True Crime Garage: "Stolen: The Angie Housman Story /// Part 2 ///"

Release Date: July 9, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of True Crime Garage, hosts Nick and Captain delve deeper into the harrowing case of Angie Housman, a nine-year-old girl whose mysterious abduction and subsequent murder sent shockwaves through her community. As they meticulously dissect the investigation, the hosts explore the complexities of the case, the challenges faced by law enforcement, and the chilling realities of serial crimes.

Recap of Angie Housman's Case

The episode opens with a detailed account of the discovery of Angie Housman's body. Captain narrates the discovery site, a secluded area known as the Bush Wildlife Area, highlighting the initial police efforts to locate Angie within a vast, tree-lined terrain.

[07:45] Captain: "She was found probably 20 yards off the road in the woods... there was nobody back there dead in a vehicle. It is still to this day a popular place for people to go to commit suicide."

Nick adds context about the conditions Angie was found in, emphasizing the physical evidence and the state of her remains.

[08:16] Nick: "She's on, like a leaf-covered ground because the leaves are falling and she's pushing with her feet to try to reposition herself."

Investigation and Evidence

The hosts discuss the extensive investigation that followed Angie's disappearance, focusing on the physical evidence collected at the scene.

[08:45] Nick: "There was a lot of evidence at the scene, or at least a lot of items that detectives confidently believed could yield some physical evidence... including a fingerprint on the duct tape that was covering her mouth."

Captain underscores the importance of the detectives' decision to withhold specific details to prevent false confessions and misleading tips.

[09:49] Captain: "If they release those details... it can muddy up your investigation."

Nick agrees, explaining how public tips, while often well-intentioned, can overwhelm and misdirect law enforcement efforts.

[10:11] Nick: "Most of the time... these are people with good intentions... to say, hey, I think so and so did it... but they don't lead you to the person that we're actually looking for."

Expansion of the Investigation: Cassidy Center's Disappearance

The timeline progresses to December 1, 1993, marking the disappearance of ten-year-old Cassidy "Cassie" Center in Hazelwood, Missouri. The similarity between Cassie's case and Angie's case heightens fears of a serial predator in the area.

[15:00] Nick: "November was one of the worst months ever for this community... Cassidy's case is eerily similar to that of Angie Houseman's case."

The introduction of Cassie's personal alarm—a device intended to deter attackers—adds a poignant layer to her story.

[16:42] Nick: "She had this little yellow alarm... it's a battery-powered alarm that you could pull or hit a button... meant to draw attention or scare persons off."

Despite this precaution, Cassie was brutally murdered, mirroring the violent end met by Angie.

[16:42] Captain: "She had one of these on her the day that she went missing."

Formation of the Task Force and FBI Involvement

In response to the escalating crisis, a joint task force comprising detectives from multiple jurisdictions and the FBI is formed, employing an FBI strategy known as Rapid Start to streamline the influx of tips and improve inter-agency communication.

[20:52] Nick: "Rapid Start was used... as a way to collect and organize tips that were coming in from the public... and make it easier for detectives to communicate with one another."

Captain highlights the urgency and the multifaceted approach of the task force.

[25:02] Captain: "Each morning, about 45 detectives... break into three teams, one for each victim."

Public Appeals and Composite Sketches

The release of composite sketches becomes a pivotal moment in the investigation. The first sketch pertains to the failed abduction attempt weeks before Angie's disappearance, while a second sketch emerges in February 1994, seeking information about another heavyset man seen in Angie's neighborhood.

[34:01] Captain: "There was a composite sketch released on February 8th... a heavyset man between the ages of 38 and 45 with wavy brown hair."

Nick discusses the limitations and strategic withholding of certain details to prevent interference with the investigation.

[35:19] Nick: "They may have held back information within the profile for a multitude of reasons."

Suspects and Arrests

The episode details the arrest of Gary Stuffelbean and Thomas Brooks, illustrating the challenges of criminal profiling and the complexities of linking suspects to multiple crimes.

[40:59] Nick: "Gary Stuffelbean was arrested and later pleaded guilty to the attempted abduction. However, physical evidence placed him outside the area of Angie's murder."

Captain critiques the investigative process, emphasizing the frustration of revisiting multiple suspects without conclusive evidence.

[43:10] Captain: "Basically, it's charged and sentenced for the attempted abduction, but he's not the guy for the Angie case."

Psychic Elements and Unsolved Mysteries

An intriguing subplot emerges involving a 13-year-old boy who claims to have had a vision about Angie's fate. The hosts debate the credibility and impact of such claims on the investigation.

[51:41] Nick: "The specificity here of his claims... if this wasn't completely made up... seems jarring."

Captain remains skeptical but acknowledges the fascination around psychic phenomena in true crime cases.

[53:07] Captain: "It's kind of weird that... somebody just knowing something that they shouldn't know... could there be certain people that are clairvoyant?"

Ongoing Challenges and Conclusion

The investigation remains fraught with uncertainty as law enforcement grapples with numerous suspects and inconsistent evidence. The hosts highlight the persistence of detectives like Detective Lieutenant Ed Copeland, Captain John Lankford, and Detective Mickey Morris, who have tirelessly worked on the case for over two decades.

[56:30] Nick: "All three of them said the exact same thing... how can there be two or three really good suspects that keep changing over time."

Captain reflects on the rarity of stranger-on-stranger abductions and the statistical improbability it poses for solving Angie’s case.

[57:36] Captain: "Two of the three are stranger on stranger abductions... statistically, it wouldn't be stranger on stranger."

As the episode wraps, Nick teases the continuation of the story, promising more revelations in the next installment.

[62:53] Nick: "Stick around for episode three of this case. More information coming."

Key Takeaways

• Serial Nature: The overlapping cases of Angie Housman and Cassidy Center suggest the possibility of a serial predator operating in the area during the early 1990s.

• Investigative Challenges: The sheer volume of tips and the complexity of coordinating between multiple jurisdictions hindered the investigation's progress.

• Suspect Management: The difficulties in linking suspects to multiple crimes without concrete evidence underscore the complexities of criminal profiling.

• Community Impact: The fear and panic within the community, driven by the abductions and murders, significantly influenced both the investigation and the public's response.

Notable Quotes

• Captain [07:45]: "She was found probably 20 yards off the road in the woods... there was nobody back there dead in a vehicle."

• Nick [08:16]: "She's on, like a leaf-covered ground because the leaves are falling and she's pushing with her feet to try to reposition herself."

• Captain [09:49]: "If they release those details... it can muddy up your investigation."

• Nick [10:11]: "Most of the time... these are people with good intentions... but they don't lead you to the person that we're actually looking for."

Conclusion

"Stolen: The Angie Housman Story /// Part 2 ///" offers a deep dive into one of the most unsettling child abduction cases of the 1990s. Through meticulous discussion and expert analysis, True Crime Garage provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the investigation's hurdles, the emotional toll on the community, and the relentless pursuit of justice by dedicated law enforcement officers. As the story unfolds, the anticipation builds for the subsequent episodes that promise to shed more light on this tragic and unsolved case.

Stay tuned to True Crime Garage for the next episode in this compelling series.