True Crime Garage: Dark Side of the Mountain /// Part 2 /// 883

Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: Nic & The Captain

Episode Overview

This episode revisits the mysterious 1988 disappearance of Keith Reinhard in Silver Plume, Colorado, a case already infamous for its haunting parallels to the earlier vanishing and death of Tom Young—another local, whose fate remains shrouded in conflicting reports. Nic and the Captain analyze new and old theories, murky reporting, and possible connections, blending thoughtful speculation with their signature wit. The episode also explores the daunting challenges of mountain searches and the lasting scars on the small community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap of Keith Reinhard’s Disappearance

[03:23]

On August 7, 1988, sportswriter Keith Reinhard set out for a hike on Mount Pendleton and never returned.
Immediate and enormous search and rescue efforts were launched, involving ground teams, dogs, and army helicopters.
The terrain was treacherous—3000 vertical feet, 60-degree slopes, rapid weather changes, and wildlife dangers.
Despite days of searching (over 8,364 man-hours and $326,000 in costs), no trace of Keith was found.
A tragedy compounded the search: on August 12, a Civil Air Patrol plane crashed during the operation, killing the pilot and injuring the spotter.

"It was like looking for the famous needle in a haystack." — Nic [06:10]

Keith had left for the hike with no backpack, food, or supplies, making him harder to track.

2. The Bizarre Link to Tom Young’s Death

[10:03]

Found in Keith’s apartment: an unfinished novel draft echoing his own disappearance and a newspaper about Tom Young’s recently-discovered remains.
Tom Young, a previous Silver Plume resident, vanished with his dog Gus; years later, both were found dead in the mountains, each with a bullet wound to the head. Police report a revolver at the scene; coroner rules suicide.

"Guy Gypsum closed the door, then walked off towards the lush, shadowless Colorado forest above." — Excerpt from Keith’s draft [10:51]

Investigators and friends questioned whether Keith intended suicide, though family insists this would be out of character.

3. Are the Disappearances Connected?

[12:43]

Speculation on foul play: Were Keith and Tom both murdered? What motives would tie these cases?
Both men rented space from Ted Parker, a prominent Silver Plume local, sparking further suspicion but also pragmatic recognition of the town’s small size.
Discrepancy in how quickly each disappearance was reported: Tom’s went unnoticed for months, Keith’s within days.

4. Inconsistent Reporting & Theories

[17:15]

Confusion over Tom Young’s Case:
- Unsolved Mysteries (Season 2 & 6): “Open-and-shut suicide.”
- Chicago Sun-Times (1998): Hints that Young was murdered after discovering illegal plutonium dumping, implicates potential conspiracy and connections to Keith’s vanishing.
- Mike Echols, author of “Brother Tony’s Boys”: Claims Tom and Gus were shot with a different caliber gun than the weapon found, and that the Colorado Bureau of Investigation reclassified the case as unsolved homicide—but timeline errors exist.

"The most frustrating part of this to me is the reporting on Tom Young's case..." — Nic [17:38]

Nic calls out the need for clarity and direct answers from local authorities, acknowledging the divergent narratives and “shadows” cast by outside authors.

5. Theories Explored: Accident, Suicide, or Murder?

[30:33]

Keith reportedly told his wife, "I'm working on something big." Was he on the trail of a scandal, or simply romanticizing local tragedy?
Captain speculates: Could Keith have stumbled onto danger while poking into local rumors about illegal dumping?
Alternatively, was Keith simply an out-of-shape, inexperienced hiker who became lost or fell into a shaft? Was it a “method-acting” research gone wrong?
Another theory: Did Keith want to disappear for a time and experience life mirroring his novel’s character—but succumbed to the elements instead?

"If he went into a mineshaft, that would be difficult no matter how much time and effort you're putting in..." — Captain [45:49]

6. Assessment of Search Efforts and Law Enforcement

[47:05]

The hosts stress the sheer scale of the search, arguing it’s unlikely authorities covered anything up, given the resources invested and real risks (including a fatal plane crash).
Nonetheless, vague or contradictory details in official reporting and outside speculation keep the door open for all possibilities, including cover-up or mere tragic coincidence.

