218: Hannah Kobayashi’s Father Dead, Man Who Faked Death Speaks Out, Teen Leaves Dead Baby in Box, & Girl Found Dead on Alaskan Trail
In the SERIALously podcast, this episode delves into disturbing cases involving missing persons and suspicious deaths. It examines the story of Ryan Borgwart, who faked his own death to start a new life abroad, and the tragic drowning of Wan Jang at a Dartmouth party after underage drinking. The episode also explores personal tragedies, including Savannah Copeland's brutal murder by a teenage acquaintance and the devastating impact Hannah Kobayashi's disappearance had on her father.
The summary further touches on crimes involving teenagers, such as a concealed teen pregnancy resulting in a newborn's death and Angela Newberry's attempt to abandon the deceased infant at a safe haven box. These cases underscore the complex issues surrounding underage drinking, mental health challenges, and the harrowing consequences of youth crimes.
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1-Page Summary
Cases of missing persons/suspicious deaths
Ryan Borgwart faked his own death to run away to Europe
Authorities initially suspected Ryan Borgwart drowned in a kayaking accident. Later, they confirmed he staged his death to be with a woman he met online, incurring significant search costs. Ryan fled via bus and plane to Eastern Europe, but his family is urging his return as he likely faces criminal charges.
Wan Jang's suspicious death after an underage drinking party
Wan Jang attended a party with underage drinking hosted by Alpha Phi sorority and Beta Alpha Omega fraternity. He drowned in a river after attendees went swimming. Two fraternity members and the sorority face charges for providing alcohol to minors. Despite hazing rumors, police deny these claims, but Dartmouth suspended the Greek chapters involved.
Suspicious death of Alina Tonus in Alaska
Alina Tonus was found dead under suspicious circumstances near a trail in Wasilla. Her death is believed to involve drug use and mental health issues. Authorities await toxicology reports to determine charges.
Underage drinking and tragic consequences
Wan Jang's drowning death at Dartmouth party
Wan Jang, unable to swim, drowned after a party where fraternity members provided alcohol to underage attendees like himself. Unaware Wan was missing, others left him behind when going for a dangerous swim in the Connecticut River.
Dartmouth is increasing security, lighting, and mandatory water safety training in response.
Family/personal tragedies
Hannah Kobayashi's father Ryan's suicide after her disappearance
Ryan Kobayashi died by suicide after his daughter Hannah went missing on Maui. His obsessive search and lack of answers devastated him. The family is grappling with both tragedies.
Murder of 13-year-old Savannah Copeland
Savannah was murdered by 15-year-old acquaintance Malachi Harris in Powell. She was found stabbed on a trail after going missing from cheerleading practice. Her family cherishes memories of her vibrant personality.
Crimes involving teenagers
Malachi Harris charged as adult for murdering Savannah Copeland
Malachi Harris, 15, will be tried as an adult for the brutal stabbing murder of 13-year-old Savannah Copeland, similar to another recent teen-on-teen killing case.
18-year-old Angela Newberry charged for leaving deceased newborn in safe haven box
Angela Newberry, 18, concealed her pregnancy and placed her deceased newborn in a safe haven baby box in Blackfoot, Idaho. She faces charges as safe haven laws only protect surrendering live infants. More charges are possible.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can enhance your personal safety by creating a plan for checking in with friends or family when attending events or traveling. Explain to your contacts the importance of this routine, set specific times for check-ins, and share your location using smartphone features or apps like Find My Friends or Google Trusted Contacts. This way, if you don't check in as planned, your contacts will know to follow up on your safety.
- Develop a deeper understanding of the legal system by attending public court sessions. Look up the schedule for your local courthouse and sit in on a few trials or hearings. This firsthand experience will give you insight into how charges are presented and how the court addresses cases similar to those you heard about, without needing any legal expertise.
- Educate yourself on the safe haven laws in your area by researching online and then sharing this information within your community. Use social media, community bulletin boards, or local newsletters to spread awareness about the options available for safely surrendering a newborn, emphasizing the legal and safe processes in place to protect both the child and the parent.
