Don't Talk to Strangers.

Welcome back to this mini-season of Don't Talk to Strangers.

This week, we talk about the murders, the investigation, and the trial.

But before we dig in,

I've received several messages about Leslie Allen Williams.

We talked about him briefly in episode one,

and yes, he does deserve more coverage.

He was a violent and terrifying serial killer.

I will be covering him in an upcoming episode of the

Already Gone podcast, so keep an eye out for that in early spring. When we left off, Jennifer Wicks

and Casey Fialek, both 12 years old and just weeks from starting seventh grade. The girls were

farewelled in emotional, well-attended funerals, with hundreds mourning the young lives

caught tragically short. For this episode, we must rewind. Back to the night the girls

disappeared, before anyone knew they were missing, before two families were living their worst nightmare.

And if you haven't listened to episode one, please go back and do so before you continue.

On August 8, 1995, Casey and Jennifer are having a sleepover at Casey's house.

This was not unusual, as the girls were friends,

and Jennifer often stayed the night. This night, however, was different. The girls locked

themselves in a bedroom as if they were settled in for the evening, and without anyone noticing,

they snuck out the bedroom window and disappeared into the night.

I'm sure they had what they thought was a foolproof plan.

Sneak out, meet an older guy to buy beer, and then sneak back in later with the beer,

...