Small Town, Big Secrets — Talina Zar E2 Summary

Episode: Small Town, Big Secrets — Talina Zar E2
Release Date: May 7, 2025
Host: Melissa Jeltson
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the second episode of What Happened to Talina Zar, titled "Small Town, Big Secrets," host Melissa Jeltson delves deeper into the enigmatic disappearance of Talina Zar during the COVID-19 lockdown. This episode explores Talina's intricate relationships, her struggles with grief and health, and the subsequent community efforts—both official and grassroots—to uncover the truth behind her vanishing.

Talina Zar: A Resilient Soul

Talina Zar, a 53-year-old woman, relocated to Wagner, Oklahoma, in late 2016 with her partner, Tom. Known for her generosity and technical prowess, Talina became an integral part of the small-town community. As Greg Thompson, a local handyman, describes her:

"She was a self-proclaimed computer nerd. I called her my own little hacker."
(10:18)

Talina's expertise extended beyond technology; she was the go-to person for odd jobs, from mowing lawns to setting up TVs. Her ability to assist others endeared her to many, making her a beloved figure in Wagner.

Tragedy Strikes: The Loss of Tom

Less than a year after settling in Wagner, tragedy struck when Tom suffered a stroke while Talina was away on work. Upon her return, Talina found Tom unresponsive, leading to his passing. This devastating loss had a profound impact on Talina, throwing her into a deep depression.

Eris Howell, a close friend, recalls:

"They were deeply connected. And while she was able to regain her joy and find life again, it wasn't the same as she couldn't share it with him."
(12:27)

Talina's grief was palpable, affecting her interactions and overall demeanor within the community.

Seeking Companionship: Bringing in Corey Bommily

In an effort to combat loneliness after Tom's death, Talina welcomed Corey Bommily, a 58-year-old woman navigating a divorce, into her home in May 2019. Their shared interests in pets and pagan culture fostered a strong bond between them.

Corey shares:

"Having Corey there improved her quality of life. He would go out in the yard and play with the dog. They would go on car rides together and just take the dogs out to the lake."
(17:36)

This companionship provided Talina with much-needed support, helping her navigate through her grieving process.

The Onset of COVID-19: Health Declines

As the COVID-19 pandemic gripped Oklahoma, Talina's health became increasingly precarious. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and other health issues, she was immunocompromised and vulnerable to the virus. In early March 2020, Talina began experiencing severe symptoms, prompting concerns from her friends and roommate, Corey.

Talina's struggle culminated in a cryptic Facebook post titled "Grief Etiquette," where she expressed her emotional turmoil and desire for privacy during her difficult times.

Corey reports:

"Talena really wanted to help anybody and everybody... She had other people that would... take little odd jobs to move through the area from bigger towns and just take instant interest in what's going on here and trying to help people that live here."
(19:35)

The Disappearance: March 27-28, 2020

On March 27, Talina sent a text to Eris Howell about organizing a mattress pickup—a gesture of goodwill amidst her ongoing struggles. However, the following morning, Talina informed Eris to "abort mission" due to a severe migraine, leaving her friends puzzled.

Corey recounts:

"I'm on day nine of this virus, and I am pretty sure it has reached my lungs."
(06:55)

Despite Talina's reassurances, her subsequent lack of communication raised alarms among her close-knit community.

Initial Concerns and Reporting

By early April, Talina's prolonged absence led friends like Eris Howell and Corey Bommily to grow increasingly worried. Despite initial hesitations, they recognized the signs pointing towards potential COVID-19 complications or worse.

Corey explains the difficulty in filing a missing persons report due to existing regulations during the pandemic:

"At the onset that if it got bad enough, I would not go to the hospital. Please respect my privacy and give me my alone time."
(19:41)

After several uneasy days without hearing from Talina, Corey filed a missing persons report, prompting law enforcement to initiate an investigation led by Detective Joel Weber.

Community Response: Online Sleuths and Grassroots Efforts

Talina's disappearance ignited a fervent response from both local residents and online communities. A dedicated Facebook group, “Find Talina Zar,” grew rapidly, amassing nearly 400 members united by the common goal of locating her.

Marty, an ardent local supporter, shares the intensity of their efforts:

"It was super intense. I mean, we'd stay up for hours, late at night, during the day. I was always on my phone. We were always googling something..."
(44:47)

The group employed various investigative techniques, from tracking Talina's last known phone ping to mapping potential locations near Lake Maumelle, where her phone was last detected.

Unveiling Hidden Layers: Talina’s Online Persona

Investigations revealed that Talina operated under multiple aliases, including Talina Galloway, Jana Lovick, and Jana Dillman. This discovery added layers of complexity to the case, suggesting that Talina may have had aspects of her life she kept concealed.

Jess, a pivotal member of the online sleuth community, uncovers:

"Talina Czar is more of her online nickname... Secret priest kings and it was also the world of Talina."
(55:00)

This revelation hinted at Talina's involvement in obscure subcultures, possibly linked to her disappearance.

Theories and Speculations

Various theories emerged about what happened to Talina, ranging from voluntary disappearance due to emotional struggles to potential abduction linked to local crime trends.

Greg Thompson mused:

"There were ladies picked up from Walmart for suspected sex trade type things... Me and my wife watch a lot of crime shows."
(28:48)

These speculations fueled the urgency within the community to solve the mystery, blending genuine concern with the fog of unfounded fears.

Collaboration with Law Enforcement

Marty became a crucial liaison between the online sleuths and Detective Weber, providing valuable insights and local knowledge to aid the investigation. His enthusiasm and dedication underscored the collective community effort to find Talina.

Corey remarks on Marty’s role:

"He was sitting on the side porch... I just called him."
(48:58)

Conclusion

As the episode concludes, What Happened to Talina Zar emphasizes the multifaceted nature of Talina's disappearance—from personal tragedies and health crises to the compelling dynamics of small-town life and online collaboration. The relentless pursuit by both official investigators and grassroots communities underscores the profound impact one individual's absence can have on a tightly-knit community.

Listeners are left pondering the delicate interplay between personal resilience, community support, and the mysteries that linger beneath the surface of seemingly quiet lives.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Talena was immunocompromised, so she was taking it very, very seriously."
  (05:24) — Eris Howell

• "She always left you kind of enraptured by what she was saying because she had a unique way of telling stories."
  (09:19) — Eris Howell

• "If I die, I die. There's not much I can do about it. And if I live, I'll hug you again."
  (21:00) — Talina Zar (Reenactment)

• "She always kept a .45 magnetized to the bottom of her bed."
  (37:35) — Corey Bommily

• "Was abducted when she came up missing and put this big Facebook post on there, said I'm going to the wood to die."
  (28:48) — Greg Thompson

This summary is crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of the episode, capturing essential narratives, emotional undertones, and the intricate web of relationships that define Talina Zar's story.