Podcast Summary: The Deck – Jason Vesper (10 of Diamonds, Nebraska)

Release Date: April 1, 2026
Host: Ashley Flowers
Guest Contributors: Sgt. Andrew Susi, Josh Vesper, Dani Vesper (recorded statement)

Overview

This episode explores the unsolved 2008 murder of Jason Vesper, a well-liked family man from Scottsbluff, Nebraska, whose life was cut short in a brutal stabbing that took place shortly after a family argument. Unwinding the facts, the episode delves into chilling surveillance footage, the ripple effects on Jason’s family, and the ongoing investigation—highlighting the hope that someone, somewhere, has the final piece to solve the case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene

• Family Dispute and Jason’s Departure

  • January 2, 2008: After an argument with his wife, Debbie, and teenage son, Josh, Jason leaves home to "blow off steam"—a coping mechanism for him.
  • Jason’s daughter, Dani, later finds him bleeding in his pickup truck nearby.
    • Memorable moment: Audio of Dani’s frantic 911 call, capturing the real-time horror (02:47).

• Discovery & Emergency Response

  • Initial police response assumed an accident, but EMS discovered multiple stab wounds (05:15).
  • Sgt. Susi: "They found that there were multiple stab wounds to his upper body that eventually led to his death." (05:15)

The Vesper Family’s Perspective

• Remembering Jason

  • Josh, Jason’s son, describes his father as principled, hardworking, and family-oriented:
    • “He was the rock of our family, the main breadwinner... He valued his family over everything.” (06:26)

• Josh as a Suspect

  • Josh recalls being questioned aggressively by police:
    • “At one point, he kind of flipped the script on me and just started slamming his table..." (07:18)
    • He was quickly cleared thanks to solid alibis and corroboration from his girlfriend, who is now his wife.

• Alibis and Timeline

  • All immediate family members (Josh, Dani, Debbie) had confirmed alibis at the time of the murder.
  • Investigators used surveillance and phone records to verify locations.

The Timeline & Surveillance Evidence

• Surveillance Highlights

  • 12:46am: Jason leaves his driveway
  • 12:47am: Arrives at Sitco gas station; on video inside, using phone to call Josh (09:47)
  • 12:50am: Leaves gas station
  • ~12:56am: Surveillance shows Jason stopped at a stop sign; mystery vehicle appears (12:29)
  • Both vehicles are seen maneuvering—Jason seems to be followed by the other car.

• Critical Encounter

  • 12:57am: Mystery vehicle flashes headlights, Jason pulls over (14:10)
  • Sgt. Susi: “That follow vehicle began flashing his headlights, essentially… trying to contact him, get him to pull over." (14:10)
  • The stabbing occurs just out of camera view—Jason is attacked in his truck, stabbed 16 times (14:38).

• Aftermath

  • Despite life-threatening injuries, Jason drives away, ultimately crashing a few doors from home.
  • Final words to family: “Two guys jumped me.” (19:15)

Investigative Challenges

• Forensic & Evidence Limitations

  • Fresh snow erased outdoor evidence.
  • Forensics from the car (blood, hairs) led nowhere conclusive—DNA mostly matched Jason (17:47).

• Vehicle Description

  • The suspect’s car possibly an '85-'88 Cadillac Deville or Fleetwood, or a similar Oldsmobile—distinctive headlights noted (20:48, 29:39).
  • Despite testing several similar cars, none were linked to the murder.

• Suspect Pool

  • Multiple suspects have been interviewed; some ruled out, others remain on the list, but none have a real connection to Jason (22:22, 23:27).

• Jason’s Final Words & Theories

  • Jason’s last statement suggests more than one attacker, supported by injuries on both sides of his body (19:15, 20:07).
  • Random road rage or gang initiation have been considered, but there’s no evidence Jason was involved in criminal activity (23:46).

Family Impact & Reflections

• Dani Vesper’s Statement (26:41)

  • Dani, now a parent, shares the lifelong trauma and mental health consequences from witnessing her father dying and enduring subsequent years of uncertainty.
  • “My dad did not deserve to die so cruelly. His death has left a hole in all of our lives as he is always missing from every moment, big or small...”
  • She describes “treatment resistant crippling anxiety” and the generational toll—urges for more societal support for families affected by violent crime.

• Ongoing Hope

  • Family and investigators push forward, fuelled by hope for closure and the belief that the case can still be solved.
  • Sgt. Susi remains actively involved, combing new evidence and phone records, waiting for the break the family so desperately needs (24:58, 25:19).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• 14-year-old Dani’s 911 call:

  • “My dad’s bleeding in the mouth and nose and I went to go help him and… he was passed out. He’s up now… Dad, wake up!” (02:47)

• Josh on interrogation tactics:

  • “How did it feel when you were jabbing that knife into your father's chest...” (07:18)

• Josh on the last call with his dad:

  • “I was able to hear him tell me that he loved me, and I was able to tell him that I loved him, and that was one thing that he was always very good about.” (10:49)

• Sgt. Susi on the lack of connection:

  • “The suspects that we do have... don't really have any real connection to Jason.” (23:27)

• Dani on lifetime trauma:

  • “…It lasts a lifetime and it feels like it just never ends. It’s like a looming shadow always in the background.” (26:41)

Timeline & Timestamps

• [02:47] Dani Vesper’s 911 call
• [05:15] Sgt. Susi: EMS discovers Jason's wounds
• [06:26] Josh: Character and role of his father
• [07:18] Josh: Interrogation experience
• [09:47] Sgt. Susi: Detailed gas station surveillance
• [12:29] Mystery vehicle appears on surveillance
• [14:10] Sgt. Susi: Vehicle flashes headlights at Jason
• [14:38] Sgt. Susi: Jason stabbed, pulls over
• [19:15] Jason’s final words: “Two guys jumped me.”
• [20:07] Josh: Possible evidence of more than one attacker
• [23:27] Sgt. Susi: No connection between suspects and Jason
• [24:58] Sgt. Susi: Review of phone records
• [26:41] Dani Vesper's heartfelt written statement

Suspect Car Description & Call to Action

• Suspect Vehicle:

  • Possibly 1985–1988 Cadillac Deville/Fleetwood (including '85–'87 Fleetwood 75 limousine), or 1985–1990 Oldsmobile 98 (29:39).

• Contact:

  • Anyone with information is urged to call the Scottsbluff Police Department at 308-632-7867.

Closing Reflection

The Deck’s coverage of Jason Vesper’s murder is as much about the devastating aftermath for families as it is about facts and leads. This is a call for justice and closure—a plea for listeners to come forward with any fragments of information that could help heal a family and solve a haunting Nebraska cold case.