The Vanished Podcast

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The Vanished is a true crime podcast that explores the stories of those who have gone missing. The Vanished goes beyond conventional news reports to take a deep dive into the story of a different missing person each week. Host Marissa Jones brings you exclusive interviews with family members, frie…

Wondery


    • Jun 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h AVG DURATION
    • 507 EPISODES

    4.5 from 13,875 ratings Listeners of The Vanished Podcast that love the show mention: vanished podcast, missing persons cases, families and friends, missing loved ones, missing person cases, word for word, show disappeared, missing persons podcast, 911 calls, media attention, thank you marissa, go missing, everyone deserves, missing cases, thank you marisa, brings light, sensationalize, listening to family, help these families, families find.


    Ivy Insights

    The Vanished Podcast is an incredibly captivating true crime podcast that delves into cases that haven't received widespread media coverage. Host Marissa is highly knowledgeable about the cases and individuals she covers, providing listeners with detailed insights and information. The podcast features thoughtful interviews with family members and loved ones of the missing individuals, shedding light on their stories and experiences. The organization of the episodes is impeccable, making it easy to follow along and understand the complexities of each case.

    One of the best aspects of The Vanished Podcast is its unique focus on the missing individuals rather than solely on the criminal act. Marissa highlights the stories of those who have vanished, providing a platform for their loved ones to share their experiences and emotions. The podcast goes beyond just reading online information, as Marissa works closely with families and strives to make a difference in each case. This compassionate approach sets The Vanished apart from other true crime podcasts.

    However, one downside to this podcast is the speed at which some dialogues are played. Many listeners find it difficult to understand what people are saying due to the fast pace, which can be frustrating when trying to fully engage with the episodes. Additionally, there has been some disappointment among fans since Apple Podcasts started requiring a subscription for Monday morning listening. Losing free access to new episodes has left some feeling let down by this change.

    In conclusion, The Vanished Podcast stands out among true crime podcasts for its dedication to telling the stories of missing individuals with care and compassion. Marissa's investigative work is commendable, as she uncovers new information and works closely with families seeking justice or answers. While there may be room for improvement in terms of dialogue speed and accessibility on certain platforms, overall, this podcast makes a significant impact in shedding light on lesser-known cases and advocating for those who have vanished or suffered loss.



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    Latest episodes from The Vanished Podcast

    John "Brent" McGhee

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 73:12


    On July 11, 2024, 42-year-old John Brent McGhee disappeared from Leachville, Arkansas. Brent was last seen by his mother when she dropped him off at his cousin's house. A short time later, he left on foot, reportedly to look for his wife. According to eyewitness accounts, Brent made it to the home of his wife's best friend, but he was not allowed inside.Brent did not have a cell phone with him at the time, which meant there was no way for anyone to contact him, and he left no digital trail to follow.Brent was very close with his mother, and it was unlike him to go so long without reaching out. Days passed, then over a week. Brent's mother knew something was wrong. On July 22, she walked into the Leachville Police Department and reported him missing.What followed was a wave of rumors. Some stories suggested Brent had met a horrible fate. But was there any truth to these rumors, or was it all just small-town lore?If you have any information regarding the disappearance of John Brent McGhee, please contact the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office at 870-658-2242 or Crimestoppers at 844-910-STOP. 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:FacebookInstagramPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Replay: Jimmy Don Robinson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 79:37


    On the night of October 1, 1976, just one week after celebrating his 21st birthday, Jimmy Don Robinson vanished from Elmore City, Oklahoma. Though he no longer lived at the family home, Jimmy stopped by around midnight. His mother had just returned from a late shift and was preparing dinner. Jimmy chatted briefly with his family, and during that time, they noticed an unfamiliar man sitting in the passenger seat of Jimmy's car. Jimmy didn't say who the man was, only that he was giving him a ride and would be back in about 30 minutes. Jimmy was never seen or heard from again.Now, nearly 49 years later, Jimmy's loved ones are still searching for answers about that night.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jimmy Don Robinson, please contact the Garvin County Sheriff's Office at (405) 238-7591 or Garvin County Crimestoppers at 1-855-211-STOP.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:FacebookInstagramPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Larry Riegel Part 2: Dusting off the Case

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 59:23


    Last week, we brought you Part 1 of Larry Riegel's story. You learned about Larry's life, career, and sudden disappearance from Yakima, Washington, around Christmas in 2009. On Christmas morning, Larry spoke with his mother, and around 4 PM that afternoon, he had a conversation with his son, Brian. But when Brian called back later that evening, Larry didn't answer. Larry had planned to visit his family the day after Christmas, but when he failed to show up for their annual holiday gathering on the evening of December 26, they knew something was wrong. Larry would never have missed the family celebration, especially without letting them know. At the time, Larry was living with his girlfriend, Ladena. Family members contacted Ladena to inquire about Larry, but they were met with a series of contradictory, shifting stories. Ladena claimed Larry had left for the coast, even though Larry hated traveling there. This was another red flag for Larry's family.Determined to find answers, Larry's sister, Susan, went directly to Ladena. Susan was met with a confusing mix of bizarre and inconsistent tales that didn't seem to lead anywhere. Susan couldn't make sense of it at the time, but over the years, some of those details began to take on new meaning.The family launched their own search, trying to find anyone who had seen or heard from Larry. Despite their efforts, no solid leads emerged. As weeks passed, Larry's family only felt more desperate. In January, they decided to report Larry missing. However, when one of Larry's sisters tried to file the report, she was told she couldn't report Larry missing. Larry's sisters were shocked to learn that on January 5, many days after Larry's Christmas disappearance, Ladena had gone to the police, claiming that Larry returned to their home and assaulted her on January 4. That accusation dramatically altered the perception of Larry's character and disappearance. Authorities believed he was on the run. To those who knew Larry best, none of this added up.Years later, frustrated by the lack of progress and the mounting inconsistencies, Larry's family demanded a meeting with the police chief. That meeting marked a pivotal moment in the case. A new investigator, Nolan Wentz, was assigned to take a fresh look at the evidence.For years, it seemed like Larry's case had been left to gather dust, forgotten and cold. But now, with a new investigator on the case, there was hope that the truth would finally be uncovered. With fresh eyes and new determination, what was once a dead-end investigation started showing signs of life.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Larry Riegel, please contact the Yakima Police Department at (509) 575-6200 or the Yakima County Crime Stoppers at (800) 248-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:FacebookInstagramPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Larry Riegel Part 1: Shifting Narratives

