Morbid Season 32, Episode 685: Glen Helzer and the Children of Thunder (Part 1)

Released June 30, 2025

Introduction

In Season 32 of Morbid, hosts Ash and Alaina delve into the mysterious disappearance of Ivan and Annette Steinman in 2000 and the subsequent baffling murders in Marin County that seem to intertwine with the enigmatic figure of Glenn Helzer. This first part of the two-part series meticulously unpacks the intricate web of events, relationships, and dark secrets that link these seemingly unrelated cases.

The Disappearance of the Steinman Family

On the evening of July 30, 2000, Nancy Hall, daughter of Ivan and Annette Steinman, made a routine call to check on her elderly parents. However, unlike their usual warm conversations, Annette appeared rushed and abruptly ended the call, mentioning unexpected visitors. Concerned by the unusual brevity, Nancy couldn't reach her parents for several days, prompting her to visit their home.

Upon arrival, Nancy noticed the absence of her parents' minivan in the driveway—a rare occurrence indicating their sudden departure. Disturbingly, she discovered their pets in distress: one cat locked in the bathroom without food or water, and another restrained outside in the backyard. "Nancy and her sister had always had pets when they grew up, and they had inherited from their parents a big love and appreciation and respect for animals. So it was impossible for this to have happened on purpose," Alaina notes at [19:23].

Inside the house, the scene was chaotic. Personal papers were strewn about, and most chillingly, Ivan's wristwatch was found damaged and lying beneath the couch. "When she picked it up to look at it, she noticed the band was damaged around the clasp. Like it had been ripped off Ivan's wrist. Not taken off," Ash elaborates at [20:45]. Despite thorough police investigations, no evidence suggested foul play, leaving investigators perplexed.

A notable witness account from a neighbor described seeing "two men she described as looking like Mormon missionaries walking up to the Steinman house a little before 8pm" on the night of the disappearance ([22:31]). This vague description would later become a crucial clue in the unfolding mystery.

The Marin County Murders

Just days after the Steinman family's disappearance, another grisly case emerged. On August 3, authorities in Marin County responded to a report of gunshots at a nearby residence. Inside a small studio apartment, they found the lifeless bodies of 45-year-old Jennifer Valerian and her 54-year-old boyfriend, James Gamble, both shot with a 9mm handgun. Disturbingly, both victims were found nude, with Jennifer still in bed and James on the floor beside her.

The murders bore no signs of robbery or struggle, making the motive elusive. Jennifer, formerly the wife of renowned blues musician Elvin Bishop, was a beloved community figure, further complicating the investigation. "We were still working on a motive. It doesn't appear to be a robbery or a random type of thing," Undersheriff Dennis Finnegan stated during a press conference at [24:58].

Adding to the mystery, Jennifer's daughter, Selina Bishop, who resided in the same apartment, was missing. Investigators learned that Selina had been camping in Yosemite and had been staying at her mother's apartment. However, no one had heard from her since her departure a week earlier, an anomaly given her usually communicative nature.

Connecting the Dots: Glenn Helzer's Emergence

As the investigations progressed, connections between the two cases began to surface. Selina Bishop's boyfriend was identified only by the first name "Jordan," with no last name available. Delving deeper, detectives examined Selina's pager records, which revealed frequent contact with a Glenn Taylor Helzer. Despite no initial red flags in his background, further scrutiny unveiled unsettling links.

Glenn lived with his brother, Justin Helzer, who owned a 9mm handgun—the same caliber used in Jennifer and James's murders. This connection raised significant suspicions, prompting investigators to explore Glenn's past. Born on July 26, 1970, in Lansing, Michigan, Glenn was known for his charming demeanor and devout Mormon faith. However, beneath the surface, Glenn grappled with severe mental health issues, including a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, type one with manic features, which exacerbated his volatile behavior.

Alaina reflects on Glenn's troubled nature, stating, "It's bad he thinks he's a prophet... it made him very difficult to be around, and it made difficult for him to interact with people who didn't immediately give in to his literal every whim and demand" ([48:19]).

Glenn Helzer: A Troubled Doomed Soul

Glenn's early life was marked by high expectations and strict religious upbringing. His grandfather, Doyle Sorenson, a fervent Mormon with fringe beliefs, exerted considerable influence over him. Doyle's claim of seeing Jesus Christ on his front lawn was a defining moment that blurred the lines between faith and delusion for Glenn ([35:07]). This episode of witnessing divine presence deeply impacted Glenn, leading him to question his beliefs and the foundations of his faith.

Despite his outward success—balancing a career at Morgan Stanley and a seemingly stable personal life—Glenn's internal turmoil was evident. His marriage to Ann in 1993 quickly deteriorated due to his controlling nature and inability to accommodate normal societal behaviors like enjoying cable television. "He was becoming unreliable. By the summer of 1996, Ann had also begun to notice these changes in Taylor, what he described as testing out the, quote, sinning side of life," Ash explains at [45:19].

Glenn's professional life mirrored his personal instability. Initially thriving at Morgan Stanley despite minimal formal education in finance, his performance waned as personal issues took center stage. By 1998, Glenn was excommunicated from the Mormon church due to his drug use and lifestyle divergent from church teachings, marking a significant turning point in his descent into chaos ([51:17]).

Conclusion and Tease for Part 2

As Part 1 concludes, the intricate background of Glenn Helzer sets the stage for deeper exploration in the next episode. His tumultuous journey from a revered family member to a man grappling with mental illness and religious disillusionment hints at a dark path that may intertwine his fate with the unresolved disappearances and murders. Ash poignantly remarks, "We just wanted to start out by saying fuck ice. And we don't. We don't agree with any of this," ([04:24]) emphasizing the broader societal tensions that frame these personal tragedies.

Listeners are left on the edge, anticipating the unraveling of Glenn Helzer's involvement and the chilling revelation of the Children of Thunder in the upcoming second installment. As Ash and Alaina promise, "part two will take you to the thunder" ([51:45]), hinting at revelations that could redefine the understanding of these baffling cases.

Notable Quotes:

• Ash [20:45]: "When she picked it up to look at it, she noticed the band was damaged around the clasp. Like it had been ripped off Ivan's wrist. Not taken off."

• Alaina [19:23]: "Nancy and her sister had always had pets when they grew up, and they had inherited from their parents a big love and appreciation and respect for animals. So it was impossible for this to have happened on purpose."

• Ash [22:31]: "The neighbor shifted her attention elsewhere and didn't think about it until the detectives brought it up."

• Ash [35:07]: "Doyle claimed that he'd seen Jesus Christ on his front lawn."

• Alaina [48:19]: "It's bad he thinks he's a prophet... it made him very difficult to be around, and it made difficult for him to interact with people who didn't immediately give in to his literal every whim and demand."

Final Thoughts

Episode 685 of Morbid masterfully intertwines personal tragedy with mysterious criminal acts, presenting a compelling narrative that keeps listeners engaged and eager for the next installment. Through meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Ash and Alaina shed light on the enigmatic figure of Glenn Helzer, setting the stage for revelations that promise to untangle the complex web of the Steinman disappearance and the Marin County murders.