The Unforgotten – Season 2: Unnatural Causes

Episode 4: The Refugee
Date: November 4, 2024
Host: Charlie Scudder (Free Range Productions)

Episode Overview

This episode, "The Refugee," intricately weaves together the harrowing escape story of Lu T. Vanguard ("Kim") from Saigon in 1975 with the investigation into her murder decades later. At the heart of the episode is the unraveling of serial killer Billy Chemirmir’s crimes in Dallas-area senior communities, and how the theft and sale of jewelry from his victims ultimately led to his arrest. The episode delves into the failings and loopholes in law enforcement and regulatory systems that allowed Chemirmir to continue his spree for years.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Origin Story: Kim’s Journey from Saigon to Texas

• [00:01-03:11] The episode opens in 1974 Saigon, detailing Kim’s life as a bar owner and war widow, her marriage to American William Harris, and their dramatic escape during the fall of Saigon.
  • Kim and her daughter Lone were evacuated via helicopter from the U.S. Embassy rooftop, narrowly escaping the advancing North Vietnamese.
  • The family’s global moves due to Bill's oil industry job end with retirement in Dallas.
  • By 2018, Kim, an 81-year-old independent and vibrant woman, is living in North Dallas after both her husband and daughter have died.

2. Setting the Crime Context: Aging, Vulnerability, and Attack

• [03:11-08:39] Kim’s daily routines are described to underline her independence and warmth—she’s remembered for her generosity and affection, especially handing out $2 bills.
  • Her last day shows her running errands at Walmart, unknowingly being followed.
  • Just the day before, crime scene discoveries at nearby Preston Place apartments shake police: one resident murdered, another attacked and left unconscious.
  • Survivor Mary Bartel provides a detailed account of her attack, including the distinctive feature that her assailant wore dish gloves.
    • Notable quote: “The word I would use to describe her is poised.” — Officer Jamal Kemp, Plano PD ([05:00])
    • Notable quote: “You can tell...it really did happen to her…she goes, ‘I thought I was going to die, and I didn’t want to die that way.’” — Detective Paul Martinez ([07:46])

3. Early Mistakes and Loopholes: Investigative Hurdles and Missed Opportunities

• [08:39-13:07] Investigators discover that residents at several senior communities opened doors to a man claiming to be from maintenance; vague descriptions and confusion delay clear action.
  • A suspicious vehicle was reported by Richard Plink, including a license plate tied to Billy Chemirmir—a pivotal break.
  • Rapid coordination among police leads to Chemirmir’s identification, but it’s the “small things” (like Plink’s attention to detail) that crack the case open.
  • Notable quote: “It was Richard Plink’s license plate...that really snowballed and got us looking...” — Det. Martinez ([11:14])

4. Following the Jewelry – Tracing the Path of Stolen Goods

• [13:07-15:56] Detective John Hoffman’s coin and jewelry expertise prompt him to search online platforms like OfferUp.
  • He finds Mary Bartel’s stolen ring online, leading to Abdel Saleh, a dealer who clues in police with details of meetings and photos of Chemirmir.
  • Memorable moment: Saleh, on testifying: “Yes, 100%. That’s me and that’s my cousin.” ([14:30])
  • Saleh’s casual disposal of jewelry after purchase—remelting and removing gems—complicates evidence recovery.

5. Why Cash-for-Gold Shops Helped the Killer Stay Hidden

• [15:56-18:53] The diamond and gold exchange next to the Starbucks proves central to Chemirmir’s quick turnover of stolen goods.
  • Hoffman explains that pawn shops are heavily regulated, but cash-for-gold businesses are not, allowing Chemirmir to rapidly sell stolen jewelry without raising red flags.
    • Notable quote: “Pawn shops...have to hold them like a pawn shop. The documentation is much different. And quickly that stuff is gone. Which would probably be another thing that he preferred...” — Det. Hoffman ([26:30])
  • Regulatory blind spots contributed directly to the killer’s lasting success.

6. The Diamond Exchange Owner’s Perspective

• [19:24-24:01] Host Charlie Scudder visits the shop and interviews owner Gilad Nissanov, who testifies to Chemirmir’s professionalism and apparent trustworthiness.
  • Nissanov insists his was not a "shady business," shifting some blame to police and senior community operators.
  • Notable quote: “But I mean, look, just because he was a black guy, I mean, people look at him and they’re like, oh, well, he had to, you know what I mean?” — Gilad Nissanov ([22:51])
  • Notable quote: “In this country, we don’t care about our parents, grandparents... in this country, we don’t care about our elderly people.” — Nissanov ([23:35])
  • Nissanov’s records show Chemirmir sold $91,350 of jewelry over two and a half years—some likely from murdered victims as early as 2015.

7. Arrest and Discovery: The Takedown of Billy Chemirmir

• [26:56-33:01] Surveillance and careful planning culminate in the stakeout at Chemirmir’s apartment on March 20, 2018. Officers wait for him, surveilling incoming vehicles.
  • Chemirmir arrives, dumps items in a dumpster (possibly evidence), and is pinned in and arrested.
  • He is found with a gold necklace marked "Kim" and an envelope of $2 bills—the kind Kim was known for giving away—as well as Bill Harris’ old Caltex name tag and embassy affidavit from Saigon.
    • Memorable moment: “He never said, you know, like, hey, you have the wrong guy or what are you guys doing this for? ...I think he was so, so surprised that we were on it.” — Officer Bill Knight ([33:01])

8. Finding Kim and Final Revelations

• [33:01-35:40] Police connect the evidence to Kim’s home, where Dallas officers discover her body. Small but haunting details—like a polka dot pillow with a fuchsia lipstick stain matching Kim’s favorite lipstick—confirm the murder.
  • Memorable moment: “On one [pillow]... was a bright fuchsia lipstick stain, the same shade Kim applied before her shopping trip to Walmart.” — Charlie ([35:18])
  • The realization dawns quickly that this is not an isolated case—Chemirmir’s crimes may stretch back years and involve dozens of victims.

9. Looking Forward: Systemic Failure and Justice

• [35:40–End] As the episode closes, police and jurisdictional authorities realize they are dealing with a potential serial killer of unprecedented scale in the region.
  • Prosecutors and detectives debate the enormity: “Are we going to pursue a death penalty or no?” ([36:00])
  • The episode ends with a forward look to how police and the justice system will handle the full scope of Chemirmir’s crimes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On survivor’s composure:
  “The word I would use to describe her is poised.” — Officer Jamal Kemp ([05:00])
• On emotional reality:
  “I thought I was going to die, and I didn’t want to die that way.” — Mary Bartel recounted by Det. Martinez ([07:46])
• On pivotal evidence:
  “It was Richard Plink’s license plate...that really snowballed...” — Detective Martinez ([11:14])
• On how Chemirmir evaded police:
  “Pawn shops...are heavily regulated.... cash for gold places, the gold and silver exchanges weren’t regulated nearly like what a pawn shop is.” — Det. Hoffman ([26:30])
• On society’s attitude toward elders:
  “In this country, we don’t care about our parents, grandparents... our elderly people.” — Gila Nissanov ([23:35])
• On the moment of arrest:
  “He never said...you have the wrong guy...I think he was so, so surprised that we were on it.” — Officer Bill Knight ([33:01])
• On evidence from Kim's murder:
  “On one [pillow]... a bright fuchsia lipstick stain, the same shade Kim applied before her shopping trip to Walmart.” ([35:18])

Important Timestamps

• [00:01] – Kim’s story: From Saigon to Dallas
• [03:11] – Introduction to Kim’s life (via her son-in-law)
• [04:41] – Discovery of earlier attacks; survivor Mary Bartel’s testimony
• [06:07-07:46] – Details of Mary’s attack and itemized theft
• [08:39] – Canvassing the apartment and first clues to Chemirmir
• [13:07] – Detective Hoffman searches for the missing ring
• [14:21-15:24] – Saleh’s testimony about the ring
• [15:56] – Security footage and the gold exchange; Hoffman’s insights
• [19:24-24:01] – Host interviews diamond exchange owner Nissanov
• [26:56] – The coordinated surveillance and Chemirmir’s arrest
• [33:01] – Discovery of Kim’s body and confirming details
• [35:40-36:00] – Realization of larger serial case; closing questions

Summary & Themes

In a gripping, multi-layered narrative, “The Refugee” connects the lifelong journey of Kim—her resilience amid war, loss, and migration—to the systemic vulnerabilities that led to her murder. The episode exposes regulatory blind spots, the dangers facing the elderly, and how persistence and small details can lead to investigative breakthroughs. Through candid, often haunting testimony from law enforcement, witnesses, and even those on the business end of the crime, the podcast paints a powerful picture of loss, fallibility, and the long road to justice.

Listeners leave "The Refugee" with a sense of outrage and sadness, but also deeper understanding of how cracks in social and legal systems can allow horrific crimes to persist—until chance, vigilance, and determination bring the unforgotten to light.