S3: Bonus Episode - Still Missing

Summary

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Somebody Knows Something

S3: Bonus Episode – Still Missing (March 16, 2026)

Episode Overview

This bonus episode, hosted by Detectives Andrew Houghton and Chris Hall of the Elgin Police Department Cold Case Unit, previews Season 3 and gives listeners a comprehensive update on missing persons cases in Elgin, Illinois. The team introduces new and returning detectives, recaps the cold case unit’s evolution, and details all active missing persons files, culminating with a focus on the upcoming full-season investigation into the 1982 disappearance of Wyteria Jones. The episode invites community engagement and solicits tips on all open cases.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage for Season 3 ([01:45]-[02:47])

• Season 3 will return to an episodic, in-depth format focusing on the 1982 disappearance of Wyteria Jones.
• The bonus episode aims to recap all active missing person cold cases, spanning from 1982 to the present.
• The unit has identified four official cold case missing persons and anticipates a potential fifth if an ongoing 2023 case remains unresolved.

“For our upcoming season, Andrew and I are going to investigate in real time the disappearance of 45-year-old Wyteria Jones, who was last seen in either late September or early October of 1982.”
— Detective Chris Hall [02:47]

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2. Unit Expansion: Meet the Team ([03:37]-[07:40])

• Detective Beth Sterriker joins, bringing experience from patrol, narcotics, and serving as a school resource officer.
• Sergeant Matt Vartanian returns in a supervisory role after prior podcast involvement.
• Each team member’s unique background is emphasized, offering diverse investigative perspectives.

“I grew up with some of these stories and these cases...that gives me a different perspective from the three of you. I know this town really well, and I know some of these cases.”
— Detective Beth Sterriker [06:52]

• The hosts underscore the value of varied investigative backgrounds: narcotics, patrol, SWAT, technology, and youth work.

“I think we kind of cover a lot of different perspectives and a different background with the four of us.”
— Detective Andrew Houghton [07:15]

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3. Update on Elgin Cold Case Missing Persons ([08:24]-[17:47])

A. Recent & Pending Cases

• Franco Loya (Missing since April 2023)
  • 61-year-old male, last seen discharged from St. Joseph’s Hospital walking north on North Airlight Street.
  • Not yet officially a cold case; active search ongoing.
  • Case details: [08:49]-[11:29]

“We hope that by releasing information in this podcast we can find him before his case technically becomes a cold case in April of this year.”
— Detective Andrew Houghton [10:47]

• Update: Willie Wilder
  • Removed from the caseload after locating him alive in September 2025.

B. Active Cold Case Missing Persons

1. Maynard Escalante Martinez ([11:29]-[13:24])
   • 16-year-old unaccompanied minor from Honduras, missing since June 29, 2021.
   • Left Elgin with an alleged relative; whereabouts unconfirmed.
   • Now would be 20; last seen 5'9", 190 lbs, black hair, brown eyes.

“He was listed as missing and we have not located him as of the date of this recording.”
— Detective Chris Hall [12:34]

2. Chad P. Smith ([13:24]-[14:19])
   • Black male, 44 years old at time of disappearance; missing as of February 2, 2021.
   • Known to frequent Chicago’s South Side; sporadic unconfirmed sightings reported.
   • Identifiable tattoos: lion (chest), hammerhead shark (right forearm), praying hands (right arm), cross (left arm).

“His mother still lives here in Elgin. Over the past year, his mother has reported that she’s been told that Chad’s been spotted in Chicago... but we have not been able to confirm.”
— Detective Chris Hall [13:45]

3. Darren Wood ([14:38]-[15:37])
   • White male, 24 years old at time of disappearance; last seen July 9, 2017.
   • Last spoke with family, planned to return for DMV visit but never showed.
   • Active leads, including comparison of unidentified human remains, have not produced a match.

