Overview of Lindsay Wells (King of Diamonds, California)
This episode of The Deck (Audiochuck) recounts the 1999 disappearance of 22-year-old Lindsay Wells — nine months pregnant at the time — from Simi Valley, California. Host Ashley Flowers (narrating) and Detective Chris Lamb review the original investigation, conflicting tips and leads over the years (including cadaver-dog alerts in 2009), gaps in early investigative work, and current efforts to revive the case. The episode frames both the human story (Lindsay’s relationships and family) and outstanding forensic and investigative questions that keep the case unresolved.
Case summary
- Victim: Lindsay Wells, 22, pregnant (due April 17, 1999); had an older daughter with ex David Sheehan.
- Last seen/last known window: March 29, 1999. Conflicting accounts place her between ~7:45 AM and 11:00 AM that morning in the home she shared with fiancé John Tate and his mother, Donna.
- Missing person reported by fiancé John Tate (report made after she missed a prenatal appointment March 30).
- No body found; case remains unsolved and open as a missing-person/cold-case investigation.
Timeline of key events
- March 29, 1999: Lindsay last seen at home (John says early morning; Donna says she saw her around 7:45 AM). By late morning she was gone.
- March 30, 1999: Lindsay misses prenatal appointment; John reports her missing.
- Early tips: Metrolink sighting (8:38 AM, March 29) — woman and man buying tickets to LA/Oceanside; 7-Eleven sighting (March 31) — woman in short-sleeved shirt; a text to a friend reportedly arrived ~one week later from Lindsay’s number with a Del Taco order phrase.
- 2000–2001: Investigation transitions between detectives; limited documented progress.
- 2001: Miles Henley claims he heard David Sheehan talking about “getting rid” of a pregnant woman; he was used as an informant/wore a wire in jail but led to no conclusive evidence.
- June 2009: Un-aired TV pilot (Soul Evidence) brings psychic and cadaver-dog teams to Big Sky Ranch / Topo Canyon Road area; multiple dog alerts reported. Simi Valley PD collected 15 soil samples that year — results are absent from available records; samples reportedly still with the private lab used in 2009.
- Present-day (as of episode): Detective Chris Lamb is re-examining the case and seeking tips; DNA from Lindsay’s mother and brother is entered in NamUs.
People involved / persons of interest
- Lindsay Wells — missing person.
- John Tate — Lindsay’s fiancé; reported her missing and put his phone number on flyers. Never charged; his actions and timing drew scrutiny from friends/family.
- Donna (Tate) — John’s mother; lived in the same house.
- Melanie Flowers — Lindsay’s friend; was supposed to drive Lindsay to an appointment and pursued leads; reported receiving a suspicious text from Lindsay’s number after disappearance.
- David Sheehan — Lindsay’s ex and father of her older daughter; history of a volatile relationship and admitted past physical arguments. Lived separately (claimed to be in rehab at time of disappearance). Denies involvement.
- Miles Henley — informant who said he heard David mention disposing of a pregnant woman; wore a wire but produced no incriminating recorded confession.
- Detectives: John Parks (original investigator, now-retired), Jay Carrot (follow-up), Chris Lamb (current lead investigator).
- Media/production: Alison Dubois (psychic), Soul Evidence pilot team.
Investigative actions taken and notable gaps
Taken:
- Initial neighborhood canvass, checks of jails/hospitals, basic home check.
- Flyers distributed (notably with John Tate’s number rather than police’s).
- In 2009, cadaver-dog alerts at Big Sky Ranch/Topo Canyon Road and 15 soil samples collected.
Gaps / concerns:
- Records are incomplete or missing: phone records, voicemail content, documentation of some interviews (possible lack of an interview record for ex David Sheehan).
- Early tendency to treat case as voluntary disappearance; possible bias due to Lindsay’s past drug use.
- John Tate’s choice to put his phone number on flyers created a bottleneck for tips.
- Little or no follow-up on some early tips (e.g., alleged text message origin, Metrolink sighting) and apparently limited warranting/searching of properties (including residences and the Big Sky site).
- 2009 soil sample test results are not present in accessible case files — sample custody unclear.
Major leads and developments
- Metrolink tip (March 29): woman and man bought tickets to LA/Oceanside — fits possible timeline but unconfirmed.
- 7-Eleven sighting (March 31): possible post-disappearance sighting; no footage or follow-up available in 1999.
- Alleged post-disappearance text (Del Taco order) to friend Melanie — raised hope but unclear whether police fully investigated origin.
- Miles Henley informant/wire story (2001) suggested David Sheehan might have discussed disposing of a pregnant woman — produced no admissible evidence.
- 2009 cadaver-dog alerts at Big Sky Ranch/Topo Canyon Road (multiple dogs, full alerts); 15 soil samples collected — testing results not found in available records. Area known to have cattle burial sites (possible false positives).
Current status and recommended next steps (from investigators)
- Case remains open; Detective Chris Lamb is re-examining and collecting outstanding leads.
- Potential follow-ups suggested:
- Re-examine/obtain 2009 soil test results and/or re-test existing samples or take new samples.
- Re-deploy certified cadaver dogs and use modern geophysical or probe technology at Big Sky/Topo Canyon areas if access/permission warrants.
- Reconstruct cellular records (if any historical records still obtainable) and track origins of the reported post-disappearance text.
- Re-interview available witnesses, including John Tate, David Sheehan (if not formally documented), Melanie, Miles, and others now with fresh context.
- Seek voluntary access to private property (Big Sky) or obtain a warrant if probable cause supports search.
- Match any found remains against DNA profiles entered in NamUs (Lindsay’s family DNA is reportedly entered).
How to help / contact information
- Tip line given in episode: Simi Valley Police Department tip line for the case — 805-583-6911.
- Detective Chris Lamb is the current case investigator; the episode asks anyone with information to contact Simi Valley PD (email address in the episode transcript is unclear — contact via the department’s tip line or official Simi Valley PD website for best routing).
- DNA for the family is reportedly in NamUs for potential future comparisons.
Notable quotes & insights
- Detective Lamb on cold-case approach: “Somebody out there knows something that we don’t know yet… our hope is that that person will come forward… and bring some closure.”
- Several investigators and friends in the episode highlight two recurring issues: inconsistent or incomplete early documentation and the way an initial “voluntary disappearance” framing can limit investigative momentum.
Takeaways
- Lindsay Wells disappeared in a short, uncertain window in March 1999 while very near her due date; early investigation produced leads but had documentation and follow-up gaps.
- Multiple later tips (informant claims, cadaver-dog alerts) generated new investigative directions but no confirmed resolution.
- Modern investigative tools and persistent public tips could revive leads (especially around Big Sky/Topo Canyon and trace evidence), and Simi Valley PD is actively seeking information to move the case forward.