Jimmie was last seen on August 9, 1977, after spending time with friends near Dyer Street in El Paso. She had recently gotten her braces tightened and was not feeling well when Ronald Papaleo, also known as Ronnie Allen, allegedly offered her a place to rest. Jimmie got into his van and never made it back.

On August 15, 1977, Jimmie’s body was found in a remote desert area near Las Cruces, New Mexico. She had been strangled and left in the desert, still wearing Papaleo’s jacket. Despite publicly reported details, including Papaleo being the last known person to see Jimmie alive, a failed polygraph, and evidence reportedly connected to his van, no one has ever been arrested or charged in her murder.

Nearly 50 years later, Jimmie Retha Brown’s case remains unsolved, and her family is still fighting for justice. This episode walks through Jimmie’s life, the timeline of her disappearance, the known details of the investigation, the tragic death of her friend Ricardo Gonzalez, and the unanswered questions that still surround this El Paso and Las Cruces cold case.

For images, newspaper clippings, etc. - visit my Facebook Page The True Crime Wife by Jess. Also a good idea to follow there for updates on the podcast.

If you have a case you want to see covered, email me at TrueCrimeWifebyJess@gmail.com.

Disclaimer:

No one has been arrested or charged in the murder of Jimmie Retha Brown. Any individuals discussed in this episode are referenced based on publicly reported information, historical reporting, and family-provided details. All suspects or persons connected to the case should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Sources used for this episode include:

“The Unsolved Murder of Jimmie Retha Brown and the Man Who May Hold the Answers.”

Historical newspaper coverage and archived reporting related to the 1977 disappearance and murder of Jimmie Retha Brown.

Family-provided information and personal details shared with True Crime Wife by Jess by Jimmie’s niece, Michelle.

Additional case context from publicly reported details regarding Ronald Papaleo / Ronnie Allen, Ricardo Gonzalez, and the investigation into Jimmie Retha Brown’s unsolved homicide.

After covering their childhoods, relationship, and the early escalation of violence in Part 1, we're now diving into the investigation that exposed the truth hidden beneath 25 Cromwell Street.

In this episode we discuss:

• Heather West's disappearance and the search warrant that changed everything • The excavation of 25 Cromwell Street • Fred West's confessions and changing stories • The discovery of multiple victims • The timeline of the police investigation • The survivors who escaped the West household • Rose West's trial and sentencing • Life behind bars for Rose West today • The lingering questions surrounding possible additional victims

Listener discretion is advised. This episode contains discussion of murder, abuse, sexual violence, child abuse, and other disturbing topics.

If you have a case you'd like covered on a future episode, or if you are a family member seeking awareness for an unsolved homicide or missing persons' case:

Email: truecrimewifebyjess@gmail.com

Come join the conversation and follow the podcast on Facebook!

And if you're listening on Apple Podcasts, please leave a 5-star review — it helps the podcast grow and reach more listeners.

Sources & References

Crime + Investigation UK Rosemary West https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/rosemary-west

Gloucestershire Live Fred and Rose West timeline of police investigation into Cromwell Street House of Horrors https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/fred-rose-west-timeline-police-965716

Caroline Owens: What Happened to Fred and Rose West's Survivor? https://www.grunge.com/796094/caroline-owens-what-happened-to-fred-and-rose-wests-survivor/

BBC News The woman who lodged with Fred West for a year — and survived https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-64790043

Legal Clarity The West Murder Trial: Charges, Proceedings, and Verdicts https://legalclarity.org/the-west-murder-trial-charges-proceedings-and-verdicts/

The Mirror Inside Rose West's final days in jail — 'name change failure, vape bribes and barely able to move' https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/inside-rose-wests-final-days-33696217

Additional reading and case research conducted using archived reporting and publicly available court and case information.

Thank you for listening to True Crime Wife by Jess.

Before the murders at Cromwell Street shocked the world, there were years of trauma, abuse, manipulation, and violence brewing behind closed doors. In Part 1, Jess explores the childhoods of Fred and Rose West, their disturbing relationship, the abuse suffered by their children, and the early crimes that laid the foundation for one of the most horrifying true crime cases in UK history.

This episode examines not only what happened — but why these two individuals may have become who they were.

🔪 In This Episode:

• Fred West’s dysfunctional upbringing and disturbing family environment
• Allegations of incest, sexual abuse, and violence within the West family
• Rose West’s traumatic childhood and abuse by her father
• The psychological impact of trauma and abuse on violent offenders
• How Fred and Rose met when Rose was just 15 years old
• The early dynamics of their relationship and marriage
• Abuse and neglect suffered by the West children
• The murders of Charmaine West, Rena Costello, and Anna McFall
• The terrifying atmosphere inside the West household
• How authorities missed multiple warning signs over the years

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of child abuse, incest, sexual assault, domestic violence, murder, and crimes against children. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

🎧 Follow & Support the Podcast

📱 Facebook: The True Crime Wife by Jess 📧 Case submissions/business inquiries: TrueCrimeWifeByJess@gmail.com

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following, rating, and sharing the show to help bring awareness to both solved and unsolved cases.