“Several potential sets of human remains with similarities to Darren have come up, but through DNA and dental records we have been able to eliminate those... as being Darren.”
— Detective Chris Hall [15:37]

C. Forthcoming Deep Dive: Wyteria Jones (Season 3 Focus) ([17:02]-[17:47])

• 45-year-old Black woman, disappeared after leaving the Douglas Hotel in Elgin, late September/early October 1982.
• Case will be thoroughly covered across multiple episodes, likely extending investigation outside Elgin and Kane County.

“We expect that Wyteria’s case will take us outside of Elgin, even outside of Kane County, as we search for answers in the oldest cold case missing person case in our files.”
— Detective Andrew Houghton [17:02]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Teamwork and Perspective:
  “Just having those different perspectives and ways of thinking is always beneficial.” — Detective Andrew Houghton [07:15]

• On Community Engagement:
  “We believe that the Elgin Police Department and our community can work together to bring closure to cold cases, because we know that in these cases, somebody knows something.”
  — Chief Anna Lally [01:02]

• On Motivation for Cold Case Work:
  “I really feel like these families and victims deserve our full attention and any effort we can give them to try to close these cases.”
  — Detective Beth Sterriker [07:40]

• On the Emotional Stakes:
  “Because in the end, that is what they deserve.”
  — Sergeant Matt Vartanian [07:58]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:45] – Season 3 preview and focus on missing persons cases
• [03:37] – Introduction of new and returning unit members
• [08:24] – Overview of current missing person caseload
• [09:18] – Detailed breakdowns begin (Franco Loya forward through each case)
• [17:02] – Preview of Wyteria Jones’s season-long investigation

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Call to Action & Contact Information

“If you or anyone you know has information about this case or any other cold case in Elgin, please contact the Elgin Police Department cold case email at [e-mail] or the cold case tip line at 847-289-COLD. You can also review cold case information on the Elgin Police Department's cold case page at www.elgincoldcases.com...”
— Chief Anna Lally [17:47]

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In Summary

This bonus episode offers both a look back at the progress and ongoing work in Elgin’s cold cases and a look forward to the in-depth exploration of Wyteria Jones’s disappearance in Season 3. The expanded cold case team brings fresh energy and new perspectives, with a shared commitment to seeking answers for victims and their families. The detectives appeal for tip submissions, highlighting the vital role the community plays in solving these decades-old mysteries.

Transcript

[A]

This podcast is based on information sourced primarily from police and media reports, but certain names and other identifying details may have been changed or altered for privacy and security reasons. While the events and cases discussed are based on real investigations, some aspects may be simplified for time and for narrative purposes. Voice actors have been used to read from statements or documents. All information presented is intended solely to inform and raise awareness. Hosts may discuss theories regarding the cases examined in this podcast, but such discussions are not intended to and should not be considered by the listener to be legal. Conclusions all persons discussed are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Listener discretion is advised.

[B]

This is Chief Anna Lally. Welcome to Somebody Knows Something, a podcast from the Elgin Police Department's Cold Case Unit. In this podcast, we will shed new light on cold cases in the City of Elgin by sharing untold details and by encouraging anyone with information to come forward. You will come along with real cold case detectives as they investigate active cold cases in real time and seek justice for the victims and closure for their families. We believe that the Elgin Police Department and our community can work together to bring closure to cold cases because we know that in these cases, somebody knows something.

[C]

Hello, welcome to 2026 and welcome to the bonus episode of Somebody Knows Something, the Elgin Police Department Cold Podcast. My name is Detective Andrew Houghton and

[D]

I'm Detective Chris Hall. Last season we walked through the 1970s of Elgin covering five cold case homicides and one cold case missing person. As we continue to work on these cases, we are already preparing for season three, which we plan to launch in March of this year. For season three, we are leaving the 1970s and heading into the 1980s of Elgin, but we are returning to our original format and covering one case in an episodic season just like we did in season one. And just like season one, it's another missing persons case.

[C]

Before we jump into season three, we decided that we wanted to give our listeners an idea of all the cold case missing persons that we have on our caseload as of the date of this recording so that we can ask for information and tips on those cases. Then, in season three, Chris and I are going to explore the oldest case in our missing person case files, a case from 1982 over the course of a full season.

