Women Who Talk To The Dead episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 5, 2025 · 43 MIN

Women Who Talk To The Dead

from True Crime Reporter · host Robert Riggs

The Story of 200 Forgotten Murder Victims By Robert Riggs They were daughters. Mothers. Sisters. Strangers. Their lives ended violently—and their names were lost to time. For more than half a century, Detroit’s forgotten dead lay buried beneath weeds and silence—unidentified murder victims dumped into paupers’ graves, sometimes stacked in vaults three-deep, known only by numbers in crumbling cemetery logs. No names. No justice. No answers. This is the remarkable five-year journey of a team of relentless female investigators who pledged to identify more than 200 victims of Detroit’s outstanding murder cases. Led by Detroit Police Detective Shannon Jones and FBI Special Agent Leslie Larsen, this group of dedicated women—detectives, agents, forensic anthropologists, and scientists—literally dug through the past to bring closure to families and justice to the murdered. Their quest became known as Operation UNITED, the largest coordinated exhumation of cold case murder victims in FBI history. Katherine Schweit tells the story of this unprecedented, five-year mission in her book, Women Who Talk to the Dead. Schweit is a former FBI Special Agent Executive, Chicago prosecutor, and journalist. She wrote the FBI’s seminal report on mass shooters and is a recognized expert in crisis response and workplace violence. If you or someone you know is searching for a missing loved one, there’s a tool that can help. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NamUs. GET YOUR EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT PROMO CODES 41% Off Cozy Earth Sheets, Pajamas and More 20% Off Eric Javits Designer Hats Worn by True Crime TV Detectives 20% Off HyperNatural Men’s Polo Shirts 15% Off TONA Activewear Designer Gym Leggings 15% Off STAND+ Comfort Shoes For Extended Standing 10% Off AKILA Sunglasses and Eyewear Subscribe to my “Stories To Keep You Safe” Newsletter In a world where evil often walks among us, disguised by the ordinary, vigilance is critical. As someone who has seen what happens when people are caught off guard, I am on a mission to provide you with the knowledge that could one day save your life. Stories to Keep You Safe arms you with the insights you won’t find in the daily news—because I know that criminals don’t always look dangerous, and every step you take could make the difference between being a target and staying safe. I also warn you about the latest threats from Artificial Intelligence and dangerous products. Purchase my Books “Texas Crime Stories” audiobook. It downloads into your podcast app. Paperback & Kindle editions on Amazon. This blood-chilling true-crime anthology peels back the curtain on some of Texas’s most disturbing and unforgettable criminal cases. From cold-blooded murder to unspeakable betrayal, each story dives deep into the hearts of both victims and perpetrators, unearthing the truths buried beneath public headlines and official accounts. Schedule Me To Speak at your social meeting or corporate event. My presentation, “Evil Walks Among Us,” features stories about serial killers, infamous criminals, cold cases, and personal safety tips.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 5, 2025

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

Women Who Talk To The Dead

0:00 43:34

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of True Crime Reporter?

This episode is 43 minutes long.

When was this True Crime Reporter episode published?

This episode was published on August 5, 2025.

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

Can I download this True Crime Reporter episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!