The Skeleton Key Chronicles

11 hours ago

Seven years ago today, 26-year-old Khiara Henry was nearing the end of a vacation in Maui. She still had plans to return home to San Diego, but instead, the final days of her trip became the beginning of a mystery that has never been explained.

Khiara had arrived on the island a few days earlier and was staying at a hotel in Kihei. On July 21st, 2019, she checked out, rented a car in Kahului, and spent the day driving toward Maui's eastern coastline. Investigators later determined she made her way to Waiʻānapanapa State Park, one of the last places she is known to have visited.

When Khiara didn't return home as expected, her family reported her missing. Two days after she was last seen, her rental car was found parked at Waiʻānapanapa. Her luggage, identification, and credit cards were still inside, but her cell phone, car keys, and a small backpack were gone.

Khiara was scheduled to fly home to San Diego on July 29th, 2019, but she never boarded her flight. Despite searches of the park and surrounding area, no trace of her was found. Over the years, there have been reported sightings of Khiara on the Big Island and in other locations, but none have been confirmed, and no leads have led investigators to her.

Seven years later, Khiara's disappearance remains an active missing person case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Maui Police Department.

More info 👇 … See MoreSee Less

The Skeleton Key Chronicles

14 hours ago

More than 30 years after Patrick Dearth disappeared, the break investigators had been waiting for came from a confession no one expected.

Patrick Dearth was 34 years old when he disappeared from the Fairbanks area in November 1993. As the years turned into decades, there were fewer and fewer clues about what had happened to him, and eventually the investigation went cold.

Then, more than 30 years later, Alaska State Troopers received a tip no one saw coming. In January 2025, an anonymous caller claimed to have been responsible for Patrick's death. It wasn't just a single admission. Investigators say the caller continued contacting law enforcement as the investigation unfolded, repeatedly claiming responsibility. The information eventually led the Cold Case Unit to a remote area north of Fairbanks. Once enough snow had melted in the spring of 2025, investigators searched the area and found a barrel down a steep embankment beside a highway. Inside were human remains later identified as Patrick through forensic testing.

As detectives worked to verify the information, they eventually identified the caller as Christopher Popps, who authorities say had worked with Patrick at an auto shop in 1993. Investigators believe an altercation between the two men ended with Patrick's death before his remains were concealed in the remote location.
In June 2026, a grand jury indicted Popps in connection with Patrick's death. He was later taken into custody in Michigan and is currently awaiting extradition to Alaska, where the case will now move through the court system.

Details 👇 … See MoreSee Less

The Skeleton Key Chronicles

20 hours ago

Nearly four years after Samantha Dawn Bratcher disappeared from the Drakesboro, Kentucky area the questions surrounding the events leading up to her disappearance are just as puzzling as they were that November day. 32-year-old Samantha Bratcher was last seen on November 5th, 2021. We know at the time of her disappearance she was driving a silver 2004 Nissan Altima. Beyond that, the details of that day are scattered. At some point, there were reports that she had been dropped off at Jumpin' Jack's Truck Stop in Morgantown. But when investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the truck stop, they found no evidence that Samantha had ever been there. Also of note, Samantha's sister said she had been with her boyfriend and several friends the day before she went missing.

Samantha was the mother of two young children, and her family says it would have been completely out of character for her to leave without contacting them. They have continued searching for answers ever since.

Another interesting detail, just ten days before Samantha disappeared, she had undergone a procedure to remove her left eye. So she had not yet received a prosthetic, making it one of the most distinctive details investigators have shared in hopes someone might recognize her.

Authorities have released very few details about what may have happened, but they have said they believe Samantha's disappearance may involve foul play. Despite years of searching, Samantha has never been located, and no one has been charged in connection with her case.

Today, nearly four years later, her family is still searching for answers and hoping someone remembers something that could help explain what happened to Samantha. Anyone with information about Samantha Bratcher's disappearance is asked to contact the Kentucky State Police Post or KSP Tip Line. You can remain anonymous.

Details 👇 … See MoreSee Less