[D]

Currently we have four missing persons cases on our caseload spanning from 1982 to 2021 and we have a missing person who disappeared in April of 2023 who, if he is not located, will become our fifth cold case missing person in just a few short months. So let's dive into those cases here in the bonus episode. As we begin the new year and as we move towards season three of Somebody Knows Something. For our upcoming season, Andrew and I are going to investigate in real time the disappearance of 45 year old Wyteria Jones, who was last seen in either late September or early October of 1982. We briefly mentioned her case while we discussed Barbara Gluecard's disappearance in season two. And now Wyteria will have her own season as we work to try to bring her home.

[C]

For Wyteria's case, we will also have some old help and some new help. Just a few weeks ago, Detective Beth Sterriker joined our unit which has now grown to three full time investigators and Sergeant Matt Vartanian is also rejoining us. Our dedicated listeners will remember that after season one Matt was promoted and left the unit, but In November of 2025 he returned to the Major Investigations Division as a sergeant and he currently oversees the Cold Case unit as part of his duties. While Chris and I will continue to host season three. Our listeners may also hear from Beth and from Matt periodically as we work on Materia's case as a group.

[D]

Throughout the season, Andrew and I, along with Matt and Beth, plan to interview people who knew Witeria, visit key sites related to her disappearance and review her full case file so that we can hopefully generate new tips and new leads in her case. As we said, we plan to launch our season in March and we hope that with your help we can generate new interest in Wyteria's case and maybe find out what happened to her over 44 years ago.

[C]

Chris, why don't we start by introducing Beth and reintroducing Matt to all of our listeners.

[D]

That is a great idea. Let's start with you Beth. I know you have only been with us for a short time, but why don't you introduce yourself to our listeners.

[E]

Hi, I'm Detective Beth Sterriker and I've been a police officer here in Elgin since 2006. Before I joined the Cold Case Unit, I worked in patrol, then in our narcotics unit for 10 years. Most recently I was a school resource officer at Elgin High School for almost seven years before I joined the Cold Case Unit just a few weeks ago.

[D]

Beth, thank you. It's great to have you.

[C]

Yeah, it is. And our listeners will certainly remember this next voice.

[F]

Hey everybody, I'm Sergeant Matt Vartanium from season one. As you said Andrew, after season one I was promoted and left investigations to be the sergeant on night shift patrol. But as you also mentioned, Back In November of 2025, I moved back up into the investigations division as one of the supervisors. Currently, one of my assignments is that I oversee the three cold case detectives. So it's nice to be back and be involved in these cases again. I am really looking forward to working with the three of you and just to continue the work on these cases.

[C]

Well, welcome, Beth, and welcome back, Matt. It's great to have this unit expanding and seeing some new faces and some old ones, and I think we're all really confident that we're going to get some movement on some of these cases as we move into 2026.

[D]

Yes. Welcome, guys. I know I speak for Andrew and myself when I say that we are really looking forward to not only the new season, but also the cases that we are going to be working both on and off the podcast.

[F]

Thanks, guys.

[E]

Yeah, thank you. I'm really excited to start working on these cases.

[C]

Matt, I know you worked with me on season one and stayed up to date and kind of been involved in some of the other cases that Chris and I have been working, but I wanted to ask you, Beth, what made you want to decide to join this unit?

[E]

Well, Andrew, listeners may be surprised to know that I actually grew up around Elgin and that my dad is a retired lieutenant. I know from talking to him and talking to you guys that he actually worked on a number of the cold cases that we are looking at now. So I think for me, a big part of joining this unit is that I grew up with some of these stories and these cases.

[D]

I would imagine, growing up in Elgin, you probably recognize some of the names and places that we have talked about in the past seasons and we'll talk about in the future ones, right?

[E]

Absolutely. And I think that gives me a different perspective from the three of you. I grew up around here. I know this town really well, and I know some of these cases.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

I think that as we talked about, people that would be a great fit in the unit. Your background is something that we felt would be a great asset to us and on these cases, and your perspective as a woman in our group of guys is something that we also think will be very useful.

