Podcast Summary: The Deck – Episode: Marjorie "Christy" Luna (4 of Spades, Florida)
Host: audiochuck
Release Date: May 7, 2025
Introduction to the Case
In this poignant episode of The Deck, host audiochuck delves deep into the mysterious disappearance of Marjorie "Christy" Luna, a bright 8-year-old girl from Green Acres, Florida, whose disappearance on Memorial Day weekend in 1984 remains unsolved. Green Acres, portrayed as a idyllic small town with parks, schools, and a close-knit community, harbored dark secrets that would soon unravel.
Notable Quote:
Ashley Flowers [02:02]: "From the outside, Green Acres seemed like a picture-perfect place to grow up... But this storybook community had darkness lurking just under the surface."
Initial Investigation
On the night of Sunday, May 27, 1984, around 10:15 PM, Christy's mother, Jenny Luna, reported her daughter missing after Christy failed to return home from a trip to buy cat food. Detective William Springer of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office recounts the family's initial search efforts and the subsequent police investigation.
Notable Quotes:
Detective William Springer [04:29]: "They stopped at two parks... Christy came in and said, you know, the cats are hungry, I'll go get cat food."
Ashley Flowers [06:00]: "Clerks at the store told police they remembered Kristi coming in... Based on all of our research, it sounds like Kristy could have been there anytime between 2 and 5 PM."
Despite thorough searches involving canine units and mounted horses, adverse weather conditions hampered efforts, and no trace of Christy was found. The investigation initially focused on the Rambo brothers, Chuck and Willis, who lived nearby and were later arrested for unrelated sexual assaults but denied involvement in Christy's disappearance.
Notable Quote:
Detective William Springer [10:26]: "We searched the house... couldn't find anything that would indicate that Christy was murdered there."
Emergence of Victor Winetti as a Person of Interest
Years later, a new suspect surfaced—Victor Winetti from New Hampshire, who had a history of sexual offenses. Despite inmate testimonies alleging Winetti confessed to Christy’s abduction and murder, polygraph tests revealed these confessions were fabricated by the inmates seeking closure for victims' families.
Notable Quote:
Detective William Springer [17:26]: "I could not believe that Victor is sitting in a local jail telling everybody how he killed these girls, and nobody did anything to him."
Ultimately, Winetti passed away without ever being charged in connection to Christy's case, leaving lingering doubts about his involvement.
Recollection and Renewed Efforts by Christy's Friends
Two of Christy's childhood friends, Brenda and Jennifer, rekindled their memories of that fateful day decades later. Jennifer recalled a disturbing encounter where a man lured her and Brenda with the promise of finding change in a park restroom, paralleling the circumstances of Christy's disappearance.
Notable Quotes:
Jennifer [25:33]: "I heard Jenny, Christy's mom. If anyone has any information about the disappearance of my daughter, please come forward."
Brenda [33:49]: "It's not the same person, but they look a lot alike... I'm wondering if they're not related."
Their shared memories led them to create sketches and collaborate with the Sheriff's Office, reigniting hope for new leads in the cold case.
New Leads Through the Dedicated Facebook Page
Brenda and Jennifer established a Facebook page to share Christy's story, encouraging others to come forward with information. This digital outreach yielded a promising lead in 2019, pointing to Guadalupe Martinez, whose family hosted the fireworks display where Christy was last seen. Despite extensive searches, including excavating Martinez's septic tank, no evidence was found linking him to the case.
Notable Quote:
Detective William Springer [40:09]: "We were there for a good week... but they got down inside the septic tank and actually scraped the bottom... and we come up with nothing."
Continued Investigation and Community Impact
Despite numerous setbacks, Brenda and Jennifer remain steadfast in their quest to uncover the truth about Christy's disappearance. Their efforts have inspired others to share their own encounters with predators, helping to build a broader understanding of the community's hidden dangers. Detective Springer emphasizes the importance of these testimonies while highlighting the challenges of reopening decades-old cases.
Notable Quotes:
Brenda [44:02]: "We need to be a voice for those who can't be heard... That's how we find them, and that's how we bring them home."
Detective William Springer [19:18]: "It wasn't like it was a dangerous area... Except when we started investigating it, we found that there were a few child molesters in the neighborhood."
Conclusion and Call to Action
In a heartfelt finale, Donna's mother, Jenny Luna, entrusts Brenda and Jennifer with the mission to continue searching for Christy. The episode closes with a powerful call to listeners to come forward with any information that might help solve the decades-old mystery, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in bringing justice to the missing.
Notable Quotes:
Jenny Luna [42:11]: "Do it, but understand we want you to rest. It's also a lot... As Christy's best friends, she would be so proud of you guys."
Brenda [44:54]: "We are her voice now. We have to be... All the other voices of those who are missing and can't be found."
Listeners are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County or the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office directly, with details provided in the show notes and blog post for the episode.
Notable Quotes and Timestamps Recap
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Ashley Flowers [02:02]: "Green Acres seemed like a picture-perfect place... But this storybook community had darkness lurking just under the surface."
-
Detective William Springer [04:29]: "They stopped at two parks... Christy came in and said, you know, the cats are hungry, I'll go get cat food."
-
Jennifer [25:33]: "I heard Jenny, Christy's mom. If anyone has any information about the disappearance of my daughter, please come forward."
-
Detective William Springer [17:26]: "I could not believe that Victor is sitting in a local jail telling everybody how he killed these girls, and nobody did anything to him."
-
Brenda [44:02]: "We need to be a voice for those who can't be heard... That's how we find them, and that's how we bring them home."
Final Thoughts
This episode of The Deck not only chronicles the harrowing case of Marjorie "Christy" Luna but also highlights the enduring impact such tragedies have on communities and the relentless pursuit of justice by those left behind. Brenda and Jennifer’s unwavering dedication serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even decades later, the quest for truth remains vibrant.
If you have any information regarding Christy Luna's disappearance, please come forward to assist in bringing her the justice she deserves.
For More Information: Visit thedeckpodcast.com and check the show notes for contact details to aid in the investigation.
