Transcript

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Mike Ferguson (2:02)

Hello, everyone, and welcome to episode 477 of the True Crime all the Time podcast. I'm Mike Ferguson, and with me, as always, is my partner in True Crime, Mike Gibson. Gibby, how are you?

Mike Gibson (2:13)

Hey. I'm doing pretty good. How about you?

Mike Ferguson (2:15)

I'm doing great.

Mike Gibson (2:16)

That's good.

Mike Ferguson (2:16)

Having an amazing week, to be honest with you.

Mike Gibson (2:20)

Why does it have to be amazing?

Mike Ferguson (2:22)

Because that's how I roll.

Summary

True Crime All The Time – Episode 477: Larry and Connie Van Oosten

Release Date: March 5, 2026
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Gibson ("Gibby")

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mike Ferguson and Gibby dive into the harrowing abduction of Connie and Larry Van Oosten, a retired couple from Erie, Illinois, who were kidnapped from their own home in February 2017. The hosts unravel how the seemingly safe life of this couple was shattered by a meticulously planned kidnapping, executed by a trusted member of their community. The episode covers the investigation, the shocking reveal of the perpetrator's identity, and the couple’s ordeal in a makeshift dungeon. Ferguson and Gibson bring their signature blend of seriousness for the crime and lighthearted banter to the discussion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Van Oostens’ Background

The Dream Retirement:
- Larry and Connie, both retired in their early 60s, had been active community and church members ([04:48–05:15]).
- Larry formerly ran a pest control business and Connie a flooring store, both providing comfortable means for their “golden years.”
Family & Community Ties:
- Their daughter, Amy, took over Connie’s business; Jeff pursued farming in Florida.

The Abduction

The Crime Scene:
- On Feb 8, 2017, Connie entered First Trust and Savings Bank requesting $350k, passing a note stating she and Larry were being held hostage ([06:23–07:04]).
- The note, written on a church bulletin, led to police involvement after Connie left the bank, returning to the abductor ([08:05–09:35]).
Investigation Unfolds:
- Police discover Taser confetti, blood, and broken basement window at the Van Oosten home—evidence of forced entry and violence ([11:36–12:01]).
- The case rapidly escalates with FBI involvement, scrutiny of Van Oosten children (ruled out promptly), and the discovery that the getaway vehicle was identified as an early 1990s Chevy Caprice ([13:41–14:06]).

The Suspect: Chad Skipper

A Familiar Face:
- Vehicle registration links the Caprice to Chad Skipper, a local financial advisor and former church youth group peer to the Van Oosten children ([16:14–17:12]).
- Larry previously refused Chad’s financial services but discussed their finances with him, revealing significant assets ([20:16–20:35]).
Premeditation and Discovery:
- FBI trace Skipper to two properties; insufficient evidence initially to search ([20:43–21:15]).
- Skipper spotted near Van Oosten home, flees a police stop, and is apprehended after a crash ([22:24–24:09]).
Evidence & Motive:
- Car search turns up a “hit kit”—shovel, duct tape, saw, plastic sheeting—suggesting intentions beyond ransom ([26:17–27:16]).
- Chad, once valedictorian and well-liked, confesses, motivated by dire financial straits after losing money in bad investments ([35:11–35:20]).

The Makeshift Dungeon & Rescue

Ordeal in Captivity:
- The Van Oostens are found alive in a reinforced steel and drywall room hidden under a steel hatch, visible only on an internal surveillance monitor ([28:47–30:11]).
- The dungeon featured supplies (ramen, toilet), handcuffs, and was clearly pre-planned ([32:05–32:47]).
Rescue & Survival:
- Agents break in at 3am, discover the hidden chamber, and free the couple—"It was a very joyful moment" (Larry, [30:25]).
- Larry and Connie later describe the abduction: gunpoint awakening, forced to handcuff each other, trunk transport, and the terror of being told they’d be killed after the ransom was paid ([39:57–40:36], [41:59–42:19]).

The Aftermath

Legal Outcomes:
- Chad Skipper is promptly charged with home invasion, kidnapping, and related offenses ([44:26]).
- His financial crimes extend to his own parents, from whom he stole nearly $450,000 in retirement savings ([45:16–46:35]).
- Sentenced in 2019 to 60 years without parole ([49:43]).
Family Testimony:
- Connie’s courage is acknowledged—she risked her own safety by returning to Chad with the cashier’s check to protect Larry ([43:39]).
- Larry calls his wife a hero: "She didn’t have to come back. She could have stayed right there at the bank ... She came back to save me" ([43:34–43:56]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Home Invasion Fears:
- "There's something about a home invasion that I think really scares people."
  – Mike Ferguson ([03:33])
On Community Shock:
- "They couldn't believe that Chad would be involved... He attended their church, was in their youth groups."
  – Mike Ferguson ([16:21–17:09])
On the Dungeon Discovery:
- "How do you have a room with no windows or doors? ... During the search, the agents noticed that it looked like a wall had recently been put up in the basement."
  – Mike Ferguson ([28:15–28:47])
On Survival:
- "When they were rescued... Larry recalled that it was a very joyful moment."
  – Mike Ferguson ([30:25])
On Motive and Regret:
- "I wanted to do it and I did do it. Money was tight and I kept trying to find a way... It was only about the money."
  – Chad Skipper (reported by Mike Ferguson, [35:11], [38:53])
On Chad’s Betrayal:
- "How do you do that to anyone, let alone your parents? Almost half a million dollars."
  – Mike Gibson ([46:35])
On Connie’s Bravery:
- "She didn’t have to come back. ... She came back to save me."
  – Larry Van Oosten ([43:44–43:56])

Important Timestamps

Abduction and Bank Note Uncovered: 06:23–09:35
Initial Police & FBI Investigation: 10:55–14:06
Discovery of the Vehicle and Suspect: 14:41–17:12
Dungeon & Rescue Operation: 28:47–33:04
Confession and Motive: 35:11–39:04
Survivor Testimony (Larry & Connie): 39:57–44:15
Financial Crimes Against Chad's Parents: 45:16–46:35
Sentencing: 49:43
Reflections on Justice & Sentencing: 50:00–50:49

Style & Tone

The hosts balance gravity and empathy with their usual light banter. They focus on the horror, premeditation, and betrayal underlying the crime, while commiserating about retirement dreams and drawing broader insights on human motivation and criminal hubris. The interplay between Ferguson and Gibby maintains a conversational, sometimes humorous, yet always respectful tone—especially around the personal courage and ordeal of Connie and Larry.

Takeaway

This episode illustrates the chilling disruption of safety and trust by someone within the community, the egregious violation of familial and professional relationships, and, most inspiringly, the resilience and bravery exhibited by Connie and Larry Van Oosten. The investigation highlights the importance of vigilance, law enforcement collaboration, and the quick thinking by the victims that ultimately led to their safe recovery and the perpetrator’s conviction.