Since I’ve mentioned several times how interested I am in learning about crimes, especially unsolved ones, I thought I’d do a roundup of the unsolved mysteries that grabbed my attention last year.
I have spent hours reading about each one of these cases on Reddit, Wikipedia, and a discussion forum called Websleuths, and since I don’t want to spoil the fun for any of you who are interested in diving in, too, I’m just going to give an overview of basic information on each case. (And a link so you can read more.)
Lyle Stevik
Reconstruction of “Lyle Stevik”. By Source, Fair use
Lyle Stevik is the self-assigned pseudonym of a young John Doe found dead in a motel room in Amanda Park, Washington in 2001. He committed suicide by hanging and to this day, he has not been identified.
This Doe is called Lyle Stevik because he used this name to check into the motel. However, after much research into individuals with that name, no viable leads could be found except a character named “Lyle Stevick” from a novel by Joyce Carol Oates entitled You Must Remember This. It’s unclear whether the pseudonym was meant in reference to the novel. Some theorize that he was from Canada since Amanda Park is near the border, and others suspect he may have been from a Native American reservation. Read about the Lyle Stevik case here.
Grateful Doe
Jason Callahan (L); the reconstruction that was used to try to identify his body (R). By Source, Fair use
This previously unidentified decedent was called Grateful Doe because he had Grateful Dead tickets in his pocket and was wearing a Grateful Dead shirt when his body was found. He died in a car accident along with the driver of the vehicle, whose family and friends didn’t recognize Grateful Doe (it’s thought that the driver may have picked him up as a hitchhiker).
If you were a fan of our old page on Facebook, you might remember that I’ve posted about this case before. Thanks to some very helpful volunteer internet sleuths, this Doe was identified as Jason Callahan in late 2015! Now his family can rest a little easier knowing what happened to their son over 20 years ago. You can read all about Grateful Doe here.
Lori Erika Kennedy/Ruff
Lori Erica Ruff. By Social Security Administration, Public Domain
This is a really weird case, with most of the weirdness revealing itself after Lori’s suicide. It turns out that Lori had kept a lockbox hidden in the house containing multiple photo IDs from multiple states using multiple aliases. She’d asked her husband never to look in the box, and being the trusting man he was, he never did.
Lori’s first alias was stolen from Becky Sue Turner, a small child of no relation who had died in a house fire in 1971, whose birth certificate Lori had obtained somehow and used to get an Idaho picture ID. No one knows her real name or background!
This case is still developing as missing persons are checked against DNA from Lori’s daughter, and the case’s wiki article is updated as missing persons are ruled out.
Amy Lynn Bradley
Amy Lynn Bradley. By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use
In March 1998, 23 year old Amy Lynn Bradley disappeared from a cruise ship without a trace. She was on a cruise with her family and had been out dancing and drinking the night she was last seen. No evidence has been found that incriminates the people she was with that night, and thus no arrests have been made.
There have been multiple supposed sightings of Amy Bradley in various locations, some citing specific tattoos that she was known to have, but none have been confirmed. Read more here.
Hannah says
I haven’t heard about any of these, but its so weird how they all were John Doe’s :O
Terra Heck says
I haven’t heard of any of these cases. Although I wouldn’t say that I’m over-the-top with unsolved murders or whodunnits, I find them intriguing. I’m glad that one case was solved so the family could have some closure. I’m positive I’d be devastated if someone I loved dearly was missing or dead and I had no idea where they were or what happened.
Idaintyit says
Very interesting, I love things like this. I know its awful for the family but I love trying to figure out what happened or who they are. Although I never have a clue which then drives me crazy! I am still eager to know what happened to Madeline McCann
Chanelle says
Same here, that’s such a weird case!
Sally Akins says
It’s sad to think that somewhere there is someone grieving for those unidentified people, wondering where they are and what happened to them 🙁
Adrienne says
Wow, how does someone disappear from a cruise ship? Very interesting cases indeed.
Charli Bruce says
I love things like this, I’ve always had an interest and love watching crime documentaries xx
Kendra says
These cases are very mysterious. Not even being able to identify someone even after their death is pretty sad,
Jasmine Watts says
Interesting post!! I was not aware of these unsolved mysteries and I would be interested in a roundup of your favorite crime-podcasts as well!
Aziel Morte says
Such a interesting post, I love reviewing unsolved crimes
krystal says
Gimme all your podcast recommendations! I am a podcast junkie and LOVE listening to true crime ones.
Chanelle says
You got it sista! A post is in the works!
Ron Leyba says
First time to hear about all of those cases and names. Really mysterious. Will do some more readings about them too!
Helen at Casa Costello says
Wow, every now and then I find out something happening on the internet that I just wasn’t aware of. Fascinated that there are teams of sleuths helping to solve crimes. I’s love to find out more.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Such sad cases, but I do find them strangely fascinating! I quite enjoy reading true crime.
Louise says
This is so interesting, I love hearing about unsolved crimes and things like that.
