With the technology today and social media, can the lost loves cases on UM that were not solved be solved today?

I believe that if someone took the time and the money to research and do DNA testing, if the families would participate many could be solved.

I am optimistic that any case featured on UM that is still unsolved is solvable.

With the technology today and social media, can the lost loves cases on UM that were not solved be solved today?

The cases from yore.. Yes. They're probably MORE solvable today than in the past for various reasons. The lost love cases specifically due to so much more information being at your fingertips. Other cases due to DNA and the like.

One that is in my craw is the black soldier in Germany in WWII "Alexander".. I think that someone with the right knowledge and the right gumption could solve that one. They'd have to have knowledge of what units were integrated, correlate to units that would have been in that town in Germany at the time.. Probably would have to have good knowledge of 'other circumstances' that would have someone there.

I just think that one, everything is out there to solve it. It just needs the right person to get a bug up their butt to look into it.

I am optimistic that any case featured on UM that is still unsolved is solvable.

Magic Rock.

But.. Taking that style case out. I both agree and disagree. Amelia Earhart. Yes, I think that can be solved, but it involves finding the plane. Which, everyone knows, I think is on the bottom of the Pacific in the vicinity of Howland Island.

DB Cooper.. Tougher, but I do think there's a possibility. Being definitive on it would require that DNA on the tie clip to actually be his. Otherwise, the best you could likely get is a strong consensus as to who he was, which is not proof.

Some of the 'suicide or murder' cases we discussed previously.. Those are much the same. I don't think there's going to be a way to PROVE them one way or the other.

And.. A few cases that just have so little evidence. Oh, the kidnapping with the truck with the fish mural on the window (Help me out with the name). Short of a confession, that'll be tough. Even if a body is found.. Maybe if the truck is found, but.. What are the odds on that after all this time? That thing, there's probably as much left of it as the Breaking Bad RV.

I definitely agree with TheCars on this one. Lost Loves can be revived if they want to revive it.

Magic Rock.

that is still unsolved

You think it's solvable?

Frankly.. I do think it's solved. it's a friggin' rock. That's it. A rock.

You think it's solvable?

Frankly.. I do think it's solved. it's a friggin' rock. That's it. A rock.

some of the treasure segments are also still unsolved. and I think some of them are ridiculous. Yet, I also love the outdoors and think that environmentalists and naturalists can be positivly impacted by geology and nature in general. some experiences can lead to spiritual gain or in the case of gold it has monetary value for some cultures. UM didn't always do itself favors with how they presented segments, but they tried to cover a lot of material especially with religion, tall tales, and spiritualism.

In my seemingly never ending project to do an in depth statistical analysis of UM, one issue I have pondered is the "solvability" of cases for the purpose of calculating success rates.

To classify each case, or type of case, as solvable or not can be difficult. A priori, I would think of missing persons, wanted fugitives, and crimes to be solvable at least theoretically. Some of them are unsolved and very unlikely to be solved, but in principle there is no reason they could not be.

On the other hand, something like the UFO segments may seem unsolvable by nature of the phenomenon. But arguably some, such as Gulf Breeze and Guardian were presumptively solved. However, it may be that the solvability of UFO cases depends on the type of resolution, ie. hoaxes can be solved, but government or extraterrestrial activity cannot be.

The same seems to apply to miracles, psychic phenomena, etc. in that such cases are not solvable in the general sense, but may be solved if the case proves not legitimate to start with.

Treasure cases seem to be an odd third category, along with historical mysteries. In principle, all of these can be solved but none of them have been.

In any case, when I go to calculate solve rates, I intend to classify the solvency of the case and thus ensure a fair denominator for whatever rate is calculated.

some of the treasure segments are also still unsolved.

I think all of them. Not the slightest update over all these decades to even one

According to a 1996 press kit release/memo, 63% of the Lost Loves cases were solved as a direct result of the program.

The treasure segments were considered not solvable.

some interesting statistics from a press kit/memo (https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=30975)

From the Unsolved Mysteries Official Site (https://unsolved.com/about/):

Of the more than 1,300 mysteries profiled in over 230 episodes, half the cases featuring wanted fugitives have been solved, more than 100 families have been reunited with lost loved ones, and seven individuals who were wrongly convicted of crimes, have been exonerated and released. Cases involving missing persons, missing heirs, murder, fraud, and amnesia have also been solved following UM broadcasts. That adds up to over 260 solved cases.

In my seemingly never ending project to do an in depth statistical analysis of UM, one issue I have pondered is the "solvability" of cases for the purpose of calculating success rates.

To classify each case, or type of case, as solvable or not can be difficult. A priori, I would think of missing persons, wanted fugitives, and crimes to be solvable at least theoretically. Some of them are unsolved and very unlikely to be solved, but in principle there is no reason they could not be.

On the other hand, something like the UFO segments may seem unsolvable by nature of the phenomenon. But arguably some, such as Gulf Breeze and Guardian were presumptively solved. However, it may be that the solvability of UFO cases depends on the type of resolution, ie. hoaxes can be solved, but government or extraterrestrial activity cannot be.

The same seems to apply to miracles, psychic phenomena, etc. in that such cases are not solvable in the general sense, but may be solved if the case proves not legitimate to start with.

Treasure cases seem to be an odd third category, along with historical mysteries. In principle, all of these can be solved but none of them have been.

In any case, when I go to calculate solve rates, I intend to classify the solvency of the case and thus ensure a fair denominator for whatever rate is calculated.

Here's something else that I think would be worthwhile to figure in.. Did UM play a part in solving the case?

Some of the cases profiled on UM were solved, but them being profiled had nothing to do with them being solved. You take Dennis Depue.. UM was instrumental in his 'capture'.. He was watching himself profiled when he ran.

Reggie DePalma.. He was profiled on UM in 1993, but it wasn't until he was profiled (again?) on AMW in 2000 that he was captured thanks to a viewer tip from that show. So.. Should that count?

Other cases have been solved over the years, and UM had nothing to do with it.

It's all going to come down to your opinion on many cases, tho. What do you consider solvable? Which cases should UM get credit on?

I think all of them. Not the slightest update over all these decades to even one

yes! what a gaffe that was lol.

I remember Stack saying at the end of the Victorio Peak segment in particular that if digging resumed at the site, "Unsolved Mysteries will be there." And it was never mentioned again for the rest of the series.

Here's something else that I think would be worthwhile to figure in.. Did UM play a part in solving the case?


Oh yes that is also a field I have given a lot of thought to. In addition to flagging solvency status (which is a mix of solvability and status, there are situations between unsolved and solved) flagging the role of UM in attaining that status.

The most clear example of "UM solved it" would be a tip or call via their hotline or right after a broadcast to local authorities. In a decent number of cases someone will have said "I saw it on UM" or whatever. Those are clearly UM solves.

Generally, cases that were not solved after a broadcast, but years later and without a direct connection to the show I would not mark as "solved by UM" although the show contributing to the awareness of the case is still clearly a factor on some level.

We also have a handful of cases that were later solved by trace evidence, I wouldn't classify those as UM either.



It's all going to come down to your opinion on many cases, tho. What do you consider solvable? Which cases should UM get credit on?


Yes and no. The best practice in working with this kind of data is to establish a set of fixed criteria, possibly in the form of a flow chart, that is used to classify the cases. That is what I have been working towards. So while it is still an opinion as to how to structure that decision rule set, it is at least a fairly consistent way to rule on each case and thus makes whatever statistics drawn from it internally self consistent.

Yes and no. The best practice in working with this kind of data is to establish a set of fixed criteria, possibly in the form of a flow chart, that is used to classify the cases. That is what I have been working towards. So while it is still an opinion as to how to structure that decision rule set, it is at least a fairly consistent way to rule on each case and thus makes whatever statistics drawn from it internally self consistent.

There will always be outliers, tho. Things that just don't check all the boxes or fit into all the boxes nice and neat.

The Lori Jane Eblin case.. That was a web exclusive and.. I'd say it was solved due to UM, because.. I wouldn't have looked at it and found her if the case hadn't been profiled.. Even though it wasn't ever aired on UM. So, that's another consideration.. How to treat the various web exclusives that happened while the show wasn't on the air.

And, it'll be your opinion on the solvability. Earhart is a decent example.. I mean, that case, in my eyes, is solvable.. But, it basically requires finding the plane, which.. Sucker hasn't been found in ~90 years and it's.. Somewhat unlikely that it will be found, at least with modern tech. The general consensus is crash and sink, so.. This could be solved, unsolved, solvable or unsolvable, just pending on your point of view.

Patsy Wright.. I'd probably count that one as solvable, but.. Maybe not anymore. I mean, that case is from 1987.. The evidence that would solve it, tracking the strychnine.. I'd suspect all that has been purged by now, because.. How long would a company keep records? So.. While *I* think it WAS solvable, short of a confession.. I don't see it happening now. And, I think most of the suspects are dead now. So, suspects are all dead, so there won't be a confession. No ability to track the strychnine back to someone..

Then, of course, we have the cases that.. Do they get thrown out as 'supernatural' or not? UFO cases.. The two women and a boy that were 'burned' by a UFO. Mothman. Every one of those *I* would toss. But.. You may have a different opinion than I do.

Even the Tunguska event.. While UM obviously played no part in it.. Is that 'solved'? There's.. Generally a scientific consensus that it was a meteor, but, there's still people out there that subscribe to the comet theory.

Someone would probably argue with you if the JFK assassination was marked as solved.

But.. End of the day, you're putting the numbers together. So use your metrics to do so. If someone wants to complain about it.. They can do their own analysis. I'm just telling you.. There's going to be several cases that you come across that just don't fit.

The church staircase is another one. I believe someone has claimed a relative built it, but.. It hasn't been confirmed.

Of, and Circleville writer. The person convicted maintains their innocence. So that could go either way. BUT.. In my eyes, that has to remain as unsolved because.. There HAD to be others. Letters were being sent while Freshour was locked up and in solitary.

That's just my point.. There's just going to be.. LOTS of 'iffy' situations that you'll just have to make your best call on.

I remember Stack saying at the end of the Victorio Peak segment in particular that if digging resumed at the site, "Unsolved Mysteries will be there." And it was never mentioned again for the rest of the series.

Victorio Peak is an interesting treasure segment. I don't believe the claimant, but I also wouldn't trust the US Military because they had a history of prospecting and fighting for land acquisition.

To get back to the original subject I think that most of the "Lost Loves" could be solved today with the DNA databases, the records available online now and the contacts you can make looking for people. Also in the case of adoption (and this may not hold for older cases re: missing records) things have opened up some, I have a friend who located bio siblings via a state method to reach out. I have 2 adopted relatives who both found bio parents.

Also wanted to add that unlike the criminal/unidentified cases which are limited to several smaller less robust databases that let 3rd party DNA be uploaded, most of these can use the biggies like Ancestry and 23 and me.

To get a plug in here if you have done one of these you can upload to GED Match or Family Tree DNA for free and opt in to let law enforcement have access to match with unknown samples.

Solved? With DNA, yes. Reunions? Unlikely, especially since most of the lost love cases took place many decades ago.

Take for instance, Chetley Norris. The reasons why this one remains unsolved are numerous:

1. Chetley and Miriam did not break up amicably.
2. They had a daughter out of wedlock. This would have shamed both of their families should either have found out.
3. Chetley probably had a family of his own after this, and did not/does not want to open old wounds with a reunion.
4. If he is still alive today, Chetley would be in his early 90s. Him or one of his relatives contacting his daughter Kathleen would mean coming out in the open after all this time, when he probably hid his affair with Miriam from his own family.
5. The most sad part, is maybe Chetley does not want to know Kathleen or have a relationship with her.

Also wanted to add that I looked up the name of Tina Shiets' biological father mentioned at the end of the segment. There is a man by that name born in 1930 and living in Michigan, but do not know if he is still alive or was when I found this information.

Solved? With DNA, yes. Reunions? Unlikely, especially since most of the lost love cases took place many decades ago.

Take for instance, Chetley Norris. The reasons why this one remains unsolved are numerous:

1. Chetley and Miriam did not break up amicably.
2. They had a daughter out of wedlock. This would have shamed both of their families should either have found out.
3. Chetley probably had a family of his own after this, and did not/does not want to open old wounds with a reunion.
4. If he is still alive today, Chetley would be in his early 90s. Him or one of his relatives contacting his daughter Kathleen would mean coming out in the open after all this time, when he probably hid his affair with Miriam from his own family.
5. The most sad part, is maybe Chetley does not want to know Kathleen or have a relationship with her.

So I had to look this one up on the wiki.

I'd disagree with you on a few points.

1) Agreed it wasn't amicable, but it wasn't nasty, either. Chetley wanted to be a part of his daughters life, so, I think that has to play a part in the thinking on #3.

2) By the 80's.. This would be a minor concern.

3) Possible. But if there was resistance, i'd think it would have come from his wife.

4) Agreed.

5) Unlikely. because he wanted to at the start.

remember.. Who was the pencil thin guy who was asleep in bed and his wife woke him up and said "Do you remember a so-and-so from back in 1945?" and kept asking more and more questions that he confirmed and finally she said "Congratulations, you have a daughter"?

This feels more like that kind of deal if Chetley knew she was looking for him.

someone on the wiki linked an obit to a Chester Norris.. I read the obit and I don't see it being him. He seems to have lived in Maine much of his life outside of the military, and Chetley Norris was a bartender in Kentucky.

I think the name Chetley is either a nickname or a middle name or something. Very odd name, which should make him very easy to find.

Just searching obits for the name Chet Norris..

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-madison-county-record-obituary-for-j/163852287/

They thought he had a brother named John.. Don't know what JB stood for, but maybe. No, found him on findagrave, his name was Chester and appears to have spent his life in the Oregon/Pacific Northwest area.

A Brenda Norris died in 1992 in Santa Maria, CA, she had a husband, who survived her, named Chet.

A Howard Norris died in 2009 had a brother named Chet that survived him

Findagrave has 0 entries for a Chet Norris. Searching for nickname, there's only 5, only 4 of which are of the right age or even close, and of those.. Almost all were from the Pacific Northwest.

I buy the Chet part.. I think Chetley.. I think that might be a red herring.

Many people tend to remain in the same area. She met him in Covington, KY, which is just outside Cincinnati, OH.. So.. both those states could be in play.

Based on ages, I think he'd probably have been born around 1920 to 1928 or so. and.. Just nothing shows up.

Even searching the name Chetley alone on findagrave.. only 7 entries. And one of those is bogus. Marker is a pre-needs. None of the Chetleys were born in the right timeframe. Most were born in the 50's.

I think mama Miriam either is misremembering the name, or.. Less likely, is sabotaging.

All this being said.. I'd hope Kathleen has done an Ancestry and 23andMe test.. That should get her in the ballpark to try to help track back. That's how I figured out my mothers' birth parents.