Upper Left Corner: PNW True Crime

Tonya Harding was a talented figure skater who fought a rough home life, abusive marriage and having all the odds stacked against her to become an Olympic figure skater for Team USA. However, after her ex-husband was involved in hiring a hit man to injure Tonya's rival, she becomes infamous for her possible involvement. 

PNW Wine: Cinder Chardonnay

Sources:

http://www.espn.com/30for30/film/_/page/thepriceofgold

In the early 1900's a German immigrant arrives in Corvallis, OR and begins a church. His beliefs and passion for his ministry attracted several well-respected families to join the church, but it wasn't long before the charming leader had pushed out all men, and drawn all the women very close. Soon the women were cutting ties with their families, and rumors swirled of "purification" rituals involving sexual encounters with the leader, causing the husbands, fathers and brothers to plot their revenge. 

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In 1998, three generations of the Engebretsons set out on an Oregon Christmas tree hunt. When the young son gets separated from his father and grandfather, a massive search ensues that turns up nothing. 

PNW Wine: Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Blanc

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A Spokane man is gunned down in his own home, leaving behind the only eyewitness, his wife. Once the investigation gets under way, her suspicious behavior puts her on the investigator's radar, but so do some of the man's business dealings. 

This week's PNW wine: Arbor Crest Wine Cellars Cliff House Red

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In 1983, a mother arrived at a Springfield, Oregon emergency room with her three children who had all been shot. It wasn't long before people began to notice how detached and strangely she was acting. Was this mother capable of murdering her children, and why would she do it? 

This week's PNW wine: Shea Wine Cellars- Breakaway Pinot Noir 

Thanks to this week's sponsor: Anchor www.anchor.fm 

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In 1996, Katrina Nash was a teenager who was receiving a mental health evaluation at an Olympia hospital when she walked away, and was never seen alive again. The case went cold until 2013, when another PNW case brings another potential lead to the attention of authorities.

PNW Wine: Chateau Ste Michelle Mimi Chardonnay

In honor of Katrina's memory, please consider donating to Team HOPE. https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/support/teamhope

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In the height of the 90's Seattle grunge music scene, an up and coming star named Mia Zapata is brutally raped and murdered in downtown Seattle. Her friends rally for justice, and honor her memory by founding an organization the offers self defense classes on a sliding scale fee. Meanwhile, the police work the case but it would take DNA advances to finally solve Mia's murder.

This week's PNW wine:  Ancestry Cellars Reminiscence Riesling

Home Alive: http://www.teachhomealive.org/

Thank you this week's sponsors:

Shelly at Stewart Subaru 

Insta: @shellysubaru 

Phone: (435) 513-6679

Campfire Audio 

https://campfireaudio.com/

Anchor

www.anchor.fm

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McNeil Island in Washington State is home to a sex offender commitment center that was the first of it's kind. The island houses sex offenders who have served their sentences, but have been deemed as a danger to society, so they are committed to the island. In this episode, I take a deep dive into the history of the now closed federal prison that once inhabited the island for over 100 years, and the current state of McNeil Island, also known as sex offender island. 

Find out if texting 911 is available in your area: https://canitext911.us/

This week's PNW wine: Chateau Ste. Michelle Rose'

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In the early 1900's, Dr. Linda Hazzard moved to Olalla, Washington to build the fasting sanitarium of her dreams. However, with no medical training her treatments would soon be the cause of many deaths, making her Washington's first female serial killer. 

This week's PNW wine: Silver Lake Roza Riesling 

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In the summer of 2015, two year old DeOrr Kunz vanishes without a trace while camping near Leadore, Idaho with his parents, great grandfather and a friend. 

This week's PNW wine: Elephant Seven Winery Yellow Bird Vineyard Syrah

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In the early 40's, a woman's body is found in Lake Crescent near Port Angeles. Her body was hard to identify, and this mystery woman became known as the Lady Of The Lake. Turns out, she was not only the mystery that Lake Crescent has been holding onto. 

PNW wine of the week: Cave B Estates Winery Cave Woman White

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In the early 80's an Indian spiritual leader and his followers moved in near a tiny Oregon town. It didn't take long for them to start causing problems, and quickly devolved into debauchery that included assassination attempts, murder of a member, and the first bioterror attack in US history. 

Thanks to this week's sponsors:

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Robert Lee Yates Jr. had a normal upbringing, and grew up to have a large family of his own. Family man, church goer, and awarded army veteran was the outward appearance of Yates, all the while he was terrorizing Spokane as one of the worst serial killers in Washington State history.

PNW Wine of the week: Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2019 Merlot

Thanks to this week's sponsors:

Choose Your Struggle Podcast https://www.jayshifman.com/choose-your-struggle-podcast

Elite Executive Services https://www.ee-services.com/

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Ian Eckles went missing near Liberty, WA in May of 2020. Ian's SUV was later found with another driver, and the evidence inside pointed to Ian being met with foul play at the hands of the man. After a massive manhunt, the suspect is in custody, but the authorities need help from the public to help their murder case and bring some sense of closure to the Eckles family. 

If you find anything suspicious in the Liberty area, including the areas of Teanaway, Mineral Springs or anywhere in the Blewett Pass vicinity, please call Kittcom at 509-925-8534. 

PNW Wine of the week: Bergevin Lane Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon

Thanks to this week's sponsors: 

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Elite Executive Services https://www.ee-services.com/

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In the late 90's Mary Kay Letourneau became infamous for her affair with a twelve year-old student. This episode dives deep into Mary Kay's childhood and family drama, and the aftermath of her actions had on those around her. 

PNW Wine Of The Week: Rocky Pond Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 

Thanks to this week's sponsors:

Gemmist Hair 

Enjoy 20% off your first order using code upperleft @ https://www.gemmist.com/?promo=upperleft&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Spring

Smile Brilliant: www.smilebrilliant.com

Kyron Horman was last seen in June of 2010 at his Portland area elementary school. The police, FBI and search rescue teams scoured the area in one of the largest investigations in Oregon history, but turned up no signs of the 2nd grader. Ten years later, he is still missing and his parents believe that his stepmother holds all the answers to what happened to him. 

PNW Wine of the week: Two Mountain Copeland Vineyard Merlot

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Thanks to this weeks sponsors:

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In the late 1800's The Vinson family relocated to Ellensburg, WA, and the father and son brought trouble. In the summer of 1895, a saloon brawl left two dead, and members of the town seeking vigilante justice against Samuel and Charles Vinson. 

Special thanks to my source this week: The book Ellensburg's Tree of Justice: The Vinson Lynchings by Howard D. Baumgart

PNW wine of the week: Underground Wine Project: And Why Am I Mr. Pink Rose'

Merch store is closing soon! If you want Upper Left Corner clothing, shop now at: 

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Thanks to this week's sponsors:

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Mandy Stavik was a beloved daughter, sister and friend in her freshman year of college when she was murdered. Many people were looked at for her murder in Acme, Washington, including the Green River Killer. Her case would go cold for decades, until two moms at a waterpark decided to take action. 

To donate to Mandy's scholarship fund: https://mtbakerscholarship.org/scholarships.html#Stavik

PNW Local Wine: Duck Pond Chardonnay from Great Oregon Wine Co. 

Thanks to this weeks sponsors: 

Smile Brilliant: www.smilebrilliant.com

In 2018, the eight members of the Hart Family were found dead in their car that had plunged off of a 100 foot cliff. What first seemed to be a tragic accident, soon came to be classified as a murder/suicide at the hands of the mothers. As the investigation digs deeper, the perfect life portrayed on social media falls apart, and abuse allegations against the family begin to pop up around the country. 

PNW Wine: The Expedition Canoe Ridge Vineyard Red Blend

Thanks to this week's sponsors:

Smile Brilliant: www.smilebrilliant.com

Karen Bodine was murdered in 2007, and her killer has never been caught. Karen’s daughter, Karlee joins me to talk about her mom’s case.

Wine of the week: Chateau Ste. Michelle Harvest Riesling

Thank you to this week's sponsors:

Smile Brilliant: www.smilebrilliant.com

Enjoy 30% off site wide at smilebrilliant.com using code upperleft

Elite Executive Services https://www.ee-services.com/

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The Lewis Clark Valley was rocked by a three year crime spree beginning in 1979 with a missing 12-year-old girl, with four others going missing or turning up murdered shortly after. Fighting against a jurisdictional nightmare, authorities to this day believe they know who the killer is, so why is he still free? 

