The “Missing in Iowa” series reaches its conclusion, pulling together the tragic stories of Johnny Gosch, Eugene Martin, and Mark James Warren Allen. Listen as LaDonna Humphrey and David McClam examine disturbing patterns, numerous attempted abductions, and the haunting question of whether a serial predator or a pedophile ring shattered the innocence of Iowa in the 1980s.

Time Line

00:00 Missing in Iowa: Johnny and Eugene
This episode delves into the heartbreaking disappearances of Johnny Gosh (1982) and Eugene Martin (1984), highlighting the striking similarities in their cases. Both were young paperboys for the Des Moines Register, vanished on early Sunday mornings, and left behind abandoned belongings, suggesting a connected pattern of abduction.

03:52 Other Attempted Abductions
The discussion expands to include a series of other attempted abductions of paperboys in the Des Moines area during the 1980s. Incidents involving Jim Pollock, Mike Fackler, and Melissa Gale, among others, suggest a pattern of targeting young carriers, often by men in white vehicles.

07:18 Serial Predator or Pedophile Ring?
The hosts explore whether these incidents point to a single serial predator or a broader pedophile ring, considering the possibility of more than one offender. They also discuss the connection of Mark Allen’s disappearance to these cases and emphasize the lasting impact on the community and families, urging listeners to come forward with any information.

Featured Quotes:

• “We’re here to dig up the truth, case by case, victim by victim.” — David McClam
• “Because they mattered. They still matter. And someone, somewhere knows what happened.” — Ladonna Humphrey
• “If the Indianola incidents were unrelated, that would mean there wasn’t one predator in Iowa during the 1980s. There were two.” — David McClam

Behind the Story:

This episode brings to light the interconnected nature of several missing persons and attempted abduction cases in Iowa during the 1980s. The hosts detail how Johnny Gosch and Eugene Martin’s disappearances share compelling similarities. They also highlight a pattern of other paper carriers being targeted, often by men in white vehicles. The discussion probes the grim possibilities of a single offender, multiple predators, or even an organized ring, painting a picture of a community forever changed by these events.