Derrick Engebretson: The Nightmare Before Christmas episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 25, 2025 · 1H 15M

Derrick Engebretson: The Nightmare Before Christmas

from PNW Haunts & Homicides · host PNW Haunts and Homicides

On December 5, 1998, eight-year-old Derrick Joe Engebretson vanished from the snowy slopes of Pelican Butte near Klamath Falls, Oregon.  His heart-breaking disappearance took place while cutting a Christmas tree with his father and grandfather, shaking the surrounding community. Derrick’s footprints led into the forest… and then simply stopped. No struggle. No trail. No remains. Despite massive search efforts involving local deputies, state police, search-and-rescue teams, dogs, helicopters, and decades of follow-up investigations, Derrick has never been found.In this episode, we walk through the timeline of Derrick’s disappearance, the eerie details and the baffling, even divisive theories. More than 25 years later, Pelican Butte still holds its secrets—and Derrick’s absence remains one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unsettling unsolved mysteries.Visit our website! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Patreon, & more! There are so many ways that you can support the show: BuyMeACoffee, Spreaker, or by leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts. 

On December 5, 1998, eight-year-old Derrick Joe Engebretson vanished from the snowy slopes of Pelican Butte near Klamath Falls, Oregon.  His heart-breaking disappearance took place while cutting a Christmas tree with his father and grandfather, shaking the surrounding community. Derrick’s footprints led into the forest… and then simply stopped. No struggle. No trail. No remains. Despite massive search efforts involving local deputies, state police, search-and-rescue teams, dogs, helicopters, and decades of follow-up investigations, Derrick has never been found.In this episode, we walk through the timeline of Derrick’s disappearance, the eerie details and the baffling, even divisive theories. More than 25 years later, Pelican Butte still holds its secrets—and Derrick’s absence remains one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unsettling unsolved mysteries.Visit our website! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Patreon, & more! There are so many ways that you can support the show: BuyMeACoffee, Spreaker, or by leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts.

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Derrick Engebretson: The Nightmare Before Christmas

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American Radical MS NOW, Ayman Mohyeldin Rosanne Boyland hated politics. She was shy, and she rarely left her home in Georgia. But then her family got a shocking call: Rosanne had died at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, in the middle of a crowd trying to force its way past a police line. From the depths of their grief, the Boylands vow to figure out what happened to Rosanne. Her brother-in-law, Justin Cave, reaches out to an old high school friend he hopes can help: MS NOW journalist Ayman Mohyeldin. The quest for the truth takes Ayman back to his hometown of Kennesaw, Georgia, where he retraces the last six months of Rosanne's life and picks up a trail that leads to childhood haunts, missing boyfriends, and down shadowy internet rabbit holes. Explicit Missing in the PNW Carmita Thompson The Pacific Northwest is known for it's beautiful coastline, green interior, rainy weather, and spectacular mountains, but because of all of this it's also the perfect place to go missing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/missing-in-the-pnw--6402146/support. Explicit The Paranormal Artist Podcast Alexandria Valdez Haunts, cryptids, urban legends, and loads of ADHD energy! Sometimes I try to stick to the scary stuff, but I love history also. So there's your warning about what to expect on Paranormal Artist! Explicit Jaunty Haunts Jaunty Haunts Productions Welcome to the Jaunty Haunts podcast! Where we talk all things supernatural. I have been hiding my true self for 30 years and it's time to come clean. I see ghosts!  The goal of this podcast, is to connect with others out there who might see, sense and feel things too! Also to get spooky and enjoy true tales of the seen and unseen. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, you're welcome to join the fun as I strive uncover and discover more about the supernatural every day! Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of PNW Haunts & Homicides?

This episode is 1 hour and 15 minutes long.

When was this PNW Haunts & Homicides episode published?

This episode was published on December 25, 2025.

What is this episode about?

On December 5, 1998, eight-year-old Derrick Joe Engebretson vanished from the snowy slopes of Pelican Butte near Klamath Falls, Oregon.  His heart-breaking disappearance took place while cutting a Christmas tree with his father and grandfather,...

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

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