The Missing

In this episode we tell the baffling story of the disappearance of Tammy Pitkin, whose car was found abandoned on a dead end forest service road in Sweet Home, Oregon, almost 400 miles from her home in Red Bluff California. Tammy had recently separated from her husband but was looking forward to the imminent birth of her first grandchild as well as her son’s wedding. She had taken a road trip, starting on October 14th, but told her son she would be home in a few days at the most. Tammy brought her two dogs with her, one of which was found almost four months later in the woods near where her car was discovered, emaciated but alive. This episode hears from Tammy’s sister Airaka. She and Tammy were very close growing up but at the time of her disappearance, hadn’t spoken for more than six years, the result of a family feud that caused them to cease all contact with one another. Airaka walks us through how she first came to learn of her sister’s disappearance, how any bad blood between them ceased to matter the moment her sister needed her and Airaka’s theories about what prompted Tammy’s unusual road trip. This episode is supported by Doe Network. They exist to appeal for answers in hundreds of missing persons cases worldwide. Visit their website The Doe Network to find more information about this and many other cases, which all need help. They believe the case of Tammy Pitkin CAN still be solved.If you have any information which might help to solve this case, or anything you want to share, there is an easy way to get in touch. You can email missingpodcasttips@doenetwork.org - your information will be passed securely to the relevant authorities. And you can get in touch anonymously.This episode is hosted by Ashley Loeb Blassingame.The Missing is produced by What's The Story? If you want to hear more of their shows, and get early, ad-free access to every episode of The Missing, why not join The Missing +Our subscription site has a bunch of exclusive benefits. And it helps to keep the show on air. Simply search for The Missing + in Apple Podcasts. Or follow this link to get the content on whatever platform you choose to listen.Information on every episode of The Missing is available on www.themissingpodcast.org

In this episode we cover the baffling disappearance of Andrea Knabel, a 37 year old mother of two from Louisville, Kentucky, who was last seen walking home from her sister’s house in the early hours of the morning on August 13th, 2019. In a cruel twist of fate, Andrea herself was a member of a volunteer organisation dedicated to helping locate missing people. By the time she vanished, she had spent almost two years contributing her time and efforts to the searches for dozens of missing individuals, both in Louisville and further afield. This episode hears from Andrea’s sister Erin, who explains how Andrea, an extrovert at heart, lit up the lives of everyone who knew her. She describes how her sister had fallen on hard times in the months leading up to her disappearance and offers her point of view on what may have happened to Andrea that night. This episode is supported by Doe Network. They exist to appeal for answers in hundreds of missing persons cases worldwide. Visit their website The Doe Network to find more information about this and many other cases, which all need help. They believe the case of Andrea Knabel CAN still be solved.If you have any information which might help to solve this case, or anything you want to share, there is an easy way to get in touch. You can email missingpodcasttips@doenetwork.org - your information will be passed securely to the relevant authorities. And you can get in touch anonymously.This episode is hosted by Ashley Loeb Blassingame.The Missing is produced by What's The Story? If you want to hear more of their shows, and get early, ad-free access to every episode of The Missing, why not join The Missing +Our subscription site has a bunch of exclusive benefits. And it helps to keep the show on air. Simply search for The Missing + in Apple Podcasts. Or follow this link to get the content on whatever platform you choose to listen.Information on every episode of The Missing is available on www.themissingpodcast.org

In this episode we explore the enduring mystery of missing infant Gabriel Scott Johnson, whose fate has been unknown ever since he was kidnapped from his home in Tempe, Arizona in December 2009. Gabriel was abducted by his mother Elizabeth without his father Logan’s knowledge. Elizabeth’s alleged intention was to bring baby Gabriel to San Antonio, Texas, where, thanks to a loophole in state law, black market adoptions had become increasingly commonplace. Gabriel’s kidnapping made international news and sparked a manhunt spearheaded by the FBI. This episode hears from Gabriel’s great aunt Sandy. Following the untimely death of her sister, Sandy grew very close with her nephew Logan, so when Gabriel disappeared, she felt like it was her duty to do everything she possibly could to help. She brings us back to that fateful December day almost fifteen years ago, one that changed her family's lives forever and shares her thoughts about Elizabeth’s motivations and what she believes ultimately became of baby Gabriel. This episode is supported by Doe Network. They exist to appeal for answers in hundreds of missing persons cases worldwide. Visit their website The Doe Network to find more information about this and many other cases, which all need help. They believe the case of Gabriel Scott Johnson CAN still be solved.If you have any information which might help to solve this case, or anything you want to share, there is an easy way to get in touch. You can email missingpodcasttips@doenetwork.org - your information will be passed securely to the relevant authorities. And you can get in touch anonymously.This episode is hosted by Ashley Loeb Blassingame.The Missing is produced by What's The Story? If you want to hear more of their shows, and get early, ad-free access to every episode of The Missing, why not join The Missing +Our subscription site has a bunch of exclusive benefits. And it helps to keep the show on air. Simply search for The Missing + in Apple Podcasts. Or follow this link to get the content on whatever platform you choose to listen.Information on every episode of The Missing is available on www.themissingpodcast.org