Mimi "MimiCuteLips" Green says
How sad and unfortunate, I can’t imagine having a missing loved one and getting no closer. I also feel sad for the victims, they don’t get a proper send off.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I have not heard for any of these cases. I like hearing about mysteries, I hope these get resolved.
Amber NElson says
I have never heard of these mysteries. It is really interesting though!
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
These are all so strange I’m not surprised they have captivated your interest! It seems impossible in this day and age that anyone could go unidentified. The last one reminds me of an article I read in Vanity Fair a few years ago about the dark underbelly of the cruise industry. Sadly she’d not the first that has gone missing without a trace.
NAZMA IQBAL says
i didnt heard about these but i do love mysteries stories and books..
CourtneyLynne says
Oooooo first time hearing of many of these! When I was younger I was so into unsolved crimes! I use to watch reruns of Unsolved Mysteries daily lol…
Up Run For Life says
I enjoy watching crime television shows too. I haven’t heard of these specific cases but I hope they can be solved.
Michele D says
I’ve never heard about any of these cases. Having a unsolved mystery podcast sounds interesting too.
rachael says
omg i love love love love love this post. you’re exactly like me. i’m always hunting out crime stories, in fact, it’s my big dream to write a about unsolved and mysterious crime – bit of a step from a lifestyle and health journalist but still lol
do you look at unsolved crimes on reddit?? any other sub-reddits i should know about?
Chanelle says
Yeeess that’s a great subreddit! I like /r/unsolvedmysteries, /r/unsolvedmurders, /r/gratefuldoe (which focuses on other missing persons since Grateful Doe is solved), /r/morbidreality, and /r/withoutatrace!
rachael says
Just subscribed to those 😀 thanks x
Melissa Bernardo says
I haven’t heard anything about these cases. But I love reading about this kind of stuff. Very weird though!
Nicole Escat says
That is totally really weird. So interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Rosey says
The lock box one is so weird. I’m guessing the husband might not want to know why she had multiple identities. Oy!! Poscasts would be interesting!
Amanda Love says
And here I was thinking I was the crime junkie since my TV stays put on ID all day, but you’ve totally beat me. I had NEVER heard of these cases. I’m going to check them out.
Chanelle says
Sorry in advance for wasting hours of your time! Hehe.
Fashion and Style Police says
No this is my first time hearing of them. So thanks for informing me xo
Seattle Travel Blogger says
Oddly, I have not heard of any of these cases. I say this because I am a fan of unsolved mystery type stories.
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement says
I have not heard of any of these cases but they definitely are one to stump you! I’m happy to hear that that second Doe was identified finally after so long so his family can have answers. That’s the most important thing about a lot of these unsolved mysteries; it’s the family that suffers for years to come.
Chanelle says
I agree, it was exhilarating to hear that they’d IDed him.
Angela Bethea says
Never heard any of these cases but it sure does peak my interest. I love watching crime shows such as CSI and such and this really falls into the same category.
Rachael Yerkes says
Wow, I had no idea this kind of hobby existed. It is very interesting. These cases are kind of sad. Now I am so interested.
Franc Ramon says
It’s really interesting to follow mystery cases like this. It’s just sad that these are really real-life tragedies that’s awaiting resolutions.
Chantal says
Wow this is so interesting! I also enjoy researching unsolved crimes, it is crazy how much is unknown with these missing cases.
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
I always get roped into random mysteries and news stories like this. Some of them are like something out of a CSI or Criminal Minds episode!
Gwendolyn Mulholland says
I had not heard of any of these cases but always find unsolved crimes to be intriguing. It is very sad to think there are people that are dead and yet there is no way to let their family know.
Jocelyn Brown says
I am such a problem solver by nature. I have a hard time letting things go that I can not resolve. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be involved in one of these situations and never know what happened. It would drive me crazy.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I had not heard of these cases before. It is always so sad when someone goes missing I hope their family’s can find peace.
Dayze says
I love unsolved case mysteries too! There’s one about that girl named Elisa Lam who was found dead in the hotel’s water tank and nobody seemed to know how she got there. That one’s really creepy.
Chanelle says
That case was SO creepy to learn about!
Elizabeth O. says
I love mysteries too, normally I would spend some time in Wikipedia and just read about them. These are all making me very curious! The story about Lori is really interesting and that of Lyle!
Jenn says
Wow. I have not heard of any of these, but now I’m interested. I love true life crime dramas. I tend to get really sucked in though, and have a hard time leaving it behind.
Brittany says
I love mysteries as long as their on TV and not real!
Richard Hicks says
I like these types of mysteries too. One of my favorite channels is the Justice network
Kendall Twomey says
I LOVE crime/mystery shows and would love for a podcast roundup. I am a HUGE Serial and Undisclosed fan and would love to find more podcasts up my alley.
Chanelle says
Awesome, I’ll definitely do one then! Serial was the one that started the podcast obsession for me! Haha
Cindy Ingalls says
I have to say I wasn’t familiar with any of those stories, but I’m not a big crime or mystery buff. I tried getting into the Making of Murderer, but it was too disturbing for me.
