15 | Jake's Interview

Summary

Up and Vanished Episode 15 | Jake's Interview Release Date: September 18, 2024

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Introduction

In Episode 15 of Up and Vanished, titled "Jake's Interview," host Payne Lindsey delves deeper into the mysterious disappearance case from Nome, Alaska. This episode features an in-depth interview between Andy Clamser and Jake Stettin Benz, a key figure whose interactions with the missing person, Joseph Balderas, shed light on the enigmatic circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

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Jake's Relationship with Joseph

Initial Acquaintances

Jake Stettin Benz begins by clarifying the nature of his relationship with Joseph Balderas. When questioned by Andy Clamser at [05:18], Jake states:

“I knew him as my cousin Chrissy's friend. That's what they kept it as.” ([05:40])

He emphasizes that his interaction with Joseph was minimal, limited to brief greetings and short conversations:

“One of my first impressions was that he was kind of an outgoing, soft-spoken person. He always wanted to say hi to you or saying what you were doing.” ([06:37])

Lack of Deep Connection

Jake admits that despite living together, there was little to no meaningful interaction:

“We never hung out.” ([11:31])

This lack of a close relationship becomes a critical aspect of understanding Jake's perspective and potential involvement in the case.

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Events Leading to Joseph's Disappearance

Weekend of Disappearance

The focal point of the interview revolves around the events of the weekend leading to Joseph's disappearance. Jake recalls on [10:11]:

“There was a weekend. Not sure if it was two weeks prior or maybe it might have been three weeks ... he said he was bringing a couple of friends up from lower 48.” ([10:11])

Bridge Jumping Incident

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Jake's bridge jumping activity on Friday night:

“On Friday night, I went bridge jumping ... later that evening when I got back.” ([12:10])

He details the outing with friends Tyler and Emery, highlighting the late hours and his vague recollection of the events:

“I really don't remember what time.” ([13:10])

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Bridge Jumping Incident

Details of the Activity

Andy Clamser probes into the specifics of bridge jumping, to which Jake responds:

“Basically what it sounds like. You just get up on the rail and jump off of it into the water.” ([13:21])

He adds a personal touch by sharing his upbringing:

“I grew up doing it.” ([13:27])

Group Dynamics and Memories

Jake struggles to recall details about the group he was with:

“All summer I've been doing kind of the same thing. Going bridge jumping, going out in the country. It's just kind of hard to remember specific times.” ([20:00])

This haziness becomes a recurring theme, especially when discussing the night of Joseph's disappearance.

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Interaction with State Troopers

Initial Interview and Inconsistencies

One of the pivotal moments in the interview is Jake's interaction with law enforcement. At [35:32], he reveals:

“They first asked me what I did that Saturday night, and I couldn't remember to save my life.”

His inability to recall details led to inconsistencies in his statements:

“I made a dumb move and made up a story that didn't help me at all.” ([37:37])

The .308 Rifle Confusion

Jake shares an incident involving a .308 rifle, which further complicates his credibility:

“It was a black .308. And a little light off went inside my head, like, oh, you know, I pretty sure I.308.” ([37:25])

He explains the misunderstanding:

“They said it was a black .308. And... I thought, oh, you know, I pretty sure I.308.” ([37:25])

This revelation leads to heightened suspicion from the authorities.

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The .308 Rifle Incident

Ownership Clarification

Jake clarifies the ownership of the rifle, attributing it to his father:

“That .308 rifle, my dad won it. I'm pretty sure he won it at one of the NRA banquets here.” ([35:32])

He narrates how the rifle ended up at the house:

“I think my grandma reminded me that my rifle was there without telling me. My uncle brought it back to the house.” ([35:32])

Accusations and Realizations

Upon confronting Jake, the troopers discovered the rifle was indeed his:

“That was my uncle Kevin that dropped the rifle off.” ([39:31])

Jake reflects on his actions:

“I was nervous because I was talking to them. I didn't have an answer for them. I should have said that, but I drew a blank.” ([38:39])

This admission highlights Jake's discomfort and potential motives for dishonesty.

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Conclusion and Reflections

Emotional Toll

Jake expresses his frustration and emotional burden throughout the summer:

“It's been a stressful summer. ... I just want to find him. I just want to know what happened.” ([37:37])

Desire for Clarity

Despite the complications, Jake's primary goal remains clear:

“I wish I could help you guys. I'm with you in the same boat. I just want to find him. I just want to know what happened, but I don't.” ([37:45])

Final Thoughts

The interview concludes with Jake's continued uncertainty and desire for answers, underscoring the complex web of relationships and actions that surround Joseph's disappearance.

