What Happened to Talina Zar - Episode 7: "Safe"

Release Date: June 11, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

Episode 7, titled "Safe," of the What Happened to Talina Zar podcast delves deeper into the mysterious disappearance of Talina Zar during the COVID-19 lockdown. This episode focuses on the unraveling of Corey's suspicious activities, the involvement of the Ziegler family, and the eventual discovery of Talina's remains. The narrative intertwines testimonies, police investigations, and the relentless efforts of online sleuths seeking justice for Talina.

Introduction and Background

The episode opens by revisiting the unsettling disappearance of Talina Zar, setting the stage for a complex investigation marked by deceit, betrayal, and dark subcultures. Online communities, galvanized by grief and determination, began tracking Talina's last known movements, uncovering layers of mystery surrounding her sudden vanishing.

The Zieglers' Strange Encounter in Wisconsin

The narrative shifts to Sherry and Michael Ziegler, residents of Middleton, Wisconsin, whose peaceful suburban life took a sinister turn in March 2014. Upon returning from a trip to Florida, the Zieglers found their home in disarray, scattered with unidentified debris resembling kitty litter and crumbled Sheetrock across their bedrooms and common areas.

Sherry Ziegler: "We unpacked, returned our travel money to our safe, swept the weird pebbles out of our sheets, and went to bed. We thought it was a weird prank."
[12:45]

Initially dismissing the incident as a prank, the Zieglers hoped for a return to normalcy. However, the situation escalated when a safe in their bedroom closet went missing, containing valuables like cash and the deed to their house. This led Sherry to receive a credit card statement for an unauthorized card activation.

Corey Adams: The Suspicious Neighbor

Sherry's investigation into the fraudulent credit card charges pointed directly to their neighbor, Corey Adams. Despite a tense relationship, Corey initially denied any involvement. Police reports revealed that Corey was later arrested for fraudulent use of the credit card but remained elusive about other potential crimes.

Detective Weber: "If she had any involvement with this crime, now is the time to tell me the truth."
[17:30]

Evidence unearthed from Corey's residence included castor beans and a document titled "Making Ricin from I Heart Podcasts," raising suspicions about her intentions and possible connections to Talina's disappearance.

Corey's Plea and Judicial Skepticism

In court, Corey Adams accepted a plea bargain, admitting to one count of credit card fraud while denying theft. The presiding judge expressed severe dissatisfaction with Corey's explanations, highlighting the gravity of her actions against a neighbor rather than a faceless entity.

Judge William E. Hanrahan: "This strikes at the very heart of an individual's sense of security, their sense of well-being, their sense of belonging."
[22:15]

Corey was sentenced to two years of probation, entailing the construction of a privacy fence between their properties, a superficial resolution that left many questions unanswered.

Uncovering Deeper Connections and Ongoing Suspicion

Further investigations revealed that Corey had attempted to scrap Talina's truck, an act that online sleuths connected to her role in Talina's disappearance. This led to Corey's second arrest for felony fraud and embezzlement. Despite her continued freedom on bond, suspicions remained high, especially after online communities discovered her move to Wisconsin, making her geographically closer to potential evidence locations.

Online Sleuth Jess: "With Corey in Wisconsin, our spies on the ground in Wagner are useless. So there was nothing. No neighbors to eyeball Corey. Nobody."
[40:50]

The Grisly Discovery of Talina Zar's Remains

The episode reaches a harrowing climax with the revelation of Talina Zar's remains. After a witness in Polk County, Arkansas, reported a suspicious truck and trailer, authorities discovered a freezer containing what was identified as Talina's decomposed remains.

Nicole Raffi, Friend of Talina: "When Nicole said they found her... I was like, oh my God... We thought we had her."
[55:20]

Talina's body had suffered blunt force trauma to the skull, suggesting she was killed instantly, possibly while sleeping. This revelation provided a grim closure to her family's anguish but left lingering questions about the circumstances leading to her death.

Aftermath and Continuing Impact

Talina's family grappled with the shock and horror of her dismembered remains being found. Cheryl, Talina's sister, recounted the painful realization and the emotional toll it took on her and the entire family.

Cheryl (Talina's Sister): "It haunted me. It is painful. Horrifically painful."
[58:45]

The community, once dubbed the "Good Neighbor City," now grappled with fear and distrust, reflecting the deep scars left by Corey Adams' actions and Talina's tragic end.

Conclusion and Future Developments

The episode concludes with Corey Adams being re-arrested in Dane County, Wisconsin, facing charges of first-degree murder and desecration of a human corpse. This development offers a semblance of closure for online sleuths and Talina's family, though the emotional aftermath continues to reverberate.

Jess, Online Sleuth: "I don't think this is ever going to be over for me. So you're not going to put it down? I don't think I can."
[1:02:10]

The tragic case of Talina Zar underscores the perils of trusting neighbors and the relentless pursuit of justice through both official channels and grassroots efforts.

Notable Quotes

• Sherry Ziegler: "We are good, law-abiding people and we have to live being afraid of our neighbors. This is no way to live."
  [26:40]

• Judge William E. Hanrahan: "This is of biblical proportions. These are people who should have been able to trust you."
  [23:30]

• Cheryl (Talina's Sister): "There was so much damage to the skull. He was very certain she had died instantly, and he believed that she was laying down when she was struck and probably sleeping."
  [59:10]

• Nicole Raffi: "What gets me through it is just to know that I'm so lucky to have been loved by her for the little time that I was."
  [56:30]

Key Takeaways

• Community Trust Eroded: The betrayal by a neighbor shattered the sense of security within the community, highlighting vulnerabilities even in seemingly safe environments.

• Importance of Evidence: The discovery of ricin-related materials and the manipulation of digital footprints played a crucial role in linking Corey to the crimes.

• Emotional Toll: The episode poignantly captures the profound grief and lasting emotional impact on Talina's family and friends.

• Persistence of Online Sleuths: The role of online communities in sustaining momentum for investigations, even when official progress stalls, underscores the changing landscape of modern-day justice pursuits.

Final Thoughts

"Safe" serves as a compelling chapter in the What Happened to Talina Zar series, weaving together threads of mystery, betrayal, and the quest for truth. It underscores the complexities of human relationships and the profound effects of loss, set against the backdrop of a community striving to find closure amidst chaos.