Podcast Summary: Stolen Voices of Dole Valley

Episode 7: The Squeaky Wheel

Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Carolyn Osorio
Guests: Star Laura (sister of missing Jamie Grissom), Dan Tilkin (investigative reporter), Lindsay Arnold (retired homicide detective), and others

Episode Overview

This episode, "The Squeaky Wheel," delves into the tireless pursuit of justice by Star Laura, whose sister Jamie Grissom disappeared in the early 1970s and is believed to have been one of the first victims of suspected serial killer Warren Forrest. The episode weaves together the voices of surviving family members, investigative journalists, and detectives to highlight the overlooked cases, lost evidence, and systemic failures that have plagued the pursuit of answers for the families of Dole Valley’s missing girls.

Main Themes:

• The power of persistence from families and advocates in cold cases.
• The failures and bureaucratic inertia of law enforcement investigations.
• The importance of remembering and honoring victims whose voices have been lost.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap: Warren Forrest’s Crimes and Conviction

• The episode opens by summarizing Forrest’s conviction for Christa Blake’s murder (1979), highlighting suspicions he was a serial killer and his concerning privileges in prison (conjugal visits, pornography) ([03:16]).
  • Quote: “In what world does a serial rapist murderer get pornography? … I just couldn't believe it.” — Star Laura ([03:28])

2. Jamie Grissom’s Disappearance and Star's Lifelong Search

• Background (04:04–06:08):
  • Star and Jamie grew up in unstable, abusive environments; Jamie was protective and wise beyond her years.
  • Jamie went missing at 16, leaving Star with unanswered questions for decades.
  • Quote: “The girls clung to each other...their sisterly bond was primal.” — Carolyn Osorio ([04:37])
• Immediate Aftermath:
  • Star was largely ignored or dismissed by investigators throughout her young adulthood.
  • She repeatedly supplied dental records for Jamie to authorities, who often misplaced or lost them ([13:11], [15:00], [15:31]).
  • Star’s feeling of institutional neglect: “Don’t you guys keep records of this?” ([14:57])

3. Systemic Failures and Persistent Advocacy

• Ignored by Investigators:
  • Police and social services failed to immediately file missing persons for Jamie, leading to cold leads and lost opportunities.
    • “There isn't a missing persons report filed for her until over a month later.” — Dan Tilkin ([33:29])
  • Lack of communication was pervasive; even when Jamie was suspected as a Forrest victim, Star wasn’t informed ([16:33]).
• Star’s Determination:
  • Despite setbacks, Star decided in her 40s to reinvigorate her search: “They're not going to stop me this time.” ([17:59])

4. Journalists as Allies: Dan Tilkin and the Power of Media

• First Contact with Dan Tilkin (2006):
  • Star saw a TV segment about unidentified remains and bravely contacted Dan to share her story ([10:09]).
  • Dan admits skepticism but soon recognizes the scale of oversight and the hidden serial killings ([25:10], [30:50]).
  • Quote: “People just don't go missing, young women, and not be talked about. It just doesn't happen.” — Dan Tilkin ([30:50])
• Growing Collaboration:
  • Dan’s reporting rekindled public and official interest, making the case visible after years of silence ([24:57]).
  • Quote: “With Star’s cooperation. We just kept doing more and more stories and trying to figure out why this had been forgotten, why nothing had happened. At some point, I dubbed Warren Forrest the forgotten serial killer, because that’s what he is.” — Dan Tilkin ([36:14])

5. Lost and Found: The Saga of the Dole Valley Jane Doe’s Remains

• The Missing Evidence:
  • Star pushes for DNA testing on unidentified remains, but the sheriff’s office claims they've lost the bones ([38:11]).
  • Dan and Star trace the remains, finding them misfiled in another victim's evidence—solving a 40-year bureaucratic blunder ([39:41], [41:21]).
  • Quote: “No matter where the remains are, it’s not Jamie. So it’s really none of your business. Oh, did that make me mad.” — Star Laura ([41:21])
• Role of “Squeaky Wheels”:
  • Both Star and Dan’s persistent pressure led to the rediscovery of key evidence, demonstrating the crucial impact of advocacy and investigative journalism ([41:48]).

