Off the top of my head I liked John Brereton who identified the Bad Chief Greg Webb.

Also the couple that identified Jim Burnside, they seemed like nice people.

Off the top of my head I liked John Brereton who identified the Bad Chief Greg Webb.

Also the couple that identified Jim Burnside, they seemed like nice people.

Those are both great choices. "Let's call the authorities and get this guy off the streets."

I liked the hotel maid who spotted Thomas Dixon (the bankrobber). I can remember her being interviewed on a national news show, and she mentioned that she had watched every UM episode 2-3 times, which sounded just like me...

I don't remember her name, but the lady who took the picture of the bank robbers as they drove by her stands out as one of my favorites...

Tipster? No idea. I'd have to think about that one for a while.

Eyewitness? Easy. Tommy Zaino, because "in a week you can't get that fat."

I really wanted to believe the woman who claims she saw Kari Lynn Nixon in South Carolina. She seemed like such an honest and concerned person.

Tipster? No idea. I'd have to think about that one for a while.

Eyewitness? Easy. Tommy Zaino, because "in a week you can't get that fat."

Agreed. Tommy Zaino was hilarious.

I really wanted to believe the woman who claims she saw Kari Lynn Nixon in South Carolina. She seemed like such an honest and concerned person.

She really did.

Tony Ballesteros.

The equivalent of an awkward shrug.

The lady (whose name was revealed after she passed away) saleswoman who saw Dana Satterfield's murder. You know how a person look when they crazy?

I can't even remember the specifics of this but wasn't there a fugitive that was watching the show with some friends when his case came on. He suggested changing the channel, and started pacing and acting all paranoid and suspicious. I think someone even said "hey, that looks like you!" When they showed his picture.

Anyone remember? It was as from the later seasons which is probably why I don't recall the details.

The lady (whose name was revealed after she passed away) saleswoman who saw Dana Satterfield's murder. You know how a person look when they crazy?
She actually was a great witness and was brave to come on the show.

I like the truck driver in the gail Delano episode.

I can't even remember the specifics of this but wasn't there a fugitive that was watching the show with some friends when his case came on. He suggested changing the channel, and started pacing and acting all paranoid and suspicious. I think someone even said "hey, that looks like you!" When they showed his picture.

Anyone remember? It was as from the later seasons which is probably why I don't recall the details.

I think you're referring to Dennis Keith Smith. I seem to remember Dennis Depue watching UM as well.

Favorite tipster has to be Suzanne Gilmore, wife of Duncan Gilmore.

First was the realization that the segment was probably in regards to her husband because Jeannie's mother had mentioned in her diary that Duncan was the sweetest, kindest man she had ever met. Then when Suzanne woke him up and had this whole funny exchange...

"Did you sleep with her?"

"What?"

"It's very important, did you sleep with her?"

"Well....yeah."

"Congratulations. You have a daughter and she's looking for you."

The way she relayed that entire conversation was endearing and funny. Then later when we see the reunion, we see how happy she is for Duncan. She positions him in front of her on the front porch when they knock on the door so father and daughter can be one-on-one when Jeannie answers the door.

Tommy Zaino was awesome.

"In a week he can't get that fat" :)

The guy who spotted the Freedon after it reportedly disappeared.

"Those guys need their freedom, they can't even spell the word"

Also the guy at the supermarket who had a brief interaction with Veronica Jefferson who was later abducted.

"My wife and I went to the supermarket, to pick up a few items"

Favorite tipster has to be Suzanne Gilmore, wife of Duncan Gilmore.

First was the realization that the segment was probably in regards to her husband because Jeannie's mother had mentioned in her diary that Duncan was the sweetest, kindest man she had ever met. Then when Suzanne woke him up and had this whole funny exchange...

"Did you sleep with her?"

"What?"

"It's very important, did you sleep with her?"

"Well....yeah."

"Congratulations. You have a daughter and she's looking for you."

The way she relayed that entire conversation was endearing and funny. Then later when we see the reunion, we see how happy she is for Duncan. She positions him in front of her on the front porch when they knock on the door so father and daughter can be one-on-one when Jeannie answers the door.

I loved that one. Duncan was one of my favorite people ever profiled on the show. And yes, his wife had a great attitude and handled that situation beautifully

Florence Schaffner (DB Cooper). She was simply drop dead gorgeous! Here's another pic of her:
http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/dancooper-1-360.jpg

Nice!

I loved that one. Duncan was one of my favorite people ever profiled on the show. And yes, his wife had a great attitude and handled that situation beautifully

I think my favorite thing about Duncan's wife Suzanne was that she had no qualms about this part of his past. In fact, she was so excited to find out if she was right about it being her Duncan that she went in and woke him up to give him the news.

Also I thought I'd throw in my least favorite, but certainly one of the most memorable: that coward who "didn't want to get involved" when he heard Crystal Spencer's screams in agony.

