Missing Helen: Part 1 | 10 - Big Time

Summary

Big Time Podcast: "Missing Helen: Part 1 | 10" – Detailed Summary

Podcast Information:

Title: Big Time
Host/Author: Apple TV+ / Campside Media
Description: Big Time delves into the audacious dreams of criminals, exploring larger-than-life scams and schemes that almost succeeded. Hosted by Steve Buscemi, each episode uncovers a new story of elaborate heists and cons.
Episode: Missing Helen: Part 1 | 10
Release Date: May 26, 2025
Produced By: Campside Media and Piece of Work Entertainment in association with Olive Productions

Introduction: Setting the Stage

Steve Buscemi opens the episode with a vivid description of a touch tank in an aquarium, humorously expressing his aversion to getting slimy but hinting at the central heist that unfolds within such an environment.

"Today's caper takes place in the murky water of one of those touch tanks."
— Steve Buscemi [00:00]

Reporter Rajeev Gola introduces the narrative, emphasizing the eccentric lifestyles of exotic pet enthusiasts and hinting at the complex hierarchy within these communities.

The Aquarium and Its Keepers

The San Antonio Aquarium is portrayed as a bustling hub with over 8,000 animals, interactive exhibits, and dedicated staff managing daily operations. Jamie Schenk, the Director of the Aquarium, and Jenny Spellman, the newly hired General Manager, are introduced as passionate fish enthusiasts committed to providing immersive experiences for visitors.

"We provide an experience for the guests to have an emotional attachment with that animal."
— Jamie Schenk [03:44]

Jenny Spellman recounts her first day managing the expansive facility, highlighting her extensive experience in similar roles and her reputation as a "brick wall" for security and operations.

"I walked up the stairs. I kind of followed the trail of leaking water out into the parking lot."
— Jenny Spellman [09:38]

The Heist: Disappearance of Ms. Helen

On July 28, 2018, Jenny Spellman arrives for her first day as General Manager, unaware that it would mark the beginning of a high-profile theft. A suspicious incident unfolds involving two men seen exiting the cold water room with a leaking stroller.

Jenny immediately senses something amiss and confronts the suspects, who claim the water leakage was accidental due to a spilled drink. However, Jenny's intuition tells her otherwise.

"It was Ms. Helen."
— Jenny Spellman [15:39]

Upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that a prized horn shark, later named Ms. Helen, has been stolen from a touch tank designed for guest interaction.

"She was the only horn shark we had. I knew exactly which one she was."
— Jamie Schenk [16:00]

Investigation and Pursuit

With the license plate number from the fleeing vehicle, Jenny contacts the Leon Valley Police Department. Initial skepticism from the authorities quickly shifts to serious investigation as video evidence points to a premeditated theft orchestrated by Anthony Michael Shannon, a 38-year-old plumber with a history of theft.

Jamie Schenk identifies the suspect from grainy security footage, revealing the meticulous planning behind the heist.

"He came a couple weeks before, and that's how I recognized him on the cameras."
— Jamie Schenk [12:17]

The police eventually trace the license plate to a suburban home, leading to a raid where Ms. Helen is found alive in the suspect's garage, much to the relief of the Aquarium staff.

"I was able to identify her. I couldn't believe she was alive."
— Jamie Schenk [22:26]

Aftermath and Media Frenzy

Ms. Helen's rescue sparks an international media frenzy, thrusting the once-obscure horn shark into the spotlight. The Aquarium staff, overwhelmed by the attention, take measures to protect Ms. Helen and other horn sharks by dispersing them across various exhibits.

"We're gonna get more horn sharks and we're just gonna put them in a bunch of different random exhibits."
— Jamie Schenk [24:09]

Anthony Shannon faces public backlash despite his claims of activism, ultimately being sentenced to two years in prison for felony theft.

"I actually took a shark, which was wrong, but it needed help."
— Anthony Michael Shannon [26:18]

Closing Remarks and Teaser for Part 2

The episode concludes with reflections on Shannon's motives and the lingering questions about potential mistreatment at the Aquarium, setting the stage for further exploration in the next installment.

