359 - We Wish You A Merry Criminal
- Dec 22, 2022
- 54:12
- Full Episode
Synchronizing the audio with the ad breaks and transcriptThis takes a brief moment, please wait.
This week, Karen and Georgia welcome back Phoebe Judge, the host of Criminal, to tell the story of the Sodder children's disappearance on Christmas Eve.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brief Summary
Phoebe Judge discusses the mysterious Sauter family fire and the search for their missing children.
Key points
- A Strange Warning. Before the fire, a stranger warned George Sauter about the fuse box, foreshadowing disaster.
- The Insulting Insurance Salesman. An insurance salesman ominously predicted the Sauter's house would burn down.
- Christmas Eve Chaos. On Christmas Eve, the Sauter children stayed up late, leading to a fateful night.
- The Fire Department's Delay. The fire department took hours to respond, leading to devastating consequences.
- The Sauter Family Tragedy. On Christmas Eve 1945, a fire consumed the Sauter home, trapping five children inside.
- The Sauter Family's Tragedy. On Christmas Eve 1945, the Sauter home burned down, leading to the disappearance of five children.
Episode highlights
- A Strange WarningBefore the fire, a stranger warned George Sauter about the fuse box, foreshadowing disaster.“That's going to cause a fire someday.”15:23Dec 22, 2022
- The Insulting Insurance SalesmanAn insurance salesman ominously predicted the Sauter's house would burn down.“Your goddamn house is going to go up in smoke.”15:46Dec 22, 2022
- Christmas Eve ChaosOn Christmas Eve, the Sauter children stayed up late, leading to a fateful night.“It was Christmas Eve of 1945.”17:24Dec 22, 2022
- The Fire Department's DelayThe fire department took hours to respond, leading to devastating consequences.“The crew didn't arrive for hours.”21:07Dec 22, 2022
- The Sauter Family TragedyOn Christmas Eve 1945, a fire consumed the Sauter home, trapping five children inside.“Five kids, the five who hadn't walked out right as their parents were walking out.”21:32Dec 22, 2022
- The Sauter Family's TragedyOn Christmas Eve 1945, the Sauter home burned down, leading to the disappearance of five children.“The official report stated that the children died in the fire.”33:12Dec 22, 2022
- The Billboard CampaignIn 1953, the Sauters put up a billboard offering a reward for information about their missing children.“What was their fate? Kidnapped, murdered, or are they still alive?”34:05Dec 22, 2022
- Jeannie's InvestigationJeannie Sauter began her own investigation after the fire, questioning the circumstances of her children's disappearance.“I want the case reopened.”37:15Dec 22, 2022
Tension
85/ 100High tension
