The Knife: Off Record – Episode 124

Date: September 11, 2025
Hosts: Hannah Smith & Patia Eaton
Theme: Missing Persons in the Wilderness – The Disappearances of Sam Sayers and Robert Schock

Overview

In this Off Record episode of The Knife, hosts Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton delve into the emotionally charged stories of two people who vanished in the Pacific Northwest wilderness: Sam Sayers, who has been missing since 2018, and Robert Schock, an ultra-marathoner who miraculously survived 30 days lost in the North Cascades in 2024. Through empathetic storytelling and personal reflections, Patia and Hannah examine the ripple effect of these disappearances—on families, investigators, and the broader community. The podcast centers around the real people behind the headlines, spotlighting the complexity of missing persons cases and the human determination to seek answers.

Key Discussion Points & Timeline

1. Introduction and Episode Theme

[01:52]

• The hosts set the tone: both will share disappearance stories rooted in the North Cascades.
• Patia acknowledges her personal connection to the story of Samantha (Sam) Sayers, having become close with Sam’s mother Lisa Sayers during several years of correspondence.

2. The Disappearance of Samantha Sayers (Told by Patia Eaton)

Personal Connection & Family Background

[02:34 – 07:03]

• Patia's friendship with Lisa Sayers highlighted the enduring trauma and resilience of families left searching for missing loved ones.
• Sam's upbringing: Pennsylvania roots, close-knit family, outdoor childhood, diagnosis of alopecia in high school leading to notable acts of bravery and self-acceptance.
  • “Her love for her daughter is something that I do now understand...and it really, like, drew me to Lisa and what she was going through and connected me to her story in this new way that I hadn’t experienced before.” — Patia Eaton [04:06]

Adult Life & Move to Seattle

[07:03 – 09:10]

• Sam follows her love of the outdoors to Seattle.
• Her relationships: a breakup with a former boyfriend, beginning a relationship with Kevin Dares, moving in together, and subsequent tension from financial strain.
• Hints of Sam’s uncertainty about her future and relationship.

Timeline Leading Up to Disappearance

[09:33 – 12:04]

• Sam had been considering moving home to Pennsylvania; relationship with Kevin was rocky but not officially ended.
• July 29, 2018: Sam has a public argument with Kevin about money.
• July 30: Facebook post inviting friends to hike Vesper Peak with her—no takers, decides to go solo.
  • Partial quote from Facebook post:
    • “Seattle friends I’m going hiking this Wednesday and tackling Vesper Peak...not a beginner’s hike, but anyone is welcome...Message me if you want to tag along...” [11:06]

The Hike and Immediate Aftermath

[13:53 – 19:40]

• July 31: Last texts with mother Lisa, who warns against hiking alone; reassurance from Sam.
• Aug 1, 2018: Sam leaves at 8am, heads to Vesper Peak trailhead, parks, signs in, and begins hike solo.
• Kevin and Sam had planned for her to check in by 6pm after the hike, but the call never comes.
  • “No one has seen or heard from Sam Sayers since August 1, 2018, which is now over seven years ago. And no trace of Sam Sayers has ever been found. Not an article of clothing, not a cell phone, nothing.” — Patia Eaton [17:01]

Kevin’s Actions and 911 Call

[18:07 – 21:56]

• Kevin drives to the trailhead to look for Sam; finds her car, attempts a night search, calls 911 at 1am.
  • 911 Call Playback [19:43]
  • Discussion of “I drove up from Seattle” slip in the 911 call and speculation on significance.

Search & Investigation

[22:01 – 27:26]

• Full-scale search begins August 2, 2018.
• Eyewitness sightings: Sam is seen around 11:30am ascending, later in the background of a video, and finally between 2–3pm at lunch near the summit. She then descends via the south side—a non-standard, confusing route.
• Family’s challenge launching cross-country to assist the search; Lisa and stepfather Ron arrive, frustrated that Sam’s car was not impounded nor thoroughly searched.

Unresolved Tensions & Theories

[33:25 – 47:44]

• Friction between Lisa and Kevin’s family regarding the GoFundMe, transparency, and media messaging (e.g., Sam referred to as Kevin’s fiancé).
• Extensive search ends on Aug 23, 2018—largest in Snohomish County, 14 dog teams, helicopters, drones, etc., but no trace found.
• Theories discussed:
  • Accidental injury or fall (possibly from taking risky selfies), evidence could be hidden by rugged terrain or wildlife.
  • Speculation about possible abduction, but no clear evidence.
  • “...that little voice that Lisa heard...telling her that [Sam was taken] is something that she really held onto and that she really kind of mulled over more as the search didn’t turn up any sign of Sam...” — Patia Eaton [41:17]

Legacy and Continuing Search

[47:45 – 50:04]

• Lisa never gave up hope; continued to search and advocate for Sam’s case until her death in 2025.

• Kevin continued search and rescue efforts, even helping recover remains of another missing hiker, Rachel Lakaduke, showing the profound, lasting impact.

  • “My hope in telling this story is not that I’m gonna break the case wide open, but to just keep Sam’s story in people’s minds, because she does deserve to be found.” — Patia Eaton [47:45]

• Emphasis on the importance of keeping missing persons’ stories alive to possibly spark new leads or recollections.

