Episode #208: Beyond the Keystone - Illinois

About this episode

This episode explores the case of 7-year-old Maria Elizabeth Ridulph, who vanished in 1957, the investigation that followed, and the subsequent legal controversies.

In this episode, we examine the heartbreaking case of 7-year-old Maria Elizabeth Ridulph of Sycamore, Illinois. On a cold December night in 1957, Maria vanished while playing outside near her family home, sparking one of the largest missing child investigations in U.S. history at the time. Decades later, the case would take a shocking turn with an arrest and conviction—only for that conviction to eventually be overturned. Join us as we explore the investigation, the controversy surrounding the case, and the lasting impact Maria’s story has had on true crime history.

Topics covered

• missing child case
• true crime history
• investigation
• legal controversy
• impact of crime

Keywords

• Maria Elizabeth Ridulph
• missing child
• true crime
• investigation
• Illinois
• 1957
• legal controversy

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Sycamore, Illinois

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