Case 155: Danniella Vian
Added 2020-08-29 09:51:02 +0000 UTCAt approximately 7:30am on Wednesday July 18 2018, Mobile: Alabama resident Julie Dykes-Thomas received a phone call from an unfamiliar number. A man on the other line said he had found a mobile phone that contained photos of a baby and he assumed the owner would want it back.
Team:
Anonymous Host - research, narration
Eileen Ormsby - writing
Mike Migas - production, scoring
Andrew D.B. Joslyn - scoring
Milly Raso - creative direction
Comments
What was a reach?
So Real
2020-10-21 00:58:00 +0000 UTCCould anyone understand what the man was saying in the first audio clip?
So Real
2020-10-21 00:56:29 +0000 UTCWow this one really hit me hard. So sad.
Tanya Jo
2020-10-17 19:58:39 +0000 UTCWe've added a warning, thanks Abhi.
Casefile True Crime
2020-09-02 06:25:45 +0000 UTCWe've added a warning, thanks Orion.
Casefile True Crime
2020-09-02 06:25:22 +0000 UTCI don't know what it is but this episode chilled me right to the Bone and left me so unnerved and deeply rattled. I wish all the best for the family and friends Danniella and hope they get the justice they are searching for
Cameron DelaCerna
2020-09-02 03:57:01 +0000 UTCFantastic episode. Sad case.
Iain Strachan
2020-09-01 10:55:17 +0000 UTCAny follow up on the two audio clips sent by Denton’s FB account? I had a feeling Denton did it on purpose, but secretly to leave a clue. Why is there no more mention of the clips. I looked the the video of the car being removed by the police. The left front was damaged. How could a car going into water cause that damage? The rear window was wide open while the front window was shut. That gives me the suspicion that someone drove a dead Danniella into the water, moved the gear to park mode and escaped from the back window. What a sad case with so many unanswered questions.
Pansy Pan
2020-09-01 10:44:42 +0000 UTCThat is what I began to think after reading your comment. Someone from the dealership, the car park, or even someone familiar enough with the dealership to know the cars have GPS and how to disable it. Takes on a young, intoxicated girl. Maybe she recognized the person in that alleged 3rd car - if it is a 3rd and not just the other car coming back - and someone not even on the radar is responsible. I can't help but think of her little girl and her dreaming of her mom.
B-randy D
2020-08-31 18:32:13 +0000 UTCPersonally, I do not necessarily agree about adding the warnings for the audio clips. To me the audio didn't seem very bad, just simple pocket dials - but that is my own personal take on it. I believe the individual who had the phone has lots of explaining to do! I do agree with the woman speaking towards the end of the episode, that this would not have been an easy place for her to get to in the state that she was in and also that given the popularity of the area; there is no way the car was there the whole time and not discovered. I did not think about someone from either the car dealership or car park (as mentioned above) following her to attempt to steal the car. IDK, if the crime rates are that bad, it is an option. If people were aware of the kind of dealership it came from and had the knowledge to remove/disable the GPS it would be simple enough to remove the device. I do not think this was a simple accident and am thankful that the Casefile team took the steps to cover this lesser known case. Great work!
B-randy D
2020-08-31 18:27:48 +0000 UTCOMG... I loved this episode. I especially liked the fact the Casefile was contacted in hopes to help get the word out and do anything they could to assist. You guys have made the major league!
Sean Boulden
2020-08-31 15:36:27 +0000 UTCHow easily and quickly could a GPS tracker be disabled in a car? If it occurred at the shell garage I’d imagine it would been even more difficult in the dark that late in the evening. Could car 3 (in cctv) have disabled it and followed her with intent to steal the car but the robbery went wrong? Normally I would believe it was an accident but there are too many unanswered questions surrounding her disappearance.
sandra o donoghue
2020-08-31 00:33:33 +0000 UTCwhilst listening to this amazing podcast (well done guys on such great research!) I was screaming out loud (Iisten with earbuds when cleaning) BULLSHIT THAT CRAP my partner was wondering what the hell I was on about! all the way to the end of the podcast I was in shock! Thanks Casey for always telling truth and facts!
Tamika Parker
2020-08-30 23:58:02 +0000 UTCThank you for the work guys. Very interesting. Many strange things about the story. The disconnection of the gps. The car transmission being in park. Her phone being lost. The butt dials leading to the audio files. Seems like that guy, on those calls, would have some explaining to do.
MM
2020-08-30 13:36:07 +0000 UTCAh yes. Yet another example of a police force doing more to cover up their cock ups and actively avoid doing their jobs than actually investigating. I mean, it could’ve been an accident. After all, drunkenly driving 20 miles in the wrong direction and accidentally driving into a large body of water is a pretty common occurrence, isn’t it?
James Watson
2020-08-30 12:35:51 +0000 UTCBrilliantly put together as always 👏 Echo with the above comments, when you release it on Spotify and other platforms maybe a content warning on the audio clips. It freaked me out when I heard it.
Abhi Ram
2020-08-30 08:41:09 +0000 UTCMy immediate thought was someone from the car yard. They could see exactly where she was and they'd know how to pull the fuse to disable the GPS tracker.
Kath Tee
2020-08-30 07:21:37 +0000 UTCEvery time casefile does an episode that shows intimate time, care, and a personal relationship with the victim's loved ones, it is the same old story-- some people just want their popcorn entertainment. When they step up to the plate to take on cases like these, which is what the space and medium of true crime really SHOULD be about, it reminds me why I am a supporter of the show. I can sense contempt from some regarding Danniella's life choices, but let thy who is without sin cast the first stone. The writers know this and it shines through in their dignified, tasteful, and beautiful write ups-- another reason I am proud to support. I agree with the content warning about the first audio clip. Thanks guys for this ep
Daniel Hentschel
2020-08-29 23:25:24 +0000 UTCWell that solves it everybody! I'm sure they can get you in touch with the family
Daniel Hentschel
2020-08-29 23:12:34 +0000 UTCThe history is obviously sketchy but it's quite clear she drove off the road.
Abby Moret
2020-08-29 19:38:58 +0000 UTCIn what way, if you don't mind elaborating?
Andrea Johnson
2020-08-29 19:07:50 +0000 UTCPlease, please include a warning before playing distressing audio such as the audio of the woman groaning. It would take no more than a moment to add "The audio of this call follows" to the script and would give listeners the option to skip forward past that audio and allow listeners to prepare ourselves for it.
Orion Pax
2020-08-29 19:03:36 +0000 UTCThis is a bit of a reach.
Abby Moret
2020-08-29 11:45:14 +0000 UTCThank you. Xx
Kath Tee
2020-08-29 09:59:05 +0000 UTCAwesomeness 👏 Thanks always for the early post. Eagerly waiting to listen to this one.
Abhi Ram
2020-08-29 09:54:02 +0000 UTC
