In November 2024, what started as a fun night out in the party town of Vang Vieng turned into a horrifying nightmare.  Six tourists from around the world never woke up. Others barely escaped with their lives. 

At first it seemed like a tragic accident, a case of tainted alcohol, poisoning unsuspecting travelers in the party town of Vang Vieng, Laos. But as the details emerged, the story took a darker turn. 

Why were only tourists affected? Why did local authorities move so quickly to shut down the investigation? And could this have been something far more sinister than a simple mistake?

Was this mass poisoning the result of greed, negligence… or something more deliberate?

We’re diving into the chilling case of the Laos Methanol Poisonings - where a fun night out turned fatal, and the truth might still be buried.

We're on YouTube with full video: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLastTripPodcast

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/

And join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast

Listen to this week's podcast recommendation, Like Mother Like Murder

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/like-mother-like-murder/id1632348616

 

Theme Music by Roger Allen Dexter

Sources:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g612363-d13540456-Reviews-Nana_Backpacker_Hostel-Vang_Vieng_Vientiane_Province.html

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/unanswered-questions-remain-about-laos-mass-methanol-poisoning/news-story/7e45d576a088ade129646206eb4bdf1f?

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/33149356/laos-poisoning-vodka-tourists-survivor/?utm_

https://thethaiger.com/news/laos-govt-speaks-on-mass-methanol-poisoning-that-left-six-dead?utm_

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-29/methanol-poisoning-broader-impact-south-east-asia/104652326?utm_

https://people.com/methanol-poisoning-laos-american-tourist-identified-8752046

https://www.bbcworldinfo.com/2024/11/the-rise-and-fall-of-vang-vieng-laos.html?utm_

https://www.9news.com.au/world/what-to-know-about-the-laos-backpacker-town-at-centre-of-suspected-methanol-poisonings/f771ed85-a03c-41e6-b030-e50f9ec4466c

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/simone-white-laos-alcohol-poisoning-b2651852.html

https://www.touristsecrets.com/trip-planning/safety-insurance/vang-vieng-tubing-deaths-and-dangers/

https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/nana-backpackers-hostel-laos-reportedly-being-deleted/

https://scandasia.com/belgian-friend-to-danish-girls-that-died-in-laos-shares-his-story/

On August 21st, 2024, we released Episode 41, the case of Ryan Roth. In that episode, I walked you through the timeline of events and shared the details investigators made to the public. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Ryan’s uncle, Sean Flynn, as we take a deeper look at who Ryan was before his alleged suicide, why Sean is searching for him, any new updates in the case - and where Ryan might be now.

If you haven’t listened to Episode 41 yet, or need a refresher, I encourage you to revisit it before continuing.

Ryan Roth, born Ryan Flynn, vanished on January 20, 2020 from a cliff in Bali, Indonesia.  The 39 year old, originally from England left behind a passport, driver’s license, a suicide note, and other personal belongings.But he also left behind a legacy of deception, dishonesty, and schemes. 

Many people, including Indonesian authorities, suspect Ryan staged his disappearance to mimic a suicide and is instead in hiding… taking with him millions of dollars he swindled from friends and family through fraudulent business schemes.

To learn more about Ryan Roth, please watch "The Faking Dead. Ryan Roth. Global con man and scammer. True crime Documentary" on Youtube:  https://youtu.be/BHJfWKMVmxc?si=6VKsZOeBMUXsEpJw

If you have ANY information, please email Sean Flynn at [email protected]

The Last Trip is on YouTube with full video: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLastTripPodcast

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/

And join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast

Listen to this week's podcast recommendation, Ye Olde Crime Podcast

https://www.yeoldecrimepodcast.com/

 

Theme Music by Roger Allen Dexter

Sarah Papenheim was young, talented, and full of life - a gifted blues drummer from Minnesota with dreams of making a difference. 

She traveled halfway across the world to study psychology in the Netherlands, never imagining that the person she shared an apartment with would become her worst nightmare.

It was a quiet December afternoon in 2018 when everything changed. There was a brutal attack, a desperate attempt to escape, and a crime so shocking that it left 2 countries searching for answers.

