The Murder Police Podcast
The Murder Police Podcast
Who Killed Letha? A bonus episode with Hannah Hafley
The echoes of a haunting family mystery reverberate through the years, touching lives across generations. When 20-year-old Hannah Hafley, niece of the late Letha Rutherford, joins us, she brings a fervent plea for long-overdue justice in a case that has remained unsolved for over thirty years. As we sit down with Hannah, her determination is palpable; despite never having met her aunt, she shares the profound impact Letha's unsolved murder has had on her family, especially the anguish it has caused her father and grandmother. Through a moving recount of her personal mission to reignite interest in the investigation, Hannah embodies the tenacity and dedication it takes to confront such an enduring tragedy.
Throughout our emotional conversation, Hannah's courage is at the forefront as she calls upon the community to break their silence and aid in piecing together the puzzle of her aunt's untimely death. It's a story that pulls at the heartstrings, not only showcasing the depth of family bonds but also highlighting the relentless spirit of youth in pursuit of truth. Listeners are invited to journey with us as we navigate the poignant memories, navigate the renewed efforts in finding Letha's killer, and witness the unyielding hope for closure that ignites the path towards justice. Hannah's voice, representing a new generation seeking answers, resonates with the clarity and determination necessary to keep Letha's story alive and to finally find the peace that has eluded her family for far too long.
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If you could say something to the community at whole, what could the community do? Do you think to maybe move Letha's case? What would you ask them to do?
Hannah Hafley:Come forward with some things, because some things people knows and people don't talk.
David Lyons:Warning the podcast you're about to listen to may contain graphic descriptions of violent assaults, murder and adult language. Listener discretion is advised.
Hannah Hafley:Who killed Letha? A quick interview with her niece, Hannah Halfley.
David Lyons:Well, as part of the investigation and the discussion about Lita Rutherford's case that's over three decades long, we wanted to talk to some of the family members. In particular, a young lady named Hannah Haefeli reached out. In particular, a young lady named Hannah Haefeli reached out, and Hannah has taken a big interest in this decades-long case, even though she never got to meet her relatives. So I'm going to introduce you to Hannah. Hannah, how are you doing today?
Hannah Hafley:I'm doing good.
David Lyons:Good deal and tell us a little bit about you and how old you are and whatnot, real quick.
Hannah Hafley:I'm 20. I've been wanting to open this case up since I was about 14 when I learned about this case.
David Lyons:Gotcha, gotcha. I was going to say you know, never meeting Letha and everything. How did you? You said you were 14, that you got interested, how'd you hear about it and how did it hit you?
Hannah Hafley:Well, my dad has a bunch of her stuff. Um, one day I seen it and I wanted to look at the stuff that was hers. It's all the newspapers and clippings of it and we actually had the cd. I got to find it, but we had the cd of the of us, like when, in 2006, um, and it's from Lex 18.
David Lyons:Gotcha Okay, so they did carry it in 2006,. Lex 18 did too. Were you around for that, though, right?
Hannah Hafley:Yeah, I was probably about three. Okay, gotcha yeah.
David Lyons:So now you're older and looking at it.
Hannah Hafley:Yeah.
David Lyons:So, and your dad, you mentioned that How's he related to Letha?
Hannah Hafley:It's his sister.
David Lyons:Gotcha. So, if we look back, maurice is his name correct. Yes, did he have a nickname, little Hog? Okay, we've got to get the nicknames in, because in this whole case, one of the things that's intriguing is the nicknames. So I know that he was interviewed in the very beginning. If we look at old articles and things like that, does he talk about Letha's case a lot lot.
Hannah Hafley:Well, I have to speak about it first before he says anything because it upsets him all them years. You know of it being nobody knowing who done it or what not, but he talks about her, about what they used to do when they was younger and they was really close. They was like maybe about two years apart from each other, but they was really close.
David Lyons:Gotcha, so you learned about this when you were 14. What struck you? What got to you about it?
Hannah Hafley:Well, it was my dad's only sister and so I don't have much family with his side of the family that actually anyways comes around. But when I seen it and I was wondering, was wondering like it's been all these years, why was there no answers about her case? So especially people in my family has said that I've resemble her, so it made me want to start the case back up again.
David Lyons:I can see the resemblance. You know, because you all got some awesome pictures that are better than what's in the paper of her, and definitely you do so as a 14-year-old, you get interested in that and you're right over 30 years we're looking at about 32 years at the time that we're recording this that is a long time. What would your if we had an outcome of this? And then, of course, we know we can't bring Letha back.
Hannah Hafley:But what would your desired perfect outcome be, as a niece, justice for my dad and my grandma?
David Lyons:Yeah, for sure, the people who are left behind because they've been waiting for that long. Yeah, if you could say something to the community at Hoh, what could the community do, do you think to maybe move Letha's case? What would you ask them to do?
Hannah Hafley:Come forward with some things, because some things people knows and people don't talk.
David Lyons:Yeah, that's a problem for a bunch of reasons. So we definitely want that. We know there's some rumors. We won't go into the rumors we're big on this show about not talking details about rumors but maybe if enough people came forward, they could either make the rumors stand up or fall down, and they could get on to something else too. What would you say to Letha If, just in some magical way, you were able to meet your aunt? What would you say to Letha?
Hannah Hafley:I probably would say I can't believe I look just like you, because it's like looking in a mirror, especially when you put my pictures of me being a baby up to her. It's like you couldn't even tell who's who.
David Lyons:Yeah, you look just like. Yeah. I think when people see the pictures and stuff, they're going to say the same thing too yeah, hey, you know there's more to the story, so go download the next episode, like the true crime fan that you are. Download the next episode like the true crime fan that you are. The Murder Police Podcast is hosted by Wendy and David Lyons and was created to honor the lives of crime victims, so their names are never forgotten. It is produced, recorded and edited by David Lyons.
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Hannah Hafley:Lock it down.
David Lyons:Judy.
