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E097: Chynna and Blake Dickus
1.6k Plays4 years ago
One small change to a schedule-- Blake Dickus staying a bit longer with his dad and step-mom to have lunch-- changed the course of so many lives forever. After Blake’s dad returned to work from a lunch at home with his family, someone came into his home and brutally murdered his wife, Chynna, and his ten-year-old son. But who could have committed such a senseless act?
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Transcript
Starting a Podcast with Buzzsprout
00:00:00
Speaker
Sleuthounds, have you ever considered creating your own podcast? Have you been inspired by listening to some of your favorites and thought, I'd love to try this out on my own?
00:00:10
Speaker
Whether it's a true crime podcast like ours, a motivational podcast, or maybe one filled with tips and strategies for those interested in the same activities you are. When Maggie and I first decided to start our podcast, we knew absolutely nothing about what podcasting would entail. But when we found that the platform Buzzsprout was one for which we didn't need any special equipment, just a computer microphone, some quiet space, and each other, we knew that this was the way to go. It is intuitive to use.
00:00:39
Speaker
fun to play around with and so helpful in getting analytical data about our number of downloads to track trends and from where listeners hail. Best yet, Buzzsprout is affordable, even by our teacher salary standards. Buzzsprout will get your podcasts listed on every major podcasting
Podcast Recommendations and Personal Anecdotes
00:00:57
Speaker
platform. So what are you waiting for? Fulfill that dream of yours and start today. If you use our Coffee and Cases referral code,
00:01:06
Speaker
709-643, linked on Facebook and in our show notes. Not only will you help support our show, but you will receive a $20 Amazon gift card after your second month on a paid plan. It's that easy. Podcasting isn't hard when you have the right partners. Join over 100,000 podcasters already using Buzzsprout to get their message out to the world. Now, it's time for the world to hear what you have to say.
00:01:34
Speaker
Maggie and I mentioned to you Sleuthhounds last week that we have some friends who are other true crime podcasters. I shared with you one that is so unique that it's worth a listen and I wanted to share it with you again this week. His name is Andrew Dodge and his podcast is called Unforbidden Truth.
00:01:55
Speaker
Andrew visits and interviews convicted murderers and other criminals, as well as professionals in criminal justice and psychology, and the results are often eye-opening. Here's a little about the show from Andrew himself.
00:02:15
Speaker
My name is Andrew Dodge. I have spent the last 11 years getting to know some of America's most notorious criminals, such as serial killers, spree killers, mass murderers, domestic and foreign terrorists, and many more types of criminals. Unforbidden Truth will bring you exclusive interviews with convicted criminals, professionals in the mental health and law enforcement field, and much more. Subscribe to Unforbidden Truth on any podcast platform to join me on a one of a kind true crime experience. My daughter had been begging me for no less than a week.
00:02:45
Speaker
Every single day from the time I picked her up from daycare until the moment she went to bed, she pleaded for us to go get frozen yogurt. Fresh off of a move back to Kentucky and beginning a new job, I was exhausted and I just kept putting it off. Then on the night of September 4th, 2013, my daughter didn't ask about frozen yogurt and at dinner,
00:03:15
Speaker
I finally suggested that after we clean up our plates, we go get orange leaf frozen yogurt. We walked into the parlor and she was ecstatic, but her face fell when I told her that we were going to get the dessert and go back home to eat it. Apparently to her, the experience of eating it in the shop was nearly as important as the dessert itself. So, again, I agreed to sit and eat it there.
00:03:46
Speaker
It was that night that I first met Rodney, the man who's now my husband, when he and the rest of Ladder 7 came into that same frozen yogurt shop. Had
Introduction to the Dickus Case
00:03:58
Speaker
we gone another night, Rodney and I would have never met. Had we taken the dessert home like I wanted, Rodney and I would have never met. Little decisions that don't seem to matter much at the time can in fact change our world.
00:04:18
Speaker
Sadly, for others, those seemingly tiny decisions can have devastating consequences as well, as in the case this week. When a stepmom asked if her stepson could stay just a little while longer for his visitation so that he could have lunch with his dad, that request changed the lives of so many people.
00:04:44
Speaker
And this is the story of China and Blake Dickis.
Engaging Listeners and Family Dynamics
00:05:25
Speaker
Welcome to Coffee and Cases, where we like our coffee hot and our cases cold. My name is Allison Williams. And my name is Maggie Dameron.
00:05:34
Speaker
We will be telling stories each week in the hopes that someone out there with any information concerning the case will take those tips to law enforcement so justice and closure can be brought to these families. With each case, we encourage you to continue in the conversation on our Facebook page, Coffee and Cases podcast, and to follow us on Instagram at Coffee Cases podcast and on TikTok
00:05:58
Speaker
at Coffee and Case's podcast, because as these families know, conversation helps to keep their missing family member in the public consciousness, helping to keep their memories alive. So sit back, sip your coffee, and listen to what's brewing this week. Okay, but Allison, your little intro though, I feel like I did not know that story. Did I know that story? I don't know. Did you not know it? I don't think I did. Yep.