Thank you to my sponsors:

Smile Brilliant: www.smilebrilliant.com

Enjoy 30% off site wide at smilebrilliant.com using code upperleft

Elite Executive Services https://www.ee-services.com/

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On Thanksgiving Eve 1971, a Boeing 727 was hijacked on a flight from Portland to Seattle. After demanding money and parachutes, the hijacker is not on the plane at landing, and one of the biggest investigations in US history turns up no clues as to who or where he is. 

Thanks to this week's sponsors: 

Smile Brilliant: www.smilebrilliant.com

Enjoy 30% off site wide at smilebrilliant.com using code upperleft

Elite Executive Services https://www.ee-services.com/

Choose Your Struggle Podcast https://www.jayshifman.com/choose-your-struggle-podcast

PNW Local Wine of the Week: 14 Hands Hot to Trot White Blend

Youtube clip of Ariel, Washington:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48gQX3hIzrA

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._B._Cooper

In June 2000, 15-year-old Leah Freeman was murdered in Coquille, Oregon. The case would be cold for ten years before someone would be held responsible, but recent DNA developments have turned this case upside down again. 

Thanks to this week's sponsors:

Smile Brilliant: www.smilebrilliant.com

Enjoy 30% off site wide at smilebrilliant.com using code upperleft

Elite Executive Services https://www.ee-services.com/

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In 1986, two mysterious deaths hit Auburn, WA. After the second, the medical examiner detected the telltale sign of bitter almonds, triggering a massive investigation into the cause of the cyanide poisonings. 

Thanks to this week's sponsors:

Smile Brilliant- www.smilebrilliant.com

Old Timey Crimey- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/old-timey-crimey/id1458912564

PNW Wine Of The Week: Killer Red Syrah

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Special thanks to author Gregg Olsen. His book "Bitter Almonds" is the main source for my telling of this story, and if you want a more in-depth look into this case, you can purchase here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BP3QUMS?tag=notorioususa2-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

In 2016, 23-year-old Kaylee Sawyer vanished from Bend, Oregon. Over the next few days the truth of what happened would unfold, but not before another woman would be abducted, a man would be shot, and a family would be kidnapped and carjacked. 

To check out an even more in-depth podcast on this case, listen to KGW's Urge To Kill Podcast: https://www.kgw.com/urgetokill

PNW Local Wine: Wilder Chardonnay 

Special thanks to this week's sponsors:

Smile Brilliant: www.smilebrilliant.com

Enjoy 30% off site wide at smilebrilliant.com using code upperleft

Wyld Gallery: Original Native American Art https://wyld.gallery/

Choose Your Struggle Podcast https://www.jayshifman.com/choose-your-struggle-podcast

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In 1992, a tense standoff in Idaho leads to the death of a child, mother and a federal agent. This is the story of how things escalated, and the aftermath for both sides. 

PNW Local Wine: Gard Vinters "The Don" Red Blend  

Thank you to today's sponsor: Choose Your Struggle Podcast https://www.jayshifman.com/choose-your-struggle-podcast

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The case of Teekah Lewis is every parent's worst nightmare. Teekah vanished from a bowling alley in Tacoma, Washington on 1/23/99, and is still missing to this day. 

If you have information on this case, contact Crime Stoppers for a $1,000 cash reward. Use the P3 Tips App on your smart phone or call the hot line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Or contact:

Tacoma Police Department 253-798-4721

Federal Bureau of Investigation 202-324-3000

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Israel Keyes is a serial killer who has deep ties to the PNW, and has admitted to having victims in Washington state, however he is suspected of murdering people all over the country, and possibly the world. 

PNW Wine of the Week: A to Z Wineworks Chardonnay

Send case suggestions and wine recommendations to upperleftpodcast@gmail.com

Sources:

https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/new-information-released-in-serial-killer-case#:~:text=Israel%20Keyes%20is%20believed%20to%20have%20committed%20multiple,is%20encouraged%20to%20contact%20the%20FBI%20at%201-800-CALL-FBI.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Keyes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCVKtezK2LI