Who Took Misty Copsey?

Ep.8: Mine Hunting

Host: Sarah Kaelin
Date: September 3, 2025
Podcast: ID / ARC Media

Overview

In this gripping episode, host and investigator Sarah Kaelin returns to Washington to pursue fresh leads in the decades-old case of Misty Copsey, a 14-year-old girl who vanished after visiting the Washington State Fair in 1992. Leveraging new tips, familial testimony, and forensic expertise, Sarah focuses the investigation on the Schmidt family farm and the possibility that Misty's remains may be hidden in one of the property's old coal mines or a defunct septic tank. The episode expertly balances boots-on-the-ground investigation, forensic methods, and intimate family memories, underscoring both the resilience of Misty's loved ones and the systemic investigative failures that left her disappearance unsolved for so long.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Revisiting Suspects: Reuben Schmidt and the Schmidt Family Farm

• Trina’s Perspective (Misty’s best friend)

  • Trina, who attended the fair with Misty in 1992, is emphatic in her belief that Reuben Schmidt is responsible:

    "Reuben Schmidt killed her. Reuben Schmidt came down and picked her up and took her to grandma's house... No doubt in my mind. None. I'm shaking." (04:04)

  • Trina reacts emotionally when Sarah shares progress investigating the Schmidt farm, expressing a combination of relief and sadness over Diana (Misty’s mother) not living to see closure.

• Red Flags in Reuben’s Alibi

  • Reuben provided contradictory accounts of the night Misty disappeared, first claiming he drove to the farm the next day, then saying he "blacked out" and didn't recall how he arrived.
  • Police overlooked inconsistencies, relying on a questionable polygraph to drop him as a suspect.

• Clue Locations and Search Limitations

  • Misty’s clothing was found dumped near the Schmidt property – a fact known to investigators, but not fully followed up.
  • The property and its surroundings contain multiple coal mine shafts – potential clandestine burial sites.

Investigative Breakthroughs: New Tips and Forensic Research

• Anonymous Accounts & Family Connections

  • Sarah received Facebook tips from a user believed to be Reuben’s nephew (Derek), suggesting that Reuben’s sister Julie hid him after Misty disappeared and emphasizing possible hiding places, including mine shafts near a bridge and an old septic tank (10:31).

• On-Site Investigation with Experts

  • Sarah brings in forensic anthropologist Marion Davidson to help assess and search the property.
  • Marion’s rationale:

    “Why dig if you don't have to dig?... it's a hell of a lot easier to use some kind of pre-existing hiding spot than to dig a fresh grave.” (18:09)

• The Search for Mine Shafts

  • Sarah and Marion attempt, unsuccessfully, to locate mine entrances based on tips and old maps. The terrain’s overgrowth and steepness hinder access.
  • They employ a drone operator for aerial reconnaissance to identify spots less accessible on foot.

The Septic Tank Discovery & Excavation

• Aaron (Current Landowner)’s Account

  • Aaron reveals a defunct concrete septic tank on the property:

    “It was about 8 foot by 5 foot by 5 foot... not secured in any way... we just filled it in with gravel and then covered dirt on top of it.” (26:28)

  • Aaron and his wife Lindsay willingly allow excavation, exemplifying the community’s support.

• Septic Tank Excavation

  • Marion and Sarah spend hours digging out the tank, confirming no human remains are present (40:53).
  • This allows them to decisively rule it out as a hiding place and renew focus on the mine shafts.

Forensics and Evidence Gaps

• The Red Paint Chips Mystery
  • A red toolbox on the farm becomes a possible source of the red paint chips found on Misty’s jeans—a detail previously attributed to nail polish using outdated forensic techniques.
  • Sarah advocates for modern forensic testing:

    “What if these paint chips were actually paint from a toolbox?... Puyallup police could do a paint sample comparison.” (34:07)

Family Reflections & the Impact of Trauma

• Conversation with Misty’s Brother Colton

  • Colton discusses the lasting uncertainty about which family member (uncle) Reuben may have been with that night:

    “I had that same dilemma that my mom had of which one is it?” (46:03)

  • Colton credits Sarah’s investigation with helping him imagine a path to closure:

    "I've never really thought about ending the story... The idea of it came to me the other day. It's the first time I've ever really thought about, like, what if we find her?" (48:12)

• Jenna (Misty’s Cousin) Shares Memories

  • Jenna, three years younger than Misty, recounts idolizing Misty and the void left in her life:

    “I feel like I was robbed of what would have been one of my best friends.” (56:36)

  • She describes the family’s anger at police dismissal and gratitude for Diana’s (Misty's mother) resilience.
  • On the importance of closure:

    "My thing really is I want Colton to be able to move in his life and have answers... He's wonderful. He won't ever give up on the fight, but I want him to be able to get those answers that he's been working so hard for." (57:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trina’s Certainty
  • "No doubt in my mind. None. I'm shaking." — Trina (04:11)
• On the Disposal of Remains
  • "Why dig if you don't have to dig?... it's a hell of a lot easier to use some kind of pre-existing hiding spot..." — Marion Davidson (18:09)
• Determined Landowners
  • “If it was something where you said, okay, we have to dig a giant hole here, it’s not the end of the world.” — Aaron (29:34)
• Raw Family Grief
  • "I feel like I was robbed of what would have been one of my best friends... every dance, getting my driver's license, my wedding—all these things... this should be her too.” — Jenna (56:36)
• On Closure and Moving Forward
  • “It just kind of seems like, well, we're just gonna keep pushing, keep pushing… The idea of it came to me the other day. It’s the first time I've ever really thought about, like, what if we… find her?” — Colton (48:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trina’s Account & Emotional Impact: 03:16 – 05:32
• Reviewing Reuben Schmidt’s Alibis: 05:38 – 06:55
• Mine Shafts Tip & Family Message: 10:31 – 12:53
• Marion Davidson Joins the Case: 13:33 – 18:34
• Physical Mine / Land Search: 20:11 – 25:04
• Discovery of Septic Tank; Digging Begins: 26:05 – 32:19
• Red Paint Chip Revelation: 34:07 – 35:33
• Tank Excavation Results: 41:00 – 44:40
• Colton’s Reflections on the Family & Closure: 45:49 – 48:12
• Jenna Remembers Misty & the Aftermath: 49:05 – 58:32

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode balances methodical investigation, scientific rigor, and deep emotional resonance. Sarah’s tone is compassionate yet relentless in her pursuit of answers, while the family’s voices are candid, raw, and hopeful. The expert contributions add a layer of procedural depth, while the firsthand family memories keep the human cost front and center.

Conclusion

Episode 8, “Mine Hunting,” demonstrates both the tenacity and evolving tools required to chase justice in cold cases. By ruling out possible burial sites and connecting overlooked evidence to persons of interest, Sarah Kaelin brings hope and renewed momentum to a case that has haunted a family and a community for over 30 years. The episode ultimately asks the same question that has been at the heart of the Copsey family’s struggle since 1992: Who took Misty Copsey—and can justice, finally, be found?