Among The Missing: Episode "RIP" – Detailed Summary

Podcast Title: Among The Missing
Host: Troy Taylor (FTM Media)
Episode: RIP
Release Date: May 1, 2025

Introduction and Podcast Update

In the episode titled "RIP," host Troy Taylor begins by expressing gratitude to listeners for their patience during an unexpected hiatus. He highlights the intensive behind-the-scenes efforts, both in producing the podcast and advancing the investigation into Elaine Park's disappearance. Operating from Australia, Troy collaborates with local teams in Los Angeles, emphasizing a global commitment to uncovering the truth. He teases upcoming revelations poised to shed new light on the case, promising increased exposure and fresh evidence to propel the investigation forward.

Troy Taylor [00:01]: "I truly believe between all of those who are actively working Elaine's case, we're getting closer to answers every single day."

Exploring the Butterfly Effect in Elaine's Disappearance

Troy delves into the concept of the Butterfly Effect from Chaos Theory, contemplating how minor decisions could have monumental impacts on Elaine Park's fate. He reflects on the interconnectedness of events leading up to her disappearance, questioning whether certain choices were pivotal or if destiny played an inevitable role.

Troy Taylor [02:30]: "Whether Divine was responsible or not... was it destiny, the decision that drove an outcome that was absolutely devastating?"

Timeline of Disappearance: January 28 to February 2, 2017

Sunday, January 28, 2017 – The Day Elaine Disappears

• 6:04 AM: Elaine departs from Divine's bungalow, heading toward her car amid chilly Southern California weather.
• 6:05 AM: CCTV footage of Elaine cuts off abruptly.
• 6:07 AM: Elaine's car exits the gated community, as verified by Detective Kryvak and neighbor CCTV footage.
• 6:26 AM: A car resembling Elaine's Honda Civic is spotted making a U-turn at a nearby gas station on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), aligning with the estimated travel time from the gate.
• 6:28 AM: Civil twilight begins; Elaine re-adds Divine to her "Find My Friends" app, granting him full location visibility.
• 7:13 AM: Elaine starts listening to Pandora; her phone later records a timeout notification at approximately 9:32 AM, suggesting inactivity or cessation of listening around 7:32 AM.
• 8:51 AM – 8:05 PM: Multiple missed calls and messages from Susan and Devine, indicating attempts to reach Elaine throughout the day.
• 11:48 AM – 4:25 PM: Susan formally reports Elaine missing to the Glendale Police Department (GPD), mentioning Devine's residence and suspicious phone number.

Susan [06:01]: "Saturday, January 28, 2017. The day Elaine disappears."

Monday, January 30, 2017 – Two Days After Disappearance

• Breaking Contacts: Susan contacts Elaine's friends and files a missing person report with detailed notes on Devine and suspicious phone numbers.
• Cell Phone Pings: GPD traces Elaine's last phone ping to Coral Canyon Road, near where her car was later found.

Thursday, February 2, 2017 – Discovery of Elaine's Car

• Morning Activities: Susan and Jeff visit the Compare property but find it empty. They receive partial CCTV footage and suggestions to check Cold Canyon Road.
• Historic Phone Ping: GPD retrieves Elaine's last phone ping at 3:42 PM, aligning with the time her car was found on PCH.
• Discovery and Search Efforts: Elaine's car is located on PCH at approximately 4:30 PM. A comprehensive search involving volunteers, helicopters, and bloodhounds is initiated but yields no immediate results. Detective Kryvak oversees the investigation, towing the car to the department and leaving the community seeking answers.

Troy Taylor [17:12]: "Suffice to say, the discovery of Elaine's car at the time felt significant and left everyone who cared about Elaine feeling hopeful they would soon have a resolution one way or another."

New Evidence and Unresolved Leads

Michelle Westervelt’s Autopsy Discrepancies

Troy examines the conflicting reports surrounding Michelle Westervelt’s cause of death. Initially reported by the hospital as cyanide poisoning, the Medical Examiner (ME) later attributes it to fentanyl and methamphetamine overdose without confirming cyanide involvement. An anonymous forensic expert raises significant doubts about the ME's conclusions, highlighting:

• Lack of Proper Testing: The hospital did not perform a reliable cyanide test, and the ME failed to order a replacement after a sample was damaged.
• Symptom Overlaps: Fentanyl overdose and cyanide poisoning present similarly, but the high levels of fentanyl detected and the prolonged alertness before death make overdose more plausible.
• Chain of Custody Issues: Hospital samples lack the rigorous handling required for forensic evidence, questioning the validity of the hospital's claims.

