The Dark Oak

Episode 51: SeaWorld and the Death of Dawn Brancheau

For decades Sea World has been committed to supporting environmental conservation by providing financial and scientific support to organizations focused on animal rescue and rehabilitation, conservation education, habitat protection and species research. Additionally, the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has donated more than $19 million in support of animal conservation projects on all seven continents across the globe. 
Despite all the good, animal lovers have been asking for years "Is Sea World doing the right thing by their killer whales?" 
After one such whale, Tilikum, caused the death of his highly respected trainer, Dawn Brancheau, during a 'Dining with Shamu Show' in 2010, the dangers of keeping such wild and unpredictable animals in captivity were brought to light. The public turned up the heat on the theme park when shortly after it was revealed that Tilikum was involved in two other human deaths. 
With the release of controversial films like 'Blackfish", Sea World took a hit and to this day has never fully recovered. We are animal lovers (and rescuers) here at The Dark Oak, so we set out to cut through any previously misreported facts and get to the truth...for the whales! 
Sources:
Whale Facts. (2021, October 2). Whale facts and Information. https://whalefacts.org
Orcas VS humans – inherently wild. (n.d.). https://inherentlywild.co.uk/orcas-vs-humans/
International Marine Mammal Project. (2017, August 2). SeaWorld’s breeding and killing of orcas. https://savedolphins.eii.org/news/seaworlds-breeding-and-killing-of-orcas#:~:text=Under%20pressure%20from%20environmental%20and,longer%20breed%20orcas%20in%20captivity.
10 things You Didn’t know about SeaWorld - SeaWorld of Hurt. (2018, April 20). SeaWorld of Hurt. https://www.seaworldofhurt.com/features/ten-things-didnt-know-seaworld/
Roberts, S. (2023, March 22). SeaWorld Fun facts that will make your day. Orlando Informer. https://orlandoinformer.com/blog/seaworld-orlando/seaworld-fun-facts/
Home | SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. (n.d.). https://swbg-conservationfund.org/
SeaWorld’s “69 Reasons you Shouldn’t Believe Blackfish” – My Rebuttal – Inherently Wild. (n.d.). https://inherentlywild.co.uk/seaworlds-69-reasons-you-shouldnt-believe-blackfish-my-rebuttal/
Temp, M., & Weisberg, L. (2024, April 4). Timeline: How SeaWorld grew from a 22-acre park to a nearly 200-acre tourist destination. San Diego Union-Tribune. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-04-04/timeline-how-seaworld-grew-from-a-22-acre-park-to-a-nearly-200-acre-tourist-destination
Fisheries, N. (2022, January 4). Killer Whale. NOAA. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/killer-whale
Fate of orcas in captivity - Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA. (2024, May 22). Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA. https://us.whales.org/our-goals/end-captivity/orca-captivity/
Killer Whale Education and Conservation Program | SeaWorld Orlando. (n.d.). https://seaworld.com/orlando/commitment/killer-whales/#:~:text=Killer%20whales%20at%20SeaWorld%20help,last%20generation%20at%20our%20park.
Nature, W. S. P. |. B. T. (2024, May 20). Tilikum: The Whale Who Rebelled - The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature. The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature. https://whalesanctuaryproject.org/whales/tilikum-the-whale-who-rebelled/
Heger, E. (2023, October 10). One-third of the world’s captive orcas are in the US, and no one can agree on what to do with them. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/captive-orcas-seaworld-should-they-be-released-sea-pen-2023-10
 
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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 50: The Unexplained Death of Ryan Singleton

