The Vanished Podcast

Last week we brought you the first part of 18-year-old Kelsey Collins’ story. A teenager who had been through more than most in an entire lifetime disappeared in May 2009, just nine days after her 18th birthday. Kelsey was involved with bad people, really bad people, but what wasn’t known at the time was just how profoundly and long-term Kelsey had been victimized by much older predators. She was set to testify against her abusers but was left unprotected by authorities. Shortly after testifying before a federal grand jury, an indictment was issued, and Kelsey vanished.If you have any information about the disappearance of Kelsey Collins, please call the Everett Police Department at 425-257-8400 or the Seattle Police Department at 206-625-5011.This episode was sponsored by:Hungryroot- Get 30% off your first delivery and free veggies for life at Hungryroot.com/VANISHED.Rocket Money- Go to RocketMoney.com/MIA to get rid of useless subscriptions.HelloFresh- Go to HelloFresh.com/vanished21 and use code

On the evening of May 9, 2009, just nine days after her 18th birthday, Kelsey Collins left her home in Everett, Washington, to visit a friend in Seattle, approximately 30 miles away. Kelsey was a radiant and intelligent young woman. But Kelsey was still young and naive and never returned home that night or the next day. The nearly fourteen years of looking for her have spanned from teenage innocence and rebellion to the dark, nefarious and ugly underworld of human and sex trafficking. What happened to Kelsey is a story you’ve seen play out in media headlines, but no two stories or victims are the same. Her disappearance is the final act in one of the most heinous crimes a person can commit. Still, her victimization at the hands of dangerous people is only part of her story. Though Kelsey’s case has garnered some media attention, no one has shared an in-depth and comprehensive look at her life until now. If you have any information about the disappearance of Kelsey Collins, please call the Everett Police

In early 2003, 29-year-old Clinton Washburn called his parents, and he was angry. The whole thing ended up being a misunderstanding that they worked out during that phone call, but after that, they stopped hearing from Clint. Months later, in September of 2003, they received a typed letter allegedly from Clint. It stated that he found a rich woman to marry, he planned to take her name, and they would never locate him. Clint’s parents were crushed by this letter and didn’t know any way to reach their son as the letter had no return address. Believing their son wanted no contact and hoping that maybe someday he would change his mind, Clint’s parents waited. They thought he would eventually call or show up at the door, but it never happened. Clint’s father passed away in 2018, and his mother, Margi, thought for sure, he would turn up at that time, but still no word from Clint. After that, Margi decided to report her son missing, more than 15 years after that letter arrived in the mail. They came to learn that th

On September 14, 1990, 10-year-old Kacey Perry disappeared while visiting with her father at his home in Portland, Oregon, after the two had a disagreement. In Part 1, we learned that it’s believed Kacey made it to a store blocks away from her father’s home, possibly to make a phone call to ask someone to pick her up. Witnesses spotted her at this location, and her belongings were later found at the store. It remains unclear if Kacey was picked up by someone she knew or possibly went with a stranger. In the early days of the investigation, one person close to her mom stood out. His name is Brian Keith George. Nearly a year after Kacey disappeared, he was arrested for a bank robbery and had something shocking to tell investigators.If you have any information about the disappearance of Kacey Perry, please call the Portland Police Bureau at 503-823-0000.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On September 14, 1990, 10-year-old Kacey Perry was visiting with her father at his home in Portland, Oregon. That evening, the two had a disagreement during a conversation about Kacey coming to live with him full-time. Her father told Kacey to go to bed for the night, which he believed she had done. Her father went outside and chatted with a neighbor for a bit. When he returned, he found that Kacey was missing. He drove around the neighborhood but could not find Kacey anywhere. That is when he alerted the police that his daughter was missing, and the search began. No one could have guessed that more than 30 years later, they would still be searching for Kacey. If you have any information about Kacey Perry's disappearance, please call the Portland Police Bureau at 503-823-0000.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://art1

