The Unforgotten: Season 2, Episode 4 - "The Refugee"
Release Date: November 4, 2024
Host: Free Range Productions
Episode Title: The Refugee
Introduction
In Season 2 of The Unforgotten, titled Unnatural Causes, Free Range Productions delves deep into the harrowing case of Billy Shamirmere, recognized as the worst serial killer in Dallas history. Episode 4, "The Refugee," masterfully unravels the events leading to Shamirmere's capture and the intricate investigation that exposed his reign of terror. This episode not only chronicles the chilling crimes but also highlights systemic failures that allowed Shamirmere to evade justice repeatedly—until one resolute woman stood against him.
Background: The Refugee and Her New Life
The episode opens with a poignant recount of Kim Harris (née Lu Ti Vanguard), a resilient Chinese-born widow living in Dallas. Having survived the chaos of the Vietnam War and relocating to the United States, Kim built a life with her American husband, William Harris. Their daughter, Lone, followed them to the U.S., and the family settled in Dallas, enjoying a peaceful life until tragedy struck.
Notable Quote:
Richard Reinhart [04:11]: "Most people think their mother-in-law..."
Kim Harris remained active and independent, even after the deaths of her husband in 2008 and daughter in 2013. Her routine was abruptly disrupted in March 2018 when she became a victim of Shamirmere’s violent spree.
The Crimes: A Serial Killer at Large
In early March 2018, residents of Preston Place Apartments in Plano, Texas, began reporting a sinister presence: a man wearing dish gloves, allegedly stealing from residents. On the morning of March 19, Mary Bartel was attacked, an incident that would later link directly to Shamirmere.
Notable Quote:
Officer Jamal Kemp [05:50]: "A guy pushed his way in and he was wearing dish gloves. So at that moment, I knew that this was serious..."
Detective Paul Martinez delves into Mary Bartel's testimony, highlighting her poise despite the trauma:
Notable Quote:
Detective Paul Martinez [07:39]: "She's being very detailed. She knows what she has. So it just led to, in my opinion, her credibility of what was really taking place."
As more reports poured in, the descriptions remained vague, often noting only the perpetrator's attire: dish gloves and occasionally a black complexion. A breakthrough came when Richard Plink reported a suspicious Nissan Altima, leading police to connect the vehicle to Shamirmere.
Investigation: Piecing Together the Puzzle
Detective Martinez and his team scoured online databases and canvassed the area, uncovering Shamirmere’s history of trespassing and dubious activities in senior living communities. A crucial lead emerged when Detective John Hoffman, a coin collector with a keen eye for detail, identified Shamirmere through a listing on OfferUp—a stolen wedding ring linked directly to Mary Bartel.
Notable Quote:
Prosecutor Glenn Fitzmartin [16:20]: "So you have twenty percent guy or the guy in the fedora."
Kim Harris [16:32]: "That's me and that's my cousin."
As the investigation progressed, evidence pointed to Shamirmere’s frequenting of local jewelry and gold exchanges, where he cunningly sold stolen items. His interactions at the Diamond and Gold Exchange became pivotal in building the case against him.
Key Interviews and Testimonies
The episode features intense courtroom scenes where prosecutor Glenn Fitzmartin interrogates Abdel Saleh, the buyer of the stolen wedding ring. The testimony reveals Shamirmere’s methodical approach to disposing of stolen goods:
Notable Quote:
Kim Harris [17:18]: "I took the diamonds out and melted it."
Detective Hoffman’s expertise in precious metals trading connects Shamirmere’s sales to various unreported thefts, suggesting a larger pattern of criminal activity.
Notable Quote:
Richard Reinhart [19:50]: "The cash for gold shops aren't...another thing that he probably preferred..."
The Arrest: A Closer Look
On March 20, 2018, Plano police, augmented by a newly established surveillance unit, meticulously set up an operation to arrest Shamirmere based on the public intoxication warrant. Officer Bill Knight narrates the tense moments leading to Shamirmere’s apprehension:
Notable Quote:
Officer Bill Knight [34:07]: "He made another trip to the dumpster...I heard a really loud noise, like something heavy was thrown into the dumpster."
Shamirmere’s arrest was swift and strategically executed, leaving little room for escape. During the arrest, officers recovered incriminating evidence, including a gold necklace bearing Kim Harris’s name and a U.S. embassy affidavit linking Shamirmere to Bill Harris.
Unraveling the Truth: From Arrest to Realization
With Shamirmere in custody, law enforcement swiftly connected the dots between him and multiple victims. Detective Martinez recounts the critical discovery in Kim Harris’s home:
Notable Quote:
Detective Paul Martinez [36:27]: "He comes back out and says, yeah, we found a pillow that looks like it has lipstick..."
The presence of familiar items and the methodical placement of evidence suggested a pattern Shamirmere employed to mask his crimes systematically.
Systemic Failures and the Path Forward
The episode doesn't shy away from critiquing the systemic oversights that allowed Shamirmere to operate for years. The unregulated nature of cash-for-gold exchanges provided Shamirmere with loopholes to sell stolen items without detection. Detective Hoffman emphasizes the need for stricter regulations:
Notable Quote:
Richard Reinhart [28:29]: "Pawn shops, they're heavily regulated...The cash for gold places, the gold and silver exchanges weren't..."
Additionally, the vulnerability of elderly residents in senior living communities highlighted a gap in protective measures, enabling Shamirmere to exploit their trust and routines.
Conclusion and Reflections
"The Refugee" serves as a gripping account of how meticulous detective work and community vigilance culminated in the capture of Billy Shamirmere. However, it also underscores the necessity for systemic reforms to prevent similar atrocities. As Detective Martinez reflects:
Notable Quote:
Charlie Scudder [37:56]: "This wasn't just about Ann Conklin, Kim Harris, and Mary Bartel. This was way bigger."
The episode concludes by hinting at broader implications and the ongoing pursuit of justice, leaving listeners eager for the forthcoming Season 3.
Credits
The Unnaturally Causes: The Unforgotten is a Free Range Productions podcast, created, written, and hosted by Charlie Scudder. Special thanks to the Dallas Morning News and the Division of Journalism at Southern Methodist University's Meadows School of the Arts. Audio engineering by Austin Sisler at Eastside Studios, with theme composition by AJ LeGrand.
Stay tuned for Season 3 as The Unforgotten continues to explore unresolved mysteries and the relentless pursuit of justice.