In this episode, I take a step back to explain how this journey truly began. What started as a Christmas gift—a DNA test—opened the door to a deeper understanding of my own history and the circumstances surrounding my conception in October of 1978 that was a result of a sexual assault against my mother.

This episode offers a foundational look at my story, not just from a personal perspective, but through a historical lens. As I began searching for my biological father, my research led me into a broader exploration of Houston in the 1970s, uncovering patterns, cases, and unanswered questions that shaped the path I’m still following today.

There is far more to the story than can be covered in a single episode. For a more detailed account, you can read my book, Walking Proof by Shannon Manley Bales.

We are also joined by a very special guest—our mother, Callie—who shares her perspective and reflects on the Christmas gift that set all in motion.

Step back into October 1978 as PJ and ShanPa unpack the haunting cold case of Gayle Anne Cater, a young woman whose life was cut short in Houston under circumstances that remain clouded in mystery. Decades later, her story still lingers—full of unanswered questions, overlooked details, and a trail that never quite went cold.

In this episode, ShanPa shares a deeply personal and unsettling connection to the case, exploring the possibility that someone from her own past—her biological father—may have crossed paths with this tragedy. Together, PJ and ShanPa sift through timelines, known evidence, and the gaps in the investigation, carefully separating fact from speculation while confronting what it means when a case hits close to home.

With respect for the victim and a commitment to truth, this episode dives into the complexities of memory, family, and justice delayed. Was this a case of missed leads, or is there more beneath the surface waiting to be uncovered?

Listener discretion is advised as the conversation includes sensitive themes and personal reflections tied to an ongoing cold case.

This is the trailer for Walking Proof, a short introduction to who we are—two husbands, grandpas, and true‑crime nerds—and why we’re telling these stories. In it, we share a glimpse of our personal connection to a 1978 attack and what listeners can expect from the show: Houston‑area cold cases, overlooked victims, and a deeply personal lens on true crime.