What happened to Cheryl Scherer? Preview Dateline: Missing In America Season 5

Summary

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Dateline NBC – What Happened to Cheryl Scherer?

Preview: Dateline Missing In America Season 5

Host: Josh Mankiewicz (NBC News)
Release Date: August 10, 2026
Theme: A teaser for Season 5 of "Dateline: Missing in America," focusing on the decades-old disappearance of Cheryl Scherer, and setting the stage for six new unsolved mysteries explored in the season.

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Episode Overview

In this preview episode, Josh Mankiewicz introduces listeners to the upcoming season of "Dateline: Missing in America." The focus is on the tragic case of Cheryl Scherer, a 19-year-old woman who vanished in 1979 when the world was much less connected than today. The episode highlights how technological changes have altered the landscape of missing persons investigations and includes poignant reflections from Cheryl’s family and law enforcement still searching for answers.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introducing Season 5 of "Missing in America"

• Season Focus:
  • Six new unsolved mysteries.
  • Engages the audience with the hope that someone listening might provide the crucial clue to solve a case.
• Modern vs. Past Investigations:
  • References to today's connected world: cell phones, smartwatches, and doorbell cameras constantly tracking and recording.
  • Contrasts with the 1970s when people could go missing without a trace, highlighting the difficulty in solving older cases.

Cheryl Scherer’s Disappearance

• The Setting (01:50–02:29):
  • On April 17, 1979, 19-year-old Cheryl Scherer vanished after a typical day. The world then was far less connected, making disappearances like hers particularly mysterious.
  • Quote from Josh Mankiewicz:

    “A lot of people talk about wanting to live off the grid these days. That’s pretty difficult. Most of us have cell phones glued to our hands, or smartwatches tracking our every step… This story begins back in the 1970s when the grid had a lot of holes in it.” (01:16)

• The Family’s Perspective:
  • Family members recall their initial disbelief that Cheryl wouldn’t return.
  • Quote from Cheryl Scherer's family member:

    “We just thought, she’ll be back. That this is not going to be something that we’re going to live with for the rest of our lives.” (02:40)

The Lingering Mystery

• Law Enforcement’s Commitment:
  • The case has stymied generations of local sheriffs, passing from one investigator to another.
  • Quote from a current sheriff:

    “I’ll be the fourth.” (02:57)

  • Josh responds, expressing hope for a resolution:

    “Maybe you’ll be the one that closes it.” (02:59)

    • Sheriff: “You know, I hope.” (03:00)
• Call to Action:
  • Emphasis that unsolved cases like Cheryl’s remain open, with the hope that renewed exposure or information from someone in the audience can help solve them.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tension Between Old and New Investigations:

  “Back then, parents had no choice but to trust they’d see their teenager at the end of the day.” – Josh Mankiewicz (02:18)

• Family’s Perseverance:

  “We just thought, she’ll be back. That this is not going to be something that we’re going to live with for the rest of our lives.” – Cheryl Scherer's family member (02:39)

• Ongoing Dedication:

  “I’ll be the fourth [sheriff].” – Current Sheriff on the case (02:57)
  “Maybe you’ll be the one that closes it.” – Josh Mankiewicz (02:59)
  “You know, I hope.” – Sheriff (03:00)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:16 – Josh Mankiewicz discusses “living off the grid” in modern times vs. the 1970s context.
• 01:50 – Introduction to Cheryl Scherer’s disappearance on April 17, 1979.
• 02:39 – Family member reflects on the expectation Cheryl would return.
• 02:57 – Sheriff shares he’s the fourth to take on Cheryl’s unsolved case.
• 03:06 – Josh Mankiewicz encourages listeners to subscribe and follow for more information this season.

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Tone & Style

The episode carries Dateline NBC’s signature blend of empathy, journalistic rigor, and suspenseful storytelling. Family members’ quiet heartbreak is palpable; the investigative team’s persistence is clear. The episode’s somber reflections are balanced by a hopeful call to action—urging listeners to engage and perhaps help close a decades-old wound.

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Takeaway

This preview sets an evocative, emotional tone for Season 5 of "Dateline: Missing in America," weaving together past and present investigative challenges. It places listeners in the shoes of both bereaved families and determined detectives still seeking answers, making a persuasive case for public engagement and awareness.

Transcript

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[Josh Mankiewicz]

Hey, it's Josh Mankiewicz with a preview of Dateline. Missing in America. In our podcast's fifth season, we share six new unsolved mysteries. And we hope someone listening might have a clue that could help crack one of these cases. Could that someone be you? Here's Dateline. Missing in America. A lot of people talk about wanting to live off the grid these days. That's pretty difficult. Most of us have cell phones glued to our hands, or smartwatches tracking our every step. Doorbell cameras offer a blanket of security outside our homes. Always on, always connected, always recording. This story begins back in the 1970s when the grid had a lot of holes in it. A time when anyone could go missing without a trace. People like Cheryl Shearer. Your family wouldn't change your home phone number because that's the number she knew.

[Etsy Narrator]

That's right. Yes, that's right.

[Grainger Narrator]

Because this was all before cell phones.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Back then, parents had no choice but to trust they'd see their teenager at the end of the day.

[Grainger Narrator]

They just ended the conversation with plans to come home.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

On April 17, 1979, 19 year old Cheryl Shearer did not come home. She hasn't been home for nearly 50

[Cheryl Shearer's Family Member]

years in one way or the other. We just thought, she'll be back. That this is not going to be something that we're going to live with for the rest of our lives.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The Shearers weren't the only ones who never let go of Cheryl's case. How many sheriffs has this case confounded?

[Capital One Bank Guy]

I'll be the fourth.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Maybe you'll be the one that closes

[Capital One Bank Guy]

it, you know, I hope.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Thanks for listening. Search for Dateline Missing in America. To start listening to Season five and follow now for ad free listening, subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts on Spotify or at dateline premium.com@etsy.

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