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Key Takeaways

• Limited Relationship: Jake and Joseph had a superficial relationship, characterized by brief interactions without deep connections.

• Vague Memories: Jake's hazy recollections of the weekend raise questions about his reliability as a witness.

• Inconsistent Statements: Discrepancies in Jake's accounts and the rifle incident suggest potential deceit or lapses in memory.

• Emotional Impact: The case has taken an emotional toll on Jake, influencing his interactions with law enforcement and his perspective on the disappearance.

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Notable Quotes

• Jake on Relationship with Joseph:

  “One of my first impressions was that he was kind of an outgoing, soft-spoken person. He always wanted to say hi to you or saying what you were doing.” ([06:37])

• Jake on Bridge Jumping:

  “I grew up doing it.” ([13:27])

• Jake on Interaction with Troopers:

  “I made a dumb move and made up a story that didn't help me at all.” ([37:37])

• Jake on Emotional Toll:

  “It's been a stressful summer. I just want to find him. I just want to know what happened, but I don't.” ([37:45])

---

Conclusion

Episode 15 of Up and Vanished provides critical insights into the disappearance case through Jake Stettin Benz's interview. His ambiguous relationship with Joseph, coupled with inconsistent testimonies and unexplained incidents, adds layers of complexity to the investigation. As the podcast continues to unravel the mystery, listeners are left contemplating the intricate dynamics and unanswered questions that persist in this cold case.

Transcript

[Payne Lindsay]

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[Luke Lamanna]

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[Payne Lindsay]

The Midnight sun is released every Thursday and brought to you absolutely free. But for ad, free listening and exclusive bonuses, subscribe to Tenderfoot plus at tenderfootplus.com or on Apple Podcasts. Up and Vanished in the Midnight sun is intended for mature audiences and may include topics that can be upsetting such as emotional, physical and sexual violence, rape and murder. The names of survivors have been changed for anonymity purposes. Testimony shared by guests of the show is their own and does not reflect the views of Tenderfoot TV or Odyssey. Thank you so much for listening.

[Luke Lamanna]

During the day on Saturday, June 25, I went bridge jumping, but Jake was not there. Later that Saturday night I went to a party at a camp outside Nome. The party was late, it probably started around 10 or 11pm and went until 4 or 5 in the morning. Jake was at this party. I know that for certain because I talked to him face to face for over 30 minutes, just me and him. I was having a drink, standing by a keg at the party and that's when Jake first approached me. We talked for a while, then eventually we walked off on our own. It's a little fuzzy because I had been drinking, but I remember we had a very long conversation. Off to the side, off.

[Payne Lindsay]

To the side, off to the side. And then he kissed me and he kissed me. Had no idea Christine even existed. Did not know that was his cousin, did not know that Joseph was at the family dinners, any of the Piscoya involvement. I knew none of that. Said that it'd be really hard for me to believe that Jake would just outright do something on his own. But what I do think Jake would do is lie or cover up to save himself, especially if it was a family related thing, Jake would 1000% lie or cover up or save himself. If Jake had any involvement, we feel like it would be to lie and cover up something that happened in the family. Hey, it's Kaley Cuoco for Priceline. Ready to go to your happy place for a happy price? Well, why didn't you say so? Just download the Priceline app right now. Now. And save up to 60% on hotels. So whether it's cousin Kevin's kazoo concert in Kansas City. Go Kevin. Or Becky's bachelorette bash in Bermuda, you never have to miss a trip ever again. So download the Priceline app today. Your savings are waiting. Go to your happy place for a happy price with Priceline's Black Friday sale. Save now and travel later with our best deals of the year.

[Andy Clamser]

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[Luke Lamanna]

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[Jake Stettin Benz]

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[Andy Clamser]

All right, this will be an interview between Andy Clamser and Jake. Is it Stettin Benz?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yes, sir.

[Andy Clamser]

And Today's date is 30th September 2016. The time now is 12.56pm and we are at the Aurora Inn in Nome. So can you tell me how well you knew Joseph? I mean, I've talked to some people and basically what people told me so far is that you guys really didn't know each other. Big age difference and you weren't there that long.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

But I knew him as my cousin Chrissy's friend. That's what they kept it as. His friend never told me anything about it. I knew about him last summer, but I knew his name last summer. And that stays true to the summer. Just know his name.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay. And that was just from Chrissy?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yes.

