The Five Who Were Missing: The Sodder Children

Christmas Eve. A house fire. Five children who vanished without a trace. In the early morning hours of December 25, 1945, the Sodder family home in Fayetteville, West Virginia, erupted in flames. George and Jennie Sodder and four of their children escaped, but five children remained unaccounted for: Maurice, Martha, Louis, Jennie, and Betty. The official conclusion was that the children died in the fire. But there was one enormous problem: their bodies were never found. What followed was a decades-long search for answers. The Sodders questioned the cause of the fire, pointed to a series of strange circumstances surrounding that night, and pursued reports that their children had been seen alive after the fire. There were claims of suspicious activity, a missing ladder, a severed telephone line, vehicles that mysteriously wouldn't start, alleged sightings, and even a photograph that the family believed showed Louis Sodder as an adult. Were the five children victims of a tragic Christmas Eve fire—or were they taken from their home before the flames ever reached them? For decades, the Sodder family refused to stop asking the same question: What really happened to the five children? This week on Chillworthy, we're diving into one of America's most enduring missing-person mysteries: The Sodder Children. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/chillworthy--6229613/support. DISCLAIMER The content presented on Chillworthy, including all episodes, transcripts, social media posts, and associated materials, is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The podcast does not offer legal, medical, psychological, or professional advice of any kind. While the hosts—Brent and Talia—make a good faith effort to ensure that the information shared is based on publicly available sources and is as accurate as possible at the time of recording, Chillworthy does not guarantee the completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any statements made. Listeners should be aware that cases may involve ongoing legal proceedings or developments that evolve over time. The hosts are not licensed attorneys, journalists, law enforcement professionals, or forensic experts. Opinions expressed in the podcast reflect the personal views of the hosts and do not represent factual determinations or official findings. All individuals named or discussed are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Any resemblance to real individuals or entities, outside of those explicitly named, is purely coincidental. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by any legal authority, news outlet, or investigative body. By listening to Chillworthy, you acknowledge and accept these terms and agree not to hold the hosts or producers liable for any inaccuracies, misstatements, or interpretations derived from the content.