  • “...when time passes and people pass away, like, the memories of people can get lost. And she doesn’t want that to happen with Sam...It’s important that we keep talking about these things because you never know what might spark in someone who might hear. It could lead to discovery of her.” — Hannah Smith [48:25]

3. The Disappearance and Rescue of Robert Schock (Told by Hannah Smith)

Introducing Robert Schock’s Story

[50:11 – 52:38]

• July 31, 2024: Robert Schock, a 39-year-old ultra-marathoner, sets off for a solo 20-mile trail run in the far north part of the North Cascades with his dog, Freddy.
• Robert is a seasoned outdoorsman, used to pushing boundaries and “van life.”
• North Cascades region context: rugged, vast, and remote.

Getting Lost

[52:39 – 57:02]

• Robert’s mom, Jan, spoke to him the night before; he promised to check in post-run.
• Freddy is found alone by the river on Aug 3, prompting authorities to search for Robert.
• Robert’s car found at the trailhead, wallet inside—a deputy speculates he intended not to return, which Jan dispels as “not unusual.”
• Three-day official ground search, along with Border Patrol helicopter overflights, yields no sign. Search is called off; presumed lost or dead.

Robert’s Account of Survival

[57:15 – 68:14]

• Robert’s own recollection after being found:
  • Gets disoriented after crossing river in a self-operated cable car with Freddy.
  • Misreads a trail sign, heads north into wilderness instead of south.
  • Frees Freddy, telling him to “go home”; Freddy cannot recross the river.
  • Loses shoes in a river, becomes barefoot and shirtless.
  • Brief, unsuccessful attempts to find trail or get help, including seeing helicopters that don’t spot him; foraging for berries and a lucky, non-poisonous mushroom.
  • Collapses on a riverbank, 11 miles from trailhead, reportedly lays there “awake” over a week, surviving on river water and hope.

Rescue & Aftermath

[66:09 – 70:55]

• Robert is eventually found after 30 days by a group of Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA) workers, called to the area by his faint cries for help.
  • “I’m going to try one more time and yell for help. And so he just starts yelling as much as he can. He’s so weak. And lo and behold, someone hears him. It’s like finding a needle in the haystack.” — Hannah Smith [66:09]
• Workers cover him with jackets, give food, and call rescue—he’s 50 pounds lighter and near death, but survives.
• PNTA director’s Facebook post acknowledges the toll the discovery had on young volunteers and defends the thoroughness of official searches.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Her love for her daughter is something that I do now understand. And it really, like, drew me to Lisa and what she was going through and connected me to her story in this new way that I hadn’t experienced before.” — Patia Eaton [04:06]
• “No one has seen or heard from Sam Sayers since August 1, 2018...not an article of clothing, not a cell phone, nothing.” — Patia Eaton [17:01]
• 911 Call (Kevin reporting Sam missing):
  “Had a hiker, Samantha Sayers, who left early this morning for a day hike. Was supposed to be out by six. Didn’t hear from her. We drove up from—Sir, I drove up from Seattle...” [19:43]
• “When time passes and people pass away, memories of people can get lost. And [Lisa] doesn’t want that to happen with Sam...It’s important that we keep talking about these things because you never know what might spark in someone who might hear. It could lead to discovery of her.” — Hannah Smith [48:25]
• “He claims he was, like, cognizant for all of it and that he just laid there for over a week. And then he remembers laying on the riverbank one day and thinking that it was gonna be his last day alive. And so he thought, I’m going to try one more time and yell for help. And so he just starts yelling as much as he can. He’s so weak. And lo and behold, someone hears him. It’s like finding a needle in the haystack.” — Hannah Smith [66:09]
• “I wonder if Freddie knew it was a dangerous situation and so he was, like, going to find help.” — Hannah Smith [71:56]
• Hannah and Patia's banter about the dangers and attractions of hiking:
  • “Okay, everyone, let this be a sign. You cannot cross the river.” — Patia Eaton [59:10]
  • “You should be [afraid to hike alone].” — Patia Eaton [72:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:34] – [13:53]: Background on Sam Sayers, events leading up to August 1, 2018
• [14:19] – [27:26]: Details of the hike, disappearance, initial search & witness statements
• [30:16] – [36:17]: Lisa and Ron's arrival, frustrations with investigation, search details
• [40:10] – [41:17]: Scale of search, transition from rescue to recovery, Lisa’s intuition
• [47:45] – [50:04]: Unanswered questions, lasting impact, call to remember Sam
• [50:11] – [52:38]: Introduction to Robert Schock’s case
• [52:39] – [56:02]: Robert’s disappearance, finding Freddy, search efforts
• [57:15] – [68:14]: Robert’s survival story, rescue by PNTA volunteers
• [70:09] – [72:02]: Reflections, outcome, and lessons on missing persons in wilderness

Final Thoughts & Reflections

• The episode closes with reflections on the fragility of life, the randomness of rescue, and the lifelong effect on those left behind or involved in search and rescue.
• The storytelling is deeply empathetic—giving space to uncertainty and emotional resonance for all involved.
• Both hosts recommend related media:
  • Patia: “Petty Crimes” podcast (“lighthearted, mostly comedy, completely petty”) [72:24]
  • Hannah: HBO documentary “Ren Faire” and podcasts about the Texas Renaissance Festival [73:02]

Takeaways for Listeners

• The wilderness can be profoundly dangerous even for experienced hikers; small mistakes or misfortunes can quickly turn fatal.
• The search for missing people doesn’t end when official efforts do—families and communities often continue long after.
• Continuing to tell the stories of missing persons can keep hope alive and possibly lead to new information.
• Communities affected by loss and the volunteers who participate in rescues deserve recognition for the emotional burdens they bear.

For more stories and updates, follow The Knife on Instagram @theknifepodcast and on Bluesky @theknifepodcast.bsky.social.