Into The Dark Podcast

Episode 133: What Happened to Jenna Van Gelderen?

Host: Payton Moreland
Date: August 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode, host Payton Moreland delves into the unsolved 2017 disappearance of Jenna Van Gelderen, a young woman who vanished while house-sitting for her parents in Druid Hills, Georgia. Payton thoroughly explores Jenna’s background, family dynamics, the circumstances leading up to her disappearance, and the unusual evidence left behind. The analysis draws out the heartbreak, confusion, and ongoing quest for answers that have gripped the Van Gelderen family ever since.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jenna’s Background and Family (03:10 – 09:30)

• Druid Hills Setting: Affluent, safe, close-knit neighborhood outside Atlanta.
• Family Dynamics: Jenna was known as quirky, organized, and the “glue” holding the family together despite struggling to fit in socially.
• Early Life: Jenna had difficulty making friends due to her constant questions and inability to pick up on social cues. She became closer to her family as a result.
• Diagnosis: At age 24 (in 2016), Jenna was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum after her parents encouraged her to see a doctor due to her ongoing social struggles.
• Desire for Independence: Despite remaining close to her family, Jenna wanted to grow and experience independence.

"She had to figure out who she was as a person and ensure that her boundaries were respected." — Payton Moreland (09:00)

Fallout with Family & Secretive Life (09:30 – 14:10)

• Bad Influences: Concern grew after Jenna fell in with a “bad crowd,” complicating family relationships.
• Theft Incident: Jenna was fired and charged with misdemeanor theft after stealing $3000 from her job—a shock to her parents, who suspected her new friends’ involvement.
• Escalating Distrust: Jenna’s father accessed her phone history, amplifying family tension and prompting Jenna to move out, refuse to share her address, and assert her need for privacy.
• Secretive Measures: She acquired a second phone, which she paid for herself and kept secret from her family.

"After that fight and her dad going through her phone, Jenna had actually bought a second phone that was not on the family plan... she never told anyone in her family about it." — Payton Moreland (20:00)

Disappearance Timeline & The Crime Scene (14:14 – 21:15)

• Cat-Sitting Arrangement: Jenna agreed to watch her parents’ aging cat while they visited Canada.
• Day of Disappearance (August 19, 2017): Jenna didn’t answer the door for a scheduled vet visit. House was found locked, TV and lights left on, cat unfed, Jenna’s belongings missing, but notably, her makeup, shoes, and phone charger were left behind.
• Bizarre Clue - The Tapestry: Family’s treasured Egyptian tapestry was cut from its frame and taken, while other valuables were untouched. No signs of forced entry or struggle.
• Immediate Family Reaction: Parents and brother Will recognized immediately that something was wrong; parents cut vacation short to return home.

"Maybe she had forgotten something if she'd left in a rush. Except if she was in that big of a hurry, why cut up a frame and take a big, bulky, useless tapestry with her?" — Payton Moreland (16:55)

Police Investigation & Developments (21:15 – 27:00)

• Last Known Movements: Phone records and CCTV confirm Jenna’s last text at 2:15am, August 19th—no indication of distress.
• Discovery of Two Phones: Only one was tied to the family plan; the other’s communications were deleted and not recoverable.
• Car Discovery: Two weeks later, Jenna’s car was found seven miles away, seat pushed too far back for her to have driven it, non-matching shoes and charger inside, as well as some of her belongings.
• Vehicle & Phone Separation: At 7:45am on August 19th, Jenna’s car was near Atlanta; her phone simultaneously pinged a tower 30 miles away in a remote area—a possible site to hide a body.
• Extensive Search: Police and family conducted widespread searches, including in the wooded area where the phone last pinged.

"It was like Jenna had just vanished off the face of the earth." — Payton Moreland (27:00)

Family Quest for Answers and Online Investigation (27:00 – 29:50)

• Will’s Digital Sleuthing: Jenna’s brother Will combed through her online accounts (using passwords Jenna shared) and discovered an aggressive chat urging Jenna to come home the night she vanished.
• Family Drives Investigation: Parents continually called hospitals, police stations, and used media appeals to keep Jenna’s story alive.
• Public Reward: Family offered a $50,000 reward, received no tips.

Unresolved Suspects and Theories (29:50 – 34:00)

• Friends as Prime Suspects: Unnamed “bad crowd” suspected, but police never identified them publicly or pressed charges.
• Boyfriend and Roommate:
  • Boyfriend: Claimed they’d broken up the night before she vanished and spread unverifiable rumors about Jenna’s activities (drugs, sex work); ruled out as a suspect.
  • Roommate: Refused to let police search the apartment, citing annoyance over unpaid rent; also ruled out as a suspect.
• Ongoing Uncertainty: With these leads dismissed, the family and police remain baffled, and Jenna’s case remains unsolved.

"There's one other person of interest who's worth mentioning, and that's Jenna's roommate... why wouldn't he just let the police look at them? The behavior was very strange." — Payton Moreland (33:02)

The Present Day & Final Thoughts (34:00 – 36:00)

• Unanswered Questions: Jenna’s body never found; case legally declared unsolved.
• Physical Description (for potential tips):
  • White female, black hair, brown eyes; 4’11”
  • Star of David tattoo on upper thigh
  • Last seen: black yoga pants, green “San Antonio” T-shirt
• Call to Action: Listeners encouraged to contact police if they have information: 770-724-7715

"Even with all of this, they still loved one another... And to this day, Jenna's parents are still waiting for answers about their daughter." — Payton Moreland (35:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jenna’s Unusual Disappearance:
  “The scene when Will gets there as a whole is bizarre and confusing.” (16:34)
• On Jenna’s Split Life:
  “As the investigation goes on, they discover that she had been hiding a whole secret life.” (20:54)
• On the Family’s Pain:
  “Every night she went to bed and she made sure her phone was nearby just in case Jenna might call and reveal that she was still alive and okay.” (28:49)
• Appeal for Listener Help:
  “I truly believe in this case, someone knows something and it’s time to come forward.” (35:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jenna’s Early Life and Diagnosis: 03:10 – 09:30
• The Family Rift & Move Out: 09:30 – 14:10
• Disappearance and Crime Scene: 14:14 – 21:15
• Police Timeline & Second Phone: 21:15 – 24:45
• Discovery of Car & Contradictory Clues: 24:45 – 27:00
• Family Investigation & Will’s Online Sleuthing: 27:00 – 29:50
• Suspects and Theories: 29:50 – 34:00
• Closing Reflections & Callout for Tips: 34:00 – 36:00

Conclusion

Payton Moreland’s detailed storytelling paints a portrait of Jenna Van Gelderen as a deeply caring but vulnerable young woman whose attempt at independence ended in chilling mystery. Despite exhaustive efforts by law enforcement and family, the questions surrounding her fate linger—punctuated by the oddity of the missing tapestry and the split between her car and phone locations. The episode closes in a tone of hope, urging listeners to share Jenna’s story and help bring her family the answers they've been seeking for years.