The Skeleton Key Chronicles

12 hours ago

On the morning of July 14th, 1966, Chicago awoke to a story that would make headlines across the country. Eight student nurses had been found inside the townhouse they shared on the city's South Side. A ninth nurse was found alive after hiding quietly for hours, becoming the only eyewitness to what had happened.

Earlier that evening, the group had returned to the townhouse they shared while training through South Chicago Community Hospital's nursing program. At some point during the night, a man entered the home. By morning, eight of the young women had lost their lives.

A student nurse named Corazon "Cora" Amurao remained hidden beneath a bed until she believed it was safe to come out. Cora's eyewitness account gave investigators their first real break in the case. Just days later, Richard Speck was taken into custody and later convicted. The case also led many hospitals and nursing programs to reexamine security at student housing.

While the investigation became known around the world, the young women themselves were often remembered simply as "the student nurses." Each had a name, a family and plans for the future, working toward careers devoted to helping others. Today, we remember them.

🕯️ Gloria Jean Davy, 22, had recently returned from a trip to Europe.
🕯️ Mary Ann Jordan, 20, had stopped by to visit her roommate, Suzanne Farris.
🕯️ Merlita Gargullo, 22, had traveled from the Philippines to study nursing.
🕯️ Nina Jo Schmale, 24, had already earned a college degree before pursuing nursing.
🕯️ Pamela Wilkening, 20, was remembered for her organization and attention to detail.
🕯️ Patricia Matusek, 20, was a former athlete who chose a career in nursing.
🕯️ Suzanne Farris, 21, was planning to be married later that summer.
🕯️ Valentina Pasion, 23, had also come from the Philippines to study nursing.

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The Skeleton Key Chronicles

16 hours ago

A year after New Hampshire's longtime Jane Doe was finally identified as Nancy Gale Erickson, investigators are still working to piece together what happened during the final months of her life. While finally giving her back her name was a major milestone, the investigation into how she ended up in the woods outside Marlborough in 1974 is far from over. Today, investigators are hoping they may hear from someone who still remembers Nancy or spent time with her during the final months of her life.

A little background, Nancy grew up in Elmira, New York, studied nursing at Corning Community College before moving to Tampa, Florida, where she briefly worked at Tampa General Hospital. In 1973, she unexpectedly left Florida carrying only a duffel bag and eventually made her way to Brattleboro, Vermont. There, she found work at the Brattleboro Retreat and was living at the Community House before she disappeared in late 1973. Her unidentified remains were found near Route 124 outside Marlborough, New Hampshire, the following spring, but it would take another 50 years before investigators were able to identify her as Nancy Gale Erickson.

If you attended Corning Community College during 1971 and 1972, worked at Tampa General Hospital between 1972 and 1973, worked at the Brattleboro Retreat in 1973, or lived at or had connections to the Community House in Brattleboro that same year investigators would like to speak with you. Sometimes the smallest detail is the one that changes everything.

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The Skeleton Key Chronicles

21 hours ago

For the past two weeks, crews with excavators, dump trucks and forensic teams have been digging at a rural property in Talladega County, Alabama. Despite the massive operation, investigators have revealed very little about what they're searching for. The only explanation they've offered is that the entire operation began after they received a tip tied to an ongoing investigation in Pell City.

The large scale dig has sparked so many questions that investigators say people have been calling various nearby agencies asking whether the excavation could be connected to their missing loved ones. One family keeping a close eye on the search is that of Felicia Cochran.

Felicia was 26 years old when she disappeared from Pell City on June 11, 1992. Before leaving her mother's home around 6 p.m., she asked one of her daughters if she wanted to go to the beauty parlor with her. Her daughter decided to stay home, and Felicia left alone in her gray 1987 Nissan Sentra, possibly headed toward Birmingham. She never returned. Less than 12 hours later, her car was found abandoned and burned on an isolated road in Talladega County. Felicia was the mother of three and has never been found. More than three decades later, her family has publicly wondered whether this excavation could finally bring answers, although there has been no indication that the search is connected to her case.

The FBI has since joined the investigation, while forensic specialists from Jacksonville State University's Center for Applied Forensics continue working alongside local and state investigators. For now, crews remain at the site along Wolf Pond Road as they continue following the mysterious tip that brought them there. Time will tell.

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