The Dark Oak

Episode 153: Mike Mansholt - The Final Solo Ride

Seventeen-year-old German adventurer Mike Mansholt arrived in Malta in July 2016 for his first solo trip. After a week with his girlfriend, he stayed on alone, rented a mountain bike in Sliema on 18 July, sent a cheerful voice message home, and pedalled off to explore. He was never seen alive again. Days later searchers found his body lying peacefully in a small, sheltered rock hollow thirty metres below the Dingli Cliffs, with his bike and shoes nearby but his backpack, phone, and GoPro missing. When the sealed zinc coffin reached Germany, the remains weighed only sixteen kilograms and showed no signs of embalming. A second autopsy revealed nearly all internal organs were gone. Maltese officials called it an accidental fall with the organs lost to animals and heat; German investigators found the explanation implausible, ruled out a high-impact fall, and could not exclude third-party involvement. Ten years on, the backpack, GoPro, and organs have never been recovered, and the case remains open with conflicting accounts between the two countries.
 
Branch of Hope:
Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation is a UK-registered charity founded in 2002 by the family of Caroline Ann Stuttle, a young British traveler who tragically lost her life while on a gap year in Australia. For more than twenty years, the organization has focused on promoting safer independent travel for young people and backpackers. It offers free educational resources, safety workshops, school presentations, and practical guides that help gap-year students and first-time adventurers prepare responsibly and stay safe on the road. While the foundation now serves primarily as a lasting information archive, its materials remain freely available and continue to support thousands of young travelers each year.
 
Sources:
Mysterious death of 17-year-old Mike Mansholt, catacombs Dingli Cliffs, Malta - 26 July, 2016. (2026, March 8). Websleuths. https://websleuths.com/threads/mysterious-death-of-17-year-old-mike-mansholt-catacombs-dingli-cliffs-malta-26-july-2016.768799/
Police suspect foul play in German teen’s death at Dingli cliffs. (n.d.). MaltaToday.com.mt. https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/69270/police_suspect_foul_play_in_german_teens_death_at_dingli_cliffs
16 Kilograms: The Empty Body of Mike Mansholt | by Alex Sterling | Medium
Father gives up hope of getting answers about son’s death in Malta - The Malta Independent. (2018, August 21). https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2018-08-21/local-news/Father-gives-up-hope-of-getting-answers-about-son-s-death-in-Malta-6736195184
 
 
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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

Episode 152: Duncan MacPherson – Frozen Betrayal (Part 2 of 2)

Duncan McPherson was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. In 1989 he went on a trip to Austria and disappeared after a day of snowboarding. Searches proved fruitless until 2003 when his body was found in a melting glacier, the very same glacier on which he was last seen. Despite officials believing his death to have been an accident, the state of his body leaves behind many questions and his death remains officially unsolved.
 
Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community’s safety.  Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity.  Sources:https://www.coldalongtime.com  
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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

Episode 151: Duncan MacPherson - Frozen Betrayal (Part 1 of 2)

Duncan McPherson was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. In 1989 he went on a trip to Austria and disappeared after a day of snowboarding. Searches proved fruitless until 2003 when his body was found in a melting glacier, the very same glacier on which he was last seen. Despite officials believing his death to have been an accident, the state of his body leaves behind many questions and his death remains officially unsolved.
 
Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community's safety.  Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity.
 
 
Sources:
https://www.coldalongtime.com
 
 
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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

Episode 150: The Miyazawa Massacre - Perfect Family, Perfect Crime

The  Miyazawa  family lived in a quiet, two-story home near Soshigaya Park in Setayata, Japan. 44 year old Mikio worked for the British marketing firm Interbrand, while Yasuko was a homemaker. They had two children: 8 year old Niina, active in soccer and ballet, and 6 year old Rei. Who would have wanted this picture perfect family dead? That is the question that has haunted the world since December 31, 2000. This case is unlike any we have ever covered here at the Dark Oak, as the killer left behind more than 13,000 pieces of evidence....and yet, authorities don't even have a person of interest. 
 
Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community's safety.  Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity.
 
