⚠️ Trigger Warning:
This episode contains sensitive content involving crimes against children, including sexual assault and murder. Listener discretion is advised.
In this chilling and emotional episode, Amanda delves into the unsolved series of crimes known as the Alphabet Murders or Double Initial Murders that occurred in Rochester, NY, in the early 1970s. This episode focuses on the Carmen Colon, a 10-year-old girl whose abduction and murder shook the community and remains unresolved to this day. Our focus turns to Wanda Walkowicz, an 11-year-old girl who tragically became the second known victim in the terrifying Alphabet Murders. Like Carmen before her, Wanda’s life was marked by hardship — and her death would send shockwaves through the community. To close out this emotional episode, we examine the heartbreaking case of Michelle Maenza, the third known victim of the infamous Alphabet Murders. Michelle was abducted in broad daylight — and this time, someone saw it happen. Despite witness accounts and physical evidence, the case remains unsolved more than 50 years later.
Amanda walks listeners through:
The early life and complex family background of each victim
Disturbing witness accounts from the days the girls went missing
The heartbreaking discovery of their bodies and the initial investigation
Suspicions surrounding Carmen’s uncle, Miguel Colon, and his eventual polygraph clearance
Societal reflections on crowd apathy and the impact of unreported sightings
Community response and tips that flooded in, including potential suspects
The severe bullying Michelle endured at school and the events leading up to her disappearance
Crime scene details, forensic evidence, and similarities to the earlier murders
How investigators began linking the Alphabet Murders together
A chilling witness interaction with the suspected killer
Victim Name: Carmen Colon
Age: 10
Date Missing: November 16, 1971
Body Found: November 18, 1971, near Churchville, NY
Cause of Death: Strangulation; signs of sexual assault
Status: Unsolved
Name: Wanda Walkowicz
Age: 11
Date of Disappearance: April 2, 1973
Location Last Seen: Hillside Delicatessen on Conkey Avenue, Rochester, NY
Date Found: April 3, 1973
Cause of Death: Strangulation
Notable Evidence: White cat hairs (not from her home), semen, pubic hairs, custard in stomach
Vehicle of Interest: Light-colored Dodge Dart seen near both her last known location and the dump site
Name: Michelle Maenza
Age: 10
Date of Disappearance: November 26, 1973
Date Found: November 28, 1973
Location Found: Ditch off Eddy Road, Macedon, NY
Cause of Death: Strangulation
Notable Evidence:
White cat hairs (also found on Carmen and Wanda)
Semen sample
Cheeseburger remains in stomach
Partial fingerprints
Missing coat found ½ mile away
Witness sketch of the suspect
Light-colored 1966 Chevy seen near the crime scene
Police remained cautious about linking the murders but did interview known sex offenders, welfare workers, and school employees
Despite efforts and public attention, the case remains unsolved
If you have any information about the Alphabet Murders or the cases of Carmen Colon, Wanda Walkowicz, or Michelle Maenza, please call: New York State Police Troop E Headquarters: 585-398-4100
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The intro theme for this podcast is a section of Nightmare Machine by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
