A BONUS Episode on The Unsolved Murder of teenager Letha Rutherford
Monday May 27, 2024
In the latest episode of the Murder Police Podcast, we dive into the haunting and unresolved case of Letha, a woman whose murder has remained unsolved for over three decades. This episode features an intimate interview with Hannah Hafley, Letha’s niece, who has been passionately pursuing justice for her aunt since she was just 14 years old.
Hannah’s journey into her aunt’s case began when she stumbled upon a collection of Letha’s belongings, including old newspaper clippings and even a CD from a 2006 news segment by Lex 18. Despite never having met her aunt, Hannah felt an immediate connection, particularly because of the striking resemblance she shares with Letha. This connection fueled her determination to seek answers and reopen the case.
During the interview, Hannah reveals the emotional toll the unsolved murder has taken on her family, especially her father, Maurice, who was very close to Letha. Maurice has found it difficult to talk about his sister’s case, as the lack of closure has been a source of ongoing pain for him. Hannah’s quest for justice is not just for Letha, but also for her father and grandmother, who have been waiting for answers for far too long.
The episode also touches on the broader issue of community involvement in solving cold cases. Hannah urges anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that even small details can make a significant difference. The host echoes this sentiment, noting that community support could help either substantiate or dispel the many rumors surrounding the case.
One of the most poignant moments in the episode comes when Hannah imagines what she would say to Letha if given the chance. “I can’t believe I look just like you,” she says, reflecting on the uncanny resemblance between them. This moment encapsulates the deep, personal connection that drives Hannah’s relentless pursuit of justice.
As the episode concludes, listeners are reminded of the importance of keeping the memories of crime victims alive and the critical role that community involvement plays in solving these cases. The Murder Police Podcast continues to honor the lives of crime victims, ensuring their stories are not forgotten.
If you’re a fan of true crime and cold cases, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to hear Hannah Hafley’s compelling story and join the quest for justice for Letha. You can find the episode on your favorite podcast platform or visit the Murder Police Podcast website for more information.
Don’t miss this compelling episode – listen now and join the quest for truth and resolution in the face of the unknown.
Show Transcript
15140182-untitled-episode
Done
- Speakers
David Lyons 00:00
If you could say something to the community at whole, what could the community do? Do you think to maybe move Letha’s case? What would you ask them to do?
Hannah Hafley 00:10
Come forward with some things, because some things people knows and people don’t talk.
David Lyons 00:17
Warning the podcast you’re about to listen to may contain graphic descriptions of violent assaults, murder and adult language. Listener discretion is advised.
Hannah Hafley 00:27
Who killed Letha? A quick interview with her niece, Hannah Halfley.
David Lyons 00:52
Well, as part of the investigation and the discussion about Lita Rutherford’s case that’s over three decades long, we wanted to talk to some of the family members. In particular, a young lady named Hannah Haefeli reached out. In particular, a young lady named Hannah Haefeli reached out, and Hannah has taken a big interest in this decades-long case, even though she never got to meet her relatives. So I’m going to introduce you to Hannah. Hannah, how are you doing today?
Hannah Hafley 01:14
I’m doing good.
David Lyons 01:15
Good deal and tell us a little bit about you and how old you are and whatnot, real quick.
Hannah Hafley 01:22
I’m 20. I’ve been wanting to open this case up since I was about 14 when I learned about this case.
David Lyons 01:31
Gotcha, gotcha. I was going to say you know, never meeting Letha and everything. How did you? You said you were 14, that you got interested, how’d you hear about it and how did it hit you?
Hannah Hafley 01:40
Well, my dad has a bunch of her stuff. Um, one day I seen it and I wanted to look at the stuff that was hers. It’s all the newspapers and clippings of it and we actually had the cd. I got to find it, but we had the cd of the of us, like when, in 2006, um, and it’s from Lex 18.
David Lyons 02:04
Gotcha Okay, so they did carry it in 2006,. Lex 18 did too. Were you around for that, though, right?
Hannah Hafley 02:09
Yeah, I was probably about three. Okay, gotcha yeah.
David Lyons 02:12
So now you’re older and looking at it.
