Latest / 3 Crimes That Are Still Unsolved / Episode 7- Cryptic Messages – Codes, Ciphers, and Final Words
Transcript
- Ronan Wolfe: Welcome back to 3 Crimes That Are Still Unsolved – Chilling Cases With No Answers… Yet. I’m Ronan Wolfe, and today’s episode is about something that often lingers long after a crime—cryptic messages. These are the chilling puzzles left behind by either the victim, the perpetrator, or someone unknown entirely. In each case, we’re left with more questions than answers: What were these people trying to say? And why do these clues still haunt us decades later? Let’s explore three cryptic messages that may hold the key to unlocking the truth—if only we could understand them. Ronan Wolfe: First, we go to the mysterious death of Ricky McCormick. In June of 1999, McCormick’s body was found in a Missouri cornfield. There were no signs of trauma, no clear cause of death—but in his pockets were two handwritten notes, filled with an indecipherable code. To this day, the FBI has not cracked the cipher. They’ve released the notes to the public, hoping for help. Was McCormick living a double life? Was he trying to reveal a hidden truth—or protect one? Without a key to the code, his final message remains locked in silence. Ronan Wolfe: Over the years, dozens of amateur cryptographers and online sleuths have tried to crack the McCormick notes. Some claim the ciphers resemble shorthand or a personal code. Others believe Ricky may have suffered from mental illness, and the notes were just ramblings. But the possibility that someone out there understands the code—and hasn’t come forward—adds to the unease. Was he silenced before he could say more? Was the code meant for someone specific who never received it? Ronan Wolfe: Our next case comes from Belgium, with the unsolved series of crimes committed by the Brabant Killers in the 1980s. These masked attackers robbed supermarkets, killed civilians and police alike, and vanished each time without a trace. But what sets this case apart are the strange notes allegedly mailed to journalists and police. Some claimed responsibility, others mocked the investigation. No suspects were ever confirmed. Were the letters real or a smokescreen? Either way, their words added another layer of confusion to a spree already drenched in fear and blood. Ronan Wolfe: The tone of the messages was chilling—sometimes sarcastic, sometimes threatening. One letter warned, "Next time, we won't miss." Another criticized law enforcement’s failures. The letters sowed panic, making the public feel even more vulnerable. Experts have long debated whether these communications were sent by the killers themselves or opportunists trying to exploit the chaos. Either way, they diverted attention, scattered resources, and obscured the trail. Ronan Wolfe: Finally, we visit the UK and the unsettling death of Gareth Williams—a British intelligence officer found dead inside a locked duffel bag in his London apartment in 2010. While the bizarre circumstances of his death grabbed headlines, there’s another eerie layer: Williams had been researching cryptography and was known to be interested in codebreaking. Some reports mention encrypted files on his laptop and a handwritten note referencing a “locked room” theory. Theories range from espionage to personal tragedy, but the truth remains sealed—much like the bag in which his body was found. Ronan Wolfe: The investigation was filled with inconsistencies. The coroner concluded Gareth’s death was likely "criminally mediated," suggesting foul play. But MI6 was slow to report him missing, and CCTV footage was mysteriously deleted. Adding to the intrigue were his apparent attempts to secure information about data encryption and digital privacy. Was he targeted because of what he knew—or what he was trying to expose? The cryptic clues in his apartment may hold the answer, but no one has been able to make sense of them. Ronan Wolfe: These cryptic messages may have been cries for help, warnings, or the final signature of someone who knew they wouldn’t be heard again. But one thing’s for certain—until we can understand what they were trying to say, these cases will remain unfinished stories, each missing its final chapter. And as long as the meaning behind these words remains hidden, the truth will continue to be just out of reach. Ronan Wolfe: If today’s episode stirred your curiosity, be sure to subscribe to 3 Crimes That Are Still Unsolved – Chilling Cases With No Answers… Yet. Leave a review, share your thoughts, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll be the one to decode the truth. I’m Ronan Wolfe. Until next time, stay sharp, and never ignore the writing on the wall.