We first shared the story of Eric Franks’ disappearance in October 2021. While his case is still unsolved, we have significant new information to share with you nearly three years after our original episodes aired, which could potentially shed light on this mystery. In March 2011, 38-year-old Eric Franks disappeared from Saginaw, Michigan. In 2010, Eric learned he had a teenage daughter, so he traveled to the Saginaw area to connect with her. Eric went radio silent in early March, but then his family began receiving emails from Eric periodically. They went along with this for a time, as they had no reason to question that Eric was sending the emails. Still, something was off about the whole thing, and later, they decided to report Eric missing. Over the last 13 years, a bizarre string of events has unfolded, unraveling disturbing clues about what may have happened and who may be responsible for Eric’s disappearance.If you have any information about the disappearance of Eric Franks, please call the Michigan State Police at 989-495-5555.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the afternoon of June 24, 2023, 41-year-old Lawrence Hammett was transferred from Montrose Regional Health to Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, Colorado. Approximately two hours later, a staff member attempted to call Lawrence back, but he was gone. No one knew that Lawrence had been transferred to a hospital roughly two and a half hours away, and they began to notice that they stopped seeing him around town. Weeks passed without word, and Lawrence's loved ones began comparing notes. No one had heard from him. They searched around Montrose, but there was no trace of Lawrence there. Eventually, Lawrence's sister contacted the Montrose Police Department to file a missing persons report, and they told her that he had been in the hospital and was transferred to Durango. This news moved their search more than 100 miles away, and by that time, the camera footage from June 24 was long gone. They didn't have any clues to point them in the direction that Lawrence may have gone or if he had left with someone.More than a year later, Lawrence's loved ones are still picking up the pieces, searching for any information that could help bring the puzzle of what happened to him into focus. If you have any information about Lawrence Hammett's disappearance, please call the Durango Police Department at 970-375-4700.If you are in the area and want to help, Lawrence's loved ones are planning a search party in Durango on Oct 5, 2024. You can find more information on the Bring Lawrence Home Facebook page.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lawrence Hammett

Case Update: Eric Franks - Plausible Deniability

On the night of October 20, 1972, 26-year-old Patricia Wagner left her Jersey City apartment for a coffee date with her new boyfriend, Dennis. Her mother, Marie, agreed to watch Patty's two young sons, Kenny and Michael, for a few hours. Before leaving, Patty's oldest son, Kenny, begged her not to go. He was overcome by a bad feeling about his mother going out that night, but he didn't know why. Patty reassured her young son that she would return later and headed out of her apartment for her date. That was the last known sighting of Patricia Wagner. Patty never came home, and her family never heard from her again. Although Patty's mother quickly jumped into action to report her daughter missing, Patty's case went ice cold. Decades later, a younger family member became determined to do what she could to find her long-lost cousin. If you have any information about the disappearance of Patricia Jane Wagner, please contact the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at 609-882-2000.You can follow the efforts to find Patty on social media at "Where Is Patricia Jane Wagner?" Be sure to follow Madison's page and Facebook group, "AVoice4TheLost."If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Patricia Jane Wagner

In the early days of the show, I came across a website called haveyouseenandy.com. The website focused on the case of Andy Puglisi, a 10-year-old boy who disappeared from a pool in Lawrence, MA, in August 1976. Andy's friend, Melanie Perkins McLaughlin, created and maintained the website. Melanie had previously directed an HBO documentary about Andy's case, which won an Emmy in 2008 for Outstanding Investigative Journalism.When I contacted Melanie to inquire about featuring Andy on the show, I was surprised that she responded and agreed, given my limited experience in podcasting at the time. After Andy's original episode aired, Melanie and I stayed in touch, and she even provided her expertise when we covered similar cases from that era. Through her research, Melanie discovered that there were more missing and murdered children with stories similar to Andy's. This realization led her to shift her focus from Andy's individual case to a broader perspective, uncovering shocking new information along the way. Melanie always expressed a desire to continue telling Andy's story after realizing that this story was more extensive than just one boy disappearing from a pool in 1976. Melanie often discussed a project she was working on during our conversations. This project that she was chipping away at, a podcast called Open Investigation, is set to be released starting September 3. Melanie joined us again this week to discuss the developments in Andy's case and tell us about her podcast. The trailer is available today, and the first episode will be released tomorrow. You can subscribe to Open Investigation now wherever you listen to podcasts.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andy Puglisi: Open Investigation

On December 25, 2000, 37-year-old Kenneth Ray Weaver failed to visit his mother for Christmas. Typically, Kenny and his siblings always made it a point to see their mother on Christmas. If, for some reason, one of them couldn't make it, they would always call, but there was no word from Kenny. While Kenny's family quickly jumped into action to locate him, they faced roadblock after roadblock.Kenny's family heard from his roommate that he dropped Kenny off at a friend's home in Pocola, Oklahoma, on Christmas Day. Another friend later came forward and said he had seen Kenny sitting on the porch of that friend's house and gave him a ride to Fort Smith, Arkansas. This friend recalled that it was Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day, and this is where Kenny Weaver's trail went cold. Very little is known about what happened to Kenny around Christmas in 2000. Authorities from Arkansas and Oklahoma initially refused to take the case due to jurisdiction debates, which stalled filing a report for five years. Nearly 24 years later, Kenny's sister has never given up on her pursuit of answers, and today, she has new investigators digging into the case. If anyone has any information about the disappearance of Kenneth Weaver, please contact the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office at 479-783-1051 or the Pocola Police Department at 918-436-2476.You can follow Becky's efforts to find her brother on Facebook at Missing Kenneth Ray Weaver.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kenneth Ray Weaver

In March 2021, 48-year-old Shannon Collins quietly disappeared from Pottsville, Arkansas. His parents, brother, and sister just stopped hearing from Shannon. He wasn't returning their calls or text messages, which was strange. When they contacted Shannon's wife, she said he had left their home on March 12 but was contacting their children via phone. Despite their inquiries, they have yet to receive satisfactory answers. By November, Shannon's brother, Blake, decided to report his brother missing during a trip home to Arkansas for the holidays. From there, the situation only grew more peculiar.Anyone with information about Shannon Collins' disappearance can call Pope County Sheriff's Office at 479-968-2558 and ask for any available investigator. You may also report tips anonymously at https://www.popecoso.org/reportACrime.You can follow developments in Shannon's case on Facebook, Share Shannon's Story, and Instagram.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shannon Collins

Last week, you heard the first part of Cynthia's story. You learned about her life, marriage, pending divorce, and how she disappeared on February 3, 2021. The last confirmed sighting of Cynthia was at a gas station in Grandview, Texas, around 10:35 PM. Multiple witnesses reported that she appeared to be in the midst of a mental health crisis. Cynthia had called friends, and they mentioned that her behavior was confusing. A patron at the gas station stated that she entered his vehicle and left her phone behind when she exited. Another witness remembered Cynthia running up behind his truck and asking for a ride. However, no one stopped to assist her. Cynthia then got back into her vehicle, and her car was seen approaching the exit. Law enforcement suspects that the camera malfunctioned at that moment, and they lost sight of Cynthia's vehicle, making it impossible to determine the direction it headed next. Cynthia's destination after leaving the gas station remains unknown. Two days later, Cynthia's family reported her missing. Fast forward to February 16, Cynthia's Mazda was found on an interstate highway headed towards Waco, TX. The vehicle had run out of gas, and the officer who spotted it confirmed that it hadn't been there 24 hours earlier. Where had the car been since February 3? Was Cynthia the person who left it there, or had someone else abandoned it? One notable point is that on the evening of her disappearance, witnesses remembered seeing Cynthia, but no one has ever claimed to have seen her again. So, what could have happened to Cynthia?Anyone with information about Cynthia Bah-Traore can call Lt. Michael Tate at the Crowley Police Department at 817-297-2276 x6204 or Crimestoppers at 817-469-8477. You may also contact the FBI Dallas Field Office at (972) 559-5000.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cynthia Bah-Traore Part 2: The Fight

On the evening of February 3, 2021, 39-year-old Cynthia Bah-Traore left her home in Crowley, Texas. She was later spotted at a gas station in Grandview, Texas, but left her cell phone behind. After that, Cynthia disappeared without a trace. Almost two weeks later, her car was discovered abandoned alongside a highway approximately 35 miles south of where she was last seen, near Waco. The whereabouts of Cynthia and her vehicle during this time remain unknown. Her family has stated that Cynthia had no reason to be in the Waco area, and they are baffled as to why she would have traveled there. Following her disappearance, tensions arose between her family and the police department investigating the case. Over three years later, renewed efforts are underway in hopes of finally uncovering Cynthia’s whereabouts.Anyone with information about Cynthia Bah-Traore can call Lt. Michael Tate at the Crowley Police Department at 817-297-2276 x6204 or Crimestoppers at 817-469-8477. You can also contact the FBI Dallas Field Office at (972) 559-5000.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cynthia Bah-Traore Part 1: Starting Over

When Howard Kley traveled to Coos Bay, Oregon, for a business trip, he left behind his wife and two adult daughters in California. They expected that this would be another routine trip for Howard. He would be gone for a few days and then return home where he belonged, but that is not what happened. Late on the evening of January 26th, 1966, Howard Kley had dinner and drinks with the business associates he was traveling with. His travel companions last saw Howard speaking with a few women before they retired for the evening. By the following morning, Howard did not show up to leave with his associates, and it appears his room had not been disturbed or slept in. Howard Kley went missing without a trace.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Howard Kley, please call the Coos Bay Police Department at 541-269-8911.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Howard Kley

Last week, we brought you the first installment of Randa Jawhari’s story. You learned about Randa’s life, her strengths and challenges, her disappearance, and the early investigative efforts to find her. Randa was last seen on the evening of February 10, 2009. Her parents stopped by her apartment that night, and she later spoke to her sister, Fadia, on the telephone. That phone call ended around 11:30 PM. By the following morning, Randa was gone, and there weren’t many clues left behind to chase down. Today, we will fast forward from 2009 to 2024 and see what is being done today to hopefully solve the mystery of what happened to Randa Jawhari. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Randa Jawhari, please contact the Fenton Police Department at (810) 629-5311 and ask for Detective Tom Cole. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers of Flint and Genesee County at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245), the P3 Tips mobile app, or P3Tips.com/488.Follow developments in Randa’s case on social media at Help Find Randa Jawhari. The Jawhari family is raising funds to increase the Crime Stoppers reward for Randa with a crowdfunding campagin.You can support Crime Stoppers of Flint and Genesee County at https://www.crimestoppersofflint.com/. If you want to learn more about the Cold Case Program at Western Michigan University, please visit https://wmich.edu/coldcase, where you can donate to the program.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Randa Jawhari Part 2: Ten of Spades

On the evening of February 10, 2009, 42-year-old Randa Jawhari was alone at her apartment in Fenton, MI. Her parents had been by earlier that evening, and her mother had set out clothes for Randa. Later, Randa spoke to one of her sisters via telephone. That call ended around 11:30 PM. By the next morning, Randa’s mother became worried when she could not reach her, so she returned to Randa’s apartment. The clothes she had set out the night before were still there, seemingly undisturbed, but Randa was nowhere to be found. More than 15 years later, Randa’s family is still searching for answers.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Randa Jawhari, please contact the Fenton Police Department at (810) 629-5311 and ask for Detective Tom Cole. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers of Flint and Genesee County at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245), the P3 Tips mobile app, or P3Tips.com/488.Follow developments in Randa’s case on social media at Help Find Randa Jawhari. The Jawhari family is raising funds to increase the Crime Stoppers reward for Randa with a crowdfunding campagin.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Randa Jawhari Part 1: Unknown Caller

In late May 2019, 41-year-old Christopher Dietterick quietly disappeared from Elkton, Maryland. About a week later, his ex-wife received a phone call from the University of Maryland Cancer Center in Baltimore; Chris hadn’t made it to his appointment for his cancer treatment on June 5. That’s when she contacted his sister, and they began to compare notes and try to find anyone who had seen or spoken to Chris. But there was no sign of Chris, so his sister, Sara, reported him missing. During the course of the investigation, they uncovered video surveillance footage of Chris at the Cecil County Health Department in Elkton around 11 AM on May 30, but that’s where his trail goes cold. Chris’ last outgoing call was that same evening at 5:05 PM, and his phone pinged in the town of Elkton. Five years later, Chris’ case remains a mystery. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Christopher Dietterick, please contact the Elkton Police Department at  (410) 398-4200.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christopher Dietterick 

