MrBallen Podcast | NEW Episode 255 - "The Unexplained "

Summary

This script recounts three mysterious disappearances. Todd Gu vanished after a party, only to be found in a lake weeks later with unexplained circumstances. Bud Houston disappeared during a routine patrol on a remote Alaskan island, only to be found 40 years later in a tiny crevice. Juan Pedro Martinez Gomez was in a truck crash that killed his parents, but he was never found despite extensive searches. Each case is filled with unanswered questions and strange details, highlighting the enigmatic nature of these disappearances.

Takeaways

• 🔍 In 2005, Todd Gu, a 22-year-old from Michigan, went missing after leaving a party and was later found deceased in a lake, contrary to the direction he was last seen heading.
• 📞 Todd made four phone calls during the night he disappeared, with the last one indicating he was in a field and struggling to breathe, raising questions about his final hours.
• 🚨 A massive search involving canines and helicopters failed to locate Todd initially, highlighting the mystery surrounding his disappearance.
• 🧬 Todd's toxicology report revealed high levels of an unprescribed anti-depressant, adding an unexpected twist to the case.
• 🏔 In 1944, Bud Houston was one of five soldiers sent to monitor a weather station on remote Buler Island, Alaska, setting the stage for a decades-old mystery.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Bud disappeared during a routine patrol, and despite an extensive search, was not found, leaving his fellow soldiers and investigators baffled.
• 🦅 40 years later, Bud's remains were discovered in a small crevice on the island, raising more questions about how he ended up there and why he was not found earlier.
• 🚚 In 1986, Juan Pedro Martinez Gomez disappeared under mysterious circumstances after a crash involving a truck carrying sulfuric acid, leading to a complex environmental disaster.
• 🚨 The crash led to the discovery of the powerful toxic fumes from the sulfuric acid, overshadowing the immediate search for survivors, including Juan.
• 🏞️ Despite extensive searches and numerous reported sightings, Juan was never found, and the case remains one of the strangest in European history.
• 👶 The appearance of a white van and its occupants at the crash site, who disappeared without helping, added an enigmatic element to Juan's disappearance.

Q & A

How old was Todd Gu when he went missing?

Todd Gu was 22 years old when he went missing.

What activities did Todd Gu enjoy?

Todd Gu was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed deer hunting, catching trophy fish, and spending time with his family.

On what date did Todd Gu disappear?

Todd Gu disappeared on June 11th, 2005.

What was the last known location where Todd Gu was seen?

The last known location where Todd Gu was seen was walking south towards his house from the big Orchard where the annual keg party was held.

What unusual circumstances were there regarding Todd Gu's body when it was found?

Todd Gu's body was found in a lake north of the orchard, in an upright position with his shoulders and head out of the water, which is unusual for a drowning victim.

What substances were found in Todd Gu's system according to the toxicology report?

The toxicology report showed that Todd Gu had alcohol and a high dose of an unprescribed anti-depressant in his system.

How did the pathologists revise the timeline of Todd Gu's body being in the water?

Pathologists determined that Todd Gu had been in the water for at most 3 days, and was likely deceased before being placed in the water.

What was Bud Houston's role on Baler Island?

Bud Houston was one of the five soldiers sent to monitor the weather station on Baler Island.

What happened to Bud Houston during a routine patrol on Baler Island?

Bud Houston disappeared during a routine patrol around the weather station on Baler Island, and despite extensive searches, he was not found for 40 years.

Where was Bud Houston's remains found and in what condition?

Bud Houston's remains were found 40 years later crammed into a tiny crevice between a boulder and the ground on the far side of the island, still wearing his military uniform and with a rifle.

What was the nature of the cargo that Juan Pedro Martinez Gomez's father was hauling?

Juan's father was hauling a 25,000 L tanker of sulfuric acid, which caused an environmental disaster when the truck crashed.

What are the theories surrounding Juan's disappearance after the truck crash?

Theories include Juan being dissolved by the sulfuric acid, being kidnapped by a drug cartel, or being taken by the mysterious individuals in the white van seen at the crash site.

What was the significance of the encounter with the elderly woman and the boy in Madrid, Spain, after Juan's disappearance?

The boy resembled Juan and the encounter raised the possibility that he might have been alive and in the company of the elderly woman, but this sighting was never confirmed.