On Sept. 13, 1967, James Spencer aka “Roger Dallas Whetham" was found dead in the Eastway Motel at 636 N. Van Buren St. He had been stabbed multiple times.
The 30-year-old Spencer was cremated shortly afterward — against his mother’s wishes and while the crime was still being actively investigated. He was well-known and popular in Milwaukee’s gay community, but vicious rumors about his demise spread like wildfire. Family and friends prayed for justice that never came.
In our final episode of Be Seen season two, we dig into the original files from the Spencer autopsy with help from the Milwaukee County Historical Society's Steve Schaffer. And, in an exclusive interview, we talk to Spencer's niece, Carla Mitchell, about the case.
Listen to the episode using the player at the top of the page, and read co-host Michail Takach's 2021 story at OnMilwaukee.
Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of the crime scene.
