Going West: True Crime

Episode 552: The Jamison Family

Release Date: November 7, 2025
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman

Episode Overview

This episode unpacks the haunting and unsolved 2009 disappearance and deaths of the Jamison family—Cherilyn, Bobby, and their six-year-old daughter, Madison—from rural Oklahoma. The story is rich with eerie details: accusations of cults, possible drug involvement, mental health struggles, alleged paranormal activity, and family drama. Four years after vanishing, the Jamisons’ remains were found under mysterious circumstances—deepening the puzzle rather than providing answers. Daphne and Heath guide listeners through the tangled web of evidence, rumors, theories, and oddities surrounding one of America’s most confounding unsolved cases.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Jamison Family Background (03:52–08:34)

• Cherilyn: Born 1968, Eufaula, Oklahoma; proud of Native heritage; known for an interest in spiritual and paranormal topics; had a prior marriage and son, Colton.
• Bobby: Born 1965; lifelong resident of Eufaula; suffered chronic pain from a severe accident in 2003 (received a significant settlement).
• Madison: Born 2003, described as bright and loved by family.
• Both parents struggled with health: Bobby (chronic pain, pain medications) and Cherilyn (bipolar disorder, sometimes stopped medication, resulting in erratic behavior).

Mental Health, Behavior, and Strained Relationships (08:34–18:00)

• Sherilyn’s increasingly erratic actions included claims of witchcraft, spray-painting messages about her deceased cats, and suspicious relations with neighbors.
• The Jamisons reportedly believed their house was haunted; both saw and heard “spirits," sought help from their pastor, and their daughter Madison claimed to communicate with "Emily," a possible spirit or imaginary friend (12:55).
• Family was isolated and private, perhaps using eccentric behavior to keep neighbors at a distance.

Financial & Personal Troubles (15:20–18:00)

• Both parents were unable to work, living on disability.
• They briefly took in a roommate, Kenneth Bellows, who turned out to be a white supremacist with criminal history. Sherilyn pulled a gun on him after feeling threatened (16:39).
• Cherilyn struggled with a custody dispute over Colton and suffered a suicide attempt a month before vanishing.

Daphne: “There was just a lot going on in her head and in her world at this time.” (17:39)

Sudden Interest in Off-Grid Living (18:00–22:15)

• The family abruptly pulled Madison from school to homeschool and expressed desire to “get off the grid” in the wilderness of Latimer County, Oklahoma.
• Some speculate they were fleeing trouble; others point to mental health or escapism.

The Disappearance (22:15–26:09)

• Last seen October 8, 2009, traveling to look at land in the remote Sans Bois Mountains.
• On October 16, their locked truck was found abandoned, containing wallets, IDs, cell phones, cash, coats, and their malnourished dog, Maisie.
• No signs of struggle or mechanical failure; truck appeared hastily abandoned.

Heath: “It just kind of looked like they had been plucked from thin air. There were no signs of a struggle whatsoever here.” (25:14)

Theories & Evidence (26:09–34:16)

• $32,000 in cash found under the truck driver's seat—possibly insurance money, intended for land down payment, or linked (some speculated) to drugs. No physical evidence of drug involvement found at home or in truck.
• An 11-page letter from Sherilyn to Bobby expressing resentment and desire for divorce was found.
• Sherilyn’s .22 pistol, usually always with her, was missing and never recovered.

Daphne: “I think the gun is a big key here.” (66:43)

Home Surveillance Footage (52:20–59:00)

• Law enforcement reviewed footage from multiple cameras at the Jamisons’ home (54:45–58:45).
• Both adults appear to load and unload the truck in a “trance-like” or “zoned-out” state, changing clothes, not interacting. A sheriff and forensic psychologist suspected drugs, though there’s no physical evidence.
• Only brief snippets of this footage have ever been released publicly—leaving debate over whether their behavior was truly unusual.

Daphne: “I’ve looked at the footage. I don’t find it frickin’ weird in the slightest. It’s kind of like the picture of Madison that I’m like, I don’t really see what other people are seeing.” (56:55)

Cell Phone Data & Timeline (43:38–49:36)

• Location data shows the family trekked up a hill near a lookout after leaving their truck (43:38).
• Madison's footprints (hers alone) were found in mud along this path.
• The last known family photo—a casual, possibly candid shot of Madison—was taken there.
• One month after the disappearance, Bobby’s voicemail was accessed remotely, though who did this is unknown (44:42).

