Podcast Summary: Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Desperate Family Searching for Matthew, Last Seen in Hyundai Tucson Leaving Vegas, Who Is Hiding Car?
Date: October 14, 2025
Host: Nancy Grace
Guests: Kara Spencer (Matthew's sister), Randy Green (cousin), Evan Short (Missing in America Network), Rhonda Decair (Missing in America Network), Sydney Sumner (Crime Stories reporter), Matthew Mangino (former DA), Dr. John de la Torre (forensic psychologist)

Overview

This episode explores the mysterious disappearance of 28-year-old Matthew Spencer, last seen leaving Las Vegas in a silver 2006 Hyundai Tucson, en route to Houston, Texas. His family is desperate for answers, and law enforcement has struggled to pinpoint his location after his journey stalled in northern Arizona. Nancy Grace brings together family members, search organizers, investigators, and experts to unravel the timeline and challenges of the case, highlighting critical evidence, jurisdictional hurdles, and the emotional devastation faced by Matthew’s loved ones.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Timeline of Disappearance

• Matthew's Route:
  • Left Vegas for Houston, TX, on August 4 (03:28)
  • Communicated with family daily via Messenger/text; last contact Aug. 6
  • Family presumed he reached New Mexico, but camera and Google data show he never left Arizona ([03:28], [06:08])
• Last Known Location:
  • Camera captured him entering Flagstaff, AZ
  • Google account pings place him between Williams and Belmont, AZ, west of Flagstaff, on I-40, as of Aug. 6 at 11:42 pm ([03:28], [15:13])
  • No further camera or license plate reader (LPR) sightings after Flagstaff ([05:32], [10:54])
• Car Description:
  • Silver/beige 2006 Hyundai Tucson, Washington plates CJM2235, no distinguishing dents ([10:54])

2. Family's Initial Response

• At first, family suspected poor phone service or Matthew's known adventurous detours ([04:45])
• After days without contact—the longest ever—they became alarmed
• Family mobilized: called gas stations, hospitals, tow companies, businesses, and employed social media ([31:36])

3. Law Enforcement & Search Efforts

• Jurisdictional Issues:
  • Las Vegas PD handled early investigation but handed off to Flagstaff PD after camera confirmation
  • Communication between jurisdictions was slow, echoing national problems with missing persons cases ([07:20], [08:44], [09:28])
• License Plate Readers & Cameras:
  • LPR (Vigilant by Motorola) only recorded Matthew going into Flagstaff—no further hits on his plate ([10:06], [12:15])
  • Business, red light, and security cams failed to capture further images, perhaps due to the rural nature of the area ([15:13], [18:25])
• Search Operations:
  • Evan Short's team used Google location history, drones, and on-the-ground volunteers ([29:38], [33:44])
  • Focused searches around Dogtown Lake and Schultz Lake (areas Matthew searched for fishing per Google history) ([28:04], [29:38])
  • Despite exhaustive searches by drone and foot, neither Matthew nor his vehicle have been found

4. Critical Clues from Google Activity

• Google Timeline:
  • “Where am I?” and “Why won’t my car turn over?” searches indicate possible confusion or vehicle trouble ([19:48], [20:23], [41:31])
  • Also searched local fishing lakes (Dogtown, Schultz), parts for excavators ([25:22], [40:23])
  • Last usable search data had precise coordinates east of Schultz Lake on Aug. 6; no further activity after Aug. 7 ([31:31])

5. Profile of Matthew & His Habits

• Nature lover, fisherman, adventurer; stopping en route to sightsee and fish expected ([26:15], [36:53])
• Regular, close contact with sister and cousin; would check in even when away ([43:58])
• Last outgoing message: “How was your dinner?” ([35:14])
• Never before disappeared or failed to communicate for so long ([35:14])

