53: Alexander Harris

The episode recounts the tragic case of Alexander Harris, a seven-year-old boy who vanished from Whiskey Pete's Casino while his family made an unplanned stop during a holiday trip in November 1987. Alexander's mother, Roxanne, left him in a video arcade before discovering he was missing shortly after. Witnesses reported seeing him leave the casino while holding hands with an older man, later identified as his suspected abductor. Despite a police investigation that included conflicting eyewitness testimonies and the capture of surveillance footage, the investigation was complicated by the lack of concrete evidence.

Over a month later, Alexander's body was found near the casino, showing no obvious signs of trauma but confirmed to have died from strangulation. The primary suspect, Howard Huppelt, was arrested based on circumstantial evidence, yet he maintained his innocence. The case went to trial, where the prosecution struggled to present a solid case against him. Despite several witnesses who attested to Huppelt's whereabouts during the time of the abduction, he was acquitted after a quick jury deliberation due to insufficient evidence.

Following the acquittal, Huppelt filed a civil lawsuit against the police for wrongful arrest, eventually settling for $500,000 in attorney's fees. The episode highlights the heartbreak around Alexander's story, as it remains largely forgotten, with no further leads or arrests made since.