S09E36: Message Received (The Vision of Etta Smith)
Summary
This episode recounts the 1980 murder of vocational nurse Melanie Uribe in Los Angeles, who was abducted and killed by three young men. The narrative centers on Etta Louise Smith, a Lockheed employee who claimed a psychic vision led her to the victim’s body in Lopez Canyon, despite police skepticism. Smith was wrongfully arrested and subjected to a false polygraph result, leading to a six-year legal battle that ended in a $25,000 settlement. The story highlights the racial tensions and procedural failures within the LAPD during the investigation.
Topics discussed
Sponsor reads and show introduction
The kidnapping of Melanie Uribe in Pico-Verde
Melanie's disappearance and Etta Smith's background
Etta's vision of the body's location
Etta reports the vision to Detective Ryan
Etta and her children search Lopez Canyon
Etta is arrested and subjected to a polygraph
The arrest of the actual killers
Etta's release and emotional breakdown
The lawsuit against LAPD and exoneration
Epilogue and final sponsor reads
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