Vanished Voices Buried Secrets

07/03/2025

On January 1, 2021, Jessica Stacks (29), mother of three, and her boyfriend at the time, Jerry Wayne Baggett, supposedly went out on a boat ride in New Albany, Mississippi. It is located 30 miles north of Tupelo, Mississippi, or 75 miles southeast of Memphis, Tennessee. They were using a small boat that didn’t have a motor or even oars. They were floating down a flooded river near County Road 46 in Union County with nothing to control the boat.

There’s video from a nearby gas station showing Jerry and a woman believed to be Jessica loading the boat that morning.

According to Jerry, the boat started taking on water a few hours later. Jessica apparently wanted to get off, so he said he dropped her off along the riverbank. She supposedly set off on foot toward Highway 30, about a mile away. Jerry claimed he lost sight of her and couldn’t find her again.

Search teams found some of Jessica’s belongings: her jacket, a glove, and a green boot with the top cut off, all along the riverbanks. Her phone was also found nearby. Her footprints were found leading toward the highway but stopped suddenly in a flooded area.

The river was searched with drones, helicopters, and cadaver dogs—but no trace of Jessica.

When the Story Changed

At first, Jerry stuck to his story. He told everyone they were on the river that day. But later, in February 2023, he changed it. He claimed he didn’t even see Jessica on New Year’s Day. He said they hadn’t been together for a few days before that and that he’d been working.

This change has made a lot of people question what really happened.

Jessica’s family never believed Jerry’s original story. They didn’t understand why anyone would go out on a flooded river without life jackets, oars, or any real plan.

Where Things Stand Now

The Union County Sheriff's Office has kept the case open, but no arrests have been made. There’s just not enough evidence to move forward, at least not yet.

Jessica’s family is still searching for answers. They believe someone knows what happened, and they aren’t giving up.

Jessica was 5'5", 110 lbs with strawberry blonde hair and green eyes. She had several tattoos including the names: Kayleigh, Brayden, and Cobie with a puzzle piece.

If anyone out there knows something, they can call the Union County Sheriff’s Office at (662) 534-1943.

07/01/2025

Bryan Kohberger has agreed to plead guilty to all counts in the k!llings of four University of Idaho students, sparing him from the de@th penalty, according to a letter sent to victims' family members informing them of the plea deal.

Kohberger -- who was charged with four counts of first-degree mur*der and one count of burglary in connection with the 2022 k!llings of roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and X**a Kernodle and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin -- will be sentenced to four consecutive life sentences on the mur*der counts and the maximum penalty of 10 years on the burglary count, according to the plea agreement.

Prosecutors anticipate sentencing to take place in late July, as long as Kohberger enters the guilty plea as expected at a change of plea hearing that's scheduled for Wednesday, according to the letter received by the family of one of the victims.

Understandably the families feel blind sided. They did not receive a phone call informing them of this plea deal, they received a letter in the mail. That letter made it to them just before this all took place. They didn't have time to really process this, nor did they have time to ask questions or talk with anyone.

06/28/2025

Oakley was just five years old when she vanished from Oakville, Washington. The last confirmed sighting of her was February 10, 2021 — but no one officially reported her missing until December 6, 2021, which heartbreakingly happened to be her birthday. The truth is, her disappearance wasn't reported by her parents. A local school principal, who was genuinely concerned, called in a welfare check after noticing that no one had seen Oakley in MONTHS.

Oakley’s Early Life and Foster Care

Oakley had a rocky start in life. She was removed from her biological parents at just nine months old due to concerns about dr.ug use and neg.lect. For a few years, she thrived with her foster family, Jamie Jo and Erik Hiles, who loved her like their own and were reportedly hoping to adopt her. But despite concerns about her biological parents, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) made the decision to reunify Oakley with her birth parents in late 2019.

Jamie Jo has since spoken out, saying they raised alarms, but no one listened. And tragically, Oakley was sent back.

The Red Flags

After Oakley returned to her biological parents, things spiraled. According to court documents and Oakley’s own siblings, Oakley was allegedly locked in a "cell" under the stairs. She was reportedly beaten, starved, and forced to watch her family eat while she went without food.

One of her siblings told investigators that “Oakley went out into the woods and was eaten by wolves.” Another sibling said their mother told them “not to talk about Oakley.”

There were other disturbing signs — Oakley had visible injuries, dark circles under her eyes, and burns that looked like they may have been from a cigarette lighter.

What Happened to Oakley?

On February 10, 2021, Oakley was last seen alive.

In November 2021, her father, Andrew Carlson, told people that Oakley had started a house fire, by lighting the couch on fire — but no 911 call was made because they couldn't find their phones, they put the fire out themselves fighting it -- for hours. The blaze originated upstairs and spread significantly enough to cause major damage to walls in ceilings. The family relocated to a motel afterwards.

By December 2021, Oakley was gone.

When authorities arrived for the welfare check, Oakley’s parents claimed they hadn’t seen her since November 30 — but they never reported her missing.

Both parents were arrested shortly after, but no one has been charged directly in connection with Oakley's disappearance. Instead, Jordan Bowers and Andrew Carlson were charged with child endangerment related to exposing their other children to meth/amphetamine.

The Search

Authorities, including the FBI, conducted extensive searches around the family’s home, but they didn’t find Oakley. Investigators believe her disappearance is criminal and suspicious, but her whereabouts remain unknown.

Jordan Bowers is scheduled for release from prison in July 2025. She was arrested in 2023 for identity theft and fraud. Not for her daughter's disappearance.

