Leah Sottile
Leah Sottile is an investigative journalist at OPB and the host of the podcast Hush.
She is the author of the book When the Moon Turns to Blood, which was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. As a freelance journalist, her award-winning work has been published in the New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Al Jazeera America and High Country News.
She is the host of several podcasts, including Burn Wild, Two Minutes Past Nine and Bundyville, a co-production between Longreads and OPB, which garnered two nominations for the National Magazine Award.
She holds a degree in journalism and political science from Gonzaga University and grew up in Beaverton. Email her at lsottile@opb.org.
Latest Stories
In Oregon’s strained local news ecosystem, a longtime far-right political figure has found opportunity
In one of the fastest-growing areas of Oregon, the emergence of a locally-owned print newspaper seems like good news. But a close examination of Hoodview News shows something more complex.
‘Hush’ Episode 9: State of Denial
After decades of being imprisoned, Jesse Johnson is free— but has Oregon changed?
‘Hush’ Episode 8 extra: One reasonable doubt
In 1998, just before he arrived in Key West — the seat of Monroe County — Salem police investigated William Elmer Cross as a potential suspect in the murder of Harriet Thompson.
‘Hush’ Episode 7 extra: The prosecutor’s statement
After denying repeated requests for interviews and answering direct questions from OPB, the Marion County District Attorney's office issued a lengthy statement outlining its view on Jesse Johnson's release.
‘Hush’ Episode 8: A History of Violence
There were three men who all had connections to Thompson and violence in their pasts. But police and prosecutors never seriously considered a scenario where Jesse Johnson didn't kill Harriet Thompson.
‘Hush’ Episode 7: The Nature of Certain Lies
An interview with the detective in charge of the case reveals new biases.
‘Hush’ Episode 6 extra: A preferred eyewitness
In the early days after Harriet Thompson's death, Salem police detectives received several tips from the public. But they only focused on one to pursue as part of their investigation.
‘Hush’ Episode 5 extra: Blood, real and imagined
While there was a significant amount of forensic evidence presented to the jury at Jesse Johnson's trial, the significance and importance of that evidence is still debated today.
‘Hush’ Episode 5: One Little Spot
Forensic scientists, part of a quickly changing field, used Jesse Johnson's fingerprints in DNA testing. New documents reveal those scientists might have been more focused on convicting Johnson, instead of finding a murderer.
‘Hush’ Episode 6: Two Strangers
Two new people come forward with critical information, one who was at Harriet Thompson's house the night she died, and another who no one seriously questioned.