Hannah Hafley 02:14
Yeah.
David Lyons 02:15
So, and your dad, you mentioned that How’s he related to Letha?
Hannah Hafley 02:19
It’s his sister.
David Lyons 02:21
Gotcha. So, if we look back, maurice is his name correct. Yes, did he have a nickname, little Hog? Okay, we’ve got to get the nicknames in, because in this whole case, one of the things that’s intriguing is the nicknames. So I know that he was interviewed in the very beginning. If we look at old articles and things like that, does he talk about Letha’s case a lot lot.
Hannah Hafley 02:47
Well, I have to speak about it first before he says anything because it upsets him all them years. You know of it being nobody knowing who done it or what not, but he talks about her, about what they used to do when they was younger and they was really close. They was like maybe about two years apart from each other, but they was really close.
David Lyons 03:03
Gotcha, so you learned about this when you were 14. What struck you? What got to you about it?
Hannah Hafley 03:10
Well, it was my dad’s only sister and so I don’t have much family with his side of the family that actually anyways comes around. But when I seen it and I was wondering, was wondering like it’s been all these years, why was there no answers about her case? So especially people in my family has said that I’ve resemble her, so it made me want to start the case back up again.
David Lyons 03:39
I can see the resemblance. You know, because you all got some awesome pictures that are better than what’s in the paper of her, and definitely you do so as a 14-year-old, you get interested in that and you’re right over 30 years we’re looking at about 32 years at the time that we’re recording this that is a long time. What would your if we had an outcome of this? And then, of course, we know we can’t bring Letha back.
Hannah Hafley 04:06
But what would your desired perfect outcome be, as a niece, justice for my dad and my grandma?
David Lyons 04:12
Yeah, for sure, the people who are left behind because they’ve been waiting for that long. Yeah, if you could say something to the community at Hoh, what could the community do, do you think to maybe move Letha’s case? What would you ask them to do?
Hannah Hafley 04:28
Come forward with some things, because some things people knows and people don’t talk.
David Lyons 04:33
Yeah, that’s a problem for a bunch of reasons. So we definitely want that. We know there’s some rumors. We won’t go into the rumors we’re big on this show about not talking details about rumors but maybe if enough people came forward, they could either make the rumors stand up or fall down, and they could get on to something else too. What would you say to Letha If, just in some magical way, you were able to meet your aunt? What would you say to Letha?
Hannah Hafley 05:02
I probably would say I can’t believe I look just like you, because it’s like looking in a mirror, especially when you put my pictures of me being a baby up to her. It’s like you couldn’t even tell who’s who.
David Lyons 05:18
Yeah, you look just like. Yeah. I think when people see the pictures and stuff, they’re going to say the same thing too yeah, hey, you know there’s more to the story, so go download the next episode, like the true crime fan that you are. Download the next episode like the true crime fan that you are. The Murder Police Podcast is ed by Wendy and David Lyons and was created to honor the lives of crime victims, so their names are never forgotten. It is produced, recorded and edited by David Lyons.
05:42
The Murder Police Podcast can be found on your favorite Apple or Android podcast platform, as well as at murderpolicepodcastcom, where you will find show notes, transcripts, information about our presenters and a link to the official Murder Police Podcast merch store, where you can purchase a huge variety of Murder Police Podcast swag. We are also on Facebook, instagram and YouTube, which is closed caption for those that are hearing impaired. Just search for the Murder Police Podcast and you will find us. If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe for more and give us five stars and a written review. On Apple Podcasts or wherever you download your podcasts, make sure you set your player to automatically download new episodes so you get the new ones as soon as they drop and please tell your friends.
David Lyons 06:31
Lock it down. Judy.
00:00 / 06:33
Episode Keywords
True Crime, Cold Case, Unsolved Murder, Family Interview, Letha’s Case, Justice For Letha, Maurice’s Story, Hannah Hafley, Decades-Long Mystery, Community Involvement, Seeking Justice, Podcast Interview, Crime Investigation, Family Resemblance, Lex 18 Coverage, Murder Mystery, Victim’s Family, Crime Victims, Investigative Journalism, Murder Police Podcast