Up and Vanished Weekly: “MURDERED: Amy Hooper”

Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Maggie Freleng (primary), Payne Lindsey
Guests: Captain and Nick Edwards (True Crime Garage)
Episode Focus: The three-decade-old murder of Amy Hooper, renewed efforts that led to the solving of the case, and a discussion about the evolution and responsibilities of true crime podcasting.

Episode Overview

This episode centers around the 1992 murder of Amy Hooper in Grove City, Ohio, and explores the decades-long investigation that eventually led to an arrest in 2024. Hosts Maggie Freleng and Payne Lindsey, along with guests Nick and Captain of True Crime Garage, revisit the case, highlight the advances in forensic genealogy that cracked it, reflect on the impact of the true crime community, and discuss the changing landscape of true crime media.

The Case of Amy Hooper

Background & Timeline

• March 9, 1992, Grove City, Ohio:
  Amy Hooper, 20, returns her mother’s car early in the morning and discusses her plans for the day. She is later discovered missing after not appearing for work.
• Discovery:
  Amy’s parents go to her apartment after she fails to answer calls. Her father, Hollis Hooper, discovers Amy’s body upstairs. She had suffered both stab wounds and blunt force trauma ([02:59–05:31]).
• Scene Details:
  • No forced entry or struggle
  • Body positioning appeared “staged”
  • Murder weapon (knife) was left at the scene, but the blunt force weapon was not found
  • A red, yellow, and green medallion resembling Rastafarian symbolism was found on her wrists
  • Her engagement ring was not stolen, suggesting robbery was not a motive
  • DNA evidence was collected, but technology to analyze it was limited at the time ([06:36–09:19])

Investigation & Theories

• Suspects:
  Police investigated several people—ex-boyfriends, friends, co-workers, sex offenders—but eliminated them, including her boyfriend and roommate.
• Theories:
  • The lack of forced entry suggested familiarity with the killer.
  • One theory posited by police was racial animus due to Amy, who was white, dating primarily Black men.
• Chilling Details:
  Several area women received threatening phone calls referencing Amy’s murder: “Remember Amy Hooper? You’re gonna end up just like that.” ([07:48])

Case Goes Cold

• The DNA evidence “just sat waiting for technology to advance.” ([08:11–09:19])

The Breakthrough: 2024 Arrest

• Advances in DNA Technology:
  In 2024, familial DNA and forensic genealogy linked Bruce Edward Daniels (then 58, living in Washington) to the crime.

• Arrest Details:

  • DNA from a discarded object matched the crime scene sample.
  • Daniels was arrested on December 5, 2024, charged with murder and rape.
  • He was extradited to Columbus, Ohio, with a $500,000 bond.
  • Amy’s family, including her sister Sandy Green, emphasized the vital persistence of the investigative team and especially Detective Chuck Clark ([09:19–12:35], [41:17–41:57]).

  Notable Quote:

“Incredible patience, persistence to solve cold cases, sometimes years, waiting for just the right set of circumstances... Advances in familial DNA... played a vital role in solving this case.”
— Sheriff Dallas Baldwin ([10:44])

Remembering Amy Hooper

• Described as a happy, trusting, friendly, and “great girl”; no history of drama or trouble
• Was newly engaged, had recently moved into her apartment, and was about to embark on independent adulthood ([05:43–06:36])
• The abruptness and brutality of her death shocked the community

Conversation with Captain & Nick (True Crime Garage)

(Begins: [13:43], Key Amy Hooper section: [27:32–30:15])

Origins & Philosophy

• History:
  Nick and Captain started True Crime Garage in 2015, focusing on cold/unsolved cases, often suggested by listeners, with a strong Ohio focus.
• Podcasting Evolution:
  They describe the early days as “the Wild West,” with little mainstream awareness or competition ([14:04–16:45]).
• Community:
  They credit their audience with the show’s success and describe a ripple effect, where coverage inspires more attention for cases ([15:41–16:45]).

True Crime as a Calling

• Their cases often stay with them for years; some, like Amy Hooper’s, are “haunting.”
• Personal Connection:
  Nick notes, “Our parents knew her parents and actually attended her funeral… We may never get justice for this person… and God bless [law enforcement], they never gave up on the case.” ([27:39])
• Emphasize the role of the true crime community in keeping the pressure on cold cases.