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 70:04


    It was Christmas 2009 when 57-year-old Lawrence Riegel vanished from Yakima, Washington. Larry had plans to visit his family the day after Christmas, but he never showed up, which was completely out of character for Larry. He was known for always arriving with his famous peach pie in hand. At the time, Larry was living with his girlfriend, Ladena, who told the family that Larry had left town and headed for the coast. That explanation didn't sit right with his loved ones. Larry didn't like traveling to the coast and would never have missed Christmas, especially without calling to let his family know.Ladena later said that Larry returned in early January, and the two got into a physical altercation. Larry supposedly walked out and was never seen or heard from again. This new story raised even more questions. No one else has reported seeing or hearing from Larry since Christmas Day. Though Ladena's account has long been viewed with suspicion, Larry's disappearance remains unsolved more than 15 years later.Today, Larry's family is pushing for a renewed effort to reexamine his case, hoping to uncover new information that will lead them to Larry.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Larry Riegel, please contact the Yakima Police Department at (509) 575-6200 or the Yakima County Crime Stoppers at (800) 248-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.

    Nicholas Downey

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 62:57


    In late February 2023, 37-year-old Nicholas Downey rented a car in Florida to visit his wife in Mississippi. While he made it there safely, the visit was brief, as Nick needed to return to Florida and drop off the rental car. During his drive home, he spoke to his wife one last time. After that call, he vanished without a trace.Nick's disappearance wasn't immediately noticed until his wife tried to call him again the following morning. Her calls went unanswered. Eventually, someone did pick up, but it wasn't Nick; it was a deputy from the Liberty County Sheriff's Office. The officer explained that Nick's rental car had been found abandoned on a remote property in Liberty County, Florida, and Nick was nowhere to be found. In fact, there wasn't even a footprint left in the sand to follow. A K-9 tracking team was brought in to search the area but found nothing: no tracks, no personal belongings, and no signs of a struggle. Even more perplexing, the car was discovered far off any logical route Nick would have taken to return the vehicle. These circumstances have left both his loved ones and investigators searching for answers.The case has become so puzzling that some law enforcement officials have half-jokingly suggested, though with a hint of discomfort, that the only remaining explanation might be something out of this world. The theory of alien abduction has been mentioned, not out of belief, but from sheer desperation to explain the unexplainable.Over two years later, what happened to Nick Downey remains a haunting and unsolved mystery.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Nicholas Downey, please contact the Liberty County Sheriff's Office at (850) 643-2235.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.

    Replay: Sandy Rea

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 65:05


    This episode originally aired on April 6, 2020. On the night of September 19, 1984, 17-year-old Sandy Rea was last seen at the Windsor Bowling Alley in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Her cousin, who was working there at the time, had a brief conversation with her. Sandy then made a phone call, though it's still unclear who she contacted. Sandy mentioned to her cousin that she was heading to a party and invited him to come along. He declined, needing to finish his shift.Her cousin walked away to go clean a lane and around 8:30PM, when he looked up, he saw Sandy walking out of the bowling alley. This is the last confirmed sighting of Sandy Rea. More than 41 years later, Sandy's family is still waiting for answers.If you have any information about the disappearance of Sandy Rea, please contact the Shawnee Police Department at 405-273-2121.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.

    Joseph "Joe Lupo" Rulli Part 2: Escape or Execution?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 64:37


    Last week, we shared Part 1 of Joseph ā€œJoe Lupoā€ Rulli's story. You learned about his rise in the boxing world at a young age, his battle with Polio that tragically ended his career too soon, and Joe's eventual rise within the mafia. For a while, things were looking good for Joe, but by April of 1971, a mafia turf war was raging. Several of Joe's associates, including his partner, had been murdered. Joe was warned that he was next. He was a marked man.In the weeks leading up to his disappearance, Joe had a tense encounter at his doorstep. FBI agents, along with his older brother, Dennis, an investigator for the New Jersey State Police, offered Joe a way out: become an informant and receive protection. But Joe refused. He wasn't a rat.Not long after, Joe hosted a going-away dinner for one of his higher-ups. This event was supposed to mark a new chapter for him. But before the party even started, Joe stepped out for what he claimed was a quick errand, and he never returned. His wife, Cynthia, arrived at the party only to find her husband missing. A wave of panic washed over her. Cynthia had been at home when the FBI had approached Joe, offering him protection. She understood the gravity of the situation and the danger her husband was in.In the days that followed, Cynthia reported Joe missing. His car was later found riddled with bullets and soaked in blood. It looked like a textbook mafia hit. When Joe's brother, Dennis, arrived on the scene, he assumed he would find Joe's body in the trunk, but all he found were Easter baskets filled with melted candy. There was no body. And the blood? It wasn't Joe's. It was animal blood.This discovery turned the case on its head. It was no longer a simple mafia hit. The possibility emerged that Joe had orchestrated his own escape. Had he secretly taken the FBI's offer to start a new life? Did a family member help him slip away undetected while everyone else partied? Or had Joe been murdered, and someone staged the scene with animal blood?These questions have haunted Joe's son for decades. By bringing his father's story to light, he hopes someone with answers will finally step forward and help solve this decades-old mystery.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Joseph "Joe Lupo" Rulli, please contact the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at (609) 882-2000 ext. 2554 or email missingpinformation@njsp.gov. You can also reach out to Joe directly at lupo144@aol.com.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.