On the 9th of July 2013, a 24-year-old Ryan was driving his car through the Mohave desert through what we know as Death Valley. He was on his way back to Los Angeles after spending the day in Las Vegas, when his car ran out of gas on Hwy 15. After walking several miles towards the closest town in the intense heat, Ryan encountered what should have been an incredible stroke of luck, when a highway patrolman saw Ryan and offered to help him. The highway patrolman eventually dropped Ryan off at a rest stop in Baker, CA, where Ryan called a friend in LA to come and pick him up. When his friend arrived at the rest stop 3 hours later, Ryan was nowhere to be found.  
Over two months passed with no word from Ryan. Then, on September 21, 2023 local hikers found Ryan’s decomposing body in the desert within the previously searched area. A thorough autopsy cited the cause of death as undetermined and, more disturbingly, it was revealed that even though Ryan’s body was relatively intact, he was missing at least 6 of his internal organs leading some to believe Ryan may have been another victim of organ harvesting.
 
Sources:
Politan, V. (2018, December 19). Georgia model vanishes, body found with organs missing. 11Alive.com. https://www.11alive.com/article/news/year-in-review/georgia-model-vanishes-body-found-with-organs-missing/85-442199392
Garcia, A. (2017, June 6). Questions continue to surround Georgia Man’s disappearance and death. Snopes. https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/06/06/questions-continue-surround-georgia-mans-disappearance-death/
Farpoint Films - Dying to be Famous: The Ryan Singleton Mystery. (2024, April 25). Farpoint Films. https://www.farpointfilms.com/dying-to-be-famous-the-ryan-singleton-mystery
Kish, P. (2018, December 19). Mother of model whose body was found without organs still seeks answers. 11Alive.com. https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/mother-of-model-whose-body-was-found-without-organs-still-seeks-answers/85-f59ffb28-6571-4f70-a0fb-b7d42ab37e48
Myers, B. (2022, December 10). Disturbing details found in model Ryan Singleton’s autopsy. Grunge. https://www.grunge.com/1126896/disturbing-details-found-in-model-ryan-singletons-autopsy/
11Alive. (2017, May 24). Georgia model’s body found without organs. What happened? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCLGSfpiJFc
 
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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 49: The Disappearance of Amy Wroe Bechtel

The 1997 disappearance of Amy Wroe Bechtel has been called one of the most baffling cases in U.S. history. A massive search was launched when she vanished, the search was so large even Russia was asked to assist.
The healthy young athlete went jogging in the Shoshone National Forest and was never seen again.
Amy’s husband led efforts to find his missing wife despite being considered the prime suspect.
As years went by, other possible suspects were discussed….but the mystery of what happened to Amy Wroe Bechtel has never been solved.
Did she succumb to an injury for a fall or a wild animal in the wilderness of Wyoming? Was she the victim of a serial killer? Does her husband know more than he’s shared or is Amy Wroe Bechtel still alive today?
 
Sources:
Nichols, J. (2023, December 9). Disappearance of Amy Wroe Bechtel still haunting after 26 years. Your Wyoming News Source. https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/12/09/disappearance-of-amy-wroe-bechtel-still-haunting-after-26-years/
Billman, J. (2020, September 17). Long gone girl. Runner’s World. https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a20817705/long-gone-girl/
Di Salvatore, B., Di Salvatore, B., & McNamer, D. (2022, July 25). When Amy Bechtel Didn’t Come Home. Outside Online. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/long-gone/
 
The Branch of Hope Foundation:
Amy Wroe Bechtel Scholarship Endowment at Northwest College
When Amy Wroe Bechtel went missing, JoAnne Wroe, Amy's mother felt the community come together to show support for their family as they continued their search. 
Her family established a recovery fund to help pay for search expenses and folded that money into an endowment in her name as the case grew cold.  Her mom explained, "We know that this decision would please her. Our children have achieved great success in their lives as a result of their higher education accomplishments, which they truly value. We hope that this scholarship will help others to achieve their goals."
 
