In a gripping true crime podcast titled “What About Holly?” hosted by Cristina Corbin, the tragic story of a double murder and the disappearance of a couple’s baby is brought to light. The podcast takes listeners on a journey as Corbin interviews law enforcement officials, family members, and even speaks exclusively with a member of a religious cult who was questioned in connection with the case. The nine-part series, produced by Investigative Unit, reveals shocking new details about the unsolved murders and the search for the missing child.
The story dates back to January 1981 when the remains of a young couple were discovered in a dense woodland on the outskirts of Houston. The victims, later identified as Dean and Tina Clouse, had been tied up and killed. However, the couple’s 10-month-old baby, Holly, was nowhere to be found, leaving investigators and family members desperate for answers.
Recently, a team of genetic genealogists made a breakthrough in the case, identifying the victims as Dean and Tina Clouse. This revelation brought new hope but also raised questions about the whereabouts of their missing daughter.
In the podcast, Corbin travels with the Clouse and Linn families to the scene of the crime, providing a comprehensive look into the investigation. The series also includes an exclusive interview with a member of a nomadic religious group, known as the Christ Family, to which the couple was believed to have joined in 1981. The interviewee, referred to as “Sister Susan,” vehemently denies any involvement in the murders and emphasizes the group’s commitment to non-violence.
The podcast sheds light on the couple’s journey, as Dean and Tina left their hometown in Florida with their infant daughter to pursue job opportunities in Texas. The last contact the family had with them was a letter sent by Tina, containing photos of Holly. Months later, a strange phone call from an unknown man informed Dean’s mother that his red car had been found abandoned. The car was eventually returned by three women in white robes, one of whom identified herself as “Sister Susan” and claimed that Dean had joined the religious group.
The remains of the unidentified couple, dubbed “Jane Doe 701” and “John Doe 703,” were exhumed in 2011 as part of an effort to identify unknown murder victims. It wasn’t until October 2021 that the genetic genealogists were able to establish their identities as Dean and Tina Clouse.
The Texas attorney general’s cold case unit launched an investigation into the Clouse murders and the whereabouts of Holly in January 2022. In a surprising turn of events, Holly was located alive and well in Oklahoma, where she had been raised by a pastor. Two women, believed to be part of a nomadic religious group, had left Holly at a church in Yuma, Arizona, shortly after the murders. The Texas Attorney General’s Office has not named any suspects in connection with the crime.
The families of Dean and Tina Clouse express both relief and grief over the developments in the case. While they are overjoyed to have found Holly after 40 years, they are still seeking justice for the couple’s brutal deaths. The podcast series offers hope that the truth will eventually come to light and justice will be served.
As the investigation continues, the podcast serves as a reminder of the enduring power of genetic genealogy and the relentless pursuit of justice for victims of unsolved crimes. Listeners are taken on a compelling journey, delving into the depths of this tragic and mysterious case.