Last week, we shared the first installment in Geoffrey Spangler's story. You learned that Geoffrey left his Las Cruces home on the morning of November 8, 2021. He planned to head out to Riudoso to stay in a cabin for several days. His family later learned that Geoffrey visited the White Sands Missile Range that day. He arrived there that morning but exited and entered a few times. He needed to contact his insurance company for proof of insurance to obtain a visitor's pass. Geoffrey was issued a pass at noon. The man who interacted with Geoffrey at the visitor's center said he saw Geoffrey's Dodge Avenger at the bowling alley that afternoon. However, it was gone when he drove by again. A receipt showed Geoffrey purchased two beers at the bowling alley around 6:15 PM. Where had he been on base between those times? Later, his mom, Tracie, was told that Geoffrey exited the El Paso gate around 7:30 PM. Not quite an hour later, Geoffrey showed up at the Pit Stop, a gas station in Oro Grande, where he purchased a couple of beverages. Geoffrey left, heading north toward Ruidoso, but Geoffrey never made it to the cabin and was never seen or heard from again. Almost a month later, someone found Geoffrey's car back down south on the outskirts of El Paso, Texas. Still, extensive searches of the area have yet to reveal a trace of Geoffrey Spangler. Today, we will look deeper at what was found on Geoffrey's electronics, video footage, and more about his interactions at White Sands Missile Range.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Geoffrey Spangler, please contact the Las Cruces Police Department at (575) 526-0795.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Geoffrey Spangler Part 2: Encrypted

33-year-old Geoffrey Spangler disappeared from Las Cruces, New Mexico, on November 8, 2021. Geoffrey left home that morning and told his mother he was going to Ruidoso, roughly 2 hours away, to stay in a cabin he rented. Geoffrey’s mom, Tracie, never heard from her son again, which was unusual. Tracie contacted the resort where Geoffrey was staying, and he did have a cabin reserved, but they informed her that he had never made it there. Tracie’s calls and texts to her son’s phone went unanswered. Tracie decided to report her son missing the following morning. As the investigation began, they uncovered a plethora of strange clues that Tracie has spent the last several years attempting to make sense of.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Geoffrey Spangler, please contact the Las Cruces Police Department at (575) 526-0795.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Geoffrey Spangler Part 1: White Sands

On November 2, 1978, 24-year-old Barbara McClure went out with friends and acquaintances. There was a dance competition that evening at the Fandango disco bar in Lake Forest Park, Washington, a suburb of Seattle. There was a disagreement that evening, and Barbara left on foot to walk home, which was about five miles away. A couple who had been with Barbara at the disco said they later went after her and offered her a ride, but she declined. Barbara never made it home that night and was never seen or heard from again. Days later, Barbara’s license turned up on the side of a roadway, but the stories of who exactly had found it have varied. At the time of her disappearance, Barbara was a single mother with a young daughter, Jamie. Decades later, Jamie decided it was time for her to fight to uncover the truth. Teaming up with her cousin, Karleen, Jamie delved into a perplexing trail of clues, exposing unsettling connections within their family circle and the closely-knit church community they belonged to.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Barbara McClure, please contact the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-263-2090. You can follow developments in Barbara’s case on social media at Where is Barbara Annette Mcclure?If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Barbara Annette McClure

Susan Marable disappeared from Yakima, Washington, on an April evening in 1991. She left, saying she would be back, and was never seen or heard from again. There was a story about a sighting of Susan getting into a maroon truck. However, that story remains unconfirmed. Susan’s mom worked diligently in the early years to find her daughter, but beyond her work, there isn’t much evidence of further efforts to locate Susan. Despite this, Susan’s little sister, Robyn, has continued to pursue answers. Thirty-three years after Susan mysteriously vanished, Robyn now has the support of law enforcement, a local reporter, and one of Susan’s friends from that time. Together, they are sifting through memories, old notes, and records to identify the men who were preying upon women in Yakima in 1991, hoping to find any clue that could lead them back to Susan.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Susan Marable, please call the Yakima Police Department at 509-575-6200. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Yakima County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Susan Marable Part 2: Whispers from the Past

34-year-old Susan Marable disappeared from Yakima, Washington, on April 23, 1991. There have been unverified stories that Susan was seen getting into a vehicle, but those are just stories. We do know that Susan had been staying with a man who said she left that day and would return later. When she didn't come back, he became worried and went out to look for her. He later informed her family, who lived a few hours away in Aberdeen. Susan's mother traveled to Yakima to search for her daughter, and she felt most of the investigative work was left to her. Decades later, Susan's sister, Robyn, made it her mission to find Susan. Robyn began digging through the box of notes her mom collected during her many trips to Yakima, trying to piece together what may have happened to Susan in 1991. What she began to uncover was that there were many predators in Yakima in that era, and even before Susan vanished, she had been victimized by one of them.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Susan Marable, please call the Yakima Police Department at 509-575-6200. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Yakima County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Susan Marable Part 1: A Narrow Escape

In early 2024, 25-year-old Joshua Graham-Caskey was preparing to move from Winterset, Iowa, into his girlfriend's apartment in Des Moines. Joshua spent the evening of January 17 with his girlfriend in Des Moines, then returned home the following morning. Everything seemed fine; Joshua even texted his girlfriend that he loved her, which he often did. Around 9:30 AM, a 911 call was placed from Joshua's phone. The call dropped, so the Winterset Police Department responded to conduct a welfare check. When the police arrived, Joshua and his vehicle were both gone. Later, Joshua's girlfriend went over to his home after being unable to reach him. She found that Joshua was gone, but his phone was left behind. She contacted the police and learned about the 911 call, and they decided to report Joshua missing. As the days passed, they discovered a bizarre trail of clues Joshua left behind. Several months later, Joshua's loved ones are trying to put the puzzle pieces to figure out what may have happened to him.  If you would like to follow the search efforts for Joshua, you can follow Help find Joshua Graham-Caskey on Facebook. Joshua was last seen driving a 2013 Ford Taurus with the Iowa license plate KNZ677. If you have any information about the disappearance of Joshua Graham-Caskey, please contact the Winterset Police Department at 515-462-1423.Update- In August 2024, Joshua’s car was found in Gillham Lake. Joshua’s body was discovered inside the vehicle. If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joshua Graham-Caskey 

In late 2023, 24-year-old Cole Hosack was working to recover from an exceptionally difficult year with multiple losses within his family. Cole and his fiancee, Morgan, were temporarily staying in Prince George, British Columbia. Cole decided to set out for a fresh start in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The plan was for Cole to start a new job, settle in, and later move Morgan out there to live with him. Cole's friend, Shelby, picked him up in Prince George, and they intended to stop in Shelby's hometown of Dawson Creek to visit for a few days before driving to Medicine Hat. Everything was going according to plan until New Year's Eve. Cole and Shelby went out that evening to celebrate the holiday. They stopped at a couple of bars in Dawson Creek and ended up at the Lonestar Bar. The place was bustling that evening as everyone was ushering in the new year. Not long after midnight, Shelby briefly stepped outside, and upon her return, Cole was nowhere to be found. Shelby waited around, searching the crowd for her friend, but he had vanished. She drove around Dawson looking for Cole, but there were no signs of him. Eventually, Shelby returned to her family home and waited to hear from her friend, but that call never came.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Cole Hosack, please contact the Dawson Creek RCMP at 250-784-3700. You can follow developments in Cole's case on social media at Missing: Cole Hosack.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cole Hosack

On a Sunday evening in August 1989, 13-year-old Elisa Roberson left her home in Aransas Pass, Texas, to meet a friend at a local elementary school just a short walk away. Witnesses saw her along the way, and someone even reported seeing her enter a red or maroon car. But Elisa never made it to meet her friend. Her family later suspected that she might have been abducted by her mother's ex-boyfriend, Ralph, who had been abusive and threatened Elisa's mother when they ended their relationship. However, the police had their eyes on someone else, the father of the girl Elisa was walking to meet, who had a history of disturbing allegations made against him and a strange alibi. The investigation failed to uncover concrete evidence, and Elisa's case went cold. Years later, the case heated up again, and took a strange turn. The family is currently offering a $20,000 reward for any information regarding Elisa's disappearance. If you have any information, please contact the Aransas Pass Police Department at 361-758-5224, or reach out to the family and private investigator at missingelisa1989@gmail.com.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elisa Roberson Part 2: Flipping the Narrative

It was a hot August evening in 1989 when 13-year-old Elisa Roberson left her Aransas Pass, Texas, home to walk a short distance to meet a friend. The girls planned to meet halfway near an elementary school. The phone rang shortly after, and Elisa's younger sister, Ruby, answered. On the other line was the friend that Elisa had left to meet. She told Ruby that Elisa never showed up. Elisa's mother, Marina, was nearby and overheard the conversation. Marina began to worry, Elisa was her oldest child, and she was always dependable. If she wasn't with her friend, then where had she gone?Elisa's family is desperate for any information that could lead to finding Elisa. They are currently offering a $20,000 reward for any information that could help solve this mystery. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Elisa Roberson, please contact the Aransas Pass Police Department at 361-758-5224. The family and private investigator can also be reached via email at missingelisa1989@gmail.com. Stay updated on Elisa's case by following Missing Elisa Roberson on social media.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elisa Roberson Part 1: Goodnight Avenue

On December 7, 2023, 36-year-old Danielle Croft was at the home of a man she recently began seeing. He said Dani left his Bonham, Texas, home around 3 or 4 AM to walk around town and look at Christmas lights. No one ever saw or heard from Dani Croft after that time. Hours later, he said he left home to walk to a local store. Along the way, he said he found Dani's clothing on the road. He continued to Dani's grandmother's nearby home to alert her, which was just the beginning of this strange tale.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Dani Croft, please contact the Bonham Police Department at (903) 583-2141.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Danielle Croft

We first brought you Judith Brown's story on May 2, 2022. In April of 1977, 19-year-old Judith Brown vanished without a trace from New York City. But Judy wasn't the only person to disappear. She had recently begun dating a man named Richard, whom she met while briefly seeking treatment for depression. This man was much older and had a violent history. How much of that Judy knew, we can't be certain. She was still a teenager and likely groomed by him. Richard was housed at the Creedmoor facility after being found not guilty by reason of insanity for the 1971 murders of his wife and 17-month-old son, and that is where he and Judy crossed paths. Richard was given many freedoms at Creedmoor, even to wander the city alone. One day, he walked off the grounds and never returned. Judy's family was concerned that they hadn't heard from her, but then, the FBI came to their door as they were trying to track down Richard. Judy's family believed that law enforcement was looking for her since the FBI was on the case, but it doesn't appear that much was done to find Judy. Decades later, Judy's case began to heat up after a younger family member, Julian, took an interest in pursuing answers. Since we first spoke to Julian in 2022, he has kept digging. Julian joined us again to provide an update on Judy's case.You can find Julian's page for Judith on Facebook at Judith Anne Brown Missing - "Vanished With a Killer." If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Judith Brown, please contact the NYPD missing persons squad at 212-694-7781.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Case Update: Judith Brown - Excavating the Past

On October 26, 2023, 23-year-old Michelle Arnold was picked up at her home in Maple Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, and dropped off at her girlfriend's apartment just a few miles away in Warrensville Heights. In the days that followed, those close to Michelle became concerned when they hadn't heard from her and couldn't reach her by phone. By November 3, they were concerned enough to go to the police station and report Michelle missing. The stories about Michelle's disappearance didn't add up from the beginning. People in Michelle's circle weren't being truthful, but it was difficult to understand why. As the months wore on with no sign of Michelle, her case took a frightening twist after an informant came forward with a terrifying story about what happened to her. But was that the truth? If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Michelle Arnold, please contact the Warrensville Heights Police Department at (216) 581-1234.UPDATE: In June 2024, Michelle Arnold’s remains were recovered in a vacant lot in East Cleveland. Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of who was responsible for Michelle Arnold's death. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 216-252-7463.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michelle Arnold

On November 3, 2023, 35-year-old Tyler Goodrich spent the day at work and stopped by a Costo store on the way home to pick up some pizza. Tyler was seen on camera there smiling; nothing seemed out of the ordinary. That night, he planned to go to his home in Lincoln, Nebraska, eat some pizza, and watch a movie with his husband and one of their sons. However, things didn't go as planned. Tyler and his husband, Marshall, had a discussion that some have characterized as a disagreement or argument. The topic of conversation that night was divorce. Marshall recorded that discussion on his phone, and when things began to escalate, Marshall called the police. While Marshall was speaking to a dispatcher, someone was captured on a household camera running out of the garage. Many believe this was Tyler, while others say they can't be sure because the footage is too grainy. After that time, Tyler Goodrich was never seen or heard from again.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Tyler Goodrich, please call the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office at 402-441-6500.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tyler Goodrich

Around 10 PM on May 7, 2023, 63-year-old Richard Johnson left the apartment he shared with his wife in Lansing, Michigan. Rick planned to walk to a friend's apartment nearby. The friend lived in a different complex, but it should have only been a short walk to get there. Rick never returned home that evening, which was very out of character. Rick and his wife, Kim, were extremely close; some would say attached at the hip. Rick wouldn't have left Kim there to worry about him all night. Plus, Rick had some severe health concerns and wasn't known to stray far from home. By the following morning, Kim was concerned enough to alert the authorities and, later, their children, Justin and Jessica. Since that day ten months ago, Rick's family has been searching for any clue that could point them toward where Rick may have gone or what could have happened to him.If you have any information about the disappearance of Richard Johnson, please call the Eaton County Sheriff's Office at (517) 543-3512.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Richard Johnson

