Tracking the Truth: When Timelines Expose the Real Story

Second Edition

Author

David Yupa
September 25, 2024

This week’s newsletter is packed with mystery, intrigue, and exclusive updates! From Norway’s most mind-boggling case to some wild true crime myths we’ve got it all. Here’s what’s waiting for you:

  1. 🕵️‍♂️ Norway’s Most Baffling Mystery – Dive deep into the disappearance of Anne-Elisabeth Hagen. Is it a kidnapping, or something darker?

  2. 🤔 Crime Fact vs. Myth – Test your true crime knowledge. Can you spot the myth?

  3. 🧩 What Would You Do? – Think you’ve got what it takes to reconstruct a crime scene timeline? Give it a shot!

  4. 🎥 Behind the Scenes – Get the scoop on what’s coming next on our YouTube channel with real-time footage from case locations!

  5. 💡 Tip of the Week – Investigate the importance of timelines and how they’ve helped crack famous cases.

  6. 🔥 Diddy Combs Update – The latest on the arrest that’s got the music world buzzing.

  7. 🎁 Referral Program – Want cool rewards? Invite your friends and earn exclusive Case Crackers perks!

  8. 🔔 Join the Community – Want early access to episodes, behind-the-scenes footage, and more? Let’s take your true crime obsession to the next level!

So, grab your magnifying glass and let’s get cracking on this week’s mysteries!

Norway's Hunt for a Murderer

The Spectacular Case of Lørenskog

On October 31, 2018, the quiet town of Lørenskog, Norway, became the setting of one of the most puzzling cases in the country’s recent history. Anne-Elisabeth Hagen, 68, vanished from her home, leaving behind a trail of questions and fears that, to this day, remain unanswered. Anne-Elisabeth was married to Tom Hagen, one of the wealthiest men in Norway, a self-made millionaire who had built his fortune from humble beginnings in the electricity sector. The couple had just celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. To the outside world, they appeared to be a normal family living a modest life despite their immense wealth.

Anne-Elisabeth Hagen smiling

On the morning of her disappearance, Tom Hagen left for work, leaving Anne-Elisabeth at home. When he returned later that afternoon, the house was eerily silent. He called out for his wife, but she was nowhere to be found. The only trace of her was a chilling ransom note left on a chair in their hallway. The note demanded 9 million euros in cryptocurrency for her safe return, with the threat that if the money wasn’t paid, she would be killed. In a panic, Tom called the police.

What followed was an investigation that gripped not just the family, but an entire nation. For months, the police searched for Anne-Elisabeth, hoping against hope to find her alive. They scoured the lake near the family home, dug through the sewer systems, and meticulously combed through every inch of the Hagen house. Despite the intense investigation, there was no sign of Anne-Elisabeth, no hint of her whereabouts. And the ransom demand? It remained a mystery. Tom Hagen even transferred 1.3 million euros in cryptocurrency, desperately hoping for a sign of life, but the kidnappers never made further contact.

photo of the Hagen home

As the weeks turned into months, the initial hope that Anne-Elisabeth would be found alive began to fade. The police were forced to consider the grim possibility that she had been murdered. But who would want to harm her, and why? The case took a darker turn when it was revealed that Anne-Elisabeth had signed divorce papers shortly before her disappearance, signaling possible trouble in her marriage. Tom Hagen, who had presented himself as a devastated husband, was soon cast in a new light one of suspicion.

In 2020, more than a year after his wife’s disappearance, Tom Hagen was arrested. The police now believed the kidnapping was a staged event, a cover-up for a murder. They speculated that Tom might have orchestrated the crime, possibly hiring contract killers to murder his wife and stage her abduction. His motive? If the couple had divorced, Anne-Elisabeth could have been entitled to a large portion of his wealth.

The arrest made headlines across Norway, sparking debates and speculation. Was Tom Hagen a calculating murderer who had planned the perfect crime, or was he an innocent man caught in the web of a deeply confusing investigation? The public was divided, and for a brief moment, it seemed like the mystery was on the verge of being solved.

snapshot of Tom Hagen

But just as quickly as Tom Hagen was arrested, he was released. Despite the circumstantial evidence, there was no solid proof no body, no clear connection between Tom and the supposed kidnappers, and no trace of Anne-Elisabeth. The case that had captivated a nation seemed to stall, with the police at a dead end. Officially, Tom Hagen remains a suspect, but charges have never been filed against him, and he continues to insist on his innocence. He still lives in the house where Anne-Elisabeth disappeared, a constant reminder of the unsolved mystery.

