Melissa Jeltsen

A friend of Talena's, named Nicole, had uploaded screenshots of Talena's post to the group in an attempt to solicit help. I asked Jess to read some of Nicole's plea.

A friend of Talena's, named Nicole, had uploaded screenshots of Talena's post to the group in an attempt to solicit help. I asked Jess to read some of Nicole's plea.

This is Nicole Carr. She's the author of the post asking for help finding Talena.

This is Nicole Carr. She's the author of the post asking for help finding Talena.

Nicole knew Talena's habits because she was one of her best friends. They'd been close since they met in 2010.

Nicole knew Talena's habits because she was one of her best friends. They'd been close since they met in 2010.

Hi, I'm Melissa Jeltsin, host of What Happened to Talena Zarr. I'm excited to share episode one of our new podcast with you, but I also wanted to let you know that you can listen to episodes completely ad-free on iHeart True Crime Plus, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. I'm a subscriber and you should be too. So head to Apple Podcasts, search for iHeart True Crime Plus and subscribe today.

Hi, I'm Melissa Jeltsin, host of What Happened to Talena Zarr. I'm excited to share episode one of our new podcast with you, but I also wanted to let you know that you can listen to episodes completely ad-free on iHeart True Crime Plus, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. I'm a subscriber and you should be too. So head to Apple Podcasts, search for iHeart True Crime Plus and subscribe today.

Nicole and Talena's friendship had always been long distance. They'd never lived in the same state at the same time. But they found ways to connect, both online and in person.

Nicole and Talena's friendship had always been long distance. They'd never lived in the same state at the same time. But they found ways to connect, both online and in person.

In February 2020, Talena went to Tennessee to visit Nicole at her home.

In February 2020, Talena went to Tennessee to visit Nicole at her home.

Talena left, and immediately the friends started planning their next visit. This time, Talena would host Nicole at her house in Wagner, Oklahoma. But COVID got too big too quickly.

Talena left, and immediately the friends started planning their next visit. This time, Talena would host Nicole at her house in Wagner, Oklahoma. But COVID got too big too quickly.

As the COVID pandemic took over everybody's lives, the friends continued to communicate as they normally did. Texting, keeping up with each other's social media. And it was on Facebook where Nicole saw that her friend wasn't feeling well. First, it was a post on Sunday, March 29th, about a migraine.

As the COVID pandemic took over everybody's lives, the friends continued to communicate as they normally did. Texting, keeping up with each other's social media. And it was on Facebook where Nicole saw that her friend wasn't feeling well. First, it was a post on Sunday, March 29th, about a migraine.

Migraines were a fairly regular occurrence for Talena, so Nicole didn't think much of it. But a day later, on Monday, March 30th, she saw a post about Talena's headache worsening.

Migraines were a fairly regular occurrence for Talena, so Nicole didn't think much of it. But a day later, on Monday, March 30th, she saw a post about Talena's headache worsening.

Nicole texted Talena a few times checking up on her, but didn't hear back. A week went by, and then on April 7th came Talena's cryptic post.

Nicole texted Talena a few times checking up on her, but didn't hear back. A week went by, and then on April 7th came Talena's cryptic post.

Nicole knew that her friend prized her solitude. But after a few days without hearing from Talena, she had a feeling that something wasn't right.

Nicole knew that her friend prized her solitude. But after a few days without hearing from Talena, she had a feeling that something wasn't right.

Nicole was in lockdown in Tennessee, hundreds of miles away from Talena's home in Wagner, Oklahoma. Feeling antsy, Nicole started reaching out to Talena's friends, some of them also in far-flung states, others in the same town as Talena.

Nicole was in lockdown in Tennessee, hundreds of miles away from Talena's home in Wagner, Oklahoma. Feeling antsy, Nicole started reaching out to Talena's friends, some of them also in far-flung states, others in the same town as Talena.

The early days of the COVID pandemic were scary.