Search & Discovery (49:36–60:37)

• Massive searches by land, water, and air yielded no sign. Local terrain and weather inhibited efforts.
• Rumors of cults, drugs, and even satanic involvement swirled.
• On November 16, 2013—over four years later—the remains of all three family members were found face-down in a row, just 2.7 miles from the abandoned truck. Severe decomposition and animal activity left no clear cause or manner of death, though one skull had a hole possibly from a gunshot.

Main Theories & Suspects (60:48–69:21)

• Roommate (Kenneth Bellows): Questioned, provided an alibi.
• Murder-suicide: Considered but largely discounted after the gun was never found on scene.
• Bobby’s Father (Bob Jameson): Had a violent and criminal history; family had taken out protective orders alleging threats, possible links to Mexican mafia. Bob died two months after the Jamisons disappeared.
• Cult or Paranormal Activity: Some family and friends speculated about cult involvement, but there is no concrete evidence. An anonymous tipster claimed Sherilyn was on a “cult hit list.”
• Stranger Encounter: Some believe the family came across the wrong person in the mountains.
• Other: Drug deal gone wrong, though lack of physical evidence makes this unlikely.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Daphne (About the case's effect on her):

  “This one has stayed with me for a long time, so I’m so glad we get to dive into it with all of you today.” (02:00)

• Sheriff Israel Beaucham on the case:

  “I think they were forced to stop and got out of the truck to meet with someone they recognized. And I think that they either left willingly or... or by force.” (41:42)

• Connie (Sherilyn’s mother) on dangers of the area:

  “Everyone around here knows that there’s lots of evil people up in those mountains. It’s where outlaws like Jesse James used to hide out. It’s so isolated. I’m scared to go up there.” (49:36)

• Daphne (on mysteries and rumors):

  “Rumors about the disappearance... began to overtake the facts.” (52:20)

• Heath (on the unsolved mystery):

  “With this family, everything seems possible.” (69:24)

Timeline of Important Segments (MM:SS)

• Episode Theme/Intro: 02:00–03:52
• Family Background & Personal History: 03:52–08:34
• Mental Health, Spirituality & Social Issues: 08:34–18:00
• Off-Grid Plans & Move: 18:00–22:15
• Disappearance & Discovery of Truck: 22:15–26:09
• Findings in Vehicle, Theories Begin: 26:09–34:16
• Drugs, Finances, and Family Tension: 34:16–43:38
• Cell Phones, Evidence, Last Photo: 43:38–49:36
• Rumors, Search Efforts, Surveillance Footage: 49:36–59:00
• Discovery of Remains & Forensics: 59:00–60:37
• Suspects and Main Theories: 60:48–69:21
• Hosts’ Reflections & Case Summary: 72:05–72:57

Host Reflections

• Daphne: Strongly suspects Bobby’s father, Bob, may have been involved, but notes all prevailing theories feel like a stretch due to lack of direct evidence. Dismisses murder-suicide given lack of weapon at scene. Finds the case deeply confounding and hard to move on from.
• Heath: Also dismisses cult/paranormal theories. Notes inconsistencies (missing gun, Bobby’s physical limitations, lack of struggle or drug evidence) make all theories hard to fully embrace.

Conclusion

The Jamison family case remains one of America’s most perplexing unsolved mysteries. Every piece of evidence raises further questions; every theory has serious gaps. The episode leaves listeners with a sense of unresolved unease—a perfect encapsulation of the enduring enigma surrounding the Jamison family’s fate.

If you have any information about the case, contact the Latimer Police Department at 918-465-2161.

For Further Exploration

• Hosts recommend checking out the episode’s accompanying photos and surveillance footage on their social media:
  Instagram: @goingwestpodcast
  Facebook: Going West Podcast Discussion Group

“None of it makes any sense.”
— Daphne (72:05)

(Ads, promotional content, and non-case-related segments have been omitted in this summary.)