Episode 4: Rumors and Narratives – Summary of "Who Took Misty Copsey?"

In Episode 4 of ID’s gripping series, "Who Took Misty Copsey?", titled "Rumors and Narratives," host Sarah Kaelin delves deeper into the baffling disappearance of 14-year-old Misty Copsey. This episode intricately weaves personal narratives, investigative dead-ends, and the haunting persistence of Misty’s family as they seek closure after three decades of uncertainty.

1. Introduction and Personal Accounts

Sarah Kaelin opens the episode by recapping the grim landscape of Western Washington in 1992, highlighting the high incidence of serial rapists and predators targeting young women. She sets the stage for a more personal exploration by introducing Colton Smith, Misty’s brother, who has been tirelessly championing the search for his missing sister.

[01:22] Sarah Kaelin: "I want to gather new information before I sit down with Misty Copsey's brother, Colton Smith."

After a week of preliminary research, Sarah meets Colton at a local burger joint in Tacoma. Despite being born after Misty's disappearance and never having met her, Colton’s dedication is palpable.

[04:30] Colton Smith: "It was just me and her against the world."

2. Diana Copsey’s Struggle and Police Negligence

The narrative shifts to focus on Diana Copsey, Misty’s mother, whose relentless pursuit for answers was met with skepticism and dismissal by the authorities. Diana's unwavering belief in Misty’s innocence is contrasted sharply with the police's initial classification of Misty as a runaway.

[01:22] Sarah Kaelin: "They looked at Diana and they said, okay, well, you're a trailer park mom, you're not a good parent, and your kid probably ran away..."

[02:14] Colton Smith: "For years, my mom felt like people thought she was crazy."

Diana’s distress was compounded by the police’s failure to thoroughly investigate leads, often dismissing credible clues due to preconceived biases about her character.

3. Missed Opportunities in the Investigation

Sarah recounts critical missteps in the investigation, particularly focusing on Detective Herm Carver's handling of Misty's case. Early leads from Misty’s classmates were not thoroughly vetted, leading to the premature closure of the case.

[10:37] Sarah Kaelin: "The way the police initially mishandled Misty's case is some of the worst police work I have ever heard about in my entire career."

One pivotal moment was the discovery of Misty’s jeans, socks, and underwear on Highway 410, which Diana immediately recognized as Misty's. However, instead of acting on this tangible evidence, the police dismissed it, further stalling the investigation.

4. The Suspicious Figure of Michael Reiner

A significant portion of the episode delves into the suspicious activities of Michael Reiner, a local man with a concerning past. According to reporter Sean Robinson, Reiner had a juvenile record for abducting and raping an 11-year-old girl when he was 16—a behavior indicative of a serial predator.

[25:35] Sarah Kaelin: "When Michael Reiner was 16 years old, a juvenile complaint was filed against him... seven years before Misty disappeared."

Reiner's proximity to key locations—such as the logging roads near Enumclaw and Highway 410, where Misty’s remains of clothing were found—places him squarely within the investigation's questionable leads. Despite his troubling history, he was never thoroughly investigated in connection with Misty's disappearance.

5. Attempts to Contact Trina and Unresolved Testimonies

Trina, Misty’s best friend who was with her the night she vanished, becomes a focal point of the episode. Initial statements from Trina were inconsistent, leading to doubts about the veracity of her account.

[30:07] Colton Smith: "It comes out later that that's actually not what happened. The actual story is Michael Reiner came and picked her up and took her home."

Sarah and Colton’s efforts to reconnect with Trina face significant hurdles. Despite multiple attempts, Trina remains unresponsive, heightening suspicions about withheld information.

6. Retracing the Last Steps and New Developments

Determined to uncover the truth, Sarah and her team retrace Misty and Trina’s last known movements on the night of the fair. This includes visiting crucial locations such as the Blue Gate entrance to the fairgrounds and the payphone near the police station from which Misty called Diana, claiming she missed her bus.

[35:54] Sarah Kaelin: "The phone booth, as I understand it, is also right near the bus stop where Misty was supposed to catch an 8:40 bus home."

The episode scrutinizes conflicting sightings and tips, particularly questioning the reliability of a report placing Misty near a 711 store at 10 PM—a location roughly 10 miles from her home.

[35:56] Sarah Kaelin: "This makes me question the tip. I think a sighting at 7:11 at 10pm is kinda unlikely."

Despite skepticism towards certain leads, Sarah posits that Misty likely did not attempt to walk home or hitchhike, given her age and the era's heightened awareness of "stranger danger."

7. A Break in the Case: Trina Reaches Out

In a dramatic turn, just as Sarah and her producer reach a dead end in contacting Trina, they receive an email indicating that Trina is willing to talk. This unexpected development sets the stage for potentially groundbreaking revelations in the ongoing investigation.

[39:39] Sarah Kaelin: "What if Trina never told police the full true story? What if Michael picked them both up?"

8. Concluding Reflections and Continued Search for Truth

The episode concludes with both Sarah and Colton reflecting on the complexities of the case. Colton emphasizes the absence of clear suspects and the persistent uncertainty that shrouds Misty’s disappearance.

[45:41] Colton Smith: "To me, there's no one who was floated as a suspect that we could absolutely rule out."

Sarah underscores the necessity of approaching the case with fresh eyes, free from the constraints of past investigative oversights.

[45:49] Sarah Kaelin: "You really do have to go back to date one as though it's never been investigated."

Conclusion

"Rumors and Narratives" intricately dissects the tangled web of investigative failures, personal anguish, and emerging leads in the Misty Copsey case. Through heartfelt interviews and meticulous examination of past and present evidence, the episode not only honors Misty's memory but also highlights the indomitable spirit of her family in their quest for answers. As new developments emerge, listeners are left on the edge of their seats, eager to follow the unfolding investigation in subsequent episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [06:00] Colton Smith: "My mom never made me feel like she took Misty's case as priority over me."
• [12:26] Sarah Kaelin: "These are 8th grade kids we're talking about."
• [14:08] Sarah Kaelin: "He removes Misty from the national database where missing persons are listed."
• [23:32] Sarah Kaelin: "He runs out of the place, has a conversation animated enough to be obvious... They take off in a hurry in an orange pickup truck."
• [30:23] Colton Smith: "It comes out later that that's actually not what happened."

This episode underscores the intricate dance between unresolved leads and the relentless pursuit of truth, painting a vivid picture of the emotional and procedural turmoil surrounding Misty Copsey's disappearance.