She Kept Waiting For ONE Call... #truecrimeshorts #truecrimestories #crimejunkies #podcast | Forensic Files

For months, this mother barely left her house because she was waiting for the phone to ring. After 7-year-old Susie
Jaeger was kidnapped from her family tent, her mother, Marietta, became consumed by one thing. Waiting. Because
the kidnapper had called not just once, but he was demanding money, taunting the
family, and claiming that Susie was still alive. So, Marietta basically turned her entire life into one job.
Stay near the phone and answer the next call from the kidnapper. She barely left
the house, and the FBI even helped the family set up recording equipment in case the kidnapper called again. And
every time the phone rang, Marietta answered. She answered calls from psychics and strangers, people having
well wishes, even false leads, but it didn't matter. She picked up every single call because what if that next
call was the one she was waiting for? Well, one day, her son called from church asking for a ride home, and
Marietta leaves the house just for a few minutes. And of course, that is when the
phone rang. And it's the man who took her daughter, David Meyerhofer. Listen to our full episode on the case
this week, only on Crime Junkie.

After 7-year-old Susie Jaeger was kidnapped from her family's tent in Montana, her mother Marietta dedicated her life to one thing: waiting for the phone to ring.

The kidnapper had already contacted the family, demanding ransom money and claiming Susie was still alive. Hoping for answers, Marietta stayed close to the phone day and night while the FBI helped set up recording equipment to capture future calls.

She answered every call that came in. Friends, strangers, psychics, and false leads. It didn't matter. But one day, when she stepped away from home for just a few minutes, the phone rang. And this time, it was the man who took her daughter.

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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

Marietta Jaeger waited for calls from Susie's kidnapper, David Meyerhofer, while her life was consumed by the search for her daughter.

Key points

A Mother's Vigil. Marietta Jaeger waited by the phone, consumed by the hope of her daughter's return.

Episode quotes

She turned her entire life into one job: waiting.

Marietta's focus on answering the phone.

0:23WatchJun 3, 2026

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