[Andy Clamser]

And so after you moved in there, did you guys get to know each other at all?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Not at all. I mean, we said hi here and there if we were passing by each other in the hallway or in the kitchen or something, but that was about it.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay, so basically based on the little bit that you knew about him, what were your general impressions of him? What was he like?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

One of my first impressions was that he was kind of an outgoing, soft spoken person. He always wanted to say hi to you or saying what you were doing.

[Andy Clamser]

Anything else?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

That's about it with me. I mean, if I saw him in the hallway, he'd be like, oh, hey, what are you doing today? And, you know, I would tell him, I'm just hanging out with my friends, probably going to the gym. Like, oh, yeah, I'm going for a hike today. Short and brief conversations. Mm. Okay.

[Andy Clamser]

So did Joseph say anything to you about his plans to move to Juneau and get married in August?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Wow. No, he didn't.

[Andy Clamser]

You didn't know that?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, I know he was moving in August, but he didn't say where or to do what. He just said he was moving. And I'm like, oh, yeah, that's my plan too. I'm probably gonna be leaving too. But things didn't fall through.

[Andy Clamser]

Yeah, he's getting married to this gal down there and he's gonna open a law practice. So big changes for him, you know?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Hmm.

[Andy Clamser]

But it didn't sound like you guys had the kind of relationship where you'd share information like that.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I frankly didn't know he was getting married to someone else other than I thought, you know, he was still seeing my cousin Chrissy.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay, so what was. I mean, I've interviewed Christine. Do you. I mean, what was his relationship with Chrissy?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I don't really know. Whenever I went to my grandparents house. You know how your family usually make fun of someone you're seeing when you're growing up? Be like, oh, yeah, it's your boyfriend. You know, it was kind of stuff like that. So I really. There was no solid info to me that they were dating or whatever you want to say. So I really couldn't tell you. I just figured because that's what the family talked about.

[Andy Clamser]

What did the family talk about?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

It was just like, they were just joking around, like I was saying, like, oh, yeah, that's your boyfriend. Why isn't he here?

[Andy Clamser]

You know, did you get that sense that people in your family wanted them to be a couple?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I think they wanted Chrissy to date him. It wasn't more of the family just for her. Mm.

[Andy Clamser]

Did Chrissy ever talk to you about him at all?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Not at all.

[Andy Clamser]

I mean, did you ever get the sense that, you know, if he wanted to keep it as a friendship, she was willing to do that? As, you know, as good as it's gonna get, basically.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Oh, yeah. I have no doubt Chrissy would be totally fine with it.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay. Do you have any idea what was going on in Joseph's life in the two weeks leading up to his disappearance?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Not. Not in his work life. But there was a weekend. Not sure if it was two weeks prior or maybe it might have been three weeks. But he said he was bringing a couple friends up from lower 48, I'm assuming. Mm. They were in the house. I want to say there was two of them, but they stayed in a different room. I hardly ever saw them because I was working from 8 to 5, so I left. They were gone or sleeping still. I got home, they were out and great outdoors, but other than that, I didn't know about his personal life.

[Andy Clamser]

What was he like as a roommate?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Um, I can't say much about it, but every day, you know, he woke up. I think he woke up before I did. He showered, and then I usually wait for him to get out of the shower so I could shower. And then by the time I got out, he'd be leaving for work. He usually walked to work if it was nice. Sometimes I'd get off a little early, beat him home. I usually stay in my room most of the time because that house we live in or that I live in, it's empty.

[Andy Clamser]

Like, no furniture or anything.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

There's one couch, There's a table. That's about it. And I have a TV in my room, so I stay in my room a large majority of the time. So we never hung out.

[Andy Clamser]

Do you remember seeing him on the Friday night of that weekend he disappeared?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, because I was out on the Teller Road going bridge jumping with. Sorry, not the Teller Road. Kug Rock Road, out bridge humping with my friends.

[Andy Clamser]

And who were you with?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

So this night gets a little vague for me because it's been so long. The people that I were with and how I got there, I'm pretty sure my friend Tyler and my friend Emery. And this is out by Salmon Lake on the Cougar, not on the Tub Road.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay. And this is Friday night, not Saturday night, right?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yeah, Friday night.

