Crime Salad Podcast Summary

Episode: Kaylene Oehling: A Relentless Fight for Justice | Pittsburgh, PA
Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Ashley & Ricky

Episode Overview

This episode examines the tragic case of Kayleen Oehling, a 20-year-old woman who disappeared from Aetna, Pennsylvania, in January 2020. With official information scarce, the narrative is primarily pieced together through the relentless efforts of her father, Jason Oehling, who has fought tirelessly to uncover the truth about Kayleen's disappearance and death. The hosts detail the family's journey, highlighting investigative setbacks, painful discoveries, and unresolved questions, all while maintaining hope for justice.

Key Discussion Points

1. Kayleen’s Background and Family Life

• Kayleen Oehling: Born August 6, 1999, Pittsburgh, PA.
• Primarily lived with her father, Jason Oehling, in Lawrence County but often visited her mother in Aetna.
• Described as a tomboy, caring big sister to six siblings, and someone who “could walk into any room and instantly make friends.”
• Was a junior volunteer firefighter, family-oriented, aspiring nail technician.
• Quote:
  • “Kayleen wasn’t someone who would go days without checking in. She wouldn't have walked away from so many people that she cared so deeply about.” (Ashley, 07:16)

2. Timeline of Disappearance (January 9–10, 2020)

• Evening, Jan 9: Kayleen dropped off at mother Tiffany’s home; left to visit a friend nearby.
• Communicating with ex-boyfriend Michael Mano—25 years her senior, with a troubled past.
  • Mano reportedly offered to return a sentimental necklace and picked Kayleen up during the night.
• Last Communication:
  • Kayleen texts her mother at 1:36 a.m. saying she’d be home in the morning to babysit.
  • Facebook page deactivated around 2:00 a.m.; phone goes straight to voicemail thereafter.
• Missed Babysitting: The next morning, Kayleen does not show up—a cause for immediate alarm within her family.

3. Initial Investigation & Family Frustration

• Missing Person’s Report filed: January 12, 2020 (three days after last contact).
• Issues:
  • Delayed police response due to Kayleen being an adult; little urgency, public coverage not until April 2020.
  • Family claims Aetna police failed to submit to NamUs for two months or follow up on critical leads (e.g., did not search a garage due to a “vicious dog”).
  • Jason Oehling emails mayor for action—request denied.
• Quote:
  • “Eventually, the case was transferred, but the family has always believed it happened far too late.” (Ricky, 14:49)
• Case transfer to Allegheny County Police: June 15, 2020, six months later.

4. Emergent Leads and Law Enforcement Actions

• Allegheny County Police efforts: Conducted searches with Jason and cadaver dogs, served warrants, and reviewed phone records (e.g., last call made by Mano at 3:50 a.m.).
• Social Media Clues:
  • A Facebook post by Kayleen referencing Mano’s criminal activity posted shortly before her disappearance.
  • Account deactivation occurred within an hour of the post.
• Family’s Search:
  • Jason became certified in search and rescue and trained his own tracking dog to aid in searches.

5. Disturbing Interactions with Suspect (2021–2022)

• March 2021: Jason receives explicit images of Kayleen from a Facebook account in Michael Mano’s name; Mano allegedly taunts family and confesses to killing Kayleen via messages.
  • Shocking Messages: “Too bad you can’t search my backyard.” / “I killed Kayleen, but there was no proof to put him away.” (Paraphrased, 24:52+)
  • Mano asks Jason to “bring your daughter Haley” to a meeting, saying “he needed fresh meat.”
• Legal Consequences:
  • After Mano sent explicit images to Kayleen’s 17-year-old sister, he was charged (corruption of minors, etc.), ultimately serving six months in jail after a no-contest plea.
  • Despite connections between Mano and confessional messages, law enforcement never publicly confirmed or acted on these as evidence in Kayleen’s case.
• Quote:
  • “Taunting the family like this, it’s just sick.” (Ricky, 26:32)