Notable Quotes:

“There’s cases that we picked seven years ago... I thought, oh, we did the show, it’s done… No, I think we all have this thing of if I just look at this case one more time, maybe I’ll see something or hear something that nobody else saw.”
— The Captain ([23:42])

“He was just not on anybody’s radar… Not in the police file.”
— The Captain about Bruce Daniels ([29:46–30:01])

Industry Reflections & Responsibilities

([30:15–39:37])

• Philanthropy and Advocacy:

  • Collaborated with NCMEC, Keeping Our Girls Safe (self-defense for women), Porchlight Project (forensic genealogy in cold cases), Othram labs.
  • Raised over $20,000 for missing and exploited children’s causes.

• True Crime's Challenges:

  • Concern over “entertainment” eclipsing facts in newer documentaries and podcasts—potential danger in spreading false narratives.
  • The explosion of podcasting: more competition, more resources, but a risk of losing focus on victims’ stories.

Memorable Moments:

“We’ve become fans of people that are essentially our colleagues… Tenderfoot does great work… I mean, the list goes on and on...”
— Nick ([21:53])

About Covering Amy Hooper

• They’d covered her case years prior, were elated to see an arrest thanks to forensic genealogy, and looked forward to trial.
• Noted the importance of the ripple effect—how renewed coverage can have real impact on moving cases forward.

“We were happy to feature it because we wanted to give it some renewed interest… and very thankfully… sometimes we see this… we’ll cover a case and two months later, somebody else covers it. Three months later, somebody else. And we love, again, it’s that ripple effect.”
— Nick ([29:04])

The Role of Forensic Genealogy

(Episode close: [41:17–42:29])

Detective Chuck Clark credited forensic genealogy with solving Amy’s case after decades, highlighting “the effectiveness of forensic genealogy, but also a reminder that there are many families who are waiting for technology to help bring closure.”

Amy’s sister, Sandy Green:

“Twenty years ago, Detective Clark called me in Colorado to let me know that he was a new cold case detective… I'm so thankful that he always stayed in contact with me and never gave up on my sister’s case. Amy has missed so many incredible, important events in our lives.” ([41:45])

Critical Missing Case ([25:26])

• Each episode features a brief on a current missing persons case. This week: 16-year-old Riley Monk missing from Henderson, Nevada; listeners urged to contact police with any info.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On podcasting’s evolution:

  “When we first started doing this, you told people you’d have a podcast and they looked at you like you have three heads.” — Nick ([14:38])

• On coverage’s impact:

  “It has a ripple effect. It really does… that ripple effect now means a lot more than it did then.” — Nick ([19:46])

• On industry changes:

  “Some of it, frankly, I think is upsetting. I want to see the money spent in a proper way that honors and supports the victims and the victims’ families.” — Nick ([37:52])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:52] Maggie Freeling introduces the episode and Amy Hooper’s case.
• [02:59–05:31] Detailed recounting of Amy Hooper’s last known movements and discovery.
• [06:36–09:19] Discussion of investigation details, early leads, and challenges.
• [09:19–12:35] 2024 DNA breakthrough and arrest of Bruce Edward Daniels.
• [13:43] Interview begins with True Crime Garage’s Captain & Nick.
• [27:32–30:15] Deep dive into Amy Hooper’s case from Captain & Nick’s perspective.
• [30:43–33:40] Discussion of philanthropic efforts and impact in cold case work.
• [41:17–41:57] Testimony from Detective Chuck Clark and Amy’s sister Sandy Green.

Episode Tone & Language

• Respectful, empathetic, and nuanced—committed to honoring Amy Hooper’s memory and the broader challenges in seeking justice for cold cases.
• A deep sense of community and humility is evident among the hosts and guests; their passion for truth-seeking and advocacy stands out.
• Occasional light, collegial humor among Maggie, Captain, and Nick brings levity to an otherwise somber subject matter.

TL;DR / Takeaways

• After 33 years, Amy Hooper’s murder has been solved thanks to advances in forensic genealogy.
• Community coverage, persistent detective work, and evolving technology are essential in solving cold cases.
• True crime media has grown exponentially, but creators stress the importance of using the platform responsibly—focusing on victims, not just storytelling.
• True Crime Garage and other advocates continue to push for justice, support philanthropy, and help train the next generation of true crime storytellers.
• The case is a testament to never giving up hope for justice, no matter how much time has passed.