Since 1987, “Unsolved Mysteries” has brought attention to missing persons cases, murder cases and even legends that otherwise may have been forgotten.
The original series aired on NBC and was narrated by late American actor Robert Stack from 1987 to 2002. His deep voice and trench coat were staples during his tenure on the mystery series.
The show ran until 2010 and was revived by Netflix in 2020. The streaming service dropped 12 new episodes during its first reboot season.
In recreating the show, producers hoped to highlight cold cases that could lead to new tips or leads.
“Fusing signature elements from the original series with contemporary immersive, character-driven storytelling, the new episodes offer clues and theories with the hope that one viewer holds the key to solving the mystery,” Netflix posted in June 2020 teasing new episodes.
How many cases have been solved due to ‘Unsolved Mysteries?’
Just one day after the Netflix reboot was released in 2020, producers received what they deemed 20 credible tips.
Executive producer Terry Dunn Meurer told USA TODAY in 2020 that the original mystery series helped solve over 260 cases thanks to tips and new tools like DNA testing.
Producers passed the tips to authorities, Meurer said.
As of May 2023, one case has been solved thanks to the rebooted series: the story of Kayla Unbehaun.
The girl, then 9 years old, was with her mother for a court-ordered visitation in July 2017. When her father, who had custody of her, went to pick her up, she was long gone.
Her story wasn’t the subject of an entire episode, but Netflix showed viewers a photo of the girl during the roll call portion of the show, where photos of missing and wanted people in unrelated cases are displayed. Roll calls aren’t shown at the end of each episode but Kayla’s photo was shown at the end of an episode released in November 2022.
On Saturday, just over six months after her photo was displayed in the series, a store owner in Asheville, North Carolina recognized the girl from the show. Police were called and the girl’s mother was arrested. The girl, now 15 years old, is back with other family members.
Netflix excitedly shared a post about her Tuesday, noting that “An Unsolved Mysteries viewer has closed a case.”
New developments in other ‘Unsolved Mysteries’ cases
After the first rebooted series premiered, Netflix received tips about featured cases and there were developments in at least one case.
Alonzo Brooks
One case viewers have reached out about includes the story of Alonzo Brooks, who at 23 years old went missing after a party in rural Kansas in 2004. He was one of three Black people at the party and had gone there with friends. He had no ride home and was found dead in a creek four weeks later.
The FBI announced in 2019 that his case would be reopened and in June 2020, offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported.
Also in 2020, Brooks was featured in an episode of “Unsolved Mysteries.” His episode, “No Ride Home,” was released on July 1 and just a few weeks later, his body was exhumed.
Producers reported at least three tips related to Brooks’ case and sent them to the FBI.
Netflix posted about the exhumation the day it happened.
“In 2004, a young Black man went missing in rural Kansas,” the company posted. “Today, the body of Alonzo Brooks was exhumed this morning after the FBI re-opened his case following his episode of Unsolved Mysteries.”
The company also pleaded for community members to come forward with information on Twitter using the hashtags #UnsolvedMysteries and #JusticeforAlonzoBrooks.
Rey Rivera
Netflix’s rebooted series has also led to tips about Rey Rivera, a Baltimore writer who received a phone call in May 2006, hurriedly left home and was found dead in a hotel conference room. His death was ruled a suicide but some don’t believe that’s where the investigation should’ve ended. His episode aired in July 2020 as well.
Lena Chapin
And lastly, “Unsolved Mysteries” producers received tips about Lena Chapin, whose episode also aired during volume one of the streaming service’s reboot. Chapin, who lived in Missouri, disappeared in 2006, three years after confessing that her mother killed her third husband, according to Women’s Health.
Before her disappearance, she was subpoenaed to testify, the outlet reported.
A spokesman for Netflix said Wednesday no other cases have been solved due to the show’s reboot but the company is remaining hopeful.
“We have no new developments to report at this time but are always hoping more cases will be solved,” Netflix told USA TODAY.
Contributing: Bill Keveney and Tim Hrenchir
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