In this episode we cover the bewildering story of Rio Boyd, a 21 year old woman who mysteriously vanished in 2022 and whose family have been desperate for answers ever since. Rio was a bubbly, creative person, beloved by her family and friends, but just like the rest of us, she had her flaws. Hers were a history of drug and alcohol abuse which eventually resulted in Rio being sent away from her mother’s home in Oregon to live with her father in Spanaway, Washington. Her parents hoped that by putting some distance between Rio and some of the more negative influences in her orbit, that she’d have a better shot at a good life. This episode hears from Rio’s mother Kristi. She explains how, sadly, Rio’s new environment had its fair share of bad actors and her daughter soon learned that old habits die hard. Kristi also describes how in the weeks leading up to Rio’s disappearance, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. Almost two years later, the only clue they have to go on is Rio’s mobile phone, found discarded by the side of the road a few hundred yards from her home. This episode is supported by Doe Network. They exist to appeal for answers in hundreds of missing persons cases worldwide. Visit their website The Doe Network to find more information about this and many other cases, which all need help. They believe the case of Rio Boyd CAN still be solved.If you have any information which might help to solve this case, or anything you want to share, there is an easy way to get in touch. You can email missingpodcasttips@doenetwork.org - your information will be passed securely to the relevant authorities. And you can get in touch anonymously.This episode is hosted by Ashley Loeb Blassingame.The Missing is produced by What's The Story? If you want to hear more of their shows, and get early, ad-free access to every episode of The Missing, why not join The Missing +Our subscription site has a bunch of exclusive benefits. And it helps to keep the show on air. Simply search for The Missing + in Apple Podcasts. Or follow this link to get the content on whatever platform you choose to listen.Information on every episode of The Missing is available on www.themissingpodcast.org

In this episode we cover the tragic story of Debra Marie Melo from Taunton, Massachusetts whose disappearance has baffled the inhabitants of her hometown for almost twenty-five years now. Debra was a devoted mother and friend, who lit up the lives of everyone who knew her. She adored her two children but her relationship with her husband was tumultuous to say the least. When she vanished on June 20th, 2000 she was strongly considering getting a divorce. Debra was allegedly last seen by her husband on Route 18 in South Weymouth, after the pair had gotten into an argument whilst driving and she demanded to be let out of the car. He returned to the site twenty minutes later, but Debra was nowhere to be seen. This episode hears from Debra’s brother in law Steven and her niece Olivia. Coming from two different generations, they offer up their unique perspectives on Debra and the effect that the abusive dynamic between her and her husband had both on her life and the lives of those who loved her. Plus, they share their theories about what they believe truly happened to her on that fateful June afternoon, almost twenty-five ago. This episode is supported by Doe Network. They exist to appeal for answers in hundreds of missing persons cases worldwide. Visit their website The Doe Network to find more information about this and many other cases, which all need help. They believe the case of Debra Marie Melo CAN still be solved.If you have any information which might help to solve this case, or anything you want to share, there is an easy way to get in touch. You can email missingpodcasttips@doenetwork.org - your information will be passed securely to the relevant authorities. And you can get in touch anonymously.This episode is hosted by Ashley Loeb Blassingame.The Missing is produced by What's The Story? If you want to hear more of their shows, and get early, ad-free access to every episode of The Missing, why not join The Missing +Our subscription site has a bunch of exclusive benefits. And it helps to keep the show on air. Simply search for The Missing + in Apple Podcasts. Or follow this link to get the content on whatever platform you choose to listen.Information on every episode of The Missing is available on www.themissingpodcast.org

