[Missing] The Yuba County Five & The Mystery of the Plumas National Forest

[Missing] The Yuba County Five & The Mystery of the Plumas National Forest

Author: Moms and Mysteries Podcast April 9, 2026 Duration: 43:22
In February 1978, five young men from Yuba County, California, drove to Chico to watch a college basketball game. They were close friends who thrived on routine and predictability, and they had a big basketball tournament of their own the next day. But after a quick stop for snacks, Jack Madruga, Bill Sterling, Ted Weiher, Jackie Huett, and Gary Mathias vanished. Instead of driving south toward home, their car was found abandoned 70 miles in the opposite direction, stuck on a remote, snow-covered mountain road. What followed is one of the most baffling cases in true crime history. Months later, the remains of four of the men were discovered miles away from their vehicle, including one who had miraculously survived for weeks inside a well-stocked forest service trailer but failed to use the resources that could have saved him. Gary Mathias has never been found. We discuss the confusing timeline, the strange witness account of a man stranded nearby, and the lingering questions of why these men walked deeper into the freezing wilderness. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Machine Washable Rugs, Made Better. For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off + free shipping at tumbleliving.com/MOMS #Tumble #ad Text MOMS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply.  Join the more than 3 million families who have been served by K12 and bring personalized learning to the comfort of your home. Enroll online today at K12.com/moms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between school drop-offs and grocery runs, Mandy and Melissa found a shared obsession with the unanswered questions lurking in the shadows. Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast is the result: a conversation that feels like sitting at a kitchen table with two friends who are deeply curious about the human condition. Their perspective is uniquely grounded, examining each story not just for its shock value, but for the societal threads and personal tragedies that weave it together. You’ll hear them discuss everything from the strangely specific weirdness of a Florida crime to a globally known cold case, always with a blend of empathy and a dash of necessary, dark humor. This isn't a clinical report; it's a twice-weekly deep dive fueled by a lifelong fascination with mysteries, both big and small. The tone is warm, the research is thorough, and the conversation is the kind you get hooked on. New episodes of this true crime podcast arrive every Tuesday and Thursday, ready to be your companion during a commute or while folding laundry. They’ve been asking "how did this happen?" since they were kids, and now they’re pulling up a chair for you to join that ongoing, compelling discussion.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Murder of Eric Richins: Betrayed by the Author of a Grief Book [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:36
Eric Richins was a devoted father of three and a successful Utah businessman, known for his big heart and infectious laugh. In March 2022, his life was tragically cut short when he was found dead in his bedroom from a le…
The Murder of Travis Alexander + The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:16
*The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie begins around 38:00* This week, we're finally tackling a case we're surprised we haven't covered before: the story of Jodi Arias. In June 2008, the brutal murder of motivational speake…
The Canoe Man: The Unbelievable Fake Death of John Darwin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:35
John Darwin, a prison officer from the UK, vanishes after a morning kayak trip, leaving behind a shattered canoe and a grieving family. After he’s declared legally dead, his wife Anne collects a £250,000 life insurance p…
10 True Crime Cases to Follow in Early 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:02
We're breaking down 10 major true crime cases with trials happening in early 2026. From Clayton from The Bachelor's fake pregnancy scandal to a mom who allegedly killed her husband and then wrote a kid’s book about grief…
The Murder of Anne Marie Fahey: A Powerful Attorney's Deadly Secret [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:36
In 1996, Anne Marie Fahey, a bright and organized secretary in the Delaware Governor's office, vanished after a dinner date. Her disappearance unraveled a dark story of a secret affair with a powerful and controlling att…