    Joseph "Joe Lupo" Rulli Part 1: A Marked Man

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 61:03


    On April 20, 1971, 39-year-old Joseph Rulli, also known as Joe Lupo, mysteriously disappeared from Closter, New Jersey. That day, Joe was hosting a party when he stepped out briefly for an errand but never returned, prompting his wife to report him missing. Days later, Joe's car was discovered in Jersey City, riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood. Initially, investigators assumed Joe had been murdered. However, testing revealed a shocking twist: the blood inside the vehicle wasn't human; it was animal blood. This revelation only deepened the mystery: Had Joe staged his own death and disappeared, intentionally leaving behind a gruesome scene to mislead investigators? Or had someone else murdered him?Joe Lupo had once been a promising boxer, a local hero with a bright future, but an illness altered the course of his life. When he vanished, he left behind a wife and a young son, also named Joe, who has spent decades determined to uncover the truth about his father's disappearance. As he grew up, he combed through the memories of family members who were adults at the time, sifted through old newspaper articles, and meticulously examined archival materials in search of any clues that might finally shed light on what happened to his father that fateful day in April 1971.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Joseph "Joe Lupo" Rulli, please contact the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at (609) 882-2000 ext. 2554 or email missingpinformation@njsp.gov. You can also reach out to Joe directly at lupo144@aol.com.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.

    Cynthia Robison

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 67:22


    In September 2007, 38-year-old Cynthia Robison left Stockton, California, in the company of a truck driver. The two traveled to Florida, and it's documented that they were there in early to mid-October. On October 15, Cynthia called her mother, Carolyn, from Connecticut, sounding frantic. She claimed to have witnessed the truck driver shoot someone. Before Carolyn could fully understand what was happening, Cynthia abruptly hung up. Carolyn never heard from her daughter again.Cynthia's family was left in a state of confusion and desperation. They didn't know where she was exactly or where she might be headed. When they reported her missing, they faced significant roadblocks due to jurisdictional issues. Cynthia had lived in California; her disappearance likely occurred thousands of miles away on the opposite coast. The Stockton Police Department in California opened a missing persons case, but jurisdictional challenges have severely limited their ability to conduct a thorough investigation. Nearly eighteen years later, the search for Cynthia continues, with her family and law enforcement still hoping for answers that might finally lead to Cynthia.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Cynthia Robison, please call the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377.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.

    Nicholas Marion Part 2: Breaking Point

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 57:51


    Last week, we brought you Part 1 of Nicholas Marion's story, and you learned about his life growing up in the Orlando, Florida, area and his eventual move to British Columbia after marrying a woman from there. After relocating, the distance between Nick and his loved ones in the U.S. seemed to widen. In retrospect, Nick appeared increasingly isolated and dependent on his wife.Months before his disappearance, Nick's mother passed away, and while he remained strong for those around him, the emotional toll began to show over time. In June 2024, Nick and his wife traveled to Youbou, British Columbia, to attend the Laketown Shakedown Festival, staying at a property owned by one of her friends. His wife claimed that Nick was struggling that weekend and didn't even want to go. She said he left early Sunday morning for a walk and never returned, ultimately reporting him missing later that day.Nick's family quickly made their way to Canada upon hearing of his disappearance, diving into the search efforts. But as they began to ask questions, doubts started to surface about the details they were being told. Was everything truly as it seemed, or was there more to Nick's disappearance than anyone realized?If you have any information about Nicholas Marion's disappearance, please contact the Lake Cowichan RCMP Detachment at 250-749-6668 and reference file number 2024-1151.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.

    Nicholas Marion Part 1: Beneath the Surface

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 63:56


    On the morning of June 30, 2024, at around 6:30 AM, 38-year-old Nicholas Marion left a property he was staying at in Youbou, British Columbia, to go for a walk. However, Nick never returned, and his phone was left behind, making it impossible to contact him. Nick, along with his wife Dory, had traveled to Youbou, a peaceful community nestled along the shores of Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island, for a music festival. What was supposed to be a weekend of fun quickly turned into a heart-wrenching mystery when Nick disappeared without a trace.When Nick's family, who live in the U.S., learned of his disappearance, they wasted no time in traveling to the area to join the search. What followed was an intense search effort that lasted for days, but despite their efforts, only a shirt was found, and no other signs of Nick were uncovered. Several eyewitnesses claimed to have seen Nick, but these sightings were ruled out or could not be confirmed.Now, nearly nine months later, the search is still ongoing. Nick's family remains desperate for any clue or piece of information that could help them understand what happened to him.If you have any information about Nicholas Marion's disappearance, please contact the Lake Cowichan RCMP Detachment at 250-749-6668 and reference file number 2024-1151.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.

    Charissa "Hazel Grace" Caster Part 2: Through the Cracks

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 60:19


    Last week, we shared Part 1 of Charissa Caster's story. You learned that in July 2024, Charissa vanished without a trace. Her belongings were discovered along a roadside in Edmonds, Washington, prompting law enforcement to notify her family. Days later, her car was found abandoned approximately 50 miles away in Sequim, Washington. Surveillance footage later surfaced, showing her picking flowers in the area; this was the last confirmed sighting of Charissa Caster. Despite extensive searches, no further trace of her has been discovered.As Charissa's family and friends combed through the details, they revisited the events leading up to her disappearance. Charissa had recently ended a relationship with her boyfriend and had expressed concerns to multiple people about his alleged abusive behavior. She had even sought medical care at a local hospital, where a rape kit was performed. These revelations sparked alarm, especially with Charissa now missing. Yet, there were also signs that Charissa had been struggling with her mental health in the lead-up to her disappearance, as her behavior had become increasingly erratic. She also made a significant change in her life by deciding to change her name to Hazel Grace, signaling a possible desire to start anew. This name change has added even more mystery to her case. Was it an attempt to escape her past, or did it signify a more profound personal transformation?As the mystery deepened, the lack of answers and clues only intensified the uncertainty surrounding her case. Her loved ones were left grappling with a difficult question: Was Charissa the victim of violence, or did she leave on her own due to mental health struggles? In this week's episode, we will continue to explore Charissa's story, delving into the information her loved ones have uncovered in the months since her disappearance. Despite their tireless efforts, they remain hopeful and continue piecing together the fragments of her journey, holding on to the hope that Charissa may still be out there.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Charissa Caster, please contact the Edmonds Police Department at 425-771-0200.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.