[Andy Clamser]

So still talking about Friday night. So do you know when. Do you remember about when you got home after being out bridge jumping?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I'm gonna be honest with you. I really don't remember what time.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay, so what's involved in bridge jumping?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Basically what it sounds like. You just get up on the rail and jump off of it into the water. Yeah.

[Andy Clamser]

Isn't the water cold?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Oh, yeah. That's the exhilarating part and the falling part, of course. But it's fun. I grew up doing it.

[Andy Clamser]

And it was just the two people with you? The two guys?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yeah.

[Andy Clamser]

Do you recall if Joseph's truck was there when you Got home. Whenever that was.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I don't think it was home because usually when. Whenever it is home, I usually make a mental note of in my head saying, oh, Joseph something.

[Andy Clamser]

Right.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I don't recall making that note.

[Andy Clamser]

So he was out. He was out partying that night with Christine and Kim. You know, we're not certain what time he got home. Was it daylight when you got home that night, or morning?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

It was actually a really nice day. So, I mean, here when it's super nice, the sun doesn't set for a while. So I would have to guess, I don't know, 10, 30, 11 maybe.

[Andy Clamser]

So it wasn't like early morning hours. Did you have friends over to the house on Friday or Saturday night?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I didn't have friends Friday, and I most definitely didn't have friends the next night. I'm not too sure what we did, but it wasn't. I don't know if I was home or not, but I don't know. I just don't remember.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay. Do you remember Joseph saying anything about what he intended to do that weekend?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

He didn't run it by me.

[Andy Clamser]

Were you aware of him going to the beach with Chrissy on Saturday?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Saturday, Yep.

[Andy Clamser]

No, he probably would have left like around noon.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Okay, hold on. Let me. Okay, so he went missing Sunday afternoon, right?

[Andy Clamser]

Sounds like it. Cause it sounds like you were the last person to see him.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Okay, so I was confusing myself. I went bridge jumping Saturday evening.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay, do you remember what you were doing on Friday evening?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, I do not.

[Andy Clamser]

Is it possible that you had friends over Friday evening?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I honestly don't recall.

[Andy Clamser]

Do you recall about what time you left to go bridge jumping on Saturday?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I want to say I could have left anywhere between five or six. And we were supposed to meet up with a larger group of people, but they were at a different bridge. So we went looking. And then I think we finally found them at a bridge called Grand Central. So that's why it was late in the evening when I got back.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

And plus, we were just enjoying the country, enjoying the views. It was a nice day from what I remember.

[Andy Clamser]

Where is Grand Central?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

It's on the Cougar Road, right before Salmon Lake. Salmon Lake? I want to say it's at 34 mile on the road.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay. And who was in that other group?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

See, the thing is, all summer I've been doing kind of the same thing. Going bridge jumping, going out in the country. It's just kind of hard to remember specific times. And people usually, man, if it's nice out, weather's warm. It'll be a thought. And Oliver. Heads. Hey, let's go bridge jump and we'll call Oliver. Friends to go. It's been so long, man. I couldn't remember exactly who was on there.

[Andy Clamser]

Do you remember anyone that was in that other group.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Specifically? No, I don't.

[Andy Clamser]

How many people roughly?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I would say at least 15.

[Andy Clamser]

And who did. Who did you catch a ride with out there?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

It was the same two people that I was with. My friend Tyler and my friend Emery.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay, so it's pretty important for us to try and figure out who Joseph may have been close with around the time that he disappeared. Did he ever have any women over to the house at any time while you were living there?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Not that I know of.

[Andy Clamser]

Did he ever say anything about any relationships he had other, you know, than his friendship with Chrissy?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Like I said, man, we never talked. Okay.

[Andy Clamser]

Do you know if Joseph owned any firearms?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I've never seen any. I assume he had one because he was always hiking. You know, that's something you might really need if you're hiking, right? I don't know. The state troopers went over there one day after searching the house and after thoroughly checking everything, they went back again and they found a box of 44ammo. Mm. And I think one was missing out of the whole box. Never seen a.44 or anything close to it in that house before.

[Andy Clamser]

So it wasn't your ammo?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Nope.

[Andy Clamser]

Hang on just a second.

[Luke Lamanna]

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[Jake Stettin Benz]

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[Luke Lamanna]

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[Andy Clamser]

What are your sort of gut instincts about what probably happened to him?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I think something bad happened to him. My mom said when they were shooting There was 30 plus bears in that area. I think a bear might have gotten to them.