In this episode we bring you the strange story of Mackenzie Rae Marken, a fourteen year old Wisconsinite, who vanished from her home in the city of Schofield, on October 11th, 2015. Almost ten years later, the authorities are no closer to learning what happened to her that day. Mackenzie was fiercely independent, someone who was in a major hurry to grow up and see what the world outside Wisconsin had to offer her. She was also a digital native, a member of the first generation to grow up online, continually finding new ways to express herself via the internet. In fact, there are those who believe that Mackenzie’s social media activity, specifically the strangers we now know she was in contact with in the weeks and months before she vanished, played a role in her disappearance. This episode hears from Mackenzie’s childhood friend Christina. Mackenzie was the first friend Christina made when she moved to Wisconsin from Oklahoma and the pair bonded over their shared love for emo music, youtube personalities and flannel shirts. Christina walks us through the events leading up Mackenzie’s disappearance, her own personal theories about what might have happened to her and how it felt to be interrogated by the police as a fourteen year old. This episode is supported by Doe Network. They exist to appeal for answers in hundreds of missing persons cases worldwide. Visit their website The Doe Network to find more information about this and many other cases, which all need help. They believe the case of Mackenzie Rae Marken CAN still be solved.If you have any information which might help to solve this case, or anything you want to share, there is an easy way to get in touch. You can email missingpodcasttips@doenetwork.org - your information will be passed securely to the relevant authorities. And you can get in touch anonymously.This episode is hosted by Ashley Loeb Blassingame.The Missing is produced by What's The Story? If you want to hear more of their shows, and get early, ad-free access to every episode of The Missing, why not join The Missing +Our subscription site has a bunch of exclusive benefits. And it helps to keep the show on air. Simply search for The Missing + in Apple Podcasts. Or follow this link to get the content on whatever platform you choose to listen.Information on every episode of The Missing is available on www.themissingpodcast.org

In this episode we tell the baffling story of the disappearance of Ahren Benjamin Barnard. Ahren Benjamin Barnard, known as Benj to many, was 35 years old when he vanished from Boise, Idaho. Ahren was a born entrepreneur, having started his first business at the age of  21, an exotic fish store which he named Tanks A Lot. By the time he vanished, Ahren had worked as a DJ, a pawn broker and a gun salesman and was looking into starting a limousine business. On the night of December 4th, 2004, Ahren dropped off his son with the child's mother at the McDonalds on the corner of Cole Rd and Overland Rd in central Boise. He was never seen again. This episode hears from Ahren’s mother Vicki who has done everything she can to keep the search for her son alive for the past two decades. She walks us through the investigation into his disappearance, her initially contentious relationship with the police and how one shady figure in her son’s life in particular, may have far more to do with the case than he’s led the authorities to believe. This episode is supported by Doe Network. They exist to appeal for answers in hundreds of missing persons cases worldwide. Visit their website The Doe Network to find more information about this and many other cases, which all need help. They believe the case of Ahren Barnard CAN still be solved.If you have any information which might help to solve this case, or anything you want to share, there is an easy way to get in touch. You can email missingpodcasttips@doenetwork.org - your information will be passed securely to the relevant authorities. And you can get in touch anonymously.This episode is hosted by Ashley Loeb Blassingame.The Missing is produced by What's The Story? If you want to hear more of their shows, and get early, ad-free access to every episode of The Missing, why not join The Missing +Our subscription site has a bunch of exclusive benefits. And it helps to keep the show on air. Simply search for The Missing + in Apple Podcasts. Or follow this link to get the content on whatever platform you choose to listen.Information on every episode of The Missing is available on www.themissingpodcast.org

In this episode we tell the tragic story of Antonio Neill, who disappeared in bizarre circumstances in Everett, Washington almost ten years ago.Antonio, despite the best efforts of his mother, led a very self-destructive lifestyle, one that left him highly dependent on both drugs and alcohol. Despite several stints in rehab in his teenage years, Antonio’s poor decision making eventually got him in trouble with the law, earning himself a ten month prison sentence. Inside, Antonio turned a corner however and just a few months after he got out, he was not only a year sober, but chairing his own AA and NA meetings. Sadly, a chance encounter led to him falling off the wagon and subsequently kicked out of his sober living house. In December 2016, on Antonio’s first night crashing at an old acquaintance’s place, there was a violent encounter between the two, which ended in Antonio allegedly fleeing the scene. The truth about what happened in that house, has been shrouded in mystery ever since. This episode hears from Antonio’s mother Jenny, who talks about the difficulties she had, trying to keep her son on the straight and narrow and how ‘sober Antonio’ was her favourite person in the world to be around. Plus, she explains how a grim discovery made three years after Antonio’s disappearance, completely changed the nature of the investigation. This episode is supported by Doe Network. They exist to appeal for answers in hundreds of missing persons cases worldwide. Visit their website The Doe Network to find more information about this and many other cases, which all need help.If you have any information which might help to solve this case, or anything you want to share, there is an easy way to get in touch. You can email missingpodcasttips@doenetwork.org - your information will be passed securely to the relevant authorities. And you can get in touch anonymously.This episode is hosted by Ashley Loeb Blassingame.Information on every episode of The Missing is available on www.themissingpodcast.org