7. Unidentified Witnesses & Party Rumors

[41:54]

The memorial/beer party for Tom Young the night before Keith disappeared is re-examined: Accounts about Keith’s demeanor, drinking, and a mysterious woman (“Greta” or “Gretchen”) present are wildly inconsistent.
Authorities admit they never identified the mysterious woman, and some accounts suggest she might not have existed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the search’s futility: "This was looking for a needle in a haystack. Their task was made exponentially more difficult...Keith had taken off with no backpack, food, or other supplies." — Nic [06:10]
On crime vs. tragic accident: “This is a mystery layered with another mystery. Layered with another mystery.” — Nic [15:28]
On the narrative’s complexity: “Mike Echols’ book is casting a shadow over the local authorities here.” — Nic [48:01]
On the potential for urban legend: “You can see this, right? This feels like one of those movies we've seen before, one of those books we've read before…” — Nic [34:22]
On the party the night before: “Some people report this unknown, mysterious woman. Other people never mentioned this woman. Didn't see her. Didn't see her with Keith.” — Nic [42:43]
On the scale of the search: “A total of 8,364 person hours were spent looking for Keith. The initial...value of services totaled over $326,000.” — Nic [47:05]

Timestamps for Critical Segments

[03:23] – Recap of Keith’s disappearance, weather, and search challenges
[06:38] – Discovery of false leads (shoe prints), plane crash during search
[10:03] – Strange discoveries in Keith’s apartment, possible suicide narrative
[12:43] – Theories: links between the men, discussion of Ted Parker
[17:15] – Discrepancies in Tom Young’s case reporting
[22:38] – Chicago Sun-Times theory: plutonium dumping, murder & coverup
[25:25] – Mike Echols’ alternate timeline/conflicting statements
[30:33] – Keith’s “I’m working on something big” call; new theories emerge
[42:43] – Party/unknown woman inconsistencies
[47:05] – Search logistics, law enforcement reporting, and summary

Tone and Delivery

The hosts maintain a relaxed, conversational tone, unafraid to speculate but consistently careful about the sources of their information. Humor and banter are used to offset the case’s dark and confounding twists, but the mood remains respectful of the victims and their families.

Conclusion

The infamous Silver Plume mystery, anchored by Keith Reinhard’s vanishing and Tom Young’s ambiguous death, remains unsolved after nearly four decades. Conflicting investigative reports, rumors of corporate wrongdoing, and unsatisfying answers mean listeners are left with more questions than conclusions. As Nic puts it: “Until Keith Reinhardt is found, nothing can be ruled out.” [49:49]

For fans seeking to unravel the case further, check out the episode blog to discuss your theories and read listener insights.

True Crime Garage: Dark Side of the Mountain /// Part 2 /// 883

Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: Nic & The Captain

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap of Keith Reinhard’s Disappearance

[03:23]

On August 7, 1988, sportswriter Keith Reinhard set out for a hike on Mount Pendleton and never returned.
Immediate and enormous search and rescue efforts were launched, involving ground teams, dogs, and army helicopters.
The terrain was treacherous—3000 vertical feet, 60-degree slopes, rapid weather changes, and wildlife dangers.
Despite days of searching (over 8,364 man-hours and $326,000 in costs), no trace of Keith was found.
A tragedy compounded the search: on August 12, a Civil Air Patrol plane crashed during the operation, killing the pilot and injuring the spotter.

"It was like looking for the famous needle in a haystack." — Nic [06:10]

Keith had left for the hike with no backpack, food, or supplies, making him harder to track.

2. The Bizarre Link to Tom Young’s Death

[10:03]

Found in Keith’s apartment: an unfinished novel draft echoing his own disappearance and a newspaper about Tom Young’s recently-discovered remains.
Tom Young, a previous Silver Plume resident, vanished with his dog Gus; years later, both were found dead in the mountains, each with a bullet wound to the head. Police report a revolver at the scene; coroner rules suicide.

"Guy Gypsum closed the door, then walked off towards the lush, shadowless Colorado forest above." — Excerpt from Keith’s draft [10:51]

Investigators and friends questioned whether Keith intended suicide, though family insists this would be out of character.

3. Are the Disappearances Connected?

[12:43]

Speculation on foul play: Were Keith and Tom both murdered? What motives would tie these cases?
Both men rented space from Ted Parker, a prominent Silver Plume local, sparking further suspicion but also pragmatic recognition of the town’s small size.
Discrepancy in how quickly each disappearance was reported: Tom’s went unnoticed for months, Keith’s within days.

4. Inconsistent Reporting & Theories

[17:15]

Confusion over Tom Young’s Case:
- Unsolved Mysteries (Season 2 & 6): “Open-and-shut suicide.”
- Chicago Sun-Times (1998): Hints that Young was murdered after discovering illegal plutonium dumping, implicates potential conspiracy and connections to Keith’s vanishing.
- Mike Echols, author of “Brother Tony’s Boys”: Claims Tom and Gus were shot with a different caliber gun than the weapon found, and that the Colorado Bureau of Investigation reclassified the case as unsolved homicide—but timeline errors exist.

