MURDERED: Joe Rapini

This week, we continue our deep dive into the suspected victims of serial predator Mike DeBardeleben. The women we’ve discussed so far were all real estate agents targeted while showing homes to male clients. But today’s case breaks that pattern entirely.In this episode, we examine the murder of Joe Rapini, who was taken hostage alongside his roommate, David Starr. What followed was a calculated and terrifying bank robbery and extortion scheme. Under explicit threats, David, a bank manager, was forced to withdraw nearly $38,000 from his own vault to satisfy the masked gunman’s demands.But even after the money was delivered, Joe Rapini was killed.The extortion money was never recovered. And although Mike DeBardeleben emerged as a prime suspect, he was never formally charged in the case.Join us as we unpack the timeline, the unanswered questions, and what links this case to one of the most methodical criminals we’ve ever covered.Purchase Stephen Michaud’s book “Beyond Cruel” - https://books.apple.com/us/book/beyond-cruel/id6503722963Sources: Phillips, Kate & Mandelaro, Doug, Bank audit shows $37,000 ransom, April 20, 1983, The Times UnionPhillips, Kate & Martelle, Scott, Extortion victim eulogized; ransom drop site revealed, April 19, 1983, The Times UnionMeade, Laura, Trail is cold but search goes on for man’s killer, June 1, 1983, The Democrat and ChronicleMeade, Laura, Gunman wanted 3rd hostage, April 20, 1983, The Democrat and ChronicleMeade, LauraHostage slaying baffles police, April 16, 1983, The Democrat and ChronicleRedmond, Jim, Body found after Greece extortion try, April 15, 1983, The Democrat and ChronicleSearch for leads in slaying, April 19, 1983, The Democrat and ChroniclePhillips, Kate, Witnesses sought in extortion and slaying, April 18, 1983, The Democrat and ChronicleMonroe slaying brings in FBI, April 16, 1983, Press and Sun BulletinPolice hunt clues in extortion murder, April 16, 1983, The Ithaca JournalPhillips, Kate & Mandelaro, Doug, $25,000 ransom drop, 1 dead in bank drama, April 15, 1983, The Times UnionMichaud, Stephen, Beyond Cruel: The Chilling True Story of America’s Most Sadistic Killer, May 1994, St. Martin’s PaperbacksSupport the showIf you have any information on any of the cold cases covered, you can submit a tip here: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-crime-victims/iowa-cold-case/cold-case-tip-formIf you liked the show and are interested in supporting my work, check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CardinalCrimes?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creatorSave $20 on a Buzzsprout paid plan using this referral link!: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2372693Theme Song: Shrouded Lament by james.lfo, William Claeson