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Tenderfoot TV Host
You're listening to a Tenderfoot TV podcast.
Maggie
Hey y'all, it's Maggie. I hope you're enjoying up and Vanish weekly. Here's a sneak peek of next week's case.
Narrator
It's the Evening of Friday, January 4, 2002. The energy inside of Pyramid Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee is nothing short of electric. Thousands of fans donning blue, gray and gold filter into the stands as the countdown to tip off begins. Among the crowd is 37 year old Cheryl Pearson, an avid basketball fan and seasoned ticket holder who looks on as her hometown Memphis grizzlies go head to head against the Atlanta Hawks. It's a close game and the pressure mounts, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats.
But.
But despite the excitement, Cheryl begins to feel ill. Over time, her condition worsens until eventually she decides to leave early. During the 17 mile drive home, Cheryl picks up the phone and calls her mother to tell her she's not feeling well. She reassures her that everything is okay and that she's on her way home. But in the coming hours, things would take an unexpected turn. To this day, little is known about the disappearance of Cheryl Lamont Pearson. In the aftermath, investigators would uncover clues about a mysterious early morning call to Cheryl's phone, her abandoned car, which had been systematically cleaned, as well as a sizable life insurance policy. It's a case that's left many wondering, did all of these clues point to something more menacing?
Maggie
If you hate waiting a week for new episodes, you can listen to the rest of this episode right now by subscribing to Tenderfoot Plus. Go to tenderfootplus.com to sign up and get early access and ad free listening experience and other exclusive benefits on over 30 shows and 500 episodes. Again, that's tenderfootplus.com or click the link in our show notes.
Anonymous Caller
Well, I just found out that my dad lived a secret life as a hitman for the Chicago Mafia for all these years. It doesn't make any sense. He was a firefighter. Paramedic. How the hell can he be a hitman? I need answers. So I am currently on a plane back to Chicago to interview everybody, anybody that knows anything about this. I'm in shock. This is absolutely insane. I just don't understand. I need to figure this out.
Tenderfoot TV Host
The shocking new true crime series Crook county from Tenderfoot TV and iHeart podcasts is available now. Binge the entire series for free on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Host: Maggie Freleng & Payne Lindsey
Produced by: Tenderfoot TV
In the "Late Night Call" preview episode of Up and Vanished Weekly, host Maggie Freleng offers listeners an exclusive glimpse into an intriguing case set to be explored in depth in the upcoming episode. This preview sets the stage for a gripping investigation, highlighting the mysterious disappearance of Cheryl Lamont Pearson.
The episode opens with Maggie expressing excitement about the forthcoming case:
Maggie Freleng [00:07]: "Hey y'all, it's Maggie. I hope you're enjoying Up and Vanished Weekly. Here's a sneak peek of next week's case."
This introduction leads into a detailed narrative of Cheryl Pearson’s disappearance, providing essential context and background.
A vivid account unfolds, painting a picture of the night Cheryl Pearson vanished:
Narrator [00:20]: "It's the Evening of Friday, January 4, 2002. The energy inside of Pyramid Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee is nothing short of electric. Thousands of fans donning blue, gray and gold filter into the stands as the countdown to tip off begins. Among the crowd is 37-year-old Cheryl Pearson, an avid basketball fan and seasoned ticket holder who looks on as her hometown Memphis Grizzlies go head to head against the Atlanta Hawks. It's a close game and the pressure mounts, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats."
Cheryl's presence at the game underscores her connection to the community and her passion for basketball, making her subsequent disappearance all the more perplexing.
As the game intensifies, so does Cheryl's condition:
Narrator [01:00]: "But despite the excitement, Cheryl begins to feel ill. Over time, her condition worsens until eventually she decides to leave early."
Facing deteriorating health, Cheryl makes the decision to exit the stadium prematurely, a choice that sets into motion the events leading to her disappearance.
The narrative delves into the moments leading up to Cheryl's disappearance:
Narrator [01:00]: "During the 17-mile drive home, Cheryl picks up the phone and calls her mother to tell her she's not feeling well. She reassures her that everything is okay and that she's on her way home."
Despite reassuring her mother, Cheryl's situation takes a mysterious turn. Investigators uncover several puzzling elements:
Mysterious Early Morning Call: A call made to Cheryl's phone during the early hours, details of which remain unclear.
Abandoned and Cleaned Car: Cheryl's vehicle was found abandoned, having been systematically cleaned, suggesting an attempt to erase evidence.
Significant Life Insurance Policy: The existence of a sizable life insurance policy raises questions about potential motives.
These clues collectively hint at the possibility of foul play, though the exact circumstances surrounding Cheryl's disappearance remain unresolved.
The preview hints at deeper layers within the case, inviting listeners to ponder:
Narrator [01:59]: "It's a case that's left many wondering, did all of these clues point to something more menacing?"
Host Maggie sets the stage for an investigative journey that promises to unravel the complexities behind Cheryl's disappearance, exploring whether the evidence points towards a sinister plot or if there are alternative explanations.
Up and Vanished Weekly's "Late Night Call" preview effectively teases a compelling true crime investigation, blending detailed storytelling with investigative intrigue. As Cheryl Pearson's case is set to be dissected in the upcoming episode, listeners can anticipate a thorough exploration of the facts, theories, and potential resolutions that surround this enigmatic disappearance.
Notable Quotes:
Maggie Freleng [00:07]: "Hey y'all, it's Maggie. I hope you're enjoying Up and Vanished Weekly. Here's a sneak peek of next week's case."
Narrator [00:20]: "It's the Evening of Friday, January 4, 2002. The energy inside of Pyramid Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee is nothing short of electric..."
Narrator [01:59]: "It's a case that's left many wondering, did all of these clues point to something more menacing?"
For those eager to delve deeper, the full episode promises an in-depth analysis, interviews, and expert insights that aim to uncover the truth behind Cheryl Pearson's disappearance.