Island Noir: Beyond the Palm Trees
Island Noir Podcast, hosted by Nya Starr, dives into impactful crimes affecting marginalized people around the world—past and present. Every episode honors the victims, uncovers truth, and amplifies resilience.
Unseen victims. Untold truths. Uncovered resilience.
Island Noir: Beyond the Palm Trees
2 Lives Stolen, 2 Babies Taken: Savanna LaFontaine-GreyWind and Araceli Camacho-Gomez
This episode explores the heartbreaking cases of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind and Araceli Camacho-Gomez, both victims of fetal abduction. It delves into the tragic circumstances surrounding their disappearances, the impact on their families, and the broader issues of violence against Indigenous and immigrant women. The narrative highlights the urgent need for justice and systemic change to protect vulnerable women.
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The bond between a mother and her unborn child is sacred, but in the rare and devastating cases of fetal abduction, that bond is violently torn apart. Today we explore lives stolen in an instant and futures tragically cut short. This podcast explores true crime cases and may include descriptions of violence and other sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised. I'm your host, nia, and in this episode we delve into the heartbreaking cases of Savannah LaFontaine Greywind and Araceli Camacho Gomez. Both were victims of evil, unspeakable acts. Their unborn children were cruelly taken from them. Children were cruelly taken from them. Join me as we uncover the details on Island Noir, beyond the palm trees. Born on August 9, 1995, in Belcourt, north Dakota, toberta and Joe Gawain.
Speaker 1:Savannah LaFontaine Gawain grew up in Fargo. She was surrounded by the love of her family. They were a close-knit unit. She was especially close to her niece and nephew, odessa and Shane Jr, and she also helped take care of her grandparents, who were a major part of her life. Proud of her heritage, she held deep ties to both the Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain tribes. Her Dakota name was when Thunder Finds Her, which reflected her strong connection to her Native American culture and the undeniable strength of her spirit. Those who knew her best described her as selfless and kind. Savannah's passion for caring for others led her to pursue a career in elder care, earning her certified nursing assistant certification in 2014. She then began working in a nursing home providing compassionate care to the elderly. But beyond her love for her family, savannah had a deep connection to animals, especially horses. Though she moved to Fargo in 2016, the cultural roots she held from Spirit Lake stayed with her, always a part of who she was.
Speaker 1:Another central part of Savannah's life was her relationship with Ashton Matheny. They first met in middle school in Devil's Lake, and what began as a friendship quickly grew into something more. Ashton was always by Savannah's side through high school and even into adulthood, and especially during her pregnancy. For over seven years, they supported each other through every challenge. Their love was defined by the quiet, steady kind of support that, when Savannah became pregnant, ashton moved back to Fargo from Minneapolis to be by her side, preparing for the birth of their daughter, haisley Jill. They had everything planned, a future filled with the excitement of becoming first-time parents. Unfortunately, just as they were about to start this next chapter together, their future was torn apart by an unimaginable act of evil.
Speaker 1:It was was August 19, 2017. The day started like any other day for Savannah Graywind. She was eight months pregnant and at home in Fargo, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family. It should have been a peaceful day, one spent preparing for the arrival of her daughter, but as the afternoon wore on, a subtle unease crept in. Something just felt off. A simple request from a neighbor, a favor that seemed so ordinary, would soon lead to a moment that shattered everything, changing the course of everyone's lives forever. What happened that afternoon would send shockwaves through Savannah's family, leaving them grasping for answers that seemed just out of reach.
Speaker 1:That afternoon, savannah, just 22 years old and full of life, was in her family's basement apartment. It was supposed to be a quiet, uneventful day. She had even ordered pizza for herself and her family's basement apartment. It was supposed to be a quiet, uneventful day. She had even ordered pizza for herself and her family A small treat for a lazy afternoon. But things took a sudden turn when Savannah told her family she was going upstairs to help her neighbor. It seemed like nothing out of the ordinary. It was a simple favor for someone who lived just upstairs. She promised to be back shortly. No one gave it a second thought.
Speaker 1:Hours passed and Savannah still hadn't returned. At first her family thought little of it. Maybe the task had taken her longer than expected. But then, as time crept forward, their concern grew. Her car sat untouched outside the engine, cold. Inside. Her personal belongings remained exactly as she had left them. Inside her personal belongings remained exactly as she had left them. For someone in her condition, eight months pregnant, this behavior was completely out of character. Savannah was known for being responsible and always in communication with her family, so her sudden disappearance sparked immediate concern amongst her family members. Even her mother knew that. The explanation felt wrong, like a puzzle piece that wouldn't fit. As the hour slipped away, fear gripped the family tighter and tighter. They knew Savannah would never just disappear not with her baby due in a matter of weeks.