The early days of the COVID pandemic were scary.

It sounded really weird. Making her whipped coffee in Minnesota just seized Nicole's plea for help. And her immediate response is bullshit.

It sounded really weird. Making her whipped coffee in Minnesota just seized Nicole's plea for help. And her immediate response is bullshit.

But also, with some distance, the things we did to cope with our fear were pretty weird. Remember disinfecting our groceries, hoarding toilet paper, burning our mattresses? I didn't do that, but I heard about a woman who did because she thought it was contaminated with COVID. I remember holding my breath when I walked past another person, on a secluded lake in the middle of winter with masks on.

But also, with some distance, the things we did to cope with our fear were pretty weird. Remember disinfecting our groceries, hoarding toilet paper, burning our mattresses? I didn't do that, but I heard about a woman who did because she thought it was contaminated with COVID. I remember holding my breath when I walked past another person, on a secluded lake in the middle of winter with masks on.

Nicole had turned to the internet for help looking for her missing friend, and now she was being accused of lying, or worse, being involved in Talena's disappearance herself.

Nicole had turned to the internet for help looking for her missing friend, and now she was being accused of lying, or worse, being involved in Talena's disappearance herself.

Nicole is taken aback by Jess's aggressive messages. But instead of just ignoring this internet stranger, she engages. She offers to connect Jess on a call with some of Talena's friends in Oklahoma who can verify Nicole's story. And Jess, she backs down pretty quick.

Nicole is taken aback by Jess's aggressive messages. But instead of just ignoring this internet stranger, she engages. She offers to connect Jess on a call with some of Talena's friends in Oklahoma who can verify Nicole's story. And Jess, she backs down pretty quick.

Nicole accepts her apology. And almost immediately, their hostile encounter transforms into the start of a real friendship.

Nicole accepts her apology. And almost immediately, their hostile encounter transforms into the start of a real friendship.

Nicole sees a tenacity in Jess that could be helpful in finding Talena, and the two of them start working together that day.

Nicole sees a tenacity in Jess that could be helpful in finding Talena, and the two of them start working together that day.

Jess is not the only internet stranger activated by Nicole's post about her missing friend. It gets hundreds of comments from people all over the US. Most of them are just there to stir the pot, instigate fights, entertain themselves. But some of them seem to actually want to find out the truth. Jess corrals a select few into a private group.

Jess is not the only internet stranger activated by Nicole's post about her missing friend. It gets hundreds of comments from people all over the US. Most of them are just there to stir the pot, instigate fights, entertain themselves. But some of them seem to actually want to find out the truth. Jess corrals a select few into a private group.

There's Rosie, who, like Jess, is also a mom in her mid-30s. She and her husband own a welding business in Ohio.

There's Rosie, who, like Jess, is also a mom in her mid-30s. She and her husband own a welding business in Ohio.

And I was like, this is crazy. This is Brittany. Younger than the others, she's in her early 20s and works at a bank in Arkansas. Brittany's eager to jump in and help because she too feels drawn to Talena's story.

And I was like, this is crazy. This is Brittany. Younger than the others, she's in her early 20s and works at a bank in Arkansas. Brittany's eager to jump in and help because she too feels drawn to Talena's story.

I'd left New York for rural Pennsylvania with my boyfriend to ride out the worst of COVID. We packed for a weekend and stayed for two months. I ended up marrying the man too. We have a baby now.

I'd left New York for rural Pennsylvania with my boyfriend to ride out the worst of COVID. We packed for a weekend and stayed for two months. I ended up marrying the man too. We have a baby now.

And so, organically, cosmically, this group of online sleuths comes together and forms a new Facebook page called Find Talena Zarr. Nicole in Tennessee, Jess in Minnesota, Rosie in Ohio, Brittany in Arkansas, and more joining by the hour. These women are strangers, thrust together by their desire to solve the mystery of what happened to Talena. Here's Jess, the ringleader.

