Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations podcast

Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations

Dakota Spotlight is a true crime series investigating unsolved murders, cold cases, and missing persons in North Dakota and the Midwest. Hosted by investigative journalist James Wolner, each season takes a deep dive into one case, from rural crime and small town murders to decades-old disappearances. Through meticulous research, exclusive interviews, and on-the-ground reporting, Dakota Spotlight brings forgotten crimes back into the public eye and gives voice to victims and their families. Alongside full investigative seasons, the show also features shorter standalone episodes that explore individual mysteries in a single sitting. If you are drawn to investigative journalism, small town true crime, and real crime stories based on actual events, Dakota Spotlight offers gripping and respectful storytelling you will not forget.

Dakota Spotlight is a true crime series investigating unsolved murders, cold cases, and missing persons in North Dakota and the Midwest. Hosted by investigative journalist James Wolner, each season takes a deep dive into one case, from rural crime and small town murders to decades-old disappearances. Through meticulous research, exclusive interviews, and on-the-ground reporting, Dakota Spotlight brings forgotten crimes back into the public eye and gives voice to victims and their families. Alongside full investigative seasons, the show also features shorter standalone episodes that explore individual mysteries in a single sitting. If you are drawn to investigative journalism, small town true crime, and real crime stories based on actual events, Dakota Spotlight offers gripping and respectful storytelling you will not forget.

 

#211

Thanksgiving Treat (2): You Killed Chris - A Friend’s Fight for Justice

The second half concludes the You Killed Chris story — newly abridged and remastered. Thro... more

27 Nov 2025

1 HR 51 MINS

1:51:53

27 Nov 2025


#210

Thanksgiving Treat (1): You Killed Chris - A Friend’s Fight for Justice

A newly abridged and remastered two-part version of You Killed Chris: A Friend’s Fight for... more

27 Nov 2025

1 HR 52 MINS

1:52:32

27 Nov 2025


#209

A Halloween Throwback – Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

On October 27, 2007, Joel Lovelien stepped outside the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks, Nor... more

30 Oct 2025

43 MINS

43:31

30 Oct 2025


#208

The House on Sweet and Seventh (6): Escape to the Movies – A North Dakota True Crime Story

Episode 6, Escape to the Movies, brings forward Misty Jones — remembered as the girl with ... more

25 Sep 2025

41 MINS

41:36

25 Sep 2025


#207

The House on Sweet and Seventh (5): A Sick Salute – A North Dakota True Crime Story

The arrest of Brian Erickstad and Robert Lawrence confirmed their role in Barbara and Gord... more

25 Sep 2025

50 MINS

50:11

25 Sep 2025


#206

The House on Sweet and Seventh (4): One of These Days – A North Dakota True Crime Story

The night before Barbara and Gordon Erickstad’s murders revealed troubling signs in Bismar... more

25 Sep 2025

33 MINS

33:28

25 Sep 2025


#205

The House on Sweet and Seventh (3): Patience Pays Off – A North Dakota True Crime Story

Episode 3, Patience Pays Off, captures how patient police work broke open the Erickstad mu... more

25 Sep 2025

37 MINS

37:20

25 Sep 2025


#204

The House on Sweet and Seventh (2): Never Ever Narc – A North Dakota True Crime Story

Detective Lloyd Halvorson knew where to look for answers about the murders of Barbara and ... more

25 Sep 2025

47 MINS

47:53

25 Sep 2025


#203

The House on Sweet and Seventh (1): A Little Red Car – A North Dakota True Crime Story

September 1998 brought a chilling moment in Bismarck, North Dakota, when 17-year-old Aimee... more

25 Sep 2025

42 MINS

42:28

25 Sep 2025


#202

Introducing - Truer Crime

In July of 2018, 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts went on a run in her small hometown of Brookl... more

04 Sep 2025

35 MINS

35:52

04 Sep 2025


#201

The Real Catch Me If You Can: Javier Leiva on Debunking Frank Abagnale

What if 90% of Frank Abagnale’s claims are totally made up? In this special Dakota Spotlig... more

28 Aug 2025

53 MINS

53:26

28 Aug 2025