A Conviction in Doubt: Was the Nation's Oldest Cold Case ...

What this episode covers

Maria Ridulph was a young girl out enjoying the winter with a friend when she suddenly disappeared. On December 3, 1957, Maria was last seen playing near her home in Sycamore, Illinois, when a man offered her a ride. She never returned.Years passed, and her case went cold until 1994 when new leads emerged. John Tessier, aka Jack McCullough, a man with ties to the area, was arrested after DNA evidence and new testimonies pointed to him. He had been living under a different name for years, hiding his dark secret.McCullough was convicted in 2012 for the abduction and murder of Maria Ridulph. He was sentenced to life in prison. But in 2021, his conviction was overturned, leaving many questioning if the right man was convicted.Do you think John Tessier (aka Jack McCullough) was guilty, or was the wrong man locked up for decades? Get all the crime in half the time! Watch True Crime Recaps on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or Snapchat! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. New episodes weekly! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of True Crime Recaps?

This episode is 18 minutes long.

When was this True Crime Recaps episode published?

This episode was published on May 21, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Maria Ridulph was a young girl out enjoying the winter with a friend when she suddenly disappeared. On December 3, 1957, Maria was last seen playing near her home in Sycamore, Illinois, when a man offered her a ride. She never returned.Years passed,...

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