The Vanished Podcast

On January 23, 1999, 2-year-old Teekah Lewis vanished from New Frontier Lanes bowling alley in Tacoma, Washington. That night, Teekah was there with her mother, Theresa, and several other relatives. She was playing in the arcade when her mother briefly looked away to bowl. When Theresa turned back, Teekah was gone. Panic set in as family members searched every corner of the building, hoping she had simply wandered out of sight, but Teekah was nowhere to be found. Police were called, and despite extensive searches, no trace of Teekah surfaced.Witnesses offered only fragments of clues. One recalled a maroon Pontiac speeding out of the parking lot around the time Teekah disappeared. Another described a suspicious man inside the bowling alley who had followed a child toward an exit that evening. He was able to give a detailed description of the man, including that he had a pockmarked face. Then, more accounts emerged of unsettling incidents involving children at or around New Frontier Lanes, raising the possibili

In late February of 2024, 46-year-old Samantha Tolbert vanished from Carroll County, Georgia, a rural area in western Georgia, along the Alabama state line. At first, Samantha’s absence didn’t raise an alarm. She kept in touch with her daughter, but it wasn’t unusual for some time to pass between calls. That all changed on March 7, 2024, when deputies from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in Tyus, a small community in Carroll County. There, they discovered Samantha’s ex-husband was deceased. What stood out immediately was that the vehicle he had driven to the scene wasn’t his; it was Samantha’s truck, but she was nowhere to be found.Investigators attempted to contact Samantha because she was the registered owner of the vehicle, but all efforts to reach her were unsuccessful. Friends and family they contacted said they hadn’t heard from her either. In that moment, the troubling truth came into focus: not only was Samantha’s ex-husband dead, but Samantha herself was missing. Suddenly

In the northern Alberta town of Slave Lake, the nights in late December are long and unforgiving. On December 28, 2019, 27-year-old Joel Judd was staying with a relative in town. By the end of that evening, he had set out for a night out. By the next morning, he was gone, and no one ever saw or heard from Joel again.That night in Slave Lake, Joel went to a local bar where he spent time with other patrons. As the night wore on, Joel left with a few of them. On their way to one person’s home, they stopped at a local inn to purchase alcohol. Joel phoned his uncle and told him he was with a friend. Eventually, the group arrived at the home, where the party continued late into the night. At some point in the early morning hours, according to those present, Joel got up and walked out. No one saw where he went, and he never came back.When Joel failed to return to his uncle's, his family grew concerned and later reported him missing. Investigators traced his steps, using banking records to confirm who he had been wit

In northern Alberta, long roads cut through forest and farmland, connecting small, close-knit communities. It was along these highways in the summer of 2016 that 43-year-old Conrad Jason Ducharme, known to family and friends simply as Jason, was last seen.Jason was believed to be traveling on foot to Dixonville for a tent meeting. He made it there and was later spotted in Manning. But after that, his trail went cold. Known for walking long distances and sometimes catching rides, Jason often stayed with friends or relatives scattered along his route. At first, his family assumed he was with someone else. Only later did they realize no one had seen him, and by then, his trail was already fading.What alarmed them most was that Jason missed his son’s birthday at the end of July, something completely out of character. Nearly a decade later, no trace of Jason has ever been found. His family continues to hold onto hope that answers may still come, and that by sharing Jason's story, someone who remembers something mi

Last week, we introduced you to the story of Blake Nex, who vanished from his home in Claremont, California, in March of 1993. At his house in Palmer Canyon, his family found groceries still sitting on the counter, his cats left inside, and no sign of Blake. Weeks later, his truck was discovered parked at Ontario International Airport, which led some to believe he had left willingly. But with no investigation opened by law enforcement at the time, the case quickly went cold and his family was left to search for answers on their own.In Part 2, we pick up decades later, when Blake’s brother Royse connected online with Andrea, a woman halfway across the world who had stumbled upon Blake’s case. Their connection reignited the search, and together they began piecing together fragments of memory, long-circulating rumors, and theories that had lingered for years. In this episode, we follow those threads to explore what people close to Blake remember, what they suspect, and the whispers of activities he may have been

In March of 1993, 37-year-old Blake Nex vanished from his home in Claremont, California. Blake’s family grew concerned when they couldn’t reach him, so a relative went to check his house. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss. There were no signs of a struggle or forced entry, but the scene inside Blake’s home told an even stranger story. Groceries were still sitting on the counter, as if Blake had just come home from the store and been plucked out of his life in the middle of an ordinary day. His cats were left behind to fend for themselves, along with five hundred dollars in cash, but Blake himself was nowhere to be found.A couple of weeks later, Blake’s truck turned up in the parking lot of a local airport. No one could say when it had been left there or by whom. Then, after his disappearance, Blake’s home was broken into. An answering machine, toolbox, and several expensive bicycles were stolen, only adding to the mystery.When Blake’s family reported him missing, they felt the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s

