During the fall of 1989 in a small Minnesota town, three young boys rode their bikes to the video store to rent a movie. On their way home, they were confronted by a man in a mask who ordered them to lay in a ditch. The man told two of the boys to run away and not to look back or else he would shoot them. The boy that was left with the man was Jacob Wetterling. It would be 27 years before his remains would be discovered and his family would see justice.
In 2016, Danny Heinrich was questioned about Jacob’s disappearance. He made a full confession and led investigators to his body. In exchange for his full cooperation, Heinrich was not charged with murder but just the child sexual abuse charges he was already facing.
Jacob’s family and community are the epitome of hope. On October 22, 2016, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton declared October 22nd to be “Jacob Wetterling Day.” Every year on this day, residents leave their porch lights on to honor Jacob and all other missing children.
Come along with Hannah and Lainey as they discuss this case and Hannah’s favorite things: Harry Potter and Taylor Swift.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of child abuse, abductions, and homicide. Listener discretion is advised.
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Sources:
Corrections 1. (2017, January 25). Minn. man who killed Jacob Wetterling transferred to Boston prison. Corrections 1. https://www.corrections1.com/prisoner-transport/articles/minn-man-who-killed-jacob-wetterling-transferred-to-boston-prison-qHFRNZenC1rY5Bki/
Find a grave. (n.d.). Jacob Erwin Wetterling. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199244124/jacob_erwin-wetterling
Flannagan, S. (2023, October 18). Where is Jacob Wetterling’s killer, Danny Heinrich, now? Grunge. https://www.grunge.com/1423652/where-is-jacob-wetterling-killer-danny-heinrich-now/
Margaritoff, M. (2022, April 2). The tragic story of Jacob Wetterling, the missing boy whose case went unsolved for 27 years. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/jacob-wetterling
Wareham, B., Nelson, T., & Sepic, M. (2016, September 25). ‘Remembrance, hope, and healing’: Thousands turn out for Wetterling memorial. MPR News. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/09/25/jacob-wetterling-memorial
Weintraub, A. & Martinez-Ramundo, D. (2023, October 12). Parents, investigators recall long quest for answers after Jacob Wetterling’s 1989 abduction. ABC News. https://abcnews.com/US/parents-investigators-recall-long-quest-justice-after-jacob/story?id=103751407
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Bridge of hope. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Hope
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Murder of Jacob Wetterling. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Jacob_Wetterling
