Summary of "Books With Your Besties" Podcast Episode: Kyron Horman - Missing since 06/04/2010

Released on April 25, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling true crime episode of "Books With Your Besties," hosts Emily and Ashley delve into the mysterious disappearance of Kyron Horman, a young boy who vanished from Portland, Oregon, on June 4, 2010. Both hosts have personal ties to the area—Emily was teaching in the school district where Kyron disappeared, and Ashley resided in Southwest Portland. Their familiarity with the locale adds depth and personal insight to the discussion.

Background of Kyron Horman

Kyron Richard Horman was born on September 9, 2002, to Desiree Young and Cain Horman in Portland, Oregon. His parents had a tumultuous relationship, ultimately deciding to co-parent after Desiree filed for divorce in August 2002 due to irreconcilable differences. Desiree later faced kidney failure, necessitating treatment in Canada, which led her to relinquish custody of Kyron temporarily.

To ensure Kyron's care during Desiree's absence, Terry Moulton—a friend of Desiree with a background in teaching—moved in with Cain Horman and Kyron. Over time, Terry and Cain developed a romantic relationship, culminating in their marriage in 2007 and the birth of their daughter, Kiera.

“Cain and Desiree, his biological parents, loved him very deeply and it's unknown much else than that,” Emily reflects at [02:44].

The Day Kyron Went Missing

On June 4, 2010, Kyron was taken to Skyline Elementary School by his stepmother, Terry Horman, to participate in the school's science fair and talent show. Terry last saw Kyron walking toward his classroom around 8:45 AM ([04:12]).

Kyron was never seen in his class and was marked absent that day. The open nature of the school day, with approximately 400 people in the building, made tracking students challenging. Ashley notes, “At these kinds of school events there's less rigid tracking often of who's coming and going” ([03:35]).

Investigation and Timeline

Kyron's absence wasn't immediately flagged; his homeroom teacher, Christina Porter, marked him absent without further concern. It wasn't until the end of the school day when Terry returned home with their daughter, Kiera, that the gravity of the situation became apparent.

At 3:30 PM, Cain discovered Kyron was missing when Kyron failed to show up for pickup. A 911 call was made at 4:00 PM, initiating a massive search effort involving Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, and FBI involvement.

Emily highlights the chaotic nature of the initial search: “Day one ends, he's not found. Super sad finish to that day.” ([16:51])

The Role of Terry Horman

Terry Horman, the last person to see Kyron, became the primary focus of the investigation. Several suspicious activities raised red flags:

• Doctor's Appointment Miscommunication: Terry informed the school that Kyron had a doctor's appointment on June 4th, which she later claimed was scheduled for the following Friday. This discrepancy led to the school not escalating concerns about his absence ([07:50]).

  “Terry was able to bring Kyron to school, establish his presence there, and then perhaps take him away.” Ashley explains ([07:50]).

• Inconsistent Alibis: Terry was seen at two different Fred Meyer stores around 10:00 AM, with a timestamped receipt from Starbucks at 9:12 AM. Later, she was spotted checking into a gym at 11:39 AM ([04:13]).

• Social Media Activity: At 1:21 PM, Terry posted photos of Kyron from the science fair on Facebook while she was supposed to attend his talent show, where both were absent ([12:04]).

• Sexting Behavior: Four days after filing for divorce, Terry was found sexting with her husband's high school friend, Michael Cook, while Kyron was still missing ([37:06]).

Notably, during the investigation, Terry underwent two polygraph tests. Ashley points out the limitations of polygraphs, stating, “She's being deceptive. But polygraphs are not reliable... they are fallible.” ([23:03])

Theories and Suspects

The hosts explore various theories surrounding Kyron's disappearance:

1. Kidnapping by Someone They Know: Given the rarity of stranger abductions, the focus remains on individuals close to Kyron, primarily Terry Horman.

2. Terry and Dee Spicer's Involvement: Dee Spicer, a friend of Terry, entered the investigation when she signed an immunity deal, providing potentially incriminating information. Desiree Young alleges that cell phone data links Terry and Dee to the disappearance, but procedural barriers hinder prosecution ([29:35]).

   “Everything pointing to that,” Emily emphasizes ([44:44]).

3. Online Theories: Communities like Websleuths and Reddit propose that Kyron may have wandered into the woods or fallen into water, possibly seeking his beloved frog project. However, these theories lack substantial evidence and are overshadowed by the mounting circumstantial evidence against Terry.

Online Theories vs. Evidence

Emily and Ashley discuss the disparity between popular online theories and the evidence pointing towards Terry Horman:

• Wandering Off: While plausible, this theory is less supported compared to the suspicious activities Terry exhibited on the day Kyron went missing.

• Stranger Abduction: Extremely rare and not corroborated by significant evidence, reducing its credibility.

The hosts express concern over unfounded rumors, such as reports of Kyron interacting with a mysterious man, which lack verification and responsible sourcing.

Current Status and Ongoing Efforts

As of the episode's release, Kyron Horman remains missing. Despite extensive searches and shifting the case to a criminal investigation, no definitive answers have emerged. Desiree and Cain Horman continue to advocate for renewed investigations, hoping that new avenues, such as reevaluating Dee Spicer's information, might yield breakthroughs.

Emily and Ashley commend Kyron's parents for their relentless pursuit of answers, highlighting community efforts like charity runs and annual fundraisers to support ongoing searches ([40:43]).

Conclusion and Appeal

Wrapping up the episode, Emily and Ashley emphasize the importance of keeping Kyron's case in the public eye. They encourage listeners with any information to contact the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, providing contact details in the show notes.

Ashley states, “We want to keep this story out there for everyone... You just never know who might be listening and who might have some information that can help the case.” ([45:42])

The hosts also hint at future content, mentioning their Patreon-exclusive episode on the Delphi murders in Indiana, urging listeners to support their ongoing investigative efforts.

“We are going to be covering the case of Abby Williams and Libby German and the Delphi murders in Indiana.” Emily adds ([46:53]).

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Emily [02:44]: “Cain and Desiree, his biological parents, loved him very deeply and it's unknown much else than that.”

• Ashley [03:35]: “At these kinds of school events there's less rigid tracking often of who's coming and going.”

• Emily [04:12]: “Kyron was planning on participating in both events, the science fair and the talent show.”

• Ashley [07:50]: “Terry was able to bring Kyron to school, establish his presence there, and then perhaps take him away.”

• Ashley [23:03]: “She's being deceptive. But polygraphs are not reliable... they are fallible.”

• Emily [44:44]: “Everything pointing to that.”

• Ashley [45:42]: “We want to keep this story out there for everyone... You just never know who might be listening and who might have some information that can help the case.”

• Emily [46:53]: “We are going to be covering the case of Abby Williams and Libby German and the Delphi murders in Indiana.”

Final Thoughts

This episode of "Books With Your Besties" meticulously unpacks the perplexing disappearance of Kyron Horman, blending thorough research with personal reflections. Emily and Ashley balance skepticism with empathy, presenting a narrative that underscores the complexities of true crime investigations. Their dedication to shedding light on Kyron's case exemplifies the podcast's commitment to deep, thoughtful discussions on gripping real-life mysteries.

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