Speaker 1:In the days that followed, law enforcement conducted multiple searches of the building and surrounding areas where Savannah was last seen. The searches were thorough, but there was nothing. No trace of Savannah, no clues, no evidence. The community of Fargo was left asking the same haunting question how could a young woman, eight months pregnant, vanish in broad daylight with no evidence to explain her disappearance? Can you begin to imagine the growing dread and panic her family must have felt Because I don't know. But when someone you care about just suddenly goes silent, your mind starts to race and you start to think about all the worst possibilities and you're just praying that everything is okay. I can't begin to imagine what that must have felt for them.
Speaker 1:As days stretched into nights with no sign of Savannah, her family's growing desperation was palpable. The search for her intensified as law enforcement combed through the apartment building where she lived. The police searched every corner but found nothing. No clues, no leads, just a growing void where hope once was. With each passing day, the family clung to fading hope, while anxiety gripped their hearts. The community of Fargo watched helplessly as the clock ticked away and there was still no word from Savannah.
Speaker 1:Investigators retraced their steps. They revisited witnesses and they started picking apart every detail. Their attention soon turned to a neighbor who lived just upstairs, a woman and her boyfriend, who had been among the last to see Savannah. Suspicion began to creep in, casting a shadow over the couple that was impossible to ignore, casting a shadow over the couple that was impossible to ignore. Wouldn't you start to wonder if they were the last people to see her? What exactly were they hiding? And why hadn't they spoken up before to law enforcement or to the family when they were looking for Savannah?
Speaker 1:Because the deeper law enforcement probed, the more unsettling the couple's behavior became. Broke Cruz and William Hone insisted they knew nothing, but the police weren't convinced. Something wasn't right. And then a critical detail came to light Rumors about a baby in the couple's apartment. This rumor shifted the entire investigation and the search for Savannah entered a new, terrifying phase. Police obtained another search warrant and returned to the apartment that had, until now, seemed completely normal Just another door in another apartment building. But on August 24, 2017, what they found behind that door sent shockwaves through every officer in that room, through every officer in that room. Inside the apartment, tucked in blankets, was a newborn baby girl small, fragile and impossibly innocent. She was the child of Savannah, the child that she had carried for eight long months. Dna testing would later confirm what her family had dreaded and hoped for all at once this was Haisley Jo, savannah's daughter.
Speaker 1:Relief washed over the community, but it was short-lived. Savannah, the woman who had brought this new life into the world, was still missing. Just three days later, on August 27, the nightmare deepened. Kayakers on the Red River stumbled upon a heart-wrenching sight. Wrapped in plastic and duct tape, caught on a log in the river's current, was Savannah's body, murdered in cold blood, her life stolen in the most brutal way. But the horror didn't stop there. But the horror didn't stop there. The truth of what happened to Savannah was far more chilling than anyone could have ever imagined. For Savannah's family, the grief was incomprehensible. They had lost their daughter in the most horrifying way For Indigenous communities.
Speaker 1:Savannah's story became more than just a tragedy. It reignited a fierce call for justice, for the safety of Native American women, who far too often remain unheard and unseen. Savannah's death brought attention to a much larger issue, a reality that Native American women have faced for generations. Her death was a devastating tragedy, one that shattered her family's world, but it also became more just a loss. She also served as a catalyst for change.
Speaker 1:See, indigenous women experience violence and go missing at rates far higher than any other group in the country. Their stories, like Savannah's, often go untold, their disappearance unnoticed by media or law enforcement. We have to grasp the scale of this crisis. We need to look at the numbers. This crisis we need to look at the numbers. A 2016 study by the National Institute of Justice revealed that over four in five American, indian and Alaskan Native women approximately 84.3% have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime. This translates to more than 1.5 million 1.5 million Indigenous women affected across the US. Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's, non-hispanic American, indian and Alaskan Native women had the second highest rate of homicides in 2020. Indigenous women are murdered at a rate more than 10 times the national average, a statistic that underscores the scale of the violence they face.