6. Discovery of Remains (March 2023)

• March 19, 2023: Hunters discover human skull during a landslide near Washington Blvd, Pittsburgh—remains later identified as Kayleen via dental records.
• Scene Mishandling:
  • Families find additional bones after police “clear” the scene; site not secured, evidence apparently overlooked.
  • Quote:
    • “No one should ever have to find their daughter’s bones.” (Ashley, 31:19)

7. Ongoing Justice Efforts, Community Action, and Institutional Obstacles

• Frustrations:
  • Medical examiner rules cause and manner of death as “undetermined.”
  • Jason’s activism intensifies: vigils, GoFundMe for memorial, seeking help from politicians, public complaints about DA’s office and investigative delays.
• Community Protests: November 2023, supporters protest outside Lawrence County Government Center.
• DA’s Office Response:
  • States need for “methodical” investigation when a body is found years after disappearance.
  • Frustration with DA Stephen Zappala, accused historically of delays and strained relations with families.
  • “Jason is adding to a history of local cases where families felt that justice was out of reach...” (Ricky, 41:14)
• Alleged Person of Interest:
  • Jason asserts a “person of interest” known to Kayleen, substantial criminal history, and with familial property near where she was found—implied to be Mano.
• Systemic Pattern:
  • List of Mano’s criminal charges dating back to 1994: arson, theft, aggravated assault, etc.

8. Family’s Ongoing Grief and Advocacy

• Vigils, community events, political engagement, ongoing appeals for public help.
• Quote:
  • “Her sister Haley told reporters that she still texts Kayleen’s phone, sometimes even knowing that she’ll never reply. And that’s where her case stands today.” (Ashley, 47:46)
• Call to Action:
  • Listeners encouraged to share Kayleen’s story, support the family’s advocacy pages, contact authorities, and provide any relevant information.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Kayleen wasn’t someone who would go days without checking in. She wouldn't have walked away from so many people that she cared so deeply about.”
  – Ashley, 07:16
• “No one should ever have to find their daughter’s bones.”
  – Ashley, 31:19
• "[Mano] said that he took care of her…too bad you can’t search my backyard."
  – Paraphrased (Jason’s account of Mano’s message), 24:52
• “When a body is discovered years after a disappearance, prosecutors have to move carefully, methodically and deliberately…”
  – Statement by the DA’s office (read by Ricky), 41:50
• “Cases like this often move because regular people refuse to let them be forgotten.”
  – Ricky, 49:50

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:35] — Case introduction; focus on family-sourced information
• [05:40] — Kayleen’s upbringing and family connections
• [08:45] — Last night Kayleen was seen
• [10:05] — Details of relationship with Michael Mano
• [12:12] — Discovery of Facebook deactivation, phone off
• [13:10] — Missing persons report filed, initial family efforts
• [14:49] — Police delays, case transfer frustrations
• [17:09] — Law enforcement progress after case transfer
• [19:21] — Jason’s investement in search and rescue
• [23:05] — Mano’s disturbing messages and legal fallout
• [27:09] — Discovery of Kayleen’s remains
• [29:08] — Remains identified as Kayleen
• [35:41] — Medical examiner rules death undetermined
• [37:20] — Family, community protests demand justice
• [41:14] — Ongoing delays and DA’s response
• [45:18] — Political involvement, family advocacy
• [47:46] — Call to action for listeners

Call to Action & How You Can Help

• Share the episode and use the hashtag #JusticeForKayleen
• Follow family advocacy pages (KMNO Help, Justice for Kayleen, Vote for Jason Oling)
• Contact the Allegheny County DA’s office or local representatives to keep the case a priority
• Submit tips: Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit at 412-473-1200 or Crime Watch tip line
• Support or share the GoFundMe for a permanent memorial

Tone & Closing

Throughout the episode, Ashley and Ricky convey empathy, frustration at systemic failures, and deep respect for the Oehling family’s resilience. They stress the importance of community pressure in achieving justice for victims like Kayleen, where official channels have failed.

Final words:
“Kayleen deserves justice and peace, and someone out there still knows the truth.”
(Ashley, 50:10)