EPISODE · Dec 9, 2025 · 41 MIN
20. MURDERED: Jonelle Matthews — The Cold Case Behind the Girl on the Milk Carton
from Darkly Speaking · host Darkly Speaking
Five days before Christmas in 1984, 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews returned to her home in Greely Colorado after a school concert and vanished without a trace. No forced entry. No struggle. Just footprints in the snow behind the Matthews home. Her disappearance quickly gained national attention, becoming one of the first cases featured in the milk carton campaign. And for nearly four decades, the investigation remained frozen, shaped by shifting stories and stalled leads. That is, until nearly 35 years later, when Jonelle’s remains were discovered more than 20 miles from her home. And all signs pointed to a man whose involvement only grew stranger as he continued placing himself in the center of the investigation long before anyone suspected him. TW: This episode includes discussion of crimes against children and sexual violence, and potentially distressing circumstances. Listener discretion is advised. Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern ⸻ 🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤 Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge. Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained. Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place. Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into. Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird. ⸻ 🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts! YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts ⸻ 📲 CONNECT WITH US: YouTube Instagram TikTok Website (Sources, Show Notes & More!) Email us your stories! → [email protected] ⸻ ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter. Listener discretion is advised. All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated. Copyright Disclaimer: Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
What this episode covers
Five days before Christmas in 1984, 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews returned to her home in Greely Colorado after a school concert and vanished without a trace. No forced entry. No struggle. Just footprints in the snow behind the Matthews home. Her disappearance quickly gained national attention, becoming one of the first cases featured in the milk carton campaign. And for nearly four decades, the investigation remained frozen, shaped by shifting stories and stalled leads. That is, until nearly 35 years later, when Jonelle’s remains were discovered more than 20 miles from her home. And all signs pointed to a man whose involvement only grew stranger as he continued placing himself in the center of the investigation long before anyone suspected him. TW: This episode includes discussion of crimes against children and sexual violence, and potentially distressing circumstances. Listener discretion is advised. Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern ⸻ 🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤 Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge. Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained. Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place. Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into. Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird. ⸻ 🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts! YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts ⸻ 📲 CONNECT WITH US: YouTube Instagram TikTok Website (Sources, Show Notes & More!) Email us your stories! → [email protected] ⸻ ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter. Listener discretion is advised. All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated. Copyright Disclaimer: Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
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20. MURDERED: Jonelle Matthews — The Cold Case Behind the Girl on the Milk Carton
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