Unsolved

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More often than we’d like to believe, people get away with murder. As cases grow cold, cops retire. Witnesses die. Evidence disappears. Unsolved, a true crime podcast series from USA TODAY and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, guides listeners through these real-life mysteries, uncovering new clues along the way.Season four of Unsolved delves into the disappearance of Alexis Patterson, a 7-year-old girl who disappeared on her way to school in 2002. At first, there was a massive search and sympathy for her family, but that quickly changed as her parents became suspects. Over the years, there have been conspiracy theories and false leads and cases of mistaken identity. Still, her mom has never given up hope that Alexis will come home again someday.Season three of Unsolved tells the story of Father Alfred Kunz, whose throat was slit inside St. Michael School in 1998. Some believe his death was linked to his battles against evil. Others believe his all-too-human flaws were to blame.Season two of Unsolved, released in 2017, examines the case of toddler Michelle Manders, who vanished from her bedroom in the middle of the night in 1981. Did she wander alone into the darkness? Or was she kidnapped?Season one of Unsolved, released in 2015, explores the circumstances surrounding the death of 14-year-old John Zera, who disappeared from Franklin High School in 1976. The seven episodes follow investigators through decades of dead ends as they hold on to hope of finding the killer.Subscribe to Unsolved on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio or wherever you get your podcasts. For more information on the series, visit http://usatoday.com/unsolved.

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

tennysonten

Unbelievably naive

Just finished season 4 and I honestly feel compelled to learn more about the other seasons because there is no way this reporter came close to uncovering any level of truth. You can't be this naive and pretend to be a journalist. I'm sorry. I'm just blown away that an actual adult can be that capable of so little rational thought.
Cwilliams1027

Most comprehensive story of Alexis Patterson

There have been many pod casts to cover the story of Alexis Patterson. I felt this was the most thorough and investigated. She went through every theory detail by detail and also explained any perceived short comings. This story was told with respect and I feel this was the best to learn the many aspects of the case. Thank you for supporting Alexis’ story and keeping her name alive. #414
terbear 1972

Awesome show

Love the show and the cases covered! Great to hear about cases from the community I live in. If you are interested in another case… how about Sandra Bertolas. The Milwaukee firefighter’s sister that went missing in 1988. Her case has never been solved even though there was a person of interest! Definitely worth investigating!!
jozzybelle

ignore the bad reviews

the bad reviews are probably coming from the family of the accused. this was a GOOD listen and very eye opening, it shocking to know how much evidence MPD has on file. I believe the parents are responsible and i feel like we will never know because her mom is “known” because of this…so sad RIP babygirl
Duce Carrots

Honestly

This could have been done well. I was hopeful but shamed instead. Gina had zero business in doing a podcast like this. We are all traumatized Gina; you helped add more.
Comm101

Don’t Bother

Sad - really subpar. Poorly written. It makes me sad to say that since I live in this city, love it, and I remember these cases. The sound quality is poor and distracting. Journalists are not necessarily narrators or broadcasters; this narrator is not easy to stick with. In early episodes especially, speech is shockingly indistinct and monotone. Hers is just not a pleasant “radio” voice. There are no further resolutions to these cases at all, no more revelations. The people who participate are minor actors, most often old cops.These are cases investigated at a time when investigation methods were much less well developed. So essentially ineffective investigations are described. For me, the factor that I found most intolerable - at times the names of people never formally accused or arrested are used repeatedly. This podcast is truly a waste of time. I wish these family members, and, victims had be left in peace rather than dredging these up just for entertainment. (Actually sickening.) The podcast is on par with the production partners, Milwaukee’s “major” newspaper & USA Today. Their quality, like most newspapers now, also make them not worth the time or investment. Truly, a big disappointment.
Captain Chris Thomas

Season 4 is just the race card ad nauseum

No real investigative journalism here; just wokery.
CallMeC143

Great cases with great context.

I listen to a ton of True Crime podcasts. Many just tell the story of the case, but Unsolved really dives into the context of the time and place, and bigger social issues that contribute to how these stories are still Unsolved. We can’t divorce the story from the bigger picture, and Unsolved never shies away from that challenge. And also, I love the host!
mav129

Glad you’re back!

So so so happy to hear Alexis Patterson is getting some coverage. This is the local case I have never forgotten and can’t believe we’re still not talking about.
Serene Tami

Just curious...

Which one of the 10 Commandments does cursing violate? 🤣
Btp113

Journalists need editors for a reason.

