Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast

The Disappearance of Lars Mittank

In July 2014, 28-year-old German tourist Lars Mittank walked into Varna Airport in Bulgaria, preparing to fly home after a vacation. He had suffered a minor ear injury and needed a quick medical check before his flight. But what happened next turned his case into one of the most baffling disappearances in recent history. Surveillance cameras captured Lars suddenly bolting from the doctor’s office, sprinting through the terminal, and climbing an eight-foot perimeter fence before vanishing into the woods. He left his wallet, passport, and all of his luggage behind. In the days leading up to his disappearance, Lars had made a series of increasingly frantic calls to his mother, claiming he felt unsafe and that people were following him. Was he suffering from a medical-induced paranoia, or was a real threat closing in? More than a decade later, the chilling airport footage is the last confirmed trace of him. This episode dives into the timeline, the theories, and the endless search for answers in the case of Lars Mittank. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Right now, go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Lars_Mittank https://people.com/all-about-lars-mittank-mysterious-disappearance-11768067 https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31744248 https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/justiz/vermisster-lars-mittank-spurensuche-in-bulgarien-a-983857.html https://www.abendblatt.de/region/article131346203/Vermisster-Lars-Mittank-Mutter-hofft-auf-neue-Spuren.html https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Vermisster-Lars-Mittank-Spurensuche-in-Bulgarien,mittank100.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAfveiD6cWw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You Might Also Like: Crime Salad

Introducing "Rachel Hoffman Case: Florida Police Informant Operation Gone Wrong (Tallahassee)" from Crime Salad. Follow the show: Crime Salad In late spring 2009, Florida State University students in Tallahassee, Florida were wrapping up finals when 23-year-old Rachel Hoffman became the center of a police operation that would end in tragedy. In this episode of Crime Salad, we break down the Rachel Hoffman case, focusing on how a “controlled” and “by-the-book” confidential informant (CI) operation unraveled, and why officers reportedly waited more than 90 minutes after her last contact before launching a search. Rachel Hoffman was a college student with big plans, described as driven and fearless, working toward her future when she was asked to assist law enforcement as an informant during a drug sting in Tallahassee. What happened next raised serious questions about informant safety, police procedures, and accountability when undercover operations go wrong. We cover the timeline, the decisions made leading up to that night, and the broader issue of how confidential informants are used in drug investigations, especially when the informant is young, vulnerable, or under pressure. This is the story of Rachel Hoffman, and the failures that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Birthday Party in Hocking Hills

A birthday party at a rental cabin in the scenic Hocking Hills of Ohio should have been a night of celebration. But fueled by alcohol and jealousy, the night spiraled into a violent confrontation that left a young father, Charlie Starner, dead. This episode examines the chaotic moments captured on a cell phone video and the legal battle that followed, asking whether the stabbing was a desperate act of self-defense or a senseless murder. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Treat yourself to the most advanced bras and shapewear on the market. Use our exclusive link to save 20% off Honeylove at honeylove.com/moms. To grab your PAKA hoodie, go to pakaapparel.com. Every day they're handling money without guidance is a missed opportunity. Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/moms. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Betrayal of Skylar Neese

In 2012, 16-year-old Skylar Neese vanished without a trace from her Star City, West Virginia home. What initially seemed like a runaway case soon unraveled into a story of unimaginable betrayal. Her two best friends, Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf, held a dark secret that would shock the nation and leave a community searching for answers. This episode revisits the heart-wrenching case of Skylar Neese, exploring the twisted friendship that led to her murder. With the release of the new Hulu docuseries Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese, we are taking a deeper look into the events that transpired and the warning signs that were missed. Join us as we recount the tragic story of a bright young girl whose life was cut short by those she trusted most. Thank you to this weeks's sponsors! To get 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping, text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details Join the more than 3 million families who have been served by K12, and empower your student to reach their full potential now. You can make the switch at anytime. Go to K12.com/MOMS today to learn more. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lindsay Shiver Story: A Murder Plot in Paradise

In the summer of 2023, police in The Bahamas were investigating a local bar burglary when they accidentally discovered a shocking murder-for-hire plot in a series of WhatsApp messages. The alleged target was Robert Shiver, a former football player from a wealthy Georgia family, and the accused mastermind was his estranged wife, former beauty queen Lindsay Shiver. The message that blew the case wide open was just two words: "Kill him." What followed was a story that seemed ripped from a movie script, involving a crumbling marriage, a luxury vacation home in an exclusive Bahamian resort, and an affair with a local bartender. As the case unfolded, it would draw in reality TV stars and reveal a pattern of escalating conflict, with both sides making explosive allegations. This is a deep dive into the story of Lindsay Shiver, a case where a picture-perfect life hid a dark and complicated reality. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Find furniture, decor, and essentials that fit your unique style and budget. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.  For 50% off your order, head to DailyLook.com and use code MOMS50.   Whatever challenges you’re facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Grow accepts over 100 insurance plans. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. Visit GrowTherapy.com/MOMS today to get started. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices