Author: Mike Browne

Episode 269: On April 12, 1991, a group of teens attended a woodland party near Oromocto, New Brunswick, involving alcohol and drugs, including LSD. Pamela Gail Bischoff, 14, and William Wayne Dale (Billy) Stillman, 17, left the gathering together, marking the last sighting of Pamela Bischoff alive. Stillman returned home later, wet from the thighs down, cold, shaking, and sporting a cut above his eye with mud and grass on his pants.

Six days later, Pamela’s body was discovered in the Oromocto River, a short distance from the party site. The time of death correlated to the evening she had left with Billy Stillman. Eyewitnesses confirmed seeing a male accompanying Pamela near the discovery site, and Stillman was seen departing the area, his pants muddied. An autopsy showed that Pamela’s death resulted from head wounds, and there was evidence of sexual assault, which included semen inside her body.

Billy Stillman was arrested, released, arrested again and eventually charged and convicted in Pamela’s murder. Stillman’s appeals were based on alleged inappropriate conduct by the RCMP officers collecting important DNA evidence. This resulted in the case being heard and decided in Canada’s highest court in 1997, and a new trial was ordered.

Sources:

1995 CanLII 5579 (NB CA) | R. v. Stillman | CanLII

R. v. Stillman (W.W.D.) (1997), 192 N.B.R.(2d) 298 (TD | vLex Justis

1997 CanLII 384 (SCC) | R. v. Stillman | CanLII

Pamela Gail Bischoff – Life Through My Eyes

Pamela Gail Bischoff 1976-1991 – Ancestry®

The Constitution Act, 1982, Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982 (UK), 1982, c 11 | Federal Statutes

Oromocto — Deer Park

The Vancouver Sun 21 Mar 1997, page 7 – Newspapers.com

The New Brunswick Telegraph Journal 22 Sep 1992, page 3 – Newspapers.com

YouTube — What Happened To 14-Year-Old Pamela Bischoff? | Dark Waters Of Crime | Real Crime

ARCHIVED – Kingsclear Investigation Report | Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP

ROBERT FREDERICK BISCHOFF: obituary and death notice on InMemoriam

Criminal AND Civil LAW Assignment – Regina vs. Stillman Criminal and Civil Law – Case Law Assignment – StuDocu

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Episode 268: On November 18, 1987, Jay Cook, 20, and Tanya Van Cuylenborg, 18, a young couple from Vancouver Island, went on a road trip to Seattle, Washington. Unfortunately, they were never seen alive again.

Their bodies were discovered weeks later in separate locations. Tanya had been raped, shot, and left in a ditch in Skagit County. Jay was found strangled in the woods near Monroe, about 60 miles away.

The case went unsolved for over three decades until 2018, when authorities were able to use genetic genealogy to identify a suspect. He was arrested and charged with the murders. The man pleaded not guilty. In 2021, after his trial, the man was the first to be convicted using genetic genealogy. The couple’s killer was subsequently sentenced to life behind bars.

Sources:

The Murder of Jay Cook and Tanya Van Cuylenborg – Unsolved Mysteries

The disappearance of Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook: Following a decades-old cold case – CBS News

Sheriff’s Office Seeks Information for Unsolved 1987 Murders | Snohomish County, WA

Sheriff’s Office Detectives Seek the Public’s Help to Identify Suspect in 1987 Double Homicide Cold Case | Snohomish County, WA

Arrest Made in 1987 Double Homicide Cold Case | Snohomish County, WA

2018 Annual Report | Skagit County Sheriff’s Office

Suspect arrested in 1987 deaths of a young couple from BC | HeraldNet.com

My cousin, the killer: Her DNA cracked a 1987 double murder – Victoria News

Parabon NanoLabs: Engineering DNA for Next-Generation Nanotech, Analytics, and Forensics

GENSCO | Home

Chelsea Rustad | AMA : IAmA

How DNA Expert CeCe Moore Solved 109 Cold Cases

Is murder in your DNA? – The Fifth Estate season premiere – YouTube

Killer of Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook Sentenced | CBC News

Life in prison for 1987 killer of young Canadian couple | Seattle Weekly

Man convicted in the murder of Saanich couple left DNA on zip tie in 1987 – Victoria News

Man appealing genetic genealogy murder conviction was a violent child, his family told police | CBC News

State Of Washington, Respondent V. William Earl Talbott II

Conviction for 1987 murders of Tanya van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook overturned | CBC News)

Guilty verdict in 1987 killings of Saanich couple restored | CTV News

The Forever Witness by Edward Humes

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Episode 267: On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants attacked the US embassy in Tehran, Iran, taking 66 diplomats and staff members hostage. Remarkably, six diplomats managed to slip away unnoticed. These individuals were Robert Anders, Cora Lijek, Mark Lijek, Joseph Stafford, Kathleen Stafford, and Lee Schatz. Schatz sought refuge at the Swedish embassy, while the others went to the British embassy. However, upon nearing the embassy, they encountered a large crowd of protestors obstructing their path. Consequently, they decided to take shelter at Anders’ residence and devise their next steps. After six harrowing days, the six American diplomats sought refuge at the Canadian embassy. 

