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Sara Ebersole: The Cowboys in the Truck // 604 - Going West: True Crime | Wave AI Podcast Notes

Sara Ebersole: The Cowboys in the Truck // 604

Fri May 01 2026

In March of 2023, a 26-year-old woman was seen on surveillance at a convenience store in the small town of Reddick, Florida, before accepting a ride from two men she referred to as “cowboys.” Later that night, she left a nearby home with one of these men, and was never seen again. Since that early morning, Sara has been missing. But shockingly, alongside the man she was last seen with, someone completely uninvolved with her evening plans is believed to have been involved… This is the disappearance of Sara Ebersole.

Summary

Going West: True Crime Podcast - Episode 604

Sara Ebersole: The Cowboys in the Truck

Release Date: May 1, 2026
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman
Duration of Content Covered: [03:53] – [51:33]

Episode Overview

In this episode, Daphne and Heath delve into the haunting and perplexing disappearance of Sara Ebersole, a 26-year-old Florida woman who vanished in March 2023. The hosts walk listeners through Sara’s troubled background, the complicated dynamics in her life, and the frustrating, slow-moving investigation. Central to the discussion is the remarkable advocacy and dedication of Sara’s sister, Michelle, and the suspicions swirling around two central figures: Sara's ex-boyfriend Joseph and the last man seen with her, Tyrone Moorman. The episode balances a sensitive portrait of Sara with hard-hitting criticism of the systemic failures surrounding her case.

Key Discussion Points & Timeline

1. Sara's Background and Personal Struggles ([03:53]–[15:01])

Early Life: Born in Michigan, raised mainly by her sister Michelle after early childhood instability and abuse at the hands of relatives.
Personality: Michelle describes Sara as “strong-willed, intelligent, and brave...She had a childish fun spirit. She’s pretty much an explorer.” ([06:18], quote from Michelle cited by hosts)
Life Choices: Dropped out of high school, quickly married and divorced Thomas Ebersole, then entered a relationship with Joseph—described as violent, manipulative, and with a criminal history.
Motherhood and Threats from Joseph: After becoming a mother, Sara faced custody battles with Joseph, who “grew frighteningly possessive,” hacking accounts and tracking her. Sara obtained—and then lost—a restraining order against him. ([08:53–11:34])
Financial Hardship and Dancing at Cafe Risque: Eventually began working as a dancer, which briefly eased money troubles.

2. The Night of Sara’s Disappearance ([15:01]–[19:35])

March 2, 2023 Timeline:
- After work, Sara texted Michelle from a gas station: “girl, I just jumped into a random car with some cowboys and I hope they take me on a ride.” ([10:11pm, ~16:17])
- Picks up a ride with “cowboys” — La Leonard Anderson (driver of a black Chevy pickup) and James “Bubba” Robinson.
Party at Bubba's Duplex: Sara joins Bubba, Tisha McDermott, and Jimmy Schaller at a house party; Tyrone Moorman joins around 1:30am after specifically asking if Sara would want to “spend time” with him. ([17:19–18:07])
Final Movements:
- Active online (YouTube, Gmail) until about 2:57am.
- Last seen leaving the party with Tyrone in his blue Hyundai Sonata between 3-5am. ([18:42–18:56])
- Conflicting rumors about whether Sara was dropped at another convenience store or taken elsewhere.

3. Delayed and Flawed Investigation ([19:35]–[23:25])

Unresponsive Authorities: Delays in filing missing person’s reports. Police initially dismiss the situation as a “custody dispute” or “just an ex love quarrel.”
Bias in Search: Sara’s status as a dancer and her struggles with Joseph led law enforcement to not take her disappearance seriously.
Michelle’s Role: Frustrated by inaction, Michelle personally locates both vehicles involved that night and tracks down evidence.