"The most frustrating part of this to me is the reporting on Tom Young's case..." — Nic [17:38]

Nic calls out the need for clarity and direct answers from local authorities, acknowledging the divergent narratives and “shadows” cast by outside authors.

5. Theories Explored: Accident, Suicide, or Murder?

[30:33]

Keith reportedly told his wife, "I'm working on something big." Was he on the trail of a scandal, or simply romanticizing local tragedy?
Captain speculates: Could Keith have stumbled onto danger while poking into local rumors about illegal dumping?
Alternatively, was Keith simply an out-of-shape, inexperienced hiker who became lost or fell into a shaft? Was it a “method-acting” research gone wrong?
Another theory: Did Keith want to disappear for a time and experience life mirroring his novel’s character—but succumbed to the elements instead?

"If he went into a mineshaft, that would be difficult no matter how much time and effort you're putting in..." — Captain [45:49]

6. Assessment of Search Efforts and Law Enforcement

[47:05]

The hosts stress the sheer scale of the search, arguing it’s unlikely authorities covered anything up, given the resources invested and real risks (including a fatal plane crash).
Nonetheless, vague or contradictory details in official reporting and outside speculation keep the door open for all possibilities, including cover-up or mere tragic coincidence.

7. Unidentified Witnesses & Party Rumors

[41:54]

The memorial/beer party for Tom Young the night before Keith disappeared is re-examined: Accounts about Keith’s demeanor, drinking, and a mysterious woman (“Greta” or “Gretchen”) present are wildly inconsistent.
Authorities admit they never identified the mysterious woman, and some accounts suggest she might not have existed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the search’s futility: "This was looking for a needle in a haystack. Their task was made exponentially more difficult...Keith had taken off with no backpack, food, or other supplies." — Nic [06:10]
On crime vs. tragic accident: “This is a mystery layered with another mystery. Layered with another mystery.” — Nic [15:28]
On the narrative’s complexity: “Mike Echols’ book is casting a shadow over the local authorities here.” — Nic [48:01]
On the potential for urban legend: “You can see this, right? This feels like one of those movies we've seen before, one of those books we've read before…” — Nic [34:22]
On the party the night before: “Some people report this unknown, mysterious woman. Other people never mentioned this woman. Didn't see her. Didn't see her with Keith.” — Nic [42:43]
On the scale of the search: “A total of 8,364 person hours were spent looking for Keith. The initial...value of services totaled over $326,000.” — Nic [47:05]

Timestamps for Critical Segments

[03:23] – Recap of Keith’s disappearance, weather, and search challenges
[06:38] – Discovery of false leads (shoe prints), plane crash during search
[10:03] – Strange discoveries in Keith’s apartment, possible suicide narrative
[12:43] – Theories: links between the men, discussion of Ted Parker
[17:15] – Discrepancies in Tom Young’s case reporting
[22:38] – Chicago Sun-Times theory: plutonium dumping, murder & coverup
[25:25] – Mike Echols’ alternate timeline/conflicting statements
[30:33] – Keith’s “I’m working on something big” call; new theories emerge
[42:43] – Party/unknown woman inconsistencies
[47:05] – Search logistics, law enforcement reporting, and summary

Tone and Delivery

The hosts maintain a relaxed, conversational tone, unafraid to speculate but consistently careful about the sources of their information. Humor and banter are used to offset the case’s dark and confounding twists, but the mood remains respectful of the victims and their families.

Conclusion

For fans seeking to unravel the case further, check out the episode blog to discuss your theories and read listener insights.

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Dark Side of the Mountain /// Part 2 /// 883

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Summary

True Crime Garage: Dark Side of the Mountain /// Part 2 /// 883

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap of Keith Reinhard’s Disappearance

2. The Bizarre Link to Tom Young’s Death

3. Are the Disappearances Connected?

4. Inconsistent Reporting & Theories

5. Theories Explored: Accident, Suicide, or Murder?

6. Assessment of Search Efforts and Law Enforcement

7. Unidentified Witnesses & Party Rumors

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Critical Segments

Tone and Delivery

Further Reading / Listener Engagement

Conclusion

Summary

True Crime Garage: Dark Side of the Mountain /// Part 2 /// 883

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap of Keith Reinhard’s Disappearance

2. The Bizarre Link to Tom Young’s Death

3. Are the Disappearances Connected?

4. Inconsistent Reporting & Theories

5. Theories Explored: Accident, Suicide, or Murder?

6. Assessment of Search Efforts and Law Enforcement

7. Unidentified Witnesses & Party Rumors

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Critical Segments

Tone and Delivery

Further Reading / Listener Engagement

Conclusion