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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 48: The Mysterious Death of Jessica Renee Johnson

When Jessica Renee Johnson's friends and family were told that she died by suicide, their worlds were shattered.  Over the  next few weeks and months, details came to light that that just didn't make sense: Jessica was found wearing clothes that no one recognized, she had strange new markings on her body, and the way in which she died was beyond unusual. 
Fighting with authorities for a more thorough investigation, Jessica's family hired their own investigator, Dr. Godwin, whose investigation revealed entirely different findings. 
We spoke directly with Linda, Jessica's mother, while preparing this episode and it is clear that she will never give up until she finds answers for daughter. 
 
Sources:
True Crime Garage Jessica Johnson Part 1. (n.d.).
True Crime Garage Jessica Johnson Part 2. (n.d.).
What Happened to Jessica Johnson Facebook Page. (n.d.). Facebook.
 
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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 47: The Disappearance of Maura Murray (Part 3 of 3)

Maura Murray is an American woman who disappeared on the evening of February 9, 2004, after a car crash on Route 112 near Woodville, New Hampshire, a village in the town of Haverhill. At the time of her disappearance, Maura was a 21-year-old nursing student completing her junior year at the University of Massachusetts.
In this three-part series, we report on Maura's state of mind at the time of her disappearance, the day of her disappearance, how the police handled the investigation and theories as to where she might be and what may have happened in the days, weeks and years since her disappearance.
Armed with fresh facts gleaned from Maura's old sister, Julie Murray's podcast named Media Pressure, Stefanie and Cynthia dish up the latest and greatest on what is now known as "the first crime mystery of the social media age"
Where is Maura Murray?
 
Sources:
Apple Podcasts. (2024, April 1). Media pressure on Apple podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-pressure/id1724255685
 
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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 46: The Disappearance of Maura Murray (Part 2 of 3)

Maura Murray is an American woman who disappeared on the evening of February 9, 2004, after a car crash on Route 112 near Woodville, New Hampshire, a village in the town of Haverhill. At the time of her disappearance, Maura was a 21-year-old nursing student completing her junior year at the University of Massachusetts.
In this three-part series, we report on Maura's state of mind at the time of her disappearance, the day of her disappearance, how the police handled the investigation and theories as to where she might be and what may have happened in the days, weeks and years since her disappearance.
Armed with fresh facts gleaned from Maura's old sister, Julie Murray's podcast named Media Pressure, Stefanie and Cynthia dish up the latest and greatest on what is now known as "the first crime mystery of the social media age"
Where is Maura Murray?
 
Sources:
Apple Podcasts. (2024, April 1). Media pressure on Apple podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-pressure/id1724255685
 
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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 45: The Disappearance of Maura Murray (Part 1 of 3)

Maura Murray is an American woman who disappeared on the evening of February 9, 2004, after a car crash on Route 112 near Woodville, New Hampshire, a village in the town of Haverhill. At the time of her disappearance, Maura was a 21-year-old nursing student completing her junior year at the University of Massachusetts.
In this three-part series, we report on Maura's state of mind at the time of her disappearance, the day of her disappearance, how the police handled the investigation and theories as to where she might be and what may have happened in the days, weeks and years since her disappearance.
Armed with fresh facts gleaned from Maura's old sister, Julie Murray's podcast named Media Pressure, Stefanie and Cynthia dish up the latest and greatest on what is now known as "the first crime mystery of the social media age"
Where is Maura Murray?
 
Sources:
Apple Podcasts. (2024, April 1). Media pressure on Apple podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-pressure/id1724255685
 
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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 44: The Bizarre Death of Paulette Gebara Farah

Commonly referred to as the "Mexican Jon Benet Ramsey", the death of four year old Paulette Gebara Farah is nothing short of a tragedy. 
What began as a missing person case turned into one of the most suspicious death cases in recent history. Accident? Homicide? Tell us what you think after you listen to the story of Paulette Gebara Farah.
 
