Podcast Summary: Clues with Morgan Absher & Kaelyn Moore

Episode: KIDNAPPED: Kyron Horman
Date: September 3, 2025
Podcast: Crime House Originals – Clues

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the mysterious disappearance of Kyron Horman, a shy, science-loving seven-year-old who vanished from his elementary school in 2010. Hosts Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore methodically reconstruct the day Kyron vanished, examine the extensive investigation, analyze forensic shortcomings, and walk listeners through the web of family dynamics, shifting suspicions, and unresolved leads. The hosts highlight the emotional devastation of child abduction cases, scrutinize the evidence with a critical yet compassionate lens, and engage with popular theories – both official and internet-born. The episode closes with a call to listeners to submit tips and theories and features a spotlight on another missing person case.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Setting the Scene: Kyron’s Disappearance

[04:39–07:18]

• Kyron Horman, 7, disappeared from Skyline K-8 School near Portland, OR, on June 4, 2010.
• School science fair day with over 400 visitors; Kyron displayed his red-eyed tree frog project in a shirt emblazoned “Crime Scene Investigator.”
• Last confirmed sighting: Terri Moulton Horman, Kyron’s stepmother, said goodbye to him near his classroom around 8:45am.
• At 3:30pm, Kyron did not get off his school bus; parents were informed he’d been absent since the morning, but no absence call had been made by the school.

2. Investigation Launch & Immediate Hurdles

[16:27–19:43]

• School lacked sign-in protocols and cameras, complicating timeline reconstruction.
• Initial search: Massive, rapid multi-agency response but with an immediate disadvantage due to delay—incredible chaos described by Kaelyn:

  “It was packed with over 400 visitors...parents, grandparents, siblings… no way to track who was coming and going.” [07:18]

• By day 8, after no evidence surfaced, case reclassified as criminal/kidnapping.

3. Family Dynamics & Custody Background

[11:10–16:27]

• Complex family structure emphasized; Kyron lived with his father Kane and stepmother Terri, not his biological mother Desiree.
• Custody transferred to Kane following Desiree’s medical emergency and lengthy legal battle.
• Emotional context:

  “Giving birth and your husband’s affair partner is in the room… now this woman’s gonna raise your kid as her own. Heartbreaking.” - Kayla [13:59]

4. Reconstructing June 4th: Terri’s Timeline

[23:19–29:34]

• Terri’s account included stops at two Fred Meyer stores, a gym visit, and claims of driving rural roads to soothe her sick baby.
• Clue #1: Large unaccounted window (approx. 2 hrs 40min) between store visits and gym arrival, with inconsistent details and a reported cell phone ping near Sauvie Island – an area later thoroughly searched.
• Eyewitness statements conflicted:
  • Some saw Kyron walk towards class alone; others claimed to see Terri and Kyron leave together.
  • These accounts mainly sourced from Desiree and the book Boy Missing, not police statements.

5. Forensic and Investigative Angles

[34:27–37:58, 39:35–43:54]

• Polygraphs:
  • Terri took multiple, with results ranging from “inconclusive” to “failed,” particularly on whether Kyron was in the car with her post-school.
  • She claimed confusion, hearing issues, and stress affected her results.

  • “She was the only one that has an alibi that can’t be checked… only one not passing polygraphs. Of course police are really gonna start looking into her.” - Kayla [37:00]

• Cell phone pings:
  • Terri’s phone pinged near Sauvie Island during her unaccounted time, seemingly far from her described errands.
  • Search of the area was logistically massive and ultimately fruitless.
  • Accuracy and significance of cell pings debated.
• Family tension grew as investigation pressure rose; especially after police revealed Terri may have sought legal advice on divorce and had a landscaper (unknown to Kane) testify she allegedly solicited a murder-for-hire.