6. The Burden of “Forgotten” Victims

• Unreported, Uninvestigated, Unremembered:
  • Dan and Carolyn discuss how poverty and lack of family support led to victims being overlooked by media and police ([32:34]).
  • Quote: “If Jamie was from a middle class family, her disappearance would have likely been breaking news... But the airwaves were silent when Jamie vanished.” — Carolyn Osorio ([32:50])

7. Inside Law Enforcement: Cold Case Squad Struggles

• Detective Lindsay Arnold’s Role:
  • Lindsay Arnold became haunted by the cases, pushing for a cold case squad despite internal resistance ([43:26], [46:37]).
    • “You can’t expect anyone to have the same passion that you do... I did all the work almost like handing it to them. Like, can we just get the stamp of approval? But it was hard.” — Lindsay Arnold ([47:52], [49:17])
  • She built trust and rapport with Star, reinforcing empathy and survivor collaboration.

8. Emotional and Community Impact

• The Push for Recognition:
  • The episode closes by emphasizing how Star’s quest is about more than her sister: it’s a mission to give voice and dignity to all of Forrest’s suspected victims ([22:17], [46:16]).
  • Quote: “For Jamie, I wanted everybody to know who she was and what happened. And then it wasn’t just her. It was all these other girls, too. And I just thought...this has to be told.” — Star Laura ([22:17])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “She never gave up.” — Lindsay Arnold on Star Laura’s perseverance ([06:35], [46:16])
• “One of the things that's so bizarre about this case is there’s almost no record of him being covered in the news when he was doing his thing.” — Dan Tilkin ([34:19])
• “A lot of the things that Warren Forrest did were so unbelievable...you think...‘This couldn’t have happened.’” — Dan Tilkin ([40:09])
• “If you work for the sheriff's office, that's what you're entrusted to do. You should do that.” — Lindsay Arnold ([43:02])
• “Detectives rotate in, detectives rotate out...so this person's murder just goes into an archive box or...a shelf.” — Lindsay Arnold ([45:56])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:36 | Warren Forrest’s conviction and prison privileges | | 04:04 | Star Laura’s childhood with Jamie and the beginning of her search | | 10:09 | Star’s first meeting with reporter Dan Tilkin | | 13:11 | Star repeatedly contacts law enforcement for Jamie’s dental records | | 18:37 | Star finally hears Forrest’s name and receives Jamie’s case file | | 24:57 | Community impact - Dan’s reporting brings visibility to the cases | | 30:50 | Dan’s skepticism and realization about the hidden scope of the case | | 32:34 | Discussion of how vulnerable girls were more likely to be overlooked | | 33:29 | Five-week delay in missing persons report for Jamie Grissom | | 34:19 | Absence of media coverage for Warren Forrest in the 1970s | | 36:14 | Dan dubs Forrest "the forgotten serial killer" | | 37:38 | The saga of the “lost” Jane Doe remains and their rediscovery | | 41:21 | Star’s anger at institutional indifference | | 43:02 | Detective Lindsay Arnold on her realization about the unresolved cold cases | | 47:52 | Arnold’s frustration with bureaucracy resisting her push for a cold case squad | | 49:46 | Introduction of Denny Hunter, the “unsung hero” on the cold case squad |

Original Language & Tone

The episode maintains a respectful, investigative, and at times intimate tone, blending moments of righteous anger (especially from Star and Dan) with determination, sorrow, and hope. The host, Carolyn Osorio, often highlights the emotional stakes and conveys deep empathy for survivors and families.

Conclusion

Episode 7, "The Squeaky Wheel," powerfully articulates how persistent families and dogged journalists can challenge institutional inertia and resurrect the stories of the disappeared. It unveils the obstacles faced by survivors, the indifference and blunders of law enforcement, and the redemptive power of never giving up—no matter how many years have passed.

Memorable Closing Reflection:
“She never gave up.” — This sentiment, expressed by several voices throughout the episode, epitomizes the rallying spirit that the families, advocates, and some inside law enforcement bring to these all-but-forgotten cases, insisting the victims’ memories and stories will not fade into silence.