Episode summary introduction:

Enjoy Part #2 of this podcast as we continue to unravel the mystery relating to the disappearance of Keith Black.  We delve into the complexities of the case, particularly focusing on the confessions made by Rhonda Black, who admitted to killing her husband and disposing of his remains. 

Moreover, we explore the challenges faced in confirming the identity of the remains discovered and the role of DNA analysis in this process. 

The episode further examines the trials of both Rhonda and her accomplice, Howard, highlighting the discrepancies in their testimonies and the implications of the legal outcomes. 

Ultimately, what is important is bringing closure to Keith's family, underscoring the emotional weight of such investigations and the profound impact they have on all involved.

Topics discussed in this episode:

In a riveting discussion, the podcast navigates the labyrinth of crime investigation, centering on the case of Keith Black and the unsettling revelations that emerged during the investigative process.

TC & Maddog share insights into the psychological complexities of the individuals involved, particularly Ronda Black, as they dissect her motivations and the circumstances surrounding the crime. They delve into the procedural intricacies associated with establishing the truth, highlighting the importance of meticulous evidence gathering and the ethical dilemmas faced by law enforcement. 

Through their dialogue, the speakers evoke a sense of empathy for the victims and their families, exploring the emotional ramifications of crime and the pursuit of justice. Listeners are invited to ponder the philosophical questions surrounding morality, guilt, and the societal constructs that influence our understanding of criminal behavior, ultimately providing a comprehensive overview of a case that serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of human life.

Walkabout takeaways:

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of companionship, suggesting that no individual should navigate life in isolation.
• Through engaging discussions, we reflect on the profound impact of investigations on families seeking closure about their loved ones.
• We delve into the challenges faced during complex investigations, highlighting the necessity of thorough evidence corroboration.
• The narrative illustrates the legal system's unpredictable nature, particularly in cases involving serious crimes and their consequences.
• It is revealed that motivation behind actions can be complex and multifaceted, often defying straightforward explanations.
• The episode culminates in a poignant reminder of the emotional rewards of bringing closure to families affected by loss.

More about E-Walkabout:

To learn more about Electronic Walkabout visit us at   www.ewalkabout.ca.

If you want to read more “Thoughts of the Day” check out TC’s Book at Amazon:

St. Mike's Fortunes

https://a.co/d/j5dGhBK 

A special thanks to Steven Kelly, our technical advisor, who keeps trying to teach these old dogs new tricks when it comes to sounds and recording!!

“Remember to take advantage of the moment before the moment takes advantage of you!”

Links referenced in this episode:

• Apple TV - An Hour to Kill
• Dark Poutine – A podcast about notorious Canadian crimes, dark history and other creepy topics as told by real-live Canadians
• Marshall Jones, Author of "Black Lies"
• R. v. Black, 2007 BCSC 1105 (CanLII), ＜http://canlii.ca/t/1s6zv＞ 
• R. v. Steadman, 2008 BCSC 1613 (CanLII), ＜http://canlii.ca/t/21nmn＞ 

Electronic Walkabout. No one should have to walk through life alone. We share the good times, the bad times, and the best times.

Everyone needs a little direction now and again. And TC and Maddog are here to show you the way. A podcast where we talk about the important things in life. Come journey with us.

The Electronic Walkabout. Well, I hope you're all having a good day out there in the world. Welcome to where we continue to unravel the mystery of Keith Black's disappearance.

In part one, we shared with you how Ronda Black became the focus of an undercover operation.

And during that operation, she confided into the fact that she had actually killed her husband, wrapped up his body, and transported it out to a place just outside of Ban Alberta. Join us in part two as we continue to share with you what happened during the course of this investigation.

Cause we just figured, okay, we'll just go see Mr. Big and we'll wrap it up, call it a day. Yeah, no, another year's coming our way.

Wow, he's. I guess you just, you know, from an outsider standpoint, you don't realize the time invested in these investigations.

We started an undercover operation that, that focuses on Howard and then, of course, through a number of meetings, no different than I suggested, but with. With rhonda, Howard's meeting Mr. Big, so.

And I'll just back up again and keep in mind what I said about, like, this whole dismembering of the body and scattering, say, in the wilderness. Right.

So a few years back, prior to that investigation, I was at a seminar where basically I was told that if a body is basically put into the wild just because of the animals and what have you and the decomposition, chances are you're not going to have any luck in finding any remains out there. So again, we still. We still don't know where Keith is. So what happens directly after that that they'll say, confession to Mr. Big?

There is an agreement that, that we're going to be taken to where the. The. The body is located. Sure enough, there are some remains there. But what's.

What's one of the biggest challenges that we'll have is that how do we know that that is in fact Keith?

Right.

So there's this little thing called DNA. And at the time there is this. Think he would've been referred to as a forensic dentist that worked out of ubc.

And what he would do is we take the bones and cryogenically extract the DNA so that it could be read and be able to. And prior to that, I'd already taken at least a DNA sample from Keith's mom and dad was living in Australia at the time.

So we at least had half the puzzle. Right.

So based on that analysis, we were in fact able to confirm that at least not for certain cause we still had to get dad's DNA that it was Keith that allowed us enough to get charge approval to, to these people.

The second part of that would be to get dad to fully vet that the DNA is correct.

Yes, gotcha. And I am, I am by no means a DNA expert. I've read reports, but literally it's Greek.

Yeah, like there's like a basic, basic like probability, let's say, based on a, like if this sample was with this sample, there's like a one in right. Whatever billion chance that it's this individual. Right. So. But it was enough to say yeah, so there we are.

And of course when that happens, like you're getting back to the investigation, like we're still full on, we still got a lot of work to do. Because generally with what happens after you, let's say arrest individuals, then, then there's so much more investigation that takes place.

