254 - The Vanishing of Joseph Helt episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 12, 2026 · 1H 22M

254 - The Vanishing of Joseph Helt

from Trace Evidence · host Steven Pacheco

In January of 1987, seventeen year old Joseph Helt mysteriously disappeared after leaving a high school party.  When his close friend wasn't able to give him a ride, Joe had to hop in with three other guys and though they all made it home, he never did.According to his companions that night, their car got stuck in a ditch and Joe, frustrated and tired, decided to walk the five miles home in 8 degree weather without a coat, gloves or boots.  He has never been seen again.  Almost as quickly as Joe disappeared rumors began circulating that the teen hadn't gone missing at all, but instead was murdered by the trio he'd accepted a ride from.  Nearly forty years later, Joe has never been found and the truth of his fate remains unknown.Use promo code "Trace" to save 10% on your pass at CrimeCon.comFollowTEPod.comFollow Trace Evidence on Social MediaTwitter --- Instagram --- TikTok --- YouTube --- Like Facebook Page --- Join Facebook Group --- Threads --- Like MeWe Page --- Join MeWe Group --- BlueskySuppport Trace EvidencePatreon --- Paypal --- Cash App --- Buy Me A CoffeeTrace Evidence Merch ShopsTeePublic --- ShopTEPod --- SpreadshopAll Other LinksOfficial Trace Evidence Website --- LinkTreeMusic Courtesy of:"Lost Time"  Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/"Echoes of Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/"Galactic Rap" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrimepodcast #unsolvedmysteries #coldcase #coldcaseinvestigation #murder #murdermystery #missingperson #missingpersons #truecrimecommunity #mysterypodcast #truecrime #coldcasefiles #truecrimestories #crimelovers #truecrimeaddict #truecrimejunkie #crimescene #justiceforall #missing #crimesquad #podcastcommunity #sleuthsunite #darkhistories #criminalmindset #detective #detectivediaries #forensics #forensicfiles #crimestories #crimepodcast #traceevidence #traceevidencepodcast #criminalinvestigation #justiceforvictims #detectivework #truecrimediscussion #podcastfamily #listenandsolve #crimefans #listentotraceevidence #uncoverthetruth #podcastrecommendations #podcastlove #podcastlife #truecrimeobsessed #followtheclues #cluefinders #podcastaddict #unsolvedmurders #unsolveddisappearances #detectiveatheart #jointheinvestigation #disappearance #vanishing #abduction #gonemissing #upandvanished #pacheco #stevenpacheco #podcasting #crimetalk #crimeanalysis #theories #shawangunk #catskills #ellenville #cragsmoor #josephhelt #helt #joehelt #leeannhelt #laforge #marks #diaz #upstate #upstateny #upstatenewyorkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/trace-evidence--3207798/support.

In January of 1987, seventeen year old Joseph Helt mysteriously disappeared after leaving a high school party.  When his close friend wasn't able to give him a ride, Joe had to hop in with three other guys and though they all made it home, he never did.According to his companions that night, their car got stuck in a ditch and Joe, frustrated and tired, decided to walk the five miles home in 8 degree weather without a coat, gloves or boots.  He has never been seen again.  Almost as quickly as Joe disappeared rumors began circulating that the teen hadn't gone missing at all, but instead was murdered by the trio he'd accepted a ride from.  Nearly forty years later, Joe has never been found and the truth of his fate remains unknown.Use promo code "Trace" to save 10% on your pass at CrimeCon.comFollowTEPod.comFollow Trace Evidence on Social MediaTwitter --- Instagram --- TikTok --- YouTube --- Like Facebook Page --- Join Facebook Group --- Threads --- Like MeWe Page --- Join MeWe Group --- BlueskySuppport Trace EvidencePatreon --- Paypal --- Cash App --- Buy Me A CoffeeTrace Evidence Merch ShopsTeePublic --- ShopTEPod --- SpreadshopAll Other LinksOfficial Trace Evidence Website --- LinkTreeMusic Courtesy of:"Lost Time"  Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/"Echoes of Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/"Galactic Rap" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/#truecrimepodcast #unsolvedmysteries #coldcase #coldcaseinvestigation #murder #murdermystery #missingperson...

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254 - The Vanishing of Joseph Helt

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This episode is 1 hour and 22 minutes long.

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This episode was published on February 12, 2026.

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In January of 1987, seventeen year old Joseph Helt mysteriously disappeared after leaving a high school party.  When his close friend wasn't able to give him a ride, Joe had to hop in with three other guys and though they all made it home, he never...

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