[Andy Clamser]

Does that happen out here?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I want to say it does, but a large majority of the time they're gonna find the body. And I started thinking about this whole thing all summer. Decided to get stressed me out. And I like in my mind I just been thinking I probably think someone might have killed them because, you know, they haven't found a body yet. The dogs couldn't find them. There was helicopters, there's airplanes, there's numerous people looking for them. And still to this day there's no body.

[Andy Clamser]

Right. Yeah. A lot of people have said that. A lot of local people have said that if he got attacked by a bear, we would have found something.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Something.

[Andy Clamser]

But he doesn't seem like the kind of guy that would have enemies or be engaged in risky behavior or anything.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

It doesn't appear that way at all. I didn't get that vibe when I met him. My mom told me that he was a law clerk. Mm. I'm not too sure what he does, but I was told from my mom that he looks over the evidence of some cases. I don't know. That could have been a trigger. I don't know. Just like the rest of this town. I just want to know what happened. It's been a stressful summer. I was living in Anchorage and come back to Nome and didn't expect this.

[Andy Clamser]

Right? Right. Exactly. This is something you'd expect in Anchorage. Did you feel that the search was thorough and covered all the areas it should have.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Thoroughly? Yeah, very thoroughly. My mom and her husband, they still go out. The Coast Guard was even up here. It kind of takes a big exclamation mark for the Coast Guard to be up here searching in their helicopter.

[Andy Clamser]

Right.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I don't know. I think the town just saw it as one big disappearance and they couldn't. They couldn't supply answers cuz they don't have any info on them.

[Andy Clamser]

Did you participate in the search at all?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No. I went once with my friend Tyler just because a. It was a nice day. Didn't really have anything to do that day so we just took a drive down the road.

[Andy Clamser]

Were you working when all this was going on? All the searching and Everything.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yeah, I would. I was working for the village of council all summer. And so once a month for about a week we would drive down the council, go up the river there, come back at the end of the day, drive back into town. So I'd be up and down all along that road and you know, I'd keep an eye out. But you know, as a month passed, the chances of him turning up or getting slimmer, I guess you could say.

[Andy Clamser]

So was there any friction between you and Joseph over the Internet account at the house?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, I was just. What am I trying to say? I was actually going over the deal on that we were going to make. And you know, I pay half, you pay half, then we go half on the utilities every month. And I mean I never got around to it because I took myself a financial hole so I was covering my ends and then I was gonna take care of that. But no, there was no friction, any.

[Andy Clamser]

Friction about anything else. I mean, sometimes roommates just don't, you know, they just clash on.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yeah, I get that. But there was no communication between us other than those brief conversations. Okay.

[Andy Clamser]

Did Joseph seem to drink very much?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I would say he only drank beer every weekend.

[Andy Clamser]

Do I mean to excess?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I don't know. I only saw the beer that he bought. He'd be on the counter. Never seen him drunk, had a beer in his hand.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay. Do you remember seeing or hearing him return to the house in the early morning hours of Friday night, Saturday morning, like maybe 3am or so?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, I don't.

[Andy Clamser]

You would have been home at that time, right?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Oh yeah, definitely.

[Andy Clamser]

Do you have any suggestions for people I should talk to about his disappearance?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, I don't feel it as if anyone in this town would know where he was or get a better answer than what I gave you.

[Andy Clamser]

You don't remember seeing him leave the house there on Saturday when he went to meet Chrissy after beach?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

That is correct. I don't. Okay.

[Andy Clamser]

Did your uncle Kevin ever stay there?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I was gone all winter. I haven't been a gnome since August of 2015. He might have during the winter, but not what drove.

[Andy Clamser]

Joseph was there?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I don't think so, no.

[Andy Clamser]

Do you remember seeing the pickup that he was using at the house on Sunday? Do you remember hearing a vehicle leave on Sunday?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, I don't.

[Andy Clamser]

What did you do on that Sunday?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I really don't remember.

[Andy Clamser]

Were you just waking up when you saw him in the hallway?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yeah, like him opening the door was the first thing I woke up to.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

And I rolled over just to look you know, just out of curiosity to see who it was. And you know, there was a light coming up from the entrance way downstairs. And so there was a light shining off the white wall. So I couldn't really see who it was, but I saw shadow and I saw this red back back, which he always had, I'm assuming.

