The Vanished Podcast

Tim Franklin, a Lieutenant at the Fayetteville Police Department, shares insights into the haunting case of Goldie Thornsberry, who vanished in 1996. He recounts the unsettling discovery of a skull in a well that reignited the investigation. Franklin discusses the family's tumultuous dynamics and the red flags raised by her daughter Rita and son-in-law Raymond. The police's efforts to connect Goldie’s case to national databases highlight the complexities of solving cold cases and the crucial role of community memory in pursuing justice.

Zyanya Valora, a 21-year-old with autism, mysteriously disappeared from her home in Ojai, California. Her mother recounts the heart-stopping moment they discovered her gone after a night of late studying. The podcast delves into Zyanya's personal struggles, including the challenges of mental health and support during her teenage years. A detailed exploration of the frantic search efforts showcases the community's involvement and highlights the emotional toll on her family. The story reflects on the ongoing search for answers amidst devastating uncertainties.

On the afternoon of June 24, 2023, 41-year-old Lawrence Hammett was transferred from Montrose Regional Health to Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, Colorado. Approximately two hours later, a staff member attempted to call Lawrence back, but he was gone. No one knew that Lawrence had been transferred to a hospital roughly two and a half hours away, and they began to notice that they stopped seeing him around town. Weeks passed without word, and Lawrence's loved ones began comparing notes. No one had heard from him. They searched around Montrose, but there was no trace of Lawrence there. Eventually, Lawrence's sister contacted the Montrose Police Department to file a missing persons report, and they told her that he had been in the hospital and was transferred to Durango. This news moved their search more than 100 miles away, and by that time, the camera footage from June 24 was long gone. They didn't have any clues to point them in the direction that Lawrence may have gone or if he had left with someone.More than a year later, Lawrence's loved ones are still picking up the pieces, searching for any information that could help bring the puzzle of what happened to him into focus. If you have any information about Lawrence Hammett's disappearance, please call the Durango Police Department at 970-375-4700.If you are in the area and want to help, Lawrence's loved ones are planning a search party in Durango on Oct 5, 2024. You can find more information on the Bring Lawrence Home Facebook page.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://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We first shared the story of Eric Franks’ disappearance in October 2021. While his case is still unsolved, we have significant new information to share with you nearly three years after our original episodes aired, which could potentially shed light on this mystery. In March 2011, 38-year-old Eric Franks disappeared from Saginaw, Michigan. In 2010, Eric learned he had a teenage daughter, so he traveled to the Saginaw area to connect with her. Eric went radio silent in early March, but then his family began receiving emails from Eric periodically. They went along with this for a time, as they had no reason to question that Eric was sending the emails. Still, something was off about the whole thing, and later, they decided to report Eric missing. Over the last 13 years, a bizarre string of events has unfolded, unraveling disturbing clues about what may have happened and who may be responsible for Eric’s disappearance.If you have any information about the disappearance of Eric Franks, please call the Michigan State Police at 989-495-5555.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://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Patricia Wagner, a devoted mother, vanished on a coffee date in 1972, leaving her family shattered. The podcast dives into her last moments and the eerie premonition expressed by her son, Kenny. Patricia's relationships, particularly with an abusive partner, are examined, shedding light on her resilience amidst chaos. The emotional turmoil within her family is palpable, with a younger relative now dedicated to uncovering the truth. As the case remains cold after decades, the search for Patricia raises profound questions about love, loss, and the quest for closure.

Melanie Perkins McLaughlin, an Emmy-winning director known for her HBO documentary about a boy who vanished in 1976, shares her deep connection to the case of Andy Puglisi. She recounts her childhood promise to find him, revealing the heart-wrenching journey to uncover truths about his disappearance. Melanie highlights the broader historical patterns of missing children in Massachusetts and the emotional trauma faced by those connected to such cases. She discusses her transition to podcasting with 'Open Investigation', aiming to shed light on cold cases and elevate community awareness.

