The Nun’s Skeleton PT 1
Buried Bones - a historical true crime podcast with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes
Deep Dive
What is the main focus of the first part of the two-part episode?
The episode focuses on the 1969 disappearance of Sister Kathy Sesnick, a nun and teacher at an all-girls Catholic high school in Baltimore. The case involves suspicious accounts from church members and explores potential motives, including her knowledge of rampant sexual abuse at the school.
Who discovered Sister Kathy's car and what were the unusual findings?
Father Jerry Koob and Brother Pete McKeon discovered Sister Kathy's car across the street from her apartment. The car was found with the driver's side door unlocked, a twig tied to the turn signal, and mud and leaves inside, suggesting it had been driven through a muddy, swampy area.
What was the cause of Sister Kathy's death according to the autopsy?
The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head, neck, and other parts of the body, primarily the head. A significant, irregular hole in her skull suggested she was struck with a dense, heavy object, possibly a hammer or a rock.
What role did Father Joseph Maskell play in the case?
Father Joseph Maskell, the school's chaplain, was accused of sexually abusing students, including Jean Hargadon Wehner. He allegedly drove Jean to the dump where Sister Kathy's body was later found and threatened her, saying the same would happen to her if she spoke out about the abuse.
What significant event occurred in 1994 that reignited the investigation into Sister Kathy's death?
In 1994, a former student known as Jane Doe (Jean Hargadon Wehner) came forward, revealing that she had been sexually abused by Father Maskell and other priests. She also claimed that Maskell had taken her to the dump where Sister Kathy's body was found before it was discovered, threatening her to stay silent.
What was the condition of Sister Kathy's body when it was found?
Sister Kathy's body was found lying on her back with her skirt pulled up and her shirt open. She had been dead for two months, and the autopsy revealed she had suffered significant blunt force trauma to the head, with a large, irregular hole in her skull.
Why did the Baltimore Archdiocese intervene in the investigation?
The Baltimore Archdiocese intervened to pressure the police to release Father Jerry Koob and stop investigating him as a suspect. This intervention likely involved political leverage, as the archdiocese had significant influence and connections within the police force.
What was the significance of the mud and vegetation found in Sister Kathy's car?
The mud and vegetation in Sister Kathy's car indicated that the vehicle had been driven through a muddy, swampy area, which was not near her apartment complex. This suggested that the car had been taken to a remote location, possibly where she was killed, before being returned to the apartment complex.
- Sister Cathy's unexpected disappearance on November 7th, 1969.
- Witnesses saw her sitting in her car in the apartment complex parking lot.
- A loud yell was heard near her apartment complex.
Shownotes Transcript