WTUL is the small, yet popular student station based at Tulane University. WTUL plays primarily progressive music, but offers a variety of alternative programming in the evenings. Whittaker is among several DJs at the station who sometimes take requests on the air.

The call was placed at approximately 10:57 p.m., during the station's weekly rap music block, and Whittaker took the call live on the air at 11:03 p.m. Whittaker contacted local police an hour later, after discussing the incident with friends who urged him to call.

 

According to Whittaker, the caller wished to remain anonymous. Asked whether he found anything unusual in the voice, Whittaker mentioned that there seemed to be a little disturbance on the line, yet he could make out that the voice was hesitant and the caller was panting as if he had run a great distance. Other than that the DJ reported no other peculiarities in the manner of speech.

 

Police received a tape of the conversation and have questioned all staff present at the station at the time of the call. Voice samples from the tape have been made and sent to all area radio stations, along with a request that police be contacted immediately if another such call is received.