    Charissa "Hazel Grace" Caster Part 1: Chaos Puzzle

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 72:59


    In late July 2024, 32-year-old Charissa Caster vanished under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a trail of unsettling clues. Her disappearance came to light when her belongings were found scattered along a roadway in Edmonds, Washington. Shortly after, her car was discovered abandoned near Sequim, WA, roughly 50 miles away. The last confirmed sighting of Charissa was captured on video, showing her picking flowers in the area, but after that, she seemingly disappeared without a trace.As the reality of her disappearance set in, Charissa's loved ones immediately launched a search around the location where her car was found, but they turned up empty-handed. In a desperate attempt to piece together what happened, they began retracing her steps in the days and weeks before her July 2024 disappearance. To share what little information they had, they created a group chat to exchange details from their personal interactions with Charissa. Slowly, a haunting picture of her life in the lead-up to her disappearance began to emerge.But what do these fragmented pieces mean, and how might they help uncover what happened to Charissa?If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Charissa Caster, please contact the Edmonds Police Department at 425-771-0200.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.

    Replay: Toby Anderson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 68:53


    At just 16 years old, Toby Anderson found himself tangled in a web of trouble. His teenage years were marked by hardship, pushing him to act out in ways that strained his relationships. Sent to a juvenile facility in Northern California, Toby was shuffled between different family members, struggling to find stability. Then, without warning, he vanished. Everyone assumed he had run away, a plausible scenario given his troubled past.Toby's father searched for him, reaching out to relatives across the country in hopes of tracking him down. But Toby never turned up. When his father passed away, the search slowly faded into the background.Decades later, a determined cousin became intrigued by the mystery surrounding Toby. As she dug deeper, she began to uncover startling truths that contradicted what she had been told. What she uncovered was not just puzzling, it was terrifying.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Toby Anderson, please contact the Oregon State Police at (541) 776-6236.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.

    Shannon Merry

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 66:39


    It was Easter Sunday in 2013 when Shannon Merry's family last heard from her. During a phone call with her mother, who was in North Carolina while Shannon was in Ronkonkoma, New York, they had a disagreement, and the conversation ended on a sour note. After the call, Shannon's mother did not hear from her again and assumed that her daughter was upset. As time passed, Shannon's friends also noticed her absence; she stopped texting, calling, and posting on social media. Their concern grew as days turned into weeks, then months, and eventually years. Seven years later, they were finally able to have Shannon reported as a missing person.However, the considerable time that had passed since anyone had heard from Shannon posed significant challenges for law enforcement in their investigation. The lack of immediate leads, fading of physical evidence, and difficulties in tracking down new information after such a long period hindered investigators' efforts to piece together what happened to Shannon Merry.Today, Shannon's loved ones are appealing to the public for leads, hoping that someone will come forward with vital information. They believe that even the smallest clue could make a significant difference in their search and remain hopeful that the public's assistance will bring them closer to finding Shannon.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Shannon Merry, please call the Suffolk County Police Department Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452 or 911.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.

    Roberta Michels-Hopkins

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 66:09


    In February of 1981, Roberta Michels-Hopkins, a 29-year-old mother of two, disappeared from Camden, New Jersey, without a trace. The story goes that she left her home, heading out to buy a pack of cigarettes, and never returned. Roberta's sister said she received a phone call from the man Roberta was in a relationship with, asking if she had seen or heard from Roberta. Her sister said that it was this phone call that prompted her sister to try to report Roberta missing. However, no official record of a missing persons report was filed until 41 years later. Roberta's sister was told that Roberta had the right to disappear if she wanted to, It was as if Roberta had vanished, slipping through the cracks of time, her name seemingly forgotten.Roberta's son, who was an infant at the time of her disappearance, spent much of his childhood in foster care, lost in a world without answers. Years later, he had a daughter named Trinity, who would unknowingly step into a mystery much larger than she could have imagined. In 2019, just for fun, Trinity sent a DNA sample to one of those commercial databases, never expecting it to lead her to the unsettling truth that her grandmother had vanished and, shockingly, that no one had been searching for her.What began as a simple curiosity soon became an obsession for Trinity. She dug deeper, uncovering a tangled web of unanswered questions and missing pieces. By 2022, she was able to ensure that Roberta's disappearance was finally acknowledged by law enforcement, officially reporting her grandmother as a missing person. But how did Roberta's story remain buried for so long? The mystery still lingers, and Trinity is determined to uncover the truth.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Roberta Michels-Hopkins, please contact Detective Geoffrey Chiumento of the Cinnaminson Township Police Department at 856-829-6667, ext. 2075, or the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at 609-882-2000, ext. 2554.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.

    Tamala "Nikki" Wells

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 62:34


    In early August 2012, 33-year-old Tamala ā€œNikkiā€ Wells vanished from her Detroit, Michigan, home under mysterious circumstances, leaving her friends in a state of confusion and despair. The last person to see Tamala, her boyfriend, claims she drove off from their home on the evening of August 6th in a white 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, but after that, she disappeared without a trace.The following morning, Tamala's mother, Donna, received a chilling call from her young granddaughter. She revealed that Tamala had not come home, sparking immediate concern. Donna, who lived in Florida, rushed to Detroit to help search for her daughter. What followed was a series of unsettling discoveries. Tamala's car, reportedly driven by her on the night she disappeared, was found abandoned in a different part of town, but Tamala herself was nowhere to be found.As days turned into weeks, the case began to go cold. However, Tamala's family believes that the investigation was mishandled from the start and that there is still hope of finding her. They are convinced that with a fresh look and renewed effort, this case could be solved.If you have any information about the disappearance of Tamala "Nikki" Wells, please contact the Detroit Police Department at (313) 596-2200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up.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.