What really happened behind the closed doors of that Dutch apartment? 

Was there a warning sign no one saw? 

And who was the man Sarah trusted enough to live with - only for him to betray her in the worst way possible?

Listen as we dive into Rotterdam, the case of Sarah Papenheim, and how to stay alive on vacation.

We're on YouTube with full video: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLastTripPodcast

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/

And join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast

Listen to this week's podcast recommendation, Murder Coaster Podcast

https://murdercoasterpodcast.com/

 

Theme Music by Roger Allen Dexter

Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/JoshandSarahScholarship/

https://www.instagram.com/happy_paps/

https://abcnews.go.com/US/american-student-21-stabbed-death-netherlands-officials/story?id=59805502

https://www.erasmusmagazine.nl/en/2019/12/11/six-years-of-jail-and-treatment-for-the-killing-of-sarah-papenheim/

https://www.eur.nl/en/essb/news/memoriam-sarah-papenheim

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/mn-student-killed-in-netherlands/89-9f86d060-c4e4-4cee-8acb-bcbd583abc9d

https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2018/12/26/sarah-papenheim-american-student-killed-netherlands-vigils-foothill-high-school-redding/2417654002/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/sarah-papenheim-memorial-fund

https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/american-student-in-netherlands-stabbed-by-roommate

https://www.twincities.com/2018/12/15/minnesota-student-killed-in-netherlands-texted-friend-about-roommates-threat/

https://www.startribune.com/suspect-in-fatal-stabbing-of-twin-cities-musician-is-id-d-appears-in-dutch-court/502688662

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/man-gets-6-years-prison-for-killing-of-mn-student-in-the-netherlands

https://www.erasmusmagazine.nl/en/2019/11/28/joel-s-doesnt-remember-anything-about-stabbing-student-sarah-papenheim/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6496833/Shocking-moment-police-arrest-smiling-Dutch-musician-23-charged-murdering-American-student.html

Antoine Herran was 28 years old when he left France for what was meant to be a 3 week vacation in Australia in April of 1998.  On the day he was supposed to return home,he reportedly jumped off The Gap, a series of towering cliffs near Sydney.

Authorities later recovered a body they believed to be his. However, when Antoine’s family arrived in Australia, they were stunned to find out the body did not belong to him.

This sparked a lot of speculation that Antoine orchestrated an elaborate plan 

to fake his own death. Despite no confirmed sightings or evidence of his whereabouts, his family continues to hold out hope that advances in DNA testing  might one day uncover the truth they’ve been searching for.

Listen as we dive into Australia, the case of Antoine Herran, and how to stay alive on vacation.

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/

And join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast

Listen to this week's podcast recommendation, Perplexed Podcasts

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2115848

Theme Music by Roger Allen Dexter

Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Where-is-Antoine-Herran-61557994267485/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8829143/French-tourist-Antoine-Herran-faked-death-stay-Australia-detective-claims.html

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases-int/3430dmnsw.html

https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/national-news/new-south-wales-news/strip-could-unlock-mystery/6184

https://www.reddit.com/r/brisbane/comments/1gholjl/what_happened_to_antoine_herran/

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/did-a-french-backpacker-fake-his-death-and-move-to-queensland-20241016-p5kixl.html

https://australianmissingpersonsregister.com/ampr/Herran.htm

On March 20, 2024, we released Episode 19, which covered the tragic case of Jason Cortez. In that episode, I guided you through the timeline of events and shared the publicly available details from investigators.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jason’s father, Candelario Cortez, to delve deeper into Jason’s life, the challenges his family has endured since his heartbreaking murder, and any new developments in the case.

If you haven’t listened to Episode 19 yet, or need a refresher, I encourage you to revisit it before continuing.

Jason’s case began in September 2021, when he left his new wife in Virginia to travel to Los Angeles. He had planned to help a friend with photography for a creative project—a trip meant to be brief and enjoyable. However, on September 10, everything took a devastating turn.

