Murder Mountain, Part Two: The Danielle Bertolini investigation
This episode continues the discussion of the disappearance and murder of my Maine childhood friend, Danielle Bertolini (one of the Humboldt County Five), who, at 23 years old, in 2014, went missing in beautiful Humboldt County, California.
If you haven’t heard her mother, Billie Jo’s, heart-wrenching interview, please go back and listen to Part One.
July 2022 update: This episode and correlating blog was created and released over a year prior to any allegations about Jensen coming to light. While I work on making updated edits, the episode will remain as originally recorded and edited because some of the insight is still important to moving the case forward.
Interview with true crime journalist Billy Jensen
Billy Jensen is the author of Chase Darkness with Me, and known for podcasts like The Murder Squad: Jensen & Holes, The First Degree, and Unravelled: The Long Island Serial Killer
Billy Jensen has written hundreds of articles about unsolved crime as an investigative journalist for 20 years, and in the last 5 years he has used some exciting new approaches leveraging the power of social media to solve crime that he details in his book, Chase Darkness with Me. He wrote about Danielle in the book, and he has been personally involved with helping to get justice for Danielle. We talk in the episode about this case and how he got involved.
The relationship between Billie Jo and Billy Jensen was cemented through their shared mission to track down Billie Jo’s other daughter, Mariah, when she disappeared a few years after Danielle.
Interview with Detective Brian Taylor
Detective Brian Taylor is the lead investigator on Danielle’s case with the Fortuna Police Department.
Detective Taylor has been involved with this case from the very beginning in 2014 when Danielle went missing. He talks about the journey of the investigation, the impact of media involvement, where we’re at with the case now, and his relationship with Danielle’s mother, Billie Jo Dick.
He has also been interviewed on Crime Watch Daily and continues to work on Danielle’s case.
What is known about person of interest, Jim Jones?
James Eugene Jones has a history of violent crime. The local police department (Fortuna PD) named him publicly as a person of interest in this case. He was the last man that both Sheila Franks and Danielle Bertolini were seen with alive. Detective Taylor and Billy Jensen weigh in on his involvement along with an account from a Humboldt County local who wrote to Murder, She Told.
What would it take to move the case forward?
Jensen and Taylor both weigh in on what has been effective in terms of the social media that has been leveraged in this case, and what can be done to move this case forward.
Join the fight! A petition to prioritize this case
I have started a petition on change.org to dial up the pressure on this case. Please take a moment to read the petition and add your name in support.
If you’re holding onto any information or think you might know something about the murders of Danielle Bertolini and Sheila Franks, I urge you to submit a tip to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Tip Line at (707) 268-2539.
Connect on Instagram @MurderSheToldPodcast for photos from this episode and more.
Click here to support Murder, She Told.
Billy Jensen with his book, Chase Darkness With Me
Danielle Bertolini
Map of the missing women of the “Humboldt County Five”
Sources For This Episode
Chase Darkness With Me (book) by Billy Jensen
MissingNelly2014 Facebook Page
Seeking Justice For Sheila Franks and Danielle Bertolini Facebook Page
“Humboldt Mysteries: Are 5 missing women in a California county connected?” Crime Watch Daily
“Murder Mountain: New Series Explores Missing Persons in Weed’s Emerald Triangle” The Rolling Stone
“Why 'Murder Mountain' Doesn't Tell The Whole Story About Humboldt County's Missing People” Bustle
“The Humboldt 35” North Coast Journal
“Suspected Car Burglar Shot By Eureka Woman” The Times Standard
“The Humboldt Five: So Many Missing From Such a Small Area” Redheaded Blackbelt Kym Kemp
“Families And Law Enforcement Search For Two Missing Women” Redheaded Blackbelt Kym Kemp
Media and Credits
All photos of Danielle provided to Kristen by Billie Jo Dick
Other photos from @BillyJensen and Crime Watch Daily
Map From Humboldt Missing Five Facebook
Research, writing, audio, and editing by Kristen Seavey
Murder, She Told was created by Kristen Seavey
This episode was also co-produced by AKA Studio Productions
Research and writing support by Byron Willis & Pauline Parkhurst