00:06:27
Speaker
Your little sleuth hound is responsible for you and Rodney living happily ever after. I know we always tell her we're like you're the reason that we met. So were you at Orange Leaf and Rodney was just like hey you're looking fine here's my number.
00:06:45
Speaker
He, well, so he and the latter seven crew walked in and my back was facing the door. Like I was facing where the frozen yogurt, like you pulled the handles and they walked over there and apparently, cause he likes brunettes. So apparently when he walked in, his buddy Chris was like, there you go Rodney, cause they could see the back of my head.
00:07:10
Speaker
And they could see my brown hair. And so as he walked by, he turned around and looked, and he smiled. And I saw his dimples. And then it was like- As if you were like, I'm in love. It was all over. Yeah. So then he was getting his frozen yogurt. And he turned around again, and he smiled. And I smiled back. And then after he paid for his frozen yogurt,
00:07:34
Speaker
he came over and he was I know he was talking you know he was like oh I remember when my kids were that age and you know we're talking about that and then he asked
00:07:48
Speaker
my little sleuth hound if she would like to go out and see the fire truck. And of course, you know, she did. And I wanted to talk to him also. So I was like, yeah, let's go out there. Yeah, you want to go see the fire truck. Let's go. Yeah. And then he asked me out for coffee, which is totally fitting. So our first like real date was Starbucks.
00:08:11
Speaker
I love that. And no, I do not know that story. I love Rodney even more now. That's so sweet. Yeah. So that's like little decisions can completely change everything. Well, I'm anxious now to hear this episode. Okay. Well, this one, the decisions are catastrophic. Oh. Which is sad. I know.
00:08:38
Speaker
But before we get into the sadness, Maggie, we are almost there. That's true. This is episode 97, right? This is episode 97, which means we have almost made it to our 100th episode. And I feel like we need to do something special for it. Me too.
00:09:07
Speaker
So, Sleuth Hounds, we have decided to release our 100th episode as a bonus episode on Saturday, October 2nd. Also, right before my birthday, so... Yes, I know. I won't share what your birthday is because then maybe people know passwords, but I know when your birthday is. And it is right after that. Yeah.
00:09:34
Speaker
So instead of covering any new case in that episode, we're still going to give you the weekly episode on Thursday like normal. But for our bonus episode, we're going to give you updates on several of the cases that we've covered since the show has started.
00:09:53
Speaker
So that means we have some cases for which new suspects have emerged since we've covered the cases. Ones where new theories have been proposed. Ones where we have spoken with family and maybe gotten additional information that we think could be helpful in getting their cases solved. So we want to get that got that information out to you guys. Yes. And so that is our plan. And also
00:10:23
Speaker
If you would like a shout out on the show, then go to our Facebook page. There is a post up right now.
00:10:35
Speaker
So go ahead and pause the show, go write us something, sign it with whatever name you want us to read, because we don't know if you want us to say your whole names. And you just might hear your message to us read on our 100th episode. I love that. So we want you to be a part of the celebration too.
00:10:57
Speaker
So you know that Maggie
The Day of the Tragedy
00:10:59
Speaker
and I are teachers. So we are giving you an assignment. You have homework. You do. Number one, get caught up on your episodes or go ahead and go back and listen to the early ones that maybe you've forgotten the details because we're going all the way back to the beginning giving updates. And number two, send us that message on our Facebook page.
00:11:25
Speaker
We are excited to celebrate this milestone with you guys. Yes. Okay. Now let's get into this week's episode. Let's do it. I think Maggie, we've probably all seen countless movies and television shows or heard countless stories of the horrors of the bad relationships between moms and stepmoms and dads and stepdads.
00:11:52
Speaker
I mean, yeah, Cinderella, hello. Right. Let's go all the way back to like Hans Christian Andersen. Is that Hans Christian Andersen? Hans Christian Andersen. I don't know. I feel like probably people that are not from Kentucky say Hans Christian Andersen, but I feel like Kentucky probably say Hans. Hans Christian Andersen. That's right.
00:12:18
Speaker
So, yeah, we're used to hearing these stories, I mean, every Lifetime movie. Yeah. Hello. You know, so there's always this assumption like, oh, well, this one's going to try to manipulate or this one's going to try to overstep boundaries and on and on these accusations fly. But the family in the center of our case this week seem to have a much better and mature understanding of what is best for the child.
00:12:44
Speaker
And it seems they got along pretty well. Like, even Christina, yes. And stepmom, Chyna Dickus. And maybe that's because Chyna, the stepmom, also loved Blake so much. And Blake was the child that her husband shared with his ex-wife, Christina. Okay, so they really did have, like, the kid's best interest and heart.
