On Friday, May 26, 1978, the town of St. Joseph, Missouri, was shaken when word spread that four-year-old Eric Christgen had vanished. The search gripped the community, and when Eric was finally found, the relief quickly faded. He had been murdered, and in a way that proved to be one of the most heinous crimes in the town’s history.

With pressure mounting to identify the killer, investigators focused on Melvin Reynolds. He did not match witness descriptions of the older man last seen walking with Eric, his alibi was supported by witnesses, and his confession showed clear signs of being coerced. Even so, Reynolds was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

This episode continues where we left off last week, after exploring the early life of serial killer Charles Hatcher. Today, we turn to one of his known victims, Eric Christgen, and the wrongful conviction of Melvin Reynolds. Next week, we will examine another of Hatcher’s victims and the events that ultimately exposed his crimes, cleared Reynolds’ name, and revealed the full scope of the horror that had gone on for years.

Purchase Terry Ganey's book Innocent Blood: https://a.co/d/6fE7rmD

Sources:

• Amber Keen, George Lewis, Kara Stone, Andrew Lucas, Charles Ray Hatcher, 2005, Department of Psychology, Radford University
• Kris Jensen, Terry Hughes, Kent Darr, Mike Anton, Gary Sawyer, Beverly Van Hook, The ugly odyssey of Charles Hatcher, May 15, 1983, The Quad City Times
• Terry Ganey, Innocent Blood: A True Story of Obsession and Serial Murder, 2016
• Mathieu, Jordan, Melvin Lee Reynolds, March 13, 2018, National Registry of Exonerations, Michigan State University College of Law
• Frederick Slater & Mary Hellen Burrowes, Body of Christgen boy found on bluff, May 28, 1978, St Joseph News-Press
• Atkison, Rick, Citizens try to Crack the Christgen Case, August 4, 1978, The Kansas City Times

Support the show

If you have any information on any of the cold cases covered, you can submit a tip here: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-crime-victims/iowa-cold-case/cold-case-tip-form

You can follow Cardinal Crimes on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @CardinalCrimes.

The best way to support the podcast is to follow/like/subscribe, share with friends and family, and write us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

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Theme Song: Shrouded Lament by james.lfo, William Claeson

Charles Hatcher was an American serial killer officially convicted of murdering two children, though investigators believe he was responsible for many more assaults and homicides. His life was defined by a revolving door of prisons and psychiatric institutions, where he became known for his repeated escapes and his ability to manipulate his documented mental health issues to feign insanity in pursuit of lighter sentences.

In this episode, we’ll explore what is known about Hatcher’s early life and upbringing, trace the escalation of his crimes—from non-violent car thefts to attempted kidnappings and murder—and answer a question that has stuck with me: Was Charles Hatcher responsible for the 1969 murder of Dorothy Miller?

Our coverage on Charles Hatcher and his crimes will continue in part two, where we highlight the victims of his horrible crimes.

Sources:

• Amber Keen, George Lewis, Kara Stone, Andrew Lucas, Charles Ray Hatcher, 2005, Department of Psychology, Radford University
• Kris Jensen, Terry Hughes, Kent Darr, Mike Anton, Gary Sawyer, Beverly Van Hook, The ugly odyssey of Charles Hatcher, May 15, 1983, The Quad City Times
• Terry Ganey, Innocent Blood: A True Story of Obsession and Serial Murder, 2016

Support the show

If you have any information on any of the cold cases covered, you can submit a tip here: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-crime-victims/iowa-cold-case/cold-case-tip-form

You can follow Cardinal Crimes on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @CardinalCrimes.

The best way to support the podcast is to follow/like/subscribe, share with friends and family, and write us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

If you liked the show and are interested in supporting my work, check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CardinalCrimes?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator

Save $20 on a Buzzsprout paid plan using this referral link!: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2372693

Theme Song: Shrouded Lament by james.lfo, William Claeson

This week, we are revisiting the murder of Dorothy Miller in preparation for a few episodes highlighting two men who I think are top contenders for the man responsible.

The murder of Dorothy Miller is Burlington, Iowa’s oldest cold case. Dorothy was a 48-year-old real estate agent who was brutally murdered while showing a prospective client a home in August of 1969. The man she showed the home to was never seen again, despite Dorothy’s own husband and many witnesses seeing him the day and evening of the murder.

This case is baffling, and the behavior exhibited by the assumed killer makes many believe Dorothy wasn’t his first victim… or last.

SOURCES (Character limit exceeded, if you'd like to see the full list of sources, send me an email!):

• Find Saleswoman Dead in Closet, Quad City Times, August 19, 1969
• Real Estate Saleswoman Found Killed, The Gazette, August 19, 1969
• Burlington Killer Still At Large, Iowa Press Citizen, August 20, 1969
• Killer is Still At Large, Quad City Times, August 20, 1969
• Nick Lamberto, Find Body of Woman Lying Inside Closet, The Des Moines Register, August 20, 1969
• Burlington Killer Sought, The Gazette, August 20, 1969
• Sex-Killer Sought at Burlington, The Muscatine Journal, August 20, 1969
• Hunt Killer of Burlington Woman Stabbed Over 20 Times, The Sioux City Journal, August 20, 1969
• Suspect Seen in Bar?, Quad City Times, August 21, 1969
• Death Suspect Seen in Tavern, The Des Moines Register, August 21, 1969
• Seek Man Seen in Burlington Tavern Monday, The Gazette, August 21, 1969
• Report suspect in sex slaying seen in tavern, The Muscatine Journal, August 21, 1969
• Describe Man Sought in Iowa Slaying, The Sioux City Journal, August 21, 1969

Support the show

If you have any information on any of the cold cases covered, you can submit a tip here: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-crime-victims/iowa-cold-case/cold-case-tip-form

You can follow Cardinal Crimes on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @CardinalCrimes.

The best way to support the podcast is to follow/like/subscribe, share with friends and family, and write us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

If you liked the show and are interested in supporting my work, check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CardinalCrimes?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator

Save $20 on a Buzzsprout paid plan using this referral link!: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2372693

Theme Song: Shrouded Lament by james.lfo, William Claeson