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Cases of missing persons/suspicious deaths
Recent cases of missing individuals and suspicious deaths have raised concerns and led to extensive investigations by authorities.
Police confirm Wisconsin man Ryan Borgwart faked his own death to run away to Europe
The police initially suspected Ryan Borgwart may have drowned in a kayaking accident but later confirmed he had faked his own death to be with a woman he met online. Ryan's elaborate plan included overturning his kayak, dumping his phone in a lake, and escaping via bus and plane to Eastern Europe—which cost authorities between 35 to 40 thousand dollars in search efforts. Despite his family's shock and his expression of regret, Ryan has indicated he does not yet want to return and will likely face criminal charges in the U.S. The FBI is involved, and authorities are in daily email communication with Ryan, urging him to come back home.
Suspicious death of Dartmouth College student Wan Jang after an off-campus party with underage drinking
Wan Jang's body was discovered in the Connecticut River with a blood alcohol content over twice the legal limit after attending a party with underage drinking. The party, hosted by Alpha Phi sorority and Beta Alpha Omega fraternity, ended with attendees going swimming in a river where Wan, who couldn't swim, was left behind during heavy rain. Two fraternity members, Matthew Catrambone and Samuel Terry, and the Alpha Phi sorority face misdemeanor charges for providing alcohol to underage attendees. Despite rumors of hazing, police ...
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Cases of missing persons/suspicious deaths
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can enhance your personal safety by sharing your location in real-time with trusted contacts when attending events or exploring unfamiliar areas, using apps like Find My Friends or Google Maps' location-sharing feature. This proactive measure ensures someone knows your whereabouts, which could be crucial in emergencies or unexpected situations, much like the cases discussed where individuals went missing or were found in dangerous circumstances.
- Improve your awareness of the legal implications of your actions by attending a community workshop on local laws, especially those related to alcohol consumption and hosting events. This knowledge can help you make informed decisions and avoid unintentional legal issues, as seen in the cases where individuals faced charges due to providing alcohol to minors. ...
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Underage drinking and tragic consequences
A devastating incident at Dartmouth College highlights the grave risks of underage drinking coupled with inadequate water safety measures.
Dartmouth College party leads to drowning death of student Wan Jang
The loss of Wan Jang, a bright and aspiring student, followed an off-campus gathering known to be hosted by the Alpha Phi sorority.
Party was hosted by a sorority with alcohol provided by fraternity members over 21
Fraternity members over 21 were the sources of alcohol at a sorority-hosted party. This event led to an unplanned and tragic swimming incident in the Connecticut River.
Many attendees, including Wan who couldn't swim, went swimming in a river and left without realizing Wan was missing
During the festivities, Wan Jang, along with other attendees, entered the river for a swim. Unaware that Wan, who could not swim, was in distress, the partygoers left the site leaving him behind.
Tragic consequences of underage drinking and lack of water safety
Wan Jang, a student dreamer with noble ambitions, became a tra ...
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Underage drinking and tragic consequences
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can create a personal safety plan for social events that includes checking in with friends at designated times and having a designated sober person who remains aware of everyone's location.
- This strategy ensures that in any social gathering, there's a system in place to notice if someone goes missing or is in a potentially dangerous situation. For example, before going to a party, agree with your friends that you'll text each other every hour or so to confirm everyone's safety, and decide who will abstain from drinking to keep an eye on the group.
- Develop a habit of assessing risks in recreational activities by researching and understanding the potential dangers of environments you're unfamiliar with.
- Being proactive about your safety can prevent accidents. If you're going to a new place, like a beach or a hiking trail, take time to look up any warnings or past incidents. This could involve reading about the area online, checking for strong currents if swimming, or looking for wildlife advisories if you're in nature.
- Voluntee ...
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Family/personal tragedies
The communities around the Kobayashi and Copeland families are grappling with heartrending losses that have shocked and saddened many. The tragic events have brought attention to the profound grief that can strike families confronted with the unexplained disappearance or violent death of a loved one.
