True Crime Garage – Missing Sodder Children /// Part 1 /// 892

Released: December 24, 2025
Hosts: Nic and the Captain

Overview

This episode marks the 80th anniversary of the mysterious disappearance of five Sodder children from Fayetteville, West Virginia, on Christmas Eve, 1945. Nic and the Captain delve into the perplexing case, offering a detailed timeline, the family background, initial theories, and baffling details that have sustained the mystery for decades. They aim to lay out the facts and context, exploring why this incident has such an enduring legacy in true crime lore.

Main Theme

The Sodder Children Disappearance:
A deadly fire engulfs the Sodder family home on Christmas Eve, but no remains of five missing children are found. This raises the possibility of abduction and ignites a multi-decade mystery involving suspicious circumstances, disputed investigations, and steadfast beliefs from the surviving Sodder family members.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Night of the Fire (December 24–25, 1945)

The Sodder family, Italian immigrants, lived in a two-story house north of Fayetteville, West Virginia.
On Christmas Eve, Jenny (the mother) let five children—Maurice, Martha, Louis, Jennie, and Betty—stay up past bedtime to play with recently received gifts and listen to the radio.
Jenny was awakened at 12:30 am by a wrong-number call. She described hearing laughter, glass clinking, and unfamiliar voices. ([18:56-19:48])
Before going back to bed, she noticed the lights were on, doors unlocked. After returning to bed, she heard something hit and roll off the roof. ([19:58-20:44])
Between 1:00 and 1:30 am, Jenny smelled smoke, discovered a fire in the office, and woke her family. Some family members escaped, but five children were never seen again.
Multiple frantic efforts were made to rescue the children:
- Both family trucks—used for George’s trucking business—failed to start despite functioning earlier the same day.
- The household ladder was missing from its usual spot and later found far from the house. ([31:34-33:31])
- No one saw or heard the trapped children during the blaze.
- A neighbor’s attempt to contact the fire department via operator was unsuccessful; responders arrived hours later.

2. The Aftermath and Early Investigation

The fire department’s delayed arrival (8–9 am, hours after the fire began) meant the house was reduced to ash.
No remains (bones, teeth, or fragments) of the five children were found among the rubble, despite other items—like jars, utensils, and bed springs—being discovered. ([41:06-42:57])
The Chief, F.J. Morris, later admitted he had not conducted a ‘thorough search’ of the ruins, only inspecting where he believed beds to be placed. ([49:04-50:24])
Community rumors and theories abounded, including:
- Suspicious prior threats against George Sodder, particularly from a former business associate angry at George's political views (especially his anti-Mussolini sentiment). ([13:13-14:04])
- A visiting handyman warned about fuse boxes being a potential fire hazard days before the blaze.
- Reports of unfamiliar vehicles watching the Sodder house in the week leading up to Christmas.
Quick inquest (with possible conflict of interest) concluded accidental fire due to faulty wiring, despite claims that electricity was professionally inspected. ([52:18-55:17])

3. The Family’s Persistence & Debates

George and Jenny Sodder rejected the official finding, convinced their children were taken—citing the total lack of remains as primary evidence. ([48:33-50:57])
The family’s steadfastness and tireless efforts galvanized broader community and national interest, drawing bodies like the Smithsonian Institution to weigh in over the years.
The unresolved questions: Was it tragedy or conspiracy? Did the children die in the fire, or were they kidnapped?
Key obstacles to answers: questionable search procedures, possible biases among investigators, and persistent mysteries (e.g., missing ladder, disabled trucks, cryptic phone call, slow fire response).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the family’s Italian heritage and local community:
"By then they already had seven children... So the big family is going to be moving and George decided to leave the coal mines and and begin working for a local businessman. His name is Forenzo John Otello."
– Nic (09:15)
On the ominous warning before the fire:
"'Your goddamn house is going up in smoke and your children are going to be destroyed. And you are going to pay for the dirty remarks you have been making about Mussolini.'"
– Nic, quoting John Otello's threat (13:38)
On the mysterious phone call:
"She said she could hear laughing and talking in the background. And a woman asked her for someone you know by name... Jenny informs them that they have the wrong number. And the call ended."
– Nick (17:03-18:56)
On the failed rescue efforts:
"George and the two oldest sons... they're going to attempt to start both of these trucks. ...They're unable to get these vehicles started. ...The ladder was always on the side of the house. But for whatever mysterious reason, on this night, when they seem to need it the most, they could not find it."
– Nic (30:54-33:34)
On the lack of physical evidence:
"Left in ruins was the house. And in the ruins of the house we find a stove, charred utensils, fruit jars, bed springs, toys, and two steel drums."
– Nic (42:57)
On the ‘official’ verdict and skepticism:
"It was impossible, his word, impossible to determine the cause of the fire, but then to claim it was caused by defective wiring. Almost in the same sentence."
– Nic (55:18)
On why the mystery endures:
"You could sum up the case in probably a 10 minute conversation, but you'd leave the individual wanting to know more. But it's also a case that if you dissect every weird bizarre scenario within this case. You could talk about this case for a month and not get tired of it."
– Captain (59:36)

