256 - The Vanishing of Melanie Flynn Parts 1 & 2
On January 26th, 1977, twenty-four year old Melanie Flynn walked out from her Lexington, Kentucky job, climbed into her red, Ford Elite and drove off into the unknown. She has never been seen again. Immediately in the aftermath of her disappearance her father, former state senator Bobby Flynn, reached out a friend and police officer for help. He didn't expect the response he received.
The Police weren't all that interested or concerned. They brushed aside the family's worries and assured them that Melanie had likely gone off with friends and would come back sometime soon. It wasn't until ten days later, when the missing woman's car was found, that a detective was finally assigned to the case.
The initial investigation was described as poorly conducted and carried out by detectives who seemed indifferent to the plight of the Flynn's. When they received tips that the missing woman was seen in Florida they took that statements at face value and announced the case was closed.
It remained that way until a cop, the very one Bobby had reached out to, sat for a controversial interview where he blasted the victim, called her a slew of insults and then issued his belief that she'd run off on her own and didn't need to be found. This interview would unlock a door that revealed the dark indications of a grander conspiracy in which Melanie may have found herself caught.
In part 2 we examine the greater conspiracy surrounding the Vanishing of Melanie Flynn. Lexington Police Officer Bill Canan, who claimed to be using Melanie as a confidential informant for his undercover work in the drug scene is fired from his job for a multitude of reasons related to insubordination. Canan denies any involvement in Melanie’s disappearance or in any illegal activities. However, his partner, Drew Thornton, dies while flying a plane carrying two hundred pounds of cocaine into the United States from Columbia.
In the early 1990’s, former reporter Sally Denton releases a book entitled “The Bluegrass Conspiracy.” The book goes on to expose a massive drug and arm trafficking operation being carried out between South America and the US with local police as well as several federal agents working hand-in-hand with Pablo Escobar’s Medellin cartel. In addition to trafficking, there are cases of witness intimidation, theft, assault and even murder. Canan is eventually arrested, charged and convicted of cocaine trafficking. During his trial, several witnesses claim he was directly responsible for Melanie’s disappearance and murder.
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Obituary information for Ella Ritchey Crowe Flynn
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