A Mother Tested the House Fire Theory Herself! #crimejunkies #truecrimestories #truecrimepodcast
- Sep 11, 2026
- 1:27
- Short
After the Sodder family home burned in Fayetteville, West Virginia, on December 25, 1945, authorities concluded that five children, Maurice Sodder, Martha Sodder, Louis Sodder, Jennie Sodder, and Betty Sodder, had died inside the house.
But their mother, Jennie Sodder, could not understand why investigators found no bones or teeth in the ashes. In 1946, without telling her husband, George Sodder, Jennie began conducting her own experiments using animal bones, accelerants, and a coal stove. No matter what she tried, the bones remained.
Decades later, professional fire investigator Dale Reisen reached a similar conclusion: a house that reportedly burned for only 30 to 45 minutes should have left recoverable remains. If the fire could not completely destroy five bodies, what happened to the missing Sodder children?
Watch the full episode on @CrimeJunkie and tagged below to learn more about the disappearance of the five Sodder children. -------- Follow Crime Junkie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimejunkiepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrimeJunkiePodcast/ Crime Junkie is created and hosted by Ashley Flowers.
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About Ashley Flowers Ashley Flowers is the top female podcaster in the U.S. and the host of Crime Junkie, the #1 podcast among women and the #1 true crime podcast globally. As the Founder of Audiochuck, she has built a top-tier podcast production company that has garnered over 2.6 billion downloads, captivating audiences with its gripping storytelling through 10+ chart topping podcasts. Ashley and her team are dedicated to creating responsible true crime content that respects victims and their families.
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Brief Summary
Jenny Sodder questioned the disappearance of her children in a house fire, conducting experiments that challenge the official story.
Key points
- The Mystery of the Sodder Fire. Jenny Sodder challenges the authorities' claims about her children's disappearance in a house fire.