Meanwhile, journalists, investigators, and even the general public remain obsessed with the case. Norway is a country known for its safety, and unsolved crimes are rare, which makes Anne-Elisabeth’s disappearance all the more unsettling. Her case has been the subject of countless articles, books, and even a Netflix series titled The Lørenskog Disappearance. In cafes, homes, and offices across the country, people discuss the case, often asking the same question:

What really happened to Anne-Elisabeth Hagen?

Netflix series “The Lørenskog Disappearance.

The trail has been cold for years, but there is one lead that investigators still hold onto: a digital trail. The ransom demand was made in cryptocurrency, a choice that points toward careful planning and a deep understanding of digital anonymity. The case took a strange twist when police discovered that an individual’s identity had been stolen to facilitate the crime. Ole Henrik Golf, a Norwegian entrepreneur, had his identity used to open the cryptocurrency accounts linked to the ransom. Police questioned him for hours after intercepting him at Oslo airport, but it soon became clear that he had no involvement. His passport had likely been stolen and sold on the dark web, leaving him entangled in a crime he knew nothing about.

Despite the years of investigation, police have yet to uncover the identity of those responsible for Anne-Elisabeth’s disappearance. In the years since, Tom Hagen’s home has been bugged, his car tracked, and every aspect of his life scrutinized. But no conclusive evidence has emerged to implicate him or anyone else in the crime. The police have not given up, and a team still works on the case daily, hoping for a breakthrough.

Photo of police investigators

Former police commissioner and crime author Jørn Lier Horst described the case as one of the strangest he has ever seen. He, like many Norwegians, initially believed that Tom Hagen might be involved, citing the statistical likelihood that husbands are often responsible in such cases. But the more time passes, the less certain anyone feels. Was it really Tom Hagen? Or is the true culprit someone lurking in the shadows, someone the investigators have yet to discover?

The uncertainty has left the case in a strange limbo. As the years go by, more and more people are beginning to fear that the mystery of Anne-Elisabeth Hagen will never be solved. How can a woman disappear so completely, leaving behind no clues, no witnesses, and no clear motive? For now, the questions remain unanswered, and Anne-Elisabeth’s fate remains a haunting enigma.

🔍 Crime Fact vs. Myth

🧠 Crime Fact: "Not all serial killers fit the 'loner' stereotype."

Contrary to popular belief, many serial killers live seemingly normal lives, blending in with society. Some even maintain jobs, relationships, and families. For example, Dennis Rader (the BTK killer) was a family man, a Cub Scout leader, and held a steady job no one in his community suspected his dark side for over 30 years.

This shows that appearances can be deceiving, even with the most dangerous individuals.

💭 Crime Myth: "Criminals always leave behind fingerprints."

While fingerprints are valuable, they aren’t always found at crime scenes. Many criminals wear gloves, wipe down surfaces, or avoid touching key areas. Plus, environmental factors like weather and surface texture can affect the ability to lift fingerprints.

Movies often exaggerate how easy it is to find and use them as foolproof evidence.

What Would You Do?🚓

Reconstructing the Crime Scene Timeline

You’ve just been handed a mysterious case 🧐. A local woman, Sarah Adams, was last seen leaving her friend’s house around 10:00 PM on a Tuesday night. Her car was found abandoned near a park at 10:30 PM, and her phone pinged off a cell tower near the park at 10:45 PM. However, her husband claims she called him at 11:00 PM to say she was on her way home—yet no further traces of Sarah have been found 🕰️.

Here’s what you know so far:

  • ⏰ 9:30 PM: Sarah arrives at her friend’s house for coffee ☕.

  • ⏰ 10:00 PM: She leaves her friend’s house, alone, in her car 🚗.

  • ⏰ 10:30 PM: Her car is discovered abandoned near a park 🌳.

  • ⏰ 10:45 PM: Her phone pings off a nearby cell tower 📡.

  • ⏰ 11:00 PM: Her husband claims she called to say she was on her way home, but there’s no evidence of this call in phone records 📞.