“I feel more than frustrated, angry, and disappointed in Marion county, but at the end of the day, I feel like they can still turn this around and do the right thing and do an active investigation with the information they've been given.”
— Michelle, as quoted by Daphne ([22:08])

4. Clues and Contradictions at Sara’s Home ([23:25]–[26:28])

Home Search: Sara’s shoes found inside her house, a pack of cigarettes and lighter on the porch, but no clear signs of struggle.
Missing Items: Clothes from that night, cash from her shift, and—most troubling—a binder detailing Joseph’s criminal history and threats against Sara.
Theories: Did Tyrone bring her home and someone else attack her? Was the scene staged?

5. The Investigation's Major Suspects ([26:28]–[37:32])

A) Tyrone Moorman:

Witnesses support that Sara left with him. He and Bubba reportedly carried her out “unconscious by arms and legs” to Tyrone’s car. ([26:28–26:34])
Tyrone lies to police, hides/destroys (then produces) his phone 9 months later.
Officially listed as a “person of interest” only two years after Sara's disappearance.

"Tyrone Mormon is considered a person of interest in Sarah's disappearance and has declined to speak with detectives. Someone knows where Mormon took Sarah."
— Marion County Sheriff's Office statement ([43:07])

B) Joseph (Sara’s Ex):

History of violence, obsessively tracked Sara.
Shortly after Sara’s disappearance, Joseph is repeatedly in trouble with the law but no direct forensic evidence ties him to Sara’s fate.
Critical binder about Joseph’s threats vanished from Sara’s house.

C) Bubba Robinson:

Helped carry Sara out from the party (with Tyrone), was “as helpful as he could have been” in multiple police interviews. Later dies of an overdose. ([49:28])

6. Community Response and Rumors ([44:28]–[45:16])

Friends/family of suspects harass Michelle online, with some sending vile messages:

“That’s why that junkie’s dead now...eat shit and die like that junkie ass bitch.”
— Message received by Michelle ([44:38])
Others claim Michelle is unfairly targeting Tyrone, insist he’s only guilty of lying about the cell phone.

7. Shocking Revelations About People Around Sara ([45:34]–[49:09])

Ex-husband Thomas Ebersole arrested for transporting a minor across state lines with sexual intent.
Joseph exhibits more violence, especially after Sara vanishes, and fails to provide stability for their daughter.

8. Ongoing Search for Justice ([49:09]–[51:33])

Cadaver Dog Alerts: Indicate possible site of remains at party property but not followed up properly.
Key Theories Remain Unresolved: Overdose, foul play by Tyrone, possible last-moment involvement by Joseph—all “muddy the waters.”
Michelle’s Relentless Advocacy: She files for custody of Sara’s daughter, pushes police, and keeps the public attention alive.

“She is still committed to finding her sister and pursuing justice, however long it takes.”
([50:22])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Failed Systemic Protections:
“A restraining order is not technically going to stop a stalker from getting to you. Like, that’s—it’s not gonna do too much.”
— Heath ([11:01])
On Law Enforcement Negligence:
“I mean, come on, guys, how hard is it to really find the car? I mean, it’s on the same damn street.”
— Heath ([23:25])
On Victim-Blaming and Law Enforcement Bias:
“Yeah, because, I don’t know for some reason why people have this mindset...for some reason, you’re just not as worthwhile.”
— Heath ([21:31])
On Tyrone’s Suspicious Behavior:
“He was arrested the following day for perjury and providing false information…spent just one night in jail before he was released on $10,000 bail, which was paid for by his family.”
— Heath ([41:14])
On the Ongoing, Frustrating Uncertainty:
“It’s kind of shocking to me that nobody came forward...at least as far as we know. Maybe they have, and it’s just not enough.”
— Daphne ([44:00])
Michelle’s Heartbreaking Conclusion:
“I just feel like Sarah's probably not alive. Wherever she is, she's never gone even a week without speaking to somebody and getting on social media.”
— Quoted by Daphne ([50:58])

Important Timestamps

[06:18] Character description of Sara via Michelle’s words.
[10:11pm, ~16:17] Sara’s last text to Michelle: “girl, I just jumped into a random car with some cowboys and I hope they take me on a ride.”
[18:42] Last time Sara is seen alive, leaving with Tyrone.
[26:28] Bubba and Tyrone claim they carried Sara, “unconscious,” to the car.
[39:50] Tyrone initially denies knowing Sara, attempts to create a false alibi.
[43:07] Sheriff's Office finally labels Tyrone a “person of interest.”
[50:58] Michelle’s heartbreak and ongoing hope for answers.

