True Crime Obsessed – Episode 467: Naming the Dead: The Hitchhiker (S1E1)

Release Date: November 6, 2025
Hosts: Patrick Hines and Julie Benzoli
Documentary Discussed: Naming the Dead (Season 1, Episode 1, "The Hitchhiker")

Episode Overview

In this episode, Patrick and Julie dive into the National Geographic true crime docuseries Naming the Dead, focusing on the first episode, "The Hitchhiker." The central theme examines the crucial, painstaking work involved in identifying victims of serial killers who were left without names for decades. The hosts highlight the efforts of law enforcement, volunteers, and genealogists in their bid to give back names, dignity, and closure to the victims’ families—balancing humor and compassion as they unpack the case of two unidentified victims of Larry Eyler, known as the Highway Killer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Case & Key Players

• The episode opens in Newton County, Indiana, 1983, the site where four murder victims were found, all attributed to Larry Eyler, a serial killer believed to have killed between 24 and 50 people ([01:04], [01:13]).
• Two of these victims remained unidentified for decades, known only as "Victim 3" and "Victim 4" ([01:21], [03:27]).
• Scott McCord, elected coroner in 2008, discovered these sets of remains neglected in boxes upon starting his job. Disturbed by their treatment, he made identifying these men his personal mission ([02:39], [03:27], [03:46]).

2. Respect and Humanity for the Unidentified

• McCord humanizes the victims by naming them "Adam" and "Brad," emphasizing that “now with names, they're people, and you can't forget people” ([04:47], [04:56]).
• He and his daughter distributed flyers with composite sketches across a 50–60 mile radius in an attempt to identify them, demonstrating true "boots on the ground" dedication ([05:03], [05:26]).

3. Challenges in Identifying the Victims

• Despite their efforts, years pass with no breakthroughs. McCord arranges a respectful funeral and places the remains in a mausoleum ([07:23], [07:24], [07:28]).
• The hosts sharply contrast the victim-centered approach with Eyler’s calculated brutality, noting that he deliberately targeted young men—especially those he believed would not be missed, such as hitchhikers, gay youth, or runaways ([14:12], [24:21]).

4. Breakthrough via Genetic Genealogy

• The DNA Doe Project is brought in, and the hosts express awe at the "cutting edge" science and the passionate work of the all-volunteer team ([08:02], [09:54]).
• "Brad" is successfully identified as John Brandenburg Jr. after 37 years, reuniting him with his family ([08:21], [08:41]):
  • Notable Quote:
    "I've waited 37 and a half years for Johnny to come home, and you finally brought him back." – John’s mother to Scott ([08:41])
• The focus then shifts to identifying "Adam" through advances in DNA extraction and matching, despite severe contamination of the remains ([12:05], [12:37]).
• Dr. Kelly Harkins Kincaid (Astra Forensics) attempts a groundbreaking process to increase the human DNA percentage in Adam's remains, ultimately achieving a jump from 5% to 80% – a game-changing development ([15:31], [15:59], [16:03]).

5. Complexities and Setbacks in Genealogical Investigation

• The highest DNA match for Adam is only 3.2%, indicating a very distant relative—a problem especially common in African American cases due to underrepresentation in DNA databases ([19:44], [19:55], [20:09]).
• The team must painstakingly reconstruct family trees, moving branch by branch, generation by generation ([21:10], [21:16]). The work is slow and tedious, but gradually leads them to promising leads.

6. Critical Role of Historical Confessions

• Kathleen Zellner, Eyler’s attorney, was pivotal in gaining detailed, written confessions from Eyler about his crimes—information that decades later would help narrow searches and contextualize the victims’ possible backgrounds ([22:46], [22:49]).
• Eyler’s confession about picking up a young Black man hitchhiking towards Chicago matches with Adam Doe’s profile ([24:36], [28:20]).

