Thanksgiving is a holiday synonymous with gratitude, family gatherings, and indulgent meals. It's a day when most of us come together in celebration. But beneath the surface of this otherwise joyous holiday lies an unsettling truth: Thanksgiving is a day when some of the most chilling and unresolved crimes have occurred.
Whether driven by strained relationships, hidden motives, or sheer misfortune, these stories serve as a dark reminder of life’s unpredictability. So put on your stretchy pants and sharpen your carving knives as we explore five haunting Thanksgiving murder mysteries that remain unsolved to this day.
1. The Disappearance of Karen Mitchell
On November 25, 1997, 16-year-old Karen Mitchell went missing in broad daylight in Eureka, California. Karen, who is described as a bright and independent teenager, was last seen leaving her aunt’s store, where a witness alleges he saw Karen get into a blue sedan with a mysterious older white male. Despite a massive search effort, she seems to have vanished without a trace.
What makes this case even more intriguing is the profile of potential suspects. One notable name tied to the case is Robert Durst—the real estate heir and the subject of the 2015 HBO documentary, The Jinx—whose involvement in various mysterious disappearances and deaths has kept law enforcement and the public fascinated for decades. Though Durst was in the Eureka area at the time of Karen’s disappearance and matched the witness's description, no charges were ever filed due to a lack of evidence. Decades later, Karen Mitchell’s fate remains an unsolved Thanksgiving mystery.
2. The Blount Family Briefcase Bombing
Thanksgiving 1985 was marked by tragedy for the Blount family of Lake Worth, Texas. After returning from a holiday outing, 15-year-old Angela Blount discovered an abandoned briefcase on the porch of their mobile home. Upon opening it, the briefcase exploded, instantly killing Angela, her father Joe, and her cousin Michael. This violent act shocked the local community and stumped investigators for years.
A decade later, a man named Michael Toney was convicted for the bombing, but this conviction unraveled after it came to light that the prosecution had withheld evidence that could have changed the outcome of the trial. Toney’s conviction was eventually overturned, and he was released from prison. Speculation has swirled that the Blounts might not have been the intended targets, with some suggesting the bomb was meant for a nearby neighbor. Despite these theories, no new suspects or clear motives have emerged, leaving this case as arguably the most shocking unsolved Thanksgiving murder mystery.
3. The Slaying of Soulja Slim
James Tapp Jr., better known by his stage name Soulja Slim, was a talented rapper on the cusp of mainstream success. Tragically, his life was cut short on Thanksgiving Day in 2003. Tapp was shot multiple times on the front lawn of his mother’s home in New Orleans.
Police did arrest a suspect, Garelle Smith, who was allegedly paid $10,000 to kill Tapp. Unfortunately, he was later released due to insufficient evidence. Rumors continue to swirl about who hired Smith and their possible motives—including jealousy and business disputes—but no definitive answers have emerged. To this day, the true circumstances behind Soulja Slim’s murder remain clouded in mystery, adding another tragic chapter to this unsolved Thanksgiving murder.
4. The Thanksgiving Dinner Shooting
On November 28, 2002, a horrific shooting disrupted a Thanksgiving gathering at the home of Joseph and Evangeline Britt in Tacoma, Washington. Among the guests was 19-year-old Kimberly Riley, who had joined the event through her brother’s connection with the family. The holiday cheer was shattered when an unidentified assailant fired multiple shots through a front window. Kimberly was struck twice in the chest and succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
The tragic incident took an even darker turn when the Britts' five-year-old grandson, Jeremy Britt-Bayinthavong, was also fatally wounded in the sudden gunfire. Two others were injured but survived. Witnesses reported seeing a man with dark hair fleeing the scene in a pickup truck, but the shooter's identity and motive remain unknown. To this day, the case remains an unsolved Thanksgiving mystery dinner, casting a shadow over what should have been a joyous family celebration.
5. The Axe Murder of John H. Woodruff
One of the most baffling unsolved Thanksgiving murders dates back over a century ago in Schenectady County, NY. On Thanksgiving Day in 1919, John H. Woodruff, a local game protector, left his home to patrol the area but never returned. Nearly two years later, in April 1921, his remains were discovered buried in a shallow grave near a creek. His skull was found with the top half detached, suggesting he had been killed by a powerful blow, possibly with an axe.
Adding to the mystery, Woodruff's wife revealed he had received a threatening letter months before his disappearance and had destroyed it. A witness also recalled seeing him in an argument with another man on the day he vanished, with the two last seen walking into the woods together. Despite these leads, no suspect or motive was ever confirmed. And now, over 100 years later, this Thanksgiving murder mystery remains unsolved.
This Thanksgiving, Carve Out a Killer Adventure on the Murder Mystery Dinner Train!
If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, step aboard the Murder Mystery Dinner Train in Fort Myers, Florida for an evening filled with food, fun, and suspense. Catch our Early Train for Thanksgiving for an immersive experience where you and your whole family can engage in solving a thrilling whodunit, all while savoring a delicious five-course meal.
So, why stick to the ordinary when you can add a touch of the extraordinary to your holiday? Reserve your seats now for a Thanksgiving filled with mystery, laughter, and memories that’ll last far longer than your leftovers.
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