Speaker 1:But behind these numbers lies a movement the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Movement, or MMIW. It's a cry for justice for all the women like Savannah who had been taken from their families, whose stories remain unresolved. The red handprint often seen across the mouths of Indigenous women and men has become a powerful symbol of this fight. It basically represents the silenced voices of those who can no longer speak for themselves. In some indigenous cultures, red is believed to be the only color that spirits can see. Calling back the memory of these missing women, the movement is a call not only to remember, but to also demand action and justice for those who can no longer speak for themselves.
Speaker 1:Brooke Cruz and William Hone were taken into custody on August 24, 2017, after police, acting on rising suspicions, secured a search warrant for their apartment. Both were promptly arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. The trial unveiled the full extent of what unfolded In the courtroom. The prosecution laid bare the grim details. Lay bare the grim details. On August 19, savannah LaFontaine, eight months pregnant, was lured to Brooke Cruz's apartment under the pretense of helping with a sewing project. What followed was a descent into violence. Once inside, cruz accused Savannah of mistreating cats a trivial excuse that quickly escalated into a violent struggle. Cruz shoved Savannah to the floor her head, hitting the ground hard, leaving her unconscious. What happened next defied comprehension. Using a utility knife, crews perform crude cesarean section, forcibly delivering Savannah's baby girl. Savannah was still alive during the brutal procedure, regaining consciousness briefly before succumbing to the massive blood loss. She died from the lack of medical care, her life stolen in a horrific act of evil.
Speaker 1:Prosecutor Tanya Johnson-Martinez delivered an emotional statement in the court, revealing the devastating truth. Savannah's daughter, haisley Jo, took her first breath at the exact moment that Savannah took her last. Savannah's family, including her boyfriend Ashton Matheny, who had not previously known the full extent of what happened, sat in sorrow as they heard these revelations during the sentencing. What made this case even more disturbing was how Brooke Cruz and William Hone managed to conceal Savannah's body. During the early stages of the investigation, her lifeless body had been hidden in a hollowed-out dresser, wrapped in plastic and tape. Despite multiple searches of the apartment, police overlooked this gruesome hiding place. Police overlooked this gruesome hiding place. Meanwhile, cruz and Hone continued their lives as if nothing had happened. They went out, brought baby supplies and lived with Savannah's newborn, all while hiding the unthinkable horror that had taken place in their home.
Speaker 1:In response to the prosecution, cruz's attorney, stephen Modinger, emphasized her guilty plea as a step toward accountability. He argued for a life sentence with the probability of parole, claiming it showed her willingness to accept responsibility. Cruz expressed remorse in the courtroom, offering an apology to Savannah's family. I really don't think that that would matter to them. You took their child. An apology is not going to do anything. I just think that was just cruel to do to the family. But she did admit that her words could never heal the pain that she caused, and that's completely true, and I'm glad that the judge, despite her apology, sentenced Cruz to life without parole for conspiracy to commit murder, along with an additional 20 years for conspiracy to commit kidnapping and 163 days for providing false information to law enforcement, and the judge also cited the heinous nature of the crime.
Speaker 1:Now, with Brooke Proulx's sentence, one question lingered what was William Hone's role in this unspeakable crime, and how would his trial reveal the truth? Let's take a closer look at his involvement and how the court weighed the evidence against him. During William Hone's trial, he vehemently denied having any role in Savannah's murder. Hone testified that when he entered the apartment and heard a baby's cry, he believed at first that Brooke Cruz had given birth. But Cruz's testimony painted a much darker picture. She revealed that, while she hadn't shared her plan with Hone, he was complicit helping secure Savannah's death by tightening a rope around her neck.
Speaker 1:Hone's defense centered around his ignorance of Cruz's intention. His lawyer claimed Hone didn't know of Cruz's deadly plan and only discovered the truth afterward. Though he admitted to making the wrong decision by not alerting the police, the defense argued that Holm was not a direct participant in Savannah's death. But the prosecution poked holes in Holm's story, highlighting inconsistencies in his statements. They argued that Holmes' actions after the crime helping Cruz cover up the murder and lying to police were clear signs of his involvement.
Speaker 1:Though initially sentenced to life in prison, holmes's fate took a turn when the North Dakota Supreme Court ruled that his dangerous offender status was incorrect. This decision led to a resentencing, reducing his prison time to 20 years. Much like Brooke, cruz Hone offered an apology to Savannah's family. Cruz Hone offered an apology to Savannah's family. The emotional scars left by this case were too deep. Many family members chose not to attend the resentencing, unable to relive the trauma.
