Podcast Summary: The Deck – Episode: Kyle Seidel (5 of Diamonds, Connecticut)
Host: audiochuck
Release Date: April 2, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of The Deck, host Ashley Flowers delves into the harrowing case of Kyle Seidel, a 34-year-old Connecticut man whose life was abruptly taken the night before Christmas in 2012. Utilizing the unique approach of replacing traditional playing cards with the faces of missing and murdered individuals, The Deck aims to reignite public interest and uncover new leads in cold cases through engagement with inmates. This episode showcases the relentless pursuit of justice by investigators and the profound impact on Kyle's family.

The Night of the Murder

August 2012, the evening before Christmas, was supposed to be a joyful time for Kyle Seidel and his family in Waterford, Connecticut. Kyle, a dock laborer at the Essex Island Marina, had attended his company’s holiday party and later stopped by a dive bar with a friend. Upon returning home around 7:30 PM, he promptly switched into "dad mode," greeting his wife, Kate, and their three young children. He agreed to pick up Chinese takeout for dinner, a routine request that would turn tragic.

Quote:
"It should have been a quick trip," Ashley Flowers explains, highlighting that the restaurant was only ten minutes away.

However, Kyle never made it home.

The Murder and Initial Investigation

Kyle was found in the parking lot of a local bowling alley, having been shot by an unidentified assailant. Detectives arrived swiftly but were met with a scene offering few clues. The only items recovered were Kyle’s wallet, containing $40 in cash, an open pocket knife he often carried, and a bullet casings mismatch.

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Detective Ray Carroll notes, "He had at least a second to try to defend himself, you know, but no DNA on that other than Kyle's." ([07:30])

Despite thorough searches, including interviews with over a dozen people and surveillance footage reviews, investigators found no witnesses or solid leads. The absence of shell casings and the potential for environmental factors like wind complicated evidence collection.

Theories and Family Insights

As the investigation stalled, Kyle's family grappled with possible motives. Detective Carroll mentioned a prevalent theory of road rage, suggesting Kyle might have been involved in a roadside altercation. However, this theory was contested by Kyle's mother, Darlene, who emphasized his aversion to road aggression.

Quote:
Darlene Seidel passionately counters, "He was the type of guy... if there was a family out there that ran out of gas and it was raining, he'd stop and make sure he'd go and get him gas." ([17:07])

Another theory posited that Kyle might have stopped to assist someone in distress, but investigators found this unlikely due to the dark and poorly lit parking lot conditions.

Emergence of Suspects: Mike and Ron

In 2014, the investigation took a new turn when a deck of playing cards featuring Kyle was distributed in Connecticut prisons. A prisoner identified as Mike claimed responsibility for the murder. Further scrutiny revealed connections between Mike and another inmate, Ron, who was known as Mike's enforcer.

Quote:
"We just want to stress to anybody that was close to Kyle... any small bit of evidence or leads can be very important to this case," Ellen Pompeo asserts, emphasizing the need for credible information. ([43:32])

Despite Mike’s initial admission, his alibi and subsequent denials, alongside Ron’s uncooperative stance, hindered immediate prosecution. Efforts to build a case through narcotics charges eventually led to Mike's incarceration in 2015, but his refusal to discuss the murder left the case unresolved.

Complications in the Investigation

The case faced significant delays, partially due to the overwhelming attention following the Sandy Hook school shooting just a week prior. Resources were stretched thin, delaying progress on Kyle’s case, which was subsequently handed over to the state police cold case unit.

Community and Family Efforts

Kyle's family remained steadfast in their quest for answers. They offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the resolution of the case, but initial tips lacked credibility. The turning point came when Amanda, a woman with a dubious criminal background, claimed to witness Mike and Ron at the scene. However, inconsistencies in her account prevented the information from being admissible in court.

Quote:
"It's tough because when these people came forward with so many years after the fact... it's been so long that they get their dates mixed up," Ellen Pompeo explains the challenges with witness reliability. ([39:45])

Advancements and Ongoing Efforts

In 2021 and 2022, detectives revisited the case, focusing on DNA evidence. Although no matches were found linking Mike and Ron to the DNA mixtures on Kyle's clothing, investigators remained convinced of their involvement based on circumstantial evidence and cell phone activity.

Detective Carroll appeals to the public for any additional information, emphasizing that even seemingly insignificant details could be pivotal in solving Kyle's murder.

Quote:
Detective Ray Carroll urges, "I think just if people are listening to this, then they will hopefully think about coming forward with any little bit of information that could help connect Kyle somehow to these people..." ([42:53])

Impact on the Family

The Seidel family's life was irrevocably altered by Kyle's murder. Kate, Kyle’s wife, struggles with the absence of her husband during her children’s formative years. The emotional toll is profound, as Kyle's parents eventually relocated to Florida to escape the painful reminders in Waterford.

Quote:
Kate shares, "Navigating her own grief while helping three young children understand that their dad wasn't coming home was a devastating task." ([44:16])

Kyle’s mother, Darlene, remains actively involved, regularly communicating with detectives and maintaining an online memorial space dedicated to seeking justice for her son.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Despite years passing without a definitive resolution, the hope remains that new information will surface to bring closure to Kyle Seidel’s family. The Deck emphasizes the importance of community involvement and the critical role of public tips in solving cold cases.

Quote:
Detective Carroll emphasizes, "We believe we've definitely developed probable cause. We just need that little extra information that would place Kyle in the area with those suspects." ([42:53])

Listeners are encouraged to contact the Waterford Police Department with any information that might aid in resolving Kyle's case, reinforcing the podcast’s mission to leverage community engagement in pursuit of justice.

Closing Thoughts

This episode of The Deck not only recounts the tragic story of Kyle Seidel but also highlights the broader challenges faced in solving cold cases. Through detailed narrative and emotional testimonies, audiochuck underscores the enduring impact of such crimes on families and communities, advocating for continued vigilance and support in the quest for truth and accountability.