Missing Maui woman Hannah Kobayashi's father Ryan dies by suicide after searching for her
The search for missing Maui woman, Hannah Kobayashi, has taken a grim turn with news of her father’s suicide.
Ryan's devastation over his daughter's disappearance and lack of answers believed to have led him to take his own life
Ryan Kobayashi, 58, exhibited signs of extreme despair following his daughter's disappearance, which had left her whereabouts unknown for two weeks. His obsessive search for Hannah and the ensuing lack of answers may have contributed to his decision to end his life. Ryan died after jumping from the seventh floor of a parking structure near LAX airport.
Family expresses profound suffering and grief over compounded tragedies
The Kobayashi family has endured an immense amount of suffering and grief, dealing with two devastating events within a short period. A statement released by a nonprofit working with the family described their trauma as profound and their sorrow immeasurable. This compounded tragedy has left them to navigate both the search for Hannah, who is believed to be in imminent danger, and the grief from the loss of the family's pillar, Ryan.
Savannah Copeland, 13, murdered by 15-year-old acquaintance Malachi Harris
Another family, the Copelands, are facing their own dark journey after the murder of their daughter, Savannah, who was just 13 years old.
Savannah's body was found on a wooded trail in the Broadacre subdivision in Powell, after she failed to return home from cheering at a school basketball game. Her parents had tried to track her movements through the Life360 app, but they were unable to locate her after her phone died. S ...
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Family/personal tragedies
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can create a personal safety plan that includes regular check-ins with family or friends, especially when going to unfamiliar places or meeting new people. This strategy helps to ensure that someone always knows your whereabouts, which can be crucial in emergencies. For example, use a shared calendar or a location-sharing app to keep trusted contacts informed of your plans and movements.
- Develop a habit of journaling to process emotions and cope with grief or loss. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a therapeutic way to deal with complex emotions. Start with a simple notebook or a digital journal app and dedicate a few minutes each day to reflect on your feelings, memories of loved ones, or any stressors in your life. ...
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Crimes involving teenagers
Recent crimes involving teenagers have gained attention due to their severity and the questions they raise about legal responses to juvenile offenses.
15-year-old Malachi Harris charged as adult for murdering 13-year-old Savannah Copeland
Prosecutors in Powell, Tennessee, have decided to try 15-year-old Malachi Harris as an adult for the murder of 13-year-old Savannah Copeland. Savannah was found stabbed multiple times after Malachi, known to the Copeland family, attacked her with a pocket knife in the woods. The motive for this brutal attack remains unclear. Savannah's father is reported to have complex feelings about Malachi, who was close with the family. This tragic incident bears resemblance to another case, where a 14-year-old boy was tried and sentenced as an adult for murdering a young cheerleader. Malachi's forthcoming hearing on January 14, 2025, will determine if he will indeed be tried as an adult.
18-year-old Angela Newberry charged after leaving deceased newborn in safe haven baby box
In Blackfoot, Idaho, 18-year-old Angela Newberry is facing charges for the illegal abandonment of her deceased newborn in a safe haven baby box at Grove Creek Medical Center. She had concealed her pregnancy, given birth in secrecy, and attempted to care for the baby on her own. The investigation revealed that the baby was alive at birth, but noises from the infant ceased the morning Angela placed her in the box, and it was unclear whether the baby was alive during the drive to the hospital.
Angela had ini ...
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Crimes involving teenagers
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can deepen your understanding of juvenile justice by researching the criteria used to try minors as adults in your state. Look up your state's legal statutes online or visit a local law library to learn about the age of criminal responsibility and the factors that influence whether a minor is tried as an adult. This knowledge can help you engage more thoughtfully in community discussions about youth crime and justice.
- Enhance your awareness of safe haven laws by contacting a local safe haven provider to learn about the correct use of these services. You might call a nearby hospital or fire station that serves as a safe haven and ask for informational materials or a brief explanation of the process. This will equip you with accurate information to share with others who may be in need or to correct misconceptions in your community.
- Volunteer with organizations that s ...
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