Locations Unknown – Details, episodes & analysis

A fitness enthusiast and mother of four, Michelle Vanek, 35, set out to conquer Colorado’s Mount of the Holy Cross in 2005. Straying onto the grueling Halo Ridge Route, Michelle faced fatigue, high-altitude sickness, and frigid temperatures.  After splitting from her hiking partner near the peak, she vanished without a trace.  Despite an exhaustive search involving hundreds of rescuers, only a boot was found—17 years later.  Did Michelle succumb to the mountain’s brutal elements, or does the Holy Cross Wilderness hold darker secrets? Tune in as we unravel the mystery surrounding her disappearance.

Learn more about Locations Unknown: https://linktr.ee/LocationsUnknown

Check out our other shows on the Unknown Media Network:
Off The Trails
The Peanut Butter and Mountains Podcast
The Weirdos We Know  

New Patreon Shoutouts: Jenn Smith, Katherine DeLoach, Mary Quinn.

Episode suggestion shoutout: Taylor Warnock

Want to help the show out and get even more Locations Unknown content!  For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Patron of Locations Unknown and get access to our episodes early, special members only episode, free swag, swag contests, and discounts to our Locations Unknown Store!  Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page.  (https://www.patreon.com/locationsunknown)  

All our Patreon only content (Audio & Video) can now be accessed via Spotify.  (Active subscription to our Patreon channel is required.) -- Locations Unknown Subscriber Only Show | Podcast on Spotify  

Want to call into the show and leave us a message?  Now you can!  Call 208-391-6913 and leave Locations Unknown a voice message and we may air it on a future message! 

View live recordings of the show on our YouTube channel: Locations Unknown - YouTube

Presented by Unknown Media Group.

Hosts: Mike Van de Bogert & Joe Erato

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.

Enjoy this special release from our members only content.  In this episode, we react to all the voicemails we've received since February 2024.  This is a sample of the content we provide if you subscribe on Patreon, YouTube, Apple, or Spreaker.  This episode was originally released on 9/8/2024.  (Warning - there is explicit language in this episode.)  

Learn more about Locations Unknown: https://linktr.ee/LocationsUnknown

Learn about other shows in the Unknown Media Group network: The Weirdos We Know & Off The Trails!

Want to help the show out and get even more Locations Unknown content!  For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Patron of Locations Unknown and get access to our episodes early, special members only episodes, free swag, swag contests, and discounts to our Locations Unknown Store!  Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page.  (https://www.patreon.com/locationsunknown)  

All our Patreon only content (Audio & Video) can now be accessed via Spotify.  (Active subscription to our Patreon channel is required.) -- Locations Unknown Subscriber Only Show | Podcast on Spotify  

Want to call into the show and leave us a message?  Now you can!  Call 208-391-6913 and leave Locations Unknown a voice message and we may air it on a future message! 

View live recordings of the show on our YouTube channel: Locations Unknown - YouTube

You can view sources for this episode and all our previous episodes at: Sources — Locations Unknown

Presented by Unknown Media Group.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.

December 18, 2021, hikers record a video of a woman swimming at Wekiwa Springs State Park in Florida.  This video would be the last time anyone would see her.  A few days later, her car was found in the same state park.  Was it an accident or possible foul play, join us this week as we investigate the disappearance of Paola Miranda-Rosa.  (Episode 108)

We'd like to welcome Off the Trails Podcast to Unknown Media Group!  You can listen to their podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/off-the-trails--6221956

Learn more about Locations Unknown: https://linktr.ee/LocationsUnknown

New Patreon Shoutouts: Logan Langer, Melissa Lucht, Michelle Dove, E. Beaver, Emily Christoffers, Sara Hynes, Kyla Maclauchlin, Melissa Hitzke.

