Naming the Nameless

Naming the Nameless

Author: NonStop Local September 19, 2026 Duration: 15:52
In 1984, two fishermen found a woman's torso in the Spokane River.  Fourteen years later, a skull police determined belonged to the same victim was discovered on the lower south hill.  It took nearly four decades, but a solid partnership between Spokane Police, the Spokane Medical Examiner's Office and advancements in DNA technology finally gave her, her name back.  The victim was Ruth Waymire.  The identity of her killer remains unknown.  Ruth is one of many these agencies have stopped at nothing to identify as they work tirelessly to name the nameless.

Beyond the headlines of the daily news cycle lie stories that have lingered for years, sometimes decades, in the shadows of the Inland Northwest. Help Me Hayley: Cold Case Files is a podcast that brings those stories back into the light. Guided by NonStop Local journalist Hayley Guenthner, this series digs into the details of Spokane's most notorious and often forgotten unsolved crimes. Hayley's experience isn't just from a script; when she's not anchoring weekend newscasts, she's on the ground producing investigative pieces and covering crime across the region. That firsthand perspective shapes every episode. Listeners will hear a careful examination of the facts, the timelines that don't add up, and the lingering questions that haunt families and investigators alike. This isn't about sensationalism; it's about a persistent search for clarity. Each case is presented with a journalist's rigor and a local's understanding, piecing together historical records, past reporting, and the human impact that remains fresh. The goal is to give voice to stories that deserve answers, exploring the complexities of investigations that have grown cold and remembering the lives at the center of them all. Tune in for a thoughtful, deep dive into the region's past, one unresolved mystery at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Help Me Hayley: Cold Case Files
Podcast Episodes
Aaron Farinacci: Spokane Arson Suspect [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:33
On August 1, 2026, detectives believe 37-year-old Aaron F. Farinacci deliberately started the Old Trails Fire in North Spokane County. His alleged actions burned more than 3,200 acres and destroyed 694 homes. Court docum…
What Happened to Wil Hendrick? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:25
Wil Hendrick was a University of Idaho student pursuing a career in theatre. In January of 1999, Wil left the residence he shared with his partner to meet up with friends for a party. What happened after remains a myster…
Grant County Bombings  | Cold Case Files | Episode 6 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:32
In August 2008, two Grant County men were killed just hours apart after unknowingly plugging in devices that had been rigged to explode.William "Bill" Walker, a retired electrician, found a battery charger outside his sh…
The Murder of Toni Tedder | Cold Case Files | Episode 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:03
The July 1990 murder of 18-year-old Toni Tedder remains one of the most haunting unsolved cold cases in Clarkston, Washington and one of the Pacific Northwest’s enduring murder mysteries. Toni had just graduated from Cla…
The Murder of Linda Strait | Cold Case Files | Episode 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:58
The 1982 murder of 15-year-old Linda Strait was a cold case for more than 20 years. Advancements in DNA technology finally led Spokane Police to the teen's killer - Arbie Williams. Williams was already serving time for a…
The Disappearance of Chris Jennings | Cold Case Files | Episode 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:36
Chris Jennings was your typical teen in the 80's. He was a busy student at Lakeland High School in Rathdrum. His family was very active in 4-H activities. That’s what they were busy doing on that September weekend when C…
Danielle Shinaver: 30 Years Later | Cold Case Files | Episode 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:22
Danielle Shinaver was brutally beaten and killed in her lower South Hill apartment in Spokane, Washington in March of 1996. The case has remained unsolved for decades. Now, both police and family are sharing new informat…
Downtown Alley Murder | Cold Case Files | Episode 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:56
*REUPLOAD* On January 3, 1997 a woman named Margaret Anselmo was found brutally murdered. She had been raped and her skull was crushed in. The crime happened as the entire town and law enforcement was consumed by the Spo…
The Nurse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:48
It was November of 1981 when 24-year-old Kathryn 'Kathy' Rahe Gregory vanished in Spokane, WA. She was a beloved nurse who specialized in working with critically ill babies. She was married, and the couple lived on the l…
On the 12th Floor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:20
In July of 1973, 25-year-old Archie Gonia was found beaten and strangled to death in the downtown Spokane hotel where he was working. The brutality of the crime has been described as 'overkill' by investigators. Archie's…