Emily Rose says
These are really interesting I’m obsessed with shows all about solved crimes!
Crystal says
That kind of stuff keeps me up at night, searching for the clue that’s been missed. I can’t imagine how addicting it must be to be a detective.
Cinny @Whirlwind of Surprises says
Gosh, those are so interesting. I guess that’s why I love those CSI/Forensic Files shows.
Heather P says
These crime stories were incredibly interesting. Truth is stranger than fiction✨
Rhian Westbury says
I’ve never heard of these cases but I do love conspiracy theories and things like that x
Neely (@Neelykins) says
Missing persons cases always freak me out and yet I always find them interesting.
Annie says
I love mysteries, but real life ones sometimes spook me a little bit. Loved learning more about you and what intrigues you though!
claire says
These are fascinating cases, especially the last one! To just disappear like that!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
Okay, this is right up my alley. I LOVE real mysteries – if my husband isn’t home, you can bet you’ll find me watching something like Dateline or 48 Hours or Unsolved Mysteries. I’m always trying to figure things out!
Chanelle says
I love watching Unsolved Mysteries too!
Chris Lewis says
I had heard of the Bradley case in the past but not the others. We love to watch these cases unfold and speculate as it is so fascinating!
Ickle Pickle says
Oh I love mysteries but never considered finding out about real life unsolved ones. How fascinating! Kaz x
Emily S. says
Wow, I’ve never delved deeper into missing persons cases or unsolved mysteries (except watching a few on Netflix) – it’s a really interesting thing to be passionate about and I can see the appeal if that is an area of expertise. I find some of these stories unsettling!! I can only imagine what it’s like for the people left behind.
Louise Bishop says
My Master’s is currently in criminology and sociology because this sort of thing has always fascinated me as well! Some of these stories are just crazy!
Harriet from Toby & Roo says
I have never heard of any of these – very interesting, what a weird set of cases! H x
Melanie Edjourian says
I do find this sort of thing interesting, but also a bit upsetting at the same time.
Jenni - Odd Socks and Lollipops says
I have not heard of these, but they are really intriguing aren’t they. I always hope that they find the answers – it must be so strange to be involved in something like this
Colette says
This must be like reading real life novels! I think I’d just get frustrated that they weren’t solved! Like a book with the ending missing!
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says
Now I;m reading obsessively!!! Sharing this!!!
Chanelle says
Heheh welcome to the rabbithole! 🙂
Jessica McDonnell says
I’ve heard of a few of these cases, itt’s really interesting looking into unsolved mysteries.
MELISASource says
Stories like this are the ones that make you completely believe in conspiracies. How weird is it that no one EVER reported that guy missing or anything?
Chanelle says
It’s totally weird and sad. I choose to believe that someone did miss him but didn’t know where to start in trying to find him!
Roslyn says
We are fans of Forensic files & love how they solve old cases. So sad that closure was not available on cases you mentioned.
Tammilee Tips says
I have not heard of some of these cases!! Unsolved mysteries can be so fascinating but so scary to think about how fast life can chane.
Pam says
I love unsolved mysteries too, even if they sometimes freak me out. My kids hate it because I always watch crime shows and they don’t like them. I hadn’t heard of a few of these cases!
Carrie says
I haven’t heard of any of these cases! I think this is really fascinating! I also think it would be a time consuming hobby! 🙂
StressedMum says
I haven’t heard of any of these cases, I do find things like this interesting though x
Jaime says
I remember the Grateful Doe story months ago. It’s so intriguing and I’m definitely interested in the unsolved cases! I think it’s the former newsroom editor in me that can’t let the story die.
Laura H says
The case of Amy Lynn Bradley is certainly strange. How can you disappear from a Cruise Ship? I guess the most logical explanation is just that she accidentally fell overboard :/
Chanelle says
I think you’re probably right – Occam’s Razor and all. It must be hard for her family not having any closure.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I haven’t heard about any of these cases, but I can often spend hours reading in to mysteries like this.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Oh wow! This was the blog version of a Dateline episode. I really enjoyed this read. It’s so unbelievable to me that a person might not ever be identified.
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
We watch Dateline a lot to fall asleep. True crime is the best and most strange tv you can get!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I watch Dateline all the time. Truth is definitely stranger than fiction.
Kita says
I’ve never heard about any of these unsolved mysteries. I get spooked about things like this so I tend not to pay attention. I’m sure you will update if you find out anything.
Samantha Fannin says
When I first read the title of this blog I thought about the show unsolved mysteries from the early 90’s, my mom and I used to watch it all the time!! Anyhow, these are some really interesting stories and it’s amazing how many people can go unidentified for so long.
Alli says
I love reading about unsolved mysteries and I watch my share of ID shows. I try to solve the mystery as the story unfolds. Those mysterious cruise ship disappearances have happened several times and are really freaky.
Chanelle says
Discovery ID is the best channel ever!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I remember reading about the Grateful Doe case a while back. I think this stuff is really fascinating to try to figure out, too.