"This is why I always tell families it's so important to keep in touch with police even after years or decades. Like you have to stay front of mind because can you imagine what if a tip or tips had come in over the years about Reed? And someone looked it up, someone who wasn't as diligent and was like, 'Oh, I don't see anything in our system.' Yeah. Must not be an actual case." — Ashley Flowers
"And the most chilling part is that he's like laughing as he says it, Dr. Hill ultimately agrees to take a voice stress test, which he does right at his home. Now it's not clear if he outright fails or if the results are inconclusive, but it's actually not a surprise because bizarrely, Dr. Hill seems to be playing games deliberately lying to basic control questions." — Britt
"Ultimately, their mom is left to hold everything together. According to John's YouTube video, she tells them that they have to remember the good times. It's tough to do, but they move forward as a family and they never stop looking for Reed." — Ashley Flowers
The episode delves into the disappearance of 15-year-old Reed Jepsen on October 11, 1964, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Reed vanished after going outside to feed his two German Shorthaired Pointers, leaving behind a family meal and a community that would grapple with his absence for decades. Initial investigations considered the possibility of him running away, especially after discovering his $60 savings was missing and hearing about a girl named Jana he had met. However, this theory was later undermined by conflicting accounts and the discovery that his money was still at home. The investigation also encountered challenges due to the age of the case, with limited documentation and conflicting information hindering progress.
The narrative highlights the immense emotional toll on the Jepsen family, including Reed's father, who tragically died by suicide in 1965, unable to cope with the stress and community judgment surrounding his son's disappearance. The case remained cold for nearly half a century until 2010, when hikers discovered human remains that were initially thought to be Reed's, but later identified as belonging to another individual. The reopening of Reed's case in 2010, aided by advancements in forensic science and a renewed community focus, brought new leads, including the discovery of dismembered dog remains in a neighbor's yard.
A significant person of interest emerged in Dr. Hill, an orthopedic surgeon who lived in the neighborhood and whose past included accusations of sexual abuse. Circumstantial evidence, such as the surgically precise dismemberment of the dogs and the availability of medical waste bags, pointed towards him, and his suspicious comments about Reed being killed further fueled suspicion. Despite his death in 2016, he remains a person of interest, though insufficient evidence prevented any arrests. The episode concludes by emphasizing the family's continued search for answers and the hope for information that could bring closure to the Jepsen family.