15 | Jake's Interview - Up and Vanished

Summary

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

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.

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.

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])

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 (0:00)

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Payne Lindsay (0:46)

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 (1:28)

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 (2:35)

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.