It was the first weekend in November of 2023 when Jared McColloch left his home in Louisiana and set out on what appears to be a spur-of-the-moment trip to visit his son in Illinois. During Jared’s drive across several states, the time changed, falling back one hour, which has caused confusion as his loved ones worked to establish a definitive timeline of his disappearance based on phone pings, surveillance footage, and receipts. At some point during Jared’s trip, he veered off course and headed east, away from his intended destination, and no one seems to know why. There was an unconfirmed sighting of Jared, his truck, and dogs at a restaurant near the border of Illinois and Indiana. Jared’s truck was later found abandoned in Indiana. According to records, his vehicle ran out of gas, and the battery died around 6:30 PM. Jared’s phone last synched around that same time, as well. Law enforcement searched around the vehicle to no avail. Others stepped up to help with the search efforts and were stumped. Jared left behind a trail of bizarre clues that no one has been able to piece together to solve this mystery- at least not yet.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jared McColloch, please contact the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at (812) 882-7660.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jared McColloch Part 2: The Helpers

On the evening of November 4, 2023, 33-year-old Jared McColloch left his home in Marion, Louisiana, for a spur-of-the moment trip. It is believed that Jared was planning to drive to the Salem, Illinois, area to visit his teenage son. Jared packed his truck with some supplies and his two beloved dogs. That 500-plus trip should have taken Jared roughly eight and a half hours. Along the way, Jared stopped at various gas stations to fill his gas tank and grab food and drinks. Jared was spotted on camera arriving in the Salem, IL, area in the early morning hours of November 5, where he purchased some gas and an energy drink. Several hours later, he was seen at another nearby gas station. After this time, Jared seemed to veer off course from his intended destination. He was then seen a third time at yet another gas station, but he now appeared to be heading east toward Indiana, and no one knows why or where he was going.The following day, Jared's mother received a phone call from law enforcement in the state of Indiana, informing her that her son's truck had been found abandoned in a very remote area with some of the doors left open. Jared's dogs were still sitting inside. The news was highly alarming to Jared's loved ones; he would have never left his dogs like that. Since that day, they have been poring over the bizarre clues left behind, looking for any explanation for what happened to Jared and why. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jared McColloch, please contact the Knox County Sheriff's Office at (812) 882-7660.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jared McColloch Part 1: Fall Back

In early September of 2021, Kevin Winters disappeared from Lahaina, Hawaii, after spending an evening doing what he enjoyed most: going out for dinner and a few drinks. Kevin was seen on a surveillance camera at an ATM late on September 2 and again at the same ATM the following morning. After that time, Kevin’s phone pinged a few miles away, but he was never seen or heard from again. Where Kevin was that night between the two trips to the ATM remains a mystery, along with where he may have headed next. From the beginning, it was difficult for Kevin’s family to search for him because they were all thousands of miles away. In the months that followed Kevin’s disappearance, his sister decided to make the trip to Hawaii to see if she could get somewhere, but things only got more bizarre. Kevin’s family has spent the last two and a half years digging for any clues that may uncover what happened to him. They have been sent down various rabbit holes only to come up empty-handed. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Kevin Winters, please call the Maui County Police Department at (808) 244-6400.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kevin Winters Part 2: Ghosted

On the evening of September 2, 2021, Kevin Winters was at one of his favorite restaurants having dinner in Lahaina, Hawaii, on the island of Maui. About an hour later, Kevin was seen on camera depositing a check at a nearby ATM. It remains unclear where Kevin went after that time. It’s believed that Kevin had taken public transportation to the restaurant that evening, and the place he had been staying was about 29 miles away. Kevin showed up on the same ATM camera the following morning, still wearing the same clothes he had on the night before. Kevin was once again making a deposit. Kevin walked away from the ATM that morning and was never seen or heard from again. Kevin had a close relationship with their mother; the two spoke twice every single day. When she didn’t hear from Kevin and couldn’t reach him by phone, she knew something was wrong. Thousands of miles away in Michigan, Kevin’s parents decided it was time to report their son missing. Nearly two and a half years later, Kevin’s family is still working to piece together the trail of bizarre clues left behind. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Kevin Winters, please call the Maui County Police Department at (808) 244-6400.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kevin Winters Part 1: Lost in Paradise

On July 26, 1992, 22-year-old Brenda Lambert spent much of the day celebrating her son’s first birthday at her home in Bluewell, West Virginia. Brenda was surrounded by her close family and many extended relatives. This party should have been a joyous occasion for Brenda, who loved being a mother to her two young children, but something was off that day. Brenda seemed upset or bothered. During the party, Brenda quietly asked several of her siblings if they could stay the night with her, but they each had a reason why they couldn’t. By the next morning, Brenda was gone. Her car, purse, and keys were all left behind at the home. Rumors began to spread around town about what had happened to Brenda, even stories that her disappearance was connected to another missing person. However, Brenda’s family has been adamant since the very beginning that they know exactly who made Brenda Lambert disappear and why.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Brenda Lambert, please call the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office at 304-487-8364.If you have a missing loved one you would like featured on the show; please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brenda Lambert

By the summer of 2023, most would say that Amber Arnett had hit rock bottom. She had lost her home and job after allowing her boyfriend to stay at the care facility that she managed. Amber was also now facing charges due to this incident. She was due to be in court on July 13, 2023, but Amber never made it. In fact, Amber disappeared from Lansing, Michigan, just 19 days before she was to appear in court. We may never know whether Amber was innocent or guilty of the charges because she never had the opportunity to plead her case before the court. As Amber’s loved ones began searching for her, they heard stories about what happened to Amber. They were told that in the lead-up to Amber’s disappearance, suspicions had been brewing in her circle, suspicions that Amber was planning to snitch. If this is true, we have no way of knowing, but the consensus has been that some people believed that Amber was gathering evidence about something so that she could trade that information for a lighter sentence on her pending charges. What that something was, we can’t be sure. There was plenty of criminal activity going on in that circle, but some believe that Amber had witnessed a very serious crime, a murder. You can follow the search efforts for Amber on social media at Help Us Find Amber. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Amber Arnett, please call the Lansing Police Department at (517) 483-4600.If you have a missing loved one you would like featured on the show; please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amber Arnett Part 2: Snitch

In late June of 2023, 39-year-old Amber Arnett contacted her mother, Marty, asking if she could stay with her at her home for a bit. Amber expressed that she didn’t feel safe where she had been living. Marty was away on a trip and told her daughter that she would be home late the following day. Marty expected to see or hear from Amber after she returned to Lansing, Michigan, but she never heard from her daughter again. The days began to pass, and Marty still had not heard from Amber. At first, Marty assumed she had found somewhere to stay or that maybe things had turned out okay. However, Amber was outgoing and frequently posted on social media and messaged back and forth with those she was close to. Marty began asking around, and no one had seen or heard from Amber. That was when Marty decided to go to the police to report Amber missing. Over the past seven months, Marty has been digging for clues to help find Amber, and she has uncovered a tangled web of people and stories. Still, nothing has led to concrete evidence pointing to what happened to Amber Arnett.You can follow the search efforts for Amber on social media at Help Us Find Amber. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Amber Arnett, please call the Lansing Police Department at (517) 483-4600.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amber Arnett Part 1: A Cry for Help

In late December of 1978, 15-year-old Larry Goodman disappeared from Park Ridge, New Jersey. His mother left home that day to go shopping and asked Larry if he would like to go along with her, but he declined. When she arrived home, Larry was gone. His mother reported that he had left home wearing a red flannel shirt, jeans, a denim jacket, sneakers and had $30 in his pocket. Investigators spoke to the teen's friends, teachers, and parents, but no one knew where he may have gone. Larry was a good student, and there didn't appear to be anything in his life to run from. There were articles in the local paper detailing Larry's mysterious disappearance. The local police stated they had run down every lead and hoped to appeal to the public for information. Everyone was shocked when Larry reappeared 27 days later on his 16th birthday. Larry told his mother he had been hundreds of miles away in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The police closed the case now that he was home safe, but that wouldn't last long. Soon, Larry was gone again. Everyone assumed he had run away from home again and would return soon. This time, there were no articles in the newspaper about Larry Goodman. He never called or came home, and 45 years later, Larry's case remains unsolved.If you have any information about the disappearance of Larry Goodman, please contact the Park Ridge Police Department at (201) 391-5401 or the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at (609) 882-2000.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lawrence "Larry" Goodman

38-year-old Mary Badaracco disappeared from Sherman, Connecticut, in August of 1984. At the time, Mary had been married to her husband, Dominic, for 14 years. According to Dominic, Mary left him and took almost all of her belongings and $100,000 in cash that he had stashed inside their home. Dominic didn't report Mary missing; according to Mary's daughters, he discouraged them from reporting their mother missing to local authorities. The last time that one of Mary's daughters had heard from her was on August 19. Dominic said he saw Mary on August 20, but she was gone when he returned from work. Following Mary's disappearance, one of Mary's daughters went to Mary and Dominic's home and found Mary's car parked in the driveway. How had she left without her car? Even more disturbing, the windshield was shattered. Just as Mary had, the vehicle later disappeared, too. In the months that followed, Dominic divorced Mary and moved on to a new relationship. Years later, the case heated up when a member of the Hell's Angels came forward with a tip about what happened to Mary, which may just be the closest they have ever come to finding answers. However, this is a case that many people seem too afraid to speak about. For four decades, rumors have swirled about what happened to Mary Badaracco. The truth has always been just out of reach and clouded by dangerous people. The story of Mary's disappearance spans the spectrum from motorcycle gang members with ties to organized crime to threats against a local politician and even bribery of a judge.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Mary Badaracco, please call the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad Troop A at 800-376-1554.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mary Badaracco

In late December of 2022, 30-year-old Lauren Willhoit disappeared from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Lauren spoke with family members over the phone on December 28th, and she was seen by her boyfriend leaving their home that same day. It's believed that Lauren may have been staying at a hotel on Mannheim Road in the Melrose Park area in the days leading up to New Year's Eve, though the facts are difficult to pin down in this case. After that, Lauren was never seen or heard from again. Her family became alarmed in early January when her boyfriend called to ask if they had heard from Lauren. Since that day, Lauren's sister, Michelle, has been working diligently to piece together every clue she can find to figure out what happened to her sister.If you have any information about the disappearance of Lauren Willhoit, please call the Cook County Sheriff's Office at 708-865-4896.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lauren Willhoit

On Friday, May 15, 1987, 32-year-old Daniel Maleska left his home in Princeton, Minnesota, to travel about three hours north to Gunn Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota. That weekend, Dan, his brother Mike, and several other longtime friends planned a camping trip for the opening of fishing season. Dan and Mike were raised as avid outdoorsmen, and opening weekend was a big deal. While this was their first time visiting Gunn Lake, this annual trip was something they looked forward to all year. The area where the men were camping was very rural and densely wooded. It wasn't a campground with amenities; they were roughing it, but that was how Dan and his buddies liked it. The men set up camp, spent many hours fishing on the lake, drank some beers, and seemed to be having a great time. However, by Sunday morning, Dan had vanished. They found a canoe in the water with some of his fishing supplies still inside. It looked like he had been plucked from that boat, leaving his items undisturbed. Despite extensive searches of the lake and surrounding wilderness, no trace of Dan Maleska has ever surfaced. The circumstances have left his loved ones to wonder if the scene was staged and Dan planned to disappear.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Dan Maleska, please call the Itasca County Sheriff's Office at (218) 326-3477.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Daniel Maleska

On June 28, 2023, 45-year-old Nanci Britner went to a motel in Winchester, VA, to visit her sister. She spent time at the motel that evening, and around midnight, Nanci contacted several people looking for a ride home. Nanci’s sister said that she fell asleep while Nanci was still there, but when she awoke, Nanci was gone, and she assumed that she had found a ride home. Nanci has four adult children, and they became concerned when a couple of days passed with no word from their mother. That wasn’t like Nanci, who was a devoted mother and grandmother. Nanci’s children began piecing together information about the day Nanci disappeared, but things weren’t adding up. When the dust settled, a few unconnected people were acting suspiciously. However, law enforcement hasn’t been able to gather concrete evidence, and today, Nanci’s case remains unsolved.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Nanci Britner, please call the Winchester Police Department at 540-662-4131.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nanci Britner

