Laura Palmer of Island Crime Podcast & Cheryl Dill on BeachFest 2026

"Send us a text about this episode!"Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Cheryl Dill has spent years helping build one of Vancouver Island's most beloved summer traditions into an internationally recognized event drawing visitors from all over the world. Laura Palmer is nine seasons into a true crime podcast built on patience, rigour, and deep respect for victims and their families. Two very good reasons to be proud of these Vancouver Islanders.This Episode Features:(34:10) Laura Palmer, host of the award-winning podcast Island Crime, has just launched Season 9 - a series called "The Dead File," investigating the unsolved 1959 double murder of Elizabeth and Andrew Kosonic in South Wellington, just south of Nanaimo. Laura was approached by the couple's great-great-granddaughter, who has spent years researching the tragedy on her own. The title comes from a stamp on the actual police folder - "dead file, no further work to be done." Laura talks about the remarkable access she had to coroner's reports, autopsy records, and a psychiatric file, and why the RCMP is still reluctant to release the full investigation file 67 years on. She also updates listeners on Season 1's Lisa Marie Young case and reflects on what separates responsible true crime journalism from exploitation.(9:15) Cheryl Dill, president of the Parksville Beach Festival Society, joins us to talk about the festival that drew nearly 120,000 visitors in 2025 - one of the highest attendance figures since 2015. Cheryl walks us through the new sand sculpting site, this-year's "Beauties and Beasts" theme chosen by sculptors and the public together, and the magic of seeing those works illuminated at night. She talks about the volunteer army of 200-plus people who make it all happen, the international reach of a festival that draws visitors from Japan, Australia, Madagascar, and beyond, and the Blue Rodeo concert that represents the biggest concert undertaking in the festival's history. April Wine headlines the opening weekend concert on July 11th. Tickets and details at parksvillebeachfest.ca.Episode Quotes:"Everybody counts or nobody counts. That certainly seemed true to me in Andrew and Elizabeth's case." - Laura Palmer"When you look at that diversity of visitors and where they come from by evidence of the pins on the map - it's incredible. Greenland. Japan. Australia. New Zealand. Madagascar. They're identifying that they're coming from all over." - Cheryl DillVoice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.caClick here to learn how to Support the showEpisode Sponsors: Thrifty Foods Parksville, Ian Lindsay & Associates & BeachfestCheck out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTubeSign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!"Like, Share & Listen!"#ParksvilleBeachFest #BeachFest #VancouverIsland #IslandCrime #TrueCrime #PULSECommunityPodcast #VancouverIslandPodcasts #ParksvilleNews #VancouverIslandNews #AprilWine #BlueRodeo #SandSculptingSupport the show