And so, organically, cosmically, this group of online sleuths comes together and forms a new Facebook page called Find Talena Zarr. Nicole in Tennessee, Jess in Minnesota, Rosie in Ohio, Brittany in Arkansas, and more joining by the hour. These women are strangers, thrust together by their desire to solve the mystery of what happened to Talena. Here's Jess, the ringleader.

The online sleuths, even from that first night, are exhilarated. They're energized for the first time since the pandemic slowed the world down and made their lives very small. Suddenly, they have a distraction and a purpose.

The online sleuths, even from that first night, are exhilarated. They're energized for the first time since the pandemic slowed the world down and made their lives very small. Suddenly, they have a distraction and a purpose.

In those early hours, as this new group of friends start to gel, the online sleuths return to Talena's post.

In those early hours, as this new group of friends start to gel, the online sleuths return to Talena's post.

So it just felt a little off. It felt weird. The post itself is odd.

So it just felt a little off. It felt weird. The post itself is odd.

Looking back, what sticks with me the most about that time is that queasy feeling that everyone I encountered, the Amazon driver, the checkout lady at the grocery store, was a potential suspect, someone who could unwittingly kill me and my family just by breathing. COVID isolation severed even the strongest connections, made it easy to hide behind a mask or behind closed doors.

Looking back, what sticks with me the most about that time is that queasy feeling that everyone I encountered, the Amazon driver, the checkout lady at the grocery store, was a potential suspect, someone who could unwittingly kill me and my family just by breathing. COVID isolation severed even the strongest connections, made it easy to hide behind a mask or behind closed doors.

But so were the comments left by Talena's friends.

But so were the comments left by Talena's friends.

Jess is judging these people. To her, they are, at best, bad friends. At worst, potential suspects.

Jess is judging these people. To her, they are, at best, bad friends. At worst, potential suspects.

And so Jess, Rosie, Brittany, and Nicole, they get busy from afar.

And so Jess, Rosie, Brittany, and Nicole, they get busy from afar.

Day and night, they research online and talk to anyone who will pick up the phone.

Day and night, they research online and talk to anyone who will pick up the phone.

And what they uncover shocks them to their core.

And what they uncover shocks them to their core.

This season on What Happened to Talena Zarr.

This season on What Happened to Talena Zarr.

What Happened to Talina Zarr is a production of iHeart Podcasts. It's written, reported, and hosted by me, Melissa Jeltsin, with writing and story editing by Lauren Hansen. Our executive producer is Ryan Murdoch. For iHeart Podcasts, executive producers are Jason English and Carl Cadel. Fact-checking by Savannah Hughley. Zoe Denkla is our associate producer. Jeremy Thal is our editor.

What Happened to Talina Zarr is a production of iHeart Podcasts. It's written, reported, and hosted by me, Melissa Jeltsin, with writing and story editing by Lauren Hansen. Our executive producer is Ryan Murdoch. For iHeart Podcasts, executive producers are Jason English and Carl Cadel. Fact-checking by Savannah Hughley. Zoe Denkla is our associate producer. Jeremy Thal is our editor.

Original music by Aaron Kaufman with additional music by Jeremy Thal. Episodes are mixed and mastered by Carl Cato. Voice acting by Lizzie Gore, Chris Ferry, Stephanie Frame, Pete Monica, and Molly Maslin. Our logo is designed by Ido Moore. Thanks so much for listening. Ready to hear more?

Original music by Aaron Kaufman with additional music by Jeremy Thal. Episodes are mixed and mastered by Carl Cato. Voice acting by Lizzie Gore, Chris Ferry, Stephanie Frame, Pete Monica, and Molly Maslin. Our logo is designed by Ido Moore. Thanks so much for listening. Ready to hear more?

Remember, you can get access to 100% ad-free episodes with an iHeart True Crime Plus subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So open your Apple Podcasts app, search for iHeart True Crime Plus, and subscribe today.

