Crime Junkie: “MISSING: Bonnie Lee Schultz Part 2”
Release Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Ashley Flowers
Co-Host: Brit Prawat
Episode Overview
In this gripping follow-up episode, Ashley and Brit revisit the decades-old mystery of Bonnie Lee Schultz’s disappearance from Indianapolis in 1997. While suspicion has always focused on her husband Rick, Ashley and Brit explore overlooked investigative gaps, alternative suspects, and introduce new insights from interviews and even a renowned psychic medium. The episode candidly examines the impact of suspicion on the Schultz family and challenges assumptions in the case, offering listeners fresh theories and deeply personal reflections from those left behind.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Recap and Police Focus on Rick Schultz
- The episode opens by noting ongoing suspicion against Bonnie’s husband, Rick, due to circumstantial factors: her desire for divorce, a “number one mom” necklace, and his knowledge of her route home ([00:04]).
- Police reportedly never thoroughly investigated anyone besides Rick, nor did they conduct essential early forensic work on his home and garage ([00:55], [03:15]).
- Notable Quote:
"I don't think they ever really did a thorough enough look at Rick to justify their suspicions." — Ashley Flowers [00:43]
2. Investigative Inconsistencies & Technical Gaps
- Police failed to obtain crucial cell phone records from 1997 and relied on verbal reports from providers ([02:21], [03:15]).
- A key financial “motive” — a life insurance policy — is debunked: the money was cashed out for family bills, not profit in the event of Bonnie’s death ([03:47], [04:41]).
- Notable Quote:
"They never searched his house in those early years. They only searched it in 2000, when Rick was getting the house ready to sell." — Ashley Flowers [00:32]
3. Rick Schultz’s Perspective: 2007 Police Interview
- Host and co-host analyze a 2007 transcript of Rick’s in-depth interview with Detective Katherine Byron, focusing on his memory and demeanor ([06:54]–[28:35]).
Major Segments:- Timeline recap: Bonnie left for a work event July 3, 1997; Rick reports her missing after no word by the next afternoon ([07:56]–[10:38]).
- Home/financial situation: Rick describes a stable but unremarkable life post-disappearance and frustration with police communication ([14:48]–[16:25]).
- Discussion of marital issues and Bonnie’s supposed affair: Rick denies knowledge of an affair [(23:56]), maintains hope of her return, and expresses deep ongoing grief ([24:18], [25:59]).
- Rick acknowledges he’s living in “limbo,” under suspicion, but also a victim ([15:16], [25:32]).
- Notable Quote:
“I know I had nothing to do with her disappearance, so that's what gets me through day by day. I would love to know what happened...but I would sure like to know what happened.” — Rick Schultz [24:32], [25:59]
4. Police Search Efforts & Gaps
- Police searches (air, water, storage units) focused largely on the Rick-did-it angle. They failed to run the missing car’s plate for two years due to a paperwork error, hindering early recovery efforts ([17:00], [39:58]).
- Family and relatives — not law enforcement — led much of the early physical searching ([34:12]).
- Electronic searches at Rick’s Michigan home found nothing useful; Josh (Rick’s son) was criminally charged for minor possession during the search, further straining relationships ([33:53]).
5. Examining the Role of Bonnie’s Friends and Affair Partner John
- John (Bonnie’s affair partner) was deemed credible and passed a polygraph, but police never fully verified his timeline; his daughter recalls him being worried the day Bonnie vanished, not the following day as stated to police ([42:37]–[44:12]).
- Attempts to interview key figures (John’s family, Anita — the friend Bonnie was with) were rebuffed, raising more suspicions ([46:08]–[48:11]).
- Anita refuses to divulge details from the night Bonnie vanished, citing loyalty ([47:22]):
“I would never betray her trust.” — Anita, via Diane [47:22]
- John died in 2006, closing off potential new information. His daughter and friends recall his deep sadness post-disappearance ([44:12], [45:20]).
