The Cold Case of Nancy Eagleson

About this episode

This episode explores the cold case of Nancy Eagleson, a 14-year-old girl abducted and murdered in 1960, highlighting the investigation's failures and recent breakthroughs.

The Girl in the High Heels: The Murder of Nancy EaglesonDescription: In 1960, Paulding, Ohio, was the kind of town where no one locked their doors. That changed on November 13, when 14-year-old Nancy Eagleson was snatched off the street while walking home from a movie with her 5-year-old sister. Hours later, Nancy was found in a wooded clearing, a discovery that shattered the town's innocence forever. For over sixty years, this case has been a maze of missing evidence, suspicious police conduct, and a family’s tireless quest for the truth. Tonight, we look at the case that refused to stay buried—and the shocking secrets revealed by a 21st-century exhumation.Inside This Episode: The Sunday Double Feature: Nancy’s final walk home from the Paradise Theater and the heartbreaking significance of her first pair of high heels. The Man in "Church Clothes": Analyzing the chillingly calculated appearance of the abductor—wearing a fedora and horn-rimmed glasses—meant to bypass a child's natural suspicion. A Forensic Disaster: A deep dive into the "lost evidence"—from clothing to the murder weapon’s bullet—and the systemic failures that hindered justice for decades. Shadow of the Badge…

People in this episode

Host: Sammy Dayton

Topics covered

• cold case
• true crime
• forensic investigation
• abduction
• murder
• police conduct
• exhumation

Keywords

• Nancy Eagleson
• cold case
• abduction
• murder investigation
• forensic evidence
• Paulding Ohio
• Clair Paulus
• exhumation
• true crime
• police cover-up

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Girl in the High Heels

Places: Paulding, Ohio