References

The early days: Idyllic village childhood hid a darker side. (n.d.). The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/

The truth about serial killer Fred West’s childhood. (n.d.). Grunge. https://www.grunge.com/372079/the-truth-about-serial-killer-fred-wests-childhood/

Who was Fred West? From farm labourer to notorious murderer. (n.d.). The Week. https://www.theweek.co.uk/

How Rose West became monster in childhood: Brutal therapy in womb and father’s sexual abuse. (n.d.). The Mirror. https://www.mirror.co.uk/

“My dad was a monster but she’s a sick psycho,” says Fred & Rose West’s son of parents’ vile abuse in unheard interview. (n.d.). The Sun. https://www.thesun.co.uk/

Rose West: Born evil [Documentary]. (n.d.).

Where are Fred and Rose West’s kids today? What to know about the surviving children. (n.d.). People.https://people.com/

32-year-old George Cox Jr.—a father, son, and beloved member of his family—was murdered by someone he trusted: his girlfriend, Dy’mond Vaden.

What started as a tumultuous, on-again off-again relationship ended in violence, deception, and a chilling lack of remorse.

After stabbing George during an argument, Dy’mond didn’t call for help. Instead, she searched how long it would take him to die—and then contacted others to help dispose of his body.

For seven months, George’s family searched for answers while she claimed she didn’t know where he was.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Who George was beyond the headlines
• His relationship with Dy’mond
• The events leading up to his murder
• The investigation and discovery of his body
• Key evidence presented in court
• Victim impact statements and sentencing

🕊️ In Memory of George Cox Jr. A father, a son, and someone deeply loved. His life mattered—and his story deserves to be told.

Sources:

NewsBreak Master Manipulator Sentenced to Prison for Boyfriend’s Brutal Murder

George Anthony Cox Jr. Obituary. Calhoun Funeral Home & Cremation Service. https://calhounfuneral.com/obituary/george-anthony-cox-jr/

Court Records: Case Information. Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts. https://cpdocket.cp.cuyahogacounty.gov/Search.aspx

This is a case that goes far beyond violence. It’s a story of control, escalation, and the terrifying reality of what can happen when warning signs are ignored—or not taken seriously enough.

We explore Katherine’s traumatic childhood, her pattern of abusive relationships, and the psychological factors that may have contributed to her actions. But most importantly, we remember John Price—not just as a victim, but as a father, a friend, and a man who was deeply loved by those around him.

Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Key Topics Covered:

• Katherine Knight’s early life and upbringing
• Patterns of abuse in her relationships
• The relationship between Katherine Knight and John Price
• Escalation leading up to the murder
• The crime and investigation
• Psychological analysis (including Borderline Personality Disorder)
• Trial, sentencing, and life in prison
• Remembering John Price

Listener Notes:

This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and may not be suitable for all listeners.

Sources:

• Crofts, P. (2013). Monstrous wickedness and the judgment of Knight (Faculty of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2013/9). University of Technology Sydney. Retrieved from http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2360395
• Muswellbrook Chronicle. (2016). John Charles Thomas Price 4 (In Memoriam). Muswellbrook Chronicle. Retrieved from https://www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au
• News.com.au. (n.d.). Cannibal killer Aussie mum Katherine Knight “skinned and cooked” husband. news.com.au. Retrieved from https://www.news.com.au
• News.com.au. (n.d.). Katherine Knight: Cannibal killer’s life in Mulawa women’s prison revealed. news.com.au. Retrieved from https://www.news.com.au
• Singleton Argus. (2017). John Charles Thomas Price 4 (In Memoriam). The Singleton Argus. Retrieved from https://www.singletonargus.com.au
• The Mirror. (n.d.). “Female Hannibal Lecter” who tried to serve up her lover to his kids. The Mirror. Retrieved from https://www.mirror.co.uk

Jaye was a young mother of two, described as kind, loving, and devoted to her children. While preparing for her son’s birthday, she was contacted about selling a waterbed she had listed in the newspaper. Shortly after, in broad daylight, an unknown man entered her home. Within a narrow window of time, Jaye was brutally attacked, bound, sexually assaulted, and murdered—while her toddler son was in the house.

Investigators believe the killer may have been the same man who called about the waterbed, but he has never been identified. Despite evidence, potential suspects, and decades of investigation—including national media coverage and renewed DNA efforts—the case remains unsolved nearly 40 years later.

Jaye’s family has never stopped searching for answers, though many, including her mother and one of her sons, have since passed without seeing justice. Today, the case still relies on public awareness and the hope that someone, somewhere, knows something.

If you have any information, please contact the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office at 910-253-2777.

