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The Last Ride

Author: NPR

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Two young men of color vanished three months apart, on the same road in Naples, Florida, under eerily similar circumstances nearly 20 years ago. They were last seen with the same white sheriff's deputy. The since-fired deputy said he gave the men rides to Circle K stores, a story that could never be corroborated. He's the only person of interest, but has never been charged. No one has. What went wrong? Did the police drop the ball? Did the media? The eight-episode series, distributed by the NPR Network, includes new details and exclusive interviews with Tyler Perry, Ben Crump, family and friends of the men, and investigators, and dramatic polygraph audio. Reported by veteran journalists with the Naples Daily News and The Fort Myers News-Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, and produced in partnership with WGCU Public Media.
10 Episodes
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Two missing. One patrol car. Zero charged. The Last Ride dives deep into the unsettling story of a nearly 20-year-old cold case in Naples, FloridaLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Two young men of color disappeared in Naples, Florida, three months apart from the same street nearly two decades ago. The last person they were seen with was a white deputy. Steven Calkins. No one's been arrested or charged for whatever happened to them. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and filmmaker Tyler Perry join the fight for answers. Could something finally come to light to solve this tragic mystery?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Felipe Santos, a 23-year-old immigrant from Mexico, disappeared after a minor traffic crash in Naples, FL in the fall of 2003. Steven Calkins, the Collier County deputy on the scene, said he gave Felipe a ride to a nearby Circle K gas station. Felipe was never seen again.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Terrance Williams was 27 when he disappeared. He was pulled over by Collier County Sheriff's Deputy Steven Calkins in January 2004 in Naples, FL, and was never seen again. Calkins said he gave Terrance a ride to a nearby Circle K. His mother and stepfather began their own investigation when the sheriff's office was not initially responsive in trying to find Terrance. Williams was the second man to go missing after last being seen with the same law enforcement officer.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
The Polygraphs

The Polygraphs

2023-04-1850:164

Deputy Steven Calkins takes three polygraph tests about the disappearance of Terrance Williams. Inconsistencies between his dispatch calls, his own statements and the polygraphs only bring up more questions. Why didn't Calkins report pulling Terrance over? Was the Cadillac really broken down? What time did this all happen? And, with each polygraph, it's clear that suspicions about Calkins are heating up.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Good Guy or Bad Cop?

Good Guy or Bad Cop?

2023-04-2540:131

Who is Steven Calkins? Friends from his past shed light on his life in Ottawa, Illinois before moving to Naples, Florida to become a deputy. What was he like as a cop? Were there any clues that Calkins was the kind of guy who would do something to these men? What was the probability that Calkins meeting both Felipe and Terrance before they vanished was a pure coincidence?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
The Tyler Perry Effect

The Tyler Perry Effect

2023-05-0248:54

Media attention can make a big difference when people go missing. But did the local, regional and national media fail these two missing men of color? Why didn't these cases get the same attention early on as cases involving young white women and are there lessons to be learned? Media mogul Tyler Perry has helped bring a spotlight to the disappearances of Terrance Williams and Felipe Santos and has become an advocate for the families.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
The sheriff's office publicly deflects attention from deputy Steven Calkins, but behind the scenes, they are investigating one of their own. The investigation grows as several agencies join the Collier County Sheriff's Office, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Attorney's Office. What did they do to search for evidence in the disappearances of Felipe Santos and Terrance Williams? What clues did they follow? Was the investigation thorough? Impartial? Was it too late?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Pursuing Justice

Pursuing Justice

2023-05-1651:331

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Terrance Williams comes to an end, but not until after a tense deposition of former deputy Steven Calkins. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, media mogul Tyler Perry, and the missing men's families and advocates still harbor hope for justice.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
An emotional interview with Marcia Williams, the mother of Terrance Williams, near the 20th anniversary of his disappearance and, his birthday. She shares her thoughts on continuing searches near the Everglades, the podcast and how she has learned to cope with the trauma.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Comments (11)

Storm

this is the good stuff guys,nothing better than stumbling across super high quality podcast 👌

Jun 13th
Reply

SandLady

IDK. I hope the investigation goes somewhere when blaming someone. Both of these dudes have very good reasons to go missing. Terrence was about to need to pay $5000 in 2 days or back to jail. That's almost $8500 today compared to 2003. Santos was illegally residing in the US and caused an at-fault auto accident and was facing possible deportation. It is very coincidental that 2 people are last seen with. IJDK

May 19th
Reply

ID28559645

I don’t believe he did it what so ever. I have seen ever interview ever of people accused of murder and he doesn’t portray the behavior/body language at all that he’s being dishonest. This seems like a witch hunt just because every body wants to blame cops for stuff.

May 18th
Reply (3)

Shannon McKay

Here from Bear Brook! just started listening but it sounds like you guys are doing very important work. Happy to have found you!

May 3rd
Reply

SULINE LANIE

The Last Ride is a podcast that focuses on the life and career of the legendary professional wrestler, The Undertaker. The podcast features https://fashiontrack.net/ interviews with The Undertaker himself, as well as other wrestlers, industry insiders, and fans, and covers a range of topics related to his storied career, including his early days in the industry, his most memorable matches and storylines, and his decision to retire in 2020. The podcast is produced by WWE and is part of the company's efforts to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the world of professional wrestling. It was released in 2020, coinciding with The Undertaker's retirement after a career spanning three decades. The Last Ride consists of five episodes, each focusing on a different phase of The Undertaker's career, from his early days as a wrestler to his final match. The podcast features candid interviews with The Undertaker, who shares his thoughts on various aspects of his career, including his struggles

Apr 29th
Reply

Jill Bertschinger-Kimmle

IDK, he doesn't sound guilty to me. He seems very relaxed and sincere in his answers during this questioning.

Apr 25th
Reply

Mark McCulloh

good podcast.. worth a listen. One more in the endless line of dirty and or lazy cop stories.

Apr 19th
Reply

Michelle Sawall-Kneale

that deputy is truly a liar! you can tell by how he's responding

Apr 11th
Reply
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