Summary of "Going West: True Crime" Episode: Elaine Park // 469
Podcast Information:
- Title: Going West: True Crime
- Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman
- Episode: Elaine Park // 469
- Release Date: January 17, 2025
Introduction
In episode 469 of Going West: True Crime, hosts Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman delve into the mysterious disappearance of Elaine Park, a 20-year-old aspiring actress from Los Angeles. Released on January 17, 2025, this episode meticulously examines the events leading up to Elaine's vanishing, the ensuing investigation, and the lingering questions that still surround her case.
Background Information
Elaine Park was born on September 24, 1996, to parents Susan and Ray Park. She grew up in La Crescenta, California, and was known for her vibrant personality—spunky, creative, bubbly, and outgoing. Elaine pursued an acting career, participating in background roles in films like Role Models and Crazy Stupid Love, and TV shows such as ER and Desperate Housewives. Additionally, she was passionate about rap, often writing and recording her own music for social media.
However, Elaine's life was marked by significant personal struggles. Her parents divorced when she was around ten years old, leading to intermittent depression. Despite these challenges, Elaine maintained a free spirit and was deeply involved in her social and extracurricular activities, including being a cheerleader at Crescenta Valley High School.
The Disappearance
Prelude to Disappearance
In the summer of 2015, Elaine experienced a traumatic event when she was sexually assaulted at a concert at the Observatory in Santa Ana, California. According to her best friend Daisy, Elaine was intoxicated with Xanax and drinking that night. The assault left Elaine with fragmented memories, leading her to distance herself from friends and eventually seek solitude to process the trauma.
By November 2016, Elaine began dating Divine "Div" Compare, son of Hollywood producer Shakim Compare. The relationship was brief but affectionate, ending in December 2016 when Elaine decided to "invest in herself," prompting Div to express his pain but support her decision.
Final Days Before Disappearance
On January 26, 2017, Elaine contacted her mother Susan around 3:45 AM, claiming her car had run out of gas and her battery had died. Susan and her boyfriend Jeff assisted by jump-starting her car on a freeway bridge. That evening, Elaine briefly met with her friend Sadie to retrieve a curling iron, an interaction that seemed unusual and hinted at possible distress.
Later that night, Elaine left her mother's home for Div's residence in Calabasas. Security footage confirmed her arrival around 8 PM and departure around 1:30 AM via Uber. At approximately 6:28 AM on January 27, she shared her location with Div and was later observed undergoing a panic attack around 4 AM. Despite Div's attempts to comfort her, Elaine hastily left his home, acting erratically and leaving her belongings behind. The last known activity on her phone was a prompt from Pandora at 3:42 PM the following day.
Investigation
Initial Response
Susan Park filed a missing persons report on January 30, 2017, after nearly a day without contact. The report was handled by the Glendale Police Department, despite Elaine being last seen in Calabasas. Early investigations included surveillance footage from a 76 gas station where Elaine's car was later found.
Discovery of the Car
Elaine's car was located parked on the Pacific Coast Highway near Coral Canyon Road. Notably, the car was unlocked with keys inside, the battery dead, and personal items left behind, including two iPhones, her laptop, makeup bag, and only $37 in cash. The car was deemed to have been staged, with no signs of foul play found during the forensic examination. Despite searches with bloodhounds and cadaver dogs, no evidence was uncovered, leading authorities to consider the case critical but still unsolved.
Family Dynamics and Suspicion
Suspicions arose around Susan Park due to her strained relationship with Elaine, particularly over financial disagreements. Prior to Elaine's disappearance, there were heated arguments about money, with Susan accusing Elaine of irresponsibility and fraud—issues that intensified when Elaine was involved in a minor car accident in May 2016. Additionally, Susan received a $5,000 insurance settlement paid out in March 2017, two months after Elaine vanished, further arousing suspicion.
However, private investigator Jaden Brandt, hired by the family, strongly opposes the notion that Elaine was suicidal or a runaway, asserting, "We firmly believe that Elaine did not commit suicide and she's not a runaway. It's our strong contention that Elaine Park is an involuntary missing person and that foul play is involved in her disappearance."
Polygraph and Search Efforts
Susan eventually underwent a polygraph test, which she passed, and permitted searches of her home. Cadaver dogs indicated potential evidence in Elaine's room and a cleaning closet, hinting at possible forced entry or struggle. Despite these findings, no conclusive evidence has emerged to solve the case.
Theories and Speculations
Possible Foul Play
Given the peculiar circumstances—Elaine leaving her car unlocked with keys inside, her sudden exit from Div's home, and the subsequent staging of her vehicle—many believe foul play was involved. The interaction with two men near the gas station shortly after her disappearance raises the possibility of abduction.
Daphne notes, “She left everything behind in her car, and I just can't see somebody doing that. It just feels like somebody took her.”
Accidental Disappearance
An alternative theory suggests Elaine may have had an accident while seeking solitude, possibly hiking or walking on the beach. However, the lack of any physical evidence or sightings makes this theory less plausible.
Potential Connections to Associates
Elaine's ex-boyfriend, Lolo, an aspiring rapper, was also scrutinized due to his unauthorized firearm charge shortly before Elaine's disappearance. Despite initial suspicions, Lolo has cooperated with authorities and shows genuine concern over Elaine's whereabouts.
Current Status and Ongoing Efforts
Eight years after Elaine's disappearance, the case remains unsolved. Elaine would now be 28 years old, and her parents continue to seek answers. A reward of $250,000 is being offered, yet no substantial leads have emerged. Susan Park remains a controversial figure within the investigation due to past financial disputes and her behavior following Elaine's disappearance.
In September 2017, nearing what would have been Elaine's 21st birthday, Susan issued a heartfelt plea for public assistance:
"I am pleading for the public's assistance in bringing Elaine home before her 21st birthday. Somebody knows what happened to her. And if the news of this reward can just reach them, we promise to protect their confidentiality. Please help me spread the word. All I want is to find my daughter. Nothing else matters."
Conclusion
Despite extensive efforts by family, friends, and law enforcement, Elaine Park remains missing, with her case shrouded in unanswered questions and suspicions of foul play. Going West: True Crime emphasizes the importance of keeping such cases in the public eye, hoping that renewed interest may eventually lead to Elaine's discovery and provide closure to her grieving family.
Notable Quotes:
- Heath Merryman [00:49]: "All you new listeners, Going West does not just cover west coast cases. We cover cases from all over the country."
- Jaden Brandt (Private Investigator) [35:08]: "We firmly believe that Elaine did not commit suicide and she's not a runaway. It's our strong contention that Elaine Park is an involuntary missing person and that foul play is involved in her disappearance."
- Susan Park [41:53]: "I am so sad again. Just tried to start up Elaine's car and the battery is dead. Then I started to cry. It could be two things..."
Key Takeaways:
- Elaine Park's disappearance is marked by suspicious circumstances, including the staging of her car and unresolved family tensions.
- Despite passing a polygraph and cooperative searches, no evidence has surfaced to solve the case.
- Theories range from foul play by unknown individuals to accidental disappearance, though foul play remains the more widely supported theory.
- The case remains open, with continued efforts to raise awareness and gather new information essential for resolution.
For those seeking more information or hoping to assist, the episode encourages listeners to contact the Glendale Police Department at 818-550-4400 and stay engaged through Going West: True Crime's social media channels.