Chapter 5

Transcript of “Introducing The Farley Files Podcast Season Two: Dead Man’s Hollow—The Disappearance of Heather Ryan”

As its name suggests, Dead Man’s Hollow’s history is one of confirmed and unconfirmed deaths and tragedies dating back more than one hundred and fifty years. In the years between 1880 and 1905, the hollow was the scene of at least one fatal shooting, a deadly quarry explosion, a drowning, and a tragic elevator accident. Today, Dead Man’s Hollow is a 450-acre conservation area in McKeesport, PA, located fewer than twenty miles from Downtown Pittsburgh. Owned and maintained by the Allegheny Land Trust, Dead Man’s Hollow offers eight miles of hiking and biking trails and interpretive nature and history programs.

But in 1994, one year before plans to preserve the area were announced, Dead Man’s Hollow was a neglected dumping ground, choked with weeds and trash, and a favorite party spot for underaged teens. The kids were drawn to the remote location by the spooky legend of its spine-tingling past and because it was off the radar of their parents and other adults in the community.

And it was in 1994 that Dead Man’s Hollow claimed its most recent victim. On Friday, May 27th, at the start of the Memorial Day Weekend, a group of teenagers gathered around a small bonfire deep in the woods to drink and celebrate the fast-approaching end of the school year. One of those present was sixteen-year-old Heather Ryan.

Heather disappeared that night and has never been seen or heard from again. No body was ever found. No suspects were ever identified, at least not publicly. The girl seemingly vanished without a trace. For three decades, her case has remained an open missing person’s case. Ice cold, and without a single apparent lead.

AMY: Mom and Dad could have gone to court to have her presumed dead seven years after she disappeared. They never did, though, because they always held out hope that we’d get her back.

This is Amy Ryan Marino, one of Heather’s three sisters. Amy, just eighteen months older than Heather, was at the bonfire that night, too. She says Heather was in high spirits, singing and dancing with her friends. And then she was gone.

Now, as the thirtieth anniversary of Heather’s disappearance approaches, her sisters have reached out to the Farley Files. Youngest sister Kristy explains they need to know what happened to Heather that night in the woods and where she ended up.

KRISTY: [I]t’s been thirty years. Nothing we learn will change how we feel about our sister. … It’s been hell wondering what happened to her. We need to know.

I’m investigative journalist Maisy Farley. This season on the Farley Files, I’ll help Diana, Amy, and Kristy in their quest for answers. I’ll interview witnesses, review old evidence, and run down tips in an effort to bring closure to the Ryan family.

Join me next Tuesday for episode one of “Dead Man’s Hollow—The Disappearance of Heather Ryan.” Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.