The Fall Line: True Crime

Last Contact: The Disappearance of Pepita Redhair

The Fall Line: True Crime

Show Notes

Pepita Madelyn Redhair, a young woman who grew up in Crownpoint on the Navajo Nation reservation, longed for adventure. Still, she stayed incredibly close to her family, despite living 140 miles away in Albuquerque. When Pepita suddenly went silent on March 27, 2020, her mother Anita King knew something was terribly wrong. The response she received from law enforcement launched her family into a nearly six-year fight for answers that highlights issues with investigation of IPV (intimate partner violence) and the broader crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives (MMIWR/MMIP)—and the systemic failures that leave families searching on their own. Anyone with information about Pepita's disappearance is asked to contact Albuquerque Police Department: 505-768-2020 or the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office: 505-222-1101 There is a 3,000 dollar reward in her case. The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Season 25 covers the efforts of family advocates across the United States, and focuses on the loved ones they're fighting for. Go to Hellofresh.com/fallline10fm to get get 10 free meals + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box! http://hellofresh.com/fallline10fm Anita's Venmo to support search and community awareness efforts (we have verified this is Anita' account): venmo.com/anita-king-86 Rallystarter for Pepita's Case: https://rallystarter.com/rally/2917/continued-investigation-in-the-disappearance-of-pepita-readhair Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; [email protected]. All rights reserved, 2026

More from The Fall Line: True Crime

Oct 21, 2026

80-year-old Rose Goodman was a fixture of her Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood—a mother and grandmother who'd been a leader in the church and community, and who'd volunteered with the schools her three children attended. Her close-knit block on Broomall Street looked after one another, and lived quietly in the bustling city—so it was shocking when in September of 2023, Rose was found shot in the home she'd lived in for 50 years. If you have any information in the unsolved homicide of Rose Goodman, please reach out to the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-TIPS. There is a 30,000-dollar reward available in her case. We are re-releasing Rose's episodes in hopes that we can draw additional attention to her case and aid in bringing resolution to her family.

Oct 14, 2026

For 30 years, a young woman found in an Albuquerque motel room in 1991 was known only as Albuquerque Jane Doe, and later as Becca Doe. Her death was ruled a suicide, yet a photo-booth picture and a locked door kept online sleuths asking questions for decades. In March 2026, Ramapo College's genetic genealogists identified her as 18-year-old Becca Mallekoote. Maxine Spellman, a civilian researcher and host of The Butterfly Effect, joins us to discuss the case and her involvement, her deep dive into records and investigative work she undertook, and the FIGG that restored Becca's identity. We also dive into some of the most lingering mysteries surrounding Becca's case: the man in the photo, the man in the hotel room, and the photo booth picture that made her case famous across the internet.

Sep 9, 2026

We continue our coverage of the ways in which Accredited Investigative Genetic Genealogists (AIGG) C are approaching the massive changes in the field of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG/IGG) following the update in the language of Ancestry.com's TOS regarding access to historical records and family trees. In this episode, we speak with Tracie Boyle, a longstanding and talented AIGG whose experience includes work with DNA Doe Project and at Ramapo College. Tracie's new program, TreeScope, looks to help close the gaps, and to provide researchers with a tool that will make identifying John and Jane Does and suspects, as well as non-forensic casework, easier. Treescope: https://boylegenealogy.com/tools/treescope/overview.html Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists. The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; [email protected]. All rights reserved, 2026

Sep 2, 2026

Lavern "Vern" Chupp was a well-known figure in St Joseph County, Michigan, where his Old Order Amish family had deep roots, and his skill at construction and carpentry meant he'd worked with just about everyone in the various townships surrounding his home. A devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Lavern was a popular man--but like anyone else, he had difficult business dealings and personal conflict. He lived alone, and his family sometimes worried that he was on his own; however, they never expected that he'd face violence at the hands of an unknown attacker. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Anyone with information regarding Lavern Chupp's murder is encouraged to contact the Michigan State Police at (269) 558-0500. Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists. The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; [email protected]. All rights reserved, 2026

Aug 26, 2026

We continue our coverage of the unsolved murder of Opelika, Alabama mother Sylvia Lou Dowdell, whose remains were discovered in Tuskegee just after Mother's Day 1998. Her daughter, Precious, still has questions--especially about the insurance police taken out on her mother before her death. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/fallline #rulapod Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com.fallline for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Anyone with information regarding Sylvia's murder is encouraged to contact the Macon County Sheriff's Office at (334) 724-0669. Her family is offering a 5,000-dollar reward in her case. Season 27 covers unsolved homicides across the United States and tracks updates in the ongoing focus on alternative resources for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogists. The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers. Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; [email protected]. All rights reserved, 2026

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