Murder Calls Season 2 Episode 1 Unholy Ghost

Murder Calls is a true-crime TV series that investigates horrific murder cases through dramatic reenactments and interviews with people involved in the investigations. The first episode of season two, titled "Unholy Ghost," follows a grisly murder that occurred in Madison County, Arkansas, in 2015.

The case centers around the murder of 20-year-old Jessica Baggen, who disappeared on May 4, 1996, after a night out with friends. Her body was recovered the next day near a trail in Tongass National Forest in Ketchikan, Alaska.

The investigation quickly becomes complicated when detectives discover that there were two potential suspects: Steve Branch, a local fisherman, and Joshua Wade, a drifter who had recently arrived in Ketchikan. Both men had criminal histories and had been seen in the area around the time of Jessica's disappearance.

Despite having evidence against both men, law enforcement was unable to charge either with the murder of Jessica Baggen. For over 23 years, the case remained unsolved until a break in the DNA evidence led to the arrest of Steven Branch in 2019.

The episode provides an in-depth look into the investigation, as interviews with investigators, friends, and family members provide insight into who Jessica was as a person and how her death affected the community.

Through reenactments, viewers are taken on a journey through the night of Jessica's disappearance. Her friend describes how she attended a birthday party and then left with some older boys she didn't know. Throughout the night, Baggen messaged her friends and family members for help, but none of them seemed to be able to reach her.

The next day, when Baggen's body was discovered, the investigation began. The reenactments of the investigation show detectives combing the area for clues, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and struggling to make sense of the available evidence.

Interestingly, the episode also explores the impact that this case had on the family members of Steven Branch, who was eventually arrested and charged with the murder of Jessica Baggen. Branch's family never believed that he was capable of committing such a heinous crime and has since struggled to reconcile his arrest with their perception of him as a person.

Overall, the "Unholy Ghost" episode of Murder Calls season two shines a light on one of the most infamous unsolved crimes in Alaska's history. In its 45-minute runtime, the episode delves deep into the investigation, provides emotional interviews with family and friends, and provides viewers with an important look into how justice can be delayed but ultimately served.