On March 9, 2023, 27-year-old Kay-Alana Turner left a friend’s home in Silsbee, Texas, and headed toward Austin, about four hours away, apparently to see a friend. In the days leading up to March 9, Kay-Alana had not been sleeping well, and she didn’t seem quite like herself. Witnesses in the towns of Hockley and Tomball, Texas, interacted with Kay-Alana in the early morning hours of March 10. She had been asking people if she could sleep in their driveways. By this time, Kay-Alana’s phone had died. Around 6 AM, a homeowner in the Holly Creek Estates subdivision in Tomball, Texas, noticed Kay-Alana’s car in their driveway, and she was asleep inside. The homeowner decided to call someone from their homeowner’s association and other neighbors. They gathered around Kay-Alana’s car and attempted to wake her. Kay-Alana was scared and decided to drive her car away, but they blocked her. Then, an officer from Harris County broke Kay-Alana’s driver-side window. She bolted, first by driving her car through the yard, out through some farmland, and eventually into the woods, where the vehicle got stuck. With deputies behind her on foot, she decided to run. Kay-Alana dropped her phone along the way and later removed her shoes, full of glass from the broken window. In the days that followed, Kay-Alana’s loved ones began to compare notes and came to believe that she was suffering a mental health crisis that night. Despite extensive searches of the area where Kay-Alana was last seen, no trace of her, other than her phone and shoes, has ever been found.If you have any information about Kay-Alana’s disappearance, please contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-755-7427.Update- In April 2024, Kay-Alana’s skeletal remains were recovered by Texas EquuSearch not far from where she disappeared. Photo Credit: James Blaign RamboIf you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Margaret "Kay-Alana" Turner Part 2: The Shattered Window

On March 8, 2023, 27-year-old Kay-Alana Turner stayed at a friend’s home in Silsbee, Texas. Kay-Alana’s friend, Brittany, noticed that she hadn’t been sleeping well, and something appeared to be troubling Kay-Alana. The following morning, Brittany left for work, believing Kay-Alana was asleep. As the day wore on, Brittany kept trying to contact Kay-Alana, but something was off with the way that her text messages were going through. She attempted to reach Kay-Alana via phone and Facetime video calls. She eventually reached Kay-Alana, but something still wasn’t quite right, and she didn’t know where her friend was. Brittany enlisted the help of Kay-Alana’s boyfriend, James, who went out searching for her that night. He stopped at all of Kay-Alana’s familiar places with no luck. They later learned that Kay-Alana had planned to visit a friend in Austin, about a four-hour drive from Brittany’s home. Where along that 245-mile trip could something have gone wrong? Did Kay-Alana get into an accident? Had she run out of gas? They searched frantically throughout the night, and by the next morning, stories began to emerge about Kay-Alana that seemed so out of character for her. Kay-Alana’s loved ones couldn’t believe what they were hearing. One thing they knew for sure was that they needed to find Kay-Alana.If you have any information about Kay-Alana’s disappearance, please contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-755-7427.Photo Credit: James Blaign RamboUpdate- In April 2024, Kay-Alana’s skeletal remains were recovered by Texas EquuSearch not far from where she disappeared. If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Margaret "Kay-Alana" Turner Part 1: Lost

On August 14, 2003, 40-year-old William "Arlin" Bynum was at a bar and grill in Big Spring, Texas. Big Spring is where Arlin was born, but he was a stranger, having lived his entire life outside of the small town. Arlin enjoyed the evening having drinks with friends. He was last seen walking toward his truck on the morning of August 15, shortly before the bar closed. After that, the trail ends. The next day, Arlin didn't show up for lunch with a relative, and from there, his family knew something was wrong. They found his truck still parked outside the restaurant, and the search began. Twenty years later, Arlin has never been seen or heard from again. The story of his disappearance spans the spectrum from questionable friends, to abandoned wells, to the possibility of cartel involvement. Today, there are many complicated factors that make solving the mystery of what happened to Arlin Bynum seem nearly impossible, but his loved ones aren't giving up.If you have any information about Arlin's disappearance, please call the Big Spring Police Department at 432-264-2559 or the Texas Rangers Division Company "E" at 915-834-7664. Crimestoppers is offering a cash reward. To submit an anonymous tip, call 432-263-8477 (TIPS) or use P3tips.com and reference case #20303930.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

William "Arlin" Bynum

29-year-old Kevin Bass disappeared from Milledgeville, Georgia, in the early morning hours of May 27, 2020. Kevin had last spoken to a friend around 5 AM and then disappeared. Someone thought they may have seen him on foot that morning around 5:30 AM, but they couldn’t be sure that it was actually Kevin. A couple of friends said that Kevin had been at their house the night before and left early that morning. Stories would later change, and rumors of an affair surfaced, which divided those who knew Kevin into two camps. Three years later, what happened to Kevin remains a mystery.If you have any information about the disappearance of Kevin Bass, please contact the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 445-4891.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kevin Bass

Theresa Hartley, a Florida native living in St. Augustine, was learning how to live life on her own after her husband passed away several years earlier. On March 11, 2023, she vanished, supposedly while in the company of a friend looking for firewood in the Ocala National Forest. But when she was reported missing to police on March 15 by another friend, the details didn't add up. In a real-life horror story filled with shady characters with a history of defrauding people and others with lengthy criminal records of violent offenses, Theresa was a vulnerable woman who was the perfect target for predators. After Theresa's disappearance, people her family had never met started coming out of the woodwork to claim her assets. Did Theresa really get lost in the woods, leaving no trace behind? Or was something much more sinister going on in her life?If you have any information about Theresa's disappearance, please call the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office at 904-824-8304 or the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 352-732-8181.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Theresa Hartley

Last week, we shared Part 1 of Joshua Simiskey's story. 41-year-old Joshua Simiskey vanished under bizarre circumstances in October of 2019. He had given all his belongings to a woman he had recently met. She claimed that he had offered the items for her hand in marriage while on a spiritual journey. But then, Josh was picked up by park rangers inside Olympic National Park, walking barefoot early one morning. They dropped him off at a general store and watched him walk away on foot. That is the last official, confirmed sighting of Joshua Simiskey. However, there were other unconfirmed sightings of Josh that seemed to point to a voluntary disappearance. Others believed that Josh was in a vulnerable mental state and was possibly coerced into giving his valuables away. Four years have gone by, and Josh Simiskey has never surfaced. What is known about the circumstances leading up to Josh's disappearance has left his loved ones with more questions than answers. Today, you will hear from two of the women in Josh's life when he went missing, one who claims to have seen him disappear right before her eyes.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Joshua Simiskey, please contact the Clallam County Sheriff's Department at (360) 417-2262.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joshua Simiskey Part 2: Stranger than Fiction

In the late summer of 2019, 41-year-old Joshua Simiskey left his father's home in Tacoma, Washington, and headed for Port Angeles, about 2 hours away. Josh stayed there for several weeks and told his family he planned to go on a spiritual journey. Josh met a woman during his time in Port Angeles, and things got weird. The last known communication from Josh was a voicemail that he left for his father on October 6, saying that he had given away his car and other possessions. The woman he had recently met in Port Angeles had a handwritten note, allegedly penned by Josh, saying he was giving everything to her. Was this indeed what Josh wanted, or had something more sinister happened?As Josh's family rushed to find him, things became more bizarre. Josh Simiskey seemed to disappear and reappear multiple times with sightings that seemed credible, but was that Josh that people were seeing around town or a case of mistaken identity?Join us as we work to untangle this mystery. Could Josh still be out there on his spiritual journey? Does he simply not want to be found? Or was Josh the victim of manipulation and foul play? If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Joshua Simiskey, please contact the Clallam County Sheriff's Department at (360) 417-2262.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joshua Simiskey Part 1: The Journey

On May 9, 1991, a police officer from the Lynnwood, Washington Police Department responded to a call about a missing person. The call came from Thanh Phung, and he told police that his 19-year-old daughter, Nguyet Thu Phung, or Wiki as most people called her, did not come home from work that day. He said that her boyfriend had picked her up early that morning and that by 11 AM, her employer had called Wiki’s mother to ask if everything was okay after Wiki hadn’t shown up for work. The events of May 9 would unfold to reveal more information about what may have happened to Wiki that day and lead to only a handful of ominous conclusions.If you have any information about the disappearance of Wiki Phung, please call the Lynnwood Police Department at 425-670-5600.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nguyet Thu “Wiki” Phung

October 21, 1973, was a Sunday. Typically, 32-year-old Virginia Erickson would attend church on Sundays, where she played the piano. But on that particular Sunday, Virginia and her husband, David, were going hunting instead. Virginia and David's nephew picked up their six children that morning from their home in Sweet Home, Oregon, and brought them to church. When the children returned, their mother was gone. David never reported his wife missing. Virginia had previously maintained consistent contact with her family in Washington, but they also stopped hearing from her. Disturbing information would later surface about what was happening inside the Erickson home, information that could be the motive behind Virginia Erickson's disappearance.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Virginia Erickson, please contact the Linn County Sheriff's Office at (541) 967-3950.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Virginia Erickson

Sometime in March 1976, 20-year-old Brian Vargo vanished from Austin, Texas. He had unenrolled from all of his classes at the University of Texas at Austin at the end of February, just a few weeks prior to his disappearance. He indicated in his application to unenroll that he intended to return to classes in the summer quarter of 1976. However, Brian seemingly vanished into thin air and has not been seen or heard from since. His story is one of soul-searching and a young man who seemed to be looking for an independent identity as an adult, finding his own way in life. Whether or not he ever achieved that goal and what happened to him remains a mystery.If you have any information about Brian’s disappearance, please call the Austin Police Department at 512-974-5210.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brian Vargo

Last week, we brought you the first installment of Casi Pogue’s story. You learned about Casi’s life, struggles, and how she disappeared after leaving a hospital in Greenville, South Carolina, on July 5, 2020. Casi was spotted exiting the facility that evening and speaking to someone in a van. She even entered the van for a few minutes but then got out and left the area alone on foot. Who was that man in the vehicle? You heard last week that the police were never able to identify him. But Casi’s family told us that after she disappeared, their suspicions began to shift elsewhere, to someone close to Casi.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Casi Pogue, please contact the Greenville Police Department at (864) 271-5333. If you want to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers at 864-23-CRIME (864-232-7463).If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Casi Pogue Part 2: Best of Friends

It was the July 4th holiday weekend of 2020 when 40-year-old Casi Pogue found herself in the emergency room at Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. She had been there not just once but twice throughout the weekend. The second time, Casi was taken by EMS after neighbors found her acting disoriented. On the evening of July 5th, Casi left the hospital. Casi was spotted on surveillance video walking away from the facility. She spoke briefly to a man inside a van in the parking lot, even getting inside the vehicle before exiting and walking away alone. After she walked out of view of the hospital cameras, Casi Pogue was never seen or heard from again. More than three years later, what happened to Casi remains a mystery.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Casi Pogue, please contact the Greenville Police Department at (864) 271-5333. If you want to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers at 864-23-CRIME (864-232-7463).This episode was sponsored by:Audible- Visit Audible.com/MIA or text MIA to 500-500 to try Audible free for 30 days.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Casi Pogue Part 1: Destination Unknown

In the spring of 1982, 22-year-old Diana Avera was sent to Searcy Hospital, a mental health facility in southern Alabama. Diana was arrested for disorderly conduct in Foley, Alabama, where she lived. The details of her arrest are unknown because we only truly know what happened after her arrest. Diana had several mental health diagnoses, and the decision was made to send her to the mental health facility. Just three months later, around the beginning of August 1982, Diana allegedly escaped from the hospital and was never seen again. But is that really what happened 40 years ago in a case shrouded in secrets, abusive hospital practices, and unanswered questions? If you have any information about Diana’s disappearance, please call the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office at 251-574-8720.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Diana Avera

Last week, we shared Part 1 of Dorothy Goroshko's story. You learned about Dorothy's life from her sons, John and Rick. Rick and John's lives were never easy, not before their mother disappeared and not after. Despite Dorothy's faults, Rick wants to find her, and John believes he deserves an answer. They lost their mother at a critical time in their lives. Rick and John were still kids, left to wonder if their mother had simply chosen to abandon them or if something terrible had happened to her. Neither outcome made them feel any better about any of it. The boys also had to work to maintain a roof over their heads and put food on the table. On June 4, 1975, Dorothy Goroshko left home to meet friends for drinks at The Penalty Box in Boston, MA. Dorothy's group of friends were known to frequent that bar in North Station. Dorothy's friends recalled that she was with them that evening, and they stayed until closing. They said their goodbyes, and no one was sure where Dorothy headed next. There were rumors about after-hours clubs in the area, but no one could confirm that she had been at any of those establishments that night. Could Dorothy have headed home and gotten into an accident? Could she have gone home with someone she met that night? Or could she have gone to meet someone afterward? In recent years, one person has told a story about seeing Dorothy late that night.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Dorothy Goroshko, please contact the Boston Police Department Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470. If you want to remain anonymous, please call 1-800-494-TIPS or text "TIP" to 27463. If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dorothy Goroshko Part 2: Mary Jane