Remember, you can get access to 100% ad-free episodes with an iHeart True Crime Plus subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So open your Apple Podcasts app, search for iHeart True Crime Plus, and subscribe today.

And this changed our collective psyche, made us do things we probably wouldn't have otherwise. Things we were forced into or things we'd always wanted to do and never had the opportunity. It certainly changed the trajectory of Jess Trevino's life.

And this changed our collective psyche, made us do things we probably wouldn't have otherwise. Things we were forced into or things we'd always wanted to do and never had the opportunity. It certainly changed the trajectory of Jess Trevino's life.

One day in April 2020, Jess is in her kitchen, newly unemployed because, you know, COVID, and she's trying to take her mind off the chaos of the pandemic. She's attempting to replicate the latest food trend she sees online, a two-layered drink called Dalgona coffee.

One day in April 2020, Jess is in her kitchen, newly unemployed because, you know, COVID, and she's trying to take her mind off the chaos of the pandemic. She's attempting to replicate the latest food trend she sees online, a two-layered drink called Dalgona coffee.

And I was like, this sounds insane. The post is by a woman in Oklahoma who contracted coronavirus and announced she would not be seeking medical care. Something about her post stops Jess cold. Here's a recreation of parts of the post.

And I was like, this sounds insane. The post is by a woman in Oklahoma who contracted coronavirus and announced she would not be seeking medical care. Something about her post stops Jess cold. Here's a recreation of parts of the post.

Jess reads closer. The woman's name is Talena Zar. She is 53 years old. It seems that no one has heard from Talena since her post a few weeks ago. Jess squints at Talena's profile picture, a smiling selfie taken in the car, her blue-green eyes twinkling, and tries to understand why a person would make such a decision.

Jess reads closer. The woman's name is Talena Zar. She is 53 years old. It seems that no one has heard from Talena since her post a few weeks ago. Jess squints at Talena's profile picture, a smiling selfie taken in the car, her blue-green eyes twinkling, and tries to understand why a person would make such a decision.

Why would someone with COVID leave their friends and family and go off alone instead of seeking help? And where did she go? Jess will spend the next four years searching for the answer.

Why would someone with COVID leave their friends and family and go off alone instead of seeking help? And where did she go? Jess will spend the next four years searching for the answer.

From iHeart Podcast, I'm Melissa Jeltsin, and this is What Happened to Talena Zarr. Episode one, alone time.

From iHeart Podcast, I'm Melissa Jeltsin, and this is What Happened to Talena Zarr. Episode one, alone time.

Jess's life can be divided into two parts. Before she read Talena's Facebook post and after.

Jess's life can be divided into two parts. Before she read Talena's Facebook post and after.

Jess emailed me in 2023 asking me to look into the disappearance of her friend Talena Zar. She'd come across the earlier seasons of this podcast. What happened to Sandy Beal? What happened to Libby Caswell?

Jess emailed me in 2023 asking me to look into the disappearance of her friend Talena Zar. She'd come across the earlier seasons of this podcast. What happened to Sandy Beal? What happened to Libby Caswell?

Jess and I emailed back and forth a little bit and had a few phone calls. I learned she was using a loose definition of the word friend when she first reached out to me. She hadn't met Talena. But from what I was able to understand about Talena and Jess's multi-year investigation into her life, I was convinced I needed to learn more. And so I flew to Minnesota to meet with Jess in person.

Jess and I emailed back and forth a little bit and had a few phone calls. I learned she was using a loose definition of the word friend when she first reached out to me. She hadn't met Talena. But from what I was able to understand about Talena and Jess's multi-year investigation into her life, I was convinced I needed to learn more. And so I flew to Minnesota to meet with Jess in person.

Jess lives in an old farmhouse surrounded by cornfields, about a 50-minute drive from Minneapolis. Hey, we are just about three minutes away. Passing some more cornfields. No grocery stores, no gas stations. Nothing. I think it's maybe this house.

