What Happened to Talina Zar: Episode One Step Ahead - Talina Zar (E6)
Released: June 4, 2025
Host: Melissa Jeltson | iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

The episode begins in April 2020, amidst the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Talina Zar, a woman from a small town in Oklahoma, makes a perplexing announcement on Facebook:

"I'm on day nine of this virus and I am pretty sure it has reached my lungs. I made the decision at the onset that if it got bad enough I would not go to the hospital."
[00:00]

Shortly after, Talina disappears, leaving friends and family bewildered and searching for answers.

Talina's Disappearance

Talina's roommate, Corey Bomley, becomes a central figure in the mystery surrounding Talina's sudden vanishing. In the summer of 2020, Corey establishes a GoFundMe page aimed at raising $12,000 for Talina's legal fees, referencing Talina as "T." Corey's actions raise eyebrows among those close to Talina:

"T has been suicidal for a couple of years, had pre-planned and prepaid for her own funeral, and repeatedly told those closest to her that she intended to carry out her final wishes in June 2020."
[03:01]

Talina's last known statement indicates a resolved decision to disappear:

"COVID 19 and I believe she accelerated her plans and left for a destination unknown to everyone but herself."
[03:22]

Police Investigation

By May 28, two months after Talina's disappearance, the Wagner County Sheriff's Office shifts its suspicion towards Corey Bomley. Armed with a search warrant, a team of detectives and deputies arrives unannounced at Talina and Corey's residence.

Corey's reactions during the search are telling:

"When I told her that I had a search warrant and was coming inside the house, she instantly her demeanor changed. She appeared to go kind of pale and began shaking real bad."
[06:05]

Despite her initial resistance, Corey is compelled to allow the authorities inside after they present the warrant. The search uncovers significant evidence:

• Hidden Devices: Corey claims to have no computers, but Detective Weber discovers a hidden tower computer in the bathroom and another laptop in the front bedroom closet.

  "I found a tower computer hidden under clothing in the bathroom closet. I also located another laptop computer in the front bedroom closet."
  [07:10]

• Destroyed Evidence: The presence of a burnt mattress and Corey’s attempts to erase potential traces point towards an effort to cover something up:

  "Corey burned it because the CDC told her to."
  [08:11]

• Suspicious Activities: Internet searches on Corey's phone about removing blood from surfaces and discrepancies regarding the whereabouts of her white cargo trailer further deepen the mystery.

  "Corey had placed two of her dogs in the bathroom of the master bedroom. I thought this was odd, Given that there was plenty of room in the yard for them and she had kennels in the garage."
  [07:03]

Despite these findings, Corey is arrested primarily for possession of firearms as a felon, not directly for Talina's disappearance:

"Because Corey is a convicted felon, police are able to arrest her on the spot for possession of a firearm."
[13:53]

Online Sleuths and Community Response

As the official investigation unfolds, a dedicated group of online sleuths, including Jess and Marty, take it upon themselves to uncover the truth behind Talina's disappearance. Their efforts highlight the growing role of internet communities in solving mysteries:

"It felt like I was living out one of, like, my fantasy dreams of being a detective."
[15:44]

However, their victory is short-lived as Corey is released on bond less than a week after her arrest, raising suspicions about the thoroughness and speed of the legal process:

"We thought she was gonna get in a lot more trouble with the guns because she's a felon... and then they let her out. I was like, what in hell is going on here?"
[33:08]

Marty's Involvement and Death

Marty, a key member of the sleuthing team, begins to exhibit unusual behavior following Corey's release. His actions and eventual death by a suspected fentanyl overdose add layers of complexity and suspicion:

• Suspicious Actions: Marty shares unsettling information about Talina's will and Corey's suspicious behavior:

  "He told me that when he went in, he saw the will sitting on the counter... Corey had circled and highlighted things about who's getting what and how she's trying to take everything and run."
  [19:56]