Narrator seems to tell the story from memory- details are shared with comments like “I think it was maybe X that I found,” which would be easy to keep in her notes and verify to include in the recordings, rather than guessing at it. In fact, the slow, halting narration as a whole would’ve been helped if there had been an actual plan or written script for what was going to be recorded. The whole show could’ve done with a good editor, or attempts to re-record the pieces of storytelling that was so slow, so casual, it becomes unreliable in and of itself. Journalists know to fact check and include the exact, accurate details when they write a story, and they know the value of an editor in trimming unnecessary fluff and ensuring concise storytelling. If the “fluff” adds color or paints a more detailed picture, it has value. If it’s empty space that relates zero information, or stretches it out because the journalist doesn’t know how to use their time effectively, it’s a waste. Unfortunately, in this podcast it’s always the latter. I have no problem with podcasts that keep a narrator’s natural speech patterns in and allow for some personal, human “imperfection” in recordings, in fact I like it. But there’s a way of doing it artfully and this podcast sounds like it’s narrated by someone laying on their couch, telling a story from memory with fuzzy details, while they’re sucking on a hard candy. SO frustrating.
Livy Grace H.

luckyh

First season narrator talks way too slow and casual- third season way better
nixfinity

Dragged Out

Regarding season 3, very slow and dragged out for an unsolved case. Regardless, the suspect is a cheesehead
Helpersonety

Too slow; lots of repetition

With every episode beginning with a recap of the previous one, and ending with a preview of the next, you get about five minutes of content in each 15 minute episode. Tedious, and not very interesting
Gato1234221234443

Great stories but narration needs help

Loved these stories but the narrator takes these long awkward pauses and sounds like she’s ending sentences with a question mark. Get a flow gurl!
Hurricane Adam

Great pod!

Binged all 3 seasons in 2 days! Great pod for our current quarantine situation! Thank you Gina Barton! Loved it!
Llhcupcake

Weird

The re-enactments were so weird...
Sl3ndey

Repetitive

The episodes are so short and the re-caps so long that very little time is left for the next part of the story. The narrator is pedantic and I could not get through another episode without frustration. Unsubscribes.
Joey KC

Episodes are short

The information is good. However, with most episodes less than 30 minutes, by the time she recaps the case and where we left off, then teases the next episode there isn’t much new info. I feel like just when I get into it the episode ends.
nat ship

Great job!

I find it very j treating that the stories are right here in WI. Great host! Love that they picked 3 very different cases but happy that these cases are getting some exposure. We can all hope they end up getting solved.
Junkie for Smartnoise

Nope

Laziest attempt in production.😒
tate.serg

Love the way this is done

I’m really enjoying this podcast and how she has done it!!! Even from the first podcast it’s good with minimal mistakes. Keep it up girl I’m impressed!! Good luck
calandviv

Actually Researched

Unlike many true crime podcasts who read Wikipedia pages to the audience; this one does legwork.
6125889732578

Good stories, horrible voice

I love podcast about murder mysteries. This has good information and stories but this lady’s voice is unbearable. She drags out words or goes high pitched. She sounds like she has really bad cotton mouth. There is nothing more irritating than someone adding 3 Ls to journal.
packipsy

I tried

I have tried to listen several times. I want to tell the narrator to drink some water, and then I turn it off. Her voice and tone kill it for me.
dunkinstirling

Not the worst

It actually started out alright. Season 1 was interesting enough to listen to on a road trip. But after Seasons 2 & 3, it’s very annoying how the show lacks the ability to edit what’s necessary & interesting in the stories from everything else. Each season seems to have an episode dedicated to someone’s looney theory that a Satanic cult was involved (not joking🙄). Then, another episode seems to involve the recordings of the ramblings of some random nut job. They don’t seem to realize that every minute (often pointless) detail of the case, along with occasional unrelated digressions, detract from the podcast. But then each season would only cover 2 or 3 episodes, so maybe that’s the point.🤦‍♂️ Anyway, if you have time to kill on a long road trip, it’s better than dead silence.🤷‍♂️
Jack_McCoy

Wisconsin True Crime

This is a great, unpretentious show. It’s honest and raw, with a heavy emphasis on good old fashioned shoeleather reporting. All 3 seasons are tragic, mysterious and fascinating. Season 1 is about a murdered Wisconsin teen; season 2 is about a mysteriously drowned little girl; season 3 is about the slaying of a Catholic priest. These are all real unsolved cases from the 70s, 80s and 90s respectively. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has an insane amount of bonus content and documents related to these cases on its website; highly recommended.
Buddywings

Slow

She sounds like she’s reading off of a script. I’m sure she’s done voiceover work. It sounds like she’s still doing that.
Hardtail29er

Vocal fry and upspeak bonanza!

Narrator's vocal fry and upspeak ruined it for me
pshowell

Good journalism....well researched.

Very good journalistic endeavor. Excellently researched and reported. Very straight delivery. Very unfair reviews by many of this excellent podcast. And to the people who continued to complain about Gina Barton’s vocal delivery...its a subtle Wisconsin accent, not nearly as nasally as a more traditional Wisconsin accent.
Lara Apollo

Weirdos are ok with me!

