L.A. Moms Crack Cold Case, Transform Their Lives

The Unlikely Crime Solvers

In the quiet moments before the world changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of four Los Angeles moms embarked on an unexpected journey that would alter their lives forever. “The Carpool Detectives” is a true crime story that reads like a novel, following these women as they solve a cold case and find new purpose in their lives. Their story spans from the early days of the pandemic to two and a half years later, ending with them moving on to their next challenge.

Marissa Pianko, a former forensic accountant, was the one who first heard about the stalled investigation into the death of an older couple during a journalism class. She became determined to uncover the truth and invited three friends to join her. As the team began their investigation, they faced numerous challenges, including dead ends and even a potential intruder at one of their homes. Each member of the group had moments where they questioned whether they should continue.

Nicole Landset Blank, a political opposition research pro turned book researcher, recalls the ups and downs of their journey. Samira Poulos, a puzzle-loving digital advertising project manager, and Jeannie Wilkinson, a former entertainment industry research exec, also shared in the challenges. Despite the difficulties, the group grew closer, becoming so close that they could finish each other’s sentences.

The quartet remains cautious about solving a case involving organized crime and worries that the book might expose their families to harm. To address these concerns, some details have been altered in the book, and the detectives are referred to by their first names, much like characters in a novel. This makes it easy to forget that the underlying case is based on real events.

The cold case at the heart of “The Carpool Detectives” involves an older couple who mysteriously disappeared a couple of decades ago. Initially believed to be victims of a road accident, their bodies were found near their wrecked SUV in a mountainous area. After more than a year, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department moved the vehicle due to evidence suggesting the deaths were suspicious. Although the case was covered in the media, it eventually faded away.

It wasn’t until the four moms started looking into the case a decade later that things changed. They sought help from reluctant police officers and the victims’ family members, often making mistakes as inexperienced investigators. After many dead ends and a visit to the crime scene, they finally uncovered the truth behind the double homicide.

“It was two and a half years before we really broke it, and it was completely different than we thought it was going to be in the beginning,” Pianko says. “And how law enforcement thought it would be,” adds Landset Blank.

For Wilkinson, the biggest surprise was the reaction from law enforcement upon hearing that the mom squad had cracked the case. “I feel like we really did truly earn respect,” she says, expressing pleasure at the thought.

The book chronicling their investigation began as a result of socially distanced get-togethers during the pandemic. A friend suggested the idea, and it eventually led to a podcast and then a book deal. Finding the right author proved challenging, but Chuck Hogan, known for his work on “Gangland” and “The Town,” was the perfect fit. Hogan was intrigued by the story of four women finding themselves at a crossroads and solving a case that the police couldn’t crack.

To do justice to the story, Hogan met with the women and their families, retracing their investigative steps. He was given access to all their information about the case, which included extensive research and saved texts. This wealth of information allowed him to create a compelling narrative while maintaining the necessary privacy and security.

Despite the challenges, the group has continued to investigate another case, this time involving a potential serial killer from the 1970s and ‘80s. Their decision to take on this case was deliberate, focusing on women and seeking closure and justice for them. The fact that the victims were unidentified and the potential age of the killer made it feel safe.

Pianko reflects on how solving the case revolutionized her life, giving her a sense of meaning she hadn’t felt in a long time. Landset Blank notes that the group has become like family, supporting each other through various challenges, including a recent house fire in the Palisades. Their journey is not just about solving crimes but also about finding connection and purpose in their lives.