6. Alternative Theories: Stranger Abduction and Medium Insights
- Three separate psychics told Bonnie’s friend Diane, “It’s not who you think,” suggesting Rick’s innocence ([36:09]).
- Ashley employs renowned medium Alison Dubois, whose reading indicates Bonnie is dead, would “never walk away,” and was targeted by someone she didn’t know — possibly a burglar with a record ([50:17]–[51:18], [52:34]).
- Alison’s “vision”: Bonnie’s remains may be in a wooded area near a developing neighborhood (possibly Eagle Creek area) ([51:08]–[52:34]).
- Medium asserts: “This man. No. He is not violent... He has never killed anyone in his whole life,” after seeing Rick’s photo ([54:09]).
7. Ongoing Family Impact and Hope
- Josh, Bonnie’s son, still searches for her, works with dive teams, and is haunted by unanswered questions ([56:16]).
- The ongoing stigma against Rick and the emotional weight for the children are discussed with deep empathy ([54:09], [56:16]).
- Memorable Quote:
"He never stopped looking for me. … Josh has never given up searching for his mom." — Alison Dubois (on Bonnie, as relayed by Ashley) [56:16]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:04–03:44: Suspicion against Rick and missed early investigative steps
- 07:56–13:46: Rick Schultz’s timeline and recollections (2007 interview)
- 17:00: Law enforcement’s early search efforts (focused on Rick)
- 28:35: Ashley and Brit discuss Rick’s conflicting recollections and ambiguous loss
- 32:43: Police search Rick’s Michigan home, find no evidence, but charge son for minor possession
- 39:48: Revelation: Bonnie’s car wasn’t reported missing in the NCIC database for two years
- 42:37–45:29: New facts from John’s daughter about Bonnie’s no-show at the concert
- 46:08: Anita’s refusal to discuss Bonnie’s last night
- 50:17–52:34: Psychic medium Alison Dubois’ reading and suggested search areas
Notable Quotes
- Ashley Flowers [00:43]: "I don't think they ever really did a thorough enough look at Rick to justify their suspicions."
- Rick Schultz (Read by actor) [24:32]: "I know I had nothing to do with her disappearance, so that's what gets me through day by day. I would love to know what happened…"
- Alison Dubois (medium, relayed by Ashley) [50:58]: "She was very nurturing. She would have never walked away. And whatever happened to her wasn’t an accident either. Someone targeted her, and it was someone she did not know."
- Diane (Bonnie’s friend, via Ashley) [36:09]: "It’s not who you think that did it."
- Ashley Flowers [54:09]: "If that’s true, if Rick did nothing, it would be really sad to think that he had to live the rest of his life painted as a murderer by so many people."
- Ashley Flowers [56:16]: "He never stopped looking for me... Josh has never given up searching for his mom."
Memorable Moments
- Alison Dubois’ medium reading: startling specifics suggesting a stranger abduction, not Rick ([50:17]–[52:34]).
- The emotional recounting of the toll on Bonnie’s children, especially Josh, and the chilling parallel in Alison’s message to his words ([56:16]).
- Discovery that Bonnie’s vehicle was not entered as “missing” in police systems for two years, possibly impeding its recovery ([39:48]).
Summary
This episode masterfully explores not just the facts of the Bonnie Lee Schultz disappearance, but also the emotional cost to those left behind and the hazards of tunnel vision in true crime investigations. Through careful interviews, examination of documented inconsistencies, and a willingness to pursue unconventional leads (including psychic input), Ashley and Brit illuminate alternative scenarios and the lasting consequences of judgment and uncertainty. The plea to listeners to keep an open mind — and perhaps to keep searching — remains at the episode’s core.
Tip Information
Anyone with information about Bonnie’s disappearance or her blue 1990 Mercury Sable (plate 99G9645) should contact Detective Nicholas Hubbs at Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (317-327-6160) or email tips@audiochuck.com.