"The same couple said that about 20 minutes later, she passed them by again. Now, they don't recall her being followed by anyone or seeming like she was acting unusual at all. So we know, 10-20, she is alive and well." — Britt
"The official search for Rachel ended after a couple days, though family and citizen volunteers continued for weeks. The only thing that came out of the first days of the investigation were the sightings of Rachel running or walking, and then some sightings of a late model white Chevy Camaro or Pontiac Transame." — Ashley Flowers
"When they found the car, the sheriff said it is not a dead end, and it's possible that 16-year-old evidence could be extracted from the vehicle." — Britt
The episode chronicles the 2002 disappearance of Rachel Cook, a 19-year-old college student who vanished while visiting her family in Georgetown, Texas. After leaving her home for a morning run, her absence was noted when she did not return as expected. Initial searches by family and friends were hampered by a perceived need to wait 24 hours to file a police report, and the subsequent police investigation was reportedly slow to gain traction. Key early leads included eyewitness accounts of Rachel on her run, the presence of a white Chevy Camaro or Pontiac Trans Am in the neighborhood, and even observations of construction workers who had made her uncomfortable.
The investigation explored various avenues, including interviewing Rachel's boyfriend, Greg, and her family, all of whom passed polygraph tests. A former volatile ex-boyfriend was also considered but never formally named a suspect. The case remained cold for years until 2006, when an inmate named Michael Moore, a convicted murderer serving multiple life sentences, confessed to kidnapping and killing Rachel. Despite the lack of physical evidence connecting him, investigators found his account plausible and offered a plea deal. However, Moore dramatically recanted his confession in court, pleading not guilty, leaving Rachel's family without closure.
In 2017, a significant development occurred when a 1998 white Pontiac Trans Am, linked to persons of interest in the case, was found. Subsequent testing in September of that year indicated the possible presence of blood on the passenger side of the vehicle. Despite these findings, no definitive conclusions or further developments regarding DNA testing or the identity of those connected to the vehicle have been publicly released. A large dig in 2018 also yielded no results, and the case remains open, with law enforcement continuing to work towards bringing Rachel home.