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Forensic Files - Season 9, Episode 4 - No Corpus Delicti - Full Episode

FilmRise True Crime・13 minutes read

A young woman named Michele Wallace disappeared in the Colorado mountains for almost 20 years, with 12 pine needles in her hair leading investigators to her remains at an elevation of 9,000 feet. Roy Melanson, the last person seen with Michele, was convicted of her murder after evidence indicated he was involved in her disappearance.

Insights

  • Roy Melanson was convicted of Michele Wallace's murder after evidence implicated him in her disappearance, providing closure to the case after almost 20 years.
  • The meticulous forensic analysis conducted by NecroSearch volunteers, including identifying plant material in Michele's hair and conducting a grid search, was crucial in locating her remains and determining the circumstances of her tragic death.

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Recent questions

  • Who went missing in the Colorado mountains?

    Michele Wallace

  • What led investigators to focus their search at 9,000 feet?

    12 pine needles in her hair

  • Who was the last person seen with Michele?

    Roy Melanson

  • What volunteer organization aided in the investigation?

    NecroSearch

  • What evidence pointed to Roy Melanson's involvement in Michele's murder?

    Ordering her to stop the car and subsequently killing her

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Summary

00:00

"Missing Woman Found After 20 Years"

  • Michele Wallace, a young woman, went missing in the Colorado mountains for almost 20 years.
  • 12 pine needles in her hair led investigators to focus their search at an elevation of 9,000 feet.
  • Michele, a photography enthusiast, ventured into the mountainous wilderness of Western Colorado.
  • She was last seen with a hitchhiker named Roy Melanson, who had a criminal history.
  • Roy was found with Michele's belongings, including her backpack and a pawnshop ticket for a camera.
  • The last photos on the camera were of Michele's dog and Roy with another woman.
  • Roy admitted to stealing Michele's car but denied involvement in her disappearance.
  • Michele's mother tragically committed suicide due to her daughter's disappearance.
  • A clump of hair found in the mountains was linked to Michele through forensic analysis.
  • NecroSearch, a volunteer organization, aided in the investigation by examining the hair for plant material, suggesting Michele's body was not buried.

11:46

Mountain discovery leads to murder conviction.

  • Trammell found pine needles and bark in the braids, with the bark being from an aspen tree and the needles from subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce trees.
  • The body was likely on the mountain's north slope, identified one mile from where the braided hair was found.
  • The Necrosearch team, volunteers, conducted a grid search in one square meter sections, meticulously examining each area.
  • Cecilia Armbrust discovered a skull while returning from a break, leading to the team's discovery of Michele's remains.
  • Michele's body was found against a tree, indicating she was not buried but rather tossed off the road.
  • Forensic specialists found Michele's skull and bones, with a bucket test confirming the skull's original position.
  • Michele's clothing showed signs of violence, with a forensic odontologist positively identifying her through dental records.
  • Roy Melanson, the last person seen with Michele, was convicted of her murder after evidence pointed to him ordering her to stop the car and subsequently killing her.
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