Who Took Misty Copsey? - Episode 2: Killing Fields

Release Date: July 23, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 2 of "Who Took Misty Copsey?", host Sarah Kaelin delves deeper into the chilling circumstances surrounding the disappearance of 14-year-old Misty Copsey at the Washington State Fair in September 1992. Thirty-two years later, the cold case remains unsolved, shrouded in mystery and overshadowed by a history of serial crimes in Western Washington. This episode, titled "Killing Fields," explores the region's dark past, the complexities of the investigation, and the relentless pursuit of justice by those determined to uncover the truth.

The Washington Killing Fields Context

Western Washington has long been notorious for its high concentration of serial predators. Sarah Kaelin paints a grim picture of the region's history, highlighting the presence of infamous killers such as Ted Bundy and Warren Forrest before the notorious Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway, emerged in the 1980s.

Lindsay Wade, a former homicide detective with the Tacoma Police Department, provides critical insights into the proliferation of serial offenders in the area. At [04:54], she states:

"Western Washington was a veritable killing field for young women. Like, I don't think people can even wrap their brains around how many serial rapists and predators were out running around. It's insane."

This environment of fear and rampant predatory behavior sets the backdrop for Misty's tragic disappearance, raising questions about whether her case is intertwined with the region's broader pattern of violence.

Misty Copsey's Disappearance

Misty Copsey vanished after attending the Washington State Fair, an event that should have been a joyful memory but instead became the starting point of an enduring mystery. Her mother, Diana Copsey, vehemently opposed the initial police assessment that labeled Misty as a runaway, insisting that her daughter was in distress.

At [02:16], Diana expresses her frustration:

"You know, for years my mom felt like people thought she was crazy. I mean, every time she would even talk to the Puyall Police Department, it was like, you guys think I'm crazy and I'm not crazy."

Five months later, a search party discovered a pair of jeans, socks, and underwear near Highway 410, which Diana recognized as Misty's. However, skepticism from authorities has left the case unresolved for decades.

Lindsay Wade's Insights

Detective Lindsay Wade becomes a pivotal figure in the investigation. With over two decades of experience in the Tacoma Police Department and a tenure leading the cold case unit, Lindsay brings a wealth of knowledge and a personal connection to the case.

At [06:23], she outlines the prevalence of serial killers in the region during the 1970s and 1980s:

"In the 1970s, when Ted Bundy was operating in western Washington, there were several other serial killers operating at the same time. You had Bundy, who was abducting young women, but at that same time, there was a guy named Warren Forrest who was also abducting and killing young women in Washington state and picking them up in his creepy van and then disposing of them."

Lindsay's firsthand experience underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in distinguishing and apprehending multiple offenders operating concurrently.

DNA and Cold Cases

Advancements in DNA technology have revolutionized cold case investigations. Lindsay Wade shares her significant achievement in solving cases through genetic evidence. In [15:55], she recounts the breakthrough in identifying the Green River Killer:

"In 2001, authorities identified the Green River Killer as Gary Ridgway."

Later, she discusses using genetic genealogy to solve the murders of Jennifer Bastien and Michella Welch, two young girls killed in Point Defiance Park in the 1980s. This technique allowed Lindsay to narrow down suspects from over 2,300 individuals to key names, ultimately leading to convictions.

Relevance to Misty's Case

Sarah Kaelin and Lindsay Wade explore the potential connections between Misty's disappearance and known serial offenders. While Gary Ridgway and Robert Washburn have been convicted for other murders, their involvement in Misty's case remains speculative.

At [09:23], Lindsay reflects on the unique criminal landscape:

"I've never seen a region where there are so many active within the same era, specifically targeting girls and young women. That's what feels different here."

Despite the brutal nature of previous crimes, the lack of concrete evidence in Misty's case makes direct links to these known killers tenuous at best.

The Confusion Over the Clothing Evidence

A significant point of contention is the discovery of Misty's jeans and undergarments years after her disappearance. At [40:39], former Seattle Police Department homicide detective Cloyd Steiger casts doubt on the connection between the found clothing and Misty:

"These were like size 16 clothes and Misty was like a size 4."

Cloyd argues that the disparity in sizes suggests that the clothes may not belong to Misty, challenging the foundation of the initial investigation and casting further uncertainty over the case.

Challenges in Solving the Case

The release of Misty's case files to journalist Sean Robinson has complicated the investigation. Cloyd Steiger expresses frustration over public disclosure, emphasizing the potential risks to ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, Sarah Kaelin highlights the difficulties of being an outsider in a tightly-knit law enforcement community, striving to piece together fragmented information without access to complete case files.

At [41:10], Cloyd shares his skepticism about solving the case:

"Somebody who happens to be a sexual predator sees this little girl looking lost, offers her a ride, she's desperate, she gets in the car with him and then he does what he is going to do and then he kills her... you put a body out in the mountains, the animals are going to scatter it and you never, ever find it."

This bleak outlook underscores the slim chances of resolving Misty's disappearance, given the deteriorated evidence and the passage of time.

Emotional Impact

The emotional toll of Misty's disappearance is palpable throughout the episode. Diana Copsey's anguish is evident when she confronts the questionable evidence:

"Those are my jeans that Misty borrowed to go to the fair."

Sarah empathizes with Diana, recognizing the profound pain and unresolved grief that has haunted the family for over three decades. The episode highlights the human cost of cold cases, emphasizing the importance of closure for the victims' loved ones.

Conclusion and Future Directions

As the episode concludes, Sarah Kaelin reflects on the complexities of the Misty Copsey case and the broader implications of serial violence in Western Washington. While significant progress has been made in solving other cold cases through DNA evidence and genetic genealogy, Misty's disappearance remains an enigma. Sarah remains committed to uncovering new leads and hopes to bring justice not only to Misty but also to her family and the community affected by her loss.

The episode leaves listeners pondering the daunting challenges of cold case investigations and the enduring hope that, despite the odds, truth and resolution are still attainable.

Notable Quotes:

• Lindsay Wade [04:54]: "Western Washington was a veritable killing field for young women. Like, I don't think people can even wrap their brains around how many serial rapists and predators were out running around. It's insane."

• Diana Copsey [02:16]: "You know, for years my mom felt like people thought she was crazy. I mean, every time she would even talk to the Puyall Police Department, it was like, you guys think I'm crazy and I'm not crazy."

• Cloyd Steiger [40:46]: "These were like size 16 clothes and Misty was like a size 4."

• Cloyd Steiger [41:10]: "Somebody who happens to be a sexual predator sees this little girl looking lost, offers her a ride, she's desperate, she gets in the car with him and then he does what he is going to do and then he kills her... you put a body out in the mountains, the animals are going to scatter it and you never, ever find it."

Stay Tuned:

In the next episode, Sarah Kaelin will continue her investigation by meeting with Misty's brother, Colton, and exploring new leads that could shed light on the enduring mystery of Misty Copsey's disappearance.

Produced by ARC Media for ID.