The Canadian Ambassador to Iran, Ken Taylor, and his team provided shelter to the American diplomats and false Canadian passports. The Canadian government played a critical role in the mission to rescue them. The then-Canadian Prime Minister, Joe Clark, approved the operation and fully supported Ambassador Taylor and his team. 

The rescue mission, known as the “Canadian Caper,” involved the creation of a fake movie production company called “Studio Six” and the production of a fake science fiction film called “Argo.” The Canadian embassy staff, along with the American diplomats, managed to escape from Iran using a combination of air travel and ground transportation. They were safely evacuated from Iran on January 28, 1980. The role played by Canada in the hostage crisis was highly appreciated by the US government and earned Canada international recognition for helping resolve the crisis.

Sources:

How the Shah’s Cancer May Have Changed History

The Iranian Revolution — A timeline of events

Ken Taylor and the Canadian Caper

Our Man In Tehran by Robert Wright — Ebook | Scribd

The Canadian Caper — Pelletier, Jean | Internet Archive

Ken Taylor and the “Canadian Caper” | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Canada history: Jan 27, 1980 — The famous “Canadian Caper” rescue – RCI | English

What you won’t see in Argo — Macleans.ca

Argo, F**k Yourself: Iran and the Oscars – The Diplomat

‘We lost a true hero’: Ken Taylor, 1934-2015 – Macleans.ca

Tony Mendez, former CIA officer and inspiration for ‘Argo,’ dies at 78 – National | Globalnews.ca

Ken Taylor satisfied with Affleck’s shoutout to Canada during Oscar speech | Globalnews.ca

Canada and Iran

U.S. Relations With Iran – United States Department of State

Iran – The CIA World Factbook

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In October 2008, the friends and family of 38-year-old Johnny Altinger were worried. Although emails and social media messages had indicated Johnny had run away on the spur of the moment with an unknown woman he’d just met, things didn’t add up. The messages did not have the same feel as Johnny’s typical fare, and he wasn’t known for his spontaneity. Police had already spoken with the tenant at the Edmonton garage that Johnny was directed to on the night he disappeared. They’d seen some things that concerned them, but there was no sign of Johnny. Something seemed off with the 29-year-old filmmaker Mark Andrew Twitchell, the man they’d spoken to. Little did the police know that only a week before Johnny vanished, another man, Gilles Tetreault, had suffered a bizarre attack at Twitchell’s hands after being lured to the same garage.

NOTE: This is part two of an updated, two-part expanded REDO of an earlier episode with which we thought we could have done better. We plan to update several more historical episodes to provide a better listener experience, more in line with the tone of our show.

Sources:

2010 ABQB 693 (CanLII) | R. v. Twitchell | CanLII

Edmonton Journal | Mark Twitchell’s First Statement To Police | Scribd

Edmonton Sun | Twitchell Agreed Statement 1 | Scribd

Edmonton Sun | Second Agreed Statement of Facts in Twitchell Case | Scribd

Edmonton Sun | Garage and Evidence Photos

Edmonton Sun | Video Evidence of Garage | YouTube

A Transcript of Police Interview with Mark Twitchell From Oct. 20, 2008 | Scribd

Alleged Diary from Mark Twitchell’s Computer | Scribd

Twitchell DNA Report | Scribd

Live Blog of Twitchell Trial | Scribd 

Edmonton Journal | E-Mail Exchange Between Mark Twitchell & a Facebook Friend | Scribd

Edmonton Journal | Mark Twitchell’s Notice of Appeal | Scribd

Mark Twitchell case: Inside the mind of “The Dexter Killer” – CBS News

Gilles Tetreault | Author | The One Who Got Away

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Episode 265: In October 2008, 38-year-old Johnny Altinger was looking for love online and, thinking he’d found it, was lured to his death in a dingy south Edmonton, Alberta garage. Johnny believed he would meet the girl of his dreams, but a Star Wars and Dexter-Morgan-obsessed serial killer wannabe and 29-year-old amateur filmmaker named Mark Andrew Twitchell awaited him in the garage’s darkness.

NOTE: This is part one of an updated, two-part expanded REDO of an earlier episode with which we thought we could have done better. We plan to update several more historical episodes to provide a better listener experience, more in line with the tone of our show.

