The Missing Persons Report

This episode examines the persistent mystery surrounding hundreds of long-term missing persons cases in Southeast Michigan, some of which remain unresolved since the late 1950s. It details the historical and social factors that have hindered investigations, such as economic shifts in the auto industry and the lack of digital records during the mid-20th century. By highlighting seventeen notable co...

This episode details the successful identification of Denise Elaine Sexton Hartley, a young mother whose remains were discovered in two separate Minnesota lakes in 1993. Previously known only as “Bone Lake Jane Doe,” Hartley was identified over three decades later through the use of investigative genetic genealogy and the collaboration of forensic experts. The narrative traces her life from a larg...

This transcript recounts the resolution of two separate cold case homicides involving young girls, highlighting the decades of pain and ultimate justice for their families. In the first case, DNA technology and genetic genealogy eventually linked the 1986 murder of Jennifer Bastian to Robert Washburn, leading to his arrest and the creation of Jennifer and Michella’s Law. The second narrative follo...

The episode details the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Elena Katherine Moore, a 39-year-old personal trainer who vanished in Lexington, South Carolina, on June 11, 2026. Authorities and family members describe her behavior as highly uncharacteristic, as she was last seen walking toward a wooded area after a routine gym visit. A massive multi-agency search involving drones and grou...

This episode highlights the ongoing crisis of missing persons in the Illinois Metro East region, where at least 31 active cases have left families in a state of unresolved grief. Central to the report is the disappearance of Brittany Moeser, whose case illustrates the investigative hurdles and emotional trauma caused by long-term disappearances. The narrative examines systemic failures, such as th...

The episode explores the humanitarian crisis of missing persons in Mexico, specifically how it intersected with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While the nation celebrated its role as a historic three-time host, thousands of families utilized the international spotlight to protest the disappearance of over 130,000 people. These activists, notably the "Searching Mothers," aimed to contrast the joy of foot...

Following the disappearance of Summer Wells in June 2021, a massive multi-agency effort including the FBI and TBI was launched to find the missing five-year-old in rural Tennessee. Despite extensive ground searches, digital forensics, and thousands of public tips, no physical evidence or suspects have been identified as of 2026. The investigation has faced significant hurdles, such as the challeng...

The episode from the YouTube channel Veritasium examines the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, focusing on how a lack of technical knowledge and poor communication led to her 1937 tragedy. While attempting to become the first woman to fly around the world via the longest route, Earhart relied on a mix of dead reckoning, celestial navigation, and radio signals to find the tiny Howland Island. The so...

This source details the mysterious 1982 disappearance of Paul Donald Kemp Jr., a successful advertising executive who vanished after abandoning his running vehicle on a remote Wyoming prairie. The episode explores Kemp’s troubled mental state following a traumatic accident, highlighting his growing obsession with the Lincoln assassination and spiritualism prior to his journey west. While his skele...

The episode details the unexplained 2018 disappearance of Terrence Woods Jr., a Maryland filmmaker who vanished while working at a remote Idaho mining site. While film crew members claim he suffered a sudden mental health crisis and fled into the treacherous wilderness, his family remains deeply skeptical of this narrative. They point to physical inconsistencies, a lack of forensic evidence, and h...

The episode details the unexplained 1969 disappearance of Dennis Martin, a young boy who vanished during a family outing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Despite launching the largest search operation in the history of the National Park Service, which included help from specialized military units, investigators failed to find any physical evidence or remains. The narrative explores vari...

The episode details a federal investigation launched in 2026 to determine if a series of deaths and disappearances among high-level scientists are interconnected. While public speculation and certain lawmakers link these tragedies to classified aerospace technology or unidentified aerial phenomena, official records often cite natural causes, accidents, or personal struggles. The FBI and other nati...

This episode explores the unresolved disappearance of 21-year-old Dylan Koshman, who vanished from Edmonton, Alberta, following a physical altercation with his roommates during Thanksgiving weekend in 2008. Although he was initially considered a missing person, authorities later reclassified the investigation as a homicide due to suspicious circumstances and a total lack of contact with his family...

