Among The Missing Podcast: Episode Summary Episode: She's Somewhere Between Here and Utah
Release Date: March 21, 2025

Introduction

In the heart-wrenching true crime podcast Among The Missing, host Troy Taylor delves into the mysterious disappearance of Elaine Park, who vanished on January 28, 2017. Her car was discovered five days later on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, with all personal belongings intact but no sign of Elaine. This episode, titled "She's Somewhere Between Here and Utah," explores new leads, challenges old theories, and uncovers overlooked details that could inch closer to solving the decades-old case—all orchestrated by the host from over 7,000 miles away.

The Initial Disappearance and Immediate Aftermath

The episode opens with Rosemary Wheeler, a key figure who felt a deep maternal connection to Elaine. At [00:12], Rosemary recounts her relationship with Elaine:

"I kept trying to contact Susan because I had known Elaine since she was so little. I mean, driving her to dance competitions or doing her hair."

Rosemary's involvement intensified when Elaine's car was found on February 2, 2017, coinciding with Elaine's father Ray's birthday. The car was meticulously organized, which seemed out of character for Elaine, raising early suspicions.

Formation of the Search Team

Shortly after finding Elaine's car, Rosemary teamed up with Susan Park, Elaine's mother, to coordinate searches and gather evidence. At [02:10], Rosemary describes their partnership:

"When I first met Susan... we set up a GoFundMe account for Elaine... raising money. Let's pay for these phone records... Let's just find her."

Their initial fundraising efforts were successful, raising approximately $16,000 to support the investigation. However, cultural and personal differences between Rosemary and Susan strained their collaboration over time, leading to a split within 18 months.

Conflicting Perspectives and Growing Tensions

Susan Park, Elaine's mother, presented a more pessimistic view of Elaine's disappearance. At [06:47], Rosemary shares a pivotal moment where Susan speculated about Elaine's fate:

"Susan and Jeff had gone to visit the compare family... Susan said Elaine was 'with the angels.' I think I audibly gasped because I was like, there's no, no, no, no, they're not possible."

Susan's blunt statements, such as [04:24]:

"Maybe the body's inside there in the car,"

cast doubt and fueled suspicions about her role in Elaine's disappearance. Rosemary struggled to reconcile Susan's detached demeanor with her own unwavering hope.

Emerging Leads and New Theories

A significant lead emerged in September 2018 when Michelle Westervelt contacted Susan and Rosemary with urgent information linking Elaine's disappearance to a man named Ben Kim (BK). Michelle recounted BK's claims that the official narrative was fabricated:

"They never went to a movie that night... BK said it was them leaving, not Elaine and Divine."

Despite the potential breakthrough, inconsistencies in BK's story, especially conflicting CCTV footage showing Elaine leaving Divine's house dressed differently, undermined the credibility of this lead. Rosemary noted at [31:21]:

"I sent all the CCTV footage... They came back clean."

The Unraveling of Investigative Efforts

As the investigation progressed, personal dynamics and external pressures took their toll. Rosemary reflects on the challenges of working with Susan:

"Working with Susan, you know, is like working for Susan. I did everything... it was tough."

The disappearance also strained relationships within the community, with Elaine's father, Ray, remaining largely absent from the search efforts. His lack of involvement suggested possible early theories about suicide, which both Rosemary and the police found unconvincing given the state in which Elaine's car was found.

The Tragic End of a Potential Breakthrough

Michelle Westervelt's untimely death in March 2020, due to an accidental overdose, dealt a severe blow to the investigation. Despite BK denying any involvement and failing to recognize Michelle, Susan persisted in pursuing this lead, even after Michelle's passing. This relentless pursuit highlighted the complexities and emotional toll of long-term missing person investigations.

Revelations from Elaine's Digital Footprint

A breakthrough came when Troy Taylor received an export of Elaine's Snapchat data from Susan Park. Delving into over a thousand photos, videos, and chat threads, Taylor uncovered startling revelations:

• Elaine was involved in significant drug transactions, offering large quantities of marijuana as early as mid-2016.
• Personal video memories showed Elaine's fondness for places like Pacific Coast Highway, suggesting possible motives or locations related to her disappearance.
• A particularly disturbing video revealed Elaine and Divine at a party consuming lean (a mixture of cough syrup and codeine), with BK conspicuously present in the background.

At [43:20], the narrator teases the significance of BK's appearance in Elaine's last known video:

"But what really caught my attention was Ben Kim. The very same Ben Kim Michelle Westervelt had been talking to Susan and Rosemary about all the way along."

Unanswered Questions and Continuing Mysteries

The episode concludes with the introduction of new questions arising from Elaine's digital activities and the appearance of BK in her final moments. The intricate web of relationships, conflicting testimonies, and unexplored leads continue to complicate the search for Elaine Park.

Conclusion

She's Somewhere Between Here and Utah offers a compelling exploration of Elaine Park's disappearance, highlighting the relentless pursuit of truth by those close to her. With new digital evidence and the resurfacing of enigmatic figures like BK, the episode underscores the complexities inherent in solving cold cases. As Troy Taylor continues this journey from afar, listeners are left eagerly anticipating the next episode, hoping for answers that have long eluded Elaine's family and friends.

Notable Quotes:

• Rosemary Wheeler [00:12]: "I kept trying to contact Susan because I had known Elaine since she was so little."
• Rosemary Wheeler [04:24]: "Maybe the body's inside there in the car."
• Rosemary Wheeler [06:47]: "Susan said Elaine was 'with the angels.' I think I audibly gasped because I was like, there's no, no, no, no, they're not possible."
• Rosemary Wheeler [31:21]: "I sent all the CCTV footage... They came back clean."
• Michelle Westervelt [22:56]: "They never went to a movie that night... BK said it was them leaving, not Elaine and Divine."

For more information or to provide tips regarding Elaine Park's disappearance, visit amongthemissingpodcast.com or contact the Glendale Police Department at 818-548-3135, mentioning Elaine's case number 171512.