Justice for Jaye Facebook page: Justice For Jaye | Facebook

GoFundMe for Andrew Potter's family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/es84q9-support-a-family-in-their-time-of-need/cl/s?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp20_control&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=en_US

Episode Sources:

• Andrew J. Potter Obituary (2024). Wilmington Funeral & Cremation. https://www.wilmingtoncares.com/obituaries/Andrew-J-Potter?obId=33902332
• Andrew Potter GoFundMe – Support a Family in Their Time of Need https://www.gofundme.com/f/es84q9-support-a-family-in-their-time-of-need
• NBC News / Dateline (February 26, 2021). Family holding out hope for justice 34 years after brutal murder https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/family-holding-out-hope-justice-34-years-after-brutal-murder-n1259000
• WECT (2014). New hope for murder victim’s family https://www.wect.com/story/24999359/new-hope-for-murder-victims-family/
• WWAY TV3 (2018). Unsolved: Detectives hope new technology leads to answers in 1987 murder https://www.wwaytv3.com/unsolved-detectives-hope-new-technology-leads-to-answers-in-1987-murder/
• StarNews / Regional Coverage. Jaye Mintz Leland cold case remains unsolved

In this episode we talk about the Hare Psychopathy checklist - which is linked here, as promised: https://psychology-tools.com/test/pcl-22

🔎 Episode Sources

• Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. (2014). R v Dennehy: Sentencing remarks. Retrieved from https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/JCO/Documents/Judgments/the-queen-v-dennehy-sentencing-remarks-28022014.pdf
• RedHanded. (2019). Episode 101: Joanna Dennehy – Spree Killer. Available on podcast platforms. (Apple Podcasts)
• The Guardian. (2014, February 28). Joanna Dennehy: Serial killer becomes first woman told to die in jail. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/feb/28/joanna-dennehy-serial-killer-first-woman-die-in-jail (The Guardian)
• Manhunt: Joanna Dennehy. Available on Amazon Prime Video.
• Crime + Investigation. (n.d.). When Joanna Dennehy threatened to kill Rose West in jail. Retrieved from https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/articles/when-joanna-dennehy-threatened-kill-rose-west-jail
• Medium. (n.d.). Is this Britain’s most terrifying serial killer? Retrieved from https://medium.com/all-true-crime/is-this-britains-most-terrifying-serial-killer-7644e782ebaa
• National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Psychopathy overview. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546673/
• Psychology Tools. (n.d.). PCL-22 Psychopathy Checklist. Retrieved from https://psychology-tools.com/test/pcl-22

Hours later, 40-year-old Bethany “Beth” Dougherty was gone.

Her purse, phone, keys, and car were all left behind. No signs of forced entry. No clear answers.

More than 17 years later, her disappearance remains unsolved.

In this minisode of True Crime Wife by Jess, we break down the timeline, the chilling 911 calls, a possible witness sighting, and the mysterious truck seen near her home.

Someone knows what happened.

🖤 Share her story. Awareness matters.

🔗 SOURCES

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxALzJMhVU4

News articles:

• https://troopers.ny.gov/missing-dougherty-bethanie
• https://broomecountyny.gov/sites/default/files/dept/sheriff/PressReleases/3.31.25%20-%20Missing%20Person%20-%20Candlelight%20Vigil%20to%20be%20Held%20for%20Missing%20Lisle%20Woman%20on%2017th%20Anniversary%20of%20Disappearance%20.pdf
• https://www.yahoo.com/news/somebody-know-something-broomes-bethanie-164810003.html

If you have a case you want me to cover, email me at truecrimewifebyjess@gmail.com

Additional information about this case is included on my Facebook page, The True Crime Wife by Jess. You can also follow there for updates on the podcast and new episodes.

In this episode:

• The series of brutal family murders in Louisiana from 1909 to 1912
• The social and racial context influencing the investigation and media portrayal
• Clementine Barnabet's background, alleged confessions, and trial
• The role of rumors, voodoo, and religious fanaticism in the case
• Discrepancies and contradictions in evidence against Clementine and her family
• The mysterious aftermath of her release from prison and her disappearance
• How fear, prejudice, and chaos can distort the truth in criminal cases

:Resources & Links:

• https://theconversation.com/revisiting-the-story-of-clementine-barnabet-a-black-woman-blamed-for-serial-murders-in-the-jim-crow-south-271298
• https://countryroadsmagazine.com/art-and-culture/history/clementine-barnabet/
• https://historicalparanormalpodcast.home.blog/2019/07/28/the-mulatto-murders/#:~:text=These%20murders%20occurred%20from%201911%2D1912%2C,mixed%20race%20community.%20Mulatto%20for
• https://hrwg1991.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/proceedings_2012.pdf
• https://www.nytimes.com/1912/04/03/archives/woman-confesses-killing-17-negroes-leader-of-church-of-sacrifice.html
• Resume of Case (circa 1935), Clementine Barnabet, Federal Writer’s Project, Box 3-C-1, Folder 45, housed at Watson Library, Cammie G. Henry Research Center, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Natchitoches, Louisiana. (a compilation of newspaper articles collected by Oseana Thibodeaux)

Connect with Jess:

• Facebook: The True Crime Wife by Jess
• Email: truecrimewifebyjess@gmail.com

This case leaves us pondering how racial bias, sensational media, and societal fears can cloud the pursuit of justice. Was Clementine truly a killer, or a scapegoat in a chaotic, prejudiced system? Either way, her story continues to haunt the pages of true crime history.