BRIGHTON — Kathy Kemmerling, 33, has always been fascinated by true crime.
The Howell native decided to use that curiosity to start a podcast to raise awareness about unsolved cases in Michigan.
“Cold Cases with Cassy” is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon. Kemmerling started his podcast last October.
Her first episode was about 16-year-old Kimberly Louiselle, who disappeared in March 1982. Her body was discovered a month later at Island Lake Recreation Area in Green Oak Township. According to Hometown Life, police used DNA evidence to identify murder suspect Charles David Shaw last September.
Shaw was also identified in February 2023 as a suspect in the 1983 murder of 19-year-old Christina Castiglione of Redford. According to the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Shaw died of asphyxiation in November 1983.
Kemmerling investigated Louisel's case before it was solved and was encouraged by a Michigan State Police detective/sergeant. Larry Rothman continues the episode.
The Adrian Daily Telegram reported that Kemmerling recently published an episode about 29-year-old Mary Alice Ellicott, who was last seen at the Polar Bear Bar in Saline in 1981 and then murdered.
The research was difficult, Kemmerling said. She visits libraries, the Internet, and contacts her contacts.
“If you don't take chances, all opportunities are lost,” Kemmerling said. “I try my best to reach as many people as possible. It's a tough job, but I enjoy it.”
Kemmerling is currently investigating the cold cases of Ruth Ann Postiff and Paige Renkoski. Postiff, a 17-year-old from Dearborn, disappeared in October 1973, according to the Detroit Free Press. She was found dead on a county road northeast of Ypsilanti.
Lenkoski, 30, disappeared in May 1990 and was last seen talking to a man on the shoulder of westbound Interstate 96 east of the Fowlerville exit, according to the Lansing State Journal. That's what it means.
Mr. Kemmerling thanked law enforcement for their work on cold cases, noting that these types of cases are difficult for the victims' families, friends and communities.
“There's a lot to think about, and it's sad to know that the family doesn't have answers,” Kemmerling said.
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Mr Kemmerling, who lives in Brighton, is receiving support from his family. Her father, William Kotinski, is retired from the Michigan State Police. Her sister, Stephanie Sledzinski, assists with the interview. Kemmerling has also received positive reviews from listeners for her first episode.
“I'm proud of where I'm at,” Kemmerling said.
Kemmerling partnered with the Livingston County Animal Shelter and ended the episode with a special call for animals to find homes.
“Cold Cases with Cassy” can be found on Instagram: @cold_cases_with_cassy.
— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: New podcast raises awareness about Michigan's cold cases