While visiting Ernest E. Debs Regional Park for a photo session, Jason and his friend were leaving the park when a single gunshot rang out. Jason collapsed to the ground. Despite his friend’s efforts to perform CPR, Jason’s life was tragically cut short.

This senseless act of random violence remains unresolved, and the shooter has yet to be identified.

To learn more about Jason Cortez, please visit https://www.celebratingjasoncortez.com/

If you have ANY information, now is the time to come forward.

We're on YouTube with full video: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLastTripPodcast

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/

And join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast

 

Theme Music by Roger Allen Dexter

Travis Sackett was an experienced traveler with a passion for service.  He dedicated years to volunteering with AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps, working in Peru and Guatemala, and most recently, lending a hand in Ecuador.

In February 2021, just two months into his stay in Ecuador, Travis set out on what should have been a routine hike. The trail wasn’t particularly challenging, and witnesses reported seeing him during the day.

But he never returned.

Was it a tragic accident along the path? Or could something more sinister have occurred?

Despite extensive searches, no trace of Travis has ever been found. To this day, his disappearance remains a mystery. 

What really happened to Travis Sackett?

Listen as we dive into Ecuador, the case of Travis Sackett, and how to stay alive on vacation.

We're on YouTube with full video: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLastTripPodcast

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/

And join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast

 

Theme Music by Roger Allen Dexter

Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/FindTrav/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ecuador/comments/lw1i6m/missing_travis_sackett/

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/rochester/public-safety/2021/03/06/family--friends-ask-for-help-in-finding-batavia-man-who-went-missing-in-ecuador

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/539580852/lauth-investigations-international-joins-the-search-for-missing-person-travis-sackett-who-disappeared-from-ecuador

https://havanatimes.org/diaries/alfe/ecuadors-missing-persons/

https://www.thelcn.com/news/local/batavia-native-missing-in-ecuador/article_fab9130b-2522-5d7a-ac4a-585102724707.html

https://www.thedailynewsonline.com/top_story/batavia-native-missing-in-ecuador/article_cc3c0a16-d8a8-5cb4-be4b-e135f5d5c5fc.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VONdmH-v4dc

https://www.lahora.com.ec/etiquetas/travis-joseph-sackett/#google_vignette

https://missingamericans.ning.com/m?id=4224332:MobilePage:32028

https://www.facebook.com/turismopimampiro.imbabura/

https://insightcrime.org/news/ecuadors-kidnapping-epidemic-told-by-a-survivor/

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/ecuador-travel-advisory.html

Michal Krowczynski was a math teacher and Polish tourist who set out to explore Arizona and California during his winter break. 

Tragically, he vanished under mysterious circumstances on January 17th, 2019, while in San Diego, California.

Since that day, Michal has not been seen or heard from, and investigators describe his disappearance as highly unusual.

Nearly 6 years later, his family remains without answers, still searching for any clue about what happened to him.

Where is Michal Krówczyński?

Listen as we dive into San Diego, the case of Michal Krówczyński, and how to stay alive on vacation.

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/

And join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast

 

Theme Music by Roger Allen Dexter

Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/376459026471108

https://www.facebook.com/Michal.Krowczynski.MISSING/

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/new-information-in-disappearance-of-polish-tourist/6269/

https://zaginieni.pl/jak-pomagamy/poszukiwanie-zaginionych/zagineli/profil-osoby/?o=21653

https://www.instagram.com/michaelexquisite

https://www.reddit.com/r/MissingPersons/comments/vgfbrf/polish_highschool_teacher_disappeared_in_san/

https://zaginieni.policja.gov.pl/zag/form/r57860957105016,KROWCZYNSKI-MICHAL.html

https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/ca-michal-marcin-krowczynski-30-polish-tourist-la-jolla-biltmore-hotel-san-diego-17-jan-2019.415165/

https://www.fakt.pl/michal-krowczynski

https://wiadomosci.wp.pl/michal-krowczynski-zaginal-krotki-wypad-do-meksyku-i-zapadl-sie-pod-ziemie-6342719691061377a

https://www.reddit.com/r/sandiego/comments/akc38f/hello_san_diego_redditors_im_a_high_school/

https://www.netlaw.bg/en/a/itaka-foundation-centre-for-missing-people

Hello fellow travelers and true crime enthusiasts!