Jess lives in an old farmhouse surrounded by cornfields, about a 50-minute drive from Minneapolis. Hey, we are just about three minutes away. Passing some more cornfields. No grocery stores, no gas stations. Nothing. I think it's maybe this house.

Jess doesn't grow vegetables or raise farm animals, but her walls are dotted with signs like Farm Sweet Farm and Farmhouse Ish. Jess does have a lot of pets, three dogs, two cats, and a lot of kids, and about a dozen wall clocks that chime at different times of the day. And, well, there's a lot going on. I'm 41 years old.

Jess doesn't grow vegetables or raise farm animals, but her walls are dotted with signs like Farm Sweet Farm and Farmhouse Ish. Jess does have a lot of pets, three dogs, two cats, and a lot of kids, and about a dozen wall clocks that chime at different times of the day. And, well, there's a lot going on. I'm 41 years old.

Jess was born and raised in Minnesota and has spent most of her life working in bars and restaurants. She had her first child when she was 17. I was a dumb teenager.

Jess was born and raised in Minnesota and has spent most of her life working in bars and restaurants. She had her first child when she was 17. I was a dumb teenager.

And went on to have three more. What have we got over here? We've got some family photos. We do.

And went on to have three more. What have we got over here? We've got some family photos. We do.

Jess had wanted to be a writer, she told me. But becoming a young mom meant she wasn't able to finish high school. Eventually, she got her GED and took some college-level writing classes before ultimately getting a more practical degree in business. Since then, Jess has worked in various capacities in the hospitality industry, from bartending to large event planning.

Jess had wanted to be a writer, she told me. But becoming a young mom meant she wasn't able to finish high school. Eventually, she got her GED and took some college-level writing classes before ultimately getting a more practical degree in business. Since then, Jess has worked in various capacities in the hospitality industry, from bartending to large event planning.

She likes the work, but it's not her calling.

She likes the work, but it's not her calling.

While she's giving me a tour of her home, I notice her bookshelf is crammed with true crime stories, old and new. My husband makes fun of me.

While she's giving me a tour of her home, I notice her bookshelf is crammed with true crime stories, old and new. My husband makes fun of me.

Jess tells me her fascination with crime started when she was still a kid. She remembers following the Menendez brothers case on TV and watching OJ Simpson's Bronco racing down the expressway in real time.

Jess tells me her fascination with crime started when she was still a kid. She remembers following the Menendez brothers case on TV and watching OJ Simpson's Bronco racing down the expressway in real time.

But the first true crime story that completely enthralled her was that of Eileen Wuornos, who killed at least seven men between 1989 and 1990 and has been dubbed America's first female serial killer. Eileen Wuornos was a huge one for me.

But the first true crime story that completely enthralled her was that of Eileen Wuornos, who killed at least seven men between 1989 and 1990 and has been dubbed America's first female serial killer. Eileen Wuornos was a huge one for me.

I find them fascinating. Jess became an avid reader of crime novels. She devoured In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, worked her way through the back catalog of True Crime Icon and Rule. The stories she liked the best dealt with big, complicated questions of justice, punishment, and fairness, what's right and what's wrong, and where those lines become blurry.

I find them fascinating. Jess became an avid reader of crime novels. She devoured In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, worked her way through the back catalog of True Crime Icon and Rule. The stories she liked the best dealt with big, complicated questions of justice, punishment, and fairness, what's right and what's wrong, and where those lines become blurry.

As a reporter who's dedicated my life to these topics, I can relate. Later, around 2017, after crime podcasts exploded onto the scene, Jess got into those too.

As a reporter who's dedicated my life to these topics, I can relate. Later, around 2017, after crime podcasts exploded onto the scene, Jess got into those too.

For Jess, part of the thrill of all this was discussing the cases with others on social media.

