One week before Thanksgiving in 1995, model/actress Linda Sobek disappeared. The last people to speak with her - her mom and her roommates - all said the same thing: that she was headed to a photo shoot. Tragically, she never made it back home.

Linda's case inspired Anthony Zuiker to create the television series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."

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Episode Sources:

“Linda Sobek: Model Gone in a Flash” by Rebecca Reisner, Forensic Files Now, May 19, 2024

“CSI at 25: How a Guy From Vegas Forever Changed TV” by Jim Halterman, Television Academy

“Jury Convicts Rathbun of Model Sobek’s Murder” by Greg Krikorian & Deborah Belgum, L.A. Times, Nov 2, 1996

“She Was an NFL Cheerleader Who Landed a Role on Married... with Children. Then She Vanished Hours Before a Fitting” by Virginia Chamlee, People, Oct 2, 2025

“Photographer Named Suspect in Slaying of Second Model : Crime: A witness reports seeing Charles E. Rathbun with Kimberly Pandelios about a month before her 1992 disappearance. Her body was found in the Angeles Forest.” By Greg Krikorian & Kenneth Reich, LA Times, Nov 30, 1995

“Friends, Others Offer Complex View of Rathbun : Profile: Descriptions of the top auto photographer, suspected in the slaying of a Hermosa Beach model, range from a nice, social guy to a loner with a temper. Investigators find it equally difficult to pin down simple aspects of his life.” By Eric Slater, L.A. Times, Dec 11, 1995

“Magazine Serves as Memorial to Slain Model Sobek” by Eric Slater, L.A. Times, Jan 27, 1996

“Sobek Family’s Nightmare” by Greg Krikorian, L.A. Times, Oct 27, 1996

“Model’s Body Recovered From Angeles Forest” by Lorenza Munoz & Duke Helfand, L.A. Times, Nov 26, 1995

“`DEATH' PHOTOS FOUND IN SUSPECT'S HOME” The Roanoke Times, Associated Press, Nov 28 1995

“Forensic Files - Season 6, Episode 11 - Photo Finish”

“The Real Murders of Los Angeles - S1, E2 - Final Photograph” - Peacock

“People Magazine Investigates: Crimes of Fashion - A1, E2 - Killing of Linda Sobek”

“Criminalist Contradicts Rathbun’s Testimony” by Greg Krikorian, L.A. Times, Oct 23, 1996

“Rathbun’s Defense May Focus on Victim’s Life” by Greg Krikorian, L.A. Times, Sep 16, 1996

Creeptastic theme music by:

Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

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