00:13:07
Speaker
It seems like it from everything that I read. Okay. So to clarify relationship, Christina and Sean, you haven't, I haven't mentioned his name yet, but Christina and Sean were married. They had a son named Blake. Okay. They are now divorced. Sean has married China. Gotcha. Okay. So Sean, I just said Sean. Come on their name. So yeah, it's like, um,
00:13:38
Speaker
What was it, Brangelina and like, all those, what was it? Shiny, shiny on the big bang. So this is Shina. No, Shawn and Shina had been married for about three years and were, according to some sources, even beginning to talk about having a child themselves.
00:14:00
Speaker
I love babies. Yes, love babies. They were both in school. They were taking night classes at a college that was in the area. And both of them were very involved in their church. So they had a lot in common. Yeah.
00:14:16
Speaker
And in fact, they had just recently returned from a mission trip to El Salvador. That is a goal of mine when COVID is no longer such a big thing. And I'm hoping that sooner rather than later. But that's my next big goal. I want to go on a mission trip. I think that would be really cool.
00:14:41
Speaker
So they had just gotten back and in June of 2006, about a month before this week's case took place, Sean and China had moved into their new home at 1188 Aberdeen Drive in Franklin, Indiana, which is a small town. It's about 20 minutes away from Indianapolis. Okay.
00:15:09
Speaker
And the house, it had just been built. And the subdivision that they were in was a new one. So there was continuous construction of houses in the area. A new school was going in close by. So that's loud. Oh yeah, it is loud. But there's also, it's like there's this, I don't know, sense of possibility or something.
00:15:32
Speaker
You know, and a couple of the lots that were around the Dickens family home were empty, like on either side I read and across the street. And so that kind of held the possibility that, you know, maybe another young family might move in. And this new subdivision was a lot of young families. So like exactly the place where you might want to start your own family.
00:15:57
Speaker
So everything was looking hopeful and China was so excited to jump in and start decorating this new house. I feel that like I'm ready to put my Christmas tree up. It's the middle of September and like I need some Christmas joy in my life. Oh no, I can do the Christmas carols. There are people who dislike that. Listen.
00:16:18
Speaker
Christmas music brings joy. Yeah. Same. And like, so Anthony's like, we can't listen to Christmas music until it's December. Okay. First of all, we celebrate fall, September, then October, and then November. And you only get to celebrate Christmas for a month. I'm sorry, sir. No. Yes.
00:16:39
Speaker
Ball humbug to him. Yes. Yeah. I'm listening to Christmas music November 1st. Yeah. My train will be up November 1st. On my radio. Yep. Yep. So with this decorating, Maggie, you are very good at decorating. I do not have a knack for it.
00:16:59
Speaker
I love it. I can appreciate when something is decorated well. I can look at something and be like, that is beautiful. That is gorgeous. Look how well that's decorated. But to do it myself, nope. See, I think the house is decorated well. Well, it's a fluke. But Rodney's ex-wife.
00:17:23
Speaker
She is the best I have ever seen. Like, she can take things from the dollar store and things she finds on clearance and make it look like it should be on the cover of a magazine.
00:17:35
Speaker
Well, that must have come in handy for all the weddings. You all just had this. Oh, I know. Yeah. And yeah, baby showers and all of that stuff. She's like, amazing. I just sit back and like, I'm like, what can I do to help? Like, you just tell me what to do. I'll hand you the glue and the tape. That's right. So because of China's excitement, Sean, her husband had given her the nickname Betty Homemaker. That's cute.
00:18:00
Speaker
That is cute. But more important than the home was the time that they spent with Sean's son, Blake. Blake was 10 years old. And like most kids his age, he loved to play video games and to watch cartoons. And listen, I'm there for that. And I'm an adult. Yeah. Like I will totally watch cartoons with you.
00:18:22
Speaker
Turn Rugrats on, let's go. He was just like all around a fun loving good kid. There isn't a single picture where he didn't have the biggest smile plastered on his face. But July 24th, 2006, everything changed. Oh no.
00:18:48
Speaker
So Blake had just spent some time with his dad, Sean, and his stepmom, Chyna. They had hung out. They had laughed. They had even gone to the Johnson County Fair. And I love the county fairs, mostly because I love junk food. So like the funnel cakes. Yep. Like that's my weakness.
00:19:07
Speaker
Funnel cake and lemonade, yes. Oh yeah. Corn dogs, like all that stuff. So they had gone to the county fair, but the weekend was over and it was Monday, so it was time for the visitation to come to an end. And to celebrate having her son back home, Blake's mom, Christina, had plans for a movie night later that evening after she got off work.
00:19:31
Speaker
So she had even that Monday, July 24th, called China so she could talk to Blake about it on the phone and kind of tell him like what she had planned for that night with the movie night. And he was so excited Maggie, not just for the movie, but also for the candy that usually came along with the movie. I feel that too. I do too. Like if it involves eating, I understand. Yeah.