    Jeremy Lawrence

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 57:25


    On August 20, 2023, 39-year-old Jeremy Lawrence visited his girlfriend and newborn daughter at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota. After spending time with them, he left the hospital around 5:30 PM, planning to ride his ATV roughly 70 miles to his parents' home in Mountain Iron, Minnesota. About an hour later, around 6:30 PM, he was seen on surveillance footage. After 7 PM, his mother, Debbie, began to worry. She had expected him to return by that time. Debbie began calling Jeremy's phone, and just before 7:30 PM, Jeremy texted Debbie, asking, "What's up?" Minutes later, Jeremy was spotted on surveillance footage once again. At 7:34 PM, Jeremy replied to Debbie, "Not close. When do you think I left?" Then, at 7:49 PM, he texted again, "I'll call in a little while." However, the promised call never came, and Debbie's concern deepened as the hours passed without any word from her son. Starting around 9:00 PM, Debbie began repeatedly calling Jeremy, but there was no answer. She tried to reassure herself, thinking he might be unable to hear the calls over the noise of the ATV.Around 10:00 PM, Jeremy finally picked up the phone. His brief and unsettling response, "Stop calling," was followed by the call abruptly ending. That was the last time Debbie would hear from her son. Jeremy's phone soon powered down or died. By the following morning, Jeremy had still not made it to his parents' home, prompting Debbie to report her son missing.In the months that followed, questions about Jeremy's personal life and relationships emerged, leaving those closest to him searching for answers about what might have been happening in his life leading up to his disappearance. As of now, nearly 18 months later, his family and friends continue their search, holding onto hope that Jeremy will one day be found.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jeremy Lawrence, please call the Duluth Police Department at 218-730-5400.You can follow developments in Jeremy's case on the Find Jeremy 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.

    Darrel Johnson Part 2: Triangle Beneath the Stars

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 53:37


    In late June 2024, Darrel Johnson traveled from Phoenix to a remote state park in northeastern New Mexico with 33 other campers. They were celebrating the birthday of a woman's daughter, who some described as Darrel's girlfriend while others referred to her simply as a friend. Reports indicate that Darrel arrived at the campground around 11 AM on June 28 and spent the rest of the day there. It has been suggested that an argument occurred between Darrel and another man, identified as the woman's boyfriend; however, this account of the evening has been disputed.Around 11 PM that night, Darrel's companion reportedly checked on him in his tent to see if he was okay. Darrel assured her that he was fine. However, by 7 AM the following morning, he was missing from his tent, and no one in the group knew where he had gone. Initially, the campers were not alarmed, assuming that Darrel had gone for a walk, perhaps to the restrooms.When Darrel did not return, they contacted authorities to report him missing. Investigating officers spoke with nearby campers and discovered that shortly after midnight, one witness believed Darrel approached their group and asked to borrow a flashlight. After receiving the flashlight, he was seen walking away, initially heading along the shoreline before turning back toward his campsite. After that, Darrel was never seen or heard from again.Back in Phoenix, Darrel's family was stunned to learn from the New Mexico State Police that he was missing. They hadn't even known he had left town. His son and daughter-in-law quickly packed up their family and drove nine hours to assist in the search.As days turned to weeks without new leads, tensions began to rise between Darrel's family and the group he had camped with. Darrel's family became suspicious, feeling that the others must know more than they were revealing. They started to notice discrepancies in the stories they were being told. Meanwhile, the family of the woman Darrel had traveled with felt they were being unfairly accused of his disappearance. The situation became increasingly tense, and communication between the two sides ultimately broke down.More than six months later, the investigation remains at a standstill. However, Darrel's family refuses to give up their search, holding onto hope that answers will eventually be found.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Darrel Johnson, please call the New Mexico State Police at 505-425-6771.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.

    Darrel Johnson Part 1: Where the Trail Ends

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 56:27


    On June 28, 2024, Darrel Johnson left his home in Phoenix, Arizona, and traveled to Conchas Lake State Park in New Mexico to join a group of over 30 people camping there for a birthday celebration. The group arrived and settled into their campsite. According to those camping with him, Darrel was last seen around 11 PM that night.However, a fellow camper, who was not part of Darrel's group, reported seeing him after midnight. This camper recalled that the individual he believed was Darrel asked to borrow a flashlight and was then seen walking back toward his campsite with it in hand. That was the last sighting of Darrel Johnson. What happened to him after that moment remains a mystery.In the months that followed, Darrel's family launched an intensive search, determined to find any clue that would lead them to him. Despite their relentless efforts, not a single trace of Darrel has been uncovered.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Darrel Johnson, please call the New Mexico State Police at 505-425-6771.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.

    Andi Wagner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 74:29


    In early August 2022, 24-year-old Andi Wagner mysteriously vanished from Evansville, Indiana. On August 6th, she briefly visited her grandparents' house before heading out. Andi's destination was unknown. Later, she was with a man she knew. He claimed Andi left his home either late on the evening of the 6th or in the early morning hours of the 7th. Oddly, evidence showed that the phone Andi was using continued to ping at that location until the afternoon of the 7th. In the wake of her disappearance, conflicting stories began to emerge about who Andi had been with and when, muddying the details of what transpired when Andi vanished. Despite extensive search efforts, no trace of Andi Wagner has ever been found.For a time, Andi's case drew national attention, but it also attracted the involvement of individuals with questionable motives, shifting focus away from the search for her. Over time, her disappearance has become almost mythical in local lore, amplifying rumors and speculation. Nearly two and a half years later, Andi's loved ones continue their tireless pursuit of answers, determined to uncover the truth behind her sudden and unexplained disappearance.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Andi Wagner please call the Evansville Police Department at 812-436-7896.The Kingsman Philanthropic Corp. is currently offering a $25,000 reward; tips may also be submitted by calling or texting 930-212-2610 or emailing tips@therealkingsman.org.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.