[C]

Yeah, for sure. I think just having those different perspectives and ways of thinking is always beneficial. I came from online investigations and sex crimes and crimes against children. Matt, you came from gang crimes and have a technology background. Chris, you worked in patrol and have a background with SWAT and ESD and tactical scenarios. And now we had you, Beth, with a background in narcotics investigations and the school system with different juveniles. I think we kind of COVID a lot of different perspectives and a different background with the four of us.

[E]

Yes, I'm really looking forward to diving into not only Whiteeria's case for the podcast, but all the other cases that we are actively working. I really feel like these families and victims deserve our full attention and any effort we can give them to try to close these cases. So I'm really looking forward to working with you guys as we move forward.

[F]

Yeah, it will be definitely nice to have you here, Beth, and I'm looking forward to being back as well. I know we might not be in every episode this year, but our listeners may hear from you and from me as we work this case and others as a team to just try to determine the closure for these cases and for the victims and their families. Because in the end, that is what they deserve.

[C]

Well, now that we've given you an update on our staffing. As Chris said, we have four missing person cases in our file, including one case that we will focus extensively on in season three. But as Chris also said, we have a fifth case we want to talk about. That case involves a 61 year old man who was reported missing in April of 2023 and because our cold cases have to be at least three years old to meet our criteria, his case will become our fifth missing person case in April unless we find him before then.

[D]

True, but even if we do add a fifth case in April, we did locate another missing person this past fall and his case came off the books for us. Willie Wilder, who is listed on our website and who was on our caseload after he disappeared in December of 2021, was located living in South Elgin in September of 2025. So since our unit began in May of 2024, our list of six cold case missing persons is now down to four with Willie and Karen coming off our list.

[C]

With that in mind, we thought that since we're focusing on our oldest cold case for season three, we would discuss each missing person case from our cold case files in reverse chronological order starting with the missing person From April of 2023 and working backwards to our 1982 case here in this bonus episode. Then when we launch season three in March, we will dive really deeply into our 1982 case. So let's get into those other four cold case missing persons as we look forward to season three of Somebody Knows Something. The first case we want to touch upon is the disappearance of Franco Loya. Franco was born on December 17, 1964 and he lived here in Elgin when he was reported missing in 2023. On April 21, members of his family reported that they had not spoken with him since April 19th and they asked the Elgin Police Department to try to locate him.

[D]

Police learned that Franco had received some care at St. Joseph's Hospital. Then after he was discharged, he walked north along north airlight Street around 9pm Franco was living in the 300 block of Raymond street on the east side of Elgin, about three and a half miles east of where he had last been seen. Elgin police pulled video surveillance, tried to ping his phone and searched the area extensively, both near where he was last seen as well as his house, other areas he was known to frequent, but as of the date of this recording he has not been located. Franco is currently listed as missing and endangered.

[C]

Franco is described as a male Hispanic, approximately 5ft 5 inches tall and 192 pounds with black hair and brown eyes and he was last seen wearing a Black Planet Fitness tank top, black pants and black shoes. Franco sometimes uses the name Ojas and a photograph of him along with all the people we're going to discuss in this episode accompanies this episode. Franco's family is still searching for him and we are asking that anyone who has information about his whereabouts please come forward. We hope that by releasing information in this podcast we can find him before his case technically becomes a cold case in April of this year.

[D]

Franco Loyov's case is in a cold case case yet, but the next three people that we're going to discuss are the first person is Maynard Escalante Martinez, who was a 16 year old unaccompanied minor when he entered the United States in April of 2021. Manor was placed with his family here in Elgin, but was reported missing two months later on June 29, 2021.

[C]

An unaccompanied minor is defined under U.S. law as a person who is under the legal age of 18 years old and has no lawful immigration status in the United States. The person also has no parent or legal guardian available to provide care or custody. According to the national immigration forum, in 2021, 122,731 unaccompanied minors, including Manor, were referred to the Office of Refugee resettlement, or the ORR, by the Department of Homeland Security, 107,646 of those people were released to their sponsors. The ORR operates nearly 300 facilities in 27 different states and Maynard was sent to live with a family here in Elgin until his own family could be located for him.