Speaker 1:Though Savannah's death was devastating, it ignited a powerful movement. Her family, alongside advocates for Indigenous rights, pressed lawmakers to take action, demanding justice and protection for vulnerable women. This tragedy could no longer be ignored. In the wake of Savannah's death, her family and advocates worked tirelessly to bring about real change. In their effort, they led the passage of Savannah's Act, which is a critical piece of legislation that improves how law enforcement responds to cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women. The legislation is designed to address the gaps in communication, coordination and accountability basically, how the resources will be allocated in order to find missing and Indigenous women. The Act mandates that federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, establish stronger guidelines for law enforcement. The goal is clear, and the objective of Savannah's act is to provide swift and thorough responses to cases, ensuring that no more families are left without answers. Savannah's act also addresses key issues Underreporting. The law requires agencies to keep detailed records of crimes involving Indigenous women, shining a light on the often overlooked cases that have plagued communities for too long. The law marks an important step towards justice for Indigenous communities, who have long faced disproportionate levels of violence. Savannah's act is a direct result of the outcry following her death calling for a system that better protects and supports vulnerable women in these communities.
Speaker 1:As we come to a close of this part of the story, we remember the immense loss of Savannah LaFontaine Greywind. We honor the strength and resilience her family has shown as they continue to fight for justice. In the next part of this episode, we'll turn our attention to another devastating case the story of Araceli Camacho Gomez. Her story, like Savannah's, underscores the urgent need for justice and protection for vulnerable women. Stay with us as we continue to seek justice for those whose voices need to be heard.
Speaker 1:Welcome back, noir seekers, and thank you for joining me for part two of our exploration into the stories of the cruel crime fetal abduction. In our last episode, we discussed the heartbreaking case of Savannah LaFontaine Graywin, a young indigenous woman whose life was cut short in a brutal act. Now we will dive into another tragedy, one that shares eerie similarities. This podcast explores true crime cases and may include descriptions of violence and other sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised. Araceli Camacho Gomez's life, much like Savannah's, was filled with hope and love for her family, but it took a dark turn that no one could have anticipated. In this episode, we'll uncover the details of Adesany's story and explore the systemic issues that leave women like her exposed to such violence. Together, we'll examine how societal neglect, legal loopholes and a lack of media attention make marginalized women more vulnerable to these tragedies.
Speaker 1:Aresady Camacho Gomez was born in 1980 in Mexico. She came to the United States in search of a better life for her family. She was a devoted mother of two, and her dedication to her children's future was at the heart of everything she did. Described by her loved ones as hardworking and kind, she was known for her warmth, compassion and strong sense of community. Her religious faith was central to her life. She and her husband were active members of a Catholic religious group, which provided them with spiritual support. Of course, araceli's resilience as an immigrant was admired by many, as she worked tirelessly to build a brighter future for her family, despite all the challenges she faced.
Speaker 1:Araceli, a mother of two, eight months pregnant with her third child, was approached by Piencha Sezuvan Senovan, a woman she had known for some time. Senovan used this rapport to her advantage, convincing Araceli to meet under the pretense of needing assistance. Araceli, always willing to help, agreed to meet Tien-sha. She had no way of knowing that this invitation would end in betrayal and violence. Sinavong, desperate, and with the help of her partner, had been plotting to take the most precious thing from Araceli her unborn child.
Speaker 1:Araceli's family quickly realized something was wrong when she didn't return home. She was known to be a reliable person and she would never leave her children or miss a check-in with her family. Hours turned into days and the silence became deafening. Her loved ones searched frantically, but their efforts yielded nothing, with no sign of Adeseli. Her family's desperation grew Unbeknownst to everyone. Adeseli had fallen victim to someone with a twisted dark mind, but her family was relentless. They pleaded with authorities, clinging to hope for any clues as to where she might be. What followed was an investigation that would cover one of the most shocking crimes their community had ever witnessed, when initially being treated as a missing persons case began to reveal far darker undertones and law enforcement realized they were facing something much more sinister. New clues began to surface and with them a disturbing truth was slowly coming to light.