[Andy Clamser]

So what did you do Saturday night when you got back to Nome from bridge jumping?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I want to say, more than likely I probably just went to bed.

[Andy Clamser]

Do you have any independent memory of that night when you got back from Bridget jumping?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No.

[Andy Clamser]

Do you remember if Joseph's truck was at the house when you got home Saturday night?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, I don't.

[Andy Clamser]

Was there anybody with you when you got home? Nope. Did you just get dropped off?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yeah.

[Andy Clamser]

And who dropped you off?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

The same person who brought me up originally. Tyler.

[Andy Clamser]

I mean, it doesn't sound like any of you or your friends saw Joseph or the truck on Saturday or Sunday other than when you saw him in the hallway.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, my friends didn't really know him. They didn't. They knew nothing about him. They met him the same time I did, you know, this summer. And they if that. They said hi, you know, and I didn't expect them to know him. I didn't expect Joseph to know them. I didn't know this guy.

[Andy Clamser]

So had you driven out past the area of mile 44 on the council road on Saturday or Sunday?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No.

[Andy Clamser]

Did you have a vehicle available to you to use.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

When?

[Andy Clamser]

Well, this time period, so the end of June, early July?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, I've never had a vehicle of my own this summer.

[Andy Clamser]

Had Joseph ever talked with you about running out there on the council road in the area of mile 44?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, I didn't.

[Andy Clamser]

Had Joseph ever said anything to you about wanting to go fishing out in that area?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I don't think he ever did or not that I know of.

[Andy Clamser]

Is that even good fishing out there?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yeah, there's some good fishing. You just gotta find the right fish, know when to go. Cause there's different times where different spawns are hatching. Some are dying, some are actually young. They'll give you a fight. That's where the fun comes in.

[Andy Clamser]

Are there other kinds of fish in there other than salmon?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

There's silver salmon, there's chum salmon. There's four different kinds. I can't list them. I don't know.

[Andy Clamser]

I was wondering if there were other kinds of fish other than salmon in there. Trout or other stuff.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

There might be trout.

[Andy Clamser]

So I want to ask you about this whole confusing situation and with a.308 rifle that somebody dropped off at the house.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

So that.308 rifle, my dad won it. I'm pretty sure he won it at one of the NRA banquets here. They give out raffles. Well, you gotta buy raffles. So at that banquet, they'll draw tickets, and you can go up and select a gun. I'm pretty sure my dad selected the black.308 rifle. So last winter, before I left for Anchorage to go to school, I was living at my grandmother's garage. There was a bed in there, you know, tv. I had my own little setup. So I brought the gun with me because I moved out of my dad's just to have it. I may have shot it once that winter. And then I left. Kind of forgot about it. And then I moved back here after a while. I think my grandma reminded me that my rifle was there without telling me. My uncle brought it back to the house. And that was just before the state troopers searched the house again. They were like, oh, yeah, whose rifle is this? Me not knowing that my uncle dropped it off. I said, it's not mine. I've never seen it before.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

And then I think.

[Andy Clamser]

And so. So when the troopers asked you that, did they show you the rifle, or did they tell you there was a rifle downstairs?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

They told me they had already taken it.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay, so it's not like they showed it to you.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, but they said it was a black.308. And a little light off went inside my head, like, oh, you know, I pretty sure I.308. And then I think 4th of July is when my mom told me that that was my rifle. Okay, thanks for telling me.

[Andy Clamser]

And who told you that? Your mom?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yeah. It made me look extremely bad for the state of troopers, because me saying it wasn't mine, it turned out to be mine.

[Andy Clamser]

Right.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

It's been a stressful summer. There might have been some confusion if you've talked to the state troopers before. Mm. They first asked me what I did that Saturday night, and I couldn't remember to save my life. And so on the spot. I've never talked to a state trooper like this about a missing person. So I made a dumb move and made up a story that didn't help me at all. And then that rifle situation happened. Didn't help my case. And then all eyes started turning on me. But I don't know the guy at all. Man, I wish I could help you guys. I'm with you in the same boat. I just want to find him. I just want to know what happened, but I don't. I wish I could tell you guys.

[Andy Clamser]

Well, what did you tell the troopers that wasn't true?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

That I went down the telly road to a different bridge, but instead we were on the Kubak Road.

