Melissa Jeltsin

While the cops are talking to Corey, the online sleuths have their own sprawling investigation.

While the cops are talking to Corey, the online sleuths have their own sprawling investigation.

Everybody had their roles. Brittany, as an Arkansas native, was trying to piece together Talena's movements and timing. Jess was the instigator, reaching out to new contacts.

Everybody had their roles. Brittany, as an Arkansas native, was trying to piece together Talena's movements and timing. Jess was the instigator, reaching out to new contacts.

This is Rosie, the small business owner in Ohio.

This is Rosie, the small business owner in Ohio.

Talena's real-life friend, Nicole, starts taking advice from Jess and the sleuths.

Talena's real-life friend, Nicole, starts taking advice from Jess and the sleuths.

Meanwhile, membership of the Find Talena Zar Facebook group grows rapidly to almost 400 participants. And with the growth, some growing pains.

Meanwhile, membership of the Find Talena Zar Facebook group grows rapidly to almost 400 participants. And with the growth, some growing pains.

The group starts off public, but obviously that's a mistake. So they change it to private. Jess and some of the other original members do admin duty, vetting new requests, approving comments, keeping things civil. Some of these people are jerks. Tempers were high.

The group starts off public, but obviously that's a mistake. So they change it to private. Jess and some of the other original members do admin duty, vetting new requests, approving comments, keeping things civil. Some of these people are jerks. Tempers were high.

And the investigation into Talena's disappearance was, she admits, kind of fun.

And the investigation into Talena's disappearance was, she admits, kind of fun.

Scheming with a bunch of strangers, laughing, brainstorming together. It also makes Jess feel connected.

Scheming with a bunch of strangers, laughing, brainstorming together. It also makes Jess feel connected.

It's a new community, united by a common goal. Find Talena Zar. But it's hard to know just how trustworthy everyone is. And there's a name that keeps popping up in Jess's conversations. Has she talked to Talena's close friend, Marty? Jess gets a hold of his number.

It's a new community, united by a common goal. Find Talena Zar. But it's hard to know just how trustworthy everyone is. And there's a name that keeps popping up in Jess's conversations. Has she talked to Talena's close friend, Marty? Jess gets a hold of his number.

So I think most people would not cold call someone random whose friend just disappeared.

So I think most people would not cold call someone random whose friend just disappeared.