Scams, Money, & Murder

True Crime This Week: Christmas Disappearances

Host: Vanessa Richardson
Original Release: December 21, 2025
Podcast Network: Crime House / PAVE Studios

Overview

This episode of "True Crime This Week" examines the chilling theme of Christmas Disappearances, focusing on two infamous cases where the holiday spirit was shattered by mysterious vanishings: the disappearance of Laci Peterson on Christmas Eve 2002, and the haunting case of the five missing Sodder children after a tragic house fire on Christmas Eve 1945. Host Vanessa Richardson revisits these crimes, unraveling the details, the suspects, and the enduring mysteries, while reflecting on the dark side of the holiday season.

Segment 1: The Disappearance of Laci Peterson (00:50–32:15)

Introduction (00:50)

• Vanessa introduces the “Christmas Disappearances” theme, highlighting the eerie coincidence of two major missing persons cases happening on Christmas Eve, 57 years apart.

"None of this would be possible without you, our community... This week's theme is Christmas Disappearances."
—Vanessa Richardson (01:27)

The Story Unfolds

• Timeline of Events (2002)

  • (04:26) Scott Peterson, age 30, leaves his Modesto, CA home at 9:30 am on December 24 to go fishing; his pregnant wife, Laci (27), is supposedly walking the dog.
  • Neighbor finds their golden retriever wandering, leash on, and returns it to their backyard.
  • Scott comes home later, finds Laci’s car but no Laci. He showers and does laundry, then calls her mother, Sharon, to ask if Laci is with her.
  • Laci’s family, alarmed by her absence—especially since she was due for Christmas dinner—calls 911.

• Backstory and Relationship

  • Laci, known for her bubbly personality and cheerleading, met Scott at Cal Poly in 1994; they married in 1997 after a patchy courtship that included an early affair by Scott (with classmate Janet Ilsa).
  • Scott, charming but troubled, began another affair (this time with Amber Frey) while Laci was 8 months pregnant.

Suspicious Behavior and Initial Investigation (17:59)

• Scott’s actions immediately raised suspicions:
  • Lack of Panic: He appeared calm and almost irritated by questioning (“For a man whose heavily pregnant wife had just vanished, Scott Peterson was remarkably calm.” —Vanessa Richardson, 17:59)
  • Odd Alibi: Claimed Laci was mopping the floor—a strenuous act for someone eight months pregnant—and intended to take a long walk, which her doctors had advised against.
  • Fishing Trip Details: Scott provided a marina receipt before being asked, failed to answer basic fishing questions, and revealed new facts (buying a secret boat) even to family.

Media Firestorm & Family Reactions

• Laci’s family tirelessly searched while Scott avoided press, claiming he didn’t want to be a "distraction" (really, to keep Amber from seeing him on TV).
• Amber Frey learns about Laci's disappearance and begins recording her calls with Scott for the police:

“At this point, it seemed like Scott knew the walls were closing in.”
—Vanessa Richardson (21:36)

• Scott lies to Amber about being in Europe, but is actually attending vigils and being surveilled by police.

The Turning Point: Amber Frey and Public Outrage (24:12)

• Amber holds a press conference on January 24, 2003, revealing her relationship with Scott.
• Laci’s family withdraws support for Scott. Sharon Rocha tells Good Morning America that Scott’s secrecy gives her "a lot of doubt about her son-in-law."

Discovery and Arrest (29:32)

• (29:32) In April 2003, remains identified as Laci and her unborn son are found near the Berkeley marina—close to where Scott had gone "fishing."
• Scott is arrested in San Diego, leading police on a brief car chase. His appearance and possessions spark speculation he was preparing to flee (blonde-dyed hair, $15,000 cash, Mexican pesos, multiple phones, camping supplies).

Trial and Aftermath (30:39)

• In June 2004, Scott is tried for the murders of Laci and their unborn son, Connor. The prosecution relies heavily on circumstantial evidence and Scott's behavior.
• Scott is convicted and sentenced to death, later commuted to life in prison in 2020. He remains incarcerated, continuously filing appeals.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Scott’s demeanor:

"He was more worried that a police car might ding his pickup truck than he was that his wife was missing."
—Vanessa Richardson (18:29)

• On Scott’s inventions:

"He claimed he’d only bought the fishing boat two weeks earlier, which was a surprise for Laci’s mom and stepdad. They didn’t even know he owned a boat."
—Vanessa Richardson (19:26)

• On media reaction:

"When news broke that he’d been cheating on his pregnant wife, Scott became the most hated man in America."
—Vanessa Richardson (24:37)

Segment 2: The Sodder Children Disappearance (33:00–55:25)

Introduction and Fire (33:00)

• Setting: Christmas Eve, 1945, Fayetteville, West Virginia. George and Jenny Sodder, Italian immigrants, have 10 children; nine are home for the holiday.