    Katherine Hammontre Sundquist

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 79:30


    In April 2019, Katherine Hammontre Sundquist embarked on a hike with friends and her beloved dog, Tootsie, in a national park near San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico. Their destination was a picturesque waterfall. Before the hike, Katherine had injured her foot, and not long after beginning the trek, she informed her friends that her foot was hurting. She decided to stay back at the first set of pools with Tootsie while the others continued on to the waterfall. It would take the group approximately 50 minutes to reach the waterfall and return to where Katherine was waiting. However, by the time the group returned, both Kat and Tootsie had vanished. Despite extensive searches of the area, no trace of either Katherine or Tootsie has ever been found. As news of Kat's disappearance spread, rumors began to circulate within the community of San Felipe. People pointed fingers in various directions, but more than five years later, the mystery of what happened to Katherine Hammontre Sundquist remains unsolved.You can follow Desiree's efforts on social media at Katerine is still missing. 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.

    Replay: Isaac Seidel Part 2 - The Last Ride

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 58:51


    Yesterday, we shared the first part of Isaac Seidel's story, providing insight into his life and the events leading up to his disappearance. You learned that Isaac vanished along with his bike, phone, and backpack, leaving behind everything else at his home. Isaac hadn't mentioned to anyone that he had plans to go anywhere. In fact, it appeared that Isaac was simply going about his usual Sunday routine. He had chicken thawing, something he regularly did to prep meals for the week. It seemed he set out for a bike ride, intending to return in time for dinner. But something happened to Isaac, and several years later, his whereabouts remain unknown.If you have any information about Isaac Seidel's disappearance, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police at (717) 567-3110. Isaac's dark green Cannondale bicycle is also missing.Megan has a social media page for Isaac to help spread awareness. You can follow her over on Facebook at Find Isaac Seidel. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is open 24/7 at 800-273-8255.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.

    Replay: Isaac Seidel Part 1 - A Simple Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 53:48


    Isaac Seidel, a 36-year-old man from Blain, Pennsylvania, disappeared on September 12, 2021. His loved ones grew concerned when Isaac missed several days of work, prompting them to visit his home. There, they discovered a chilling scene: Isaac, who lived alone, was gone, but his bicycle, backpack, and phone were missing. Everything else seemed untouched, including chicken thawing in the sink, suggesting he had planned to return home to cook dinner.Initially, Isaac's family feared he might have suffered a tragic accident, and they began combing the roads near his home, searching ditches and ravines, but found no trace of him. Now, several years later, they continue to search for answers, holding onto hope that they will uncover the truth behind his disappearance.If you have any information regarding Isaac Seidel's whereabouts, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police at (717) 567-3110. Isaac was last seen with his dark green Cannondale bicycle.You can follow Isaac's case on social media at Find Isaac Seidel. 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.

    Replay: Barbara Cotton Part 2 - A Tangled Web

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 80:11


    On April 11, 1981, 15-year-old Barbara Cotton vanished without a trace from Williston, North Dakota. A bright and ambitious young woman, Barbara had big dreams for her future. She was saving money for her first apartment, which she planned to rent when she turned 16 that fall. But those dreams were abruptly shattered on that chilly spring evening when Barbara disappeared, seemingly into thin air.To this day, piecing together even the most basic details about that night remains a challenge. Who was the last person to see Barbara, and at what time? How can we verify these accounts after so many years? Conflicting stories and missing pieces of the puzzle make it difficult to discern the truth. However, the investigation into Barbara's disappearance has not been forgotten, and there is a renewed drive to uncover what really happened. With each passing day, more people are committed to uncovering the truth—and they may be getting closer to solving the mystery.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.

    Replay: Barbara Cotton Part 1 - A Lost Girl

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 50:04


    On April 11, 1981, 15-year-old Barbara Cotton vanished without a trace from Williston, North Dakota. Her mother, Louise, immediately began contacting Barbara's friends, hoping to learn to find her. When no one had seen her, Louise reported her daughter missing to the Williston Police Department and passed along any tips she received. However, as the weeks and months passed, there was no sign of Barbara, and the case went cold. To those closest to her, it seemed as though little was being done to locate her, fueling their suspicions that the investigation was stagnant. The prevailing assumption at the time was that Barbara may have run away, a common conclusion for missing teens in that era.However, decades later, the case remains unsolved, and there is now a renewed push to uncover the truth behind Barbara Cotton's disappearance. Many questions remain unanswered, and the search for answers continues.If you have any information about Barbara Cotton's disappearance, 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.

    Anastasia Ferriera

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024 77:19


    Nineteen-year-old Anastasia Ferreira, affectionately known as "Stasia" by those closest to her, was the kind of person who couldn't help but be noticed. Though Anastasia stood just around 4'11", her personality loomed large, making her impossible to overlook. She was a vibrant force of nature to her family: a ball of energy with a heart big enough to embrace everyone she encountered. As a child, Anastasia was a daredevil, fearlessly climbing swing sets to the highest bar and filming herself spinning on ceiling fans. Her loved ones remember her as adventurous and bold, someone who constantly pushed boundaries and wasn't afraid to stand up for herself. Yet, beneath that fearless exterior was a young woman shaped by early childhood trauma and a relentless desire for stability in a chaotic world.In mid-March 2023, Stasia vanished without a trace from Albuquerque, New Mexico. The details surrounding her disappearance are as perplexing as they are devastating. One moment, Anastasia was engaging with friends and posting on social media; the next, she was gone, leaving her family in a state of agony, desperately searching for answers in the face of her sudden and unexplained absence.Upon learning that Anastasia was missing, her family began searching the streets of Albuquerque for clues about what may have happened to her. They began hearing a flurry of stories that seemed conflicting. Nearly two years later, they are still sifting through the puzzle pieces they have gathered, hoping that the truth will come into focus.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Anastasia Ferreira, please call the Albuquerque Police Department at 505-242-2677.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.