Six months ago, we brought you the story of 70-year-old Sandra Eckert, who had been missing for 15 months from Franklin, Wisconsin. The story was eerie, with so many haunting hallmarks we’ve heard in many stories with the same patterns of behavior. When we first shared Sandra’s story with you, we held a significant amount of information in confidence at the request of Sandra’s family and law enforcement. At that time, we knew that there were sealed court documents that could lead to some significant developments in the case and possibly an arrest and indictment. While the developments we want to share with you today are not a final resolution to Sandra’s case, they are a step forward in the investigation. We want to end 2022 on a positive note looking forward to the major developments we hope and believe will take place in 2023.If you have any information about the disappearance of Sandra Eckert or the car she was driving, please call the Franklin Police Department at 414-425-2522.This episode was sponsored b

On September 11, 2014, 63-year-old Daniel Farrar left the assisted living facility he resided at in Westbrook, Connecticut. He had $20 on him and stated he was going to get himself some lunch. Danny often left for walks or to grab some lunch. He was one of the younger residents in the home and got bored staying inside all day. Danny was seen that day at a local store making a purchase. What was unusual was that Danny never returned home, and the people who ran the facility became concerned enough to contact his family and police immediately. Where could Danny have gone with the clothes on his back and $20 in cash? More than eight years later, Danny’s family is still searching for the answers to that question.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Daniel Farrar, please contact the Connecticut State Police at 860-399-2100.This episode was sponsored by:Rocket Money- Go to RocketMoney.com/MIA to get rid of useless subscriptions.Nutrafol- Go to Nutrafol.com and use promo cod

On January 24, 2022, 21-year-old Aidan Spear had plans to meet with her mother, Jessica, at 11 AM. About 20 minutes before they were due to meet, Jessica received a message from Aidan stating that she had to say goodbye to someone and would be a little late. She promised to call later and that she would meet her, just not at the original time. Jessica never heard from her daughter again. At first, Jessica assumed that Aidan had just flaked on her, but the days continued to pass with no sign of Aidan. Then, Jessica began hearing from Aidan’s friends that they hadn’t heard from her either. Nearly a year later, Aidan is still missing, and Jessica is desperate to uncover the truth.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Aidan Spear, please contact the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office at (253) 798-7530.This episode was sponsored by:Rocket Money- Go to RocketMoney.com/MIA to get rid of useless subscriptions.Tommy John- Go to tommyjohn.com/VANISHED for 20% off your first order.BEIS- BEIS i

We are taking this week off to spend time with our loved ones and the reminder that we are blessed with so much. However, we never take a week off in our minds, and the families with a missing loved one are always in our hearts and thoughts. We decided to re-share an episode from a few years ago about a missing child who disappeared many decades ago, Vinyette Teague. If you have not heard her story, please give it a listen. If you have heard her story, we encourage you to listen to it again as her mother, Kathy, remains a steadfast reminder that the loss of a child is a wound that never heals. As we enjoy the special celebrations and memories that come with the holidays, we want to honor the family members of the missing and recognize that your missing loved one is not forgotten. Please keep all families with a missing loved one in your hearts this holiday season.On June 25, 1983, 18-month-old Vinyette Teague was in the company of her grandmother, extended family, and neighbors while her parents took the

Last week, we brought you the first part of Melissa Highsmith’s story. On August 23, 1971, 21-month-old Melissa was abducted by a woman who responded to a classified ad her mother placed in the local newspaper. Or, at least, that’s the story that Melissa’s mother and roommate told police when they reported her missing. Was Melissa really abducted by this woman calling herself Ruth Johnson, or was there more to the story? And that’s just the beginning of the 50-year-old stone-cold mystery we’ve been chipping away at.This episode was sponsored by:BEIS- BEIS is offering our listeners 15% off your first purchase by visiting BEISTRAVEL.com/VANISHED.Shopify- Go to Shopify.com/vanished, ALL LOWERCASE, for a FREE trial and get full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features.Zocdoc- Go to Zocdoc.com/VANISHED and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE and book a top-rated doctor.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill o

