True Crime All The Time Unsolved

Episode 448: The Unsolved Murder of Lynn Messer

Release Date: January 19, 2026
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike “Gibby” Gibson

Overview

In this episode, Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson dive deep into the mysterious 2014 disappearance and subsequent death of Lynn Messer, a Missouri farm wife and mother whose remains were discovered two years later on her own property. The hosts meticulously walk through the case, discussing the circumstances of her disappearance, the personalities involved—including her husband, conservative lobbyist Kerry Messer—and the family tensions and rumors that followed. As with many of their episodes, the hosts blend thorough research with conversational banter, highlighting both the dark and bizarre elements of Lynn’s case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lynn Messer’s Background and Family Dynamics

• Lynn Messer: Born June 4, 1962, devoted wife and mother, known for her selflessness and hard work on the 280-acre family farm in Bloomsdale, Missouri.
• Marriage: Married to Kerry Messer for 38 years. Two adult sons: Aaron and Abram. Family known for involvement in socially conservative activism; Kerry is the president of Missouri Family Network.
• Family Structure: Lynn and Kerry lived in one house, son Abram and his family in another half-mile away (04:37).
• Quote:

  “That sounds like a really busy wife and mother who is very devoted to her family.” (04:13, Mike Ferguson)

2. The Disappearance (July 8, 2014)

• Discovery: Kerry reported Lynn missing at dawn. Her wallet, cellphone, keys, and walking boot (for her broken toe) were all left behind (06:41).
• Immediate Concerns: No sign of forced entry or evidence of struggle; thunderstorm erased possible footprints.
• Host Analysis:

  "None of these are things that most people leave behind when they leave their home." (07:49, Mike Ferguson)
  “To me, just not a good sign.” (08:22, Mike Ferguson)

• Searches: Despite hundreds of searches and use of dogs, no evidence turned up.
• Volunteer Efforts: Kerry organized community searches and set up the “Find Lynn Messer” Facebook page.

3. Mental Health and Family Speculation

• Public Speculation: Media and some anonymous family members initially floated theories of depression and suicide, which Kerry denied.
• Pain and Medication: Lynn had a long history of chronic pain; had hip replacement surgery which ultimately didn’t resolve her pain. Recently prescribed new medication, potentially causing adverse reactions (10:28).
• Kerry’s Perspective:

  "I believe there may have been an adverse mental reaction to those pills." (13:35, Kerry via Missouri Times, as quoted by Mike Ferguson)

• Family Conflicts: Intrafamily disputes surfaced, especially between Kerry and sons over Lynn’s state of mind and the timeline of events.
• Quote:

  “I’ve been accused of everything in the book. I’ve been accused of baling my wife up in a baler. I’ve been accused of burying her. I’ve been accused of feeding her to hogs. We don’t even own any hogs.” (13:18, Kerry via interview)

4. The Note & Kerry’s Odd Behavior

• The Note: Lynn wrote a nondescript apology note; its meaning became a point of contention among family and investigators (27:00).
• Police Reaction: Law enforcement initially advised Kerry not to mention the note publicly; suspected it might be a cover for murder.
• Son’s Contradictions: Abram contested Kerry’s narration, saying Aaron called police first, not Kerry, and that Kerry’s actions and timeline did not match what he told reporters.
• Kerry’s Movements: Unexplained gaps in his whereabouts the morning Lynn disappeared, confrontational responses to his sons, and efforts to keep family members away during the investigation (34:22).

5. Relationship with Spring Thomas

• Spring Thomas: Family friend who became Kerry’s companion after Lynn’s disappearance; both police and Abram allege the relationship may have started before Lynn went missing (17:43, 56:36).
• Suspicion:

  “How can he be in what he has admitted is a romantic relationship with another woman if he truly has no idea if she could walk through that door at any minute?” (18:08, Abram via Missouri Times)

• Family Tensions:

  “His own son and other family members think at the very least he’s not being fully truthful.” (62:54, Mike Ferguson)

6. Discovery of Lynn’s Remains (Nov 1, 2016)

• Found By: Aaron and his two daughters, who were scouting for hunting locations (51:29).
• Scene: Remains “as expected”—glasses, blankets, pillow—suggesting intent to “say goodbye,” but also possible purposeful staging (53:01).
• Location: Thick undergrowth in a previously searched area. The hosts debate whether she was there the entire time or placed later.
• Official Stance: Cause of death undetermined; evidence was inconclusive due to time elapsed (62:36).