Sources:

2010 ABQB 693 (CanLII) | R. v. Twitchell | CanLII

Edmonton Journal | Mark Twitchell’s First Statement To Police | Scribd

Edmonton Sun | Twitchell Agreed Statement 1 | Scribd

Edmonton Sun | Second Agreed Statement of Facts in Twitchell Case | Scribd

Edmonton Sun | Garage and Evidence Photos

Edmonton Sun | Video Evidence of Garage | YouTube

A Transcript of Police Interview with Mark Twitchell From Oct. 20, 2008 | Scribd

Alleged Diary from Mark Twitchell’s Computer | Scribd

Twitchell DNA Report | Scribd

Live Blog of Twitchell Trial | Scribd 

Edmonton Journal | E-Mail Exchange Between Mark Twitchell & a Facebook Friend | Scribd

Edmonton Journal | Mark Twitchell’s Notice of Appeal | Scribd

Mark Twitchell case: Inside the mind of “The Dexter Killer” – CBS News

Gilles Tetreault | Author | The One Who Got Away

That Taxi Podcast | a podcast by Thomas & Taxi David

Edmonton Journal | Johnny Altinger BIO

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Episode 264: In Montreal, Quebec on the evening of April 10, 1734, a fire broke out in the home of Madame de Francheville on Rue Saint-Paul and quickly spread throughout the city. Raging for hours, it destroyed over 46 buildings, primarily residential homes, and the Hôtel-Dieu, a hospital that provided medical care to soldiers and people who were too poor to care for at home. There were rumours that Madame de Francheville’s Portuguese-born black enslaved woman, Marie-Josèphe dite Angélique, started the fire as an act of rebellion on learning she was to be sold and sent away from her lover, a white man and salt trafficker named Claude Thibault. Angélique was arrested and subsequently tortured until she confessed to setting the fire. She was then convicted of arson and hanged on June 21, 1734. The fire significantly impacted Montreal’s development and created new building codes and fire prevention measures. The event remains integral to Montreal’s cultural and historical heritage and yet another dark spot in Canada’s history. Some have called Angélique a heroine, others a scapegoat. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is lost to time.

Sources:

Torture and Truth: Angélique and the Burning of Montreal

The Hanging Of Angelique by Afua Cooper – Ebook | Scribd

Marie-Josèphe-Angélique | Mémoires des Montréalais

Le procès de Marie-Josèphe-Angélique | Mémoires des Montréalais

A Canadian Slavery Story — CANADIANA web series

Biography – MARIE-JOSEPH-ANGÉLIQUE — Dictionary of Canadian Biography

Biography – POULIN DE FRANCHEVILLE, FRANÇOIS — Dictionary of Canadian Biography

Marie-Joseph Angélique | The Canadian Encyclopedia

The role of seigneur in New France — The French-Canadian Genealogist

Old Montreal fire: Questions raised about safety of building | CP24.com

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Episode 263: Approaching the week of 4/20, cannabis enthusiasts worldwide are preparing for a unique celebration. However, it’s essential to acknowledge the dark history of cannabis prohibition in Canada and the USA. The criminalization of cannabis wasn’t based on scientific evidence of its harmful effects or widespread health concerns but was fuelled by moral panic, racism, and xenophobia. It served as a tool to maintain a rigid social hierarchy, where those in power and privilege oppressed and marginalized those considered inferior. The ‘war on drugs’ transformed into a ‘war on cannabis,’ ultimately becoming a war on minorities in both countries.

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Episode 262: In early March of 1946, John Dick, a 39-year-old streetcar conductor in Hamilton, Ontario, disappeared. Weeks later, five local children found John’s torso on the city’s outskirts — his head and limbs were missing. Suspicion soon fell on John’s wife, Evelyn, who was arrested and charged with the murder. The pair had had a whirlwind courtship and had been married only months before John turned up dead. 

During the investigation, police discovered the body of a newborn encased in concrete in Evelyn Dick’s father’s attic. At her trial, evidence emerged of her volatile relationship with her husband, multiple extramarital affairs, and allegations of other criminal activities, including involvement in the alleged murder of her child. Despite her claims of innocence, Evelyn was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Her story was not close to over.