On August 18, 1971, a classified ad was published for a single day in the Fort Worth, Texas newspaper, the "Fort Worth Star-Telegram." The ad read, "Babysitter wanted from 8 to 3:30 days, Spanish Gate apartments, call after 3 pm" with a phone number listed. On August 23, 1971, a woman who said her name was Ruth Johnson came to the door of Alta Highsmith, who had placed the ad, and said she was there to pick up Alta's 21-month-old daughter, Melissa Highsmith. Alta's roommate gave the baby to the woman named Ruth, who promised to return her that afternoon. Melissa Highsmith has never been seen again. The story of Melissa's abduction is a tale we will unfold for you with exclusive interviews, new information, and questions that seem as though they should be easy to answer.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Melissa Highsmith, please call Sergeant John Phillips with the Fort Worth Police Department at 817-889-0842. If you are unable to reach Sergeant Phillips, you can call the Fort Worth Po

Last week, we brought you the first installment in Jarrod Green's story. 20-year-old Jarrod Green disappeared from Searcy, Arkansas, in September of 1994. Jarrod seemed to be in a panic and concerned about his safety. He was emotional on a call with his girlfriend but wouldn't go into details. Jarrod also retrieved a gun from a friend. His family knew he had plans to meet someone, and then he vanished. Jarrod's car turned up in Searcy at a store several days later. Today, we will explore the people in Jarrod's circle in the lead-up to his disappearance and what role they may have had in his disappearance.If you want to get involved, please join Shannon's group, Justice for Jarrod, on Facebook. If you have any information regarding Jarrod Green's disappearance, please call the Searcy Police Department at (501) 268-3531.This episode was sponsored by:BEIS- BEIS is offering our listeners 15% off your first purchase by visiting BEISTRAVEL.com/VANISHED.Nutrafol- Go to Nutrafol.com and use promo code

On September 30, 1994, 20-year-old Jarrod Green disappeared from Searcy, Arkansas. Jarrod had indicated to his family that he had plans to meet with someone that night. During a phone call with his girlfriend, Jarrod was clearly upset but wouldn't tell her what was wrong. Jarrod had previously given a gun to a friend and retrieved the gun, saying he needed it for protection. Jarrod never made it home that evening and was never seen or heard from again. Days later, Jarrod's car was found abandoned in the parking lot of a local store. The car doors were left unlocked, windows rolled down, and the keys were on the floor. Jarrod's case went cold, his family didn't hear from law enforcement, and it felt like he was forgotten.Meanwhile, dark stories continued to grow and spread through the community like a cancer. Not even a year later, someone else in Jarrod's circle disappeared. Another one took his own life and reportedly confessed to playing a role in Jarrod's murder beforehand. Years later, some rookie detecti

Last week, we brought you the first part of Allison Whiddon’s story, which started with another woman with the same name being mistaken for the missing Allison. She joined Allison’s family in their search for Allison, which included looking at numerous possible suspects, knocking on doors, excavating land, and speaking to witnesses to yield information. Then, there was an alleged confession that detailed Allison’s death- who was involved, when, and where. But was that story believable or a complete fabrication?If you have any information about Allison’s disappearance, please call the Bay County Sheriff’s Office at 850-747-4700.This episode was sponsored by:Doordash- Get 50% off, up to a $20 value, and zero delivery fees. Download the Doordash app and use promo code VANISHED22 at checkout.Shopify- Go to Shopify.com/vanished, ALL LOWERCASE, for a FREE trial and get full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features.Zocdoc- Go to Zocdoc.com/VANISHED and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up

Around April 19, 2016, 44-year-old Kelly "Allison" Whiddon disappeared from Panama City Beach, Florida. Allison was in the middle of breaking up with the man she had been dating. This man had a history of violence and threats he promised to make good on. The two got into an altercation in a restaurant, and her boyfriend claimed he never saw her again, changed his story later, and subsequently refused to cooperate with police after they started investigating her disappearance. No one reported Allison missing until the end of May. Why did it take six weeks for anyone else to realize she was missing? What has occurred since then is truly extraordinary. However, Allison Whiddon is still missing, and the mystery surrounding her disappearance continues to deepen.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Kelly Allison Whiddon, please contact the Bay County Sheriff's Office at (850) 747-4700 or CRIME STOPPERS at (850) 785-TIPS.Tune in on October 24 for Part 2 of Allison's story.This episode was