    Jessie Foster

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 73:17


    21-year-old Jessica Foster, known to those close to her as Jessie, disappeared from Las Vegas, Nevada in late March of 2006. Jessie was far from her home in Canada, and her family didn't really know the ins and outs of Jessie's daily life in Sin City. They had last seen Jessie in late 2005 when she returned home to visit her loved ones for the holidays. She didn't seem quite like herself, but her family couldn't quite pinpoint the changes in her demeanor. Her once-vibrant spirit seemed to have faded, raising quiet concerns. In March, her family lost all communication with her. It was later revealed that her journey to Las Vegas was far darker than anyone had known. Nearly 19 years later, Jessie's family continues to search for the truth behind her disappearance, hoping to uncover the story of what happened to their beloved daughter and sister.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jessie Foster, please contact the North Las Vegas Police Department at (702) 633-9111 or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (702) 385-5555.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Bethany Collins Buckles Part 2: Targeted

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 77:23


    Last week, you heard Part 1 of Bethany Collins Buckles' story. You learned about her life, struggles, and sudden disappearance just as she planned for her mother's Thanksgiving visit. Jolinda had expected to hear from Bethany, but she grew concerned when the call didn't come. At the time, Jolinda was in Atlanta, hours away from Bethany's condo in Asheville. She contacted the Asheville Police Department, requesting a welfare check. Officers reported that no one was home, and Bethany's car was missing.When Jolinda finally arrived in Asheville, she discovered something even more troubling—Bethany's dog had been left alone in the apartment for days without food or water, which was out of character for her daughter. Yet, there was no sign of a struggle inside the condo. Jolinda immediately reported Bethany missing, and the investigation began. Authorities traced Bethany's phone, which appeared to be moving around the Asheville and Swannanoa areas before going radio silent. Then, months later, in February 2022, a break in the case came when Bethany's car was found in a grocery store parking lot not far from her Asheville condo and near where her phone had been pinging in late November. But the mystery deepened; whoever had left the car there managed to avoid detection, and no one had seen anything.This week, we will dive deeper into the mystery of what happened to Bethany and explore why she may have been targeted. What were the circumstances leading up to her disappearance, and who might have been involved? We'll examine the details surrounding the car's discovery and the investigation that followed, as we search for answers to this puzzling case.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Bethany Collins Buckles, please contact Detective Kevin Taylor from the Asheville Police Department at 828-259-5945.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.

    Bethany Collins Buckles Part 1: Thanksgiving

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 62:52


    In the week leading up to Thanksgiving 2021, Bethany Collins Buckles was making holiday plans with her mother, Jolinda. Bethany was at her condo in Asheville, North Carolina, while Jolinda was at her home in Atlanta, Georgia. Jolinda planned to drive to Asheville for the holiday, and they were creating a shopping list to send to the grocery store for pick-up. This way, they would have everything they needed to prepare Thanksgiving dinner once Jolinda arrived in town. Before ending their call, they agreed to finalize their plans the next day. However, Jolinda never heard from Bethany again. Concerned and unable to drive to Bethany's condo from Atlanta, she contacted the Asheville Police Department to request a welfare check. An officer reported back that no one was home and that Bethany's car was not parked outside. When Jolinda eventually arrived in Asheville, she went to Bethany's condo and discovered that her little dog had been left locked inside for days without food or water, which was very unlike Bethany. This prompted Jolinda to report her daughter as missing. As the investigation into Bethany's disappearance began, the authorities uncovered several strange clues. Years later, those clues have still not led to any breakthroughs in finding Bethany.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Bethany Collins Buckles, please contact Detective Kevin Taylor from the Asheville Police Department at 828-259-5945.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.

    Braonain McGinnis

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 74:51


    The 2023 holiday season was already in full swing, with many of us busy wrapping gifts and preparing for festive gatherings, when 24-year-old Braonain McGinnis quietly vanished from his home in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Braonain and his mother, Patricia, worked opposite shifts, so it wasn't unusual for them to miss each other except for brief moments when coming or going. Therefore, Patricia did not immediately notice that her son was missing. Initially, she thought Braonain was at work and, later on, that he was simply asleep in his room. However, when Patricia realized Braonain had disappeared, she reported him missing to the Anne Arundel County Police Department, who began investigating his whereabouts on December 21, 2023. Christmas passed with no word from Braonain, and then New Year's came, deepening their concerns. A couple of weeks after Braonain was last seen, his family was shocked to learn that his vehicle had been found abandoned over 2,000 miles away in the mountains of Arizona. Extensive searches ensued, but no trace of Braonain McGinnis was ever found. It has been nearly a year since Braonain vanished, and his loved ones have worked tirelessly to try to piece together the clues that he left behind. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Braonain McGinnis, please call the Coconino County Sheriff's Office at 928-774-4523 or 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111. You may also contact the Anne Arundel County Police Department at (410) 222-8050.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.

    April Geyer and Roseanna Forcum

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 93:38


    The summer of 1998 was coming to a close when two young women disappeared from the St. Cloud area of Minnesota. April Geyer was 21 years old, and Roseanna Forcum was just 15. April and Rose had only recently become acquainted. Although they ran in the same social circle, it wasn't immediately clear that the girls had vanished together. At that time, we were approaching the end of an era when most people didn't own cell phones. You had to wait until you reached your destination or found a pay phone to call home and inform your parents about your plans and when you would return. As April and Rose's families independently searched for them, they eventually realized they weren't alone. Two years later, an informant came forward with information indicating that April and Rose were together when they disappeared, even identifying a suspect believed to be their killer. Despite extensive searches, April and Rose were never found. Now, twenty-six years later, their families are determined to bring their stories back into the light, hoping to finally uncover the truth.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of April Geyer and Roseanna Forcum, please contact the BCA tip line at 877-996-6222.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.

    Alana Carroll

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 59:52


    32-year-old Alana Carroll was last seen by her family on August 15, 2023. It was typical for Alana to check in with her family frequently, so they became increasingly concerned when several days passed without any communication from her. Her grandmother, Joyce, ultimately decided to report Alana missing to the Clark County Sheriff's Office. Witnesses later reported seeing Alana at a property she often visited in Battle Ground, Washington, but the timing of these sightings was unclear. There were also unverified claims from others who said they had seen Alana after that date. As rumors began to circulate, unsettling stories about Alana's disappearance spread, leaving her loved ones unsure of what to believe.Nearly a year later, news emerged about a person of interest in the case, but was this case closed or just another story?If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Alana Carroll, please contact Detective Arvizo with the Clark County Sheriff's Office at 564-397-2028.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.

