Late Nights with Nexpo: "What Happened to the Sodder Children?"

Podcast: Late Nights with Nexpo
Host: Nexpo (Ballen Studios)
Episode Release Date: March 12, 2025
Topic: The mysterious disappearance of the Sodder children following a house fire on Christmas Eve, 1945.

1. The Fateful Christmas Eve

The episode opens with a chilling narrative set on Christmas Eve, 1945, in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Nexpo sets the scene vividly:

“Night, you're driving along a lonely stretch of West Virginia highway... Christmas Eve, 1945, just outside Fayetteville, West Virginia.” [00:03]

Inside the Sauter family's warm home, parents George and Jennie Sauter are celebrating with their ten children. The youngest ones are excitedly playing with new toys, while the older siblings share bedrooms upstairs. As bedtime approaches, most children retire to bed, but a few stay up a bit longer, including Marian, the eldest daughter.

At 12:30 AM, a series of unsettling events unfold:

• Mysterious Phone Call:

  “Ginny reaches the phone, grabs the receiver off the hook and offers a blunt hello. But the voice on the other end doesn't introduce themselves... [Timestamp not specified]”

• Signs of Intrusion:
  Jennie notices unusual details: the lights are still on, curtains are wide open, and the front door is unlocked, which is out of character for their diligent children.

• The Fire Erupts:
  A sinister noise and the smell of smoke awaken Jennie. She quickly realizes the house is engulfed in flames. Despite frantic attempts to call for help, including trying the family trucks—which mysteriously won't start—only two children are accounted for immediately, leaving five trapped upstairs.

2. Emergency Response and Initial Despair

The family rushes outside in desperation, only to find their ladder missing—a crucial tool that could have helped rescue the trapped children. George's attempts to fetch the ladder fail, and as the house burns, fire authorities take an inexplicably long seven hours to arrive, even though the home is merely two and a half miles from the firehouse.

By Christmas morning, the tragedy is officially declared:

• Fire Chief's Declaration:

  “The next day, December 26th, a coroner's jury declares the fire accidental. And by December 30th, death certificates are issued for the five kids.” [Timestamp not specified]

Despite the official verdict, George remains uneasy, feeling that the investigation was hastily concluded, especially given the slow response from firefighters.

3. Unearthing Inconsistencies and Rising Suspicion

As the family attempts to rebuild with a new home and a memorial garden, peculiar details begin to surface:

• Severed Phone Lines:
  A telephone repairman discovers that the phone lines were cut deliberately, not melted by the fire, implying foul play. George finds his ladder missing from its usual spot, deepening his suspicions.

• Lack of Skeletal Remains:
  When firefighters search the ashes, they find no skeletal remains of the missing children. This absence is baffling, especially compared to another local fire where seven skeletal remains were recovered.

• Experimental Evidence:
  Ginny conducts an experiment with animal bones, revealing that even at high temperatures, bones do not completely turn to ash. A crematorium employee confirms that human bones should survive such fires, fueling the family's doubts about the children's demise.

These inconsistencies lead George and Ginny to consider the unsettling possibility that their children were kidnapped rather than perished in the fire.

4. Pursuing the Truth: Leads and Dead Ends

Determined to uncover the truth, the Sodder family embarks on a relentless quest:

• Partial Confessions and False Leads:
  A local thief, Lonnie Johnson, admits to cutting the phone lines but denies further involvement, hinting at a larger conspiracy. Additionally, an eyewitness—a bus driver—claims to have seen someone throwing balls of fire at the Sodder home, suggesting arson rather than an accidental fire.

• Suspicious Communications:
  Over the years, the family receives numerous letters and sightings claiming that the children are still alive. For instance:

  “They receive a photograph with a note reading 'Lewis Sodder' from Kentucky, but the hired private investigator mysteriously disappears after pursuing this lead.” [Timestamp not specified]

• Potential Conspiracies:
  The investigation reveals that Nick, a former business associate of George, had malicious ties:

  • Nick was part of the coroner’s jury that ruled the fire accidental, despite having a motive to benefit from the family's loss.
  • The local prosecutor refuses to act on the evidence against Nick, raising suspicions of corruption or deeper community secrets.

5. Decades of Uncertainty and Devastation

As years pass, the Sodder family's hope wanes amidst mounting evidence of betrayal and potential conspiracy:

• Relentless Search:
  Even after hiring multiple private investigators, the threads of the case unravel without resolution. Mysterious letters continue to surface, suggesting sightings of the children but never providing concrete proof.

• Community Corruption:
  The discovery of a beef liver in a dynamite box, planted by Fire Chief Morris to possibly provide false evidence, underscores the extent of deceit within the community.

“Nick didn't just stand to benefit from the fire. He was actually a member of the coroner's jury that ultimately ruled the fire as an accident.” [Timestamp not specified]

• Lost Leads and Final Mysteries:
  The disappearance of the private investigator in Kentucky marks the coldest end to the trail, leaving the family with unresolved questions and perpetual grief.

6. The Lingering Haunt of the Unknown

The episode concludes by reflecting on the profound impact of uncertainty on the Sodder family:

“Grief can do strange things to a person. By not accepting the deaths, Ginny and George became their own tormentors. As horrifying as the death of a child can be, there's nothing more terrifying than the unknown.” [Closing Remarks]

The family's inability to accept the loss without definitive answers led to years of anguish, fueled by indirect evidence and unresolved conspiracies. The haunting presence of their missing children’s faces on a highway billboard symbolizes the enduring mystery and the relentless search for the truth.

Notable Moments and Quotes

• Opening Scene Description:

  "Night, you're driving along a lonely stretch of West Virginia highway... What was their fate? Kidnapped or murdered? Or are they still alive?" [00:03]

• Jennie's Realization of the Fire:

  "She's wide awake now... the phone line, the killer's presence, and the missing ladder." [Mid-Transcript]

• Discovery of the Incendiary Grenade:

  "John, who's now home on leave from the army, identifies it immediately. It's an incendiary grenade, a weapon specifically designed to start fires." [Mid-Transcript]

• Fire Chief Morris's Confession:

  "I'm certain that the kids died in the fire... I did something very unorthodox." [Later in Transcript]

Behind the Scenes

The episode is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, supported by extensive research and immersive storytelling. Key contributors include:

• Executive Producers: Mr. Ballin, Nick Witters, Zack Levitt
• Head of Writing: Evan Allen
• Written by: Greg Castro
• Research: Abigail Shumway, Camille Callahan, Evan Beamer, Stacy Wood
• Fact Checking: Abigail Shumway
• Audio Editing and Sound Design: Alistair Sherman
• Production Coordination: Samantha Collins, Avery Siegel
• Theme Song: Ross Bugden

Final Thoughts

"What Happened to the Sodder Children?" is a compelling exploration of one of America’s enduring family mysteries. Nexpo masterfully intertwines historical facts with engaging narrative techniques, keeping listeners engrossed from start to finish. The episode not only recounts the tragic events surrounding the Sauter family but also delves into the psychological toll of unresolved grief and the obsessive pursuit of truth against overwhelming odds.

For those intrigued by true crime, unsolved mysteries, and the haunting question of what lies beyond the flames of tragedy, this episode offers a profound and thought-provoking experience.

Tune in every Wednesday for new and exclusive episodes of Late Nights with Nexpo, where the most bizarre and chilling true stories and mysteries await.