Up and Vanished: Q&A Episode – September 26, 2024

In the Up and Vanished Q&A episode released on September 26, 2024, host Thrasher Banks alongside co-hosts Mike Rooney and Cooper engage with their audience by addressing a series of listener-submitted questions. This episode offers deeper insights into the ongoing investigations featured in Season 4, particularly focusing on the cases of Florence Okpealuk and Joseph Balderas in Nome, Alaska. Below is a detailed summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Focus on Oregon John and Other Suspects

Question: Are there any other suspects or persons of interest besides Oregon John?

Thrasher Banks ([03:29]):
"Oregon John is front and center of Flo's case because, as far as we know, he's the last person to see her alive. Just plain and simple. Had her belongings in his tent. There are definitely other people’s names that have been brought up. We have censored a few of them and we've talked to a few of them. No matter how you slice it, his name comes up in the story no matter what, that night when Flo went missing, and he remains at the center of the investigation."

Banks emphasizes that while Oregon John is the primary focus due to his connection as the last known person to see Florence alive, the investigation remains open to other potential suspects. He clarifies that the first eight episodes primarily covered Florence's case, but the investigation is ongoing with plans for more episodes.

Cooper ([04:50]):
"Yeah, that's probably the most often asked question that we get is that, did we forget about anyone? And it's like, no, we didn't."

2. Investigative Process and Podcast Production Decisions

Question: How far in advance do you start working on a case before production begins on the podcast? Did you know from the beginning Flo's disappearance would be the subject of the next season?

Thrasher Banks ([05:30]):
"We work pretty far in advance because we know as soon as the podcast is out, the cat's out of the bag and our investigating strategy has to change completely. We worked for, I want to say, almost close to a year on Flo and Joseph's cases before the podcast came out."

Banks explains that the team conducts extensive research and groundwork approximately a year before launching the podcast to ensure a comprehensive investigation. The decision to cover both Florence and Joseph's cases was strategic, enhanced by the alignment of listener interest and connections drawn by their sound designer, Cooper, who is from Alaska.

Cooper ([06:24]):
"The stars kind of aligned because not only were these families reaching out, but one of the sound designers... is actually from Alaska. So that was a little more incentive, right, for you to go to Alaska and do a story or do cases in Alaska?"

3. Ensuring Safety During Investigations

Question: When you and your production team meet someone potentially dangerous like Oregon John, do you have any protection with you?

Thrasher Banks ([07:34]):
"It depends on what you mean by protection. We actually debated a lot on whether or not we should be armed in certain situations. This season, specifically, the state of Alaska seems to be pretty loose on guns. We try to protect ourselves by being ten steps ahead and thinking about every worst-case scenario."

Banks discusses the deliberations the team had regarding personal safety, ultimately deciding against carrying weapons. They focus instead on strategic planning and situational awareness to mitigate risks during interviews and meetings.

Cooper ([09:04]):
"We were trying to avoid bringing that thought into the mix... We're just simply trying to ask questions. And so we're not trying to combat anybody. If anything, we're deescalating from the start."

4. Interaction with Oregon John

Question: How much time passed from when you first reached out to Oregon John to when you actually met him?

Thrasher Banks ([10:48]):
"I want to say about eight months. I sent a message on Facebook from this fake Facebook account that I have way, way early on, and he actually responded to me."

Banks recounts the strategic approach taken to contact Oregon John, which involved initiating communication months in advance to build rapport and legitimacy, leading to their eventual meeting.

Cooper ([12:04]):
"It was really a puzzle that ultimately you figured out, Payne, how to find him, which... we were racking our brains for days trying to figure out where he was going to be."

5. Theories About Florence’s Disappearance

Question: Is there any validity to Oregon John's theory that Florence's body was stuffed in a barrel on a meth dealer's property?

Thrasher Banks ([15:40]):
"He's the only person I've heard tell a story like that. No one else that I've talked to at all has made that bold of a claim or assertion. Maybe he said it because he wanted to move on in the conversation."