Want to help the show out and get even more Locations Unknown content!  For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Patron of Locations Unknown and get access to our episodes two days before release, special Patreon only episode (Currently a backlog of 46 additional episodes), free swag, swag contests, your picture on our supporter wall of fame, our Patreon only Discord Server, and discounts to our Locations Unknown Store!  Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page.  (https://www.patreon.com/locationsunknown)  

All our Patreon only content (Audio & Video) can now be accessed via Spotify.  (Active subscription to our Patreon channel is required.) -- Locations Unknown Subscriber Only Show | Podcast on Spotify  

Want to call into the show and leave us a message?  Now you can!  Call 208-391-6913 and leave Locations Unknown a voice message and we may air it on a future message! 

View live recordings of the show on our YouTube channel: Locations Unknown - YouTube

You can view sources for this episode and all our previous episodes at: Sources — Locations Unknown

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.

October 2018 - Connie Johnson, a former U.S. Forest Service wilderness ranger in Idaho, had the experience and training to navigate the backcountry solo and even survive if needed. After retiring from the Forest Service, Connie worked as a camp cook for Richie Outfitters in the area around Fog Mountain.  On October 2nd, 2018 a hunting party Connie was cooking for set out on their hunt in the early morning. Although the hunting party was in radio contact with Connie the next day, transmissions were not clear, and this would be the last time anyone would ever see or hear Connie. When the hunting party returned on October 5th, both Connie and her dog were gone.  Join us this week as we investigate the case of Connie Johnson and the bizarre incident that occured nearby that could be potentially linked to her disappearance.   We would like to thank our sponsors for this episode; Versiti and Verdure Versiti Blood Centers bring people together through the lifesaving gift of blood donation.  Versiti provides blood to the community hospitals where you live and work.  The blood donation process takes about one hour, and the blood collection itself only takes about 10 minutes. Make sure your community has enough blood by donating at Versiti Blood Centers.  Learn more about Versiti’s lifesaving mission, find a blood drive or donor center near you, and schedule your next appointment at Versiti.org. Verdure CBD offers only the highest-quality CBD products for relaxation, rejuvenation, and concentration. In addition to topicals, edibles, and flower. Verdure has a wide variety of skincare products and CBD for your pets as well. Check them out on Facebook or on their website at verdurecbd.com.  Also, be sure to take advantage of a special 10% for our listeners with promo code Unknown10 at checkout. Learn about other unsolved missing persons cases in America's wilderness at Locations Unknown. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram. Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.

October 2nd, 1999, 3-year-old Jaryd Atadero, his 6-year-old sister Jocelyn, and 11 other adults were hiking The Big South Trail near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.  While hiking, Jaryd ran ahead, no more than 100 feet and stopped to talk with some fisherman. After his brief time, Jaryd continued down the trail ahead of the group. This would be the last time anyone saw Jaryd.  In the following days, a massive Search and Rescue operation failed to turn up any evidence of Jaryd. Join us this week as we piece together the tragic disappearance of Jaryd Atadero and the discovery years later that deepened the mystery.   We would like to thank Podcorn for sponsoring this episode.  Explore sponsorship opportunities and start monetizing your podcast with Podcorn by signing up here: https://podcorn.com/podcasters/      Learn about other unsolved missing persons cases in America's wilderness at Locations Unknown.   Follow us on Facebook & Instagram.   Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.

America, a melting pot filled with diverse cultures, beautiful natural wonders, and a historic sense of exploration. Among the vast beauty of our wilderness, there also lies a more sinister side.  Throughout the ages, a haunting collection of nightmares and tales of the unexplainable have been passed down generation to generation.  Stories of bloodthirsty creatures lurking in the dark, strange lights in the night sky, and vengeful ghouls forever cursed to wander haunted forests. These are the stories that give us pause while hiking in remote areas of the country, and fill our heads with dread before falling asleep in our tents at night. This is a multi-part series which we will revisit later this spring!  We would like to thank Podcorn & the RuckUp Podcast for sponsoring this episode! Explore sponsorship opportunities and start monetizing your podcast with Podcorn by signing up here: https://podcorn.com/podcasters/ To listen and learn more about the RuckUp Podcast visit https://ruckupmedia.com/ or search for the RuckUp Podcast on your favorite podcast app! Learn about other unsolved missing persons cases in America's wilderness at Locations Unknown. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram. Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page.  

