The Fall Line: True Crime

For 30 years, a young woman found in an Albuquerque motel room in 1991 was known only as Albuquerque Jane Doe, and later as Becca Doe. Her death was ruled a suicide, yet a photo-booth picture and a locked door kept online sleuths asking questions for decades. In March 2026, Ramapo College's genetic genealogists identified her as 18-year-old Becca Mallekoote. Maxine Spellman, a civilian researcher and host of The Butterfly Effect, joins us to discuss the case and her involvement, her deep dive intro records and investigative work she undertook, and the FIGG that restored Becca's identity. We also dive into some of the most lingering mysteries surrounding Becca's case: the man in the photo, the man in the hotel room, and the photo booth picture that made her case famous across the internet. Elevate your fall wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. The Butterfly Effect Podcast: https://thebutterflyeffectpodcast.podbean.com/ The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; [email protected]. All rights reserved, 2026

Lavern "Vern" Chupp was a well-known figure in St Joseph County, Michigan, where his Old Order Amish family had deep roots, and his skill at construction and carpentry meant he'd worked with just about everyone in the various townships surrounding his home. A devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Lavern was a popular man--but like anyone else, he had difficult business dealings and personal conflict. He lived alone, and his family sometimes worried that he was on his own; however, they never expected that he'd face violence at the hands of an unknown attacker. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Anyone with information regarding Lavern Chupp's murder is encouraged to contact the Michigan State Police at (269) 558-0500. Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists. The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; [email protected]. All rights reserved, 2026

We continue our coverage of the unsolved murder of Opelika, Alabama mother Sylvia Lou Dowdell, whose remains were discovered in Tuskegee just after Mother's Day 1998. This episode, we examine the crime scene, the forensic evidence, and the investigation. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Anyone with information regarding Sylvia's murder is encouraged to contact the Macon County Sheriff's Office at (334) 724-0669. Her family is offering a 5,000-dollar reward in her case. Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists. The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; [email protected]. All rights reserved, 2026

In October of 1988, the remains of a homicide victim were found in a rural area of Grays Harbor County, just outside Elma, Washington. A dedicated detective worked her case for years—first in his role with the sheriff's office, and then as coroner. Even now, in his retirement, he's followed the case. Despite thousands of hours of investigation, her identity remained elusive; but then, in 2018, forensic investigative genetic genealogy became a possibility, and The DNA Doe Project took on the case of the Grays Harbor Jane Doe. But her case has proved incredibly difficult, and genealogists and investigators need your help to reconnect her to her identity, and solve her murder. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline #rulapod If you have any information, please contact (360) 964-1742. In July, we are revisiting cold cases that still need your attention. Season 18 covers four unsolved homicides in four states and across three decades: all are in need of local and national attention to be resolved. To learn more about uploading your DNA: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/news-1/2022/7/11/guide-to-uploading-to-gedmatch To support DNA Doe Project: https://dnadoeproject.org/donate/ The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; [email protected]. All rights reserved, 2026