I wanted to share a quick update to keep you all in the loop on what’s been happening behind the scenes with The Last Trip Podcast.  

Looking ahead, I’m really excited about what’s coming in 2025. I’ve been working on updates for some previous cases and lining up interviews with family members of those cases. These upcoming episodes are close to my heart, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

Thank you again for being part of this journey with me. Wishing you all a wonderful and healthy holiday season, and I’ll see you in the next episode.

The case of Barbara Jean Monaco is a mystery that time cannot erase.  On August 20th, 1978, Barbara Jean hit the road with her sister and 2 friends. 

Their destination? Virginia Beach - a sunny getaway to celebrate Barbara’s milestone 18th birthday.  The trio checked into the Aloha motel, ready for a week of fun and freedom. 

But that celebration took a dark turn.  When Barbara Jean left the motel to meet up with a bartender she’d planned a date with, she vanished without a trace.  She never made it to her date and hasn’t been seen since.

Over four decades have passed. Witnesses have come forward, suspects have been questioned, and theories have swirled.  Yet the question lingers: What happened to Barbara Jean Monaco? 

Listen as we dive into Virginia Beach, the case of Barbara Jean Monaco, and how to stay alive on vacation.

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/

And join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast

Listen to this week's podcast recommendation, Luminol On The Wall

https://luminolonthewall.buzzsprout.com/

Theme Music by Roger Allen Dexter

Sources:

https://coldcase.vsp.virginia.gov/virginia-beach-police-department/case/virginia-beach-police-department-case-1978-085134-barbara-jean-monaco/

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1765dfva.html

https://www.kerrydougherty.com/allposts/2020/8/20/who-killed-barbara-jean-monaco

https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Missing-in-Connecticut-Family-seeks-justice-in-11505677.php

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHoOHqi72uM

This week’s episode takes a wild turn into the unbelievable. 

Our missing person didn’t just vanish - he faked his own death, traveled halfway around the globe, and ultimately got caught.

It all started when Ryan Borgwardt told his family he was going kayaking.  When he didn’t return, his wife reported him missing. Authorities found his overturned kayak and life preserver, shifting the mission from a rescue to a recovery.   But after an exhaustive search, no trace of Ryan’s body turned up in the lake.

If he wasn’t in the water… where was Ryan Borgwardt?

Get ready, because today’s episode feels like it’s ripped straight from the script of a Hollywood thriller.

Listen as we dive into Wisconsin, the case of Ryan Borgwardt, and how to stay alive on vacation.

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/

And join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast

Listen to this week's podcast recommendation, Luminol On The Wall

https://luminolonthewall.buzzsprout.com/

Theme Music by Roger Allen Dexter

Sources:

https://abc11.com/post/ryan-borgwardt-missing-sheriff-update-wisconsin-father-faked-own-death-fled-europe/15568812/

https://people.com/ryan-borgwardt-kayak-dad-presumed-dead-fled-europe-8754791

https://apnews.com/article/missing-kayaker-ryan-borgwardt-wisconsin-240e49d59e3e69ad95f14baea9fda1d9

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/21/us/ryan-borgwardt-wisconsin-fake-death-found-alive/index.html

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ryan-borgwardt-likely-wouldn-t-042501574.html

https://abcnews.go.com/US/missing-wisconsin-kayaker-faked-death-fled-europe/story?id=115767037

https://www.birdsall-law.com/potential-criminal-charges-against-ryan-borgwardt-court-tv

https://globalnews.ca/news/10868451/missing-kayaker-ryan-borgwardt-faked-death-fled-to-europe/

https://www.tiktok.com/@authenticalpha/video/7436641295742913834

https://wdez.com/2024/11/14/863712/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14087569/ryan-borgwardt-faked-death-wisconsin-wife-messages.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14087569/ryan-borgwardt-faked-death-wisconsin-wife-messages.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ctbWpBkzK8&t=1s