[D]

However, on June 29, 2021, the sponsor family reported that a person, allegedly one of Manor's uncles, came to Elgin from Florida and that Maynard left with him because he was a minor and we can't confirm who he actually left with. He was listed as missing and we have not located him as of the date of this recording. Manor would be 20 years old now, so he may no longer be 5 9, 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes like he was when he was reported missing. But we do have a photograph of him from 2021 listed with this episode. We simply are asking that anyone with information on his whereabouts contact us so that we can confirm that he is okay and that he actually left with someone from his actual family. If you have any information on Manor's whereabouts, please contact us.

[C]

Our next missing person is Chad P. Smith, who was 44 years old when he was reported missing on groundhog's Day in 2021, Chad was listed in Leeds as missing and endangered, and he's described as a black man who was 6ft tall, 170 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. His last known clothing description is currently unknown.

[D]

On February 2, 2021, Chad's family reported him missing, noting that no one had heard from him since Approximately December of 2020. He is known to frequent the 4600 block of Lake Park Avenue in Chicago, as well as other areas on the south side of Chicago, but his mother still lives here in Elgin. Over the past year, his mother has reported that she's been told that Chad's been spotted in Chicago by various people, but we have not been able to confirm that information. So again, if you have any information about him or his whereabouts, please contact us.

[C]

Chad also has a tattoo of a lion on his chest, a hammerhead shark on his right forearm, praying hands on his right arm, and a cross on his left arm. If you recognize him or this description, please let us know. We've also included a photograph of him with our episode.

[D]

The last missing person we have, other than our full Season three missing person is a young man named Darren wood, who was 24 years old when he was reported missing on July 13, 2017. According to his family, Darren stopped by his mother's house in the 800 block of Suzanne Lane on Elgin's east side on July 9, 2017, just a few days before he was reported missing. They chatted and he told her that he'd be back on the 11th to see her so that he would go to the DMV to get a state ID card. But he never returned.

[C]

By July 13, Darren's mother called the police and reported him missing. She described the last time she saw him. He was wearing blue jeans, a black shirt and black gym shoes. Darren is a white male who is approximately 5ft 5 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. He also has a tattoo of a star on his left forearm. The Elgin Police Department entered him into Leeds and attempted to locate him, but they came up empty.

[D]

Over the past eight years, we have had several potential matches to Darren from namus, which is the National Missing and Unidentified Person System. We will talk more about them in our full season, but basically they help law enforcement compare unidentified human remains from around the nation to missing persons cases. Anyway, several potential sets of human remains with similarities to Darren have come up, but through DNA and dental records we have been able to eliminate those identified remains as being Darren. At this time, we are still seeking information regarding his disappearance and whereabouts, so anyone with information please contact us. Well, those are the missing persons cases that we have on our caseload as of January of 2026, along with one that could become a cold case in just a few months. Franco Loyo, Maynard Escalante Martinez, Chad P. Smith, and Darren Wood. These four cases span from 2017 to 2023, but as we said at the beginning of this bonus episode, we have one more case that goes all the way back to the fall of 1982, over six months before Karen Shepers, our missing person from season one, disappeared.

[C]

Wyteria Jones was 45 years old when she vanished after reportedly leaving the Douglas Hotel, which is just across the street from the current police department. Listeners will remember that Casey Kyles, a case we covered in season two, was also murdered just outside that same building in 1977. For season three, we will be investigating Whiteeria's disappearance over multiple episodes, just like we did in season one with Karen Sheepers. But we expect that Whiteeria's case will take us outside of Elgin, even outside of Kane county, as we search for answers in the oldest cold case missing person case in our files. So please join us in March for season three. Whiteeria is Missing here on Somebody Knows Something.

[B]

If you or anyone you know has information about this case or any other cold case in Elgin, please contact the Elgin Police Department cold case [e-mail] or the cold case tip line at 847289 cold. You can also review cold case information on the Elgin Police Department's cold case page at www.elgincoldcases.com, where every cold case, homicide and missing persons case is listed with photographs and information about each case.