The Megyn Kelly Show: Police Narratives, Mystery Man Holding Baby - Part 2 of Megyn Kelly Investigates: Baby Lisa's Disappearance | Ep. 1023
Release Date: March 11, 2025
In the second installment of "Megyn Kelly Investigates: Baby Lisa's Disappearance," Megyn Kelly delves deeper into the baffling case of Baby Lisa Irwin, who vanished over a decade ago. This episode uncovers new clues, scrutinizes police investigations, and introduces potential suspects beyond Lisa's immediate family. Here's a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from Episode 1023.
1. Reopening Investigations in Kansas City
The episode kicks off with Megyn Kelly shedding light on recent developments in Kansas City, Missouri. New evidence has emerged, prompting law enforcement to reevaluate Lisa Irwin's disappearance and consider suspects outside of her parents.
Notable Quote:
Megyn Kelly [00:15]: "How could a baby vanish in the middle of the night? It's a question that has lasted more than 12 years after the disappearance of then 10-month-old baby Lisa Irwin."
2. Introduction of Defense Attorney Cindy Short and Her Team
Megyn introduces Cindy Short, a dedicated attorney leading a team of 17 women committed to uncovering the truth behind Lisa's disappearance. Cindy brings a personal connection to the case, having been a victim of a near-abduction herself.
Notable Quotes:
Cindy Short [04:05]: "The women in my group and in my law firm were aching as mothers, and we wanted to be able to make a difference."
Megyn Kelly [04:34]: "Is it possible someone just walked in there, took no other measures besides wearing a pair of gloves, took the baby, walked in the front door, walked out the front door, and that was it."
3. Scrutinizing Police Procedures and Potential Missteps
The discussion highlights potential flaws in the initial police investigation, including questionable handling of evidence and possible bias towards Lisa's parents as suspects.
Notable Quotes:
Cindy Short [07:08]: "I really believe that they were creating theater to make it look as if Deborah was responsible. And I felt that that was really unfair."
Bill Stanton [31:37]: "If it bleeds, it leads. And they want a nice finite end to the story. And that's why they were so ravenous at getting to Deborah and Jeremy."
4. The Emergence of John Tanko as a Primary Suspect
John "Jersey" Tanko, a handyman with a criminal background, surfaces as a significant suspect. Cindy Short emphasizes Tanko's suspicious activities around the time of Lisa's disappearance, including his proximity to the Irwin household and his history of burglary and arson.
Notable Quotes:
Cindy Short [14:14]: "The primary person for me was John Tanko. He was an individual who was essentially homeless at the time. But he had connections to the neighborhood and had connections a household that was only several doors up from the Irwin's home."
Cindy Short [28:07]: "We have an individual who's using methamphetamine, who's breaking into homes in the community, who has a history of arson in this same community."
5. Witness Testimonies Supporting the Tanko Theory
Multiple witnesses, including neighbors Lisa Parscale and Mike Thompson, reported seeing a man with a baby during the critical hours surrounding Lisa's disappearance. These testimonies align with Tanko's presence in the area and suggest his potential involvement.
Notable Quotes:
Cindy Short [08:18]: "He was carrying a Baby and he kind of was pushing it against his chest... He wanted me to call the cops and I hate that I didn't call him."
Jim Spellman [29:53]: "One of the things that the police apparently did not do was to do what we call a fact pattern analysis... And we related that to the police and to the FBI agent and they didn't want to hear it."
6. Megan Wright's Insight and Challenges
Megan Wright, a former girlfriend of John Tanko, provides personal insights into his character and behavior. Her testimony paints a picture of Tanko as erratic and involved in drug activities, further solidifying suspicions around him.
Notable Quotes:
Megan Wright [24:17]: "I'm doing it because it's important to me to not participate in something that's going to be a circus."
Megan Wright [27:34]: "I didn't really know him all that well. And most of the time that we were together... we were using drugs together."
7. Critique of Media and Law Enforcement's Handling of the Case
Megyn Kelly and her guests critique how the media focused predominantly on Lisa's parents, potentially overshadowing other critical evidence and suspects like John Tanko. They argue that law enforcement's tunnel vision may have hindered the investigation's progress.
Notable Quotes:
Jim Spellman [29:53]: "When you interview someone as a suspect versus as a witness, that interview is very different."
Bill Stanton [31:37]: "And they were running the stats, the odds with her, to the exclusion of all this other evidence coming up."
8. Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Mystery
Despite new leads, many questions remain unanswered about Baby Lisa's disappearance. The episode underscores the complexity of the case and the need for a more thorough and unbiased investigation.
Notable Quotes:
Bill Stanton [34:17]: "They had like the equivalent of several football teams in and out of that house after the crime occurred. And then they go in... that was, you know, played out in front of the cameras."
Megyn Kelly [35:21]: "So no barking could mean that somebody carrying baby Lisa was familiar to the dog or did not go through the woods behind the house at all."
9. Conclusion and Call to Action
Megyn Kelly concludes the episode by urging listeners to stay engaged with the case, providing resources for submitting tips and encouraging continued public interest to solve Baby Lisa's disappearance.
Looking Forward:
The episode sets the stage for further investigations and theories to be explored in the next installment, promising to unveil new evidence and perspectives in the ongoing quest to find Baby Lisa Irwin.
Resources:
- Submit Tips: kccrimestoppers.com | Phone: 816-474-TIPS (816-8477)
- Contact Megyn Kelly: MegynKelly.com
This summary encapsulates the critical elements of Episode 1023, providing listeners with a detailed overview of the discussions surrounding Baby Lisa's disappearance. For those seeking to understand the complexities of the case, this episode offers invaluable insights and calls for renewed investigative efforts.