Going West: True Crime — Episode 589
Matthew Anfeldt: Into the Woods
Release Date: March 10, 2026
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, Daphne and Heath dive into the mysterious 2019 disappearance of 20-year-old Matthew Anfeldt from rural Washington. The case is marked by a disturbing attack months earlier, subsequent erratic behavior, and an unresolved blend of addiction, possible foul play, and mental health struggles. Recently, a major development reshaped the search for answers: Matthew’s remains were found after nearly five years. Through a narrative rich in local history, heartbreak, and persistent questions, the hosts examine what really could have happened to Matthew, exploring leads, community connections, and similar cases in the area.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Background ([05:01])

• Case Recommendation: Episode suggested by listeners Brittany and Kat.
• Hosts’ Familiarity: Both heard of the case in passing due to local connections, but only recently dug into the details.
• Personal Insight:
  • Heath: “I think it happened around the time that Daphne and I actually first got together.” (02:44)
• Setting: Tanaino, WA, small rural community (pop. < 2,000) with several unsolved true crime cases, including Logan Shindleman and Nancy Moyer (07:13).
  • “It's incredibly weird that in this very small, kind of rural area, there's a few different cases that are connected to it.” – Heath (07:47)

2. Matthew’s Early Life & Character ([08:28])

• Family Dynamics: Middle of five children; parents divorced; father struggled with addiction and mental health issues.
• Upbringing: Raised partly in Alaska, settled back in Washington at age 10.
• Athleticism:
  • Notable wrestler, district champion—“I've seen pictures of him holding his medals and stuff.” (08:43)
• Aspirations: Passionate about music, sharing work as “mt Hayes” on SoundCloud and Facebook: “He hoped to be successful at some point in his life with music.” (09:16) — Sarah, Matthew’s mother
• Struggles:
  • Battled addiction but showed progress in recovery before disappearance.
  • History with law enforcement, several rehab attempts, eventually regained sobriety, making family proud.

3. The December 2018 Attack ([11:28])

• Incident Description: On Dec. 22, 2018, Matthew said he was attacked by three unknown people who beat him and carved the word “kill” into his chest.
  • Daphne: “He posted a video of himself crying on social media with visible bruises on his face…” (12:05)
• Family’s Reaction: Shocked and deeply concerned; Sarah urged a hospital visit and police report, but Matthew refused (13:18).
• Matthew’s Reasoning: Feared retaliation if he identified attackers; insisted he didn’t know them or owe debts.
• Speculation: Some believe it could have been a drug-related hit; others doubt the event happened due to lack of evidence.

4. The Day of Disappearance – February 28, 2019 ([14:07])

• Morning: Normal start; discusses job/financial worries with his mom. Last words to Sarah: “I love you mom.”
• Afternoon/Evening:
  • Bowling with sister and her boyfriend—appeared happy, though admitted lack of sleep for three days.
  • Last captured on video, smiling at the bowling alley.

The Break ([15:22])

• After returning home (4:30pm), Matthew abruptly left to get his phone (~5:10pm) and never returned.
• Sudden Change: Within minutes, ran to neighbor’s house, panicked, yelling that his family was dead; ran into road, stopped traffic, appeared to suffer a mental health crisis.
  • “He was frantic, telling her that his family was dead and that they were after him.” (15:22)
• 911 Call: Neighbor (a former teacher) reported Matthew’s breakdown at 5:17pm.

5. The Panic & Flight ([20:07], [24:58])

• Erratic Behavior: Fled barefoot into the evening cold, wearing only sweatpants, sweatshirt, and socks.
  • “He was only wearing a sweatshirt, sweatpants and socks as he vanished into the night.” – Daphne (20:07)
• On the Highway:
  • Disrupted traffic, ran up to cars with blood on mouth, telling drivers his family had been killed, jumped on hood of a car.
• Hitching a Ride:
  • Hopped onto a utility truck headed for Grand Mound; jumped out at Speedway grocery store (24:58).
• In the Store:
  • Burst in screaming, tried to hide behind counter, stayed only 30 seconds.
  • “He was panicked and sweating and seemed genuinely afraid.” – Employee account (26:56)
  • Escaped through a side door—last credible sighting.

6. The Investigation & Search ([28:21])

• Immediate Response:
  • Mother Sarah filed a missing person’s report the next morning.
  • Police searched properties, appealed for witnesses (drivers, truck driver, Speedway staff).
• Frustrating Gaps:
  • No subsequent sightings despite a flurry of 911 calls; “poof, into thin air” (29:22).
• No Digital Trail: No activity on bank, phone, or social media accounts post-disappearance.

