Unwinding the Mystery: The Unsolved Murder of Becky Breedlove and Chicago’s Dark Secrets

Detective Story with Mike Hammond on the next episode of Shill Kill

Chip Mahoney
3 min readJul 23, 2024

If anybody knows the mean streets of Chicago, it’s former detective, Mike Hammond. He worked as a detective for many years, later taking his vast knowledge and experience post retirement into a new arena: podcasting. Although he wasn’t working major crimes back in the bloody heyday of the Chicago Outfit, after listening to his podcast I get the feeling he’s connected to the Old School investigators in a spiritual kind of way.

I look forward to getting to know him with you, unwinding things if you will…

Detective Story with Mike Hammond welcomes your ear, even your armchair. Of all the cases to talk about on his show, I will set the clock back on Becky Breedlove. A young woman who was murdered in her apartment fifty years ago. Mike would inherit this tragic case as well as the mystery that surrounds it.

After listening to the episode, I can tell this cold case really registers with him. He’s a passionate guy, and I can’t wait to interview him on Shill Kill. We’ll learn more about what drives him. I’ve even got some questions that could be very intriguing indeed.

Dark Secrets

In the early 1970s, Chicago was a city of contrasts. Amidst its bustling streets and vibrant neighborhoods, dark secrets lurked in the shadows. One such mystery is the brutal, unsolved murder of Becky Breedlove.

### The Unsolved Case of Becky Breedlove

In June 1974, Becky Breedlove was found brutally murdered in her Chicago area apartment. The recent transplant was discovered with multiple stab wounds, yet no defensive injuries, suggesting she might have been caught off guard. A chilling clue left at the scene was a watch, presumably belonging to the killer, tangled in her hair. Despite extensive investigations, the case remains unsolved, casting a long shadow over Chicago’s history.

#### The Crime Scene and Initial Investigation

The crime scene told a story of a brutal and calculated attack. The absence of defensive wounds suggested she had little chance to defend herself. The watch found entangled in her hair became a haunting symbol of the mystery surrounding her death. Initial investigations explored various leads, from personal vendettas to random acts of violence, but none yielded conclusive results.

#### Theories and Speculations

Over the years, numerous theories have emerged regarding Becky’s murder. Some speculate that she knew her attacker, while others believe she was a victim of a random crime. Mike Hammond’s meticulous exploration of the case on his podcast has reignited interest, highlighting details that might be helpful in the age of Web3.

### A Conversation with Mike Hammond

Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect:

Mike’s Inspiration: Learn what inspired Mike Hammond to start Detective Story and his journey into the world of true crime podcasting.

Investigative Challenges: Explore the challenges and rewards of investigating cold cases, and what that’s like for a real detective.

Future of Crime Solving: How modern forensic techniques and digital tools, including Web3 technologies and blockchain, could revolutionize the way we solve cold cases.

### Join Us for This Gripping Episode

Don’t miss this opportunity to dive deep into the mysteries of the past with Mike Hammond. This episode promises to be a compelling exploration of the intricacies of cold case investigations and the potential future of crime-solving with advanced technologies. Make sure to follow Mike’s podcast.

Thanks for reading and tuning in!

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