Stolen Voices of Dole Valley — Episode 9: "Connecting Threads"

Release Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Carolyn Osorio
Podcast: Lemonada Media

Episode Overview

“Connecting Threads” is a powerful and emotionally charged episode that weaves together decades of investigations, victim and family stories, law enforcement efforts, and newly uncovered evidence in the unsolved murders and disappearances linked to serial killer Warren Forrest in the Pacific Northwest. The episode not only chronicles the efforts to bring accountability after half a century but also highlights the collective resolve of families, survivors, and cold case experts to push for justice—despite seemingly insurmountable odds.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Refueling Cold Case Investigations and the Role of the Podcast

• Retired Detective Doug Maas and former prosecutor Denny Hunter reignited efforts at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) post-Forrest’s 2023 conviction.
• The upcoming Stolen Voices podcast and its newly gathered leads motivated law enforcement to revisit five unsolved cases potentially connected to Forrest.
  (03:19–04:11)
  • Doug Maas: “Just knowing they were getting pressure from Denny and I... and honestly, the pressure from knowing that the podcast series was about to come out.” (03:56)
• Leads generated through the podcast—especially evidence, witnesses, and DNA opportunities—are clarifying connections and supplying momentum.

2. Victim Profiles and Warren Forrest's Modus Operandi

• Forrest’s pattern: targeting teens and young women (14–20), typically alone outdoors, with a clear geographic and temporal overlay between his employment absences and victim disappearances.
  (04:35–05:51)
  • Doug Maas: “He’s got a pattern of taking time off on the day of particular offense or just before or just after.” (05:43)
• The forested region and poorly connected law enforcement agencies in the ’70s created fertile ground for missing cases to slip through jurisdictional cracks.

3. Deep Dives into Individual Victim Stories

Gloria Knudsen (19)

• Escaped a harrowing incident, begged a friend for help, but vanished after refusing to stay overnight. Four years later, her remains were found at Lacamas Lake.
  (14:22–19:28)
• The recovery of a single missing tooth enabled identification; adhesive tape at the scene points to Forrest’s known methods.
  • Det. John Dush: “We found the tooth. And that’s when we knew it was her... Because we hadn’t found that tooth, she may have never been identified.” (19:19–19:28)
• Her best friend Sandy described their bond, their hitchhiking adventures, and a chilling near-miss weeks prior with “a weird guy in a van.”
  (21:25–23:50)

Diane Gilchrist (14)

• Endured violence at home, ran away the night of her disappearance, visited her boyfriend, then disappeared en route to the store. Never found.
  (28:54–32:09)
• Family trauma compounded by law enforcement inaction and lack of closure.
  • Karen (Diane’s sister): “She was cheated out of life and Warren Forrest took that away.” (32:04)
  • Family purchased and keeps a burial plot, awaiting resolution. (33:32)

Additional Cases and Survivors

• The episode methodically reviews Forrest’s known and suspected victims, noting recurring themes of agency silos, missed connections, and lost evidence.

4. Law Enforcement’s Historical Failures and Recent Shifts

• Multiple instances of reports dismissed as runaways; denial of records on “active investigations” that weren’t being pursued.
  (34:22–35:07)
  • Det. John Dush: “Technically... it is an open investigation, but that doesn’t mean that anybody’s working on it.” (34:48)
• Episode reveals how persistent citizen investigators and families, not police, have kept these cases alive across decades.

5. The DNA Breakthroughs and Renewed Hope

• New DNA technology offers a second chance. Hairs and evidence swept from Forrest’s van in the ’70s, long dormant, are being prepared for advanced analysis.
  • Paul Holes (Golden State Killer case consultant): Clear priority: submit pubic and postmortem hairs for modern Forensic Genetic Genealogy.
    (43:09–49:43)
  • Paul Holes: “If you get Valenzuela’s hair inside Forrest’s van, you have a chargeable case that in essence can be used as leverage to... get him to admit to everything he’s done.” (49:05)
• Recent developments include:
  • CCSO reactivating its long-shuttered cold case squad.
  • Ongoing forensic testing of van sweepings and crime scene artifacts.
  • Consideration of immunity for Forrest in exchange for full confessions.

6. The Families’ Enduring Loss — and Newfound Support Network

• The relentless trauma experienced by survivors and victim families is underscored by raw interviews.
  • Larry Helidge (Carol Valenzuela’s brother-in-law): Emotional weight lifted as his brother is finally cleared of suspicion 50 years later; speaks to the healing power of community among affected families.
    (53:26–56:05)
  • Larry: “Doing this is helping those people heal. It’s a process. It’s not just finding out who did it for us. It’s a part of healing.” (58:02)
• Sharon Forrest (ex-wife) now pleads with Warren to confess, framing it as a path to redemption for both him and the families.
  • Sharon: “If something’s on my heart, I have to take care of it. And part of that... is hoping these families get their closure.” (51:25)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• “You might be the one to dig up some clue by interviewing these people from the past.”
  — Doug Maas, on the vital role of outsider investigators and the podcast (42:11)
• “Absolutely qualified... he was critical in solving the Golden State Killer case through genetic genealogy... never gave up.”
  — Carolyn, on recruiting Paul Holes (45:12–45:44)
• “She trusted everybody... she was a true friend... She just brought out the best in me.”
  — *Sandra “Sandy” Ortiz Pones, Gloria’s best friend (22:20–22:49)
• “If you get DNA evidence, if you get Valenzuela’s hair inside Forrest’s van, you have a chargeable case...”
  — Paul Holes (49:05)
• “Fifty years later and, you know, still, still here with... is it ever going to end?”
  — Sharon Forrest (50:42)
• “It can be hundreds of people. And doing this is helping those people heal.”
  — Larry Helidge (58:02)
• “It was always our intention to collect these threads and weave the ultimate theme that together we are stronger.”
  — Carolyn (host) (59:09)

Major Segment Timestamps

• Podcast/Cold Case Relaunch & Timeline Strategy: 03:19–07:53
• Gloria Knudsen’s Case & Investigation: 14:22–19:46
• Friendship with Sandy / Hitchhiking Risks: 21:25–24:50
• Discussion of Diane Gilchrist’s Disappearance: 28:54–33:12
• DNA as a Game Changer (Paul Holes): 43:09–49:43
• Sharon Forrest’s Perspective / Plea for Confession: 50:42–53:11
• Family Healing & Catharsis (Larry/Carol): 53:26–59:09
• Conclusion: Justice, Remembrance, and Ongoing Efforts: 59:09–end

Conclusion & Continuing Impact

The episode closes with a reflection on the collaborative efforts of families, investigators, and journalists. It emphasizes how sharing these stories—shining light on the "stolen voices"—creates a tapestry of loss, resilience, and hope. DNA technology, persistent advocacy, and the force of community offer a path to long-awaited closure.

“Together, we see you. I’m never going to forget these young women... I hope you will too. Together we will continue to pull on these threads as this is just the beginning on our continued march toward justice for the Stolen Voices of Dole Valley.”
— Carolyn Osorio, Host (59:09–end)

Tip Line: If you have information regarding these cases, call Clark County Sheriff’s Office: 564-397-2847