EPISODE · Dec 15, 2021 · 34 MIN
Fayetteville: The Fire Mystery of the Sodder Family
from Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast · host Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins
Fayetteville's Sodder Family fire mystery remains unsolved... Traverse the decades-old enigma involving the Sodder Family and the mysterious fire that changed their lives forever. This episode revisits the simmering questions surrounding the tragic Christmas Eve fire of 1945. The Sodder children transcended familiar household identities to embody a haunting mystery. Before the fire, the Sodder family embraced the American dream, establishing roots in Fayetteville while nurturing hopes and ambitions for their ten children. This mystery challenges notions of loss and closure. For over 75 years, it has persisted as a cautionary tale of justice left undone, leaving a community and family wondering what might have been had answers come sooner. The narrative unfolds on Christmas Eve, when a fire engulfed the Sodder home, claiming five children who were never seen again. Despite rigorous investigations, suspect leads, and mounting public intrigue, conclusive answers remained elusive, etching this case into American folklore. Set in post-World War II America, the Sodder case resonates with themes of family resilience amid societal recovery. The era's shifting cultural landscapes added complex layers to a tale that defied simple explanations, mirroring the evolving American social fabric. Through interviews with historians and family descendants, this episode examines the depth of loss and the quest for truth. Hear from experts and dive into new theories that continue to stir public interest. --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/foul-play/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play-crime-series/id1525832703 Follow us: Instagram: @foulplaycrimeseries Twitter: @foulplaypodOur Sponsors:* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
What this episode covers
For almost 40 years there stood a huge billboard on route 19 near Fayatteville, West Virginia. It showed the images of 5 children and the following inscription 'On Christmas Eve 1945 our home was set afire and five of our children, ages five through fourteen kidnapped. The officials blamed defective wiring although lights were still burning after the fire started. The official report stated that the children died in the fire however no bones were found in the residue and there was no smell of burning flesh during or after the fire. Find us online. Support the show by joining our Black Label by becoming a Patron on Patreon. Black Label can also be subscribed to on Apple Podcasts! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook. Hosted by Shane Waters. You can find his history podcast Hometown History here. Find Foul Play: Crime Series on all podcasting outlets here. Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Fayetteville: The Fire Mystery of the Sodder Family
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