Missing Paperboys /// Series | Forensic Files

Police are looking for this boy, 12-year-old Johnny Gosch. He's the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gosch of 1004 45th
Street in West Des Moines. The boy was last seen this morning about 6:00 as he began his paper route in front of Valley
United Methodist Church at 42nd and Ashworth. That was September 5th, 1982. 40 years later, Johnny Gosch is still
missing. The case remains unsolved. At first, West Des Moines police treated the disappearance as an abduction and
launched a big search that included several law enforcement agencies. [music] By the end of the first day, police said
they no longer believed that it was an abduction [music] and they started to treat the case as a
missing person or runaway incident. Three days after Johnny's disappearance, reality set in for his parents, John
[music] and Noreen Gosch.

Missing Paperboys /// Series

Brief Summary

The episode covers the 1982 disappearance of Johnny Gosch and its lasting impact on his family.

Key points

The Disappearance of Johnny Gosch. 12-year-old Johnny Gosch went missing while delivering newspapers in 1982. His case remains unsolved.

Episode highlights

The Disappearance of Johnny Gosch12-year-old Johnny Gosch went missing while delivering newspapers in 1982. His case remains unsolved.“40 years later, Johnny Gosch is still missing.”0:19Apr 10, 2026

Episode quotes

40 years later, Johnny Gosch is still missing.

Reflecting on the unresolved case.

0:15WatchApr 10, 2026

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