7. Genealogy Yields a Break: The Maxey-El Amin Line

• Investigators connect Adam Doe’s DNA to the descendants of Lula Maxey, who moved from Arkansas to Chicago in the 1940s ([29:23], [29:28]).
• The key leap occurs when they discover a branch that disappeared from the records due to name changes after converting to Islam—leading them to Tariq El Amin and his family in Chicago ([34:41], [35:05]).

8. Emotional Resolution and Family Reunion

• DNA swabs from cousin Tariq and brother Ikra confirm Adam Doe as Keith Lavelle Bibbs (later Kaif Bismillah) ([42:55], [43:00], [43:08]).
• The family shares memories: Kaif was a protector, adventurous, and “always made sure [his siblings] were safe” ([43:38]).
• His family, after decades of pain and uncertainty, can finally lay Kaif to rest with his mother, gaining long-sought closure ([46:21], [46:52]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Scott McCord (On Naming the Unidentified):
  “And I gave him the names of Adam and Brad because now with names, they're people, and you can't forget people.” ([04:47])
• Patrick Hines (On McCord’s Dedication):
  “His whole mission is to identify these bodies and return them to their families. Like, that's a really amazing mission to have be your reason for getting out of bed in the morning.” ([04:16])
• On the emotional family reunion:
  “I've waited 37 and a half years for Johnny to come home, and you finally brought him back. That's what makes this job so important.” – Scott McCord relaying John’s mother’s words ([08:41])
• Dr. Kelly Harkins Kincaid (On DNA Breakthrough):
  “We sequenced almost a billion reads, and we've been able to go from about 5% of the DNA being human to nearly 80%.” ([15:31])
• Patrick Hines (Reacting to the identification):
  "And Adam Doe's birth name is Keith Levi Bibbs. And I'm crying." ([43:00])
• Family on Kaif’s Memory:
  "He was a protector... always made sure they were safe." ([43:38])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:04] Introduction of the Eyler case and discovery of four victims.
• [03:27] Scott McCord’s discovery of the remains and emotional drive to ID them.
• [04:47] McCord gives the victims the names "Adam" and "Brad."
• [07:23] Seven years of searching, funeral for the unidentified.
• [08:02] DNA Doe Project involvement, breakthrough with "Brad."
• [08:41] John Brandenburg Jr. re-identified; emotional family reunion.
• [12:05] DNA contamination challenge with Adam Doe remains.
• [15:31] Dr. Kincaid’s DNA breakthrough from 5% to 80% human DNA.
• [19:44] DNA closest match only at 3.2%; implications for genealogical research.
• [22:49] Kathleen Zellner obtains killer’s written confession, details on the victims’ last moments.
• [24:36]/[28:20] Detailed confession matching Adam’s journey, focus on Chicago.
• [35:05] Discovering the El Amin branch via religious name change.
• [41:59] Family identifies the victim as Kaif.
• [43:00] The moment Adam Doe is identified as Keith Lavelle Bibbs (Kaif Bismillah).
• [46:52] Burial and memorial service for Kaif; family reunion and closure.

Tone, Style, and Memorable Touches

• The hosts balance warmth and irreverent humor with genuine heart for the victims and admiration for those fighting for their dignity.
• Julie shares her emotional reactions, reflecting the viewers’ responses, while Patrick provides advocacy and perspective, especially regarding the historical context for the targeting of marginalized youth.
• Banter and asides (e.g., about Showgirl soundtracks or the importance of bops vs. sad Taylor Swift songs) punctuate heavy content for needed levity.

Final Thoughts

The episode delivers a rich, moving recap of Naming the Dead: The Hitchhiker, placing a spotlight on the grueling but essential work of giving back names to the lost. Advances in forensics, the tenacity of investigators, and the embrace of distant relatives all converge to restore humanity and closure—making justice personal not just for victims' families but for listeners, too. The hosts convey why this work matters, leaving listeners both informed and emotionally invested.

End Summary.