Podcast Summary: The Disappearance of Jermain Charlo — A Case That Demands Justice

Podcast: Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore
Host: Crime House
Episode: The Disappearance of Jermain Charlo: A Case That Demands Justice
Date: January 14, 2026

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, hosts Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore shine a powerful light on the unsolved disappearance of 23-year-old Jermain Charlo, an Indigenous mother of two from Montana. The hosts examine the critical missed clues, systemic failures, jurisdictional challenges, and the larger epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW). Combining storytelling, forensic analysis, and advocacy, they highlight not only the ongoing injustice to Jermain’s family, but also the failings of the systems meant to protect her — and stress the urgent need for public awareness, action, and justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Shout-outs & Setting Context (04:18–06:45)

• The hosts acknowledge Indigenous listeners, drawing parallels with a previous episode about Savannah Greywind.
• They stress the importance of amplifying Indigenous voices and bringing widespread attention to MMIW cases.
• Tribute is paid to journalist Connie Walker and her investigative work on the "Stolen" podcast, which provided invaluable primary reporting for this case.

2. Trigger Warning & Case Overview (06:45–09:01)

• Trigger warning: The episode contains discussions of domestic violence, sexual assault, pregnancy loss, and sex trafficking.
• Jermain went out for a night with her ex, Michael DeFrance, in Missoula, Montana, and after being seen on surveillance leaving a bar together, she was never seen again.

3. Jermain’s Life and Background (09:01–17:36)

• Jermain’s childhood was marked by instability, with teen parents and exposure to domestic violence.
• Despite hardship, Jermain was known for her artistic talent, resourcefulness, and close family ties.
• She entered into a complicated on-and-off relationship with Michael DeFrance at 14, which shaped much of her adolescence.
• Both Michael’s mixed heritage and Native/non-Native legal issues would later complicate the investigation.

“She loved nature, she had all kinds of pets … she dreamed of becoming a professional artist.” — Kaelyn (12:15)

• The relationship’s early signs of control and isolation from her family were foreshadowed by concerns among her friends and relatives.

4. The Last Night & Early Red Flags (19:09–21:57)

• After leaving the bar together, Michael is the last known person to see Jermain. Their relationship history casts suspicion on him.
• Jermain’s phone is manually silenced just after she vanishes, and attempts by her boyfriend Jacob to reach her go unanswered — highly atypical for Jermain.

“She was a texter backer. She had her phone on her, she was always texting her friends — so it’s very strange when she doesn’t text her family back.” — Kaelyn (20:34)

• Initial police inaction: Tribal police and local police disputed jurisdiction, resulting in critical delays.
• Jermain’s family immediately had to undertake their own search, highlighting institutional and jurisdictional failures.

5. Clue 1: Phone Records & Suspicions (23:49–26:23)

• Michael gives conflicting statements about where he last saw Jermain — initially at a grocery store near Jacob's house, then changes to dropping her off with an unknown “friend,” Cassidy (untraceable).
• Jacob’s airtight alibi and disappearance timing focus the investigation on Michael.

6. Clue 2: Cell Phone Evidence (26:23–31:38)

• Police finally obtain Jermain’s cell phone records, which show her phone pinged in the Ivero Hill area (where Michael was living) until the day after she vanished.
• Michael claims he broke her phone and disposed of it in Idaho; the device is never recovered.

7. Clue 3: History of Domestic Violence (31:38–38:55)

• The hosts provide a detailed look at the controlling and abusive history between Michael and Jermain, including multiple documented assaults, threats, and psychological abuse.
• Jurisdictional limitations: Because Michael is not a tribal member, tribal police cannot prosecute him — a consequence of federal law (Oliphant v. Suquamish, 1978).

"If someone who's not a tribal member walks on a reservation and commits a crime, they can't be tried or convicted because they're not a tribal member ... It's the single most damaging legal ruling for Indigenous women's safety." — Kaelyn (35:11)

• Jermaine’s repeated efforts to leave Michael and the community's deep frustration with how abusers evade accountability via legal loopholes are starkly discussed.

8. Custody Battles & Escalation of Control (38:55–43:55)

• Despite being the mother, Jermain loses residential custody to Michael, is ordered to pay him $800 per month, and spirals into emotional distress.
• The custody outcome deepens her vulnerability and isolation, making her attempts to appease Michael all the more understandable and distressing.

9. The Days Before Disappearance (43:55–46:26)

• The hosts recount how, in the days prior, Michael exhibited increasing possessiveness; Jermaine, fearing his reaction, tried to keep her new relationship with Jacob secret.
• Thursday before her disappearance, Michael aggressively confronted her about seeing someone else — echoing a pattern of escalating control before harm.

10. Botched Investigation & Further Evidence (46:26–57:46)

• Police slowly hone in on Michael. Search warrants reveal his mother’s contradictory statements and attempts to minimize Jermain’s connection to the property.
• Investigators briefly pursue a human trafficking theory — an all-too-common fate for Indigenous women — but evidence points them back to Michael.