On June 4, 1975, Dorothy Goroshko went out to have drinks with some girlfriends in Boston, MA. Her three sons, ages 21, 14, and 12, were at home that evening and went to bed that night, not thinking anything was amiss. The following morning, Dorothy wasn't there. The younger two boys got themselves off to school and figured that their mother must have spent the night with a friend and she would be back by the time the school day was over. They were shocked that their mother still hadn't returned that evening. The boys weren't sure what to do, so they kept waiting. After a few days without word from their mother, Dorothy's son went to the police station to report her missing. Forty-eight years later, Dorothy's sons are still searching for answers.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Dorothy Goroshko, please contact the Boston Police Department Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470. If you want to remain anonymous, please call 1-800-494-TIPS or text "TIP" to 27463.This episode was sponsored by:Doordash- Our listeners can get 50% off, up to a $10 value on a $15 min sub total when you download the Doordash App and enter code TV.Audible- Visit Audible.com/MIA or text MIA to 500-500 to try Audible free for 30 days.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dorothy Goroshko Part 1: The Monster

Last month, we shared Ruth Egnoski’s story with you. It was a complicated story to piece together from newspaper archives and what people could remember so many decades later. It felt as though there were many holes in the story that we may never get to fill in due to the passage of time. We couldn’t even nail down what year Ruth vanished. We had submitted several record requests to the Delavan Police Department. Unfortunately, at the time that episode was produced, we had not heard anything. We decided to go forward with production because sometimes we never hear back, despite open records laws requiring a response within a specified period of time.Less than a month after our episode aired, we were shocked to receive a large police file from the Delavan Police Department. The information in this file fills in many gaps in the story and answers many questions we had a month ago. What we learned while reading those files was shocking. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Ruth Egnoski, please call the Delavan Police Department at 262-728-6311.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Case Continued: Ruth Egnoski - Open Secrets

On January 27, 2022, 23-year-old Angelina Morales got a pizza and went to her great aunt's house in Santa Ana, California, to share a meal with her. No one quite knows what happened after this, but others reported seeing Angelina around Santa Ana in early February. Then, Angelina's friends and family realized that no one could find her. Angelina has never been seen again, and what happened to her remains a dark mystery woven from cautionary tales, risk-taking, and shady characters who seem to want to forget Angie altogether.If you have any information about the disappearance of Angelina Morales, please call the Santa Ana Police Department at 714-245-8665.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Angelina Morales

Last week, we brought you the first part of James Lewis' story. Jim Lewis was a decorated veteran who had recently retired after serving in the United States Army for 25 years. Jim and his wife Patsy purchased a home in Fayetteville, North Carolina, which was supposed to be their forever home, after moving all over the US and the world for many years. They were putting their roots down finally, and Patsy was able to start hanging those pictures on the walls. But it didn't even last a year because, in October of 1982, Jim pulled out of the driveway headed to a job interview in Vero Beach, Florida, and never came home. The police were convinced that Jim had willingly abandoned his family, and they weren't interested in investigating. His family did what they could on their own, but that wasn't bringing them any solid answers. Then, Jim's car was found months later at the local airport in Fayetteville. It had been parked there since October 6, 1982, three days after Jim left, supposedly to drive to Florida. None of it seemed to make sense to his family. He always cared for them and wouldn't have left them this way. Over the years, some tidbits of clues have been revealed that could point to an outcome that no one ever saw coming.If you have any information about the disappearance of James Lewis, please contact the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office at (910) 323-1500.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James Lewis Part 2: The Airport

On October 3, 1982, 42-year-old James Lewis left his home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Jim told his family he planned to drive to Vero Beach, FL, for a job interview. Jim was a decorated veteran who had recently retired from the Army. He was a skilled pilot looking for something to do in the next phase of his life post-retirement. He was interviewing for a position ferrying airplanes from a dealer in Florida to buyers. After Jim left, his family never heard from him again, something that was very unusual for Jim. Months later, in January of 1983, Jim’s wife received a call from a local airport, stating that his car had been parked there since early October, just days after her husband had vanished. Had Jim actually driven to Florida? Had he taken a flight somewhere? Why was his car at the airport? These questions have haunted his family for more than 40 years.If you have any information about the disappearance of James Lewis, please contact the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office at (910) 323-1500.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James Lewis Part 1: The Hero

Sometime between the summer of 1964 and 1966, a young woman named Ruth Egnoski disappeared from Delavan, Wisconsin. No one can remember precisely when for sure. Depending on the year, she would have been between the ages of 18 and 20. Her family said that they reported Ruth missing to the local police, but they didn't do anything to search for her. The family hired a private investigator who said they were able to find that Ruth had taken a bus to Chicago. Over the years, some strange things happened. First, in the 1970s, the missing woman's social security card turned up in the office of a local school custodian. In the 1980s, luggage was found hidden in the ceiling in that same custodian's office, and the custodian happened to be Ruth's stepfather. Could there be a link? It took decades for this cold case to heat up, but it fizzled out again, and today remains unsolved.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Ruth Egnoski, please call the Delavan Police Department at 262-728-6311.This episode was sponsored by:Doordash- Our listeners can get 50% off, up to a $10 on a $15 min sub total and $0 delivery fees when you download the Doordash App and enter code TVSUMMER.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ruth Egnoski

Last week, we brought you the first part of Becky Marzo’s story. On December 12, 2003, she went out for a night with friends at a club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Becky was a 23-year-old woman living life and enjoying her freedom. She was working and finishing up her college degree. Her entire life was ahead of her. But there was a dark cloud cast over Becky’s happy life- her boyfriend Carl, an older man who had a history of abusing women. We left last week with Becky’s escape to Florida, and today we bring you the final part of Becky’s story about her return to Wisconsin and subsequent disappearance.If you have any information about the disappearance of Becky Marzo, please call the Milwaukee Police Department- Sensitive Crimes Division at (414) 935-7405.This episode was sponsored by:Hungryroot- Get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies for life at Hungryroot.com/VANISHED.MasterClass- Get 15% off an annual membership atmasterclass.com/vanished.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Becky Marzo Part 2: The Box

On the evening of December 12, 2003, 23-year-old Becky Marzo went out with friends to a local club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While at the club, her phone kept ringing, and her boyfriend was angry. He wanted her to come home, but Becky wanted to spend the night with her friends, so she turned off her phone. One of her friends asked if she wanted to go home, but Becky said she wanted to stay. When her friend dropped Becky off later that night at the home she shared with her boyfriend, no one knew they’d never see Becky again. Nearly 20 years later, her friends and family are still looking for answers about what happened to the young woman who has missed out on her entire life and those of the ones she loved most.If you have any information about the disappearance of Becky Marzo, please call the Milwaukee Police Department- Sensitive Crimes Division at (414) 935-7405.This episode was sponsored by:Audible- Visit Audible.com/TheGift to listen now.Doordash- Our listeners can get 50% off, up to a $10 on a $15 min sub total and $0 delivery fees when you download the Doordash App and enter code TVSUMMER.Hungryroot- Get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies for life at Hungryroot.com/VANISHED.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Becky Marzo Part 1: Escape

By May of 2022, 33-year-old Christopher Hoye was living in Dixon, Missouri, with his wife and their blended family. They had relocated there from Illinois to try to live a more simple life homesteading. On May 19, 2022, things appeared to be going like any typical day on the farm. There were animals to tend to, and the kids were running around. Chris and his wife, Alysha, were divvying up their chores. Alysha says that she went outside to milk their goats, and while she was gone, Chris disappeared. Alysha said she heard his truck start up but wasn't close enough to see anything. When she finished up with the goats and returned to the house, something didn't seem right. Chris' truck was gone, the gate was left open, and Chris' wallet and phone were left at the house. Hoping that Chris had just left for a quick errand, Alysha waited, but Chris never returned. A couple of hours later, she decided to look for him and found his truck abandoned not far from their house. Despite extensive searches, no trace of Chris Hoye has ever been found.If you have any information about the disappearance of Chris Hoye, please call the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department at 573-774-6196. They also have a tip line at 573-774-7948.This episode was sponsored by:Audible- Visit Audible.com/TheGift to listen now.Doordash- Our listeners can get 50% off, up to a $10 on a $15 min sub total and $0 delivery fees when you download the Doordash App and enter code TVSUMMER.Zocdoc- Go to Zocdoc.com/VANISHED and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE and book a top-rated doctorIf you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christopher Hoye

We first brought you Roger Taylor’s story in November 2020. When we first aired Roger’s story, we knew he was missing under strange circumstances. Roger was disabled, and the people at Roger’s home on the day he vanished had told some peculiar tales that didn’t seem to add up for someone in Roger’s condition. Roger’s daughter said she had received a text from her father’s phone saying he was lost and stuck. Later his car was found abandoned on a dead-end road. Where could Roger have gone? How far could he have made it considering his limited mobility? These questions lingered, and rumors swirled around the small town where Roger lived. And then, in August of 2022, a man turned himself in to police and told them he had murdered Roger in 2019. When we heard this man’s name, we recognized it. He was someone that Roger’s family had told us about in interviews. He told authorities that he had turned his life around, found God, and was ready to confess to what he had done. But today, some believe there is still more to this story waiting to be exposed.If you have any information about the disappearance of Roger Taylor, please call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department at 662-369-2468.This episode was sponsored by:Hungryroot- Get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies for life at Hungryroot.com/VANISHED.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Case Update: Roger Taylor - Coming Clean

On June 14, 2021, 28-year-old Alex Harris left his father's home in Sierra Vista, Arizona, with a friend to go to a remote part of the Arizona desert near the city of Safford. The story was that he was out geo-caching with a friend, but something went terribly wrong, and Alex refused to get in the car and return home. When this friend showed up at Alex's dad's apartment two days later, the friend told Alex's dad that he had left Alex in the desert and didn't have a cell signal to call Alex's dad or the authorities. None of it made sense, no one knew this friend Alex had been out with well, and Alex's dad tried to find out where Alex was so he could go look for him. The friend fled and is now incarcerated on unrelated charges, but Alex has never been seen or heard from again.If you have any information about Alex's disappearance, please call the Cochise County Sheriff's Office at 520-432-9500 or 800-362-0812.This episode was sponsored by:Audible- Visit Audible.com/TheGift to listen now.Earth Breeze- Listeners can subscribe to Earth Breeze and save 40%! Go toearthbreeze.com/vanished to get started.MasterClass- Get 15% off an annual membership at masterclass.com/vanished.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alexander Harris

On February 26, 2021, 38-year-old Cheretha Morrison was supposed to meet with her son after dropping her daughter off at school. Cheretha never showed up and didn’t answer her phone. It seemed as though something was wrong, but no one was sure. Later that day, it was discovered that Cheretha didn’t pick up her young daughter from school. And then, the other shoe dropped when Cheretha’s vehicle was found over 20 miles away from her residence on the other side of Chicago, Illinois. A substantial amount of cash was on the passenger seat, but there was no sign of Cheretha. The details surrounding Cheretha’s disappearance are murky and mysterious. At the time of her disappearance, she was several months pregnant, which adds another layer to the enigma of her disappearance, with few details and much speculation. What we do know is that all signs point to the fact that Cheretha did not disappear voluntarily.If you have any information about Cheretha’s disappearance, please call the Chicago Police Department Area 1 SVU at (312) 747-8380.This episode was sponsored by:Audible- Visit Audible.com/MIA or text MIA to 500-500 to try Audible free for 30 days.Doordash- Our listeners can get 50% off, up to a $10 on a $15 min sub total and $0 delivery fees when you download the Doordash App and enter code TV.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cheretha Morrison

In our fourth and final episode about the disappearance of Beau Mann, we are returning the focus to Beau. One thing that has become clear by this point in the series is that Beau is a complex person who has shown different sides of himself to various groups of people in his life. He wanted his family to see him as a success. Beau had close friendships with many people and shared his struggles with some of them. It also began to emerge that there may have been another group of people in his life that he kept hidden from the rest. When Beau disappeared, his family and close friends began to learn about some of these people in Beau’s circle and wondered why he never mentioned them. It was like learning about another side of him they didn’t realize was there. How much can you really ever know about another person, and how much can they keep hidden? This situation has left Beau’s loved ones trying to untangle a complicated web of people that don’t seem willing to help find Beau or tell them everything they know. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Beau Mann, please contact the LAPD Missing Persons Unit at 213-486-0260. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.After production had concluded on our final episode about Beau Mann, we learned that Beau's remains had recently been recovered. This information, along with rumors, spread quickly over the weekend on social media before all of Beau's loved ones were informed and had a chance to release their own statement. For those reasons, we chose to hold off on posting about this until now. We will post further information once it is confirmed by law enforcement. We hope to bring you an update as quickly as we can. But for now, we will share the final episode of our series as it was produced before the news broke over the last 48 hours. Our thoughts are with all of Beau's loved ones at this time. We hope that finding Beau will bring much-needed answers and peace.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beau Mann Part 4: The Focus

Over the past two weeks, you learned about Beau Mann, how he disappeared, and a little bit about the divide that has developed since then. This week, we are taking a closer look at this divide. How did this happen, why, and how can we overcome this and come together to push for answers for Beau? At the center of this story is a bright, successful man who disappeared during the prime of his life. As we spoke with those who knew Beau, it felt that this divide was muddying the waters. It was making it difficult to figure out which facts were important. Why was the focus on his relationship with his fiance, who was more than 2000 miles away when Beau mysteriously vanished? This week, we will take you on our journey to find answers.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Beau Mann, please contact the LAPD Missing Persons Unit at 213-486-0260. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.This episode was sponsored by:Audible- Visit Audible.com/Debutante to listen now.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beau Mann Part 3: The Divide