    Cameron Sequeira Part 2: Threads of Deception

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 94:08


    Last week, you heard Part 1 of Cameron Sequeira's story. Cameron disappeared from Forest Lakes, Arizona, in June 2010, along with his dog, Zero. Cameron's parents were told that he dropped off his 2-year-old daughter with his girlfriend's great-grandmother, Louise, before leaving to walk his dog. Louise attempted to report Cameron missing the following day after he failed to return to pick up his daughter; however, an officer said she had to wait until Cameron was missing for more than 24 hours. Zero later came back without a collar or leash.In the days that followed, chaos ensued when another resident of the same property fled the state with his infant son. Cameron's parents learned about a rift between this man and Cameron, which led them to question whether this man's departure was connected to Cameron's disappearance or merely a coincidence, perhaps motivated by a desire to protect his child. Join us as we delve deeper into this mystery and unravel what may have happened to Cameron Sequeira.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Cameron Sequeira, please call the Coconino County Sheriff's Office at 928-774-4523 or 1-800-338-7888. To remain anonymous, you may call Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.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.

    Cameron Sequeira Part 1: Missing on the Mountain

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 58:29


    It was late June 2010 when 32-year-old Cameron Sequeira disappeared from Forest Lakes, Arizona. The story goes that Cameron left his young daughter with one of his girlfriend's relatives and then went for a walk with his beloved dog, Zero. Zero returned a couple of days later, but no one ever saw or heard from Cameron again. His parents were alerted that their son was missing, and they traveled from their home in Oregon to Arizona to aid in the search efforts to find Cameron. When they arrived in Forest Lakes, the whole situation wasn't adding up. Days after Cameron had vanished, authorities were alerted that a man living on the same property had fled the area with his infant son. Now, law enforcement had two mysteries on their hands. Were these events related? More than 14 years later, Cameron's family is still piecing together the clues to figure out what happened to their son.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Cameron Sequeira, please call the Coconino County Sheriff's Office at 928-774-4523 or 1-800-338-7888. If you wish to remain anonymous, please call Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.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.

    Goldie Thornsberry Part 2: Injustice

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 76:49


    Last week, we shared the first installment of Goldie Thornsberry's story. You learned that she disappeared from Fayetteville, Arkansas, in early 1996. Goldie was reported missing after her bank noticed strange activity on her checking account. When the investigation began, officers went to Goldie's apartment and were greeted by one of her daughters, who said Goldie wasn't home; she was traveling to visit family members. This story shifted with time about where exactly Goldie planned to go and whom she was traveling to visit. Investigators contacted relatives who said they hadn't seen or heard from Goldie. Goldie's daughter and son-in-law were later charged with forgery after investigators determined they were using her checks. They became the main suspects in Goldie's disappearance. Still, despite their best efforts, they couldn't find Goldie or any hard evidence to prove what happened to her. In 2010, there was a remarkable development in the case after one of Goldie's former neighbors saw a news story about a Jane Doe who was found inside of a well in Little Rock in 2000 and thought it was Goldie. After a DNA comparison came back indicating it was, in fact, Goldie, they could finally move forward with the case. While there was a mountain of circumstantial evidence against Goldie's daughter and son-in-law, would it be enough for a conviction?If you have any information about the murder of Goldie Thornsberry, please call the Fayetteville Police Department at 479-587-3555.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.

    Goldie Thornsberry Part 1: The Woman in the Well

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 67:52


    In the summer of 2000, two development consultants were surveying land on Cantrell Road in Little Rock, Arkansas, when they noticed a drainage area and decided to investigate its source. Venturing a short distance into the woods, they stumbled upon a well. One of the workers thought he saw something at the bottom and prodded it with a stick. As the object shifted, it became evident that it was a human skull. That's when they decided it was time to call the Little Rock Police Department.Human remains were retrieved from the well, and it was later confirmed that the victim was a woman. Unable to match Jane Doe to any missing persons reports in the area, her case quickly went ice cold.Ten years later, the police department had a clay recreation made of what Jane Doe may have looked like, hoping that a visual representation of the woman might trigger someone's memory. One evening in Little Rock, a man who had lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas, during the 90s saw the clay bust on the news and was struck by its resemblance to his former neighbor, Goldie Thornsberry, who had disappeared in 1996. He contacted the authorities, and that tip took a cold case that some had hoped time had forgotten off the shelf and thrust it back into the spotlight.If you have any information about the murder of Goldie Thornsberry, please call the Fayetteville Police Department at 479-587-3555.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.

    Zyanya Valora

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 71:09


    On June 24, 2024, 21-year-old Zyanya Valora stayed up late after her parents went to bed. In the early morning hours of June 25, around 2:30 AM, she is believed to have left their home in Ojai, California. Her family suspects she was barefoot and wearing a tank top and shorts.Later that morning, Zyanya's parents assumed she was simply sleeping in, as young people often do. However, around 11 AM, her mother, Damaris, discovered that her daughter was not in her room or anywhere inside their home. Concerned, Damaris called her husband at work and began searching the neighborhood. After failing to find Zyanya, Damaris reported her daughter missing.An extensive search was conducted for Zyanya, who has Autism and is considered at-risk. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office, along with other agencies, dedicated five days to searching the area. Unfortunately, despite these extensive efforts, no trace of Zyanya Valora has been found.If you have any information about Zyanya Valora's disappearance, please contact the Ventura County Sheriff's Office at (805) 654-9511.You can follow the search efforts for Zyanya at Find Zyanya Valora. 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

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 89:19


    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.

    Case Update: Eric Franks - Plausible Deniability

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 75:56


    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.

    Patricia Jane Wagner

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2024 56:06


    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.

    Andy Puglisi: Open Investigation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2024 47:02


    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.

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