The "Dakota Spotlight" true-crime podcast brings light to stories from the Upper Midwest, with powerful storytelling, compassion for the victims, and a search for understanding. The podcast was created by host James Wolner in 2019. Find documents, photos, and other content right here. Listen to all "Dakota Spotlight" episodes here or on Apple,Spotify, Stitcher or Google.And Find content related for each season below.
In the current season, James is joined by FCC journalist Jeremy Fugleberg as the two look for answers in the mysterious disappearance of Kristin Diede and Bob Anderson. James and Jeremy work with family members and friends to untangle what happened, in a case that stretches from Minnesota to the Dakotas and remains unsolved after nearly three decades.
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Barbara Cotton was reportedly last seen walking toward her Williston, N.D., home on 1981. The 15-year-old never arrived at her destination and was never heard from again. The clues have been few, and her case was never solved. "Dakota Spotlight" host James Wolner investigates this cryptic cold case and talks to the people left to grieve Barbara's disappearance.
In August of 1978, outside of the city of Fargo, North Dakota, a man canoeing in the Red River came across two plastic garbage bags. Police discovered the severed body of William Wolf Jr, otherwise known as Billy. To this day, the reason for Billy's murder remains a mystery to the community.
In Season 3, "Dakota Spotlight" looks into the gruesome, baffling, and heart-wrenching murder of Barbara and Gordon Erickstad. The two were killed in their Bismarck home by their son, 18-year-old Brian Erickstad, and his friend, 27-year-old Robert Lawrence in 1998. What emerged was a story of profoundly misguided loyalties among a circle of young friends.
Season three features both audio and video storytelling, taking advantage of news footage and images available.