This episode originally aired on May 23, 2022. In the last two episodes, we shared Bill Jamison’s story. In Part 1, we walked through the night Bill disappeared and the early investigation into his case. In Part 2, we examined the unusual circumstances at Bill’s job and the people connected to his work who may have had motives to harm him.Today, in Part 3, we will explore other facets of this mystery and take a closer look at the many theories that have surfaced over the years.If you have any information about the disappearance of William Jamison, please contact the Roselle Park Police Department at (908) 245-2300 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: http://www.thevanishedpodcast.com/case-submission/.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at h

This episode originally aired on May 17, 2022. In the early morning hours of March 27, 1981, Bill Jamison vanished after a night out. He had spent time at a bar before stopping for a quick bite at a diner. The waitress remembered nothing unusual. Bill ordered his usual late-night meal, finished eating, and walked out into the cool March night. That was the last time anyone ever saw him.Yesterday, you heard about the immediate search for Bill and how his family quickly realized law enforcement was not doing enough. They launched their own efforts, sometimes turning to unconventional methods like psychics. They pleaded with police for more action and spent years writing letters to anyone they thought could help. More than four decades later, his disappearance remains unsolved.Today, we will explore what was happening at Bill’s workplace in the days leading up to his disappearance. His family has always wondered if what was unfolding there could hold the key to what happened to Bill.If you have any information a

This episode originally aired on May 16, 2022. On March 26, 1981, 33-year-old William “Bill” Jamison followed his usual routine. He spent the day at Haug Die Casting Company in Kenilworth, New Jersey, where he worked as vice president of production. After work, he grabbed dinner at a restaurant, then stopped at the Chez Lounge inside the Linden Lanes Bowling Alley to enjoy drinks and conversation with friends. His last stop was the St. George Diner in Linden around 1 AM. He ate a quick meal, left about half an hour later, and was never seen again.When Bill failed to arrive at the office the next morning, something completely out of character, his coworkers grew alarmed. One even went to his apartment, but there was no sign of him. They contacted his sister, Katie, who immediately began calling hospitals and reached out to law enforcement.More than 40 years later, Bill’s disappearance remains a mystery. Over the years, there have been reported sightings of him in other states and whispers of a possible mob con

On July 3, 2020, 38-year-old Jami Lucas was riding his motorcycle near Outing, Minnesota. According to official reports, a deputy recognized Jami and knew he didn’t have a valid license, which sparked a pursuit. However, Jami’s family was told something different: that an anonymous call had come in, leading deputies to pursue Jami. Either way, several deputies began chasing Jami, who turned off onto a dirt road.Police records state that the pursuit ended when Jami ditched his motorcycle and ran into the woods. A deputy drew his weapon and ordered him to stop, but Jami kept going, vanishing into the dense underbrush. From that moment forward, no one ever saw Jami Lucas again.More than five years have passed since that night, and Jami’s family believes far too little has been done to find him. They also question why a high-speed chase was initiated at all, especially over something as minor as a suspended license. Nationwide, pursuits like these have drawn heavy criticism for being unnecessarily dangerous, freq

On July 12, 1987, 18-year-old Vickie Carriere was spending time with her boyfriend. Vickie was eight and a half months pregnant and eagerly awaiting the arrival of her baby boy. That day, the couple was at his family’s fishing camp before starting the drive back to Vickie’s home in Waggaman, Louisiana.According to her boyfriend, who was also the baby’s father, they stopped at a local convenience store, just minutes from her home. He said he went inside to buy a soda for Vickie and chocolate milk for himself. When he returned to the car, Vickie and all of her belongings were gone.When she didn’t come home that night, her parents were immediately alarmed. It wasn’t like Vickie to disappear, especially so close to her due date. They feared for both their daughter and the grandson they were so ready to welcome. In the days that followed, those fears deepened. Vickie missed her baby shower, and then her due date came and went without a word. More than 38 years later, Vickie’s family is still searching for answers,

On February 21, 2022, 25-year-old Aaron Cody Fortner disappeared from Jackson County, North Carolina. At the time, he was staying at a property owned by his grandparents. He made a couple of phone calls to his grandparents in the early morning hours that seemed off, but they weren’t sure what to make of it at the time. When Aaron’s sister, Kourtney, spoke to her grandparents later that morning, they asked her if she had heard from him. She said she hadn’t, and they proceeded to tell her about the phone calls. Kourtney was concerned enough to drive out and check on her brother. When she arrived, things didn’t feel right. A door Aaron always kept locked for safety reasons was unlocked. Kourntey went inside, and Aaron was gone. One thing that stood out was that it was a mess. Just the day prior, their mother had visited, and everything was tidy.That left his family to wonder what happened between the time Aaron's mother last saw him and when he disappeared. Where could he have gone, and why did it seem