"That's next week on Big Time."
— Rajeev Gola [26:38]

Key Takeaways

Dedication of Aquarium Staff: The unwavering commitment of Jenny Spellman and Jamie Schenk highlights the challenges of managing a large-scale aquarium and responding to emergencies.
Premeditated Theft: Anthony Shannon's calculated heist underscores a blend of personal obsession and criminal behavior, revealing the lengths individuals may go to fulfill unconventional desires.
Media Impact: The sudden spotlight on Ms. Helen illustrates how media attention can amplify ordinary incidents into global events, affecting both humans and animal subjects involved.
Ethical Considerations: Shannon's self-proclaimed activism raises questions about the methods used to advocate for animal welfare and the consequences of such actions.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

Steve Buscemi [00:00]:
"Today's caper takes place in the murky water of one of those touch tanks."
Jamie Schenk [03:44]:
"We provide an experience for the guests to have an emotional attachment with that animal."
Jenny Spellman [09:38]:
"I walked up the stairs. I kind of followed the trail of leaking water out into the parking lot."
Jenny Spellman [15:39]:
"She was Ms. Helen."
Jamie Schenk [22:26]:
"I was able to identify her. I couldn't believe she was alive."
Jamie Schenk [24:09]:
"We're gonna get more horn sharks and we're just gonna put them in a bunch of different random exhibits."
Anthony Michael Shannon [26:18]:
"I actually took a shark, which was wrong, but it needed help."

Conclusion

"Missing Helen: Part 1" masterfully intertwines the passion of aquarium staff with the audacity of criminal endeavor, painting a vivid picture of a unique heist that captivated audiences worldwide. As the investigation unfolds, listeners are left eagerly anticipating the resolution and deeper insights into the motives behind Anthony Shannon's actions in the upcoming part of the story.

Follow and Listen:
Big Time is available on Apple Podcasts. Stay tuned for the next episode, where Anthony Shannon reveals all about his infamous heist.

Transcript

Steve Buscemi (0:00)

If you've ever been to an aquarium, you've probably seen a touch tank. It's an interactive exhibit with shallow basins of water where you can stick your hands in to try to touch sea creatures. Usually you'll find crabs, sea anemones, stingrays, and even sometimes sharks in there. Here's what I have to say to that. No thanks. I don't need to get my hands slimy and sleeves wet with dirty fish water. And it's none of my business what those fish are doing in there anyways. Now, the reason I bring this up at all is because today's caper takes place in the murky water of one of those touch tanks. It's a story about folks who definitely didn't mind getting their hands dirty and most certainly didn't grant these sea creatures the respect they deserve. I'm Steve Buscemi, and you're listening to Big Time, an Apple original podcast from Piece of Work Entertainment and Campside Media in association with with Olive Productions. Today's episode, Part one of a two part story is reported by Rajeev Gola.

Rajeev Gola (1:06)

If you've ever spent time around anyone who keeps exotic pets as a hobby, you know they can be more on the eccentric end of the spectrum. Even calling it a hobby seems like underselling it for them. It's really a lifestyle. It defines their entire personality and consumes an inordinate amount of their square footage and bank accounts. And personally, I say more power to them. Wave that freak flag high. The exotic pet community encompasses a lot of different types of folks. And among the different communities of bug people and reptile people and rodent people and fish people and bird people, there's a definite hierarchy of weird.

Jamie Schenk (1:52)

Fish people are very, very different because they love their fish, but it's not like you get to go cuddle it and scratch it. There's an emotional connection, but there's not a lot of touching that happens like it would for, let's say, a parrot or a mammal. Bird people take like, bites like crazy. Like they're like, oh, yeah, I totally bit my finger and I love you so much.

Rajeev Gola (2:22)

That's Jamie Schenk. She's a fish person and so is Jenny Spellman.

Jenny Spellman (2:26)

I have driven 15 hours from San Antonio, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia, just to go see the whale sharks in the aquarium there. They're absolutely amazing. I'm fortunate enough to live about four hours from there now, so I go see them on the regular basis.

Rajeev Gola (2:40)

There really is nothing that can stand between a fish person and a fish they love. Except for, well, another fish person. Which is exactly what happened on a summer morning in 2018 when a fish went miss at the San Antonio Aquarium. That fish, like many other fish in aquariums around the world, was a no name talent. A background actor with a snowball's chance in hell at making a name for itself. But after the great 2018 aquarium heist, that fish became an international celebrity. Became so famous that its exact location remains a closely guarded secret even today. One of the few people tasked with keeping that secret is self proclaimed fish person, Jamie Shank. She also serves as the director of the San Antonio Aquarium, a place that tries its best to bridge the physical gap between fish and fish person.