Sources:
The Sethttps://unresolved.me/the-setagaya-murdersagaya Murders — Unresolved 
https://www.tokyoweekender.com/art_and_culture/history/the-setagaya-family-murder-case/
 
https://citytowner.com/setagaya-family-murders-kamisoshigaya-japan/#google_vignette
https://japantoday.com/category/crime/setagaya-family-murders-remain-unsolved-after-24-years-1
https://www.youtube.com/live/oadF1Jqy3f8
 
 
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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

Episode 149: The Zaharias Abduction - Stolen Childhood

On November 20, 1987, in Mission Viejo, California, Susan Zaharias abducted her two toddlers—three-and-a-half-year-old Christopher and fifteen-month-old Lisa—after a violent argument with her husband Louis, assaulting his mother and fleeing with almost nothing for the children. Battling severe alcohol, cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine addiction that had drained the family’s savings, Susan had met Louis in 1977, married him in 1981 despite her family’s fierce disapproval, and used relatives to race through Lake Elsinore, California, then Oklahoma, Detroit, Michigan, and several weeks in Greensburg, Pennsylvania before vanishing from Detroit in January 1988. For nearly 39 years Louis has never stopped searching: he sold almost everything he owned to fund lawyers and investigators, kept Christopher’s favorite blanket and Lisa’s dolls, got matching forearm tattoos of the children, and appeared on Unsolved Mysteries and other shows while moving across states to rebuild his life. Active felony warrants remain for Susan with a $250,000 bond; investigators believe all three are alive with ongoing family contact, and current age-progressed photos show Christopher in his early forties and Lisa nearing forty. Louis still hopes his children will one day learn the truth about the father who never gave up on them.
 
Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community's safety.  Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity.
 
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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

Episode 148: Unearthed from the Dark Oak: Where is Paola Miranda Rosa?

Today we’re Unearthing Episode 83 from the Dark Oak vault: “Where is Paola Miranda Rosa?” This case is local to us—Paola vanished in a park near where Cynthia and Stefanie grew up. The original investigation was mishandled, but in January 2026 the new Osceola County Sheriff reopened it. Her family now has renewed hope after meeting with authorities, and Crimeline has raised the reward to $5,000. This is the perfect time to spotlight the case and generate new leads. Our Branch of Hope mission is to support families still searching—and this episode could do exactly that. Listen closely—you might hold the key.
 
________________________________________
Paola Miranda Rosa, 31, vanished from Wekiva Springs State Park on December 18, 2021. Last seen on a video created by an unnamed eyewitness, her car was found in the park despite initial denials by a ranger.
The investigation by Osceola County Sheriff's Office was criticized for being inadequate, suggesting suicide or alligator attack with little evidence. Her family, unsatisfied, conducted their own searches, hired a PI, and is now pushing for FBI involvement, especially after the lead detective was added to a Brady list for misconduct. Paola remains missing, with her family advocating for further investigation.
Stefanie was able to speak directly to the Miranda family. You won't believe what she found out.
 
Sources:
Munoz, L. (2024, December 14). Family of missing Osceola County woman seeks FBI involvement. WESH. https://www.wesh.com/article/missing-osceola-county-woman/63188736
Paola Marie Miranda-Rosa – The Charley Project. (n.d.). https://charleyproject.org/case/paola-marie-miranda-rosa
Orlando, F. 3. (2022, May 17). Paola Miranda-Rosa: 5 months since Central Florida woman went missing. FOX 35 Orlando. https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/paola-miranda-rosa-5-months-since-central-florida-woman-went-missing
Parks, A. (2022, December 2). Wekiwa Springs State Park In Apopka, FL | America's State Parks. America\\\’s State Parks. https://www.americasstateparks.org/wekiwa-springs-state-park/
How dangerous are black bears? - North American Bear Center. (2024, January 2). North American Bear Center. https://bear.org/bear-facts/how-dangerous-are-black-bears/
Conflicts: A Research Perspective | Urban Coyote Research. (n.d.). https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/coyote-info/conflicts-research-perspective
American Alligator | National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). National Wildlife Federation. https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Reptiles/American-Alligator
Talcott, A. (2024, January 4). How many people have been killed by alligators in Florida? The number may surprise you. WKMG. https://www.clickorlando.com/features/2024/01/04/how-many-people-have-been-killed-by-alligators-in-florida-it-may-surprise-you/
Barabino, W. (2021, March 6). What is the Brady List? - Law Office of William J. Barabino. Law Office of William J. Barabino. https://www.williambarabino.com/blog/2021/03/06/what-is-the-brady-list/
 
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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

Episode 147: Missing: Yolanda Bindics

When 25-year-old Yolanda Bindics, a mother of four, failed to return home after her closing shift at the Family Dollar Store in Jamestown, NY, the entire community went into overdrive. Law enforcement dove into the investigation with searches and witness interviews but there was no sign of Yolanda leading the investigation to focus on two persons of interest...the father of Yolanda's youngest child, and a police officer that Yolanda had secretly been dating.
 
Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY
Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community's safety. Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity.
 
Sources:
https://thecinemaholic.com/what-happened-to-yolanda-bindics-is-she-alive-or-dead/
https://www.wkbw.com/chautauqua-county/its-a-giant-puzzle-potential-new-development-in-yolanda-bindics-cold-case-focuses-on-3-key-locations
https://chautauquacountyny.gov/district-attorney/news/update-yolanda-bindics-case-chautauqua-county-sheriffs-office
https://buffalonews.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_9a0afaea-3b55-11ed-8b70-d3f111be0f0f.html
https://nyscrimestoppers.org/about/
 
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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

Episode 146: Kanika Powell - Killer in the Hallway

Kanika Powell was a 28-year-old Army veteran and security contractor with top-secret clearance who lived alone in the Deerfield Run Apartments in Laurel, Maryland, and led a quiet, ordinary life of work, family, and close friends.In the week before her death, she endured three bizarre knocks at her door: a man claiming to be an FBI agent on August 23, a fake FedEx delivery driver on August 27, and another supposed delivery person on the morning of August 28.On Thursday, August 28, 2008, after taking the day off to prepare for a Pride weekend trip to Atlanta with a new female friend, Kanika returned from running errands around 11:50 a.m. and was ambushed in her apartment hallway, shot multiple times in the upper body while screaming “no, no, no.”She was rushed to the hospital but died the next day on August 29; her wallet and valuables were untouched, ruling out robbery, and the shooter vanished without a trace in broad daylight.The case remains unsolved with no clear motive, sparking theories ranging from a professional hit tied to her classified government work, a possible link to another unsolved murder of Sean Green in the same county, or jealousy from the ex-boyfriend of her new romantic partner.
 
Branch of Hope:
https://www.dareformore.org/
In 2012, Reba Bowman, founder of Dare for More, traveled to the Dominican Republic to speak at a women's event. What she witnessed there forever changed her—and the direction of the ministry.
She saw firsthand the devastating plight of women and girls in places where toxic cultural norms treat them as disposable. In these environments, exploitation takes countless cruel forms, and extreme poverty often becomes the breaking point, pushing vulnerable women and children into unimaginable crises.
Living on as little as $1.25 a day creates desperate pressure that leaves families exposed to human trafficking and other forms of abuse. Globally, millions of women and children endure exploitation every day as a result.
Many factors drive individuals to this edge: marginalization by their own communities, widowhood, orphanhood, abuse, neglect, or simply having no one to hear their cries for help.
At Dare for More, we believe prevention is as vital as rescue. By reaching women and families before they fall into victimhood, we help build stability and hope.
In each community we serve, we offer practical, life-changing support: life-skills training, job training, and resources that empower women to provide for themselves and their children. These opportunities spark immediate transformation for families while sowing seeds of generational change—breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability for years to come.
Through rescue, restoration, and mobilization, Dare for More dares to believe in brighter futures for women and children worldwide.
 
Sources:
Kanika Powell: Murder — This Time She Didn’t Have to Answer the Door| A Professional Hit | Case 28 | by Jadyn Harlow - The Missing Found Podcast | Medium
A Killer Comes Knocking - Unsolved Mysteries
 
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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
 

Episode 145: Amanda Antoni - The Basement Mystery

On a Saturday night while he was out of town, Lee Antoni was on the phone with his 31 year old wife, Amanda, when he heard strange noises on the other end of the line before the call was abruptly disconnected. Unable to reach Amanda for the rest of the weekend, Lee returned home to find his basement covered in blood and Amanda dead at the bottom of the stairs. There were signs of a violent encounter and it was immediately determined that Amanda had been murdered. 
As the investigation continued, the lack of evidence led many to believe that Amanda's death was actually the result of a tragic accident, but those close to her disagree. Her family continues to seek answers and her death is still mystifying people today. 
 
