Charles & Jennifer Chia (Jack of Diamonds, Nevada)
Join hosts Ashley Flowers and Alan Fox on "The Deck," as they delve into the harrowing and unsolved mystery surrounding the abduction and murder of Charles and Jennifer Cha in 1989. Despite exhaustive search efforts and a high-profile extortion attempt, the children's tragic case remained cold for years until a grave discovery brought new hope to a grieving family. With guest Laura Conklin and a brief interlude for an advertisement, the episode stitches together a narrative that has continued to baffle investigators and touch the hearts of many.
In this episode, listeners are walked through the extensive but futile search efforts conducted by the Reno police and the series of ransom calls made by James Grooms, leading to his arrest on extortion charges but not the murder of the children. Forensic advancements promise a glimmer of hope, as Detective Fox and his team employ new DNA testing techniques on evidence that could be instrumental in bringing justice to light. "The Deck" presents a compelling reexamination of a devastating crime that has echoed through the decades.
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1-Page Summary
Murder of Charles and Jennifer Cha on October 18, 1989
The unsolved case of Charles and Jennifer Cha, who were tragically abducted and murdered on October 18, 1989, remains a chilling mystery. Extensive search efforts by law enforcement yielded disappointing results, and the children’s remains were not found until nine months later.
Law enforcement's extensive but unsuccessful search efforts to find the children in 1989
Despite prompt action by the children’s family and a thorough investigation by the Reno police, the search for Charles and Jennifer Cha initially led nowhere. The police worked closely with the substitute bus driver who drove the route on the day of the disappearance and canvassed the area with search dogs. They interviewed the children’s schoolmates, who gave conflicting reports about their last sightings, but these statements were never substantiated.
Ransom calls from James Grooms in 1989 demanding $100,000
Following the disappearance, James Grooms attempted to extort $100,000 from the children’s family. A combination of ransom calls led authorities to identify and trace the calls to Grooms. Despite the discovery, the subsequent raid on his home did not rescue the children.
James Grooms' arrest on extortion charges but lack of evidence he killed the children
James Grooms faced arrest for the extortion scheme and was convicted to a ten-year sentence. While evidence indicated Grooms was aware of the Chas—evidenced by a restaurant menu from their business in his possession—law enforcement could not link him to the actual murders. With no definitive proof and despite the suspicions and rumors surrounding Grooms’ criminal history, the law could not charge him with the deaths of the children.
The discovery of the children's remains 9 months later in a shallow grave near Portola, CA
The breakthrough discovery of the remains came nine months after the disappearance. A shallow grave near Portola, CA yielded bones and clothing that were identified as belonging to Charles and Jennifer.
Law enforcement's inability to determine how the children died from their remains
The forensic analysis of the remains failed to clarify the cause or manner of death due to the advanced state of decomposition. A vehicle resembling Grooms’ was reportedly seen at the site, albeit these claims clashed with Grooms' assertion and the verified location of the car in a repair shop during the relevant period. Additional reported findings of remains were not tested, adding to the frustrations surrounding the case.
New DNA testing being done in hopes of identifying the children's killer
In a renewed effort to resolve the mystery, Detective Fox and his team are leveraging advancements in DNA technology to reexamine the evidence collected from the grave site. Authorities are hopeful that the new testing will finally shed light on the identity of the children's killer, providing closure to a case that has endured for decades.
1-Page Summary
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Clarifications
- James Grooms attempted to extort money from the Cha family after the children's disappearance. While there was evidence linking Grooms to the Chas, such as possessing a menu from their business, law enforcement could not definitively connect him to the murders. Despite suspicions and his criminal history, Grooms was arrested for extortion but not for the deaths of Charles and Jennifer Cha.
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Murder of Charles and Jennifer Cha on October 18, 1989
The tragic case of Charles and Jennifer Cha's abduction and murder remains a complex investigation with few answers, despite extensive efforts by law enforcement.
Law enforcement's extensive but unsuccessful search efforts to find the children in 1989
After the children failed to return home from school, Ann's boyfriend began searching for them near the bus stop and around the apartment complex, as well as in the surrounding pastoral areas. He contacted the school and the family's restaurant but found no information on the children's whereabouts. Three hours later, the Reno police were called in and began a thorough search.
The police consulted the substitute bus driver and canvassed the neighborhood, but their search dogs did not pick up the children’s scents. Detectives interviewed schoolmates, some of whom claimed to have seen Charles and Jennifer on the bus and entering the apartment complex, but these accounts are not considered definitive by contemporary detectives.
Ransom calls from James Grooms in 1989 demanding $100,000
Not long after the children's disappearance, an anonymous man demanded $100,000 for their safe return during a phone call to the restaurant where Ann worked. The caller, later identified as James Grooms, made another ransom demand call on October 24th. The call was traced to Grooms' home, but a raid of the premises did not lead to the rescue of the children.
James Grooms' arrest on extortion charges but lack of evidence he killed the children
Grooms was arrested for trying to extort Ann and pleaded guilty to the extortion charge, receiving a ten-year sentence. Evidence suggested Grooms knew of the Cha children, as a menu from their family's restaurant was found in his home. Despite rumors of a history of child molestation and allegations that Grooms bragged about the murders in jail, there was no concrete evidence to charge him with the crimes. Grooms served nine years and maintained his innocence in the murders.
The discovery of the children's remains 9 months later in a shallow grave near Portola, CA
Over nine months post-disappearance, a shallow grave off US Highway 70 near Portola, CA was discovered by California Department of Transportation workers, where they found a skull and bones, along with ...
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Murder of Charles and Jennifer Cha on October 18, 1989
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- James Grooms was an individual who demanded ransom for the safe return of the Cha children after their abduction. He was later arrested for extortion but was not definitively linked to the murders due to a lack of concrete evidence connecting him to the crime. Despite suspicions and circumstantial connections, the exact nature of the relationship between the Cha family and James Grooms remains unclear in the investigation.
- The initial investigation into the abduction of Charles and Jennifer Cha in 1989 involved extensive search efforts by law enforcement, including canvassing the neighborhood, consulting with witnesses, and utilizing search dogs. Despite these efforts, the children were not located, leading to a ransom demand and subsequent arrest of a suspect, James Grooms, on extortion charges. The discovery of the children's remains nine months later near Portola, CA, raised further questions about the circumstances of their deaths, prompting ongoing investigative efforts, including new DNA testing.
- Sergeant Conklin reported finding bones believed to be additional remains of the Cha children, but these bones were never tested for reasons unknown.
- Detective Fox coming ou ...
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