From unsolved.com :

Susan Akin-Taylor and Jet Taylor were woken up around 4 A.M. by a strange crying sound. According to Susan:

“I laid there thinking, ‘Someone’s being tortured. Someone’s being hurt. Something’s going on.’”

Jet Taylor:

“Susan was very adamant about calling the police, but out of my fear of what I heard, I didn’t want to get involved.”

Susan Akin-Taylor:

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live with the fact that I didn’t call the police. If I had, maybe she would still be alive.”

Yes, the truck driver seemed very sincere. I liked the phrase he used about the women who usually hang out at truck stops. Something like "they go as they go." Maybe someone can correct me if that's not exactly right.

This was in the Gail Delano episode.

Also I thought I'd throw in my least favorite, but certainly one of the most memorable: that coward who "didn't want to get involved" when he heard Crystal Spencer's screams in agony.

From unsolved.com :

Susan Akin-Taylor and Jet Taylor were woken up around 4 A.M. by a strange crying sound. According to Susan:

“I laid there thinking, ‘Someone’s being tortured. Someone’s being hurt. Something’s going on.’”

Jet Taylor:

“Susan was very adamant about calling the police, but out of my fear of what I heard, I didn’t want to get involved.”

Susan Akin-Taylor:

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live with the fact that I didn’t call the police. If I had, maybe she would still be alive.”

I'd put money on them not being together anymore. That kind of thing (her guilt and his cowardice) has a way of coming between people.

I'd put money on them not being together anymore. That kind of thing (her guilt and his cowardice) has a way of coming between people.

I am not sure what he was so afraid of...he didn't have to confront anybody, he just needed to call 911 and let the police handle it. :confused: :confused: :confused:

I am not sure what he was so afraid of...he didn't have to confront anybody, he just needed to call 911 and let the police handle it. :confused: :confused: :confused:

I know, right! But, apparently he just couldn't be bothered. It's especially frustrating considering that it might have saved her.

The couple who saw Dennis Depue reminded me of a more subdued Kids in the Hall sketch.

I am not sure what he was so afraid of...he didn't have to confront anybody, he just needed to call 911 and let the police handle it. :confused: :confused: :confused:

I'm not defending their lack of action but I'd wager there are a ton of people out there who would and continue to follow the not getting involved mantra.

Kind of like in the Kurt Sova case where the neighbor saw two teenage boys carrying an unconscious third teenage boy without a shoe into the ravine. Then when Kurt's body was found the next day, instead of calling the police, her husband told her we have to mind our own business and they kept quiet for ten years before they finally spoke up.

This is probably the only instance where a nosy neighbor comes in handy. Too many people do not get involved.

I'd put money on them not being together anymore. That kind of thing (her guilt and his cowardice) has a way of coming between people.

Welp, unless there are TWO former Miss Americas named Susan Akin, she (at least as recently as 2006) is now going by the name Susan Akin Lynch (http://www.meridianstar.com/opinion/editorials/remember-when-salutes-meridian-s-miss-america-susan-akin-lynch/article_106cfe11-f99b-5006-ad4d-468abe5e5a14.html). So I bet you're right.

Yes I liked John the truck driver, he was very helpful in putting the investigation of Gail Delano in the right direction.

Mark Hanson, another truck driver who gave the two Swedish hitchhikers a ride seemed like another genuinely nice guy.

Favorite tipster has to be Suzanne Gilmore, wife of Duncan Gilmore.

First was the realization that the segment was probably in regards to her husband because Jeannie's mother had mentioned in her diary that Duncan was the sweetest, kindest man she had ever met. Then when Suzanne woke him up and had this whole funny exchange...

"Did you sleep with her?"

"What?"

"It's very important, did you sleep with her?"

"Well....yeah."

"Congratulations. You have a daughter and she's looking for you."

The way she relayed that entire conversation was endearing and funny. Then later when we see the reunion, we see how happy she is for Duncan. She positions him in front of her on the front porch when they knock on the door so father and daughter can be one-on-one when Jeannie answers the door.
I think this is my favorite UM cases ever. Everyone was so sweet and loving, and genuinely happy!

I don't remember her name, but the lady who took the picture of the bank robbers as they drove by her stands out as one of my favorites...
I liked her too, she was very brave to snap that picture. If they had seen her, it could have killed her, no doubt.

UM has had some very colorful and interesting witnesses, that's for sure.

I also liked the guy in the Cindy Anderson segment who witnessed the disturbing phone call, along with Tommy Zaino, the witness to Dana Satterfield's killer (I want to say her name is Shirley), the couple that followed Dennis Depue (they were very lucky to have survived that), Megan Curl's neighbor, and the man who recognized the burning house in the Omar segment and called in his tip.

I really liked the subtle humor of Don Rothermel, the bank customer who was interviewed about the Pennsylvania bank robber.

"I figured that this was a prank that some guy was pulling....and I looked back down at the bullet hole in the linoleum floor. Well, then I realized that…I had some problems.”

The witness in the parking garage from the John Grundhofer "kidnapping" was pretty funny as well. He also thought it was a big joke and seemed way too staged to be real. I've always thought there was something really fishy about that whole scenario.

I'm not sure if I love or hate the former manager from the Bonnie Wilder segment! She definitely had colorful ways of describing Bonnie.

I'd mention that blonde forensic artist lady but I don't think that she counts...

Oh Lisa Penz....good god Lisa Penz.

As far as eyewitnesses go, how about the husband and wife who saw Veronica Jefferson at the market just hours before she was murdered? The husband saw her inside at the frozen foods and the wife saw her talking to, who we can assume, ended up being the killer, in the parking lot.

I don't think they came forward with their accounts until a year later, or some long amount of time. And they only did because the wife remembered the license plate MS VLJ.

I don't remember her name, but the lady who took the picture of the bank robbers as they drove by her stands out as one of my favorites...

Katherine Scott. Sadly, she passed away from breast cancer in 2008....

http://obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=katherine-selinsky&pid=142272889

I'm not sure if I love or hate the former manager from the Bonnie Wilder segment! She definitely had colorful ways of describing Bonnie.
Lisa Penz was ridiculous. She was so bad it was good. And when it was discovered that Bonnie lost tons of weight to disguise her appearance, I said to myself, "Hey Lisa, that's how someone "enormous" disappears!" :lol:

While not an eyewitness, I love the dude on the DB Cooper segment when he talks about "what a man has in his pockets" can mean the difference between life and death.

Such a cool line. :)

Lisa Penz....ugh. What makes me laugh is that it obviously didn't even occur to be embarrassed that she was the one who hired Bonnie. I would never have gone on TV and basically admit that I hired someone bogus because I didn't do proper background checks. Talk about career suicide with any potential future employers who saw the segment.

I think my fave tipster was the nosey motel maid who went through Steven Cox's trash, figured something was shady, and called the cops.

Lisa Penz....ugh. What makes me laugh is that it obviously didn't even occur to be embarrassed that she was the one who hired Bonnie. I would never have gone on TV and basically admit that I hired someone bogus because I didn't do proper background checks. Talk about career suicide with any potential future employers who saw the segment.

Although it doesn't excuse or justify the crimes "Bonnie Wilder" committed, I too always got the impression Lisa Penz was quite unwilling to accept responsibility for her role in hiring her to begin with. Had Penz contacted any number of references or former employers listed on Wilder's resume (although I can't be certain she didn't, I strongly suspect this was the case), she probably could've almost single-handedly prevented the theft without even knowing it.

Her insult directed toward the local applicant pool didn't really win her much of my personal sympathy, either. Sure, Lisa, everyone who applied was on drugs. Come on, man.

Lisa Penz....ugh. What makes me laugh is that it obviously didn't even occur to be embarrassed that she was the one who hired Bonnie. I would never have gone on TV and basically admit that I hired someone bogus because I didn't do proper background checks. Talk about career suicide with any potential future employers who saw the segment.

Remember her excuse was that Bonnie was the only applicant for that job who wasn't on drugs. :crazy:

LOL @ both Dyno and MegtheEgg. Soooooo true!

Job interview:
Flytrapp: Hey Lisa, ya dumb betch, I'm a bit tipsy from too much wine but I'm not on drugs!
Lisa: Not on drugs? Perfect. You start Monday.
BAHAHA.

Her insult directed toward the local applicant pool didn't really win her much of my personal sympathy, either. Sure, Lisa, everyone who applied was on drugs. Come on, man.
This is by far one of my favorite interviewee moments. It's just so silly. "If I got someone who wasn't on drugs, I was delighted." It seemed like a desperate attempt to scream, "It wasn't my fault!" I get that she was bitter and understandably upset that her personnel file was stolen by Bonnie, but she really could have done a lot better in her interview.

While not an eyewitness, I love the dude on the DB Cooper segment when he talks about "what a man has in his pockets" can mean the difference between life and death.

Such a cool line. :)

Can't remember his name (just know it wasn't Ralph Himmelsbach) but I agree. That and his description of the weather (saying "it was dark and cold, you have to remember the time of year it was in" or something to that effect because it was the night before Thanksgiving) really set the scene well.

I love the motel manager in the Kay Beeman and Edgar kerns update when he says "oh oh". after he realizes the two fugitives are staying in his motel.

I'm going to "ditto" the comments about Duncan Gilmore and his wife (the exchange after she saw the show). This was definitely my favorite happy segment of Unsolved Mysteries. Every time I watch it, I cry.

Katherine Scott. Sadly, she passed away from breast cancer in 2008....

http://obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=katherine-selinsky&pid=142272889

I can't believe she was only 52. I thought she already looked late 40s/early 50s in the segment, which is from 1992.