A child vanishes in Montana—and a chilling trail leads to more victims
This preview is based only on the episode’s published show notes. It sets up a 1973 child abduction case, taunting contact with the victim’s family, and an investigation that expands into multiple murders before help from the FBI’s early profiling unit changes the case.
Based on the published show notes, this episode centers on the 1973 disappearance of Susie Jaeger from a Montana campground—an opening that immediately frames the story as every parent’s worst fear. The notes suggest a case that grows even more disturbing when an unidentified man begins contacting the family with calls and letters, making clear he has control and no intention of returning her. What may make this episode especially compelling for true crime listeners is the way the investigation appears to widen beyond a single abduction. The show notes indicate that, as authorities search for Susie, additional victims come to light, shifting the story into serial killer territory. That means listeners can expect a case that moves from a personal family nightmare to a broader hunt for a predator. Another major draw is the investigative angle. The notes highlight a determined mother working with the FBI’s newly formed behavioral profiling unit, which hints at an episode focused not just on the crimes, but on how the case was finally broken. If you’re interested in older cases, victim-centered stakes, and the early use of profiling in a major investigation, this sounds like an episode worth queuing up. This is a preview from show notes only, so the full storytelling, evidence, and context will come from the episode itself.
About this episode
<p>In the summer of 1973, the Jaeger family wakes at a Montana campground to every parent's nightmare: their young daughter, Susie, is gone. Searches turn up nothing, until a man begins tormenting the family with chilling calls and letters. He has Susie, and he has no intention of giving her back. As investigators race to find her, more victims begin to surface. The case finally breaks when a determined mother joins forces with the FBI’s newly formed behavioral profiling unit. Together, they uncover the truth about what happened to Susie and bring long-awaited answers to three other grieving families.</p> <p> </p> <p>Head over to our Crime Junkie YouTube channel to WATCH this episode: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKHP0wFcTLQ" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKHP0wFcTLQ</a></p> <p>Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: <a href="https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/serial-killer-david-meirhofer/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/serial-killer-david-meirhofer/</a></p> <p>Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit <a href="https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/fanclub/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/fanclub/</strong></a> to view the current membership options and policies.</p> <p>Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!</p> <ul> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/crimejunkiepodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>@crimejunkiepodcast</strong></a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/audiochuck/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>@audiochuck</strong></a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/crimejunkiepod" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>@CrimeJunkiePod</strong></a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/audiochuck" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>@audiochuck</strong></a></li> <li>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@crimejunkiepodcast?lang=en" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>@crimejunkiepodcast</strong></a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CrimeJunkiePodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>/CrimeJunkiePodcast</strong></a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/audiochuckllc" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>/audiochuckllc</strong></a></li> </ul> <p><br> Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. </p> <ul> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashleyflowers/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>@ashleyflowers</strong></a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/britprawat/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>@britprawat</strong></a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ash_flowers" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>@Ash_Flowers</strong></a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/britprawat?lang=en" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>@britprawat</strong></a></li> <li>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyflowerscrimejunkie?lang=en" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>@ashleyflowerscrimejunkie</strong></a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ashleyflowers.af" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>/AshleyFlowers.AF</strong></a><br> </li> </ul> <p>Text Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>