"She was a crime junkie until the very end. I'm so grateful that she and I had your show. I can't seem to find the words to properly explain just how special those opportunities to bond with my sister were to me." — Ashley Flowers (reading a listener tribute)
"But I am not sure what benefit could come from us doing this case, I'm not saying we never will, but the case is one of the most publicized of our generation I think, and there have been numerous documentaries and podcasts on it since. And the case I want to talk about today is pretty close to that one, but it doesn't get nearly the same amount of attention." — Ashley Flowers
"The more people dug into Leo's life, the less she looked like the picture of a wholesome mother that her family had been painting. She had actually had multiple evictions. Her and Zach had been bouncing around from home to home almost a new one for every year of Zachary's life." — Britt
The episode begins with a poignant tribute from a listener dedicated to her sister, highlighting how the podcast provided solace during difficult times. The hosts then introduce the case of Zachary Bernhardt, an 8-year-old boy who disappeared from his Clearwater, Florida apartment on September 10, 2000. The narrative focuses on Zachary's mother, Leah Hackett, a single mother who worked nights and had a close bond with her son. The events leading up to Zachary's disappearance are presented through Leah's account: she put Zachary to bed around 11 pm, then went downstairs, took out the trash, and later went for a walk and a spontaneous swim. She claims that upon returning to her apartment and showering, she discovered Zachary was no longer in her bed.
The investigation quickly raises questions due to inconsistencies and unusual circumstances. Police found the apartment undisturbed, with no signs of forced entry, but also no evidence of a struggle. Leah's demeanor during interviews was noted as erratic, alternating between distress and inappropriate levity. Her account of her pre-dawn activities, including an unexplained swim, drew skepticism from investigators and the public. Further background checks revealed a pattern of instability in Leah's life, including multiple evictions and a history of leaving her children for extended periods, leading some to question her reliability as a witness and her potential involvement. The episode also explores the background of Zachary's father, who had no prior knowledge of his son's existence and was ruled out as a suspect.
Several leads emerge over time. A confidential informant points to Kevin Jalbert, a man who confessed to raping and killing children. While Jalbert admitted to being in the vicinity of Zachary's apartment complex and bragging about his crimes, he could not be definitively linked to Zachary's disappearance due to discrepancies in details and a lack of DNA evidence. A year later, a disturbing photograph of a young boy, found in Colorado, raises the possibility it could be Zachary, though his family ultimately does not believe it is him. The episode also recounts a disturbing incident on New Year's Eve 2001, where another child was abducted from the same apartment complex, though that child was found alive. Despite these leads, Zachary's whereabouts and fate remain unknown, with investigators and the hosts alike expressing lingering suspicion towards Leah Hackett, while acknowledging the possibility of other unknown factors.