Branch of Hope:
https://www.dareformore.org/
In 2012, Reba Bowman, founder of Dare for More, traveled to the Dominican Republic to speak at a women's event. What she witnessed there forever changed her—and the direction of the ministry.
She saw firsthand the devastating plight of women and girls in places where toxic cultural norms treat them as disposable. In these environments, exploitation takes countless cruel forms, and extreme poverty often becomes the breaking point, pushing vulnerable women and children into unimaginable crises.
Living on as little as $1.25 a day creates desperate pressure that leaves families exposed to human trafficking and other forms of abuse. Globally, millions of women and children endure exploitation every day as a result.
Many factors drive individuals to this edge: marginalization by their own communities, widowhood, orphanhood, abuse, neglect, or simply having no one to hear their cries for help.
At Dare for More, we believe prevention is as vital as rescue. By reaching women and families before they fall into victimhood, we help build stability and hope.
In each community we serve, we offer practical, life-changing support: life-skills training, job training, and resources that empower women to provide for themselves and their children. These opportunities spark immediate transformation for families while sowing seeds of generational change—breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability for years to come.
Through rescue, restoration, and mobilization, Dare for More dares to believe in brighter futures for women and children worldwide.
 
 
Sources:
Discover Body in the Basement Case - Unsolved Mysteries
What Happened to Amanda Antoni? 'Unsolved Mysteries' Explores Lingering Questions - Netflix Tudum
"Unsolved Mysteries" Body in the Basement (TV Episode 2024) - IMDb
 
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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep
 

Episode 144: The Ice Miracle - Jean Hilliard

In December 1980, 19-year-old Jean Hilliard from Lengby, Minnesota, slid her car into a ditch on an icy rural road during a bitterly cold night with temperatures at -22°F. She decided to walk about two miles to a friend's house for help but collapsed unconscious in the snow just 15 feet from the door, where she lay exposed and frozen solid for six to seven hours. The next morning, rancher Wally Nelson discovered her rigid body—described as hard as a log, with frozen-open eyes and no detectable vital signs—and rushed her to the local hospital, where doctors initially thought she was dead. Miraculously, after slow warming with heating pads and community prayers, she revived within hours, made a full recovery with no amputations or lasting damage, and went on to live a normal life, leaving medical experts baffled by her survival.
 
Branch of Hope:
https://www.dareformore.org/
In 2012, Reba Bowman, founder of Dare for More, traveled to the Dominican Republic to speak at a women's event. What she witnessed there forever changed her—and the direction of the ministry.She saw firsthand the devastating plight of women and girls in places where toxic cultural norms treat them as disposable. In these environments, exploitation takes countless cruel forms, and extreme poverty often becomes the breaking point, pushing vulnerable women and children into unimaginable crises.
Living on as little as $1.25 a day creates desperate pressure that leaves families exposed to human trafficking and other forms of abuse. Globally, millions of women and children endure exploitation every day as a result.
Many factors drive individuals to this edge: marginalization by their own communities, widowhood, orphanhood, abuse, neglect, or simply having no one to hear their cries for help.
At Dare for More, we believe prevention is as vital as rescue. By reaching women and families before they fall into victimhood, we help build stability and hope.In each community we serve, we offer practical, life-changing support: life-skills training, job training, and resources that empower women to provide for themselves and their children. These opportunities spark immediate transformation for families while sowing seeds of generational change—breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability for years to come.
Through rescue, restoration, and mobilization, Dare for More dares to believe in brighter futures for women and children worldwide.
 
 
Sources:
Enger, J. (2018, January 25). Frozen. Thawed. Not dead: Jean Hilliard's amazing Minnesota story. MPR News. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/01/25/jean-hilliard-northern-minnesota-frozen-survived
McRae, M. (2023, October 23). Amazing true story: The woman who survived being “Frozen Solid.” ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/amazing-true-story-the-woman-who-survived-being-frozen-solid
Connare, C. (2026, January 27). Frozen Stiff: A true story of winter survival. Almanac.com. https://www.almanac.com/extra/frozen-stiff-true-story-winter-survival
 
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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep