Categories of Unsolved Mysteries

[egswanso]

What are peoples’ favorite type of unsolved mystery true-crime? Maybe I’ve been reading too much Bill James, but it seems unsolved mystery segments (I’m only talking about the unsolved true-crime ones here) break down into a couple of different categories (can anyone think of other categories?); I’ve tried to include examples of each. I find it interesting that many of the most contentious discussions on the Boards often revolve around the categorization/re-categorization of a case. IMO, UM always presents each true-crime segment as one of the below; posters often argue about shifting a case into another category.

1. One clear suspect/ completed crime – where there is one clear suspect, a completed crime (usually, but not always murder), but not enough/no evidence to justify an arrest; alternatively, the one clear suspect’s identity may be unknown (I don’t include “Wanted” segments here, although they are certainly related). Examples: Matthew Chase, Angela Hammond, Dexter Stefaniak, “Wadada.”

2. One clear suspect/incomplete crime – where there is one clear suspect, but an incomplete crime (usually, but not always, an abduction where the victim is strongly believed to have been killed, but no body has been found) so no arrest is possible or would be ill-advised, as we cannot say with certainly what happened to the victim. Examples: Dottie Caylor, Wendy Camp, Pamela Page.

3. Known mechanics/unknown suspect(s) – In these cases, we know what happened to the victim, but not why/who did it. There are usually multiple credible theories, but not enough information to anoint one as the best theory or publically identify a suspect (although there might be an un-named clear suspect). These can be very similar to (1), but lack a clear suspect. Examples: Kurt Sova, Matt Flores, Mike Emert.

4. Unknown mechanics – In these cases, we don’t know what happened to the victim. Most all stranger abduction/missing persons cases fit into this category unless the abduction was witnessed (which would fit into (2)). Examples: Anthonette Cayedito, Tara Calico, Amy Billig.

5. Challenged cases – These cases share a common theme in that there is an “official” explanation that is being challenged by the segment (usually, but not always by a family member). Within this category, you can further divide (not always cleanly) into cases where the official investigation seemed deficient (Keith Warren), cases with “lone wolf” family members with complex theories of cover-up (Eric and Pam Ellender), and famous/celebrity death (Kurt Cobain, Elvis Presley).

[MegtheEgg86]

Originally Posted by egswanso

What are peoples’ favorite type of unsolved mystery true-crime? Maybe I’ve been reading too much Bill James, but it seems unsolved mystery segments (I’m only talking about the unsolved true-crime ones here) break down into a couple of different categories (can anyone think of other categories?); I’ve tried to include examples of each. I find it interesting that many of the most contentious discussions on the Boards often revolve around the categorization/re-categorization of a case. IMO, UM always presents each true-crime segment as one of the below; posters often argue about shifting a case into another category.

1. One clear suspect/ completed crime – where there is one clear suspect, a completed crime (usually, but not always murder), but not enough/no evidence to justify an arrest; alternatively, the one clear suspect’s identity may be unknown (I don’t include “Wanted” segments here, although they are certainly related). Examples: Matthew Chase, Angela Hammond, Dexter Stefaniak, “Wadada.”

2. One clear suspect/incomplete crime – where there is one clear suspect, but an incomplete crime (usually, but not always, an abduction where the victim is strongly believed to have been killed, but no body has been found) so no arrest is possible or would be ill-advised, as we cannot say with certainly what happened to the victim. Examples: Dottie Caylor, Wendy Camp, Pamela Page.

3. Known mechanics/unknown suspect(s) – In these cases, we know what happened to the victim, but not why/who did it. There are usually multiple credible theories, but not enough information to anoint one as the best theory or publically identify a suspect (although there might be an un-named clear suspect). These can be very similar to (1), but lack a clear suspect. Examples: Kurt Sova, Matt Flores, Mike Emert.

4. Unknown mechanics – In these cases, we don’t know what happened to the victim. Most all stranger abduction/missing persons cases fit into this category unless the abduction was witnessed (which would fit into (2)). Examples: Anthonette Cayedito, Tara Calico, Amy Billig.

5. Challenged cases – These cases share a common theme in that there is an “official” explanation that is being challenged by the segment (usually, but not always by a family member). Within this category, you can further divide (not always cleanly) into cases where the official investigation seemed deficient (Keith Warren), cases with “lone wolf” family members with complex theories of cover-up (Eric and Pam Ellender), and famous/celebrity death (Kurt Cobain, Elvis Presley).

I think I'd have to go with 3 and 4. Most of my favorite cases fall into those two categories.