Anonymous Forensic Expert [Autopsy Analysis]: "It would be very, very unlikely she died of cyanide poisoning... Given the circumstances... it would be Highly unlikely."

Digital Intrusion and Potential Sabotage

Troy uncovers suspicious activity involving unauthorized access to Elaine's online accounts:

• Ukraine Logins: Successful logins to Elaine's Instagram and YMail accounts from Ukrainian IP addresses suggest possible hacking attempts, potentially using VPNs to mask the actual location.
• Country Code Changes: Recovery numbers on Instagram and Facebook were altered to Brazilian and Nigerian codes, respectively, indicating a systematic effort to lock out access.
• Suspicious Patterns: Multiple foreign access attempts and deliberate changes to account recovery details point to an orchestrated attempt to control Elaine's digital footprint.

Troy Taylor: "It's like the United Nations of account tampering. It doesn't scream random, it screams intentional."

Despite these findings, the investigation hits a dead end due to legal limitations preventing deeper digital forensics without proper warrants.

Alternative Theories: Nawaz and Carrie's Investigation

Troy introduces theories from new investigators Nawaz and Carrie, who propose a compelling alternative scenario centered around Solstice Canyon Park:

Solstice Canyon Park and Rip Tree

• Location Analysis: Nawaz and Carrie conduct on-site investigations, discovering Rip Tree, an area with mysterious spray-painted messages and possible bone fragments.
• Cell Phone Ping Replication: They replicate Elaine's phone pings by physically traversing the trails, pinpointing Thumb Rock as a critical location with optimal cell reception.
• Suspicious Activity: Observations include repetitive spray painting with varying colors and cryptic messages like "JAN 29," suggesting a planned message possibly linked to Elaine's disappearance.

Nawaz [42:34]: "We feel that it was obviously two people... they came year after year to this location."

The Hiking Accident Revisited

While GPD maintains the theory of a hiking accident, Nawaz and Carrie argue that the cell phone evidence and environmental clues at Rip Tree indicate potential foul play rather than an accidental fall.

Nawaz: "The exact time that he called her... matches the time it takes to hike to Rip Tree."

Their findings introduce new avenues for investigation, challenging the official narrative and suggesting that Elaine's disappearance may involve more sinister elements.

Ongoing Search and Future Directions

Troy concludes by acknowledging the extensive yet incomplete search efforts in Solstice Canyon, noting that despite various searches, no significant evidence has been uncovered to date. He emphasizes the continued hope that new leads and dedicated investigators like Nawaz and Carrie will eventually unearth the truth behind Elaine's disappearance.

Troy Taylor [55:15]: "And all that, it doesn't scream random, it screams intentional... maybe it's connected, well, the truth has a way of getting out eventually. It always does."

Notable Quotes

• Troy Taylor [00:01]: "Thank you for being so patient. I'm super glad to report that we're now going back to weekly episodes through the end of the season."
• Susan [06:01]: "Saturday, January 28, 2017. The day Elaine disappears."
• Anonymous Forensic Expert: "It would be very, very unlikely she died of cyanide poisoning."
• Nawaz [42:34]: "We feel that it was obviously two people... they came year after year to this location."
• Troy Taylor [55:15]: "The truth has a way of getting out eventually. It always does."

Conclusion

Episode "RIP" of Among The Missing offers a comprehensive overview of the key developments in Elaine Park's disappearance. Through meticulous timeline reconstruction, analysis of conflicting forensic reports, exploration of digital security breaches, and introduction of alternative investigative theories, Troy Taylor provides listeners with a multi-faceted understanding of the case. This episode underscores the complexity of the investigation and the relentless pursuit of truth by those committed to solving Elaine's disappearance.

For those seeking more in-depth content, expanded interviews, and exclusive episodes, Among The Missing invites listeners to explore their subscription offerings on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Additionally, a reward of $25,000 cash remains available for any information leading to Elaine's whereabouts.

Troy Taylor: "If you're looking for more of among the Missing, jump on over and take a look at our subscription offer... there's a whole lot more to come."

For further information or to provide tips, visit amongthemissingpodcast.com or contact the Glendale Police Department at 818-548-3135, referencing Elaine's case number 171512.