Up and Vanished Weekly: Vanished – The Lauren Spierer Case

Podcast Information:

• Title: Up and Vanished Weekly
• Host/Author: Tenderfoot TV
• Episode: VANISHED: Lauren Spierer
• Release Date: March 5, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Up and Vanished Weekly, hosts Payne Lindsay and Maggie Freeling delve deep into the mysterious disappearance of Lauren Spierer, a 20-year-old college student whose vanishing has left her family and community searching for answers. Joined by true crime enthusiast Meredith Steadman, the hosts explore the intricate details of Lauren’s last known movements, the ensuing investigation, and the broader implications on campus safety and victim-blaming in missing persons cases.

Background of the Case

Lauren Spierer was a 20-year-old student at Indiana University (IU), studying fashion and preparing for an internship in New York. On the evening of June 2, 2011, Lauren attended a fraternity party with her boyfriend Jesse Wolfe and friends. The night took a tragic turn when Lauren failed to return home, leading to a frantic search that uncovered her lifeless body the following day.

Maggie Freeling (07:00): "Lauren’s case is so tragic, and I think about it a lot. She went missing after a night of partying, and it’s heartbreaking that it remains unsolved."

Initial Disappearance

The evening of June 2, 2011, saw Lauren attending a party hosted by her friend Jay Rosenbaum in Nome, Alaska. After partaking in the festivities, Lauren and Corey Rossman, a neighbor she had met earlier, left the party with visible signs of intoxication.

Payne Lindsay (11:15): "Lauren seemed quite messed up. Whether it was alcohol or something more, she was clearly vulnerable."

Lauren’s impaired state raised concerns among attendees, but the night spiraled further when Lauren left the bar barefoot, her phone and shoes left behind—an indicator of her disoriented condition.

The Investigation

Security footage revealed Lauren and Corey entering her apartment building around 2:30 AM. Moments later, an altercation occurred between Corey and another man, Zach Oakes, resulting in Corey being knocked to the ground. Despite these events, Lauren and Corey managed to leave the building, with Lauren appearing disoriented and dropping her keys and purse along the way.

Payne Lindsay (22:14): "Lauren was likely still vulnerable after a long night of partying, raising questions about the responsibility of those around her."

Upon reaching Corey’s residence, Lauren refused to stay on the couch, opting instead to leave and return to her friend Jay’s house. Witnesses noticed a bruise on Lauren's face when she arrived at Jay’s place, further complicating the narrative.

The Role of Friends and Responsibility

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the responsibility of Lauren’s friends. Despite her clearly intoxicated state, the individuals she was with that night did not ensure her safe return home. This lack of accountability became a focal point, leading Lauren’s family to file a civil lawsuit against Corey Rossman, Jay Rosenbaum, and Michael Beth, accusing them of negligence.

Maggie Freeling (12:30): "Victim-blaming is rampant in these cases, and it’s infuriating. Lauren was in a vulnerable state, and her friends failed to protect her."

The lawsuit argued that these friends should have assured Lauren’s safe return, but the appeals court dismissed the case, stating that minors under the influence do not carry a legal duty of care toward each other.

Lawsuit Filed by Parents

Lauren’s parents, Robert and Charlene Spierer, were deeply affected by their daughter’s disappearance. Frustrated by the lack of progress in the investigation and the unresponsive attitudes of Lauren’s peers, they took legal action against those last seen with her.

Maggie Freeling (35:36): "The Speierers are incredibly involved and soft-spoken, but their pain is palpable. They’ve faced immense challenges in seeking justice for Lauren."

Despite their efforts, the lawsuit did not hold up in court, leaving the Spierers feeling unsupported and further highlighting the systemic issues in handling such cases.

Theories and Suspects

Throughout the episode, various theories about Lauren's disappearance are explored:

1. Accidental Death or Health Emergency: Given Lauren’s heart condition (Long QT syndrome) and her intoxicated state, there’s speculation that she might have had a health emergency that went unnoticed.

2. Opportunity for Predation: The discussion introduces Israel Keys, a known serial killer who was in the area during Lauren’s disappearance. Keys had a pattern of burying "kill kits" and was known to research missing persons cases, making him a prime suspect.

   Payne Lindsay (53:18): "Knowing that Keys was there at the time and how vulnerable Lauren was, it seems plausible that he could have taken advantage of her."

3. Internal Conflicts Among Friends: Some believe that the group of intoxicated friends might have inadvertently caused Lauren’s disappearance through negligence or worse.

The hosts emphasize the difficulty in pinning down the exact cause due to the chaotic nature of the night and Lauren’s impaired state.

Recent Developments

In recent updates, Lauren’s parents filed a lawsuit against Corey Rossman, Michael Beth, and Jay Rosenbaum, alleging negligence. However, a federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of the case, stating that the defendants had no legal duty to ensure Lauren's safety.

Maggie Freeling (35:36): "Their lawsuit was dismissed because legally, minors cannot hold each other accountable in this way."

Despite these setbacks, Lauren’s family continues to seek justice and awareness, raising a reward to encourage witnesses to come forward.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The episode concludes with a heartfelt appeal from Lauren’s family, emphasizing the ongoing search for truth and the importance of community support in solving such cases. The hosts urge listeners to share any information that might shed light on Lauren's disappearance, highlighting the critical role of public engagement in unresolved mysteries.

Payne Lindsay (56:02): "If you have any information, anything small could be big. Please speak up and help us find Lauren."

Lauren Spierer’s case remains a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by young individuals and the societal responsibilities to protect them. Up and Vanished Weekly not only seeks to uncover the truth behind Lauren’s disappearance but also aims to foster a dialogue about safety, accountability, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

Key Quotes

• Maggie Freeling (07:00): "Lauren’s case is so tragic, and I think about it a lot. She went missing after a night of partying, and it’s heartbreaking that it remains unsolved."

• Payne Lindsay (11:15): "Lauren seemed quite messed up. Whether it was alcohol or something more, she was clearly vulnerable."

• Maggie Freeling (12:30): "Victim-blaming is rampant in these cases, and it’s infuriating. Lauren was in a vulnerable state, and her friends failed to protect her."

• Payne Lindsay (53:18): "Knowing that Keys was there at the time and how vulnerable Lauren was, it seems plausible that he could have taken advantage of her."

• Payne Lindsay (56:02): "If you have any information, anything small could be big. Please speak up and help us find Lauren."

Additional Resources

Listeners seeking more information or wishing to assist in the case can visit findlauren.com or contact the Bloomington Police Department at 812-339-4477. The episode also highlights the importance of the Indiana Lifeline Law, which encourages timely intervention in such situations.

Up and Vanished Weekly continues to shine a light on perplexing cases, urging communities to remain vigilant and supportive in the quest for justice.