00:20:02
Speaker
So until then, until Christina got off work though, to take him on this like nighttime movie date, China was supposed to bring Blake to his grandmother's house, to Christina's mom's. Okay. So when China called,
00:20:19
Speaker
to ask if Blake could stay just a little bit longer so that he could have lunch with his dad before she drove him to Christina's mom's house. It seemed like a no-brainer. Because remember, Christina and China, they get along well.
00:20:34
Speaker
Yeah, and Christina's at work, right? Yeah, right. Yeah, she's at work anyway. So like all parties involved just agreed to adjust the plan. Like no biggie. Sean gets to come home from work. Now he can have lunch with Blake before Blake comes over to Christina's mom's house.
00:20:53
Speaker
So Sean got home around 12 45 that afternoon to have lunch with China and Blake, and he left around 1 45 p.m. And Maggie, I just have to pause because doesn't that just sound glorious? Yeah, it's yes to get to come home for lunch and have an hour to eat. We get like
00:21:17
Speaker
If you're not a teacher or married to one, y'all just don't even know. My lunch starts at 11.50. I have to take my kids to the cafeteria, wait for all of them to get their food. And because it's COVID, now they have to eat in the auditorium so we don't have as many kids in the cafeteria. So I have to walk them back up to the auditorium. By the time that happens, 10 of my 20 minutes lunch is already gone. So then I'm eating while making copies or eating while I'm sending emails to parents.
00:21:46
Speaker
And then I'm peeing and like the minute before I have to pick the kids up from the auditorium. Yep. Like best case scenario, we get 20 minutes to eat. Yeah. Which is still not enough time. Oh no. So like even if I lived close, even if you only lived five minutes away, which to be honest is how long it would take if you like walked to your car and drove for two minutes and then walked inside. Right.
00:22:12
Speaker
Then by the time you took five minutes to get there and then five minutes back, you get 12 minutes to eat. An hour sounds glorious. And so does getting to eat around noon.
00:22:29
Speaker
at a normal lunchtime. Yeah. Because that's the other thing with teachers. We eat at like 10.40. That's our lunchtime. But I will set my jealousy of Sean to the side concerning his lunch, lunchtime luxuries.
00:22:44
Speaker
Blake's excitement, though, over going to the movies with his mom was even part of the conversation over lunch, because Sean later reported that that was all Blake talked about nonstop at lunch that day, was how excited he was to go see this movie with his mom and get that candy. Oh, I'm glad that.
00:23:04
Speaker
Blake has just like such, they're doing such a good job with him. Lunch with a live movie with mom, like it's just a good life. Yeah. And he feels comfortable like sharing his excitement of going to the movies with his mom, you know, with them. Sean later reported that he quote, can remember rubbing the back of Blake's head and giving him a kiss.
00:23:29
Speaker
And you know, goodbye. I left the garage, and I pulled out, and Chyna was at the mailbox, and I gave her, you know, a kiss. I said goodbye to her, and that's the last thing I remember, end quote. And that was around 145. So I feel like things are not going to pan out the way that I originally thought they were going to pan out in this case. No. OK.
00:23:59
Speaker
It wasn't until a little after 5 p.m. that anyone knew the tragedy that had occurred sometime in those three hours in between.
Investigation and Theories
00:24:11
Speaker
So in between 1.45 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sean got home from work around 5.15 p.m.
00:24:22
Speaker
And minutes after he made his way into his home, likely expecting a relaxing quiet evening home with China, he emerged from his home again, this time frantic. Oh no. Sean fell to his knees right in the driveway and vomited.
00:24:43
Speaker
No one should have to see what he had seen. He screamed at the top of his lungs, my wife and son are dead. He then immediately called 911. Yeah, this is definitely not what I thought was going to happen in this case. Yeah. Meanwhile, Christina showed up at her mom's house to pick up Blake for their movie night.
00:25:11
Speaker
that they had planned all day, only to be told that China had never brought him over in the first place.
00:25:19
Speaker
Which is out of character. Right. So initially, obviously she had no idea what had happened on Aberdeen Drive. And she actually admitted in one report that she found herself feeling a little bit annoyed, right? Because like she had agreed to giving more time so Blake could have lunch with Shawn in China. And now Blake isn't where he's supposed to be. And they have plans.
00:25:43
Speaker
But China also wasn't answering when both Christina and Christina's mother tried to reach her. So Christina drove over to her ex-husband Sean's house. Oh no. Christina immediately knew something horrible had happened when she turned on the street to see all the flashing lights and crime scene tape.
00:26:07
Speaker
And remember, there wouldn't have been any confusion as to which house these flashing lights were for. Oh, yeah, because everything else was empty around there now. Yep, the lots are all empty. So it's not like there's even like this glimmer of hope that like... It's the neighbors. Not that it's hopeful, yeah, that it happened to somebody else, but you get what I'm saying. There's no sense of relief for you.
00:26:32
Speaker
When the police arrived, Maggie, here's what they found with both the crime scene and the bodies.