06/26/2025

On June 22, 2025, Mikayla Raines (29) passed away by su!c!de. Mikayla had been the target of relentless cyberbully!ng, not just by strangers but by people from her community in the Lakeville area of Minnesota.

Mikayla was a YouTube Influencer and had built Save A Fox—a sanctuary that became a home for rescued foxes, many of them saved from fur farms and other heartbreaking situations. She poured her heart into that place. And honestly, she didn’t just save animals—she educated millions of people about them.

She made you see foxes differently. She made you care.

But while Mikayla was showing up for these animals every day, she was quietly battling her own struggles. She was open about her mental health—she had autism, borderline personality disorder, and chronic depression.

Her husband Ethan and others close to her have promised to keep Save A Fox going. Her mission doesn’t stop here. Mikayla’s work mattered, and the sanctuary will continue to be a safe place for these animals she loved so fiercely.

This story is painful, but it’s also a wake-up call.
Be kind.
Be thoughtful.
Words leave marks—whether you can see them or not.

If you’re struggling, if you feel like you’re carrying too much—please reach out. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to speak with someone who’s trained to help. Your story isn’t over. You are needed here.

Mikayla showed up for animals who had no voice. The least we can do is show up for each other.

If you’re struggling, please know you’re not alone. Talk to someone. Call or text 988 in the U.S. There’s always someone who will listen.

Mikayla’s story is a painful reminder of how important it is to check in on the people we love—and to lead with kindness, always.

06/25/2025

On February 2, 2000, Mark Alley, 39, from Lexington, North Carolina, and to this day, no one really knows what happened to him.

The Day He Disappeared

Mark was the director of the Davidson County Museum of Art at the time. That morning, something big went down—he was confronted about $14,750 missing from the museum’s accounts. After the conversation, he resigned and left work around 11 a.m. That’s the last time anyone can confirm seeing him.

What’s strange is that Mark didn’t run. His car was found parked at his home. His personal belongings were all still there—wallet, checkbook, everything. He left behind a note for his wife, but to this day, the contents of that note haven’t been shared publicly.

Later that day, his wife reported him missing when he didn’t show up to pick up their child from the babysitter, something completely out of character for him.

What Happened Next

Two weeks later, on February 16, an arrest warrant was issued for Mark for embezzlement connected to the missing museum funds. On paper, it looks like someone who may have been about to face consequences, but those close to Mark have never believed he simply took off.

His family has always thought foul play was involved. They don’t buy the idea that he would just walk away from his life—especially not like this. There were no signs of planning. No bags packed. No trails to follow. It’s like he vanished into thin air.

Where the Case Stands

Over the years, Mark’s case has quietly slipped into the background, but it’s never been closed. His DNA is in the FBI’s CODIS system, waiting to be matched if he’s ever found. There was even a reward offered at one point for any credible information.

Investigators and organizations like the CUE Center for Missing Persons have featured his story, but no solid leads have ever come in. It’s as if the trail went cold the minute he stepped out of that museum.

If you know anything about Mark Alley’s disappearance, please contact the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office at (336) 242-2105.

06/25/2025

06/24/2025

In 1982, eight-year-old Tricia J. Kellett vanished after getting into a car with one or two men in her Chicago neighborhood. She was never seen again.

Background

At the time of her disappearance, Tricia lived with her mother and stepfather, though she still spent time with her father regularly. She was well-known in her community and actively involved in her local church.

The Day Tricia Went Missing

On May 7, 1982, Tricia was waiting outside her Uptown apartment in Chicago for her father to pick her up for their weekend together. While waiting, she decided to play outside with friends. Witnesses last saw her across the street from her home, playing with puppies.

That’s when she was seen getting into a blue, four-door car, possibly a 1979 Dodge or Pontiac. The car had damage to the front passenger door and a license plate starting with the letters "Q" or "R." There were one or two men inside.

Tricia never came back.

When her father arrived around 4:00 p.m., it became clear that Tricia was missing. Her family immediately began searching for her and her mother repeatedly called the police. Officers didn’t show up until 10:00 p.m. — six hours later.

The Investigation

Authorities believe the man who picked Tricia up was Marvin Pontarelli, a known s3x offender.

Witnesses picked him out of a lineup.

One witness saw Pontarelli entering the Malden Arms Hotel with Tricia and another man.

When questioned, Pontarelli failed a polygraph test.

It was later discovered that Pontarelli had been s3xually abusing three of Tricia’s friends, ages 11 to 12, and providing them with dr.ugs and alc.ohol. When police searched his apartment, they found child p0rn0graphy.

In 1984, another s3x offender, Larry Fassler, was connected to the case. When his home was searched during an unrelated investigation, police found Tricia’s and Pontarelli’s names written in Fassler’s address book under the date October 1982.

When questioned, Fassler claimed he simply thought Pontarelli seemed suspicious and that he had planned to bring it to the police’s attention later. His explanation didn’t explain why Tricia’s name was there.

In 1985, Pontarelli was arrested on unrelated charges. During questioning, he became upset and confessed to k!lling Tricia and burying her on his family’s property. But later, he changed his story, claiming Fassler had taken Tricia to Mexico. Authorities noted that Fassler had a history of crossing the border with minors.

Investigators believe Tricia may have been forced into s3x work. Some think she could still be buried under the foundation of Pontarelli’s apartment building if his original confession was true.

No one has ever been charged in Tricia’s disappearance. She has never been found.

Tricia's Physical Description

Blonde hair
Hazel or blue eyes
Gap between upper front teeth
History of a fractured skull
Previously broken left wrist

Clothing Last Seen Wearing

Long-sleeved blue sweater
Blue jeans
Brown lace-up shoes