On December 25, 2000, 37-year-old Kenneth Ray Weaver failed to visit his mother for Christmas. Typically, Kenny and his siblings always made it a point to see their mother on Christmas. If, for some reason, one of them couldn't make it, they would always call, but there was no word from Kenny. While Kenny's family quickly jumped into action to locate him, they faced roadblock after roadblock.Kenny's family heard from his roommate that he dropped Kenny off at a friend's home in Pocola, Oklahoma, on Christmas Day. Another friend later came forward and said he had seen Kenny sitting on the porch of that friend's house and gave him a ride to Fort Smith, Arkansas. This friend recalled that it was Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day, and this is where Kenny Weaver's trail went cold. Very little is known about what happened to Kenny around Christmas in 2000. Authorities from Arkansas and Oklahoma initially refused to take the case due to jurisdiction debates, which stalled filing a report for five years. Nearly 24 years later, Kenny's sister has never given up on her pursuit of answers, and today, she has new investigators digging into the case. If anyone has any information about the disappearance of Kenneth Weaver, please contact the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office at 479-783-1051 or the Pocola Police Department at 918-436-2476.You can follow Becky's efforts to find her brother on Facebook at Missing Kenneth Ray Weaver.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In March 2021, 48-year-old Shannon Collins quietly disappeared from Pottsville, Arkansas. His parents, brother, and sister just stopped hearing from Shannon. He wasn't returning their calls or text messages, which was strange. When they contacted Shannon's wife, she said he had left their home on March 12 but was contacting their children via phone. Despite their inquiries, they have yet to receive satisfactory answers. By November, Shannon's brother, Blake, decided to report his brother missing during a trip home to Arkansas for the holidays. From there, the situation only grew more peculiar.Anyone with information about Shannon Collins' disappearance can call Pope County Sheriff's Office at 479-968-2558 and ask for any available investigator. You may also report tips anonymously at https://www.popecoso.org/reportACrime.You can follow developments in Shannon's case on Facebook, Share Shannon's Story, and Instagram.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last week, you heard the first part of Cynthia's story. You learned about her life, marriage, pending divorce, and how she disappeared on February 3, 2021. The last confirmed sighting of Cynthia was at a gas station in Grandview, Texas, around 10:35 PM. Multiple witnesses reported that she appeared to be in the midst of a mental health crisis. Cynthia had called friends, and they mentioned that her behavior was confusing. A patron at the gas station stated that she entered his vehicle and left her phone behind when she exited. Another witness remembered Cynthia running up behind his truck and asking for a ride. However, no one stopped to assist her. Cynthia then got back into her vehicle, and her car was seen approaching the exit. Law enforcement suspects that the camera malfunctioned at that moment, and they lost sight of Cynthia's vehicle, making it impossible to determine the direction it headed next. Cynthia's destination after leaving the gas station remains unknown. Two days later, Cynthia's family reported her missing. Fast forward to February 16, Cynthia's Mazda was found on an interstate highway headed towards Waco, TX. The vehicle had run out of gas, and the officer who spotted it confirmed that it hadn't been there 24 hours earlier. Where had the car been since February 3? Was Cynthia the person who left it there, or had someone else abandoned it? One notable point is that on the evening of her disappearance, witnesses remembered seeing Cynthia, but no one has ever claimed to have seen her again. So, what could have happened to Cynthia?Anyone with information about Cynthia Bah-Traore can call Lt. Michael Tate at the Crowley Police Department at 817-297-2276 x6204 or Crimestoppers at 817-469-8477. You may also contact the FBI Dallas Field Office at (972) 559-5000.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the evening of February 3, 2021, 39-year-old Cynthia Bah-Traore left her home in Crowley, Texas. She was later spotted at a gas station in Grandview, Texas, but left her cell phone behind. After that, Cynthia disappeared without a trace. Almost two weeks later, her car was discovered abandoned alongside a highway approximately 35 miles south of where she was last seen, near Waco. The whereabouts of Cynthia and her vehicle during this time remain unknown. Her family has stated that Cynthia had no reason to be in the Waco area, and they are baffled as to why she would have traveled there. Following her disappearance, tensions arose between her family and the police department investigating the case. Over three years later, renewed efforts are underway in hopes of finally uncovering Cynthia’s whereabouts.Anyone with information about Cynthia Bah-Traore can call Lt. Michael Tate at the Crowley Police Department at 817-297-2276 x6204 or Crimestoppers at 817-469-8477. You can also contact the FBI Dallas Field Office at (972) 559-5000.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Listen to The Vanished on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-vanished-podcast/ now.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramTwitterPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.