Ames Creator Shines Light on Unsolved Crime's Impact

Willy Nast, a resident of Ames, has taken a unique approach to true-crime storytelling. His podcast, "City of Lights, " focuses on the aftermath of a tragic event rather than the crime itself. The story begins in Aurora, Illinois, where Nast, then a 22-year-old creative writing student, knocked on the door of Al and Mary Ann Signorelli. Their son, Jeff, was killed in 2002 in a random act of violence that remains unsolved. Nast felt a personal connection to Jeff. They were the same age and had mutual friends. This connection led Nast to interview the Signorellis extensively, starting in 2008 for his college thesis. Over the years, he returned to them, discussing their grief, their city, and their efforts to promote safety and anti-violence programs.The podcast, released in February 2024, uses these interviews to explore the long-term effects of crime on families and communities. Nast's goal was to highlight the human side of the story, rather than solving the case. He hopes to stand out in the crowded true-crime genre by focusing on the "what now" rather than the "who" or "how. " Nast's recordings, made on a simple handheld device, were surprisingly usable. He was able to draw from about 20 hours of tape, including a recent interview from 2023. The final episode delves into how grief evolves and the lingering questions that come with an unsolved case. Nast's approach is refreshing. He doesn't claim to be a detective or promise to solve the case. Instead, he focuses on the impact of violence on families and the complexities of loving a city that may not always love you back. All six episodes are available at willynast. com/cityoflights.