I Knew They Would | Episode 2

When news of Megan’s disappearance spreads throughout the community, everyone is a bit shocked. News agencies in Salt Lake City had already reported another kidnapping that day, Elizabeth Smart. The similarities are striking, but the detectives don’t jump to any conclusions about Megan. 

Join our host, Emily as she takes you through the rest of the morning and afternoon. From personal interviews, you will see the day from the perspective of Darrel’s secretary, Misty, her friends Kiera and Whitney, and the deputies involved. 

Interviews in the order they are heard: 

Misty was Darrel’s secretary. That morning Darrel and Megan’s grandpa left to go help with the search for Megan. Misty hung back just in case Megan called the office. 

Whitney was also a close friend. Megan had planned to go on a camping trip with Whitney and her family in the coming days. She was also interviewed by the police, helping them understand Megan’s state of mind at the time. 

Keira was a close friend and neighbor to Megan. She was interviewed by police to help them investigate and work out where Megan might have gone. Megan’s grandpa picks her up. She tells police that if Megan had left on her own, she would have taken her Scooby-Doo blanket still lying on the trampoline. 

Detective Sergeant Kevin Cox sends detectives to help with the investigation and starts heading over to Megan’s home. 

Sergeant Brian Lovell talks about the normal checklist police go through for missing persons. He also mentions the disappearance of Amber Hoopes. 

Brian Stositch was the responding deputy to Megan’s home. He talks to the family to find out who they have contacted to look for Megan. He is told by Darrel that the family dog had been barking a lot in the early morning hours. 

Not interviewed but mentioned: 

Darrel - Megan’s father

Gina - Megan’s mother

Elizabeth Smart - Kidnapped from her home in SLC on June 5, 2002

Amber Hoopes - Disappeared from her grandparents’ home on Sept. 14, 2001

Key Points

• Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapping is considered to be connected but is ruled out
• It was unlike her to go anywhere without her Scooby-Doo blanket
• Police consider a connection to Amber Hoopes’s disappearance 
• Misty receives a call from Megan at Darrel’s office

You can find more information about Amber Hoopes at:

 https://bonnevillesheriff.com/news/2021-09/amber-hoopes-missing-person-case-20-years-later/

If you have any information about Amber Hoopes' disappearance, contact Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office at 208-529-1200, online at www.ifcrime.org, or through the P3tips App on your mobile device, available in the Apple or Google Play store.

Music Production by Morgan Celner https://www.morgancelner.com/

Cover Art and Logo by Pammie Jane https://www.pammiejane.com/

She’s Missing is a Search Party Media Production https://www.shesmissingpodcast.com/

Special Thanks to: 

Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office

Next Week…

We will go back to the early morning hours of June 5th and hear about Megan’s kidnapping from Megan herself.