• Strained Relationship: Jess, another sleuth, grows concerned about Marty's behavior, suspecting he might know more than he's revealing:

  "I had said, hey, something about this made me feel weird. He broke into this house and he took the chainsaw, and we don't know where Talena is."
  [20:54]

• Tragic Turn: On Father's Day, Marty dies from a suspected overdose, which Jess and the sleuths find too coincidental:

  "And then he died of fentanyl overdose... It seems like too big of a coincidence."
  [37:35]

Jess grapples with Marty's death, torn between genuine grief and suspicions about his possible involvement:

"Because what if I'm wrong?"
[38:27]

Further Investigations and Revelations

Following Marty's death, Jess delves deeper into the case, uncovering more inconsistencies and potential leads. The discovery of detailed alterations in the house's layout and Corey's rapid actions suggest a carefully orchestrated cover-up:

"Corey quickly completely rearranged the two bedrooms after burning the mattress. This also indicates that there was something very significant about this mattress."
[11:55]

Additionally, the revelation of a hidden driver's license and the meticulous disposal of Talina's personal items paint a troubling picture of premeditation and deceit.

Community Impact and Ongoing Mystery

The community remains on edge as the investigation reveals the extent of Corey's deceit and the possible involvement of others. The safe house, filled with numerous animals and painted-over areas, adds to the eerie atmosphere:

"The rustic house nestled in the trees used to be full of life... and now no one. Except for a huge collection of animals from donkeys to cats to many, many dogs."
[21:10]

Rachel Parker, a friend and animal advocate, discovers inconsistencies during her visits, such as a missing freezer and a foul smell emanating from a rented trailer:

"When we opened it up, there was just a really, really bad fish."
[23:32]

These discoveries fuel the sleuths' determination to uncover the truth, despite the mounting dangers and personal losses they've endured.

Conclusion and Future Implications

The episode concludes with unresolved tensions and a community left in fear, prompting the Wagner County Sheriff's Office to make significant announcements:

"This press conference is regarding what originally started out as a missing persons investigation."
[40:49]

The mystery of Talina Zar's disappearance remains unsolved, with new discoveries hinting at deeper conspiracies and the possibility of more revelations in future episodes.

Notable Quotes

• Corey's Initial Reaction:

  "When I told her that I had a search warrant and was coming inside the house, she instantly her demeanor changed. She appeared to go kind of pale and began shaking real bad."
  [06:05]

• Greg on the Hidden Trailer:

  "Why would Corey have that over here, especially plugged in? She has her own house that she can plug it in over there."
  [09:33]

• Rachel on the Trailer's Smell:

  "Oh my God, this thing smells like death... somebody had packed dead fish in this thing or something and left it in the sun."
  [23:12]

• Marty on Marty's Death:

  "And then he died of fentanyl overdose... It seems like too big of a coincidence."
  [37:35]

• Jess on Marty's Death:

  "Because what if I'm wrong?"
  [38:27]

Key Takeaways

• Complex Web of Deceit: Corey's actions and the evidence found suggest a deliberate attempt to obscure the truth behind Talina's disappearance.

• Role of Online Communities: The involvement of internet sleuths highlights the evolving landscape of grassroots investigations in the digital age.

• Unresolved Mysteries: Despite significant findings, the absence of Talina's body and inconsistencies in testimonies leave the case shrouded in uncertainty.

• Personal Losses: The deaths and tragic outcomes experienced by those involved add a profound emotional layer to the unfolding drama.

Looking Ahead:
The episode sets the stage for deeper investigations, promising listeners a continuation of the gripping and enigmatic story surrounding Talina Zar. The mention of a "new discovery" suggests that future episodes will delve further into the complexities and potential conspiracies tied to her disappearance.

This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, and emotional undertones of Episode One Step Ahead - Talina Zar (E6) of the "What Happened to Talina Zar" podcast series by iHeartPodcasts.