Digest

This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the chilling disappearance and subsequent deaths of Arnold Arshambo and Ruby Brueir, a young couple who vanished after a car accident in South Dakota. The episode begins with an introduction and a fan club announcement, followed by a detailed account of the events leading up to the accident and the subsequent investigation. The episode details the car accident, where Tracy Deon, a teenage girl, was found trapped in the overturned vehicle. Tracy claims that Arnold and Ruby were also in the car but disappeared after the crash. Despite extensive searches, Arnold and Ruby were nowhere to be found. Months later, Ruby's body was discovered floating in a ditch near the accident site, followed by the discovery of Arnold's body just 15 feet away. The different levels of decomposition and the lack of evidence led to speculation about foul play. The episode explores the possibility that the bodies were moved after the initial searches, with a local man corroborating this theory. The autopsy results confirmed the identities of the bodies but provided little information about the cause or manner of death. The coroner's best guess was exposure, but the circumstances surrounding their deaths remained unclear. The episode discusses the inconsistencies in the case, including the different levels of decomposition, the sightings of Arnold and Ruby after the accident, and the lack of evidence to support the exposure theory. Multiple people came forward claiming to have seen Arnold and Ruby alive after the accident, with some individuals passing polygraph tests and others failing, further complicating the investigation. The investigation went silent, leaving the families frustrated and questioning the lack of communication from law enforcement. They felt that answers were being withheld and that the case was not being taken seriously. The Sheriff's Department sought a second opinion from a lab in Albuquerque, but the results were not released to the public. The lead investigator refused to share the report, citing that any "important differences" were not significant. The case gained renewed attention after it was featured on Unsolved Mysteries. New tips came in, including one about two men seen at the ditch just before the bodies were found. However, the tip did not lead to any new information. The FBI took over the investigation but ultimately closed the case due to a lack of evidence of foul play. The families were outraged by the decision, believing that the case was not properly investigated. The families suspected that the case was closed to cover up mistakes made during the initial investigation. They pointed to the withheld lab report and the lack of transparency from law enforcement. The families questioned whether the case would have been solved if Arnold and Ruby had been white instead of Native American. They highlighted the systemic bias against indigenous communities in law enforcement. The case remains closed to this day, with many unanswered questions. The families continue to seek closure and hope that someone will come forward with information about what happened to Arnold and Ruby.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Disappearance of Arnold Arshambo and Ruby Brueir

This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the chilling disappearance and subsequent deaths of Arnold Arshambo and Ruby Brueir, a young couple who vanished after a car accident in South Dakota. The episode details the car accident, where Tracy Deon, a teenage girl, was found trapped in the overturned vehicle. Tracy claims that Arnold and Ruby were also in the car but disappeared after the crash. Despite extensive searches, Arnold and Ruby were nowhere to be found. Months later, Ruby's body was discovered floating in a ditch near the accident site, followed by the discovery of Arnold's body just 15 feet away. The different levels of decomposition and the lack of evidence led to speculation about foul play.

00:07:07

The Investigation and Unanswered Questions

The episode explores the possibility that the bodies were moved after the initial searches, with a local man corroborating this theory. The autopsy results confirmed the identities of the bodies but provided little information about the cause or manner of death. The coroner's best guess was exposure, but the circumstances surrounding their deaths remained unclear. The episode discusses the inconsistencies in the case, including the different levels of decomposition, the sightings of Arnold and Ruby after the accident, and the lack of evidence to support the exposure theory. Multiple people came forward claiming to have seen Arnold and Ruby alive after the accident, with some individuals passing polygraph tests and others failing, further complicating the investigation.

00:22:59

The Case Goes Cold and the Search for Answers

The investigation went silent, leaving the families frustrated and questioning the lack of communication from law enforcement. They felt that answers were being withheld and that the case was not being taken seriously. The Sheriff's Department sought a second opinion from a lab in Albuquerque, but the results were not released to the public. The lead investigator refused to share the report, citing that any "important differences" were not significant. The case gained renewed attention after it was featured on Unsolved Mysteries. New tips came in, including one about two men seen at the ditch just before the bodies were found. However, the tip did not lead to any new information. The FBI took over the investigation but ultimately closed the case due to a lack of evidence of foul play. The families were outraged by the decision, believing that the case was not properly investigated.

00:26:57

Racial Bias and Unanswered Questions

The families suspected that the case was closed to cover up mistakes made during the initial investigation. They pointed to the withheld lab report and the lack of transparency from law enforcement. The families questioned whether the case would have been solved if Arnold and Ruby had been white instead of Native American. They highlighted the systemic bias against indigenous communities in law enforcement. The case remains closed to this day, with many unanswered questions. The families continue to seek closure and hope that someone will come forward with information about what happened to Arnold and Ruby.

Keywords

Q&A

• What happened to Arnold Arshambo and Ruby Brueir?

  Arnold and Ruby disappeared after a car accident in South Dakota. Their bodies were found months later in a ditch near the accident site, but the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear.

• Why is the case of Arnold and Ruby considered a mystery?

  The case is considered a mystery because of the lack of evidence, conflicting witness statements, and the possibility of foul play. The different levels of decomposition and the discovery of the bodies in a previously searched area raise questions about how they ended up there.

• What are the main theories surrounding Arnold and Ruby's deaths?

  The main theories include exposure, foul play, and the possibility that they were moved after the initial searches. However, none of these theories fully explain the inconsistencies in the case.

• What role did racial bias play in the investigation?

  The families of Arnold and Ruby believe that racial bias may have played a role in the investigation, as they felt that law enforcement did not take their case seriously. They pointed to the lack of transparency and the closure of the case without finding answers.

• What is the current status of the case?

  The case remains closed to this day, with many unanswered questions. The families continue to seek closure and hope that someone will come forward with information about what happened to Arnold and Ruby.

Show Notes