I’m absolutely thrilled to have my amazing co-host from Love, Lies and Alibis, Hannah, joining me for this chilling dive into one of the most haunting cases from the classic Unsolved Mysteries series.

Check out our other podcast here https://www.loveliesandalibis.com Be warned that it is a little darker than the stuff on this podcast

In June 1988, 23-year-old Philip Innes Fraser—a bright, adventurous young man from Anchorage, Alaska, and the son of two prominent doctors—set out on a solo road trip south to start pre-med studies at Evergreen State College in Washington. Driving his packed black 1983 VW Jetta, Philip was full of promise. After surrendering his handguns at the Canadian border, he stopped at a remote café in the Yukon.

That’s where everything went tragically wrong.

At the Forty Mile Flats Café, witnesses saw Philip reluctantly pick up a nervous, clean-cut hitchhiker in his early 20s. It was an act of kindness on a lonely highway that would cost him his life.

Hours later, that same hitchhiker was spotted driving Philip’s Jetta alone—boldly impersonating him. He shared intimate details of Philip’s life, family, and plans with strangers, even spending the night at a kind couple’s home while they fixed his car.

Then, Philip’s burned-out Jetta was found abandoned in Prince George, British Columbia.

Weeks later, Philip’s body was discovered in a remote gravel pit—shot multiple times. The killer had vanished, taking Philip’s wallet, passport, and identity.

Featured on Unsolved Mysteries in 1992, this case of stolen identity and cold-blooded murder on Canada’s desolate highways still grips us today. Despite composites, leads, and speculation about serial killers, the hitchhiker has never been identified.

Nearly 38 years later, Philip’s murder remains unsolved. Join Hannah and me as we rewind this heartbreaking mystery—who was the man who stole more than a ride?

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g

Join Amy and Mark as they break down this chilling case: Was payback the motive for the murder of a detective’s 7-year-old son? On January 12, 1984, young Gary Grant Jr. enjoyed a rare midweek holiday in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He lived with his mother, May, after his parents’ separation. That morning, Gary mentioned having a secret appointment later in the day, but when he failed to return home by 4:00 PM, his mother grew worried. Despite his father’s frantic search, Gary’s body was discovered two days later in a vacant lot, just two blocks from home. He had been beaten to death with a heavy pipe, likely the murder weapon, found nearby. The initial investigation focused on Carl Mason, nicknamed “Boo,” a 12-year-old with a low IQ who was close friends with Gary. After hours of questioning, Boo signed a confession, though he continued to insist on his innocence. Despite his confession being ruled inadmissible and Boo being cleared of charges, no other suspect was ever identified.

Two years later, the case took a sinister turn when a cryptic message appeared on the side of an Atlantic City patrol car: “Gary Grant’s dead. I am living. Another will die on January 12th if all goes right.” This message, found just days before the second anniversary of Gary’s murder, suggested a connection to the crime. Weeks later, another chilling message was scratched into a sidewalk: “Gary Grant Jr. lives. I still killed him. Son of a pig officer. Payback is a M.F.” These messages led to speculation that Gary’s murder was an act of retribution for an arrest made by his father, but the case remains unsolved. Gary’s family continues to hope for justice, longing for the day when the person responsible will be brought to account. Join Amy and Mark as they delve deeper into this haunting case, exploring the theories and uncovering the details that still leave so many questions unanswered.

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g

During the holiday season of 1981, Rhonda Hinson, a recent high school graduate and clerical worker, attended her first company Christmas party. After leaving the party around midnight, Rhonda began her 10-mile drive home. At 1:00 AM, her mother, Judy Hinson, awoke with a premonition that something terrible had happened to her daughter. Rhonda’s car was found just half a mile from her home, with the driver’s door open and Rhonda lying dead nearby. She had been killed by a single bullet from a high-powered rifle, which had penetrated her car and struck her heart. Initially considered a random act of violence, the investigation later suggested that Rhonda may have been targeted by someone she knew.

In the weeks leading up to her death, Rhonda exhibited uncharacteristic behavior, such as asking her father to accompany her on trips and expressing concerns about dating a married man. Witnesses reported seeing suspicious activity on the night of her murder, including a blue Chevrolet with two white males and a dark blue Trans-Am near the crime scene. One witness, under hypnosis, recalled more details about the vehicles and a potential suspect. Despite the passage of time, Rhonda’s mother maintains her room exactly as it was, cherishing memories of her daughter. A $20,000 reward is still being offered for information leading to the resolution of the case.

Mark and Amy break down the Unsolved Mysteries segment and dive into the entire story.

Thank you to Mat Graham from Artificial Fear for allowing us to use his amazing cover of the Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQNyGGSIl_ZbEDq-teZDWQ

And thank you to Ryan Hughes from Planet H for lending us his spot-on “Stack Voice” and working with us to have such a cool intro and outro! Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYrlNAFRMlWQN1rhWboZh2g