Melissa Jeltsin

The sleuths feel certain that Corey had something to do with Talena's disappearance. I mean, becoming the beneficiary of someone else's estate months before they go missing? That's motive 101. They've also heard through the grapevine about Corey burning Talena's mattress, selling her items on eBay. And Corey's criminal past suggests she's no stranger to lying and manipulation.

But what about Marty? To the sleuths, he presents himself as someone who's also suspicious of Corey, even though they're friends. He tells the sleuths he'll use his friendship with Corey to try to get more information.

But what about Marty? To the sleuths, he presents himself as someone who's also suspicious of Corey, even though they're friends. He tells the sleuths he'll use his friendship with Corey to try to get more information.

But the sleuths aren't sure if he's being entirely transparent about his relationship with Corey either. Here's Rosie.

But the sleuths aren't sure if he's being entirely transparent about his relationship with Corey either. Here's Rosie.

And they're hearing rumors from other people in Wagner that contradict how Marty describes his relationship with Corey.

And they're hearing rumors from other people in Wagner that contradict how Marty describes his relationship with Corey.

Jess suspects maybe they're in cahoots. Maybe Marty's telling Corey everything they're telling him. And Jess tells him that, too.

Jess suspects maybe they're in cahoots. Maybe Marty's telling Corey everything they're telling him. And Jess tells him that, too.

Jess is starting to feel exhausted. The investigation is hard work. So is changing her persona with each new source she reaches out to, trying to get them to open up, trying to find the thing that's going to crack the case wide open. Sometimes she pretends she knew Talena. Other times she gives fake backstories to gain access.

Jess is starting to feel exhausted. The investigation is hard work. So is changing her persona with each new source she reaches out to, trying to get them to open up, trying to find the thing that's going to crack the case wide open. Sometimes she pretends she knew Talena. Other times she gives fake backstories to gain access.

When Jess told me all of this, that she lied to get information out of people, I had to wonder, could I trust her to be completely truthful with me? After all, in her very first email, she had mischaracterized her relationship to Talena, saying she was her friend. Over the year I spent reporting this story, I've tried to confirm every detail Jess told me.

When Jess told me all of this, that she lied to get information out of people, I had to wonder, could I trust her to be completely truthful with me? After all, in her very first email, she had mischaracterized her relationship to Talena, saying she was her friend. Over the year I spent reporting this story, I've tried to confirm every detail Jess told me.

In some cases, I only have her account to rely on. But her version of events has held up. I believe she's been honest about everything that transpired, even when it reflected negatively on her. And she's been especially candid when talking about the personal toll of all of this.

In some cases, I only have her account to rely on. But her version of events has held up. I believe she's been honest about everything that transpired, even when it reflected negatively on her. And she's been especially candid when talking about the personal toll of all of this.

Talena's case is consuming Jess. Day and night, she's strategizing with her fellow sleuths, managing Marty, and sharing her findings with the Wagner County Sheriff's Office, whose reaction to her tips vary depending on the day and their level of patience. And for what? Sometimes the absurdity of the whole endeavor catches her off guard.

Talena's case is consuming Jess. Day and night, she's strategizing with her fellow sleuths, managing Marty, and sharing her findings with the Wagner County Sheriff's Office, whose reaction to her tips vary depending on the day and their level of patience. And for what? Sometimes the absurdity of the whole endeavor catches her off guard.

What is she even doing trying to solve a missing persons case involving a woman she never met? Jess keeps meticulous notes of her investigation and her feelings about all of it. Here's a little glimpse of her writing from this time.

What is she even doing trying to solve a missing persons case involving a woman she never met? Jess keeps meticulous notes of her investigation and her feelings about all of it. Here's a little glimpse of her writing from this time.

More than just her time and energy, has Jess put herself in actual danger? She's now entangled with people whose true nature and capabilities she doesn't know. One day, she gets some threatening texts from a former Gorian master she'd reached out to.