🔍 Your Challenge:
Recreate Sarah’s timeline using these clues. What do you think happened between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM? 🤔 Could her husband’s claim be accurate? Why was her car found near the park? And most importantly, where could she have gone? Share your theories 💬 and join the discussion let’s crack this case together! 🧩

join us next week to find out what we came up with!

🎥 Behind the Scenes: What’s Coming Next!

We’ve got some exciting cases lined up for you on the Case Crackers channel!, we’ve been deep into research to bring you the most gripping details.

📍 Exclusive Footage: We’ve captured real-time video from key locations—crime scenes, neighborhoods, and more—so you can see exactly where pivotal moments unfolded.

📂 Behind-the-Scenes Access: We’re diving into police reports, court files, and witness statements to uncover hidden clues and bring fresh insights to each case.

Stay tuned for these thrilling episodes packed with exclusive visuals and jaw-dropping twists!

Here a sneak peak…

Files/Footage for next video

Weapon used

Investigating the Timeline

Investigating the Timeline: Why Every Detail Matters!

In true crime investigations, the timeline of events is more than just a sequence of dates and times it's often the key to unravelling the truth. Whether you’re looking at a cold case or following a fresh lead, recreating a detailed timeline can help identify where things went wrong or reveal hidden clues.

A perfect example of the power of a timeline comes from the capture of Dennis Rader, better known as the "BTK" killer. For years, Rader taunted authorities while remaining elusive, committing murders between 1974 and 1991. It wasn’t until investigators meticulously pieced together a timeline of his activities including ATM withdrawals, work records, and even the exact times his victims were last seen that they found the inconsistencies they needed to zero in on him. By analyzing these small moments, they were able to connect Rader to the crimes he thought he had committed in the shadows.

Dennis Rader, better known as the "BTK

This just goes to show, every second counts! Whether you’re examining a well-known case or looking at a local mystery, constructing a timeline can expose new insights, challenge alibis, and even solve the case. So next time you’re sleuthing, grab a notepad, map out those key moments, and see what cracks open it might just lead you to the truth!

Usher speaks out after his Twitter/X account was wiped following Diddy arrest

Diddy was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transporting for prostitution last week

Diddy and Usher

The music world has been buzzing after Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was arrested in New York on Monday, September 16, facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting for prostitution. These charges follow a series of sexual misconduct allegations filed against Diddy over the past year.

Diddy has since been denied bail and is reportedly on suicide watch as he awaits trial. As the situation unfolds, Diddy's legal team continues to fight for his release, with his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, vowing to “fight like hell” to secure bail.

Meanwhile, Usher’s X (formerly Twitter) account was temporarily wiped shortly after Diddy’s arrest. Usher addressed the situation on September 22, claiming his account had been hacked. His post read:

Despite Usher’s clarification, many users expressed skepticism about the timing, suggesting that the deletion of his account coincided too conveniently with Diddy’s arrest. One commenter said, “Timing is JUST a coincidence, huh?” while another sarcastically added, “Ain’t nobody believing this.”

It's important to note that Usher has not been directly accused of any criminal involvement in Diddy’s ongoing case. However, resurfaced interviews have shed light on Usher's experiences during his early years with Diddy. In a 2004 Rolling Stone interview, Usher recalled being introduced to a different lifestyle at Diddy’s home, describing encounters with sexual behavior that he didn’t fully comprehend at the time.

He elaborated further during a 2016 interview with Howard Stern, where he reflected on the "curious things" he witnessed while living with Diddy in the 90s. “It was pretty wild. There were curious things taking place, and I didn’t necessarily understand it,” Usher shared.

When Stern asked whether Usher would allow his own child to live with Diddy, Usher responded, “Hell no.”

Usher and Diddy together in the 90s

Elsewhere, fellow artists LL Cool J and Flavor Flav were asked about their thoughts on Diddy’s arrest while attending the Black Music Action Coalition gala in Los Angeles last week. Their reactions add to the growing conversation surrounding Diddy’s charges, as the music industry and fans alike await further developments.

🕵️‍♂️ Referral Program: Unlock Exclusive Rewards!

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Invite your friends, fellow sleuths, and true crime lovers to join the community, and start earning these amazing perks!

Start referring today and crack the next case together!

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