00:26:39
Speaker
Sean stated that when he got home from work, the door leading from the garage into the kitchen was open, but he didn't think anything of it because that was something that China sometimes did. And I totally get that because sometimes if Rodney knows I'm close to home, he'll go ahead and open the garage door. So it's like one less thing I have to do to pull in, especially if he knows I have groceries and things. Yeah.
00:27:03
Speaker
So I totally get this sometimes leaving the door open, plus it's inside the garage. Right. So it's not like to the outside. Exactly. While police have not given details about the perpetrator's point of entry, and what I'm about to say is pure speculation,
00:27:26
Speaker
I do feel like that open door makes the most sense for the killer to enter the home because I obviously told you, Sean ran out and said my wife and son are dead. So you know what has happened. That makes the most sense to me for the killer to enter the home because we do know that there was no sign of forced entry.
00:27:50
Speaker
So, but this door though is like she would have to raise her garage door and then it would be the door from her garage into her home. I mean, true. But like, I mean, when I close, I usually close our garage door as I'm walking out. Like you just have to step over where the sensor is. So if the door was opened, the perpetrator could have literally like left that way and closed the door on the way out.
00:28:18
Speaker
Yeah, but how did he did he come in that way too, though? Well, I don't know. But I do know that there's no sign of forced entry. So like no windows were broken, no doors were knocked in. So logically, the perpetrator or perpetrators either came in through an unlocked or open window or door, or China or Blake willingly opened the door for them. I mean,
00:28:44
Speaker
And I feel like we do that a lot in subdivisions like without kind of thinking about it. Like I don't know in your subdivision but when we lived at our previous house like it was some weekends like every couple hours. Hey we noticed you have some weeds in your front yard would you like
00:29:04
Speaker
We'd be gone LLC to spray the for the weeds in your we get we're selling we're selling meat Would you like to buy some meat? Yeah, and you just open the door without thinking about it Well now I will say if Rodney isn't home I hide oh Yeah, I don't open the door. Yeah, but if Rodney's home, I open it. Yeah But you're right. Like how many times do people open the door?
00:29:35
Speaker
you know, to any kind of stranger. And potentially, with what I will tell you later, if one of the theories is true about the potential perpetrator, then it might make sense why China could have opened the door. But I'll get to that in a minute.
00:30:00
Speaker
So while only one source I read, which was wave three news in an article from July 25th, 2006, mentioned that both 26 year old China and 10 year old Blake's bodies were on the second floor of the home. Nearly every source mentioned that their bodies were close to one another on the floor and that there was blood found throughout the home. I hate that.
00:30:29
Speaker
China had been stabbed multiple times, but Blake, it seems, bore the brunt of the perpetrator's aggression. 10 year old Blake. 10 year old Blake. Since he was stabbed like China, but also suffered from blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxia. So like smothered.
00:30:58
Speaker
The most harmful injuries came from the blows to Blake's head. Like I can't even imagine that.
00:31:05
Speaker
I can't either. Like Anthony and I don't do this, Allison, by the way, watched Fear Street, which is a like movie series on Netflix based off an R.L. Stein book. So I was like, hey, it's going to be like goosebumps. No, it isn't. It's scary and traumatizing and gave me nightmares in which I sat up in bed and screamed. And I have never done that before. Like that type of nightmare. Yes.
00:31:32
Speaker
Um, but like The killer in there like one killer like uses an axe Then another killer like literally cuts people and I'm like if I can choose between you cutting me Were you just hitting me in the head with an axe? Like I think I'd pick the axe like At least that's for quick. Yeah Gosh
00:31:55
Speaker
I know, and especially, gosh, with children, I showed Rodney the picture of Blake, and he was like, somebody heard that kid. Right, his little smile. Oh my gosh, you guys, wait till you see these pictures. Oh my goodness. So everyone's first thought,
00:32:20
Speaker
was to suspect the person who found China and Blake, also the last person we know who saw them alive before their deaths, Sean Dickus. Right, because he came home for lunch. Right, and they're both there. Yep, and then he said he left, and then he came back and they're dead.
00:32:43
Speaker
And that could also explain why there's no fourth century in the house because he would have a key. Right. So because of that reason you said Maggie just then, a lot of people judged.
00:32:58
Speaker
I don't know what we expect someone to act like, you know, who has just come up on a scene like Sean did. But I feel like however they act is always opposite of how we think they should react. Like no matter what their reaction is, we're like, they didn't react correctly.
00:33:14
Speaker
Oh, I know. Yeah. And like seriously, what could prepare you for an event like that one? Yeah. And I'm sure he's not saying in his mind, okay, let's make sure that I react correctly to this scenario. So I need to do this. Right. And I did read that Sean had been in the military. So I feel like we could likely guess that he might be a little bit more stoic than the next person, like less likely to show extremes of emotion.
