Summary of Up and Vanished Weekly Episode: "Truer Crime Season 3: Vanished. Vilified. Voiceless."

Release Date: August 4, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Up and Vanished Weekly, host Maggie Freleng delves into the third season of the acclaimed podcast Truer Crime, hosted by Celicia Stanton. The season, titled "Vanished. Vilified. Voiceless.", promises an in-depth exploration of complex true crime cases, focusing not only on the crimes themselves but also on the surrounding investigations, media coverage, and the broader implications within the legal system.

Overview of Truer Crime Season 3

Celicia Stanton introduces Truer Crime Season 3 as a departure from typical single-episode case examinations. Instead, the season dedicates an entire month to each story, providing a comprehensive multi-part analysis. This approach allows listeners to gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in each case.

Celicia Stanton [00:09]: "Truer Crime spends a whole month on each story, breaking it into multiple parts and really digging in."

The season's tagline, "Vanished. Vilified. Voiceless.", encapsulates the multifaceted nature of the cases being explored. It underscores how victims can disappear from the public eye, how individuals can be unfairly maligned in the media, and how marginalized voices often go unheard in the pursuit of justice.

Key Themes and Discussions

1. Molly Tibbetts Disappearance
   One of the standout cases featured is the disappearance of Molly Tibbetts, which quickly garnered national attention. Celicia Stanton highlights how the case became a media spectacle, sometimes overshadowing the actual investigative efforts.

   Unknown Speaker 2 [00:21]: "Molly Tibbetts disappearance became national news, but her story was quickly hijacked."

2. Media Influence and Public Perception
   The season examines the powerful role media plays in shaping public perception of criminal cases. Stanton discusses how sensationalism can distort facts, leading to public outcry and sometimes jeopardizing investigations.

   Unknown Speaker 2 [00:30]: "There were death threats, people threatening to burn."

3. Complex Investigations in Small Towns
   The podcast delves into how intense scrutiny affects small communities, where everyone knows each other. The tight-knit nature of such towns can both aid and hinder investigations, adding layers of complexity to solving crimes.

   Unknown Speaker 1 [00:16]: "If we die, we die. One of those dead bodies could be ours. Everybody knew that I wanted to stop."

4. Impact on Individuals Involved
   Beyond the crimes themselves, Truer Crime explores the profound effects on the individuals entangled in these cases, including victims' families, law enforcement, and even those wrongfully accused.

   Unknown Speaker 2 [00:36]: "From hijacked headlines to buried truth, we're tackling six gripping stories, not just about crime, but about the people caught in the middle of it all."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Celicia Stanton [00:09]:
  "Truer Crime spends a whole month on each story, breaking it into multiple parts and really digging in."

• Unknown Speaker 2 [00:30]:
  "There were death threats, people threatening to burn."

• Unknown Speaker 1 [00:16]:
  "If we die, we die. One of those dead bodies could be ours. Everybody knew that I wanted to stop."

Conclusion

Up and Vanished Weekly highlights Truer Crime Season 3 as a significant contribution to the true crime genre, emphasizing its thorough and compassionate approach to storytelling. By dedicating extensive time to each case, Celicia Stanton ensures that listeners receive a well-rounded perspective, uncovering truths that might otherwise remain hidden. This season promises to challenge listeners' perceptions and encourage a more nuanced understanding of crime and justice.

For those interested in exploring these intricate narratives, Truer Crime Season 3: Vanished. Vilified. Voiceless. is available for listening on platforms like iHeartRadio, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts.

Note: This summary is based on the provided transcript and podcast information as of August 4, 2025.