Important Timestamps

03:44 — Introduction to the New York Times reporting on the Sodder fire
05:25 — Emphasis on the missing children and national impact
09:15 — Sodder family’s background and migration
13:13 — Threatening visit from ex-business partner
14:04 — George Sodder’s anti-Mussolini sentiment discussed
17:03 — Days leading up to the fire, odd occurrences, strange man and parked car
19:48 — The night of the fire: phone call, noises, discovery of smoke
30:54 — The failed escape and rescue attempts
36:43 — Fire department’s delayed response; witness testimony
41:06 — Search for children’s remains and what was found in the rubble
49:04 — Fire chief’s later admission of incomplete search
52:18 — Inquest and the controversial official verdict
60:10 — Sodder parents fill in the basement, begin memorial garden

Tone & Style

Nic and the Captain maintain an empathetic, inquisitive, and conversational approach. Their blend of detailed research, honest skepticism, and dark humor provides both information and humanity, while respect for the victims and cautious criticism of authorities remain consistent themes.

To Be Continued

The episode ends with a preview of Part 2, promising further investigation into the Sodder mystery, theories about the children’s fate, and the Sodder family’s relentless search for answers.

“We have five little kids, five of the ten solder children gone… Were they killed in a horrific Christmas fire or were they stolen away before the flames took the house? That has been the question for 80 years now.”
— Nic (60:10)

For further details and discussion, listen to Part 2 of the Missing Sodder Children on True Crime Garage.

True Crime Garage – Missing Sodder Children /// Part 1 /// 892

Released: December 24, 2025
Hosts: Nic and the Captain

Overview

Main Theme

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Night of the Fire (December 24–25, 1945)

The Sodder family, Italian immigrants, lived in a two-story house north of Fayetteville, West Virginia.
On Christmas Eve, Jenny (the mother) let five children—Maurice, Martha, Louis, Jennie, and Betty—stay up past bedtime to play with recently received gifts and listen to the radio.
Jenny was awakened at 12:30 am by a wrong-number call. She described hearing laughter, glass clinking, and unfamiliar voices. ([18:56-19:48])
Before going back to bed, she noticed the lights were on, doors unlocked. After returning to bed, she heard something hit and roll off the roof. ([19:58-20:44])
Between 1:00 and 1:30 am, Jenny smelled smoke, discovered a fire in the office, and woke her family. Some family members escaped, but five children were never seen again.
Multiple frantic efforts were made to rescue the children:
- Both family trucks—used for George’s trucking business—failed to start despite functioning earlier the same day.
- The household ladder was missing from its usual spot and later found far from the house. ([31:34-33:31])
- No one saw or heard the trapped children during the blaze.
- A neighbor’s attempt to contact the fire department via operator was unsuccessful; responders arrived hours later.