00:33:44
Speaker
And as a result, there were people who said behind closed doors that they didn't think he mourned enough, that he wasn't emotional enough for them, like the list goes on. And some even used the word detached to describe him.
00:34:03
Speaker
Okay, but like, again, people grieve differently. And I feel like if you are quote unquote, detached, that may just be the only way you can handle life at that moment. Yeah, detached from whatever is going on. Yeah, to just like numb yourself.
00:34:23
Speaker
Yes. But that reaction combined with the fact that the violence committed against China and Blake seemed so personal.
00:34:36
Speaker
like with the stabbing, with the asphyxia, and that Sean brought up financial troubles that they'd been having, and he brought it up fairly quickly. And here's the kicker. And this is the only thing I don't understand, but that's just, again, me, that he continued to live in the home even after the murders. And so some in the area had their suspicions.
00:35:01
Speaker
Yeah. That's not just you. That's weird to me too. Yeah. I mean, again, people process differently. So yeah. And I mean, if, if it's true that they're having financial troubles, maybe he just can't afford. Yeah. Maybe his credit scores trash. Yeah. While you people hacking all these useless websites, how about you do something useful with your time and give me an 800 credit score.
00:35:24
Speaker
and pay off my student loans. Yeah, and pay off my student loans. Thank you. Yes. But after extensive questioning, Maggie, and polygraphs, and I know we talk about polygraphs a lot, but I'm talking about polygraphs that were conducted not by local law enforcement, but by the FBI. Oh. And I feel like those would be a lot more, I don't know, I trust them a lot more. Yeah, me too.
00:35:53
Speaker
I feel like FBI is less likely to be corrupt, like local law enforcement. Yeah. I don't mean that negatively, but yeah. Right, right. So after extensive questioning and polygraphs by the FBI, law enforcement cleared Sean Dickus. Okay. And he has never been a person of interest in the case. Like, eyes turned toward him at the beginning, but that's pretty much it. Okay.
00:36:17
Speaker
In fact, John Borges of the Franklin County Police told True Crime Diary, quote, he's been nothing but helpful since day one. I really feel like we've done our due diligence on this case and we have no reason to believe he's anything but a tragic figure here, end quote. But there are a couple of theories. Okay.
00:36:41
Speaker
And I will go ahead and tell you, not many of these theories are fleshed out the way some of our cases are. Yeah, I feel like this case, well, first off, I've never heard of this case. So I'm assuming there's not a whole lot of articles and stuff done on this case. Right. So the theories are, again, very vague.
00:37:07
Speaker
The first one, the first theory is a construction worker. So I mentioned earlier, this was a newer subdivision and one thing common over the last several months had been new homes going in. So construction was ongoing. Many people theorize if the person responsible for China and Blake's deaths were one of those workers.
00:37:32
Speaker
In the home, law enforcement found a two by four that was bloody at one end. Oh, so that may have been used. As to cause the blunt force trauma to Blake said. Police have not stated whether that two by four was from the home or brought to the home.
00:37:58
Speaker
And I'm wondering if this is like a subdivision that's like a ball home subdivision. So it's like the same company is building all of these homes. Or if it's like what my subdivision or your subdivision would be, like people buy the land and pay their own contractor. You know, that's a good question and I am not sure.
00:38:21
Speaker
Cause I feel like that can make a difference in something like that. Cause if it's like a two by four, then they may have been bought in bulk for like that whole subdivision or it could be something different.
00:38:34
Speaker
Right. And if people had been there multiple times to build houses, then they're more familiar with the neighborhood and all that. Yeah. Who's living there and all that stuff. Right. But obviously it was that weapon of a two by four that has lent credibility for those who believe this theory. So if it were brought to the dickest home, then many people are like, well, why would you bring that weapon and not like a more traditional weapon unless it were handy?
00:39:06
Speaker
However, other than that weapon and the proximity of the construction areas, no other clues seem to link one of the workers to the crime. The second theory is a burglar.
00:39:24
Speaker
In the weeks leading up to this double homicide, the neighborhood had been plagued with another crime, Maggie. There had been no fewer than five break-ins in the neighborhood between the summer of 2006 and 2007, including one that happened on the same street on the same day as the murders. I do feel like though that
00:39:51
Speaker
like new construction neighborhoods. I feel like that may be like a thing because like
00:40:00
Speaker
When they're under construction, it's a lot easier to go in and steal things than it is once they're finished. Were these homes that people were already living in? Yeah, the break-ins were homes where people already were. Oh, so not like a half built house and they're stealing live pictures? No. And you just wait until you hear what they stole. Oh, okay.
00:40:26
Speaker
So all of the break-ins, all of them in the neighborhood, were within a half mile of the Dickus home. So they're all like right in that area.
00:40:39
Speaker
In each one of those burglaries, the perpetrator had left a signature sign. The screen on the windows had been cut in a T shape. Like that's how they got in. So like one slash across the window near the top and one down the middle. And similar to the Lucinda Strange case, Maggie.