Sources:

1947 CanLII 12 (ON CA) | R. v. Dick | CanLII

1947 CanLII 116 (ON CA) | Rex v. Dick | CanLII

Evelyn Dick Photos | Digital Archive: Toronto Public Library

The Evelyn Dick Files – A second look at the post-war trials of Evelyn Dick

Evelyn Dick (nee MacLean) (@evelyndick1946) | Instagram

John J. Robinette by George D. Finlayson – Ebook | Scribd

Evil Wives Fully Illustrated: Deadly Women Whose Crimes Knew No Limits Fully Illustrated | Scribd

Documentary: The Notorious Mrs. Dick by Reel-to-Reel films for CTV | YouTube

EvelynDick.com

Evelyn Dick | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Canada: ONTARIO: The Dick Affair – TIME

Story of murderer Evelyn Dick enthralled and enraged Hamilton | TheSpec.com

75 years later: The endless fascination with Evelyn Dick | TheSpec.com

How Could You, Mrs. Dick? | Steel City History

Forgotten Rebels – Mrs. Evelyn Dick, live @ Lee’s Palace in Toronto. Nov 22, 2014 | YouTube

Mark McNeil — Song: Evelyn Dick | YouTube YouTube

Search Results: Evelyn Dick – ProQuest

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Episode 261: On September 5th, 1998, between 11:00 and 11:30 pm, Brianne Ruth Wolgram was last seen at the 7-11 store in Revelstoke, BC., in the company of three young females whose identities are unknown. Five days later, Brianne’s abandoned car was discovered 30 km south of Revelstoke, towards the Akolkolex Falls & River, on Echo Lake Road. Inside the car was her wallet, driver’s license and $200, but there was no sign of Brianne. Nearly 25 years later, Brianne’s family and friends are left wondering whatever became of the shy 19-year-old. Police have not ruled out foul play in her disappearance.

If you have any information on Brianne Wolgram’s disappearance or whereabouts, please email the Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) at tips@mcsc.ca or contact Crimestoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS (8477) or the Revelstoke RCMP non-emergency number at 250-837-5255. You can also leave an anonymous message through the contact page at findbreanne.wordpress.com. You can also email darkpoutinepodcast@gmail.com, and we will pass the information to the proper authorities.

Sources:

The History of Revelstoke — Revelstoke Museum & Archives

Find Brianne Wolgram

Cold Case BC – MISSING: Brianne Wolgram | Facebook

Reddit: Breanne Wolgram

MCSC – Home

Brianne Wolgram | Missing Children Society of Canada | Archived

287. Use of Hypnosis—Purpose | JM | Department of Justice

Hypnosis Decision SCC: 2007 SCC 6 (CanLII) | R. v. Trochym | CanLII

Sotirios Konstantinos Kaviris – California Missing Person Directory

Second person, Allan Ellsworth, reported missing in Beaton area – Revelstoke Mountaineer

Public help sought as Revelstoke RCMP search for missing man – Okanagan | Globalnews.ca

The Ghost Story Guys Podcast

A Strange Little Place: The Paranormal Secrets of Revelstoke, British Columbia by Storr, Brennan | Amazon.ca

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Episode 260: Canada played an important role in the Cold War, a period of intense geopolitical tension and rivalry between the Western powers and the Soviet Union that lasted from the end of World War II in 1945 until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. As a member of the Western Bloc and a close ally of the United States, Canada was involved in a wide range of Cold War activities, including the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the construction of a network of radar stations in the Canadian Arctic known as the DEWline, and the creation of a series of underground emergency government bunkers known as Diefenbunkers. The Cold War also had a significant impact on Canadian society, shaping public attitudes toward issues such as national security, nuclear weapons, and international relations.

Sources:

Gouzenko Affair – Canada’s Human Rights History

Spies, Lies, and a Commission by Dominque Clément

Did the Cold War Start in Canada? – All About Canadian History

The Gouzenko Affair – The Historical Society of Ottawa

Parks Canada – Gouzenko Affair National Historic Event

Canada and the Cold War | The Canadian Encyclopedia

NATO – Declassified: Canada and NATO – 1949

The Red Scare

Sound of SPUTNIK-1 | YouTube

DEWLine Museum – HOME – The Distant Early Warning Radar Line, the Coldest Part of the Cold War.

The Distant Early Warning Line and the Canadian Battle for Public Perception – Canadian Military Journal

The Distant Early Warning Line: An Environmental Legacy Project – Canada.ca

Diefenbunker.ca

Diefenbunker Museum Blog – Canada’s Cold War Museum Blog

Top Secret: The Lives of Employees at CFS Carp

Canadian Nuclear Weapons by John Clearwater – Ebook | Scribd

Underground Structures of the Cold War by Paul Ozorak – Ebook | Scribd

Cold War Secret Nuclear Bunkers by Nick McCamley – Ebook | Scribd

NORAD and the Soviet Nuclear Threat by Gordon A.A. Wilson – Ebook | Scribd

Now You Know Canada by Doug Lennox – Ebook | Scribd

Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

North American Defence | PDF

Canadian Military Journal Vol. 12, No. 1

Current Time – 2023 – Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

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