Crime Salad Disappeared: Amber Dubois and Chelsea King
Jun 28, 2025
24:56
Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of child abduction, sexual violence, and murder. Listener discretion is advised.
In February 2009, 14-year-old Amber Dubois disappeared while walking to school in Escondido, California. Her family searched tirelessly—without answers. A year later, 17-year-old Chelsea King went missing during her routine run in a nearby park.
Was this a total coincidence that two young girls completely vanished? Or was there a serial killer to blame? In this episode, we piece together the facts behind Amber’s disappearance, the shocking investigation into serial offender John Gardner, and how one mother’s heartbreak became a mission to protect others.
Hosted by Ashley and Ricky Plum of Crime Salad.
Thanks to the sponsors for this episode
Switching is easy. Keep your phone, your number, and your sanity.
To get your new wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/salad
Episode Resources & Support Links
If you'd like to support the families affected by today’s case or learn more:
Amber Dubois Memorial Foundation
https://www.amberduboisfoundation.org
Chelsea’s Light Foundation
https://www.chelseaslight.org
If you or someone you know has been impacted by a case like this, here are some organizations offering grief support and victim advocacy:
National Center for Victims of Crime
https://victimsofcrime.org
Parents of Murdered Children (POMC)
https://pomc.org
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
https://www.rainn.org | 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
The Dougy Center—Grief Support for Children & Families
https://www.dougy.org
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 (free, 24/7 crisis support)
Have a Case You Want Us to Cover?
If there's a case you'd like to hear us cover, please reach out—we’re always listening!
Follow us on our most active platforms:
TikTok
Instagram
Facebook (we check it too, just not as often)
In February 2009, 14-year-old Amber Dubois disappeared while walking to school in Escondido, California. Her family searched tirelessly—without answers. A year later, 17-year-old Chelsea King went missing during her routine run in a nearby park.
Was this a total coincidence that two young girls completely vanished? Or was there a serial killer to blame? In this episode, we piece together the facts behind Amber’s disappearance, the shocking investigation into serial offender John Gardner, and how one mother’s heartbreak became a mission to protect others.
Hosted by Ashley and Ricky Plum of Crime Salad.
Thanks to the sponsors for this episode
Switching is easy. Keep your phone, your number, and your sanity.
To get your new wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/salad
Episode Resources & Support Links
If you'd like to support the families affected by today’s case or learn more:
Amber Dubois Memorial Foundation
https://www.amberduboisfoundation.org
Chelsea’s Light Foundation
https://www.chelseaslight.org
If you or someone you know has been impacted by a case like this, here are some organizations offering grief support and victim advocacy:
National Center for Victims of Crime
https://victimsofcrime.org
Parents of Murdered Children (POMC)
https://pomc.org
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
https://www.rainn.org | 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
The Dougy Center—Grief Support for Children & Families
https://www.dougy.org
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 (free, 24/7 crisis support)
Have a Case You Want Us to Cover?
If there's a case you'd like to hear us cover, please reach out—we’re always listening!
Follow us on our most active platforms:
TikTok
Facebook (we check it too, just not as often)