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25. MURDERED: Amber Hagerman — The Cold Case Behind the AMBER Alert
In January 1996, nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted in broad daylight while riding her bike near her grandparents' home in Arlington, Texas. A witness saw a man force her into a pickup truck. The vehicle was distinctive. The description was clear.
What didn’t exist was a way to alert the public—fast enough, wide enough, or urgently enough to make a difference.
Amber was held for two days before her body was discovered, and her murder remains unsolved.
In the aftermath, her family and community were left grappling with a devastating question: what if the information had reached the public in time? That question exposed deep failures in how the country handled child abductions—and became the catalyst for change, revealing the need for a coordinated, immediate response when a child is taken.
Amber’s name became the foundation of the AMBER Alert system—a nationwide tool designed to mobilize communities in real time.
But before the alert, there was Amber.
And this is her story...
TW: This episode includes discussion of crimes against children and potentially distressing circumstances. Listener discretion is advised.
---
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, as of December 2025, 1,292 children have been safely recovered as a direct result of AMBER Alerts and the public response they trigger.
But not every alert ends with a resolution. While many cases are resolved within hours, some children featured in AMBER Alerts are still missing, and their families continue searching for answers.
To learn about active alerts and view the full list of children who remain missing after an AMBER Alert, visit:
https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/amber
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
Website (Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → [email protected]
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
View all episodes
By Darkly SpeakingIn January 1996, nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted in broad daylight while riding her bike near her grandparents' home in Arlington, Texas. A witness saw a man force her into a pickup truck. The vehicle was distinctive. The description was clear.
What didn’t exist was a way to alert the public—fast enough, wide enough, or urgently enough to make a difference.
Amber was held for two days before her body was discovered, and her murder remains unsolved.
In the aftermath, her family and community were left grappling with a devastating question: what if the information had reached the public in time? That question exposed deep failures in how the country handled child abductions—and became the catalyst for change, revealing the need for a coordinated, immediate response when a child is taken.
Amber’s name became the foundation of the AMBER Alert system—a nationwide tool designed to mobilize communities in real time.
But before the alert, there was Amber.
And this is her story...
TW: This episode includes discussion of crimes against children and potentially distressing circumstances. Listener discretion is advised.
---
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, as of December 2025, 1,292 children have been safely recovered as a direct result of AMBER Alerts and the public response they trigger.
But not every alert ends with a resolution. While many cases are resolved within hours, some children featured in AMBER Alerts are still missing, and their families continue searching for answers.
To learn about active alerts and view the full list of children who remain missing after an AMBER Alert, visit:
https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/amber
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
⸻
🖤 ABOUT DARKLY SPEAKING 🖤
Welcome to Darkly Speaking — where true crime, the paranormal and the crazy strange and unexplained converge.
Every Monday, host Alex Kern unpacks stories that challenge our understanding of what’s real — from unsolved disappearances and psychological unravellings to encounters with the unexplained.
Think: true crime, the paranormal, and everything in between. If you’re drawn to the strange, the hidden, or the stories that won’t sit quietly — you’re in the right place.
Expect immersive storytelling, a dose of dark curiosity, and the occasional rabbit hole you didn’t plan to fall into.
Because in the darkest corners of our reality… truth gets weird.
⸻
🎧 LISTEN ON: Available wherever you get your podcasts!
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
⸻
📲 CONNECT WITH US:
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
Website (Sources, Show Notes & More!)
Email us your stories! → [email protected]
⸻
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This podcast explores real cases and sensitive subject matter.
Listener discretion is advised.
All research is grounded in publicly available sources and cited to the best of our ability. Opinions are those of the host unless otherwise stated.
Copyright Disclaimer:
Some audio/visual materials used may be protected under copyright law and are included under “fair use” for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.