Ben McDaniel // 214

Going West: True Crime

In August of 2010, a 30-year-old scuba enthusiast from Memphis, Tennessee headed out for a cave dive in Ponce De Leon, Florida, and never returned. After an extensive search in the waters, his body was never found, begging the question: Was this an innocent diving accident? Or something much more sinister? This is the story of Ben McDaniel.

BONUS EPISODE

patreon.com/goingwestpodcast

CASE SOURCES

1. Scuba.com: https://www.scuba.com/blog/scuba-diving-stories-news/happened-ben-mcdaniel-unanswered-questions/

2. The Commercial Appeal: https://www.newspapers.com/image/776368583/?terms=paul%20mcdaniel&match=1

3. The Commercial Appeal: https://www.newspapers.com/image/775597268/?terms=patty%20mcdaniel&match=1

4. My Death Space: http://mydeathspace.com/article/2013/03/23/Paul_McDaniel_(22)_died_after_suffering_multiple_strokes

5. Ben's Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/commercialappeal/name/ben-mcdaniel-obituary?id=14280163

6. Vortex Spring: https://www.vortexspring.com/

7. Maple Grove Farm: https://maplegrovefarm.net/celebrations

8. Porchlight International for the Missing & Unidentified: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/usedtobedoe/mcdaniel-ben-aug-18-2010-t30585.html

9. ID "Disappeared": https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/video/disappeared-investigation-discovery-atve-us/the-vortex

10. Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85727230/benjamin-wayne-mcdaniel

11. Paul's Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/commercialappeal/name/paul-mcdaniel-obituary?id=15263224

12. Lowell's Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/nwfdailynews/name/lowell-kelly-obituary?id=19741320

13. Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/6bzwl7/theories_on_the_disappearance_of_ben_mcdaniel/

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