Last week, we shared the first installment of Beau Mann’s story. You learned about Beau’s life and his struggles with addiction. Beau created the app, Sober Grid, to help people in recovery stay connected and access resources. But then, one day at the end of November 2021, Beau mysteriously vanished while traveling around Los Angeles. He made several stops that day while using the ride-share services Uber and Lyft. During his final ride, Beau had texted 911 through the in-app safety feature. They attempted to contact Beau to see if he needed assistance, but they were not able to connect with Beau. The Uber driver stated that he dropped Beau off at an address, but the resident whole lived there claimed she didn’t know anyone named Beau Mann. In Part 1, we gave you a brief overview of the timeline of Beau’s last day. This case has a lot of twists and turns, along with a complex timeline. It is a lot to take in, so we decided to dedicate Part 2 to digging deeper into that timeline.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Beau Mann, please contact the LAPD Missing Persons Unit at 213-486-0260. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.This episode was sponsored by:Audible- Visit Audible.com/Debutante to listen now.Doordash- Our listeners can get 50% off, up to a $10 on a $15 min sub total and $0 delivery fees when you download the Doordash App and enter code TV.Earth Breeze- Listeners can subscribe to Earth Breeze and save 40%! Go to earthbreeze.com/vanished to get started.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beau Mann Part 2: Last Day

39-year-old Beau Mann disappeared from Los Angeles, California, on November 30, 2021. Beau Mann was a successful entrepreneur who created an app that helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Beau had just returned from a trip to Texas the day before he vanished. After being picked up by his assistant at the airport, she dropped him off at his apartment. Beau left his apartment the following morning, November 30, at 11:20 am. He stopped nearby for some coffee, then proceeded to use Lyft to travel around the city to various locations. At 1:51 pm, Beau ordered an Uber to take him to an address in Santa Monica. He was last seen on surveillance at a 7-Eleven making a purchase. It's believed that he got back into the Uber, and minutes later, a text was sent from Beau's phone to 911. They attempted to reach Beau, but he didn't answer. Beau was never seen or heard from again. The Uber driver later stated that he dropped Beau off at the Santa Monica address, but the woman who lived there claimed she had never met Beau. Beau's disappearance is a mysterious one. His loved ones have spent the last 16 months trying to piece together all of the clues that were left behind, but those clues have not led them to Beau.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Beau Mann, please contact the LAPD Missing Persons Unit at 213-486-0260. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beau Mann Part 1: The Grid

At the end of January, we covered the 2017 disappearance of Robert Baron in a two-part series. Robert had mysteriously vanished from his pizza shop in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. Investigators quickly realized this was serious after discovering Robert’s blood and a tooth inside the restaurant. Days later, the vehicle Robert was driving turned up in Old Forge with more blood inside. They believed that Robert had been murdered, but his case went cold. Six years into the investigation, we shared the case with you. Robert’s family was convinced they knew who was responsible and were upset that the district attorney would not proceed with an arrest. About eight weeks after our series aired, there was a major break in the case.If you have any information regarding the murder of Robert Baron, please contact the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office at (570) 963-6717. UPDATE: On May 15, 2024, Justin Schuback was found guilty of first-degree murder, burglary, and robbery.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Case Update: Robert Baron

On August 22, 2020, 18-year-old Tyress Gipson disappeared from Jacksonville, Texas. Tyress had left home to go hang out with friends but never returned. His family immediately knew that something wasn't right. Tyress was a bright young man with his whole life ahead of him. This wasn't like him. Who would have wanted to harm Tyress? It wouldn't be long before several suspects were identified. When we first aired Tyress Gipson's story in 2021, four people had been arrested in connection with his disappearance. In early 2023, one of those individuals went to trial. But did the prosecution have enough evidence to prove their case? Tyress' mom, LaVance, joins us again to discuss what has transpired since our original episode aired.If you have any information about Tyress Gipson's disappearance, please call the Jacksonville Police Department at 903-586-2546.You can follow Tyress’s story on social media at Bring Tyress Home.This episode was sponsored by:Audible- Visit Audible.com/MIA or text MIA to 500-500 to try Audible free for 30 days.Doordash- Our listeners can get 50% off, up to a $20 value and $0 delivery fees when you download the Doordash App and enter code MIA23.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Case Update: Tyress Gipson 

On April 3, 2022, 36-year-old Ryan Withee was asked to leave the sober living house where he had been staying in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The next day, another resident at the sober living house saw Ryan leaving the house on foot with his belongings. At 1:10 am on April 5, a message was sent from Ryan's Facebook account to his friend via Facebook messenger indicating he needed help. Later that day, the same resident found Ryan's backpack at the sober living house. Then, Ryan's cell phone was located approximately a mile from the facility. Clues began to trickle in once residents reviewed the security cameras. Nearly a year later, Ryan is still missing. If you have any information about the disappearance of Ryan Withee, please call Milwaukee Police Department at 414-935-7405.This episode was sponsored by:Hungryroot- Get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies for life at Hungryroot.com/VANISHED.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ryan Withee

26-year-old Olivia Fowler had spent the evening of August 12, 2021, at her boyfriend’s home in Manchester, GA. He said he last saw Olivia that night when he went to bed. Her boyfriend reported that she said she was going to go smoke a cigarette on the porch. The boyfriend says that Olivia was gone by the time he awoke the following morning. There were other sightings of Olivia after her boyfriend went to bed that evening. Witnesses reported seeing Olivia walking near her boyfriend’s home on the morning of August 13. It is believed that Olivia left her boyfriend’s house around 8 am, and she was seen by a passerby walking around 8:30 am. The final sighting of Olivia was by a DNR officer around 10:30 am on Pebblebrook Road. Olivia was walking and didn’t appear to be in distress. After that, Olivia vanished, and very few clues were left behind.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Olivia Fowler, please contact your nearest FBI office or call (770) 216-3000.UPDATE: In August of 2023, law enforcement announced that the remains that were mentioned in our episode were identified as Olivia Fowler.This episode was sponsored by:Audible- Visit Audible.com/MIA or text MIA to 500-500 to try Audible free for 30 days.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Olivia Fowler

On September 7, 2020, 20-year-old Isaac Danian left his family’s home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on a flight headed for Hawaii. His family would later share that Isaac had not been his usual self for quite some time, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic had shut down the nation in March of 2020, six months prior. Isaac had the entire world in his hands and his whole life in front of him, but while his parents were out of town for Labor Day weekend, he decided to set sail on uncharted territory. Isaac was a young man raised in a home full of love and support. Why Isaac left is complicated, and there are many questions that we don’t have the answers to. To complicate things further, another young man also made the trip to Hawaii and vanished along with Isaac. This story spans from New York to Hawaii and then around the Pacific ocean to two tiny remote French islands. Just how far-reaching is this case, and what mysteries have we unraveled? Well, that’s what we’re going to share with you today.If you have any information about the disappearance of Isaac Danian, please call the Kent County Office at 616-632-6246.This episode was sponsored by:Doordash- Our listeners can get 50% off, up to a $20 value and $0 delivery fees when you download the Doordash App and enter code MIA23.Audible- Visit Audible.com/MIA or text MIA to 500-500 to try Audible free for 30 days.GoodRX- For simple, smart savings on your prescriptions, check out GoodRX.com/VANISHED.HelloFresh- Go to HelloFresh.com/vanished60 and use code vanished60 for 60% off plus free shipping!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Calvin "Isaac" Ferris Danian

73-year-old Willard Bennett had spent most of his life living in the Pacific Northwest. As he got older, he became a snowbird. He would travel south to Arizona in his camper-style van during the winter months, and return to Washington for the warmer ones. This was a lifestyle that Will seemed to enjoy, and it became a yearly routine for him to trek to the desert. In November of 2013, he stopped by his daughter’s home in Washington to let her know he was headed out. They made plans to keep in touch weekly via phone, and then Willard left. However, Victoria stopped hearing from her father. Her calls went unanswered. Victoria was able to check Will’s bank account and saw that he hadn’t used his debit card in weeks, which was very out of character for him. That was when Willard Bennett’s family knew they needed to report him missing. Months later, Will’s van surfaced, but there was no trace of Will. Nearly ten years later, this case has gone cold with few clues to go on, but his family is still seeking answers.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Willard Bennett, please contact the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department at 858-565-5200.This episode was sponsored by:Audible- Visit Audible.com/MIA or text MIA to 500-500 to try Audible free for 30 days.Zocdoc- Go to Zocdoc.com/VANISHED and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE and book a top-rated doctor.Hungryroot- Get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies for life at Hungryroot.com/VANISHED.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Willard Bennett

On March 31, 2019, in the far northern part of Tennessee, 33-year-old Adam Baird was seen for the last time in rural Campbell County. He had been behaving oddly that day and for several days prior. His family didn’t know what was happening, but they had a couple of clues. Adam wanted to reconnect with his wife, despite their separation several months prior, and he wanted to regain custody of their children, but he was struggling. No one knew how severe his struggles were until he was gone. There was no way for his family to know that when they saw him take off in his mom’s car headed to an unknown destination, they’d never see him again. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Adam Baird, please call the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office Tipline at 423-566-3784.This episode was sponsored by:Doordash- Our listeners can get 50% off, up to a $20 value and $0 delivery fees when you download the Doordash App and enter code VANISHED23.Audible- Visit Audible.com/MIA or text MIA to 500-500 to try Audible free for 30 days.Zocdoc- Go to Zocdoc.com/VANISHED and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE and book a top-rated doctorIf you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adam Baird 

In May of 2015, 24-year-old Madeline Tomlin disappeared from Hope, Arkansas, just about a month shy of her 25th birthday. Madeline had two young sons, but she had hit a rough patch in her life, and her sons were being cared for primarily by family members. However, Madeline stayed involved in their lives and always checked in. So, when her grandparents stopped hearing from her, they knew something was wrong and decided to report Madeline missing. They hoped that Madeline would turn up, but the days turned to weeks, and the weeks turned into months with no word from Madeline. Nearly eight years later, Madeline is still missing, and her sisters are hoping that someone listening will come forward with answers.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Madeline Tomlin, please contact the Hope Police Department at (870) 777-3434.This episode was sponsored by:HelloFresh- Go to HelloFresh.com/vanished65 and use code vanished65 for 65% off plus free shipping!Audible- Visit Audible.com/MIA or text MIA to 500-500 to try Audible free for 30 days.Sleep Number- Proven quality sleep is life-changing sleep. Special offers, for a limited time. Only at Sleep Number stores or sleepnumber.com/VANISH.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Madeline Tomlin

On the afternoon of August 19, 1993, 33-year-old Ginger May Hudson was outside her home in Pittsburg, Kansas enjoying a soak in the tub in her yard after work. She was seen by a city employee with some newspapers reporting that the witness was also a neighbor, and that’s why he recognized Ginger. The witness reported seeing her around 3:30 PM. Several hours later, her boyfriend returned home, and Ginger was not there, but all of her personal belongings were left behind. He would later tell police that he didn’t call them until nearly midnight because he had been busy searching on his own and calling friends and relatives to see if they were with Ginger, but Ginger has never been seen or heard from again.If you have any information about the disappearance of Ginger Hudson, please call the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office at 620-724-8274.This episode was sponsored by:Hungryroot- Get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies for life at Hungryroot.com/VANISHED.HelloFresh- Go to HelloFresh.com/vanished65 and use code vanished65 for 65% off plus free shipping!GoodRX- For simple, smart savings on your prescriptions, check out GoodRX.com/VANISHED.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ginger Hudson

58-year-old Robert Baron vanished from Old Forge, Pennsylvania, on a quiet evening in late January 2017. Robert Baron was going about his usual routine at his restaurant when something happened. The story goes that he dropped his son off for the evening, and it's believed that he went back to the restaurant to spend the night in the apartment above so that he could be there first thing in the morning for a dough delivery. But by the following morning, Robert was gone. There was an abundance of physical evidence left behind, leading investigators to believe that a violent struggle had taken place inside Ghigiarelli's Restaurant.Last week we brought you the first installment in Robert Baron's story. You learned about who Robert Baron was and how his loved ones discovered that he was missing. We left off at the end of Part 1 with the discovery of some crucial physical evidence, including blood and a tooth. Both the blood and the tooth were determined to be Robert's. This was no longer a case where you could say, "well, maybe he walked away from his life." The question now was, who would do this and why?If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Robert Baron, please contact the Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office at (570) 963-6717.March 2023 UPDATE- Like many of you, we have been following the developments in the Robert Baron case this week. Robert Baron's remains were discovered just days ago, and Justin Schuback was arrested earlier today for the murder of Robert Baron. We covered Robert's story back in January of this year in episodes 379 and 380. In those episodes, Robert's family detailed their suspicions regarding Mr. Schuback's possible involvement. At the time, he had not been publicly named a person of interest, so we decided to bleep his name. To clear up any confusion, Mr. Shuback had been a friend of the younger Robert "Bobby" Baron, which was confirmed today in the district attorney's press conference. The family had discussed Schuback at length throughout the series and believed that he knew the inner workings of the restaurant due to the time he had spent there during his friendship with Robert's son, Bobby. You may also recall that Bobby spoke about having some alleged "altercation" with Schuback earlier in the day before his father's disappearance. It is important to remember that Mr. Schuback is innocent until proven guilty, as are any other individuals who may be involved.We are always both profoundly saddened and relieved to hear that someone has been found. In Robert's case, the end has just begun for his family, who must now face the challenges of navigating the justice system. We continue to hold out a candle of hope that justice is served and Robert's family is able to heal, as we do for all of the families we are honored to work with to share their stories with you each week. We appreciate all of the messages and will continue to keep you updated as we receive new developments.UPDATE: On May 15, 2024, Justin Schuback was found guilty of first-degree murder, burglary, and robbery.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert Baron Part 2: Cash

