"No one can disappear without a trace and not leave behind a complicated web just waiting to be Unraveled." — Ashley Flowers
"In the days after the three went missing... Philip seemed almost dismissive when another family member was trying to give him advice on how to help the investigation and he basically just said that well sometimes women just like go off." — Ashley Flowers
"The chance of getting real answers in regards to John's possible involvement becomes slimmer because in 2018 he died." — Ashley Flowers
This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the perplexing 1987 disappearance of Sarah Boyd, her young daughter Kimberly, and their friend Linda McCord. The trio vanished after attending a gospel concert, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and frustrated families. The investigation quickly focused on Linda's husband, John McCord, due to his history of domestic abuse allegations and suspicious behavior following the disappearance. His car was found abandoned, but inconsistencies in his account and his refusal to cooperate with law enforcement, including taking a polygraph test, made him a prime suspect.
Despite extensive searches and the exploration of numerous leads, including theories of abduction, running away, and even potential involvement with individuals at the concert, no definitive evidence has surfaced to explain the trio's fate. The investigation faced challenges, including alleged under-resourcing by some departments and a community seemingly paralyzed by fear of John McCord, which hindered the flow of information. The episode also touches upon a similar mother-daughter disappearance in the same region, but authorities found no connection.
Years later, new information, such as the account of John and a nephew appearing muddy at Linda's mother's house, and a supposed confession made by John to an individual claiming to be an FBI agent, has emerged but has yet to lead to a resolution. The case remains open, with law enforcement still believing John likely had a role, but the lack of concrete evidence has prevented any charges. The families continue to seek closure, hoping someone will come forward with the truth about what happened to Sarah, Kimberly, and Linda.