Crime Salad – "The Disappearance of Lonene Rogers"

Release Date: March 21, 2026
Hosts: Ashley & Ricky
Theme: Truth. Awareness. Accountability.

Episode Overview

In this deeply researched and emotionally charged episode, Ashley and Ricky explore the chilling disappearance of Lonene "Lonnie" Rogers, a profoundly deaf mother of two who vanished from her rural Pennsylvania home in January 1981. The case is more than a mystery—it's an examination of family resilience, systemic failures in law enforcement, the lasting impacts of domestic violence, and the unwavering determination of Lonnie's daughter, Allison, to seek justice and truth decades later. The episode carefully reconstructs Lonnie’s life, the suspicious circumstances of her disappearance, the fallout for her children, and the recent breakthrough confession by her husband, Clinton “Bud” Rogers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lonene "Lonnie" Rogers: Early Life & Independence

• Lonnie's roots: Born in 1951 in Ohio, eldest of three daughters, profoundly deaf from birth.
• Family support: Parents rejected institutionalization, integrated Lonnie into mainstream life and education.
• Character: "She was extremely comfortable communicating with hearing people. She could do just as much as anyone else." (Ashley, 05:50)
• Passion for dancing: Felt music through vibration.

2. Marriage to Clinton "Bud" Rogers: A Life of Tension

• Meeting Bud: Both part of the local deaf community; married in 1972.
• Red flags: Immediate family opposition, specifically from Lonnie’s mother Maxine (Ashley, 11:09).

  “Maxine even offered Lonnie a deal. If she would call off the wedding, Maxine would buy Lonnie a car. But Lonnie had already made up her mind.” (Ashley, 11:09)

• Early instability: Bud’s criminal conduct started soon after marriage (theft, ongoing legal issues, blaming a childhood injury).

3. Marriage Breakdown and Lonnie's Disappearance

• Marriage deteriorates, separation ensues (13:30–14:14).
• Temporary reunification for the sake of children holiday visitation. Bud refuses to leave post-holidays.
• Lonnie’s plans to permanently separate: Disclosed to family shortly before vanishing.
• Employment and possible new relationships: Working at a hotel, friendship with an electrician, no evidence of an affair (Ashley, 14:40–15:13).

4. The Night Lonnie Disappeared – January 6, 1981

• Domestic argument: “She finished her shift, picked up the kids, went home, had an argument with Bud over his refusal to leave” (Ashley, 21:30).
• Severe winter storm: Making a voluntary disappearance almost impossible (Ricky, 21:41).

  “If Lonnie had walked away from the house in the middle of the night, she would have been stepping directly into a dangerous winter storm.” (Ricky, 21:41)

• Bud’s actions: Woke children, cleaned house, dropped kids at babysitter at 3 am, claimed Lonnie left him for another man (Ashley, 22:03).
• Lonnie’s personal effects were left behind: hearing aids, purse, glasses, medication, car keys and car—all critical for a deaf woman (Ashley, 24:37).
• Missing pink blanket: Notably unaccounted for.

5. Law Enforcement Response & Systemic Failures

• Police slow to act at first; family’s insistence critical
• Major communication barrier: Lack of interpreters prevented effective interrogation of Bud, and he walked out (Ashley, 25:00).
• Search hampered by weather: No evidence found despite combing area with dogs, helicopters, and on foot (Ricky, 26:15).
• Evidence for foul play: None overt, but strong circumstantial.

6. Impact on the Children: Allison and Aaron

• Years of instability: The children were moved among relatives, Bud’s home, foster care; neglected and sometimes abandoned (Ashley, 28:37–29:45).

  “Glennie would later reflect that Bud once faced more consequences for abandoning a dog than he did for neglecting his children.” (Ashley, 29:45)

• Crucial moment for Allison: At 14, abandoned by Bud at police station; adopted by school guidance counselor (Ashley, 31:18).

7. The Long Pursuit for Justice

• Family and case fade into background for decades
• Allison’s renewed investigation in 2021: Requests case files, is denied access due to ongoing criminal investigation status (Ashley, 37:17–39:44).
• Allison's advocacy: Writes book (“A Daughter's Journey and Story of Resilience”), starts petition for “Lonnie’s Law” (Ashley, 45:04).
• Lonnie’s Law: Proposes access to cold case investigative files after 20 years for families—intended to foster transparency and fresh leads.

8. Breakthrough and Confession: Justice Moves Forward

• Major break in late 2025:

  "On November 26, 2025, Rogers finally told authorities what Allison and her family had long believed: he killed his wife." (Ashley, 47:04)

• Confession details: Bud admitted to choking Lonnie, wrapping her in the pink blanket, dumping her body in a dumpster (Ashley, 47:04).
• Arrest and charges: Bud finally taken into custody for homicide and aggravated assault; arraignment begins in 2026.

  “For Alison, the news brought a moment she had spent years hoping for, but never fully believed would happen.” (Ashley, 47:44)

• Closure for Allison: Relief and validation, but awareness that her mother, and much of her family, never lived to see justice.

9. Legacy & Advocacy

• Allison’s ongoing advocacy: Supporting other missing persons families, working with organizations like Investigations for the Missing, and pushing for Lonnie’s law (Ashley, 48:38–51:59).
• Public call to action: Encourages listener support for her petition, upcoming solidarity events, and following the Justice for Lonnie Rogers Facebook page.
• Quote:

  “She wanted him to see her as a grown woman who is confident and strong, to see her mother in her face, and for him to know that he didn’t break her.” (Ashley, 48:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ashley on Lonnie’s spirit:

  “She was always looking out for others and was loving, caring and incredibly empathetic to people around her.” (07:16)

• On evidence left behind:

  "For someone who relied on her hearing aids and glasses to navigate daily life, leaving without them would have been extremely difficult." (Ashley, 24:37)

• Allison’s pivotal memory:

  “I remembered looking at my mother’s car. And the back half didn’t have snow on it, despite a heavy snowstorm.” (Paraphrased, Allison recollection, 42:54)

• Ashley on the confession:

  “After more than 40 years of uncertainty, the man who had long been considered a person of interest was taken into custody and charged with criminal homicide...” (47:32)

• Allison’s strength:

  “She wanted him to see her as a grown woman who is confident and strong, to see her mother in her face, and for him to know that he didn’t break her.” (48:38)

Important Timestamps

• Lonnie’s upbringing/family: 03:52–08:37
• Marriage to Bud, family opposition: 10:17–12:10
• Marriage breakdown, separation: 12:30–14:14
• Nature of argument & disappearance: 21:30–22:03
• Bud’s suspicious actions & initial police response: 23:24–26:15
• Children’s unstable upbringing: 28:37–29:45
• Allison’s abandonment & adoption: 29:45–31:18
• Renewed investigation, Lonnie’s Law: 37:17–45:04
• Bud’s confession, arrest and charges: 47:04–48:11
• Allison’s advocacy, legacy, call to action: 48:38–52:18

Additional Resources

• Justice for Lonnie Rogers Facebook page: [Link in show notes]
• Allison’s book ("A Daughter’s Journey and Story of Resilience"): [Available on Amazon]
• Petition for Lonnie’s Law: [Link in show notes]

Call to Action

Ashley and Ricky urge listeners to support Allison’s advocacy, sign the Lonnie’s Law petition, attend community events, and remember the ongoing fight for justice for victims of domestic violence and the missing. They highlight the importance of transparency, family advocacy, and solidarity with those still waiting for answers.

Summary by Crime Salad – Where truth, awareness, and accountability remain paramount.