Conclusion & Call to Action

The episode concludes with details on Sara's description, the reward for information in her case, and encouragement for listeners to share her story or tips. The hosts express frustration at the lack of closure and echo Michelle’s call for justice, stressing that Sara’s humanity—not her profession or personal struggles—should be front and center.

“This case really does seem like it’s very, very solvable.”
— Heath ([44:22])

Contact Information for Tips

Marion County Sheriff’s Office:
Phone: 352-732-9111
Current Reward: $36,000 (with $35,000 from an anonymous donor)

For photos or to help amplify Sara’s story, visit @goingwestpodcast on Instagram and Facebook.

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Transcript

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D (1:45)

What is going on? True crime fans?

E (1:47)

I'm your host, he and I'm your host, Daphne.

D (1:50)

And you're listening to Going West.

E (1:52)

Hello everybody. Hope you're doing well. Thank you for tuning in. Big shout out to Katherine McKenzie, Taylor and Christy for recommending this one. We are going to be talking about a very confounding story today where there are many suspicious people involved. And I just want to say right out the gate, Sarah's sister Michelle is out there like boots on the ground trying to get more justice for her sister.

D (2:21)

Yeah, she's doing so much incredible work right now, truly.

E (2:24)

So make sure that you listen up and that you share this episode if you can. But of course, thank you for just tuning in and listen to the horrific details of her case.

D (2:34)

E (3:53)

In March of 2023, a 26 year old woman was last seen on surveillance at a convenience store in the small town of Reddick, Florida, before accepting a ride from two men she referred to in a text to her sister as cowboys. Later that night, she left a nearby home with one of these men and was never seen again. Since that early morning, Sarah has been missing. But shockingly, alongside the man she was last seen with, someone completely uninvolved with her evening plans is believed to have been involved in her disappearance. This is the story of Sarah Eversole. Sarah Gail Van was born in Michigan on September 18, 1996, and she had a complicated family dynamic from a young age. At first, she was raised by her biological mom in Michigan alongside three of her siblings, but she was one of seven siblings and half siblings in total. Sadly, her parents were mostly uninvolved in raising Sarah. Her dad wasn't in the picture and her mom was soon out of it as well. So at the age of three, Sarah was shuffled to the coastal city of Sarasota, Florida to move in with her aunt and uncle. And according to her sister Michelle, we're going to talk a lot about Michelle today. Michelle, by the way, was a teenager when Sarah was born. There had been violence in the home involving Sarah and her uncle, and she was eventually forcibly removed from the home. So she was about to enter the foster care system and Michelle, having already experienced foster care, decided to take custody of her sister. In Michelle, Sarah found stability and a parental figure. And the two became more than sisters, of course. They were best friends. So in the wake of her eventual disappearance, Michelle had been her sister's greatest advocate. That's why we're going to talk about Michelle a lot today. So Sarah moved to Dunolon, Florida, which is about two and a half hours north of Sarasota, to finish high school. And despite the tumult in her early life, Michelle describes her sister as strong willed, intelligent, and brave, saying, quote, sarah loved the beach. Any free time she had was spent between Daytona and Sarasota. She wanted to travel and entertain. The idea of opening a small cat Friendly coffee cafe near the water. Sarah was always gleeful to try new things. She had a childish fun spirit. She also called Sarah adventurous, explaining, she's pretty much an explorer. Doesn't matter if anyone says, let's go four wheeling, let's go swimming, let's go ride a surfboard. Any new experience?