Because keep in mind when I said, and it's only one of the things where you're going to have to corroborate what was said during those Mr. Big. So you're going to go back to the file and say, okay, well we got this. That matches what was said and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

And it, and it just helps. Then we end up going to trial.

Now, the trial of Rhonda Black that happened in Kelowna, just to give you a sense, lasted 100 days, which is way out of the norm.

And during, during that trial, her defense counsel suggested in fact that it was not her that committed the homicide, but in fact it was her dad that had done it and what had happened in between, let's say. And we, we did speak to the dad at the time, but in between the time that we spoke to the dad and trial dad had passed away of cancer.

So likely, likely story.

Yeah. And the courts didn't really, really buy it. Right.

Because I mean if, if one thing that was certain when you, when you looked through that investigation and which kind of, kind of sets the stage for the name of the book, Black Lies, because Rhonda was, had a habit of, let's say, giving a different explanation for the same thing and different, different ways of doing it. So you had to say, well, you said this over here and said that here, so it doesn't really make sense. It's just interesting.

I've got more questions for sure.

Well, you go ahead and hit the questions because then I'm going to talk a little bit about what happens with Howard as well.

Okay. No, I'm going to park them because they're more after the fact questions.

Okay. So Howard goes to trial and of course he's. He's trying. He's going to try and minimize any involvement ju has of this.

Now, is that where you negotiate? Well, if you give us your confession and you know, you'll get a later sentence. Is that for that?

Now, that's generally what's. What you see in the movie, but. And I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it's usually the extreme.

And what you really want to do is you want to get that individual, provide a statement voluntarily.

Gotcha.

With no strings attached. Does that mean that that happens 100% of the time? Because sometimes you literally have to get in bed with the devil in order to move things forward.

The challenge with that, you don't know who the devil is. Right.

Wow.

Howard goes to court and he at the end of the day, gets convicted of accessory after the fact and I think obstruction. There certainly would have been an element of indignity to human remains just by virtue of what. And what he did. Keith. Four years for that.

Four years. That's it.

That's it.

Wow.

And I got to tell you something funny about the. And I don't mean funny haha about the Canadian legal system.

When, when you think about it like, first of all, if you look in the criminal code, the, the highest penalty really is breaking enter into a, in a. Into a house because, you know, that's a man's castle. So you know, and I not you can. And that's the way that the, the thinking was back then.

And that's like, that's. You don't mess with that.

Right.

You think about the US and guns and people walking in their houses. Well, it was the same kind of philosophy, but only to the extent where the sentence was probably the high sentence you could get for a crime.

And then when you look at that murder and somebody will say, well, they got 14 years. No, no, the sentence is life. But they're eligible for parole after 14 years. Does that mean they're going to get out? No, it doesn't, no.

But there's a glimmer of hope that they will.

Wow.

Yep. She served her time.

That's insane. Like, for. For unaliving somebody. And that's. Yeah, that is unbelievable.

But, yes, I understand your sentiment about the legal system as to what you're referring to.

One of the most important things. I will. I will tell you this, and it has nothing to do with gathering the evidence, bringing people to Keith's family and.

And bringing some closure to them so they know what happened to their loved one.

Yeah.

And that's. That's more rewarding than anything. And I will tell you this, that Keith's sister, at.

At the end of that investigation, she wrote me a very heartfelt car.

Oh, nice.

And I still have it today. But it's like if. If I were to. And it doesn't matter what kind of accolades. I mean, you can put commendations up on the wall saying, this.

This member or this officer did a fantastic job of this investigation. Compared to that card, it really means nothing.

Well, and that kind of summarizes why you do what you do in the first place. Right. So to get that direct feedback. So was there. Did motivation come out as to why this happened?

Was there no life insurance? Motivation is a funny thing, too. A lot of people say, well, you got to figure out what the. What the motivation is. But in. In the.

In the case, for the most part, you're going to follow the evidence. But you're right, there's still. It's still big for an example explanation. But who. I'll say it this way, and it could be rhetorical, but you're.

You're free to answer this, but who in their right mind is going to sneak up on someone when they're sleeping and stab them in the neck?

I think the. The keywords are right mind there. So.

Yes.

Gotcha.

Yeah.

Interesting.

Yeah.

You just kind of assume that, oh, there must have been a will or blood. You know what I mean? The stuff you see in movies, because that's all I can relate to.

But you'd figure that there was something to gain from it by doing that. But.

Well, you know, it could be as simple as that. She wanted out of that relationship and. And that's. That was her. Her way of doing that.

Wow.

Might even be the reason why I sleep with one eye open now, too.

Well, you know, like, there's something to be said about that line of work that, you know, you're experiencing things that most normal humans don't. Yeah. Very tempting.

Maddog. That music is telling us this episode is come to an end.

In the end, more than anything, we brought closure to Keith's family as to what happened to him. And of course, I've already mentioned it for that most touching card from Keith's sister. Really, really made a difference.

And, you know, I say thank you for sharing that because I really don't think a lot of people get to see this side of your work. So, yeah, especially stuff like the card, right?

Like, it's all glitz, glam, and what you see on the tv, but it's those little things after the fact that you get that make that keeps fire burning to keep doing more.

So thank you. Oh, you're welcome. And I will tell you this.

It really does take a team of people, a team of dedicated people, and a team that's willing to put in a number of hours, because first of all, the courts really don't care. They think the police have endless resources, but at the end of the day, it's got to be done right.

Remember to take advantage of the moment before the moment takes advantage of you. To learn more about E-Walkabout, please Visit us at E-Walkabout.ca.