In December 2015, 42-year-old Brandon Helms was temporarily living with a friend in Lakeland, Georgia. Brandon and his wife had recently separated, and Brandon was navigating this new territory. Brandon wanted to make his marriage work. He loved his wife and adored their daughters. On December 14th, Brandon’s wife called his parents to ask if they had seen or heard from him, but they had not. Brandon’s friend said Brandon was there when he left the house that day, but when he returned, Brandon was nowhere to be found. Brandon’s truck, phone, cigarettes, and jacket were left behind. Search and rescue responded and searched the area, but they never found any trace of Brandon Helms. The case went cold for several years until law enforcement decided to take a second look. Perhaps things weren’t as simple as they appeared on the surface.If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Brandon Helms, please call the Lanier County Sheriff’s Office at (229) 482-3545.If you or someone you know is struggling

Sometime between May 16 and May 25, 2020, 53-year-old Dawn Blankenheim vanished from Chico, California. No isolated event or indication foreshadowed her disappearance, but like every missing person, Dawn didn't just disappear. There is always more to the story. Dawn had been in the hospital in mid-May and was picked up by a friend after she was discharged. They were spotted at a local bar together over the weekend. Dawn scheduled a rideshare service to get home, then abruptly canceled. No one has ever seen or heard from Dawn again. Dawn's loved ones are left behind to sift through the many unanswered questions, disturbing circumstances, and subtle clues that there is more to Dawn's story than what appears on the surface.If you have any information about the disappearance of Dawn Blankenheim, you are asked to call the Chico, California Police Department at (530) 897-4900.This episode was sponsored by:Doordash- Get 25% off your first order of $15 or more, up to a $10 value. Use promo code VANISHED at checkout.I

21-year-old Megan Foglesong disappeared from Alden, Kansas, around the end of November 2015. When we first covered Megan’s story in 2016, nearly everyone pointed to Megan’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, David Madden. Megan attempted to leave him in the past and told others around Thanksgiving of 2015 that she was leaving him again. Several days later, Megan sent a message to a friend indicating that she was back at David’s, then she went silent. Around this time, David texted the local undersheriff to inform him that Megan had stolen from him and ran off. In hindsight, that story about Megan stealing seems rather convenient, possibly a way to explain her absence. But at that time, no one thought much of it. They figured Megan would pop up somewhere soon. Maybe she left David and was hiding? Time passed, and Megan’s loved ones became more concerned. David didn’t seem interested in finding Megan. Despite rumors and suspicions swirling around town about David’s involvement, Megan’s case went cold. As the years

In early June of 2021, 47-year-old Jamie Valdez and his wife, Anna, had just moved to Booneville, Arkansas, from Texas. Their relationship was on the rocks, and Jamie’s wife said that Jamie left their home on June 9, 2021. An old coworker claims that she saw Jamie 30 miles north of Booneville in Ozark several days later, and the coworker invited him over for dinner with her family. She said he planned to go home and patch things up with his wife. Jamie Valdez has never been seen again. His disappearance is filled with many gaps in time, strange coincidences, conflicting stories, and lapses in memory that have turned the search for him into a bizarre obstacle course with very few concrete facts. If you have any information about the disappearance of Jamie Valdez, please call the Booneville, Arkansas Police Department at (479) 675-3508.If you would like to follow Jamie’s story and updates on social media, you can join the group dedicated to finding him at JAMES “JAMIE” VALDEZ MISSING.This episode was

On April 11, 1981, 15-year-old Barbara Cotton disappeared from Williston, North Dakota. Barbara was a bright young woman with plans for her future. She was saving for her first apartment that she planned to rent when she turned 16 in the fall. Barb’s dreams came to a screeching halt on that chilly spring evening when she seemingly disappeared into the night. Piecing together even the most basic clues today is difficult. Who last saw Barb, and at what time? And how can we even confirm these things now? There are conflicting stories and big puzzle pieces missing. Now more than ever, people are invested in finding out what happened to Barbara Cotton. They might be getting closer to the truth. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Barbara Cotton, please contact the Williston Police Department at 701-577-1212.You can follow Barb’s story on social media at Find Barb Cotton. You can find more information at FindBarbCotton.com, and check out Dakota Spotlight wherever you get your podcasts.If