest of this episode and so much more. Don't forget to search and follow Murder True Crime Stories wherever you get your podcasts.