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Tanko Talks, Megyn's Hidden Camera Footage - Part 5 of Megyn Kelly Investigates: Baby Lisa's Disappearance | Ep. 1026

The Megyn Kelly Show

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Published: Fri Mar 14 2025

In the final episode of Megyn Kelly Investigates on the disappearance of Baby Lisa Irwin, Megyn Kelly tracks down John "Jersey" Tanko and talks to him about the case in a lengthy conversation captured on hidden camera. They discuss what he has to say now about the stolen phones, what he thinks happened to Baby Lisa, and more. See the full strategy session Megyn had with law enforcement experts Phil Houston and Bill Stanton before the confrontation, and then see what they thought about Tanko's potential deception and what we learned from the conversation after. And the series isn't over - let Megyn know what you thought, your questions and comments, and we'll put together an episode six in a few weeks based on your feedback. Reach out at Megyn@MegynKelly.com Find out more and watch all episodes here: https://www.megynkelly.com/2025/03/10/megyn-kelly-investigates-the-disappearance-of-baby-lisa-irwin/ 120/Life: Go to https://120Life.com and use code MK to save 15% Just Thrive: Visi...

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show: Tanko Talks, Megyn's Hidden Camera Footage - Part 5 of Megyn Kelly Investigates: Baby Lisa's Disappearance | Ep. 1026

Release Date: March 14, 2025

Introduction

In the fifth episode of "Megyn Kelly Investigates: Baby Lisa's Disappearance," Megyn Kelly delves deeper into the unresolved case of baby Lisa Irwin's disappearance. This episode, titled "Tanko Talks, Megyn's Hidden Camera Footage," focuses on the elusive figure John Tanko, also known as "Jersey," who has been a person of interest in the investigation for over a decade. Megyn collaborates with experts Bill Stanton and Phil Houston to strategize how to confront Tanko and extract crucial information that could shed light on the case.

Identifying and Locating John Tanko

[02:50] Megyn Kelly: Introduces John Tanko, highlighting his background as a handyman with a notorious rap sheet and his connection to the Irwin family through his ex-girlfriend, Megan Wright. After 12+ years of evasion, Megyn reveals that Tanko has been located in New Jersey, recently arrested for shoplifting in 2022.

[03:10] Megyn Kelly: Shows footage of Tanko in a red sweatshirt on his bike, confirming his identity and location.

Strategizing the Confrontation

[03:22] Megyn Kelly: Begins a strategy session with Bill Stanton and Phil Houston to determine the best approach to get Tanko to talk.

[03:31] Megyn Kelly: Recaps the difficulty in locating Tanko, emphasizing the importance of devising an effective method to elicit information.

[03:59] Phil Houston: Suggests a non-confrontational tactic by luring Tanko out, allowing Megyn to pose critical questions without immediate resistance.

[04:29] Megyn Kelly: Outlines her initial plan to introduce herself and express a desire to investigate the allegations surrounding Tanko, aiming to create an open dialogue.

[05:35] Bill Stanton: Recommends maintaining a minimal and safe distance while approaching Tanko to reduce his resistance and increase the chances of obtaining valuable information.

Notable Quote:

Phil Houston [04:29]: "If you go knocking on his door, it’s very easy just to not even answer or just slam it on your face."

Executing the Plan: The Confrontation with Tanko

[14:28] Megyn Kelly: Describes outfitting herself with hidden cameras to document the confrontation while maintaining a discreet approach.

[16:00] Megyn Kelly: Details the actual encounter with Tanko, who initially denies involvement and exhibits defensive behavior.

Key Interaction Highlights:

  • Tanko's Denial: He denies any involvement in Lisa's disappearance, emphasizing his lack of connection to the Irwin family.
  • Suspicion Over Phones: Tanko is questioned about fingerprints on missing cell phones, leading to inconsistent statements.
  • Show of Defiance: Despite Megyn’s non-confrontational approach, Tanko displays signs of deception and evasiveness.

Notable Quotes:

John Tanko [17:08]: "I’d rather not, because my lawyer told me not to talk to anybody. It could be a death penalty case, and I don’t want to have to sit in prison for five years, you know, go to trial."

Megyn Kelly [17:38]: "I don’t have any involvement whatsoever."

Analyzing the Interview: Signs of Deception

Post-interview, Megyn and her team dissect Tanko's responses, identifying behavioral cues indicative of deception.

[38:17] Bill Stanton: Points out that Tanko’s use of “I don’t have any involvement” instead of a straightforward “I didn’t do it” signals potential deceit.

[44:19] Megyn Kelly: Observes Tanko’s defensive posture and the use of a ladder as a barrier, interpreting it as a subconscious attempt to feel safe and control the interaction.

Notable Quote:

Bill Stanton [44:19]: "He was standing up in a straighter posture when you got there. He wasn’t leaning on the ladder in that manner. And when you guys walked up, then he immediately leaned over and he hunched down."

Expert Insights: Unraveling the Deception

Bill Stanton and Phil Houston provide in-depth analysis of Tanko's behavior during the interview.

[51:25] Bill Stanton: Asserts Tanko’s likely involvement based on deception patterns and historical connections to the case.

[52:27] Phil Houston: Highlights the critical nature of Tanko admitting to finding the phones, interpreting it as a pivotal moment that could equate to an admission of guilt.

[53:52] Megyn Kelly: Reflects on Tanko's unexpected willingness to talk and the implications of his statements regarding being cleared by law enforcement.

Notable Quotes:

Phil Houston [52:27]: "If you think about it for that one moment, let's postulate that he is guilty... if he had the phone, that tells us he was in the house..."

Bill Stanton [57:37]: "He didn't say, I wasn't there. That's his agenda in his mind."

Concluding Insights and Next Steps

Megyn Kelly and her team conclude that Tanko exhibits strong signs of deception, reinforcing the theory of his involvement in Lisa Irwin's disappearance. They emphasize the need for a fresh investigation, urging law enforcement to reopen the case with renewed vigor and transparency.

[63:00] NETCredit (Jim Spellman): Critiques the police handling of the case, advocating for a high-profile re-examination and greater public involvement to uncover new leads.

[66:03] Megyn Kelly: Discusses the chilling absence of any remains and entertains the possibility that Lisa may not have been killed, proposing alternative scenarios such as her being sold or given away.

[67:44] Megyn Kelly: Emphasizes the need for renewed efforts to bring closure to the Irwin family and the community, highlighting the lack of significant progress despite years of investigation.

Notable Quote:

Jim Spellman [64:57]: "There has to be a nexus to this house to know there’s a baby there... it's just unacceptable..."

Conclusion

This episode of "The Megyn Kelly Show" offers a compelling investigation into the disappearance of Baby Lisa Irwin, focusing on the enigmatic John Tanko. Through strategic planning, covert filming, and expert analysis, Megyn and her team uncover unsettling signs of deception that could be crucial in resolving the decade-old mystery. The episode underscores the persistent gaps in the official investigation and calls for a revitalized, transparent approach to finally bring answers and justice to Lisa Irwin's case.

Call to Action

Megyn Kelly urges listeners to contribute any information they may have regarding Baby Lisa’s disappearance by reaching out through various channels, including email and crime tip lines, to aid in the reopening and advancement of the case.

Contact Information:

Note: The episode also contains several advertisement segments interspersed throughout the transcript, which have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the investigative content.

No transcript available.