Banks expresses skepticism regarding Oregon John's theory, noting that it is an isolated claim not corroborated by other sources. He suggests that John may have fabricated the story to shift the conversation away from pressing questions.

6. Handling Community and Discord Engagement

Question: What's up with the Discord? How's that working out for you?

Thrasher Banks ([23:06]):
"The Discord is insane... It's an investigative tool. It's not really like a fan club group or discussion. It's a place where people can speak anonymously and a place where we can hopefully find new leads and try to control the chaos as much as possible."

Banks describes the Discord server as a critical component for gathering anonymous tips and leads, despite challenges such as trolling and misinformation. He acknowledges the platform's value in engaging the community while highlighting the difficulties in moderating such an active space.

Mike Rooney ([24:26]):
"It's gonna happen no matter what."

7. Updates on Joseph’s Case and Credit Card Statements

Question: Was Joseph’s cell phone recovered, and was there useful information from it?

Cooper ([26:06]):
"They never found Joseph's phone, unfortunately. There's really only one cell tower in Gnome, so there's no way to triangulate his location that weekend."

Thrasher Banks ([26:31]):
"We know his WhatsApp messages to his fiancée because we have her ends of the conversation, but we don't have Christine's because she wiped her phone or something."

Question: What about Joseph’s credit card statements showing usage after his disappearance?

Thrasher Banks ([28:31]):
"We've done a lot of homework on that. It seems like the birthdays punched in were random, possibly from the same person or group. We plan on sharing more specifics soon."

Banks outlines ongoing efforts to investigate unauthorized use of Joseph's credit card, indicating potential leads related to recurring purchases that may point to a single individual or group involved.

8. Involvement of the PCOA Family and Patterns of Lying

Question: What updates are there regarding the PCOA family’s involvement and patterns of lying among locals?

Thrasher Banks ([32:41]):
"There are people we have interviews with who have repeatedly lied on different occasions, and their stories don't match up. There's a pattern of lying from people related to each other, which is concerning."

Banks highlights a troubling pattern of dishonesty among certain individuals connected to the case, raising questions about their involvement and integrity. He emphasizes the need for transparency and urges those with information to come forward.

9. Future of Up and Vanished

Question: Are there plans to continue deep dives into Florence’s case and Oregon John?

Thrasher Banks ([41:08]):
"Absolutely yes. We already have so much new information that we're compiling and putting together. We plan on doing another installment of at least eight episodes that focus on both cases in tandem."

Banks assures listeners that the investigation will continue, with more episodes dedicated to uncovering further details about Florence and Joseph's cases. He indicates ongoing discoveries and the intention to provide comprehensive coverage as new information becomes available.

10. Concluding Remarks

The episode wraps up with Banks inviting listeners to join their Discord community for deeper engagement and reminding them of the collaborative nature of their investigative efforts. He reiterates the commitment to uncovering the truth behind the disappearances and encourages ongoing support from the audience.

Mike Rooney ([42:13]):
"We really appreciate you sending us these questions and showing us how interested you are in this investigation. It fuels us to keep going and in turn it allows us to give you better content."

Notable Quotes:

• Thrasher Banks ([07:34]):
  "We try to protect ourselves by being ten steps ahead and thinking about every worst-case scenario."

• Thrasher Banks ([15:40]):
  "He's the only person I've heard tell a story like that... Maybe he said it because he wanted to move on in the conversation."

• Thrasher Banks ([32:41]):
  "The lies go beyond that... We have a pattern of lying from people related to each other."

This Q&A episode provides listeners with an in-depth look into the complexities of investigative journalism within true crime storytelling. Thrasher Banks, along with his team, demonstrates a methodical approach to uncovering truths while navigating the challenges of community engagement and safety. As the season progresses, fans can anticipate further revelations and comprehensive analyses of the cases gripping Nome, Alaska.