00:41:05
Speaker
The perpetrator ransacked the home, usually including the fridge, but only took items of little to no value. So basically they're just, it's almost like they want to prove they can break into this house.
00:41:22
Speaker
Yeah. Which is creepy. Yes. Like we talked about that. That is, I don't know, that freaks me out more than somebody breaking in and taking valuables. If like you, I think you said with Lucinda's case, if somebody broke in and they stole like a sweatshirt out of your closet, like it's more invasive and personal. Yeah. This burglar took things like bicentennial coins
00:41:51
Speaker
class rings and in one home a Tupperware pitcher full of lemonade. What? Yes. That is what was stolen. The lemonade thing is bizarre. I agree.
00:42:08
Speaker
We'll get into a theory here in a minute, but what's more Maggie, you might be wondering obviously like the connection between the burglaries and the murders because of the time, because normally we think of burglaries as happening at night, you know, and we know that the murder of China and Blake happened sometime in the day between 1 45 and like 5 15.
00:42:35
Speaker
But each one of those burglaries in the area took place in broad daylight, Monday through Friday. Like never on the weekends. Never at night. Was it because they thought that maybe the people were at work? I think so. That's the only explanation that makes logical sense to me, which is actually way smarter than robbing somebody at night when they're home.
00:43:05
Speaker
Right. Cause then if they're at work, nobody's there to stop you. Yeah. Yeah. But to play devil's advocate, remember there's no sign of forced entry. Oh yeah. So there's no cuts on the screens. Yeah. So like the signature of this burglar at the homes wasn't at the dickest home.
Police Strategy and Speculations
00:43:27
Speaker
But while there have been no more details released to the public that connect the burglaries to the murders, investigators seem convinced that there is a link between the two. So much so that in nearly every report about this case, Maggie, law enforcement has made a statement to the effect of something like,
00:43:52
Speaker
If we solve these burglaries, we will also likely solve these murders. Because Maggie, they never caught the person who was robbing these homes either. Have they said anything about like, I feel like if there's blood everywhere in the house, like there were no like strange fingerprints, shoe prints.
00:44:18
Speaker
So in this case, and I'm not sure why, but law enforcement has been so tight lipped about what evidence they found. So I feel like multiple things. Number one, their continued focus on the burglaries tells me that there has to be something that creates that link in their mind.
00:44:46
Speaker
Yeah. Because normally, like robbery and murder are two very different crimes with two very different perpetrator types. Yes. And second, law enforcement, they have noted, even though they've kept it all secret, like what they have, that they have noted that they have in their possession, quote, a mountain of evidence at the crime scene.
00:45:14
Speaker
So a small part of me is wondering if maybe they found something in the home that was taken from one of the other home burglaries. Ooh. Or how would they be if there's no signature cut in the screen? How are they connecting them? Yeah. There has to be something that's connecting the two, because they're two different crimes. Hmm.
00:45:43
Speaker
So to me, there's something that they're leaving out. And that's interesting. And I think that makes sense to me, what you're saying. One detective even told the Daily Journal in 2016, quote, we have strong reason to follow the burglary angle, end quote. But they've never said what that reason is.
00:46:07
Speaker
A final theory is that while we don't know who committed the murders, that it would have to be someone who knew China or Sean, someone who wanted to make them suffer. Because why else would the deaths have been so violent and so personal? And why was Blake the one with the most severe injuries? Yeah, that part, both their deaths are very tragic.
00:46:37
Speaker
But, and even like in the Crystal Rogers case, if you watched that, like one of two of the murders, right? As a daughter and a mom. Yeah. And the daughter suffered the majority of the
00:46:57
Speaker
Like the most cruelty happened to the daughter. So similar to this case. And I always like, that always bothers me because they're children. And like it, that doesn't make sense to me why the majority of the violence would go out toward a child versus an adult. Like what did the child do to you? Exactly. And like, especially if the person who committed the crime were a stranger. Right.
00:47:27
Speaker
That makes it even harder to fathom greater violence to a child. So that's why a lot of people are like, no, it has to be somebody who wants to get revenge. And they know by making Blake suffer, it would make the parents suffer. But I do want to add here that there are those who believe that it was a burglar.
00:47:56
Speaker
and they try to give an explanation as to the personal nature of the attacks. So here's what they argue. Here's why they argue it could still be a burglar. They argue that the attack was violent, not because the perpetrator or perpetrators knew or had anything against the Dickus family.
00:48:20
Speaker
but was violent because of the mental and emotional state of the perpetrator or perpetrators. Which to me is almost even more scary. It is. Yeah. Because it does, for those who believe the burglar theory,
00:48:38
Speaker
say something about the perpetrator that he or she would often take the time to eat food from the fridge instead of like breaking in, getting what you want, immediately leaving. Yeah, so there's something different about that kind of perpetrator.
