May 10, 1967. Hannibal, Missouri. 13-year old Joey Hoag, his 11-year old brother Billy Hoag, and their 14-year old friend Craig Dowell leave their homes to explore some caves, but never return. Even though a massive search effort is conducted of all the caves in the area, they fail to turn up any trace of the boys or evidence of what happened to them. Over the years, there is speculation that a construction project caused Joey, Billy and Craig to become trapped in a cave or that they may have been abducted and murdered by an unknown third party, but there is no conclusive evidence to support any scenario. On this week’s episode of “The Trail Went Cold”, we explore the tragic unsolved disappearance of three children who have become known as “The Lost Boys of Hannibal”.

If you have any information about this case, please contact the Hannibal Police Department at (573) 221-0987.

Additional Reading:

“The Lost Boys Hannibal: Inside America’s Largest Cave Search” by John Wingate

https://charleyproject.org/case/joel-hoag

https://charleyproject.org/case/william-hoag

https://charleyproject.org/case/edwin-craig-dowell

https://www.hannibal.net/archive/article/45-years-missing/article_5162c8af-6be6-5bb1-87ca-1d70fb968204.html

https://www.hannibal.net/archive/article/new-book-suggests-serial-killers-involvement-in-missing-boys-case/article_d172b27c-4f97-5011-981a-933565939cac.html

https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/after-45-years-mystery-surrounding-missing-boys-remains/article_9989615f-21c9-53b0-8a32-e296941d7bf3.html

https://fox2now.com/news/true-crime/where-are-hannibals-lost-boys-a-cave-and-55-years-of-questions/

https://www.hannibal.net/lost-boys-of-hannibal-podcast-spurs-new-discoveries/article_13a79550-b8d7-11eb-9f10-3b6f2e91ceb3.html

https://khqa.com/news/local/new-leads-in-search-for-lost-boys-of-hannibal

https://www.komu.com/news/the-story-of-three-boys-lost-in-hannibal-cave-remains-a-mystery/article_c038b2f8-7de6-591f-8357-d8ce76f5ddc8.html

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2021-05-19/a-half-century-since-they-disappeared-the-lost-boys-of-hannibal-still-prompt-questions

“Lost Boys of Hannibal” Podcast

This episode of “The Trail Went Cold” is brought to you by HelloFresh. Go to HelloFresh.com/50wentcold and use code “50wentcold” for 50% off plus free shipping.

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The Trail Went Cold is produced and edited by Magill Foote.

All music is composed by Vince Nitro.