Episode 24: Monster of Fort Leonard Wood

In 1977, four teenagers were pulled over at Fort Leonard Wood by Military Policeman Johnny Lee Thornton. He told them their car matched the description of a robbery suspect—but there was one problem: the robbery never happened.What followed was a terrifying night that left three teenagers dead and one survivor, Juanita Deckard, fighting to stay alive in the freezing Missouri woods.This week, Hunter tells Jacob the story of Thornton, the evidence that eventually exposed him, his bizarre insanity defense, and the disturbing questions about whether he may have been connected to other disappearances at Fort Leonard Wood.What happens when the person with the badge becomes the biggest threat?This episode contains discussion of murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, and other disturbing subject matter.TakeawaysDiscovery of the victim in freezing conditionsEscalation of the incident at the military baseExploration of Johnny Lee Thornton's troubled background Thornton's actions and encounters with individuals raise questions about his mental state and the motive behind the shootings.The discovery of Thornton's handwritten notes and his memory loss become central to the investigation, shedding light on his psychological condition and potential motives. Resilience in the face of traumaThe complexity of criminal investigationsChapters00:00 Introduction and Case Overview02:57 Discovery of the Victim07:18 The Incident at the Military Base11:13 Johnny Lee Thornton's Background42:31 The Triggering Incident43:08 The Night of January 13th, 197744:22 Encounters with Thornton45:26 Thornton's Actions and Reports46:54 Thornton's Shift Ends49:52 Discovery of Abandoned Car53:20 Investigation Escalation54:12 Realization of Involvement55:11 Escalation of Investigation56:02 Standoff with Thornton01:00:10 Thornton's Statements01:03:08 Thornton's Memory and Condition01:11:22 Thornton's Handwritten Notes01:29:22 The Terrifying Encounter01:31:17 The Nightmare Unfolds