6. Challenges & Theories

• Car and Body Both Missing:
  • The disappearance of both Matthew and his vehicle stymied search efforts; car has not turned up in tow yards, on camera, or abandoned ([32:41], [33:44])
• Rural, Sparsely Populated Area:
  • Belmont is very small (~1,000 people), few cameras, low likelihood of eyewitnesses ([31:14])
  • Route included stretches with “absolutely nothing,” easy to get lost ([23:04], [24:14])
• Potential Car Trouble or Foul Play:
  • Searches like “car won’t turn over” support theory he was stranded
  • No history of substance abuse or mental health issues—host dismisses “confusion” as false narrative ([24:14], [25:22])
  • Possible someone else encountered, helped, or harmed him; his openness could make him vulnerable ([39:34])

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• “Look at Matthew. Don’t look away. His disappearance has torn apart the lives of everyone in his family.”
  – Nancy Grace, [00:35]

• “Everything was very normal... He talked to his older sister... let her know he was okay, he was driving... that was it.”
  – Randy Green, [01:38]

• “No, never. And his last message was, how was your dinner?... that’s never happened.”
  – Kara Spencer, on Matthew's lack of prior disappearances, [35:14]

• “It’s not just that he’s disappeared. His car has disappeared too. How does that happen?”
  – Nancy Grace, [32:41]

• “He was a nature enthusiast. He loved hiking, he loved new places, he loved fishing.”
  – Rhonda Decair, [26:00]

• “If we can locate the vehicle, that would provide us a more centralized location for additional on-foot searching.”
  – Evan Short, [30:44]

• “There’s so much weirdness that’s going on ... Even if he found it, he would find a way to get a message out.”
  – Dr. John de la Torre, [44:26]

• “We just want you to come home in any way that we can.”
  – Randy Green, message to Matthew, [47:06]

• “Please look at the photo of Matthew. If you know or think you know anything about Matthew’s whereabouts ... please dial 928-774-1414.”
  – Nancy Grace, [47:50]

Important Timestamps

| Time | Content | |---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:35 | Nancy Grace introduces Matthew’s case and family | | 01:38 | Randy Green details last family contact | | 03:28 | Sydney Sumner clarifies route & last known details | | 05:32 | Discussion on camera failures and license plate readers | | 07:20 | Jurisdictional issues between Vegas and Flagstaff PD | | 10:54 | Description of Matthew’s vehicle, plate information | | 15:13 | Questions about missing surveillance and camera data in Flagstaff | | 18:25 | Attorney Matthew Mangino analyzes investigative challenges in rural areas | | 19:48 | Discovery and significance of Google searches | | 25:22 | Rhonda Decair outlines search focus: fishing lakes/nature spots | | 29:38 | Evan Short describes drone search methods and findings | | 31:36 | Family recounts exhaustive efforts to contact local businesses, tow companies | | 32:41 | Discussion about both Matthew and his vehicle disappearing | | 35:14 | Family confirms this is unprecedented disappearance for Matthew | | 39:34 | Dr. de la Torre explores dangers of Matthew’s trusting nature | | 41:31 | Evan Short shares the locations of critical Google searches | | 43:06 | Attorney Mangino suggests community-based search appeals | | 44:26 | Dr. de la Torre notes change in Matthew’s routine signals cause for alarm | | 47:06 | Family delivers direct message and birthday wishes to Matthew | | 47:50 | Public appeal and tip line |

Conclusion

The search for Matthew Spencer remains agonizingly unresolved. The disappearance is marked by a sudden and total break in routine for a deeply connected and responsible young man, the lack of physical or digital evidence of his vehicle after a certain point, and significant logistical challenges for family and volunteers working across vast, rural terrain. Heartfelt appeals close the episode—a family shattered, a community on alert, and a call for anyone with information to reach out.

Tip line: Flagstaff PD – 928-774-1414

Tone & Language:
Nancy Grace is direct, sometimes urgent, but always empathetic, focused on amplifying the family's pain and using forensic detail to break down the investigation. Family members speak with fatigue, hope, and desperation. Experts offer practical and procedural insight with professional detachment.

For Listeners:
If you’ve seen a silver 2006 Hyundai Tucson with Washington plates CJM2235, or have any information on Matthew’s whereabouts, please contact authorities.

“Look at Matthew. Don’t look away.”