00:48:58
Speaker
So they think that because of that detail of eating the food out of the fridge, not leaving immediately, that along with the oddity of the items taken, that it indicates one of two things either. And these are theories according to the Daily Journal article that was published on July 22nd, 2016. Either they were young,
00:49:23
Speaker
or according to Detective Borges, they had a quote, diminished mental capacity, end quote. So they're like- Or it could be both. Or both, yeah. So like could the age and or the mental state also explain the brutality that was enacted against Blake as well? That makes sense though. Like if somebody young or something like that, I feel like if they're knocking on your door, you're not,
00:49:53
Speaker
viewing them as a threat as much as like a big girly adult. Yeah.
00:50:02
Speaker
In an article by New Station WTHR, a staff member wrote that some of the evidence was sent to be retested since there had been so many advances in DNA testing. But that article, Maggie, was from 2018. And as of, well, September 2021, either those tests didn't produce any new results or those results haven't been sent back yet.
00:50:30
Speaker
Well, I'm hoping that we just haven't got the results back yet and it's going to be like groundbreaking. I know. All of this time and this waiting has taken its toll on Christina, who talked to WTHR Channel 13 about like this paradoxical feeling of being stuck in this daily battle that she has to face, like where she's forced to continue moving in life, yet she doesn't want to let go of the past and her memories with her sweet little boy.
00:51:00
Speaker
And in that interview, she said, quote, there are times it feel like it's been an eternity and other times it feels frozen, end quote. So Maggie, we heard three theories. Construction worker, burglar, somebody who was trying to get back at the Dickus family. What do you think is the most likely theory?
00:51:29
Speaker
I'm really feeling like maybe a burglary gone wrong. Like they tried to come in. I don't know. But then there's no forced injuries. So again, I don't know. I do feel like the burglary theory, especially because the police feel so strongly about it. Yeah.
00:51:59
Speaker
I'm gonna go with that one, because I feel like there has to be some evidence that we just don't know about. Yeah, because I feel like the police, if it wasn't that, wouldn't keep bringing it up. And they bring it up every time. Yeah, so we're gonna go with the burglar. Okay, and Sleuthounds, you let us know what you think. Inmates in Indiana can sit in their cells or common areas playing cards.
00:52:26
Speaker
cards that have pictures of victims on them, just in case the names and faces have been described or mentioned in secret jailhouse confessions. There are cards with China Dickis's face on them. But Blake's mom, Christina, since 2006, has been playing a different game, the What If game.
00:52:53
Speaker
What if she hadn't let Blake stay for lunch? Might that have saved them both? What if her son was calling out for her in his final moments? What if he had gotten the opportunity to live? Christina said in an interview with Daily Motion, quote, I just wonder how he would be if he, you know, college, starting a family, who knows?
00:53:22
Speaker
I don't have any more memories or anything to talk about. They were all taken away."
00:53:30
Speaker
Despite the fact that many tips came in initially about the case, those tips have slowed to a trickle in recent years. But 2006 wasn't that long ago. There are still people who know something they haven't shared with police. Maybe you know of someone from the Franklin, Indiana, or Indianapolis area who were around the town in July of 2006. Perhaps they even attended the Johnson County Fair.
00:53:59
Speaker
Or did you live near the Aberdeen neighborhood and have your house broken into or something stolen, perhaps something so small and insignificant that you didn't report it? Please report it now, especially if you lived in or around the following areas. Brannigan Woods, Oakleaf Manor, Cumberland Commons, and Deer Trace.
00:54:29
Speaker
For all you know, that small item could have been left in this crime scene and be the very piece of evidence police need to link the two crimes officially. Or maybe you saw someone unfamiliar in the neighborhood walking around the houses or cars during the day. You could know someone whose behavior seems to change around the anniversary of China and Blake's deaths.
00:54:56
Speaker
Law enforcement at least believes there's enough of a connection to bring up the burglaries whenever they mention the case. They believe this case is a local one, someone either from the area or who spent extensive time there.
Call for Information and Case Resolution
00:55:15
Speaker
Here we are 15 years after China and Blake's senseless murders, and we still do not have answers.
00:55:25
Speaker
Maybe that's because you haven't called in yet. There's still a $25,000 reward for tips that lead to an arrest and a conviction in this case.
00:55:37
Speaker
If you have any information concerning this case or the burglaries in the area, please call the Franklin Police Department at 317-346-6336. Or you can also remain anonymous by calling 317-346.
00:56:02
Speaker
Again, please like and join us on our Facebook page, Coffee and Cases Podcast, to continue the conversation and to see images related to this episode. As always, follow us on Instagram at Coffee Cases Podcast and on TikTok at Coffee and Cases Podcast, or you can always email us suggestions to coffeeandcasespodcast at gmail.com.
00:56:24
Speaker
Please tell your friends about our podcast so that more people can be reached to possibly help bring some closure to these families. Don't forget to write our show and leave us a comment as well. We hope to hear from you soon. Stay together. Stay safe. We'll see you next week.