Hannibal's Lost Boys

08/14/2025

Big article out of Moberly!!! We thank them very much for writing such a great article on our boys and the journey thus far.

A couple things. You will need to setup an account with the newspaper, the article is complimentary to read, after you verify your email. It is well worth the read!

We are less than 8k away from starting this endeavor!!! Keep sharing and donate, only if you can afford too! Thank you guys so much!!!

Chris & Franki

On May 10, 1967, Billy and Joey Hoag and their good friend Craig Dowell of Hannibal told their families they were going out to explore Murphy’s Cave. At the ages of 10, 13, and 14, the boys never returned home from their excursion, prompting one one of Missouri’s largest missing person searches ...

08/11/2025

Big News Article coming out soon. Tommy Terry Hill, revisited?

08/04/2025

The GoFundMe is going well. To stimulate some more sharing, I'm posting this. I would like you guys to weigh in on everything we have reported on.
Our first goal is 11k, which really gets the conversation rolling with a company right here in Saint Louis! It also helps with the recovery effort. Let us know about this clip.

07/29/2025

Chris and I will be recording an episode next week!!! It will be a nice two-parter episode and possibly a new guest!!!!

07/28/2025

Thanks to you guys we were able to secure our servers, and we reached over 400k downloads. Just unbelievable!!!!!!

07/26/2025

We are going to start posting pictures, that no one has seen. We hope this will spark some interest in our new endeavor. We want to bring these boys home.

We hope you enjoy a trip down memory lane, and how fast life can change you forever. Hold the ones you love, make good on those arguments. And never take what you have for granted. No matter how much you think you could have more, count the blessings you do have.

Chris and I thank each and every contributor, fan, comment, picture and shared story.

07/26/2025

While you are thinking what will yield this year with the Lost Boys and 2nd dig, ponder it over at Fiddlesticks!!!

Or, grab me and Chris a Root Beer over at Mark Twains! With one of those Maid-rites!!!

Our Saturday Spotlight is a local favorite, Fiddlestiks! Open daily at 10:45am serving a variety of appetizers, salads, pasta, steaks and seafood. "Offering quick service with something for everyone in the family; an extensive kids menu even promises satisfaction for the little ones. If you’re ready for the game, enjoy our sports bar with 13 TVs. A great place for a family night out or a drink after work. Our fantastic food and fun atmosphere will have you coming back for more!" Located at 8945 Hwy 36 on the west end of town. Another great reason to

07/26/2025

11K is our first goal. This will really make a difference is laying the foundation! Please share. Thank you LBOH!

Help Us Solve the Mystery of the Lost Boys of Hannibal My name… Franki Cambeletta needs your support for Bring Closure to the Hoag and Dowell Families

07/25/2025

Hey it’s happening!!! Looks like I’m on at 8:15am!
Chris had all the work to do this week. But I will mention him constantly.

Thanks for supporting the Podcast & the Hoag Family!

07/25/2025

We’re incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support as we continue our campaign to fund the Final Dig. Your generosity has brought us over $1,900 so far, and we can’t thank you enough—every listener, every share, every active thread, and every group rallying behind us has made this possible. But the journey isn’t over yet, and we still need your help to reach our goal.
Today, we’re kicking things off in Saint Louis with Michelle and Paul, and Franki will be joining at 7:45 AM. This is a big moment for us, and we’re so thankful to have you with us.
Asking for donations isn’t easy, especially as we venture into uncharted territory. Drilling, digging, and ensuring the ground and area are safe afterward is beyond our expertise, and your support is what makes this possible.
This journey has been full of twists, turns, and mysteries where fact, legend, and lore collide. The simplest explanation—guided by Occam’s Razor—could be the key to solving what happened, perhaps in the blink of an eye. Due to state agencies and property owners, we can’t disclose the location just yet, but your trust and contributions keep us moving forward.
Thank you again for standing with us. Let’s keep pushing to make the Final Dig a reality!

07/24/2025

Join the Mission to Find the Lost Boys of Hannibal!
I’m Franki Cambeletta, and for five years, I’ve been chasing the truth behind one of America’s greatest mysteries: the disappearance of Billy Hoag (11), Joey Hoag (13), and Craig Dowell (14). On May 10, 1967, these three boys—full of dreams, adventure, and heart—vanished while exploring caves in Hannibal, Missouri, the iconic hometown of Mark Twain. Joey, who signed his journal “Amateur Astronomer,” dreamed of the stars. Billy and Craig were his partners in exploration. But that day, their story stopped, leaving a void that’s haunted their families and community for 58 years.
Through our award-winning Lost Boys of Hannibal podcast, my co-host Chris Koetters and I have uncovered a game-changing lead: the boys may be in a hidden “big room” in a cave, sealed by a 1967 cave-in. With cutting-edge tech like LIDAR and modern drilling, we’re ready to launch a historic dig to find them. But we need YOU to make it happen!
This Is Our Moment
We’re raising $50,000 to drill into the cave and uncover the truth. This isn’t just a search—it’s a mission to bring Billy, Joey, and Craig home, to give their families peace, and to solve a mystery that’s gripped hearts for decades. Here’s what your donation fuels:

Drilling & Exploration: Specialized contractors and high-tech equipment to safely access the cave’s hidden chambers.
Production Crew: A pro team to document this journey for our podcast and documentary, sharing the boys’ story with the world.
Team Support: Food and lodging for our search crew, volunteers, and experts working tirelessly in Hannibal.
Site Restoration: Ensuring the cave is safely sealed post-dig, respecting the land.

Why This Matters NOW
These boys weren’t just names—they were sons, brothers, dreamers. Their families have waited 58 years for answers. Hannibal still feels their loss. Our podcast, honored with the 26th Annual Communicator Award, has rallied thousands worldwide to this cause. Now, with new clues and technology, we’re closer than ever to solving this mystery. But time’s ticking—we need to act fast to fund this dig.
Be a Hero in This Story
Your donation can change history. Here’s how you can help:

$10 buys a meal for a volunteer, keeping them strong for the search.
$50 funds safety gear to protect our team in the cave.
$100 powers LIDAR scans to map the cave’s secrets.
$250 supports a day of drilling, inching us closer to the truth.
$500+ makes you a cornerstone of this mission, funding major equipment.

Can’t donate? Share this campaign! Every share on social media can bring in $13-$15 in donations, per GoFundMe stats. Post it, tweet it, text it—spread the word and join the movement!
Let’s Bring Them Home
Billy, Joey, and Craig deserve to be found. Their families deserve closure. You have the power to make it happen. Join us to honor these boys, to write the final chapter of their story, and to show the world what a united community can do. Donate now, share widely, and let’s make this dig a reality!

With fierce hope,
Franki Cambeletta & Chris Koetters
Lost Boys of Hannibal Podcast

Help Us Solve the Mystery of the Lost Boys of Hannibal My name… Franki Cambeletta needs your support for Bring Closure to the Hoag and Dowell Families

05/10/2024

We remember. We haven’t forgotten. Just waiting on some prayers on God’s watch.

Billy, Joey, Craig, we continue the search.