Introducing: Denise Didn't Come Home

Summary

Summary of "The Binge Cases: Denise Didn't Come Home"

Episode: Introducing: Denise Didn't Come Home
Release Date: September 24, 2024
Host: Sony Music Entertainment
Series: The Binge Cases (formerly Smoke Screen)

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Introduction

"The Binge Cases: Denise Didn't Come Home" marks the latest installment in The Binge Cases series, previously known as Smoke Screen. This true crime narrative delves deep into a nearly half-century-old mystery surrounding the tragic disappearance and murder of Denise Falaska. Hosted by Sony Music Entertainment, this series promises a gripping exploration of unresolved crime, personal loss, and relentless pursuit of justice.

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Background

Karen Falaska recounts the heart-wrenching story of her older sister, Denise, whose life was brutally cut short on July 15, 1969. The siblings departed their Bergen County home under seemingly ordinary circumstances, a night that would forever alter Karen's life.

Notable Quote:

Karen Falaska: "I was just a starry eyed 13 year old and everything Denise did was just amazing to me. And I remember that night very, very clear." [00:21]

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The Fateful Night

On a hot summer evening, Karen (13) and Denise (15) left home to catch a bus. The siblings parted ways at a street corner, with Denise insisting she had to attend to something urgent.

Notable Quote:

Karen Falaska: "We got to the corner and she told me she had to go do something. She said, don't follow me. And I said, please stay with me." [00:32-00:42]

Shortly after Denise walked away, Karen encountered a menacing driver whose unsettling presence left a lasting impression.

Notable Quote:

Karen Falaska: "He was like the devil himself. He scared me. I saw him and I stepped forward and I made an aggressive move to get him away from me. And I always wondered if I just sent him straight to Denise." [01:00]

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The Tragic Discovery

The following day, Denise's body was discovered strangled near a cemetery in Saddlebrook, New Jersey. The community was shocked, and authorities were left with little evidence to pursue.

Notable Quote:

News Reporter: "The body of a teenage girl found strangled in Saddlebrook, New Jersey yesterday was identified this morning as that of 15 year old Denise Falaska of Kloster, New Jersey." [01:16]

Karen grappled with the devastation of losing her sister to such a heinous act.

Notable Quote:

Karen Falaska: "Nobody knows what happened, she just. She was murdered and brutally murdered. The thought was some stranger, some psycho, killed her." [01:28-01:39]

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The Stagnant Investigation

Despite initial efforts, law enforcement struggled to gather leads or evidence to identify Denise's killer. The investigation stalled, leaving the family in anguish.

Notable Quote:

Karen Falaska: "It was like, well, we don't have any leads, we don't have any clues, and unless someone confesses, we're stumped. I said, okay, if you're not going to do it, I'm going to do it." [01:47-01:58]

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Karen's Relentless Pursuit

Refusing to accept the lack of progress, Karen embarked on a tireless quest to uncover the truth behind her sister's murder. This personal mission spans nearly five decades, reflecting her unwavering determination.

Notable Quote:

Narrator: "For almost 50 years, Karen Falaska searched for the man who murdered her sister." [01:58]

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Collaboration with Anthony Scalia

In a surprising twist, Karen enlisted the help of Anthony Scalia, the host of The Binge Cases, to aid in her investigation. Together, they revisited every aspect of the case, interviewing those involved and re-examining evidence.

Notable Quote:

Narrator: "And then she got a little help from one of the least likely people I could ever imagine getting involved in a murder investigation. Me. Together, we talked to everyone who was involved with her sister's case." [01:58-02:17]

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Uncovering the Truth

Through their collaboration, Karen and Anthony uncovered significant insights about the night Denise was killed, including the presence of a known sexual predator in the area.

Notable Quote:

News Reporter: "We knew we had a sexual predator, a serial killer that was out there almost on a daily basis." [02:17-02:25]

Their relentless investigation eventually led them to confront the perpetrator, uncovering unsettling truths about the supposed "perfect murder."

Notable Quote:

News Reporter (Killer): "I'm the only one that knew exactly what happened. You hear there's no such thing as the perfect murder. Well, that's not true because I had a lot of perfect murders." [02:37-02:49]

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Conclusion

"Denise Didn't Come Home" sets the stage for a compelling true crime series that promises to deliver an in-depth exploration of unresolved cases, personal vendettas, and the pursuit of justice against all odds. With Karen Falaska's poignant narrative and Anthony Scalia's investigative prowess, listeners are invited to embark on a journey that seeks to finally bring closure to a decades-old tragedy.

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Additional Information

• Subscribe & Listen: To immerse yourself in the full narrative, subscribe to The Binge Cases on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com.
• Stay Updated: Follow The Binge Crimes and The Binge Cases for monthly releases, starting October 1st.
• Join the Community: Engage with fellow true crime enthusiasts and feed your obsession with gripping stories that linger long after the final episode.

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"The Binge Cases: Denise Didn't Come Home" is a testament to the enduring quest for truth and justice, highlighting the profound impact of unsolved crimes on families and communities alike.

Transcript

[Narrator]

So if you feel comfortable, I'm ready to start recording.

[Karen Falaska]

Okay, I'm ready.

[Narrator]

This is Karen Falaska. When I first met her, she told me a story, a story about the last time she saw her older sister, Denise.

[Karen Falaska]

I was just a starry eyed 13 year old and everything Denise did was just amazing to me. And I remember that night very, very clear.

[Narrator]

It was a hot summer night back in 1969. Karen was 13 and Denise was 15. They left home together to catch a boss.

[Karen Falaska]

We got to the corner and she told me she had to go do something. She said, don't follow me. And I said, please stay with me.

[Narrator]

Denise walked off into the night and that's when Karen saw a car approaching. And she noticed the driver staring at her.

[Karen Falaska]

He was like the devil himself. He scared me. I saw him and I stepped forward and I made an aggressive move to get him away from me. And I always wondered if I just sent him straight to Denise.

[News Reporter]

This is your metropolitan area report. The body of a teenage girl found strangled in Saddlebrook, New Jersey yesterday was identified this morning as that of 15 year old Denise Velaska of Kloster, New Jersey.

[Karen Falaska]

Nobody knows what happened, she just. She was murdered and brutally murdered. The thought was some stranger, some psycho, killed her.

[Narrator]

The police tried to solve Denise's murder, but that investigation went nowhere.

[Karen Falaska]

It was like, well, we don't have any leads, we don't have any clues, and unless someone confesses, we're stumped. I said, okay, if you're not going to do it, I'm going to do it.

[Narrator]

For almost 50 years, Karen Falaska searched for the man who murdered her sister. And then she got a little help from one of the least likely people I could ever imagine getting involved in a murder investigation. Me. Together, we talked to everyone who was involved with her sister's case.

[News Reporter]

We knew we had a sexual predator, a serial killer that was out there almost on a daily basis.

[Narrator]

We learned everything we possibly could about the night Denise was killed.

[Karen Falaska]

Oh, my God. Oh my God, the girl's gonna be murdered.

[Narrator]

And eventually we even talked to the man who killed her.

[News Reporter]

I'm the only one that knew exactly what happened. You hear there's no such thing as the perfect murder. Well, that's not true because I had a lot of perfect murders.

[Narrator]

From Truth Media and Sony Music Entertainment. This is Denise didn't come home. Coming October 1st to the Binge. Listen, wherever you get your podcast.