January 25, 2017, seemed like any other ordinary day for 58-year-old Robert Baron, a respected business owner of a popular restaurant in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, and a family man. He closed up his restaurant for the evening and then made a quick trip to drive his son home nearby. Robert often spent the night in an apartment above the restaurant so he could be there first thing the next morning for the dough delivery. The delivery driver was accustomed to Robert being there on time for every delivery, but Robert wasn’t there on the morning of January 26. Thinking perhaps Robert was running late or had an emergency, he left the dough out front and went along his delivery route. Robert was supposed to pick his son, Bobby, up for work early that morning. He never showed up, and calls from Bobby’s phone went unanswered. Bobby decided to walk to the restaurant instead. There he found an unfamiliar scene, the dough sitting out front. He made his way inside, and something wasn’t right. Not only was his father not there, but things were out of place. Bobby began calling around, but no one had seen his father. Six years later, Robert’s family is still searching for answers.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Robert Baron, please contact the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office at (570) 963-6717.UPDATE- Like many of you, we have been following the developments in the Robert Baron case this week. Robert Baron's remains were discovered just days ago, and Justin Schuback was arrested earlier today for the murder of Robert Baron. We covered Robert's story back in January of this year in episodes 379 and 380. In those episodes, Robert's family detailed their suspicions regarding Mr. Schuback's possible involvement. At the time, he had not been publicly named a person of interest, so we decided to bleep his name. To clear up any confusion, Mr. Shuback had been a friend of the younger Robert "Bobby" Baron, which was confirmed today in the district attorney's press conference. The family had discussed Schuback at length throughout the series and believed that he knew the inner workings of the restaurant due to the time he had spent there during his friendship with Robert's son, Bobby. You may also recall that Bobby spoke about having some alleged "altercation" with Schuback earlier in the day before his father's disappearance. It is important to remember that Mr. Schuback is innocent until proven guilty, as are any other individuals who may be involved.We are always both profoundly saddened and relieved to hear that someone has been found. In Robert's case, the end has just begun for his family, who must now face the challenges of navigating the justice system. We continue to hold out a candle of hope that justice is served and Robert's family is able to heal, as we do for all of the families we are honored to work with to share their stories with you each week. We appreciate all of the messages and will continue to keep you updated as we receive new developments.UPDATE: On May 15, 2024, Justin Schuback was found guilty of first-degree murder, burglary, and robbery.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert Baron Part 1: The Scene of the Crime

Last week we brought you the first part of 18-year-old Kelsey Collins’ story. A teenager who had been through more than most in an entire lifetime disappeared in May 2009, just nine days after her 18th birthday. Kelsey was involved with bad people, really bad people, but what wasn’t known at the time was just how profoundly and long-term Kelsey had been victimized by much older predators. She was set to testify against her abusers but was left unprotected by authorities. Shortly after testifying before a federal grand jury, an indictment was issued, and Kelsey vanished.If you have any information about the disappearance of Kelsey Collins, please call the Everett Police Department at 425-257-8400 or the Seattle Police Department at 206-625-5011.This episode was sponsored by:Hungryroot- Get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies for life at Hungryroot.com/VANISHED.Rocket Money- Go to RocketMoney.com/MIA to get rid of useless subscriptions.HelloFresh- Go to HelloFresh.com/vanished21 and use code vanished21 for 21 free meals plus free shipping!Sleep Number- Proven quality sleep is life-changing sleep. Special offers, for a limited time. Only at Sleep Number stores or sleepnumber.com/VANISH.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelsey Collins Part 2: Underage, Unsafe, and Unprotected

On the evening of May 9, 2009, just nine days after her 18th birthday, Kelsey Collins left her home in Everett, Washington, to visit a friend in Seattle, approximately 30 miles away. Kelsey was a radiant and intelligent young woman. But Kelsey was still young and naive and never returned home. The nearly fourteen years of looking for her have spanned from teenage innocence and rebellion to the dark, nefarious and ugly underworld of human and sex trafficking. What happened to Kelsey is a story you’ve seen play out in media headlines, but no two stories or victims are the same. Her disappearance is the final act in one of the most heinous crimes a person can commit. Still, her victimization at the hands of dangerous people is only part of her story. Though Kelsey’s case has garnered some media attention, no one has shared an in-depth and comprehensive look at her life until now. If you have any information about the disappearance of Kelsey Collins, please call the Everett Police Department at 425-257-8400 or the Seattle Police Department at 206-625-5011.This episode was sponsored by:Zocdoc- Go to Zocdoc.com/VANISHED and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE and book a top-rated doctor.Doordash- Our listeners can get 50% off, up to a $20 value and $0 delivery fees when you download the Doordash App and enter code VANISHED23.GoodRX- For simple, smart savings on your prescriptions, check out GoodRX.com/VANISHED.Audible- Visit Audible.com/MIA or text MIA to 500-500 to try Audible free for 30 days.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelsey Collins Part 1: A New Name, A New Life

In early 2003, 29-year-old Clinton Washburn called his parents, and he was angry. The whole thing ended up being a misunderstanding that they worked out during that phone call, but after that, they stopped hearing from Clint. Months later, in September of 2003, they received a typed letter allegedly from Clint. It stated that he found a rich woman to marry, he planned to take her name, and they would never locate him. Clint’s parents were crushed by this letter and didn’t know any way to reach their son as the letter had no return address. Believing their son wanted no contact and hoping that maybe someday he would change his mind, Clint’s parents waited. They thought he would eventually call or show up at the door, but it never happened. Clint’s father passed away in 2018, and his mother, Margi, thought for sure, he would turn up at that time, but still no word from Clint. After that, Margi decided to report her son missing, more than 15 years after that letter arrived in the mail. They came to learn that there had been no trace of Clint since 2003, and the more they discovered, the more disturbing things became.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Clint Washburn, you are urged to call the Kewanee Police Department at (309) 853-1911.This episode was sponsored by:Rocket Money- Go to RocketMoney.com/MIA to get rid of useless subscriptions.Tommy John- Go totommyjohn.com/VANISHED for 20% off your first order.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clinton Washburn

Six months ago, we brought you the story of 70-year-old Sandra Eckert, who had been missing for 15 months from Franklin, Wisconsin. The story was eerie, with so many haunting hallmarks we’ve heard in many stories with the same patterns of behavior. When we first shared Sandra’s story with you, we held a significant amount of information in confidence at the request of Sandra’s family and law enforcement. At that time, we knew that there were sealed court documents that could lead to some significant developments in the case and possibly an arrest and indictment. While the developments we want to share with you today are not a final resolution to Sandra’s case, they are a step forward in the investigation. We want to end 2022 on a positive note looking forward to the major developments we hope and believe will take place in 2023.If you have any information about the disappearance of Sandra Eckert or the car she was driving, please call the Franklin Police Department at 414-425-2522.This episode was sponsored by:Rocket Money- Go to RocketMoney.com/MIA to get rid of useless subscriptions.Shopify- Go to Shopify.com/vanished, ALL LOWERCASE, for a FREE trial and get full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features.Zocdoc- Go to Zocdoc.com/VANISHED and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE and book a top-rated doctor.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Case Update: Sandra Eckert

On September 11, 2014, 63-year-old Daniel Farrar left the assisted living facility he resided at in Westbrook, Connecticut. He had $20 on him and stated he was going to get himself some lunch. Danny often left for walks or to grab some lunch. He was one of the younger residents in the home and got bored staying inside all day. Danny was seen that day at a local store making a purchase. What was unusual was that Danny never returned home, and the people who ran the facility became concerned enough to contact his family and police immediately. Where could Danny have gone with the clothes on his back and $20 in cash? More than eight years later, Danny’s family is still searching for the answers to that question.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Daniel Farrar, please contact the Connecticut State Police at 860-399-2100.Support us by supporting our sponsors!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Daniel Farrar

On January 24, 2022, 21-year-old Aidan Spear had plans to meet with her mother, Jessica, at 11 AM. About 20 minutes before they were due to meet, Jessica received a message from Aidan stating that she had to say goodbye to someone and would be a little late. She promised to call later and that she would meet her, just not at the original time. Jessica never heard from her daughter again. At first, Jessica assumed that Aidan had just flaked on her, but the days continued to pass with no sign of Aidan. Then, Jessica began hearing from Aidan’s friends that they hadn’t heard from her either. Nearly a year later, Aidan is still missing, and Jessica is desperate to uncover the truth.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Aidan Spear, please contact the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office at (253) 798-7530.Support us by supporting our sponsors!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aidan Spear

Last week, we brought you the first part of Melissa Highsmith’s story. On August 23, 1971, 21-month-old Melissa was abducted by a woman who responded to a classified ad her mother placed in the local newspaper. Or, at least, that’s the story that Melissa’s mother and roommate told police when they reported her missing. Was Melissa really abducted by this woman calling herself Ruth Johnson, or was there more to the story? And that’s just the beginning of the 50-year-old stone-cold mystery we’ve been chipping away at.UPDATE: In September, the Highsmith family contacted us about covering Melissa Highsmith’s story. We interviewed multiple family members for a two-episode series. We were already aware of possible DNA connections when the episodes aired, but we held that information in confidence at the family’s request. When the Highsmith family notified us of the DNA matches found on a commercial DNA testing website in late October, we connected them with a family member of another missing person we covered this year, Lisa Jo Schiele. You may remember her from the Barb Cotton series. Lisa Jo Schiele is a clinical laboratory scientist and amateur genealogist. We felt that Lisa’s expertise in the area could possibly assist the Highsmith family in finding Melissa. We also notified law enforcement before the episodes aired that one family member had impersonated law enforcement by their own admission to us and that we had a professional due diligence to notify law enforcement in the event this family member attempted to contact any of the then-unknown DNA matches.Days after our series aired, the news broke that the family believed they had located Melissa. We are always very grateful and happy to learn that a missing person has been found alive and safe, so we were thrilled to see the news that Lisa Jo Schiele had helped the Highsmith family find a woman they believe to be Melissa. The Fort Worth Police Department released the following statement: “The Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) is overjoyed to hear about how the Highsmith’s use of 23andme led them to Melissa. The Fort Worth Police Department will be conducting official DNA testing to confirm Melissa’s identity, and the department will provide an update once the official results have come in. The FWPD Major Case Unit will be working with the Highsmith family to continue the investigation into Melissa’s disappearance. Even though the criminal statute of limitations expired 20 years after Melissa’s 18th birthday, the Fort Worth Police Department is committed to completing this investigation to uncover all of the available information concerning Melissa’s abduction that occurred 51 years ago.” We hope this decades-old cold case will be solved and look forward to what the police investigation reveals about the many questions that remain unanswered. We will wait for confirmation from law enforcement before commenting any further. We will always uphold the confidence of the families who entrust us with information, just as we did in Melissa’s case. We thank you all for continuing to share your treasured and much-loved missing family members with us. We are eternally grateful.In May of 2023, the Fort Worth Police Department announced that DNA testing confirmed Melissa's identity. Despite the fact that the statute of limitations has expired, they asked that anyone with information please come forward.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melissa Highsmith Part 2: A Delicate Thread Unraveled