Speaker 1:Law enforcement faced a difficult road as they investigated Araceli Camacho Gomez's disappearance. Initially there were very few leads. Araceli had simply vanished after agreeing to meet with someone she knew, piencha Sesuvon Senevon. But as the investigation continued, the tide began to turn. Police noticed inconsistencies in the stories given by Sinovang and her partner. Their accounts of the day Araceli disappeared didn't quite match up, sparking further suspicion. But her behavior quickly became erratic, particularly as rumors began to spread about a missing baby.
Speaker 1:The investigation reached a critical turning point when law enforcement received reports that Sinevong was trying to pass off a newborn as her own child. Investigators, knowing that Adeseli was eight months pregnant at the time of her disappearance, began to connect the dots. This discovery shifted the focus squarely onto Sinavong and her partner. The conflicting stories, coupled with Sinavong's increasingly suspicious behavior, led law enforcement to secure a search warrant and dig deeper into the case. The investigation escalated rapidly when police discovered blood and human tissue in Sinevang's vehicle, cementing what they initially suspected. Shortly afterward, law enforcement made a horrifying discovery Araceli's body abandoned in Columbia Park, just miles from where Sinovang had been seen with the baby, just miles from where Senevang had been seen with the baby. This tragic find confirmed what everyone had feared Araceli had been the handling of the case.
Speaker 1:As with many cases involving women like Araceli, the initial response from law enforcement lacked urgency. Immigrant and indigenous women are often met with delayed investigations, and Adeseli's case followed a similar pattern. Only after the critical evidence emerged did the investigation pick up speed, pointing to the need for more proactive approaches in cases like this. For more proactive approaches in cases like this. The discovery of Adeseli's body and the arrest of Sinevang and her partner provided some form of closure for the family and left a lot of questions. Could Adeseli's life had been saved if law enforcement had acted more swiftly? Had the investigation been treated with the urgency it deserved from the start? Her family wonders if the outcome would have been any different.
Speaker 1:With Piencha Sesuvon Senevon now in custody, all eyes turn to the courtroom where the trial would reveal the calculated, deliberate actions that led to Areceli's unfortunate death. At the trial, the prosecution laid out the horrific details of the crime, painting a picture of a cold, calculated plan, bianca Cecilvon Senevon, had specifically targeted Araceli Camacho Gomez because of her state as a pregnant woman. Pretending to be pregnant herself, senevon lured Araceli with the false pretense of needing help, all with the intention of taking her baby. This wasn't just an act of impulse. The persecution stressed it was a meticulously orchestrated plan to steal Araceli's child. The chilling detail of Sinevon trying to pass off the newborn as her own just hours after the attack underscored the malice behind her actions. Sinevang's defense team, however, tried to shift the narrative. They focused on her mental state, arguing that her judgment was impaired due to mental health issues. The defense requested a mental health evaluation, hoping to prove that her capacity was diminished and that she wasn't fully responsible for her actions. The court, however, rejected those claims, ruling that Sinophon was fully aware of her actions. Ruling that Sinophon was fully aware of her actions, she was convicted of aggravated first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Speaker 1:This conviction brought justice for Araceli's family. It also brought to light the vulnerabilities faced by women. Araceli Camacho Gomez's story highlights the significant challenges immigrant women often face when seeking protection and justice. Like many, she lived with heightened vulnerability due to her immigration status, making her more susceptible to exploitation. Fear of deportation and mistrust of law enforcement frequently prevent immigrant women from seeking help, while systemic barriers like language and lack of legal resources in Adesely's case, these gaps allowed her disappearance to go unnoticed for days, a common issue when immigrant women are overlooked. This makes it easy for them to be targets, as their cases often receive less urgency from authorities. Although Justice was eventually served with the arrest and trial of her killer, concerns about the initial delays reflected the challenges faced by marginalized women in accessing timely help and protection. Adesanya's story is a reminder of the societal and legal barriers that continue to leave women unprotected.
Speaker 1:Before we go, I want to give you a sneak peek. At our next episode, we'll be shifting focus to Argentina, where we'll explore the case of Fernando Sosa. This case brought racism and violence in sports to the forefront of national discussions, and we'll be diving deep into what happened and the lasting impact of this tragedy. Thank you for joining us on this episode of Island Noir Beyond the Palm Trees. Be sure to stay with us as we continue to explore the stories. Don't forget to subscribe on YouTube and follow us on Instagram at island underscore noir podcast for all the latest updates. Until next time, keep seeking the truth beyond the shadows.
