True Crime Garage – Episode: "Under the Bridge ////// 828" (March 11, 2025)

Hosts: Nic and The Captain
Podcast Description: Hosts Nic and The Captain delve into gripping true crime stories, blending in-depth analysis with casual banter and a touch of humor to engage listeners in the mysteries of unsolved cases.

Introduction

[00:54] Nick:
Nick welcomes listeners to "True Crime Garage," setting an inviting atmosphere by encouraging everyone to "grab a chair, grab a beer" and join the deep dive into true crime cases. This episode, titled "Under the Bridge ////// 828," focuses on the haunting and unresolved case of Merilee Burt.

Background of the Case

Merilee's Life and Disappearance

• Profile:
  Merilee Ruth Burt was born on January 28, 1955, and was a vibrant 15-year-old residing in Littleton, Colorado. She was a ninth-grader at Goddard Middle School, excelling academically and athletically, with aspirations of joining a ballet troupe in New York City.

• The Evening of February 26, 1970:
  On a cold February evening, Merilee attended a middle school basketball game as a cheerleader. Post-game, she met with her guidance counselor to select classes for high school and then decided to walk two miles home from her friend Cheryl Cook’s house.

• Last Known Movements:
  Merilee was last seen speaking with the driver of a vehicle on the side of South Middlefield Road. Her mother, adherent to strict household rules against accepting rides from strangers, did not arrive to pick her up, sparking immediate concern.

Investigation Timeline

Initial Search and Discovery

• Immediate Response:
  After being reported missing, police initiated a search. [06:57] The Captain emphasizes the urgency, noting that within 18 hours, Merilee's body was discovered beneath a bridge in Deer Creek Canyon by a road crew worker.

• Crime Scene Details:

  • Location: One-lane scenic bridge over Deer Creek, 1.5 miles west of Phillipsburg, six miles from Merilee's home.
  • Condition: Merilee was found nude, partially submerged in the creek with no personal items—clothing, book bag, and textbooks—recovered at the scene.
  • Cause of Death: Strangulation with a 10-foot rope, coupled with a prior heavy blow to the head, indicating possible incapacitation before the attack.

• Forensic Evidence:

  • Wood Pieces and Metal Shavings: Found among Merilee's fingers and in her hair, suggesting movement post-assault.
  • Sexual Assault Evidence: Indicated by the authorities, but only limited forensic analysis (hair samples and fingernail scrapings) was possible at the time.

[11:52] The Captain:
Highlights the challenge of locating personal items, indicating the possibility that Merilee was moved before being dumped under the bridge.

Eyewitness Accounts and Suspect Profiling

Raymond Burt's Sighting

• Timeline:
  [09:33] The Captain outlines that Merilee left the basketball game, met Cheryl Cook, and then set out to walk home around 6:50 PM.

• Description of the Vehicle and Driver:
  Raymond Burt, Merilee's older brother, reported seeing a girl (later confirmed as Merilee) interact with a truck—a late-model, light-colored two-tone pickup or carryall. The driver was described as a white male in his 30s or 40s with dark brown hair, a receding hairline, and long squared-off sideburns.

[12:29] Nick:
Discusses the significance of the vehicle description and its implications, suggesting the likelihood that the perpetrator was someone Merilee knew and trusted, given her family's strict rules against accepting rides from strangers.

Community Impact

• Small Community Challenges:
  Littleton, with a population of around 26,000, posed unique challenges for the investigation. The tight-knit nature meant the pool of potential suspects was limited but numerous in terms of personal connections to Merilee.

Investigation Efforts and Challenges

Law Enforcement Strategies

• Canvassing and Tips:
  Police canvassed neighborhoods, receiving approximately 70 tips, many time-consuming to process due to the lack of modern technology.

• Coordination Between Jurisdictions:
  The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and Jefferson County Sheriff's Office collaborated, assigning around 20 investigators, including lead Inspector David Tetch.

Cold Evidence

• DNA Evidence:
  [37:32] Nick:
  Discusses how remnants like the rope and other physical evidence provided limited forensic leads due to the era's technological constraints.

