Buried Bones - a historical true crime podcast with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes The Freeway Phantom Murders PT 2
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Mar 4, 2026 A deep dive into linked killings and mysterious body placements along highways. They examine taunting notes, odd handwriting, and peculiar victim contact points like bus routes. Forensic clues such as green fibers and possible bath mat links come up. The episode explores suspects with violent histories, informant leads, and the limits of early profiling and lost evidence.
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Victimology And Dump Patterns
- The Freeway Phantom targeted Black girls aged ~10–16 who were often contacted on foot near stores or bus stops.
- Victims were typically strangled, redressed, and dumped close to highways, sometimes with shoes missing, suggesting dump-and-run behavior.
Taunting Calls And Escalation
- The killer sometimes called families and permitted at least one victim to phone home, indicating he sought attention and control.
- Discovery times shortened over cases, with some bodies found within hours, implying escalating proximity to victims' last-seen locations.
Brenda Woodard Wig And Note
- On Nov 16, 1971 a fully clothed 18-year-old Brenda Woodard was found off Route 202 with her wig 30 yards away in a median.
- A handwritten note in her pocket read, "I will admit the others when you catch me if you can, freeway phantom."
