Latest / 3 Crimes That Are Still Unsolved / Episode 8- Killer Notes Left Behind – Messages from the Unknown
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 explores an unsettling hallmark found at the scene of many mysterious crimes—notes left behind by the killer. These aren’t the cryptic codes or anonymous threats we’ve examined before. These are direct messages, taunting statements, or chilling admissions allegedly penned by the perpetrators themselves. They leave investigators haunted, victims' families reeling, and the public shrouded in fear. Let’s look at three of the most eerie and unresolved cases where the killer chose to write instead of run. Ronan Wolfe: Our first story takes us to Tokyo, Japan, and the baffling case of the Setagaya family murders. On the night of December 30, 2000, an intruder broke into the home of the Miyazawa family and murdered all four members in brutal fashion. But what made this crime so chilling—and bizarre—was what the killer did afterward. Instead of fleeing, he stayed in the house for hours. He ate food from the fridge, used the bathroom, surfed the family computer, and even left bloody clothing in the laundry basket. But most hauntingly, a message was found scrawled on a piece of paper near the scene. It read, in rough English, something resembling, "Now you can see what I did." Ronan Wolfe: The handwriting was erratic, and analysts couldn't determine whether it was a personal statement, a warning, or a cruel attempt to unnerve those who would later find the scene. The case remains unsolved, despite DNA evidence, fingerprints, and surveillance footage showing a man near the house. The message—and its meaning—linger as disturbing testimony from a killer who wanted to be noticed. Ronan Wolfe: Next, we head to Chicago, Illinois, where in 1945 the murder of 6-year-old Suzanne Degnan horrified the city. She was abducted from her bedroom in the middle of the night, and her body was later discovered dismembered and scattered across multiple locations. But before her remains were found, police received a chilling ransom note: "Get $20,000 ready and wait for word. Do not notify FBI or police. Bills in fives and tens. Burn this for her safety." The note was left on a windowsill outside her home. Ronan Wolfe: The case led to the arrest and confession of William Heirens, dubbed the "Lipstick Killer" after a similar message was found scrawled on a bathroom wall at another crime scene: "For heaven's sake catch me before I kill more. I cannot control myself." But even decades later, many believe Heirens may have been a convenient scapegoat, coerced into a confession. Questions about the validity of the note, the motive, and whether the real killer was ever caught persist to this day. Ronan Wolfe: Our final case is both a mystery and a media sensation—the 2006 murder of JonBenét Ramsey in Boulder, Colorado. The six-year-old beauty queen was found dead in the basement of her family’s home, hours after her mother discovered a ransom note on the kitchen stairs. The letter, two-and-a-half pages long, was unlike any typical ransom note. It referenced movies, used bizarre phrasing, and demanded $118,000—the exact amount of John Ramsey’s recent bonus. The note’s authorship has been hotly debated. Some argue it was staged to mislead investigators. Others believe it was a genuine communication from an intruder. Ronan Wolfe: The sheer length and theatrical tone of the note are what make this case so baffling. Experts have said that no known kidnapper has ever taken the time to write such a detailed and strange message on-site. Handwriting analyses have been inconclusive, and the crime scene was badly contaminated. To this day, the ransom note remains one of the most disputed and scrutinized documents in true crime history. Ronan Wolfe: What makes these killer notes so disturbing is the intent behind them. Unlike silent clues, these messages speak directly to us. They are authored—deliberately—by someone who committed acts of incredible cruelty and then wanted to ensure we knew about it. Whether it’s a confession, a misdirection, or a taunt, these writings often feel like echoes from the mind of the perpetrator, a glimpse into the chaos or calculation that fueled the crime. But without a face behind the words, we’re left chasing shadows. Ronan Wolfe: Investigators pore over sentence structure, grammar, word choice, and even writing pressure—hoping to find a crack in the mask. Yet so often, these notes yield no definitive leads. The killers vanish, their handwriting immortalized but their identity erased. Are these messages an attempt at immortality? A final act of power? Or just another thread in a tangled web of mystery? Ronan Wolfe: If today’s episode left you chilled, subscribe to 3 Crimes That Are Still Unsolved – Chilling Cases With No Answers… Yet. Leave a review, share your thoughts, and if you’ve got theories about these haunting notes, send them our way. Sometimes, the key to catching a killer is hidden between the lines. Until next time, I’m Ronan Wolfe—reminding you to stay curious, and never underestimate what a few written words can reveal.