Traciy Curry-Reyes

Shirley Mitchner, of Lansing, Michigan, shared a heartbreaking story with me years ago. It is the story of her son, Brandon Mitchner , and the questions that still haunt her about his death. The coroner ruled Brandon’s death an accidental drowning. But from the start, the Mitchner family has never believed that explanation. They’ve always suspected that something more sinister occurred that night.  Brandon Mitchner (Credit: Family Photo) Losing Brandon shattered their family—he was the light of their home, always making people laugh and bringing joy.  This is Brandon’s story. The Final Kiss  In June of 2014, Brandon Mitchner attended a 21st birthday celebration aboard a party bus in Lansing. He kissed his mother for the last time that night—and never returned. His parents, Shirley and Stephen Mitchner, were preparing for a getaway to Florida in celebration of their 29th wedding anniversary. When Brandon didn’t check in that night, their concern grew. Still, they hoped he ...

When the Lifetime movie "Too Close to Home" aired in 1997, few viewers outside of California realized it was based on a chilling true story. As a curious writer and researcher, I became determined to uncover the real names behind the made-for-television film. I remember scouring old newspapers for similar cases, which eventually led me to the disturbing story of Ma Duncan , her son Frank Duncan, and the tragic murder of Olga Kupczyk—a pregnant woman in the 1950s. Too Close to Home was based on Ma Duncan (credit: Police File Photo & Artwork Traciy Curry-Reyes    I think what made this movie so interesting was the strange relationship Elizabeth had with her son, Frank Duncan. She loved him very much---to the point of obsession. Let's Look at the Title and Plot Thinking about the movie now, it's obvious that the title, Too Close to Home, is inspired by two facts. 1. The killer---who turned out to be his own mother---was right under Frank's nose and literal...

Black Trail Rides Show Based on TikTok Trail Ride Stars-An Idea:   A Black trail ride reality TV series inspired by African-American trail ride line dance culture could be the next big hit show on television, whether it's a reality series or docuseries.  Black Trail Rides Reality Show Inspired by TikTok Line Dance Community The cast for Season 1 should be a mix of TikTok and social media’s popular Black trail ride dancers, including some of the lesser-known trail riders who came across my timeline and helped get me out of bed and break an almost four-year cycle of inactivity and heartbreak after I lost my 24-year-old daughter, Ivy Brook Walker , to fentanyl poisoning in 2021. I know this is different from what I normally talk about. Normally, I talk about true crime, movies, and TV shows. Well, this is a potential TV show. I'm teasing it as a potential TV show because trail riding and line dancing are exploding everywhere. I think people want to see a television show based on...