11. Systemic Failure: The MMIW Crisis (48:34–52:52)

• The hosts deliver chilling statistics about the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women, the role of “man camps,” and deeply flawed data practices.
• Misclassification and jurisdictional fragmentation severely hamper investigations and allow predators to hide in plain sight.
• The show highlights how the FBI and local police eventually searched Michael’s property with cadaver dogs, finding inconclusive blood and illegal firearms.

12. Legal Action Against Michael DeFrance (59:49–61:33)

• With no body or direct evidence, prosecutors indict Michael on gun-related charges (his previous conviction makes ownership illegal).
• He is found guilty on all counts but appeals and is ultimately freed on a technicality regarding firearm prohibitions.
• At the time of the podcast, Michael remains free and retains custody of the children, while Jermain remains missing.

“He was found guilty ... but he’s not shown as being in custody and there’s no release date listed. It’s giving botched, maybe?” — Morgan (61:33)

13. Updates on Related Individuals & Public Reaction (61:33–66:00)

• Michael’s subsequent partner, Cheyenne, ultimately left him, implying abuse.
• Reddit comments and community feedback describe a continued pattern of violence and intimidation.

“He is a bad man and I 100% feel he did it again. … If you look at this man he is dead in the eyes.” — Morgan, quoting Reddit (65:12)

14. Systemic Critique and Call to Action (66:00–68:26)

• The hosts are deeply critical of police failures, jurisdictional buck-passing, and the broader systems enabling these tragedies.

“The miscommunications between, like, maybe intentional miscommunications between the police and the tribal police ... the ball is being dropped.” — Kaelyn (65:58)

• They urge listeners, especially locals, to share any information about Jermain or other missing Indigenous women.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “It was inconclusive. … The bloody clothing wasn’t the smoking gun Detective Baker was hoping for, but he did find some literal guns.” — Morgan (55:47)
• “Montana has a population, 6% are Native American … 24% of missing person cases are indigenous people — they describe it there as an epidemic.” — Morgan (21:57)
• “If I can’t have you, nobody can.” — Kaelyn, quoting Michael’s threat (30:10)
• “Her phone is evidence. Evidence was concealed … It was destroyed.” — Kaelyn (66:43)
• “Somebody out there must be holding on to that last clue that would finally bring Jermaine home.” — Kaelyn (68:11)

Important Timestamps

• [04:18 - 06:45]: Listener engagement & Indigenous shout-out
• [06:45 - 09:01]: Trigger warning, case introduction, first timeline details
• [12:15]: Description of Jermain's childhood, art, and nature
• [19:09 - 21:57]: Night of disappearance recap & initial police inaction
• [26:23 - 31:38]: Cell phone location evidence & Michael’s changing stories
• [31:38 - 38:55]: Domestic violence history & legal loopholes explained
• [38:55 - 43:55]: Custody battles and their impact on Jermaine’s life
• [43:55 - 46:26]: Michael's increasing possessiveness and violent escalation
• [48:34 - 52:52]: Human trafficking theories and MMIW crisis statistics
• [55:39 - 57:46]: Cadaver dog search and inconclusive physical evidence
• [59:49 - 61:33]: Gun crime indictment, appeal, and Michael’s continued freedom
• [66:43]: Miscommunication/lost evidence critiques and emotional response
• [68:26 - 71:00]: Advocacy, Snowbird Fund, and StrongHearts Helpline resources
• [71:01 - 72:31]: Community call-to-action, missing person of the week

Resources & Call to Action

• Anyone with information about Jermain Charlo:
  Call 406-396-3217 (Detective’s number displayed on Montana billboards).

• Snowbird Fund:
  Immediate financial assistance for Native families in Montana searching for missing loved ones.
  snowbirdfund.org

• StrongHearts Native Helpline:
  National helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives experiencing domestic or sexual violence.
  Visit strongheartshelpline.org or call 1-844-762-8483.

• Quiz for domestic violence awareness:
  loveisrespect.org (for safe exit planning and resources)

Tone & Message

Raw, direct, and full of righteous anger, the hosts refuse to sugarcoat the suffering of Jermain or the institutional failures that have kept her family from getting answers. They ground their reporting in empathy, advocacy, and calls for system-level reform, repeatedly urging listeners to act, spread the word, and advocate for the missing and their families.

Final Reflection

Clues exposes how Jermain Charlo’s disappearance is not just a personal tragedy but also painfully representative of the wider issues facing Indigenous women, from domestic abuse and legal systemic failure to investigative apathy. The hosts urge all listeners to keep sharing, caring, and pushing for justice — not just for Jermain, but for all missing and murdered Indigenous women whose voices are too often lost.

“Maybe one of you out there is the key to doing just that.” — Morgan (71:01)

For more insight and ongoing coverage, follow @CluesPodcast on Instagram and @CluesPod on YouTube.

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