Podcast Summary: Into The Dark – Episode 163

Title: The Disappearance of Jason Jolkowski
Host: Payton Moreland
Release Date: March 25, 2026
Podcast Theme: True crime, horror, and mystery, focusing on unusual disappearances and the question: “Why do people do what they do?”

Episode Overview

This episode explores the mysterious disappearance of Jason Jolkowski, a 19-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, in 2001. Host Payton Moreland recounts Jason’s life, the circumstances leading up to his vanishing, and the many theories and rumors surrounding the case. The episode also delves into the impact Jason’s disappearance had on his family and the broader community—focusing on the lack of answers 25 years later and the creation of Project Jason by his family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Jason and His Background

• Payton describes Omaha as a safe, welcoming city, generally free of major crime – an important backdrop for the story. (01:30)
• Jason Jolkowski, known as JJ, was close to his family, especially his younger brother Michael.
• Friends describe Jason as shy but magnetic — “He almost seemed destined to be a celebrity... his dream when he got older was to become a radio DJ.” (03:24)
• Jason had a learning disability affecting his communication, but he was intelligent and hardworking.

2. Jason’s Goals and Work Life

• Jason had to drop out of community college due to financial issues but was determined to return, working at Fazoli’s (an Italian fast-food chain) to save up.
• A life-changing opportunity came when a local radio station offered him an entry-level sales role—better pay and tuition reimbursement.
• Jason’s optimism: “He was going to chase his professional goals while making lots of money and getting a degree.” (05:40)

3. The Day Jason Disappeared (June 13, 2001)

• Jason’s manager at Fazoli’s called asking him to cover a shift; he agreed despite not having his car, arranging for a friend (“Sandra”) to pick him up from their former high school.
• He did chores with his brother, then presumably left home at around 10:45 am, walking towards the school.
• Sandra called Jason’s house at 11:15 am: Jason never arrived at the school—they were worried, but hesitant to contact police due to misconceptions about reporting time. (08:15)

"Jason definitely should have made it to the high school by now, but he wasn’t there… [The family] couldn’t imagine why Jason wouldn’t have made it to the school." – Payton Moreland (08:56)

4. Initial Police Response and Critical Delays

• Jason’s family waited until the next day to report him missing, believing they had to wait 24 hours (a myth).
• Police initially dismissed the disappearance, assuming Jason left on his own. They delayed taking action for 10 days.
• When police finally investigated, there was no bank activity, no use of his paycheck, cell phone, or retrieval of his car—making it clear Jason hadn’t planned to run away. (12:30)

5. Absence of Evidence, Lack of Leads

• The last confirmed sighting of Jason was while pulling trash cans in with his brother – no witnesses saw him on his walk or arriving at the high school.
• The high school’s surveillance tapes showed he never arrived, but with no home cameras and little contemporaneous neighborhood attention, his exact route or fate is unknown. (17:15)
• Police interviews and investigations turned up no enemies or clear motive; Jason was of average height and build, not considered an easy target.
• The case went cold quickly, with even the lead investigator stating,

“This was… the most baffling case he had ever investigated.” – Omaha PD Detective (18:40, paraphrased by Payton)

6. Speculation and Theories (Community & Internet Rumors)

• Friend (Sandra) Theory: Some speculated his friend Sandra was involved, but there was no evidence and she was cleared (19:30).
• Family Theory: Unfounded speculation suggested his family was involved, but this was mostly due to the lack of a sighting.
• Neighbor Theory: Suspicion arose when neighbors sold their house at a loss soon after Jason’s disappearance, but no linkage or motive was ever found.
• Hit-and-Run Theory: The idea Jason was struck by a car and his body disposed of—yet no forensic evidence supported this scenario.
• The “Isaac Encounter”: An anonymous online post described a man with a similar build being pressured by a stranger to get into a car; the implication was that a predator could have targeted Jason in the same way.

“If this happened to me, why couldn't it have happened to him?” – Paraphrased from “Isaac” (26:15)
However, this is unverified and possibly a fabrication.

7. Aftermath, Memorials, and Family Advocacy

• Despite years without leads, Jason’s family remained committed to seeking answers.
• In 2018, an updated age-progression photo was released, showing Jason at age 36—no useful leads resulted.
• On the 20th anniversary, Jason’s mother made a poignant statement:

“Unfortunately, with this mark, I will have not had him more years than I had him in my life since he disappeared at the age 19... That’s just hard to fathom. 20 years, that’s two decades.” – Jason’s mother (28:58)

• The family held a memorial, painting rocks with “Find Jason” and planting a tree in his honor.
• In 2003, they founded Project Jason—an advocacy organization supporting other families of missing persons. The group was honored by the Department of Justice in 2010, but its website appears inactive now. (31:00)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “How does someone just leave for a short walk and then disappear and 20 years later, there’s no answers?” – Payton Moreland (30:35)
• “It must be heartbreaking to have it all... and then just to lose everything in 15 minutes and to be left with nothing but questions that have absolutely zero answers.” – Payton Moreland (32:10)
• “They haven’t lost hope... Jason’s family deserves to know the truth. And they’re still waiting.” – Payton Moreland (33:40)

Key Timestamps

• 00:57 – Introduction and context
• 03:24 – Jason’s early life and radio ambitions
• 05:40 – Fazoli’s job and opportunity at the radio station
• 09:45 – The day of Jason’s disappearance, family actions
• 12:30 – Police delay and realization of the seriousness
• 17:15 – Lack of physical evidence, school surveillance, and stalled investigation
• 19:30 – 26:10 – Review of popular theories and online rumors
• 28:58 – 20th anniversary, mother’s statement
• 31:00 – Foundation and legacy of Project Jason
• 33:40 – Call for information and closing reflections

Conclusion & Call to Action

Payton sums up the tragedy and mystery, highlighting how Jason's disappearance remains unsolved with neither evidence nor leads, which is particularly devastating for his loved ones. She spotlights the ongoing need for information and urges anyone with tips to contact Omaha PD (402-444-5818 or 402-444-5690) or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (1-800-THE-LOST).

“Thank you so much for diving into the dark with me today and I will see you next time. Goodbye.” – Payton Moreland (33:45)

For listeners: This case is stark—no evidence, no sightings, no closure for the family after 25 years. It serves as a sobering reminder of both the fragility of everyday life and the importance of advocacy, awareness, and persistent hope.