Chronicle 58: "Searching for Dane Elkins"

Chronicle 58: "Searching for Dane Elkins"

Author: Nicole Turner September 18, 2023 Duration: 25:23
This episode is rated a 4 (on my Serious Crime Scale). The COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of college students at very rapid rates. Not only were they navigating the physical health effects of COVID and how it impacted themselves and their loved ones, but they were also having to abruptly adjust to a completely digital world. Just imagine being forced to take courses like statistics and chemistry and molecular biology in a solely online format. They were also forced to move out of their dorms and off campus, not knowing when they would be able to return to their personal belongings and the only “collegiate” atmosphere they knew at the time. The changes and the uncertainty dramatically affected their mental health. For example, depression reported among college students increased by nearly 50% after the start of pandemic, and one in five students reported experiencing suicidal thoughts. The person we’re gonna talk about today in this episode, Dane Elkins, is one of these statistics. He was a college student studying at the University of California-Santa Cruz. But in the spring of 2020, 21-year-old Dane decided he couldn’t do it anymore. The world of online learning just wasn’t his thing. He found himself unable to concentrate on his studies and he became withdrawn and depressed. So, Dane moved home for a short time before he suddenly went missing. One day, he was talking to his family and the next, he was just gone. Listen to this week's episode to hear Dane's story. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nicole Turner has spent her career within the walls of academia, and now she brings that unique perspective to Campus Crime Chronicles. As both a professor and an administrator, she understands the complex ecosystem of a college campus-the rhythms of student life, the pressures, the closed communities, and the specific vulnerabilities that can exist. This podcast digs into cases that occur in these unique settings, from long-unsolved mysteries in campus libraries to modern-day digital crimes that spread through university networks. Each episode is built on meticulous research, examining not just the "what" of a crime, but the "why" these environments can become a backdrop for tragedy. You'll hear about cases that made national headlines alongside obscure incidents that reveal deeper systemic issues, all analyzed through Nicole's informed lens. The goal isn't just to recount events, but to explore the lasting impact on victims, families, and the very idea of a campus as a sanctuary. For anyone fascinated by true crime but weary of the same well-trodden stories, this series offers a distinct and thoughtful niche. Tune in for a compelling blend of investigative narrative and institutional insight, where every story begins at a place meant for learning.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Campus Crime Chronicles
Podcast Episodes
Campus Crime News: Demartravion "Trey" Reed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:07
Introducing Campus Crime News! On the morning of Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, the body of a Black male was found hanging from a tree on the campus of Delta State University near the pickle ball courts. At a press conference l…
Chronicle 103: "Hiding in Plain Sight" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:01
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In February of 1980, Katherine Foster, an 18-year-old freshman attending the University of South Alabama in Mobile, was found shot to death in a wooded area next to…
Chronicle 102: "The Fake Interview" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:52
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the summer of 2012, 24-year-old nursing student Megan Sharpton was standing at the edge of a bright future. Just months away from graduation, she was eager to ste…
Chronicle 101: "Hot Tub Tragedy" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:44
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). On the night of May 11, 2019, three friends met for what was supposed to be a relaxed evening by the pool and hot tub — laughing, drinking, and soaking in the music.…
Chronicle 100: "Death By Hazing" (Part 3) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:22
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the spring of 2017, Timothy Piazza was like many college sophomores — eager to find his place, to build lasting friendships, and to be part of something bigger th…
Chronicle 100: "Death by Hazing" (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:50
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the spring of 2017, Timothy Piazza was like many college sophomores — eager to find his place, to build lasting friendships, and to be part of something bigger th…
Chronicle 100: "Death by Hazing" (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:15
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the spring of 2017, Timothy Piazza was like many college sophomores — eager to find his place, to build lasting friendships, and to be part of something bigger th…
Chronicle 99: "Buried Alive" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:25
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). Brandy Stevens-Rosine was a bright 20-year-old college student with a passion for understanding human behavior. Studying psychology and sociology at Youngstown State…
Chronicle 98: "A Deadly Custody Exchange" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:30
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). It was supposed to be routine — just another custody handoff between two parents in rural Madison County, Tennessee. Tyeasha Starks, a bright young student at Austin…
Chronicle 97: "A Ride with a Stranger" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:13
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In June 2017, Yingying Zhang — a 26-year-old Ph.D. student and visiting scholar from China — vanished after being seen at a campus bus stop at the University of Illi…