6. The Murder-for-Hire Allegation

[48:44–54:15]

• Rodolfo “Rudy” Sanchez, a landscaper, accused Terri of offering $10,000 and possibly sexual favors to kill Kane.
  • Alleged meeting logistics (public diner, heavy language barrier, lack of corroboration) cast doubt.
  • Police wired Rudy for a sting; Terri slammed door and called police instead of incriminating herself.
• Morgan:

  “It was a catch-22, no matter how she kind of responded.” [54:15]

7. Terri’s Close Circle: DeeDee Spicer

[55:06–58:07]

• Dede Spicer, friend and early ally, vanished from her workplace during crucial hours on June 4.
• Bought a burner phone, as did several of Terri’s friends; said to avoid police monitoring, increasing suspicion.
• Dede later stops speaking to Terri; grand jury testimony ensued, producing no charges.

8. Motive Search: The “Hate Emails”

[59:56–63:27]

• Desiree, citing emails shown to her by police, “severe hatred towards Kyron” as motive.
• The emails were spoken about, not released; sources disputed, and ultimately grand jury found insufficient evidence for charges.

9. Aftermath, Suspicions, and Internet Theories

[63:27–77:47]

• Official efforts: Massive searches, $1.4M spent, no remains or concrete leads. Civil lawsuit filed/withdrawn by Desiree over evidence access.
• Internet divides: Some believe Terri had means/opportunity, others point to alternate possibilities (random abduction, Kyron wandering off).
• Reddit speculation noted, including possible uncle involvement and school-site logistics.

10. Ongoing Developments & Hope

[78:19–79:57]

• 2025 Update: Case files digitized, soon to be reviewed by the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU).
• Hosts hopeful new eyes might yield a breakthrough.
• Kayla expresses compassion for Desiree’s persistence, despite concerns about her reliability as a primary narrator.

• “No matter how long a child goes missing, all of us parents are hoping and we hold out. That’s why we wear the buttons… so we can keep that hope alive.” - Desiree (read by Kayla) [79:57]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “He dreamed of one day becoming a detective. But on a seemingly ordinary morning in 2010, Kyron’s family suffered every parent’s worst nightmare.” – Kayla [01:28]
• “Was Kyron in the car with you?” … “I believe [Terri] answered that, no, he wasn’t… so that question was inconclusive.” – [35:16–35:51]
• “It’s so easy for us to lose hope… But these people do come home… nothing’s impossible.” – Morgan [03:05–04:17]
• “She was the last one seen… you kind of do need to look at the last person he was with who has a lot of holes in their alibi.” – Morgan [38:11]
• “I don’t want to come across like I’ve taken any stance… but I was interested when I went on the internet, how many people were like, Terry didn’t do it.” – Kayla [68:55]
• “Waiting is the hardest part.” – Desiree (via Kayla) [79:57]

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• [07:18] — Chaotic morning at school; science fair and visitor congestion
• [16:27] — Search and initial police response; system failures
• [23:19] — Deep dive into Terri’s timeline and alibi inconsistencies
• [34:27] — Polygraph results and impact on investigation
• [39:35] — Cell phone ping near Sauvie Island and investigation focus shifts
• [48:44] — Murder-for-hire allegations against Terri
• [55:06] — Suspicion falls on DeeDee Spicer and her possible involvement
• [59:56] — Emails suggesting motive and grand jury process
• [66:45] — Unreleased case files and FOIA obstacles
• [68:55] — Hosts discuss internet and Reddit theories
• [78:19] — 2025 FBI/BAU case file digitization breakthrough

Listener Engagement

• Encouraged to share theories and comments on social media.
• Multiple shoutouts to “Cluminati” (dedicated listeners/sleuths).
• Appeal for community input:

  “If you have any information about Kyron Horman… you can contact the Multnomah County Sheriff’s office at 503-988-0560.”

Missing Person Spotlight

• Final segment features the disappearance of Leanna Susan Marie Warner (Chisholm, MN, 2003), including contacts/tip lines and urging listeners to check socials for more details.

Tone & Language

• Empathetic, detailed, and investigative; conversational dynamic between hosts.
• Balance of caution, skepticism, and genuine emotional investment.
• Transparent about sources and limitations; critique of “tunnel vision” in investigation.
• Appeals to emotion, empathy for the families, and recognition of complexities.

If you have theories or clues regarding the Kyron Horman case, check @CluesPodcast on Instagram and YouTube for infographics and discussion.