In April 1988, eight-year-old April Marie Tinsley disappeared while walking in her Fort Wayne, Indiana neighborhood — and three days later her body was found in a ditch, the victim of a brutal kidnapping, sexual assault, and strangulation. What followed would become one of Indiana’s most haunting cold cases: for more than 30 years, the killer remained at large, taunting investigators and the community with cryptic notes and DNA-linked clues left around town.

Despite extensive local and federal investigation, including leads on threatening messages discovered in the 1990s and 2000s, the case went unresolved — until advances in forensic genealogy finally broke it open. In 2018, investigators used cutting-edge DNA analysis and genealogy databases to identify John D. Miller, a reclusive local man, as the perpetrator.

In this episode, we dive deep into the emotional and investigative journey behind the case — and sit down with Captain Kevin Smith of the Indiana State Police, who leads the newly formed ISP cold case team. Captain Smith shares firsthand insights from years of painstaking work, the challenges of tracking a killer across decades, and how evolving forensic tools finally brought justice for April. It’s a story of loss, persistence, and the relentless pursuit of answers that no case — no matter how old — should be forgotten.

SOURCES:

In August 1987, teenagers Don Henry and Kevin Ives were killed when a freight train struck them as they lay on railroad tracks near Alexander, Arkansas. Authorities initially ruled the deaths an accident, claiming the boys had fallen asleep on the tracks. But their families challenged that conclusion, leading to a second autopsy and a grand jury ruling the case a probable homicide.

As the investigation unfolded, witnesses died under suspicious circumstances, allegations of corruption surfaced, and theories emerged suggesting the teens may have witnessed criminal activity. Despite decades of scrutiny, media attention, and persistent efforts by the victims’ families, the case remains unsolved, leaving lingering questions about what truly happened on the tracks that night.

SOURCES:

Book:

The Boys on the Tracks by Mara Leveritt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Don_Henry_and_Kevin_Ives

https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/kevin-ives-and-don-henry-12289/

https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/former-wrestler-claims-he-witnessed-murders-of-don-henry-and-kevin-ives/91-518352443#:~:text=February%2013%2C%202018-,Over%2030%20years%20after%20the%20murder%20of%20Kevin%20Ives%20and,Clinton%20Body%20Count%22%20conspiracy%20theory.

https://www.facebook.com/ARJusticeProject/posts/saline-county%EF%B8%8F-cold-case-%EF%B8%8Fthe-cold-case-of-kevin-ives-and-don-henrysummary-on-au/757755813630339/

https://nymag.com/news/features/conspiracy-theories/clinton-body-count/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOIYPVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFBODltRE5WVkw3d1Z4RnNCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MghjYWxsc2l0ZQEyAAEeRaQU1MRZBGiW6KIfohsLx-7VDI9cXurBSIh5qXcyAM8-NDiy5vPxLPbt8b0_aem_NpzIh7Wy7peMSpzXFCm9sQ

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/sep/23/ex-saline-county-prosecutor-dan-harmon-convicted-of-corruption-charges-in-1990s-dies-at-78/

https://unsolved.com/gallery/don-henry-kevin-ives/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB831418392332495500?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfBuAVBvo0b3gGJQT3lsVDSZfj8bKgty9_pqlsNMs6O5bx0TvW5Z2o8pW703ac%3D&gaa_ts=691b8a29&gaa_sig=AtWTm0FnNeO9ikDeAp3GO9PdvM_yLrGn_CDv-ep9r-wZed9xaYH32rZE_uVibr1LDMnJC3tXfkojYW5h8SrSLA%3D%3D

https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/1230916177/?match=1&terms=%22kevin%20ives%22

https://katv.com/news/local/fbi-memo-reveals-drug-smuggling-at-mena-airport-in-1980

https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/1104211770/?match=1&terms=%22kevin%20ives%22

https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2021/jun/05/mom-of-cold-case-victim-dies/

https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/1220820691/?match=1&terms=Don%20Henry%20and%20Kevin%20Ives

https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/562539412/?match=1&terms=Don%20Henry%20and%20Kevin%20Ives

Misc.

https://law.resource.org/pub/us/case/reporter/F3/255/255.F3d.560.00-1411.html

https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/1ji8njx/atrocities_in_arkansas_don_henry_kevin_ives/

Hi everyone! Apologies for the late episode and Megan’s voice. Here is another update episode on cases we’ve previously covered. We are working on some exciting things so stay tuned!

In this episode, Mallory and Megan are bringing you updates on the wrongful conviction of Crosley Green, the alleged Oregon Serial Killer, the disappearance of Brandy Wilson, the unsolved murder of Emily Pike, and the suspicious death of Noah Presgrove.

Keep those case suggestions coming! Happy holidays everyone.

SOURCES:

CG https://www.floridatoday.com/story/opinion/2025/07/17/florida-court-case-parole-crosley-green-murder-innocent/85210635007/#

https://www.crowell.com/en/insights/firm-news/florida-court-rules-state-does-not-need-to-correct-miscalculation-of-crosley-greens-parole-date-that-could-cost-him-40-years-of-his-life

OSK

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna223312

https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/08/jesse-lee-calhoun-enters-plea-to-new-indictment-in-serial-killing-case.html?outputType=amp

EP

https://www.azfamily.com/2025/11/10/emily-pikes-murder-prompts-changes-arizona-group-homes/?outputType=amp

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/emily-pike-family-reflects-unsolved-murder-site-where-teen-was-found-dismembered-special-report

NP

https://www.news9.com/oklahoma-city-news/new-developments-in-2023-house-party-death-of-19-year-old-noah-presgrove-in-jefferson-county

https://www.kswo.com/2025/11/20/osbi-challenges-subpoena-noah-presgrove-death-records/#

https://www.kswo.com/2025/12/16/presgrove-family-files-after-osbis-request-block-records-tied-teens-death/