• Key Suspect: Ronald Bloom:
  In 1981, Ronald Bloom, a gymnastics instructor at Merilee’s school with a history of sexual offenses, became a prime suspect. However, DNA testing later excluded him from the case.

[40:07] Nick:
Emphasizes that despite Bloom’s confession-like statements acknowledging his propensity to assault underage girls, DNA evidence did not link him to Merilee's murder.

Modern Forensic Advances and Renewed Efforts

DNA Testing and CODIS

• 1998 DNA Analysis:
  Old evidence was re-examined, and a DNA profile was developed. However, it did not match any entries in the CODIS database, as elaborated by [48:08] Nick.

• Potential for Forensic Genealogy:
  The hosts discuss the possibility of using genealogical databases to trace the suspect, given that traditional databases like CODIS had no matches.

[49:00] The Captain:
Mentions the feasibility of genealogy testing, which could potentially identify the perpetrator even if they were never arrested or entered into standard databases.

Ongoing Efforts

• 2021 Reward Increase:
  The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office increased the reward to $30,000, funded by donations, in hopes of generating new leads.

• Community Involvement:
  Despite the passage of 55 years, efforts continue with fresh pushes in 2021 and ongoing tips, though none have led to a breakthrough as of 2025.

Community and Familial Impact

Emotional Toll

• Family's Loss and Advocacy:
  Merilee's mother, Sherry Burt, became involved in victims' programs, dedicating herself to supporting other victims of sexual assault.

• Testimonial from Cheryl Cook:
  [56:42] The Captain:
  Shares insights from Cheryl Cook, Merilee's friend, who expresses the enduring trauma and the desire for closure that remains unresolved decades later.

Unresolved Grief

• Lack of Closure:
  Merilee's parents have passed away without finding answers, highlighting the profound and lasting impact of the unresolved case on the community and her family.

Conclusion and Current Status

• Unresolved Case:
  As of 2025, Merilee Burt's murder remains unsolved. Despite advancements in forensic technology and persistent investigative efforts, the identity of her killer has not been discovered.

• Hope for Resolution:
  The possibility of using forensic genealogy offers a glimmer of hope for a breakthrough, as traditional methods have reached their limits.

[59:25] The Captain:
Concludes with heartfelt gratitude towards listeners and recommends the book "In Light of All Darkness" by Kim Cross, encouraging further engagement with true crime narratives.

Notable Quotes

• Ronald Bloom's Admission:
  [45:28] Nick:
  "the problem he had with underage girls involved picking them up in vans and sexually assaulting them."

• Sheriff on DNA Importance:
  [54:21] Nick:
  "We now know if we have DNA. It's huge. It is great evidence one way or another to include or exclude."

• Merilee's Nephew's Hope:
  [52:43] Nick:
  "There's got to be someone out there who knows something."

• Cheryl Cook on Longevity of Grief:
  [56:42] The Captain:
  "It was just such an awful, awful time. I would love for her to be able to know even if the person is dead."

Recommended Reading

[59:36] Nick:
Recommends "In Light of All Darkness" by Kim Cross, a captivating true crime book that immerses readers in the kidnapping of Paulie Class, providing a thrilling and insightful companion to the podcast's content.

Final Thoughts

"Under the Bridge ////// 828" offers a comprehensive and poignant exploration of Merilee Burt’s tragic and unsolved murder. Through meticulous storytelling and insightful analysis, Nic and The Captain shed light on the complexities of the investigation, the enduring impact on those left behind, and the hope that modern forensic techniques may one day provide the answers Merilee's family has long sought.

Remember:

• If you have any information about Merilee Burt's case, please reach out to local authorities.
• Continue supporting efforts to solve cold cases by sharing knowledge and staying informed.

Be good, be kind, and don't litter.

This summary is based on the transcript and information provided for the "True Crime Garage" podcast episode "Under the Bridge ////// 828." It aims to encapsulate the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented by the hosts.