Episode 3496: Based On True Crime Stories - "Cold Case Investigators Series" by Merrill Vaughan episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 23, 2025 · 24 MIN

Episode 3496: Based On True Crime Stories - "Cold Case Investigators Series" by Merrill Vaughan

from This Week in America with Ric Bratton · host Ric Bratton

Based On True Crime Stories - "Cold Case Investigators Series" by Merrill VaughanFeatured Book - The Happy Paperhanger"   For over five years, an individual has been writing checks that do not have sufficient funds in the accounts. He is able to obtain state driver's licenses that he uses to open checking accounts with just enough money to keep the accounts open. He does not really steal other people's identification; he just makes up the names that he uses. For over five years, he has cost communities in Southern California thousands of dollars and has caused police departments to run in circles trying to catch him.That is, until one police department calls in the Cold Case Investigators to assist them. It is through a serious mistake on the part of the check writer that he is finally caught by one of the private investigators.Born in 1949, Merrill Vaughan spent his formative years in Monrovia and Duarte, California. He graduated from Duarte High School in 1967 and went on to attend Pasadena City College and Citrus Junior College, earning his degree in 1971. Shortly after, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on November 26, 1971, serving at various stateside bases and completing multiple overseas assignments in Thailand, Greece, Hawaii, Germany, Denmark, and Honduras. Merrill retired in June 1993 and transitioned to work with the State of Wyoming’s Human Resources Division for three years.Despite facing disabilities that prevented him from returning to work, Merrill remained actively involved with several veterans organizations until his move to New Hampshire in 2004. In his new community of Pittsfield, he engaged in local governance, serving on committees such as the Budget Committee, Master Plan Committee, and as Chair of the Ethics Committee. In 2007, he was appointed as the town representative to the Concord Regional CrimeLine, a position he still holds. Additionally, Merrill became a substitute teacher at the local middle and high school, teaching various subjects until his retirement in 2020. He maintains connections with several former students.In 2008, Merrill pursued a lifelong dream by enrolling at Franklin Pierce University, where he graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies. He now serves on the Franklin Pierce University Alumni Board of Directors.It was during his teaching career that Merrill began jotting down ideas for a potential short story. Over five years, these notes evolved into his first book, The Kidnapping, which has since become part of the Cold Case Investigators series, with a sequel titled The Happy Paper Hanger, and a new addition, The Prostitute Killer.Merrill resides in Pittsfield, NH, with his wife, Diane, and is continuing to write new additions to his series.AMAZONhttps://merrillvaughan.comhttps://www.ecpublishingllc.comhttp://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/9425mvec.mp3    Other Books in the Cold Case Investigators SeriesCOLD CASE INVESTIGATORS: THE KIDNAPPINGCOLD CASE INVESTIGATORS: THE PROSTITUTE KILLERhttps://merrillvaughan.com/

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Episode 3496: Based On True Crime Stories - "Cold Case Investigators Series" by Merrill Vaughan

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