• Late night, Jenny answers a wrong-number call with laughter in the background (33:10).

• Unusual events follow: the front door is unlocked, lights are left on. Jenny returns to bed, later hears a bang and rolling on the roof, then awakens to smoke—house is ablaze.

• Chaos ensues: four children escape, five are missing. Multiple attempts to re-enter the burning house are thwarted by a missing ladder and inexplicably dead trucks.

Aftermath and Doubts

• The fire department arrives hours later. No human remains or bones are found. Authorities quickly rule the cause as faulty wiring and issue death certificates.

• The Sodders’ suspicions grow:

  • Jenny conducts home experiments and consults with crematorium experts, confirming that bones should survive such a fire.
  • Evidence mounts the fire was not electrical: the house lights stayed on, and a phone repairman finds the line was cut, not burned.

• Strange Details:

  • The missing ladder was later found 75 feet away, down an embankment.
  • Jenny recalls the “bang” on the roof, suggests it was a napalm-filled rubber ball (later found by her youngest, Sylvia).
  • Apparent preparation: ignition objects, cut phone lines, trucks mysteriously disabled.

Possible Motives and Community Tensions (44:00)

• George had enemies within the local Italian immigrant community, largely due to his outspoken anti-Mussolini (anti-fascist) views.
• Threats had been made, including a furious insurance salesman warning, "Your goddamn house is going up in smoke and your children are going to be destroyed." (44:07)
• A stranger recently remarked on fuse boxes, and a man had been seen watching the children before the fire.

The Kidnapping Theory and Sightings

• Multiple supposed sightings of the Sodder children alive: in passing cars, restaurants, and hotels accompanied by unknown Italian adults.
• Sighting details:
  • One account had them seen (as the fire was burning) in a car with Florida plates (45:39).
  • A hotel worker claimed to see them with “two men and two women, all of them Italian” (45:46).

Frustration with Investigators

• The Sodders write to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover; the FBI cannot intervene without a local request, which police refuse.
• The family hires PI C.C. Tinsley, who discovers:
  • The fire chief had buried a cow’s liver on the property (to falsely suggest remains were found).
  • The threatening insurance salesman sat on the inquest jury and had dubious dealings with the Sodder’s insurance policy.

The Mystery Endures (50:03)

• In 1952, George and Jenny erect a billboard offering a $5,000 reward, featuring their children's faces. It remains for 40 years.
• Years later, a photo and cryptic letter referencing their son Lewis arrives, keeping hope and suspicions alive.

“The mystery endures to this day. Looking back on this week in crime history, it’s clear the holidays aren’t always happy.”
—Vanessa Richardson (53:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the community’s response:

"Jenny bought animal bones and set them on fire to see if they completely burned up. In every test, no matter what kind of bones she used, there was always a noticeable pile of fragments left behind."
—Vanessa Richardson (39:14)

• On strange events the night of the fire:

"The ladder was missing...found it days later, lying at the bottom of an embankment 75ft away from the house."
—Vanessa Richardson (43:38)

• On the enduring hope:

"After she passed away, the worn out billboard at the side of the road was finally taken down. But the mystery endures to this day."
—Vanessa Richardson (53:35)

Final Reflection (53:52–55:25)

• Vanessa draws a somber lesson from both stories: for some, the holidays are a “dark reminder of the people they have lost,” and a reason to be “thankful for the family members you do have.”
• Expresses gratitude to listeners for being part of the Crime House community.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Laci Peterson Disappearance Begins: 04:26
• Scott’s suspicious behavior and investigation: 17:59
• Amber Fry's involvement and taped calls: 21:36
• Public opinion turns (Amber's press conference): 24:12
• Discovery of Laci’s remains and Scott’s arrest: 29:32
• Trial and outcome: 30:39
• Sodder family case begins: 33:00
• Fire, missing children, and initial investigation: 33:10–43:17
• Deeper suspicions and evidence of foul play: 43:17–45:46
• Kidnapping theory and sightings: 45:39
• Private investigator's discoveries: 47:53
• Billboard and final clues: 50:03
• Closing reflection: 53:52

Tone & Style Notes

Throughout, Vanessa Richardson maintains a clear, empathetic, and slightly somber tone. The narrative is engaging, with a balance of factual delivery, storytelling, and critical questioning—which encourages listeners to reflect on the unanswered mysteries. The show closes with a gentle reminder of the fragility of family, especially during the holidays, underlining the enduring impact of these infamous crimes.