2. The Aftermath and Early Investigation

The fire department’s delayed arrival (8–9 am, hours after the fire began) meant the house was reduced to ash.
No remains (bones, teeth, or fragments) of the five children were found among the rubble, despite other items—like jars, utensils, and bed springs—being discovered. ([41:06-42:57])
The Chief, F.J. Morris, later admitted he had not conducted a ‘thorough search’ of the ruins, only inspecting where he believed beds to be placed. ([49:04-50:24])
Community rumors and theories abounded, including:
- Suspicious prior threats against George Sodder, particularly from a former business associate angry at George's political views (especially his anti-Mussolini sentiment). ([13:13-14:04])
- A visiting handyman warned about fuse boxes being a potential fire hazard days before the blaze.
- Reports of unfamiliar vehicles watching the Sodder house in the week leading up to Christmas.
Quick inquest (with possible conflict of interest) concluded accidental fire due to faulty wiring, despite claims that electricity was professionally inspected. ([52:18-55:17])

3. The Family’s Persistence & Debates

George and Jenny Sodder rejected the official finding, convinced their children were taken—citing the total lack of remains as primary evidence. ([48:33-50:57])
The family’s steadfastness and tireless efforts galvanized broader community and national interest, drawing bodies like the Smithsonian Institution to weigh in over the years.
The unresolved questions: Was it tragedy or conspiracy? Did the children die in the fire, or were they kidnapped?
Key obstacles to answers: questionable search procedures, possible biases among investigators, and persistent mysteries (e.g., missing ladder, disabled trucks, cryptic phone call, slow fire response).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the family’s Italian heritage and local community:
"By then they already had seven children... So the big family is going to be moving and George decided to leave the coal mines and and begin working for a local businessman. His name is Forenzo John Otello."
– Nic (09:15)
On the ominous warning before the fire:
"'Your goddamn house is going up in smoke and your children are going to be destroyed. And you are going to pay for the dirty remarks you have been making about Mussolini.'"
– Nic, quoting John Otello's threat (13:38)
On the mysterious phone call:
"She said she could hear laughing and talking in the background. And a woman asked her for someone you know by name... Jenny informs them that they have the wrong number. And the call ended."
– Nick (17:03-18:56)
On the failed rescue efforts:
"George and the two oldest sons... they're going to attempt to start both of these trucks. ...They're unable to get these vehicles started. ...The ladder was always on the side of the house. But for whatever mysterious reason, on this night, when they seem to need it the most, they could not find it."
– Nic (30:54-33:34)
On the lack of physical evidence:
"Left in ruins was the house. And in the ruins of the house we find a stove, charred utensils, fruit jars, bed springs, toys, and two steel drums."
– Nic (42:57)
On the ‘official’ verdict and skepticism:
"It was impossible, his word, impossible to determine the cause of the fire, but then to claim it was caused by defective wiring. Almost in the same sentence."
– Nic (55:18)
On why the mystery endures:
"You could sum up the case in probably a 10 minute conversation, but you'd leave the individual wanting to know more. But it's also a case that if you dissect every weird bizarre scenario within this case. You could talk about this case for a month and not get tired of it."
– Captain (59:36)

Important Timestamps

03:44 — Introduction to the New York Times reporting on the Sodder fire
05:25 — Emphasis on the missing children and national impact
09:15 — Sodder family’s background and migration
13:13 — Threatening visit from ex-business partner
14:04 — George Sodder’s anti-Mussolini sentiment discussed
17:03 — Days leading up to the fire, odd occurrences, strange man and parked car
19:48 — The night of the fire: phone call, noises, discovery of smoke
30:54 — The failed escape and rescue attempts
36:43 — Fire department’s delayed response; witness testimony
41:06 — Search for children’s remains and what was found in the rubble
49:04 — Fire chief’s later admission of incomplete search
52:18 — Inquest and the controversial official verdict
60:10 — Sodder parents fill in the basement, begin memorial garden

Tone & Style

To Be Continued

The episode ends with a preview of Part 2, promising further investigation into the Sodder mystery, theories about the children’s fate, and the Sodder family’s relentless search for answers.

For further details and discussion, listen to Part 2 of the Missing Sodder Children on True Crime Garage.

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Missing Sodder Children /// Part 1 /// 892

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Summary

True Crime Garage – Missing Sodder Children /// Part 1 /// 892

Overview

Main Theme

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Night of the Fire (December 24–25, 1945)

2. The Aftermath and Early Investigation

3. The Family’s Persistence & Debates

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Tone & Style

To Be Continued

Summary

True Crime Garage – Missing Sodder Children /// Part 1 /// 892

Overview

Main Theme

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Night of the Fire (December 24–25, 1945)

2. The Aftermath and Early Investigation

3. The Family’s Persistence & Debates

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Tone & Style

To Be Continued