This episode originally aired on July 17, 2023. 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 intended to be their forever home, after having moved around the US and the world for many years. They were finally putting down their roots, and Patsy was able to start hanging those pictures on the walls. However, it didn't even last a year, as in October 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 showed no interest 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 seeme

This episode originally aired on July 10, 2023. 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. Jim 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 C

In September 2023, 45-year-old Eleanore "Ellie" Halverson and her mother, Roxanne, drove to a mental health facility in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She was planning to check in for treatment. Outside the entrance, Ellie said goodbye to her mother and daughter, as neither of them were allowed to accompany her inside.Roxanne expected she would hear from her daughter within a few days, once Ellie had settled in and was granted phone privileges. But as time passed with no word, a sense of unease set in. Then she learned that Ellie had never officially checked into the facility, and no one had seen or heard from her. Fearing the worst, Roxanne reported Ellie missing in Grand Rapids.Then, on November 4, Ellie was spotted on surveillance footage in Northhome, MN. Ellie's family believed she was likely with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Geno. Police eventually tracked Geno down in rural Itasca County. He told investigators they had argued one night in early November, and Ellie had stormed off into the freezing Minn

Last week, you learned about Jonathan Hoang, his quiet and structured life, and how he disappeared from his family’s home in Arlington, Washington, at the end of March 2025. On the evening of March 30, Jonathan asked to sleep in the downstairs guest bedroom because the sound of the treadmill was bothering him. In hindsight, a few details from that conversation were slightly unusual, but nothing raised alarm. By the next morning, everything had changed. His mother went to wake him for school and found that Jonathan was gone. His iPad and headphones were missing, but his phone and jacket, which he never left home without, were still in the house.Search teams combed the neighborhood and nearby areas. Surveillance footage was gathered from neighbors, but Jonathan was not visible on any of the cameras. No one reported seeing him, and no physical trace of Jonathan was ever found. As time passed, his family began to believe he was not just lost, but that someone may have taken him.Since Jonathan has autism and is co

Twenty-one-year-old Jonathan Hoang disappeared from his home in Arlington, Washington, sometime between the evening of Sunday, March 30, and the early morning hours of Monday, March 31, 2025.On the night of March 30, Jonathan asked his father if he could sleep in the downstairs guest room, saying the sound of the treadmill was bothering him. A short while later, he returned to say he wasn’t feeling well and asked to stay home from school the next day. His father suggested waiting to see how he felt in the morning. Around 8 PM, Jonathan told his dad he was heading to bed downstairs. It was a small deviation from routine that was odd, but not alarming. The next morning, Jonathan’s mother went to wake him for school and found that Jonathan was gone.Jonathan is on the autism spectrum and lived a quiet, structured life. He spent most of his time at home with his family or at school, where he was enrolled in a transitional program for young adults designed to help them build independent living skills and prepare fo

Ruth Egnoski’s story was difficult to piece together. Between fragmented newspaper archives and fading memories, there were gaps we feared might never be filled. We couldn’t even determine what year Ruth had disappeared.We had submitted records requests to the Delavan Police Department, but at the time we produced the episode, we had received no response. Given the uncertainty and the reality that some departments never respond, despite open records laws requiring them to do so, we decided to move forward with the story.Then, less than a month after the episode aired, we were stunned to receive a large police file from the Delavan Police Department. The documents inside answered many of the lingering questions we’d had just weeks earlier, and what we found was shocking.If you have any information about the disappearance of Ruth Egnoski, please contact 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 su

Sometime between the summer of 1964 and 1966, a young woman named Ruth Egnoski vanished from Delavan, Wisconsin. The exact year is unclear, but she would have been between 18 and 20 years old at the time. Her family says they reported her missing to local police, but no search was ever conducted. A private investigator later claimed Ruth had boarded a bus to Chicago.Then, strange clues began to surface. In the 1970s, Ruth’s Social Security card mysteriously appeared in the office of a local school custodian. In the 1980s, luggage was found hidden in the ceiling of the same custodian's office, and that custodian just so happened to be Ruth's stepfather.Could these discoveries point to a chilling connection? The case heated up briefly but eventually cooled off again. Today, Ruth Egnoski's disappearance remains unsolved.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 feat

Over the past two weeks, you’ve heard the story of David Shier, who vanished from Trinidad, Colorado, in February 2022, and the exhaustive search that followed. Despite the urgency, no clues surfaced. Dave's family was forced to reexamine every detail, lead, and possibility.On the morning of Dave's disappearance, he asked his wife to drive him to meet someone about a property. But who was that person? Why was his truck parked oddly, so unlike him? And what about the neighbor’s report of a white truck at the house around the time he disappeared?From the beginning, Dave’s loved ones felt law enforcement had dismissed his case as a medical emergency, simply an older man who had wandered off and passed away. However, for the family, when they didn't find him during the searches, they believed he deserved a thorough investigation.The last confirmed sighting was a trail camera image of Dave walking away from his home. For more than a year, the case stayed cold. Then, something unexpected happened. A grave was opene