7. Family Fallout & Ongoing Questions

• Abram’s Claims: Accused father of controlling behavior, financial secrecy, and manipulating family dynamics. Alleged Kerry dismissed the idea of professional help for Lynn’s mental health.
• Public Appeals: Abram repeatedly called for his father to “tell the truth” (55:01).
• Financial Motive: Kerry controlled all financial interests ($2.5 million estimated) and was described as image-obsessed.
• Media & Timelines: Lynn’s remains found days after filming of a “Disappeared” TV episode; some found timing suspicious (61:24).
• Current Status: No charges laid; family and public opinion deeply divided; many unresolved questions remain.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Love at First Sight/Awkward Banter:

  “Do you ever have love at first bite?” (04:15, Mike Gibson)
  “No. No. I’m also not a vampire or into some of the strange things that you’re into—but it was an okay movie.” (04:17, Mike Ferguson)

• Searching the Farm:

  “Carrie threw a fit, saying they’re wasting their time searching the farm. She’s long gone by now.” (39:10, recounted by Abram)

• Host Skepticism:

  “Can you really search 280 acres in the dark, in the rain, in a few hours? There is nobody doing a complete grid search of that amount of land in that amount of time.” (40:34, Mike Ferguson)

• Control & Image:

  “Abram alleged that Kerry withheld financial information from Lynn. He also controlled Lynn’s hair and clothing choices because he was concerned about appearances…one man who made 100% of the decisions and called 100% of the shots.” (49:35, recapping Abram)

• Public Appeal:

  “For two years, I’ve been begging my father to tell the truth…Every time I have pressed him…his reactions have become angrier and more volatile.” (55:01, Abram)

• On Motive and Circumstantial Evidence:

  “If he’s having an affair during the time before Lynn goes missing, yeah, there’s a motive. The $2.5 million farm and all the assets they had, that’s a motive.” (63:59, Mike Ferguson)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Summary | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:32 | Lynn Messer’s background and family introduction | | 06:41 | Lynn’s disappearance; timeline and details of what was left behind | | 13:18 | Kerry addresses rumors and suspicions; “I’ve been accused of everything…” | 17:43 | Spring Thomas and the “if anything happens…” remark | | 27:00 | Discovery and significance of Lynn’s note | | 34:22 | Timeline discrepancies; sons’ accounts vs. Kerry’s narrative | | 39:10 | Kerry’s reaction to farm search; assertion Lynn “long gone” | | 49:35 | Control and manipulation claims from Abram | | 51:29 | Discovery of Lynn’s remains, details by Aaron Messer | | 55:01 | Abram publicly urges Kerry to “tell the truth” | | 61:24 | Peculiar timing of TV filming and remains’ discovery | | 62:36 | Current state: cause of death undetermined, no charges, divided family | | 63:59 | Hosts summarize possible motives and uncertainties |

Tone & Final Thoughts

In characteristic style, Ferguson and Gibson balance compassion for the victim with a critical, sometimes light-hearted, look at the complexities and eccentricities of those involved. They raise serious doubts about Kerry Messer’s actions and motives, especially given family testimony and unexplained behaviors, but also acknowledge there is no concrete proof tying anyone to foul play. The lingering question at the heart of the episode is whether this case is truly unsolvable—or if someone (or multiple people) is purposefully hiding the truth.

Closing Reflection:

“But I do think that this is a case that’s solvable. There is someone, or maybe more than one someone, who knows what happened to Lynn Messer.” (63:54, Mike Ferguson)

For more in-depth true crime discussion from Ferguson and Gibson, listen weekly to True Crime All The Time Unsolved.