Jane Santucci Jane Santucci

Episode 8: Missing Arm

Welcome to Kohroner Chronicles, the podcast where Dr. Roland Kohr, forensic pathologist, delves into the intriguing and often perplexing world of forensic science. In today’s episode, Dr. Kohr recounts a case from his time in Terre Haute that took an unusual turn, blending the tragic, the bizarre, and the unexpectedly humorous.

The story begins on a Sunday afternoon in a residential area near railroad tracks. A dog, seemingly on a mission, had been digging and unearthed something grim: human remains. A passerby stumbled upon the scene and quickly alerted the police. Upon their arrival, authorities contacted Dr. Kohr to oversee the excavation.

The victim, a young woman who had been reported missing weeks earlier, was found buried near a fallen tree, just 50 feet from a well-traveled street. Despite the proximity to a public area, the grave was haphazardly concealed. As the body was uncovered, one detail stood out: part of her upper extremity was missing.

Identification was possible thanks to a unique, unfinished tattoo. A friend of the victim provided a photo of the tattoo’s progress, which matched perfectly.

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Jane Santucci Jane Santucci

Episode 7: One Pathologist Trumps Three Psychologists

Behind the Curtain: Preparing for the Courtroom with Dr. Roland Kohr

Welcome to another episode of Kohroner Chronicles with Dr. Roland Kohr, a forensic pathologist. In today’s story, Dr. Kohr delves into the complexities of preparing a homicide case for trial—emphasizing how thorough preparation and an understanding of basic medical principles are crucial not only to solving a crime but to securing justice in the courtroom.

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Jane Santucci Jane Santucci

Episode 6: Train vs Pedestrian

Dr. Roland Kohr, a seasoned forensic pathologist, brings decades of experience to his gripping podcast Kohroner Chronicles, where he shares the complexities of life, death, and everything in between. In this episode, Dr. Kohr revisits a case from Vigo County, Indiana, a haunting incident involving a tragic death on the railroad tracks near Terre Haute. Despite clear evidence pointing to an accident, the victim’s family remained steadfast in their belief that foul play was involved. This case demonstrates how the non-homicide cases can sometimes be more challenging than solving outright murders.

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Jane Santucci Jane Santucci

Episode 5: Not Quite a Homicide

Welcome to another gripping episode of Kohroner Chronicles with Dr. Roland Kohr, where the line between science and mystery often blurs. In this episode, we delve into a fascinating case that demonstrates how initial appearances can be deceiving and how the meticulous application of forensic science can reveal the unexpected.

Dr. Kohr opens by emphasizing a fact often overlooked in the sensationalized portrayals of forensic work: homicides account for only about five percent of a forensic pathologist’s practice. Yet, it is often with other cases that initially seem to be homicides can turn out to be something entirely different that challenges the skills and expertise of forensic professionals.

One such case unfolded, involving a homeless man whose death initially appeared to be the result of foul play. The story began on a pleasant spring morning when the man, who had been residing at a local homeless shelter, volunteered to sort bricks at a nearby building demolition site to earn some pocket money. After starting to feel unwell, he decided to return to the shelter, taking an alleyway route. He was later discovered unresponsive by a teenager on a dirt bike, whose suspicious actions—failing to assist and instead alerting others before riding away—added an air of mystery.

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Jane Santucci Jane Santucci

Episode 4: Earl Taylor

Dr. Roland Kohr, a distinguished coroner with decades of experience spanning 13 counties in Indiana and Illinois, has seen more than his share of unusual cases. Though typically called to testify for the prosecution, his expertise has been sought in both civil and criminal cases, including cold cases requiring fresh perspectives. One such case involved Earl Taylor, a man whose actions would haunt two generations of Terre Haute residents.

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Jane Santucci Jane Santucci

Episode 1: The Next Best Thing To a Confession is a Lie

In two separate cases, forensic analysis played a pivotal role in unraveling deceptive stories crafted by suspects, ultimately leading to justice. Forensic evidence tore apart alibis in each case and painted a grim picture of what transpired. Here’s how Forensic Pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr used his expertise to bring the truth to light.

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Jane Santucci Jane Santucci

Episode Two: Cats and Cobwebs

Dr. Roland M. Kohr, a seasoned forensic pathologist and host of the podcast Kohroner Chronicles, recently shared a shocking account from his career that illustrates the often grim and revolting reality of crime scenes. Unlike the pristine, organized settings depicted in television dramas, real crime scenes frequently offer a far more chaotic and repulsive picture.

One case stood out in particular for Dr. Kohr due to its extreme nature. The call originated from concerned neighbors requesting a wellness check after noticing the immaculate lawn of their reclusive neighbor had gone untrimmed for nearly a week—a stark departure from his usual twice-weekly mowing routine. This observation led police to a shocking discovery.

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Jane Santucci Jane Santucci

Episode 3: Coup Contrecoup Contusion

Mystery Deepens in Small-Town Death: Drunken Fall or Homicide?

In a case that shook a small Illinois town to its core, a death initially ruled as an accidental fall may have been a calculated act of violence. The victim, a man locals affectionately knew as “Charlie,” was found lifeless in a concrete culvert just blocks from his favorite bar. What appeared to be a tragic misstep quickly escalated into a suspected homicide, thanks to forensic expertise and the meticulous work of Dr. Roland Kohr, a well-known forensic pathologist.

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