On August 18, 1971, a classified ad was published for a single day in the Fort Worth, Texas newspaper, the "Fort Worth Star-Telegram." The ad read, "Babysitter wanted from 8 to 3:30 days, Spanish Gate apartments, call after 3 pm" with a phone number listed. On August 23, 1971, a woman who said her name was Ruth Johnson came to the door of Alta Highsmith, who had placed the ad, and said she was there to pick up Alta's 21-month-old daughter, Melissa Highsmith. Alta's roommate gave the baby to the woman named Ruth, who promised to return her that afternoon. Melissa Highsmith has never been seen again. The story of Melissa's abduction is a tale we will unfold for you with exclusive interviews, new information, and questions that seem as though they should be easy to answer.UPDATE: In September, the Highsmith family contacted us about covering Melissa Highsmith’s story. We interviewed multiple family members for a two-episode series. We were already aware of possible DNA connections when the episodes aired, but we held that information in confidence at the family’s request. When the Highsmith family notified us of the DNA matches found on a commercial DNA testing website in late October, we connected them with a family member of another missing person we covered this year, Lisa Jo Schiele. You may remember her from the Barb Cotton series. Lisa Jo Schiele is a clinical laboratory scientist and amateur genealogist. We felt that Lisa’s expertise in the area could possibly assist the Highsmith family in finding Melissa. We also notified law enforcement before the episodes aired that one family member had impersonated law enforcement by their own admission to us and that we had a professional due diligence to notify law enforcement in the event this family member attempted to contact any of the then-unknown DNA matches.Days after our series aired, the news broke that the family believed they had located Melissa. We are always very grateful and happy to learn that a missing person has been found alive and safe, so we were thrilled to see the news that Lisa Jo Schiele had helped the Highsmith family find a woman they believe to be Melissa. The Fort Worth Police Department released the following statement: “The Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) is overjoyed to hear about how the Highsmith’s use of 23andme led them to Melissa. The Fort Worth Police Department will be conducting official DNA testing to confirm Melissa’s identity, and the department will provide an update once the official results have come in. The FWPD Major Case Unit will be working with the Highsmith family to continue the investigation into Melissa’s disappearance. Even though the criminal statute of limitations expired 20 years after Melissa’s 18th birthday, the Fort Worth Police Department is committed to completing this investigation to uncover all of the available information concerning Melissa’s abduction that occurred 51 years ago.” We hope this decades-old cold case will be solved and look forward to what the police investigation reveals about the many questions that remain unanswered. We will wait for confirmation from law enforcement before commenting any further. We will always uphold the confidence of the families who entrust us with information, just as we did in Melissa’s case. We thank you all for continuing to share your treasured and much-loved missing family members with us. We are eternally grateful.In May of 2023, the Fort Worth Police Department announced that DNA testing confirmed Melissa's identity. Despite the fact that the statute of limitations has expired, they asked that anyone with information please come forward.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melissa Highsmith Part 1: The Woman with White Gloves

Last week, we brought you the first installment in Jarrod Green's story. 20-year-old Jarrod Green disappeared from Searcy, Arkansas, in September of 1994. Jarrod seemed to be in a panic and concerned about his safety. He was emotional on a call with his girlfriend but wouldn't go into details. Jarrod also retrieved a gun from a friend. His family knew he had plans to meet someone, and then he vanished. Jarrod's car turned up in Searcy at a store several days later. Today, we will explore the people in Jarrod's circle in the lead-up to his disappearance and what role they may have had in his disappearance.If you want to get involved, please join Shannon's group, Justice for Jarrod, on Facebook. If you have any information regarding Jarrod Green's disappearance, please call the Searcy Police Department at (501) 268-3531.Support us by supporting our sponsors!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jarrod Green Part 2: Above the Law

On September 30, 1994, 20-year-old Jarrod Green disappeared from Searcy, Arkansas. Jarrod had indicated to his family that he had plans to meet with someone that night. During a phone call with his girlfriend, Jarrod was clearly upset but wouldn't tell her what was wrong. Jarrod had previously given a gun to a friend and retrieved the gun, saying he needed it for protection. Jarrod never made it home that evening and was never seen or heard from again. Days later, Jarrod's car was found abandoned in the parking lot of a local store. The car doors were left unlocked, windows rolled down, and the keys were on the floor. Jarrod's case went cold, his family didn't hear from law enforcement, and it felt like he was forgotten.Meanwhile, dark stories continued to grow and spread through the community like a cancer. Not even a year later, someone else in Jarrod's circle disappeared. Another one took his own life and reportedly confessed to playing a role in Jarrod's murder beforehand. Years later, some rookie detectives decided to take a fresh look at this cold case, and there was finally some movement. If you have any information regarding Jarrod Green's disappearance, please call the Searcy Police Department at (501) 268-3531.You can follow developments in Jarrod's case on Facebook at Justice for Jarrod. Support us by supporting our sponsors!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jarrod Green Part 1: Retribution 

Last week, we brought you the first part of Allison Whiddon’s story, which started with another woman with the same name being mistaken for the missing Allison. She joined Allison’s family in their search for Allison, which included looking at numerous possible suspects, knocking on doors, excavating land, and speaking to witnesses to yield information. Then, there was an alleged confession that detailed Allison’s death- who was involved, when, and where. But was that story believable or a complete fabrication?If you have any information about Allison’s disappearance, please call the Bay County Sheriff’s Office at 850-747-4700.Support us by supporting our sponsors! Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelly "Allison" Whiddon Part 2: Confession or Concoction?

Around April 19, 2016, 44-year-old Kelly "Allison" Whiddon disappeared from Panama City Beach, Florida. Allison was in the middle of breaking up with the man she had been dating. This man had a history of violence and threats he promised to make good on. The two got into an altercation in a restaurant, and her boyfriend claimed he never saw her again, changed his story later, and subsequently refused to cooperate with police after they started investigating her disappearance. No one reported Allison missing until the end of May. Why did it take six weeks for anyone else to realize she was missing? What has occurred since then is truly extraordinary. However, Allison Whiddon is still missing, and the mystery surrounding her disappearance continues to deepen.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Kelly Allison Whiddon, please contact the Bay County Sheriff's Office at (850) 747-4700 or CRIME STOPPERS at (850) 785-TIPS.Tune in on October 24 for Part 2 of Allison's story.Support us by supporting our sponsor!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelly "Allison" Whiddon Part 1: I’m Not Missing, Am I?

In December 2015, 42-year-old Brandon Helms was temporarily living with a friend in Lakeland, Georgia. Brandon and his wife had recently separated, and Brandon was navigating this new territory. Brandon wanted to make his marriage work. He loved his wife and adored their daughters. On December 14th, Brandon’s wife called his parents to ask if they had seen or heard from him, but they had not. Brandon’s friend said Brandon was there when he left the house that day, but when he returned, Brandon was nowhere to be found. Brandon’s truck, phone, cigarettes, and jacket were left behind. Search and rescue responded and searched the area, but they never found any trace of Brandon Helms. The case went cold for several years until law enforcement decided to take a second look. Perhaps things weren’t as simple as they appeared on the surface.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Brandon Helms, please call the Lanier County Sheriff’s Office at (229) 482-3545.If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for support.Support us by supporting our sponsors!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brandon Helms

Sometime between May 16 and May 25, 2020, 53-year-old Dawn Blankenheim vanished from Chico, California. No isolated event or indication foreshadowed her disappearance, but like every missing person, Dawn didn't just disappear. There is always more to the story. Dawn had been in the hospital in mid-May and was picked up by a friend after she was discharged. They were spotted at a local bar together over the weekend. Dawn scheduled a rideshare service to get home, then abruptly canceled. No one has ever seen or heard from Dawn again. Dawn's loved ones are left behind to sift through the many unanswered questions, disturbing circumstances, and subtle clues that there is more to Dawn's story than what appears on the surface.If you have any information about the disappearance of Dawn Blankenheim, you are asked to call the Chico, California Police Department at (530) 897-4900.Support us by supporting our sponsors!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dawn Blankenheim

21-year-old Megan Foglesong disappeared from Alden, Kansas, around the end of November 2015. When we first covered Megan’s story in 2016, nearly everyone pointed to Megan’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, David Madden. Megan attempted to leave him in the past and told others around Thanksgiving of 2015 that she was leaving him again. Several days later, Megan sent a message to a friend indicating that she was back at David’s, then she went silent. Around this time, David texted the local undersheriff to inform him that Megan had stolen from him and ran off. In hindsight, that story about Megan stealing seems rather convenient, possibly a way to explain her absence. But at that time, no one thought much of it. They figured Megan would pop up somewhere soon. Maybe she left David and was hiding? Time passed, and Megan’s loved ones became more concerned. David didn’t seem interested in finding Megan. Despite rumors and suspicions swirling around town about David’s involvement, Megan’s case went cold. As the years went by, David went on to commit a series of other crimes that left the community convinced that he was responsible for Megan’s disappearance.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Megan Foglesong, please contact KBI at 316-337-6100 or the Rice County Sheriff’s Office at (620) 257-7876. You can follow the search for Megan on social media at Bring Megan Home.Support us by supporting our sponsors!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Case Update: Megan Foglesong

In early June of 2021, 47-year-old Jamie Valdez and his wife, Anna, had just moved to Booneville, Arkansas, from Texas. Their relationship was on the rocks, and Jamie’s wife said that Jamie left their home on June 9, 2021. An old coworker claims that she saw Jamie 30 miles north of Booneville in Ozark several days later, and the coworker invited him over for dinner with her family. She said he planned to go home and patch things up with his wife. Jamie Valdez has never been seen again. His disappearance is filled with many gaps in time, strange coincidences, conflicting stories, and lapses in memory that have turned the search for him into a bizarre obstacle course with very few concrete facts. If you have any information about the disappearance of Jamie Valdez, please call the Booneville, Arkansas Police Department at (479) 675-3508.If you would like to follow Jamie’s story and updates on social media, you can join the group dedicated to finding him at JAMES “JAMIE” VALDEZ MISSING.Support us by supporting our sponsors!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James "Jamie" Valdez

On April 11, 1981, 15-year-old Barbara Cotton disappeared from Williston, North Dakota. Barbara was a bright young woman with plans for her future. She was saving for her first apartment that she planned to rent when she turned 16 in the fall. Barb’s dreams came to a screeching halt on that chilly spring evening when she seemingly disappeared into the night. Piecing together even the most basic clues today is difficult. Who last saw Barb, and at what time? And how can we even confirm these things now? There are conflicting stories and big puzzle pieces missing. Now more than ever, people are invested in finding out what happened to Barbara Cotton. They might be getting closer to the truth. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Barbara Cotton, please contact the Williston Police Department at 701-577-1212.You can follow Barb’s story on social media at Find Barb Cotton. You can find more information at FindBarbCotton.com, and check out Dakota Spotlight wherever you get your podcasts.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Barbara Cotton Part 2: A Tangled Web

On April 11, 1981, a 15-year-old girl named Barbara Cotton disappeared from Williston, North Dakota. Barbara's mother, Louise, called around to her friends to see if they had seen her, but no one said they had. Louise reported her daughter missing to the Williston Police Department and sent any tips she heard their way. The weeks and months passed with no sign of Barbara, and her case went ice cold. It didn't seem like much was being done to find Barb, at least to her loved ones; that is how it appeared. Perhaps she had run away? As with many missing teens in that era, that was often the assumption. Decades later, there is now a renewed effort to find Barbara Cotton and answer the many questions that linger today.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Barbara Cotton, please contact the Williston Police Department at 701-577-1212.You can follow Barb’s story on social media at Find Barb Cotton. You can find more information at FindBarbCotton.com, and check out Dakota Spotlight wherever you get your podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Barbara Cotton Part 1: A Lost Girl

Three years ago, we brought you the story of Lillianna Pagano, who had been abducted by her mother, Jillanne, when Lillianna was an infant. A few days before airing our story on Lillianna, we received word that she had been found alive and was reunited with her father, Tyler, a completely unexpected surprise. While this was the ending we hope for in every story, Tyler and Lillianna still had a rough road ahead of them. Lillianna had been missing for nearly six years and was told her father was dead. We recently checked in with Tyler to see how Lillianna is doing with her dad today and what they’ve been through together since they were reunited in June of 2019. If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Case Update: Finding Lillianna Pagano

16-year-old Toby Anderson had found himself in some trouble during his teen years. Toby’s life wasn’t easy, and he began to act out. Toby was sent to a juvenile facility in Northern California and was shifted around between different family members. Then, he just disappeared, and everyone seemed to believe Toby had run away. Since Toby had been in trouble, running away didn’t seem far-fetched. Toby’s father searched for him and contacted relatives in other states to see if he had turned up there, but he never did. Then, Toby’s dad died, and not much was done to look for him. Decades later, a cousin took an interest in finding Toby. She learned that some of what she had been told about Toby couldn’t be true, and what she began to uncover was truly horrifying.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Toby Anderson, please contact the Oregon State Police at (541) 776-6236.Support us by supporting our sponsors!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Toby Anderson

In the early morning hours of August 29, 2014, a call came in about a person seen sitting on the railing of the I-10 bridge that spans the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Police responded and found an abandoned truck belonging to 22-year-old Jake Latiolais. The truck was running, and Jake's phone was inside, but no sign of Jake. The 911 callers remain unknown, or at least, police haven't shared the identity of the people who made the calls, but Jake Latiolais has never been seen again. Jake's story is full of shadowy, unknown characters, circumstances that appear to lead to one outcome, but rumors and motives that suggest something more sinister happened to Jake.If you have any information about the disappearance of Jake Latiolais, you can call the Baton Rouge Police Department at (225) 239-7832 or the West Baton Rouge Police Department at (225) 343-9234. Support us by supporting our sponsors!If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Case Update: Eric Franks - Plausible Deniability

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