7. Theories & Dead Ends ([30:14])

• Possible White Toyota Corolla:
  • Seen near Matthew's home and the Speedway, driving erratically. Connection unproven but “feels very sus.” (31:20)
• Community Roadblocks:
  • Speedway store manager refused police search.
  • Rumors surfaced about a known local dealer, alleged confessions and changing stories about Matthew’s fate.

Notable Quote ([32:07])

• “What the fuck are you hiding, Speedway grocery store?” – Heath (32:07)

• Sarah’s Challenges: Misinformation, persistent rumors, reluctance to publicly name suspects, ongoing social media advocacy.

8. Discovery of Remains & Lingering Uncertainty ([35:18])

• Major Break, October 2023:
  • Hunter finds partial remains in Grand Mound-Rochester woods (~5–6 miles from last sighting).
  • Remains confirmed to be Matthew’s via dental or bone marrow analysis (37:43).
  • “I had been told over and over again, despite how much information we have, we need a body. So now we have that opportunity.” – Sarah (36:14)
• Cause of Death: Undetermined; only partial remains recovered, possible animal activity, possible foul play.
• Geography:
  • Woods were dense, several miles from store. Path to get there would be “nearly impossible” without shoes or light on a cold night; unlikely he got there alone (38:21).

Notable Quote ([41:00])

• “He would have had to walk or run 10, 12 miles... through thick brush, up a steep hillside, fairly deep in the woods. Remember, he had no shoes or light.” – Sarah (Paraphrased by Heath)

9. Context & Local Patterns ([41:00])

• Comparison with Logan Shindleman Disappearance:
  • Eerie parallels—same area, similar age, same high school, similar circumstances (mental health, erratic behavior before disappearance).
  • Families of both victims now supporting each other’s search efforts.

10. Family Advocacy & Continuing Questions ([38:21], [44:10])

• Sarah’s Perspective:
  • Publicly acknowledges Matthew’s addiction issues but insists this shouldn’t preclude a proper investigation or justice.
  • “This is a daily hell to live through. I always say, just because my son died does not mean I will ever stop being his mom.” – Sarah (38:21)
  • Active GoFundMe for ongoing searches and legal support.
  • Message to Matthew: “Not one day has gone by that I have not thought of you... We will never give up on you and we love you.” (44:10)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “It's incredibly weird that in this very small, kind of rural area, there's a few different cases that are connected to it. You wouldn't imagine that would happen in one small area.” – Heath (07:47)
• “He was frantic, telling her that his family was dead and that they were after him.” – Heath recalling a neighbor’s 911 call (15:22)
• “He was panicked and sweating and seemed genuinely afraid.” – Speedway employee account (26:56)
• “We've had no activity on any of his bank accounts, social media accounts, or his phone. So as far as we know, he has no means of supporting himself.” – Detective Hamilton (29:32, paraphrased)
• “Doing anything else only hinders the ability to find the truth. Every scenario must be looked at with a microscope. I have not shunned away from this.” – Sarah (38:21)
• “There's no way to get away from this. And I won't fault anybody for their reactions because I've felt these same reactions in intense hurt. It's just part of what we deal with.” – Sarah (38:21)
• “Is that impossible? No, but it's weird, you know, again mentioning that he's not wearing shoes, he doesn't have a light, it's pitch black, he's in a full panic…” – Daphne (41:00)

Important Timestamps

• 05:01: Disappearance overview and background on Matthew
• 11:28: The December 2018 attack
• 14:07: The day Matthew disappeared
• 15:22: Breakdown at neighbor's house, triggering 911 call
• 20:07: Details on sprinting away into the cold, barefoot
• 24:58: Matthew’s frantic behavior on the highway and last sighting at the Speedway
• 28:21: Search efforts
• 35:18: Discovery of remains in October 2023
• 38:21: Sarah’s advocacy and online statements
• 41:00: Analysis of where the remains were found and the difficulty of getting there alone
• 44:10: Family’s ongoing struggle and message to Matthew

Final Thoughts & Themes

• Addiction, Mental Health, and Small-Town Shadows: The hosts underline how substance use and mental health struggles intersect with risk and vulnerability in cases like Matthew’s.
• Community Complications: Small communities may be close-knit but can also harbor secrets, rumors, and unexplained patterns.
• Family Advocacy: Sarah’s persistence and candor about both her son’s struggles and her family’s pain are central to the episode’s emotional resonance.
• Unanswered Questions: Despite the discovery of Matthew’s remains, the case remains unsolved; both accidental death and foul play remain possible.

If you have any information about the disappearance or death of Matthew Anfeldt, please contact the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department at 360-786-5500.

This episode is a poignant look at a baffling case set against the backdrop of a Washington town with more than its share of mysteries, kept intimate and urgent by the voices of the victim’s family and the hosts’ thoughtful storytelling.