Crime Junkie

MURDERED: Jodi Sanderholm

Feb 12, 2024

A college student disappears, leading to a city-wide search. Investigators discover a predator who has been stalking the community for years. The podcast discusses the disappearance, investigation, and the impact on the victim's family and friends. It also provides information on a non-profit search organization and resources for stalking victims.

49:49

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Quick takeaways

Stalking can escalate into dangerous and deadly situations, as seen in the case of Jodi Sanderholm.

Jodi's family successfully advocated for the passage of Jodi's Law, which aims to better protect stalking victims.

Texas EquiSearch, a volunteer search and recovery organization, played a crucial role in finding Jodi's submerged car and remains.

Deep dives

Jodi's Devastating Disappearance

Jodi Sanderholm, a college freshman and talented dancer, goes missing after being followed by a man in a light-colored Cadillac. The man, Justin Thurber, had a history of stalking and violent behavior towards women. Jodi's car is eventually found submerged in a lake, but her body isn't located until search teams uncover her remains in a wooded area. The autopsy reveals that she was tortured, sexually assaulted, and strangled to death. Justin Thurber is convicted on charges of aggravated kidnapping, rape, sodomy, and capital murder.

Introduction

2min

Podcast of the Year Nomination and Jodi Sanderholm's Story

5min

Disappearance and Investigation

9min

Investigation and Conversation with Justin

3min

Investigating Justin's Alibi

5min

Advertisement for Simply Safe Home Security and T-Mobile

3min

The Call Wildlife Area

11min

The Origins and Growth of a Non-Profit Search and Recovery Organization

7min

Discovery and Investigation

11min

10.

Understanding Stalking and Resources for Victims

5min

When a beloved college student disappears on her way home one January day in 2007, a massive city-wide ground search is initiated, and the community is hopeful that she’ll be found and brought safely home. But as hope starts to dwindle, investigators realize that a predator has been stalking their community for years, hiding in plain sight.

For more information on Texas Equusearch, please visit their website, texasequusearch.org.
RAINN’s National Sexual Abuse Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 or chat online at online.rainn.org
For more information about the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC), please visit their website, stalkingawareness.org.
If you or someone you know is a victim of stalking, please reach out to the VictimConnect Resource Center at 1-855-484-2846, or you can chat online at victimconnect.org.
You can also contact the following resources:
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- RAINN’s National Sexual Abuse Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

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