The episode details the mission of Locate International, a UK-based charity founded by former police officer Dave Grimstead to investigate long-term missing persons and unidentified remains. By utilizing a network of highly trained volunteers, the organization addresses a significant backlog of cold cases that overstretched police forces often struggle to resolve. The source explores specific, hau...

The episode examines the Big Island of Hawaii through a lens of unexplained disappearances, unsolved crimes, and environmental hazards that contrast with its reputation as a tropical paradise. It highlights how the island’s unique geography, including vast lava fields, dense jungles, and treacherous ocean currents, creates a landscape where people and evidence can easily vanish. Beyond natural dan...

The episode recounts the unsolved 2019 disappearance of Théo Hayez, a Belgian backpacker who vanished after leaving a nightclub in Byron Bay, Australia. Despite possessing extensive digital data from his phone, investigators remain puzzled by his decision to navigate through dangerous wilderness and coastal terrain late at night. The source explores various theories regarding his fate, including a...

The episode examines the mysterious 1984 disappearance of 18-year-old Richard W. Powell from Fort Worth, Texas. It details how the young man vanished after leaving his home for work, only for his vehicle to be discovered abandoned with suspicious signs of violence a month later. The narrative highlights specific physical identifiers, such as curved pinky fingers and dental work, which remain vital...

This episode chronicles the mysterious disappearance and death of Aaron Hedges, an expert hunter who vanished in Montana's Crazy Mountains in 2014. Despite his extensive wilderness experience and familiarity with the terrain, Hedges became separated from his companions just before a severe snowstorm struck the region. The discovery of his abandoned boots and other personal items years before his r...

This episode examines the phenomenon of unexplained disappearances by analyzing historical and modern case studies that range from lost aviators to unsolved criminal acts. While the majority of missing-person cases are eventually resolved, the author explains how environmental challenges, human error, and limited forensic evidence can hinder even the most advanced investigations. Notable examples,...

This source details the unexplained disappearance of James "Weston" Higginbotham, an Auburn University student who vanished while on a family vacation in Kyoto, Japan. The episode recounts his final known movements on May 29, 2026, including his last electronic location pings and security footage showing him heading toward mountainous hiking trails. It highlights the intensive search efforts invol...

In 2018, experienced outdoorsman Jordan Grider traveled to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota with the intent to survive a brutal winter in total isolation. His disappearance sparked a massive search, eventually leading investigators to a gruesome campsite marked by a significant amount of blood but no body. When his skeletal remains were discovered nearby months later, the sca...

In 2010, Bill Ewasko, a seasoned hiker and veteran, vanished during a routine excursion in Joshua Tree National Park, sparking a decade-long search effort. Despite an intensive initial rescue operation, he remained missing for nearly twelve years, leaving behind only a single, mysterious cellphone ping as a clue. This digital trace inspired a dedicated community of amateur sleuths and engineers to...

In 2004, twelve-year-old Garrett Bardsley vanished during a Boy Scout trip in Utah’s Uinta Mountains, triggering one of the state's most extensive search-and-rescue operations. Despite over 1,400 volunteers scouring the rugged terrain, investigators found no physical evidence, such as clothing or tracks, to explain his disappearance. Theories regarding his fate include becoming lost, accidental in...

This episode explores the unsettling mysteries of Mount Rainier National Park, focusing on the unexplained disappearances of Joe Wood in 1999 and Vincent Djie in 2020. Despite a twenty-one-year gap between the incidents, both men were solo hikers who vanished without a trace while traversing the same treacherous Longmire trail system. The sources detail the massive search operations launched by au...

This episode explores the unsettling phenomenon of mysterious deaths and disappearances among high-profile researchers across various advanced fields. It examines ten specific cases involving experts in areas like artificial intelligence, nuclear science, and biotechnology, whose fates have sparked intense public speculation and conspiracy theories. The source analyzes why these incidents capture...