I found season 3 interesting because of all of the oddball characters, their weird beliefs, and the interplay with everything going on in the Catholic church at the time. It’s a podcast about unsolved crimes, we know we aren’t going to get a satisfying conclusion so something about the investigation needs to hold our attention. all of the strange characters in this one kept my attention and left me with questions to ponder... I would recommend Season 3 on this basis.
The Real Zen Boy

Every bad crime trope crammed into one season

So we’ve had the gays did it, the pedophiles did it, the satanists did it, also “real” psychics were a involved in the investigation, exorcisms, Martians, and all said with absolutely no irony. The interviewer literally asked the lead investigator “Do you think she was a real psychic?” The answer finished it for me. There’s no way to take this podcast seriously anymore. I don’t see how grown adults can actually say this nonsense out loud.
magnolia4444

Season 3 disappointment

The religiosity of season three was a deal breaker for me. Same with the superstitions and the woman who could “see the future” or whatever. I was frustrated that the narrator wasn’t very skeptical of the church or clairvoyant. Their convictions and “good intentions” were accepted as fact. Had to end it partway through those people are bonkers
Geevarez

So Slow!

I found the narrator to be monotone, dragging out every word & thought. Every person interviewed has the same slow, boring style.
smith56725

Great Podcast

Definitely worth your time. Good investigative skills. The cast doesn’t force their views or opinions, they just present facts. Very intriguing and well thought out cases.
Samwolt

These cops r a joke

These cops r a joke. Why didn’t they look into leads that were obvious? They were either lazy or just incompetent. A 2 yr old who’s afraid of the dark left on her own? Give me a break. These cops didnt know what they were doing & it doesn’t seem like they really cared either.
Kcmyway

Excellent

I’ve now binged 3 seasons of this program in 5 days. I listen to a load of true crime stuff, have for years since Serial ssn 1. This podcast , all 3 seasons are on the top , with a very few , just well done , interesting , excellent narration, smart. I would not change a thing , and I want more. Thank you .
Dawna85

Great storytelling!!

I love the podcast and the storyteller!! I don't understand all the bad reviews about the storyteller!! It's all untrue!!! The story is compelling and a great investigation podcast!! It's like a group of people got together to tell the exact same lies to ruin a great podcast!! I almost didn't give it a try due to all the negative reviews!! I'm so glad I did give it a try!! I discovered a great investigative podcast!! I discovered the bad reviews were untrue!! I will never go by the reviews again in deciding about a podcast!! Give this one a try yourself and then write a great review that tells the truth about all the untruthful reviews!! The storyteller is great and conversational in her delivery.. She's interested in her investigation!!! And so am!! The only thing I'd change is making the episodes longer!!!
Jackfackles

Interesting But Hard To Listen To

I like the story and all the evidence, so far. But, the narrator’s tone and vocal fry have me focused on that instead of the story. Vocal Fry is what people use/do when trying to sound smart. Clear your throat, drink some water, annunciate and speak clearly. It can only add to the quality of the episodes. Keep up the great story telling. I’ll stick with it.
Rachel W 2019

Narrator Kills This

And not in a good way. All the other reviews are correct. Not only is the reporters voice irritatingly slow, but she sounds like this is the first time she is speaking of the case. Everything she says sounds like a question. The stuttering and lag is awful. The only reason I continue to listen is because I find the crime mystery interesting.. minutes after writings this review I changed my mind. I can’t finish this.
Chi-sq

Interesting Topics, Different, but Appealing Approach

Why all the negative remarks about the narrator? I enjoy her conversational tone and do not hear a nasal quality. I notice that reviewers only berate the sound and style of women narrators, there are a lot of misogynists out there. The storytelling is interesting enough it keeps me invested. Sometimes I enjoy true crime that gets into the minutiae and then there are times I just want the most important facts. This podcast is the kind to give me the important facts, “easy listening,” great to listen to while I work on something else. I will definitely continue to listen to season 2 and 3.
Xtineogle

Season 3

Season three is difficult to get through primarily because of how delusional these religious and superstitious people are.
Mnty Cantsin Neoism

Vocal Frrrrryyyyyyy and Uptalk Galore

Narrator exhibits the speech of a preteen back from summer camp.
Lucia&Bits

Vocal Fry

Cannot get past narrator’s vocal fry.
seeessay

I can’t.

I’ve listened to almost every true crime podcast out there (sometimes twice) and wasn’t able to finish this one. The content is interesting, but the narrator is difficult to listen to. As many other reviewers have indicated, her vocal fry is unpleasant. I’m constantly distracted by how sticky her mouth sounds. All of the G, J, SH and CH sounds are intolerable, and she says “church” innumerable times each episode. I know it’s not her fault, I just can’t get past it.
spcarver

Far too slow

Pace and content lacking
liz1885

Not true

I know of this story - this priest abused MANY children. That’s likely why he was killed. Why all the silly misleads? Boring and incorrect. I agree too that the narrator is horrid at this job.
Ash the no bash

Interesting

Love the host and the show. Very interesting case
PPonts

Intriguing!

This is very enjoyable and does a good job of showing that just when you think you know where a case is going, you don’t!
Bekochan

Enjoyable and interesting

I’m enjoying this podcast and it’s really great to see newspapers branching out into a different medium and really get into the stories. I find the journalists are doing a great job at making it personable and interesting. I do wish the episodes were longer.