Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"But Carrie really believed in the idea of the perfect Christian family. And it's going to come into play later." — Ashley Flowers
"The more they look, the less probable the idea of suicide becomes. You can't kill yourself and then hide your own body." — Britt
"There may be stuff that we're currently looking at that we can't talk about because it is an active investigation. Our hope and our dream is to be able to determine what caused Lin's death and to be able to give them some closure on that." — Investigator (Quoted)
The episode chronicles the baffling disappearance of Lynn Messer from her family's Missouri farm in July 2014. Her husband, Carrie, reported her missing in the early morning hours, initiating a search that quickly involved their sons, Abram and Aaron. Initial confusion stemmed from Lynn's reported tendency to take long walks and the septic system issues, but the discovery of her truck missing and a subsequent note with an apologetic tone heightened concerns. The narrative delves into the family's deeply religious background, characterized by a strong emphasis on presenting a "perfect Christian family" image, which seemed to influence how events were perceived and reported.
As the investigation progressed, inconsistencies emerged, particularly regarding Lynn's mental health. While Carrie initially denied any history of depression or antidepressant use, both sons and other family members knew Lynn had been on antidepressants for over a decade and had previously contemplated suicide. This contradiction, coupled with Carrie's purported attempts to control the narrative and downplay certain events, raised suspicions about his involvement and the true circumstances of Lynn's condition. The discovery of Lynn's body seven months later, in a pasture on the property, initially suggested suicide. However, the lack of burial and the body's location, which had been searched, deepened the mystery.
Ultimately, Lynn Messer's cause of death was ruled undetermined due to a lack of definitive evidence, and toxicology reports were inconclusive. While her sons remain convinced their father is not being entirely truthful, suspecting he may be covering up aspects of Lynn's mental health struggles or potentially something more sinister, the investigation remains open. The episode concludes by emphasizing the unresolved nature of the case, the impact of the family's environment on their responses, and the ongoing hope for closure.