Sources:Raga, P., & Raga, P. (2020, June 16). Who killed Paulette Gebara Farah? the real life crime in “The Search.” Distractify. https://www.distractify.com/p/who-killed-paulette-gebara-farah
Foote, M. (2018, June 20). The Trail Went Cold – Episode 77 – Paulette Gebara Farah – The Trail went Cold. https://www.trailwentcold.com/2018/06/20/the-trail-went-cold-episode-77-paulette-gebara-farah/
 
Branch of Hope Foundation: 
The Gift of Life 27 - https://thegiftoflife27.org/
Making a Difference One Premature Baby at a time.
Mission: The Gift of Life offers hope, encouragement, and support to the parents of premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
 
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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 43: The Abduction of Frederick Valentich

At the time of his final flight, Frederick was an ambitious, healthy, hardworking, and optimistic young person. On the evening of Saturday October 21st, 1978, at 6:15 Fred Valentich left Moorabbin airport and headed west, crossing Port Philip Bay on the way to King Island. Fred’s flight started without incident. 
After about 6 minutes over the open water, just after 7pm, Fred called Steve on the radio and asked if there was “any known traffic below 5000 feet?”
The reply was “no known traffic.”
Fred confirmed that he was in an altitude of 4500 feet and crossing Bass Strait. Only 7 seconds after confirming he could not identify the “thing” Fred reported, “Melbourne, Delta Sierra Juliet, it is not an aircraft…it is…”
Almost immediately after stating his intentions Fred radioed, “Ah, Melbourne, that's strange aircraft is hovering on top of me again, it is hovering, and it's not an aircraft!” Steve, with all his experience, now had to try to help a junior pilot try to navigate through engine trouble over a body of water while avoiding an unknown aircraft as the sun is setting. I don't envy him. Before Steve had time to process all the data points and provide guidance, Fred radioed and said, “Delta Sierra Juliet, Melbourne…” but then stop talking mid-sentence.
All that can be heard is a chattering rattling metallic sound. It lasts for 17 seconds and then stops. Steve never heard anything quite like it in all his years of aviation. Steve tried repeatedly to reach Fred, but he was gone. Fred was never heard from again.
What happened to Fred Valentich?
We explore his case and that of the 2017 US Pentagon report citing unexplained flying objects over the US.
 
Sources:
Nothing On Radar: The Valentich Mystery: Simpson, George: 9798826817315: Amazon.com: Books. (n.d.). 
60 Minutes. (2021, May 17). Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBtMbBPzqHY
 
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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 42: The Disappearance of Geneva Adams

When single mother, Geneva Adams, doesn't come home after a rare night out, her family immediately jumps into action, but finds few clues. After almost 40 years of searching a tip leads them to believe their mother may be buried under the name of Jane Doe in a cemetery about an hour away from where she disappeared. The day of exhumation, everyone is shocked to find the body of Jane Doe, believed to possibly be Geneva Adams has disappeared into thin air. Were Jane Doe and Geneva Adams the same person? And where are they now?
 
Sources:
Suburbansherlock. (n.d.). The Disappearance of Geneva Verneal Adams : r/UnresolvedMysteries. https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/jkjwdr/the_disappearance_of_geneva_verneal_adams/
Geneva Verneal Adams – The Charley Project. (n.d.). https://charleyproject.org/case/geneva-verneal-adams
Disappearance of woman from Herculaneum, Missouri bar in 1976 remains unsolved. (2020, July 25). NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/son-refuses-give-search-answers-disappearance-mother-geneva-adams-who-n1234935
Cohen, R. (2011, May 8). Geneva Adams. STLtoday.com. https://www.stltoday.com/geneva-adams/image_0799045c-79e4-11e0-89de-0019bb30f31a.html
Geneva Adams vanished after a night at the Artesian Lounge in Herculaneum in the summer of 1976. (2006, August 1). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-geneva-adams-van/26302486/
No-Bite. (n.d.). Disappearance of woman from Herculaneum, Missouri bar in 1976 remains unsolved : r/Disappeared. https://www.reddit.com/r/Disappeared/comments/16yb9i1/disappearance_of_woman_from_herculaneum_missouri/
 
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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