For Jess, part of the thrill of all this was discussing the cases with others on social media.

All those hours reading about true crime, listening to true crime, discussing true crime, provided Jess with a master class on how not to get murdered. She knows, never go to a second location. Always trust your instincts. You're much more likely to be killed by someone you know than a stranger. If you can run, run.

All those hours reading about true crime, listening to true crime, discussing true crime, provided Jess with a master class on how not to get murdered. She knows, never go to a second location. Always trust your instincts. You're much more likely to be killed by someone you know than a stranger. If you can run, run.

It also taught her some real-world skills on how to investigate cases, the same type of skills I use in my reporting. In between bartending shifts and putting the kids to bed, Jess learned how to do a background check, how to trace people's internet footprints, how to track down old criminal records, and dig up archival news coverage.

It also taught her some real-world skills on how to investigate cases, the same type of skills I use in my reporting. In between bartending shifts and putting the kids to bed, Jess learned how to do a background check, how to trace people's internet footprints, how to track down old criminal records, and dig up archival news coverage.

On the internet. It's on the internet, on a Facebook fan page for crime junkies, where Jess first sees Talena Zar's post about having COVID and choosing to go off into the wilderness alone rather than go to the hospital.

On the internet. It's on the internet, on a Facebook fan page for crime junkies, where Jess first sees Talena Zar's post about having COVID and choosing to go off into the wilderness alone rather than go to the hospital.

exposed secrets that could no longer stay hidden.

exposed secrets that could no longer stay hidden.

And revealed just how far some people might go to find the truth.

And revealed just how far some people might go to find the truth.

It's a story whose final chapter has yet to be written. Two trials in two different states are set to take place as this season unfolds. You're not going to solve it online. Nobody's going to find her on Facebook. Facebook. I just had to know, how did this happen? Listen to What Happened to Talena Zar on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

It's a story whose final chapter has yet to be written. Two trials in two different states are set to take place as this season unfolds. You're not going to solve it online. Nobody's going to find her on Facebook. Facebook. I just had to know, how did this happen? Listen to What Happened to Talena Zar on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

And this Facebook post by a woman in a small town in Oklahoma sends shockwaves through the internet.

And this Facebook post by a woman in a small town in Oklahoma sends shockwaves through the internet.

The woman is named Talena Zar, and after the post, she disappears. Has anybody seen Talena? Has anybody heard from Talena? There was nothing. Nothing. Some of her friends think maybe she lost the will to live. People can be consumed with grief at different times. Others aren't so sure. I kept just kind of asking everybody, anyone else think this is strange?

The woman is named Talena Zar, and after the post, she disappears. Has anybody seen Talena? Has anybody heard from Talena? There was nothing. Nothing. Some of her friends think maybe she lost the will to live. People can be consumed with grief at different times. Others aren't so sure. I kept just kind of asking everybody, anyone else think this is strange?

Pretty quickly, the internet brings together a ragtag group of women across the country, bored true crime obsessives looking for meaning in an upside down world.

Pretty quickly, the internet brings together a ragtag group of women across the country, bored true crime obsessives looking for meaning in an upside down world.

It's April 2020. The brand new coronavirus is upending life as we know it.

It's April 2020. The brand new coronavirus is upending life as we know it.

They soon become entangled in the lives of total strangers. I lied to a lot of people. A lot. and the world they uncover is beyond their wildest imagination. I was like, this is crazy. I'm Melissa Jeltsin. Join me on season three, What Happened to Talena Zar? For a story that upended a community. Middle towns have their skeletons. I mean, they're not without.

They soon become entangled in the lives of total strangers. I lied to a lot of people. A lot. and the world they uncover is beyond their wildest imagination. I was like, this is crazy. I'm Melissa Jeltsin. Join me on season three, What Happened to Talena Zar? For a story that upended a community. Middle towns have their skeletons. I mean, they're not without.