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.

On September 13th, 1990 - The grisly murders of Geoffery Hood and Molly LaRue rocked the Appalachian Trail community and the Nation.  In part 1 we covered the multiple characters who interacted with Molly and Goeff as well as the timeline that brought them to the Thelma Marks shelter on Cove Mountain.  Unknown to the couple, they were about to cross paths with a deranged psychopath.  Join us this week as we continue the case of Hood and LaRue. Learn about other unsolved missing persons cases in America's wilderness at Locations Unknown. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram. Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page.  

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.

Sept 13th, 1990 - Biff and Cindi Bowen were at the halfway point of their 2,144 mile hike down the Appalachian Trail, when the couple stopped for supplies in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, before their trek up nearby Cove Mountain.  The two planned to spend the night in a three-sided log shelter along the trail.  As the couple hiked down an incline behind the shelter, Biff sensed that “Something was wrong,”.  He was so overcome with an uneasy sense of dread that he positioned his hiking pole as a weapon before walking around the cabins open side.  On the open side of the cabin, the couple found supplies frantically scattered around the murdered bodies of two hikers. The Bowens walked onto the scene of a grisly double murder.  The victims, two experienced hikers—Molly LaRue, 25, of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and her boyfriend, Geoffrey Hood, 26, of Signal Mountain, Tennessee.  Hood had been shot multiple times with a .22 caliber revolver.  LaRue had been tied up, tortured, raped and stabbed eight times in the neck and upper back.  Join us this week as we investigate the case of Hood and LaRue. Join us in Episode 17 for part 2 of "Murder on the Appalachian Trail", where we wrap up the case of Hood & LaRue. Learn about other unsolved missing persons cases in America's wilderness at Locations Unknown. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram. Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.

On August 6th 2014, Arvin Nelson hiked into Big Sur State Park, along California's coast, never to be heard from again.  In episode 5, we discussed the location and his disappearance in detail.  We recommend listening to episode 5 before this interview so you have a better understanding of the case.  Episode 5 can be found here (https://locationsunknown.podbean.com/e/ep-5-arvin-nelson-big-sur-state-park/) or wherever you listen to podcasts. In this interview, Mike discusses the case with two close friends of Arvin, Jay O'Rear & Jason Challas, both of whom have spent many years hiking with Arvin.  Topics ranged from new details about the location where Arvin went missing to a more in depth look at Arvin the person.  Much of what was discussed in this interview hasn't been discussed publicly before and really helps paint a better picture of what happened to Arvin.  While the case remains a mystery to this day, this interview has helped us narrow down possible theories on his disappearance.       Learn about other unsolved missing persons cases in America's wilderness at Locations Unknown. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.

January 31, 1959, a 23-year-old ski hiker named Igor Alekseyevich Dyatlov (Dee-at-lao-v) embarked on a journey to reach the peak of Otorten, a mountain in the Northern Urals. The Soviet college student brought a team of eight experienced hikers from the Ural Polytechnic Institute along with him for the adventure. Before he left, Dyatlov had told his sports club that he and his team would send them a telegram as soon as they returned. On February 2nd  the group set up camp on the slopes of the now named Dyatlov Pass. During the night, something forced members of the group to tear out of their tents fleeing into the subzero winter climate. Join us this week as we investigate what could have caused the group to run from the safety of their camp and the mysterious circumstances that led to their deaths. This is the story of the Dyatlov Pass. This episode is brought to you by Verdure, a company that strives to offer only the highest quality and locally sourced CBD products all made in the USA.    Learn about other unsolved missing persons cases in America's wilderness at Locations Unknown. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram. Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page.  

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.