[Andy Clamser]

I mean, why not just tell them the truth? Cause, I mean, nobody really cares.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

That's the thing, though. They did care. And I couldn't remember. I like, to this day, I could barely remember. I mean, yeah, we're at the Grand Central Bridge, but that night, they were asking. I could not remember at all. It's. I was nervous because I was talking to them. I didn't have an answer for them. I should have said that, but I drew a blank, and that came out.

[Andy Clamser]

Your uncle's a longtime trooper, right? Right. Lonnie Pasquoya.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yeah, that was my uncle Kevin that dropped the rifle off.

[Andy Clamser]

Right. So you told them this thing that wasn't true, and then what happened?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

They went straight to my friends, and they asked, and they got a different story. So that's where it didn't make me look good. That's where I was lying to them. And then they came back to me after all the questions and be like, well, we got the story from so and so doesn't match up with your story. What were you really doing and what.

[Andy Clamser]

Did you say at that point?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I'm pretty sure it was the same thing. I just couldn't remember.

[Andy Clamser]

But at that, you know, when they were talking to you, that would have been like two weeks after. So it was pretty close in time. Why were you having trouble remembering?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Honestly, don't know, man. Two weeks ago today, I can barely remember what I did.

[Andy Clamser]

Okay. There was also an issue with apparently texting your friends to try and get them to create an alibi or, you know, to say that you were with them. What happened with that?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I was just nervous, man. I didn't know how to deal with it. I was just trying to save my skin, but.

[Andy Clamser]

Save your skin from what, though?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

From that lie.

[Andy Clamser]

But it's not like you were doing anything wrong. It's not like you were out robbing a bank or anything. You guys were just out doing stuff.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

So I just. I didn't know how to handle it, man. This is the first time that I've dealt with something like this kind of a young kid. I don't know. It's just. I don't know. I didn't know how to deal with it.

[Andy Clamser]

And so did you. Did you end up telling the troopers that you had texted your friends to Try and create this alibi?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No. I think they came to that conclusion after they talked to my friends.

[Andy Clamser]

And then did they come back and talk to you again about that?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I believe so.

[Andy Clamser]

The friends that you texted, was that Emory and Tyler or Cass and Cam or.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

It was Emory and Tyler.

[Andy Clamser]

Then how were Cass and Cam involved?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I'm not too sure. That's the first that I've heard of their names being drawn in. Okay.

[Andy Clamser]

Were they out that bridge jumping that night? Do you remember?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

I don't think so. Yeah.

[Andy Clamser]

Do you know of anyone who saw Joseph out on the council road on Saturday or Sunday?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No, I don't.

[Andy Clamser]

Do you know of anyone in Nome who is angry or upset with Joseph for some reason?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

No.

[Andy Clamser]

So one of the other issues I wanted to ask you about, some of the family members, when they were here searching, had reported to the troopers that they saw injuries on your face. Can you tell me what those injuries were from?

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yeah. So I was playing catch with my. One of my friends out at the safety roadhouse. We were playing football and made the brash decision of diving for it on gravel. That's where these two come into play for the cot elephants. And then I scrape my face.

[Andy Clamser]

Maybe I'll take a quick picture of those that was out at the safety roadhouse.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Yeah.

[Andy Clamser]

Can you turn your hands little bit? There we go. And I just need to get kind of an overall picture over here. If you can look up this way. Okay.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

Is there any way I can pause this really quick and use the restroom?

[Andy Clamser]

Yeah, no problem. Just go ahead.

[Jake Stettin Benz]

My third cup of coffee.

[Payne Lindsay]

Up and Vanished in the Midnight sun is a production of Tenderfoot TV in association with Odyssey. Your host is Payne Lindsay. The show is written by Payne Lindsay with additional assistance from Mike Rooney. Executive producers are Donald Albright and Payne Lindsey. Lead producer is Mike Rooney, along with producers Dylan Harrington and Cooper Skinner. Editing by Mike Rooney and Cooper Skinner with additional editing by Dylan Harrington. Supervising producer is Tracy Kaplan. Additional Production by Victoria McKenzie, Alice Kanique, Glenn and Eric Quintana. Artwork by Rob Sheridan. Original music by Makeup and Vanity. Set mix and mastered by Cooper Skinner. Thank you to Oren Rosenbaum and the team at uta, Beck Media and Marketing and the Nord Group. Special thanks to all of the families and community members that spoke to the team. Additional information and resources can be found in our show notes. For more podcasts like up and Banished, search Tenderfoot TV on your favorite podcast app or visit us@Tenderfoot TV. Thanks for listening.

[Luke Lamanna]

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