Who Took Misty Copsey? – Episode 5: The Best Friend

Release Date: August 13, 2025
Host: Sarah Kaelin
Produced by: ARC Media for ID

1. Introduction and Setting the Scene

In Episode 5, titled "The Best Friend," Sarah Kaelin, a seasoned cold case investigator, delves deeper into the mysterious disappearance of 14-year-old Misty Copsey. This episode focuses on Trina, Misty's best friend, whose insights could be pivotal in unraveling the case that has remained unsolved for over three decades.

2. Arranging the Interview with Trina

Sarah begins her journey by securing an interview with Trina, the last person known to be with Misty on the night she vanished. Anticipating potential setbacks, Sarah shares her anxiety:

Sarah Kaelin (01:37): "We'll meet at her house after work, and I spend pretty much the entire day checking the clock, watching the minute tick by. I'm really worried that at any moment Trina might call and back out."

Despite fears based on Trina's previous evasiveness with the media, the interview materializes, setting the stage for crucial revelations.

3. Early Friendship Between Trina and Misty

Trina recounts how she and Misty first met, highlighting an initial conflict that blossomed into a deep friendship:

Trina (07:31): "I punched her. I think it was sixth grade because we were still in elementary... And then I felt really bad and apologized the next day."

Misty's forgiving nature immediately strengthened their bond, leading Trina to spend significant time at Misty's home, especially as her own home life was tumultuous.

4. The Fateful Night at the Puyallup Fair

On September 17, 1992, Trina and Misty decide to attend the Puyallup Fair. Trina nostalgically remembers their time together:

Trina (15:20): "It was a great day. We were together, we were having fun... I could still see her rocking back and forth, making the car spin."

Their evening, filled with laughter and rides, took a dark turn as plans to return home began to unravel.

5. Trina's Home Life and Protective Role

Trina sheds light on her challenging home environment, where her mother struggled with alcoholism. This lack of a stable home led her to seek solace in her friendship with Misty:

Trina (08:39): "Misty and Trina remain attached at the hip... I avoided my home as much as possible."

This reliance on Misty underscores the depth of their friendship and the impact Misty's disappearance had on Trina.

6. Michael Reiner: Accusations and Relationship with Trina and Misty

A significant portion of the episode examines Michael Reiner, a 22-year-old man with a troubling history, including accusations of a violent sexual attack on a minor. Trina provides crucial details about her and Misty's interactions with Michael:

Trina (24:10): "She was so innocent... She didn't like him because of me. And to her, he was a creep because he took my virginity..."

Trina reveals that Michael had a pattern of exploiting young girls, including herself, which complicates his role in Misty's disappearance.

7. The Disappearance and Initial Investigation

The night Misty disappeared was marked by confusion and failed plans to secure rides home. Trina describes the sequence of events:

Trina (24:24): "I know that we called Reuben back, told him how to break into Misty's house to get money... But couldn't do it."

The failed attempts to secure transportation led them to seek Diana's help, culminating in Misty's disappearance.

8. Police Mishandling and Its Impact on Trina and Diana

Five months post-disappearance, the discovery of Misty's jeans reignited the investigation. However, Trina criticizes the police for their lackadaisical approach:

Trina (41:22): "I don't think they cared at all. Being the last person to see her. Why wouldn't you want more information from me?"

Trina also touches upon the strain between her and Diana, Misty's mother, exacerbated by Diana's alcoholism and relentless pursuit for answers.

9. Revisiting Reuben Schmidt as a Suspect

Sarah explores the possibility of Reuben Schmidt being involved, juxtaposing Trina's account with earlier narratives:

Trina (46:48): "No. She's so innocent. She wore the chastity belt..."

Trina's revelations about Reuben's predatory behavior towards underage girls place him back on the suspect list, despite previous dismissals by investigators.

10. Conclusion and Next Steps

As the episode concludes, Sarah synthesizes the information, expressing a shift in her investigative focus:

Sarah Kaelin (33:26): "Trina is telling me the truth. I'm confident of that... Now, it's time to get to it. What does Trina know about Ruben?"

Sarah acknowledges Michael Reiner's diminished likelihood of involvement based on Trina's honesty and shifts her attention towards Reuben Schmidt, now viewed with fresh scrutiny.

Key Takeaways:

• Trina's Testimony: Provides invaluable insights into the night Misty disappeared, revealing inconsistencies in earlier police investigations.

• Michael Reiner's History: Highlights a pattern of predatory behavior, complicating his potential involvement.

• Reuben Schmidt's Reemergence: Trina's account repositions Reuben as a suspect, warranting further investigation.

• Police Negligence: The initial dismissal of Misty's case as a runaway severely hindered the investigation, leaving critical leads untouched.

Notable Quotes:

• Trina on Misty's Personality:

  Trina (08:51): "What pops is how bubbly she was. She got along with everybody... She was one of kind."

• Sarah on Understanding the Victim:

  Sarah Kaelin (06:52): "To understand what happened and who may have been involved... I must get to know Misty first."

• Trina on Diana's Impact:

  Trina (43:15): "She probably called the police a million times and lost the respect."

Insights and Conclusions:

Episode 5 deepens the narrative by humanizing Misty through Trina's memories and exposing the fractures in the investigation caused by police negligence and personal struggles faced by those closest to Misty. The reexamination of Reuben Schmidt as a suspect, combined with the dismissal of Michael Reiner, presents new avenues for uncovering the truth behind Misty's disappearance.

Sarah Kaelin's empathetic and methodical approach underscores the importance of understanding the victim's life and relationships to solve such elusive cases. As the investigation progresses, listeners are left anticipating the next steps in uncovering who truly took Misty Copsey.

Follow-Up:

In the next episode, Sarah plans to conduct a deep dive into all known facts, focusing on Reuben Schmidt's potential involvement and addressing the gaps left by previous investigations.

Additional Resources:

• Season 1: "Why Can't We Talk About Amanda's Mom?"
• Season 2: "Who Killed Jennifer Judd?"

Listen to "Who Took Misty Copsey?" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.