SEQUESTERED Podcast – Season Two, Episode: "Zebb Quinn: Murdered In 2000 (Asheville, NC) | Part Two"
Host: Road Trip Studios
Release Date: August 11, 2025
1. Introduction to Zeb Quinn’s Disappearance
In this gripping second installment of the Zeb Quinn case, host Sarah Reed delves deeper into the mysterious disappearance and subsequent murder of 18-year-old Zeb Quinn in Asheville, North Carolina, back in January 2000. The episode builds upon the unsettling events outlined in the previous episode, where Zeb vanished under mysterious circumstances after receiving an urgent pager message.
2. The Critical Night and Initial Clues
The narrative begins by recounting the day Zeb Quinn was last seen alive. On January 2, 2000, Zeb received a troubling page that compelled him to alter his evening plans and leave in a hurry. Reed explains the significance of pagers at the time, noting their role in urgent communications.
A pivotal detail emerged when Zeb's abandoned Mazda was discovered two weeks later at a local barbecue restaurant’s parking lot. Inside the vehicle were two enigmatic clues:
- Hotel Key Card: Found on the dash, this key card lacked identifiable markings, making it impossible to trace to a specific hotel. Reed remarks, “Whether police checked every hotel in the area, or if the card was planted as a red herring, it was never made public” (04:48).
- Lipstick Markings: Lips painted in lipstick were smeared across the back window, adding to the mystery.
Additionally, Zeb's family noticed that the driver's seat had been moved forward, suggesting that someone shorter might have been behind the wheel. This observation aligned with a tip about a woman, possibly resembling Misty Taylor, seen driving Zeb’s car a week prior with a man in the passenger seat.
3. Connections to Misty Taylor and the Emergence of Wesley Smith
Zeb had recently begun communicating with Misty Taylor, the daughter of Tamara Taylor, who worked at Zeb's father's bar. Despite warnings from friends and family about Misty’s complicated personal life—she was secretly a mother and involved with an abusive boyfriend, Wesley Smith—Zeb maintained his relationship with her.
Reed highlights a crucial moment: “On New Year's Eve 1999, while the century was turning and the world was welcoming in a new year, Zeb and Misty reportedly spent the entire night talking on the phone” (04:18). However, Misty became unresponsive in the following days, leading Zeb to make a fateful call to her boyfriend Wesley, which was overheard by Zeb’s grandmother. Zeb reportedly exclaimed, “[05:11] News Anchor: Her, I'm in trouble. I'm in big trouble now.”
4. Suspicions Around Ina Ustich and Jason Owens
Investigations revealed that the pager message originated from Zeb’s aunt, Ina Ustich’s home. Ina denied making the call and claimed she was out to dinner with Tamara Taylor that night. However, during that time, Ina’s house was broken into; although nothing was stolen, items were disturbingly moved, raising suspicions about a possible setup to lure Zeb.
Meanwhile, Jason Owens, a friend of Zeb’s who frequented his father’s bar, emerged as a figure of interest. Owens had a troubled history with minor offenses and questionable behavior. Reed notes, “Jason Owens was never far from law enforcement's radar” (09:25), eventually leading to multiple warrants and blood tests. Despite collecting DNA from both Owens’ and Zeb’s vehicles, no conclusive match was found, allowing Owens to avoid arrest initially.
5. The Turning Point: Surveillance Footage and Reenactments
Four years post-disappearance, Asheville police released previously unseen surveillance footage. The video captured Zeb and Jason Owens leaving a gas station together at 9:14 PM on January 2, 2000. Reed emphasizes, “This is the last confirmed sighting we have of Zeb on video, him and Owens side by side walking out of the Sitgo.”
Further attempts to uncover the truth included police-led reenactments of the night Zeb disappeared, aiming to jog public memory or elicit new tips. Despite these efforts, no substantial evidence surfaced, and Owens remained uncharged.
6. The 2015 Double Homicide and Owens’ Arrest
Fast forward to March 2015 in Lester, North Carolina, where police responded to the disappearance of Christy Schoen Codd and her husband Joseph J.T. Codd. As details unfolded, a chilling connection emerged linking Robert Jason Owens to both Zeb Quinn’s disappearance and the Codd murders.
Reed narrates the tragic backstory of Christy Schoen Codd—a vibrant, multi-talented woman with a flourishing career and a bright personal life—married to Joseph J.T. Codd, a respected Hollywood key grip. In 2015, tragedy struck as both Christy and JT, along with their unborn daughter, were found brutally murdered and dismembered in Owens’ wood-burning stove.
A pivotal revelation came from Owens himself and investigative efforts:
- Owens was seen disposing of large trash bags containing the remains.
- 19:06 Forensics Expert: “Human remains were found inside a wood stove in the home on Owens property.”
- Owens was charged with the double homicide and the death of their unborn child, marking a significant development in the long-unsolved case.
7. Implications for the Zeb Quinn Case
The horrifying revelation of Owens’ capacity for such heinous crimes cast a shadow over Zeb Quinn’s disappearance. Reed posits, “If he was capable of this in 2015, what does that say about what might have happened to Zeb Quinn in the year 2000?” (21:08) The episode closes by setting the stage for the next part, which promises to explore the lingering questions and seek answers from those who loved Zeb.
Notable Quotes:
- Zeb Quinn’s Grandmother: “[05:11] Her, I'm in trouble. I'm in big trouble now.”
- Forensics Expert on 2015 Case: “[19:06] Human remains were found inside a wood stove in the home on Owens property.”
- Detective on Search Efforts: “[14:08] And all these years later, Owen is now a person of interest.”
- Sarah Reed’s Insight: “[21:08] If he was capable of this in 2015, what does that say about what might have happened to Zeb Quinn in the year 2000?”
Conclusion
This episode masterfully intertwines the unresolved mystery of Zeb Quinn’s disappearance with the later, more sinister crimes committed by Jason Owens. By providing detailed accounts, timely interviews, and critical analysis, Sarah Reed paints a comprehensive picture of a case that spans over a decade, highlighting the lingering quest for justice and the profound impact on the families involved.
For those seeking to unravel the depths of cold cases and the human stories behind them, this episode of SEQUESTERED delivers a compelling narrative that underscores the relentless pursuit of truth amidst enduring silence.