374 // Trenny Gibson Update w/ Laura Riste

In this episode Crawlspace Media's Tim Pilleri, Lance Reenstierna and Jennifer Amell speak with Laura Riste about the disappearance of Trenny Gibson from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on October 8, 1976.
If you have any information please call the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 615-744-4000.
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[@jomama3804]

The girl with the jewelry knows who gave it to her. That's the sort of thing a guy would give a girl to impress her.

[@katiealdana2964]

I really commend Laura for all of her research over the years. You can tell that she was meant to be involved in this case. I never tire from hearing her; she's great! I hope there is some resolution for Trenny's loved ones.

[@jgamez5023]

Laura Riste is my absolute all time favorite guest. It is such a pleasure to listen to someone speak about a case so comprehensively.

[@butterflygirl2285]

She has researched this very sad missing person's story thoroughly.

[@user-ie1od8wz9w]

Unsolved cases are very frustrating

[@Arlong1776]

@@butterflygirl2285 i think there's something mentally wrong with her to be this completely obsessed with this missing person s

[@butterflygirl2285]

@@Arlong1776 IMO - There are other podcasters who do exactly the same thing: they focus on one person's case. So, I don't understand why you feel this way,, However, everyone has a right to an opinion.

[@Arlong1776]

@@butterflygirl2285 she talks about her as if she knows her, it's just very unnerving.

[@cinderbella9391]

There were cig butts and a beer found near the point of last site. The dogs traced Trenny from this point to a road where more butts of the same brand were found and that was the last scent.

[@blairking8588]

If you research it it’s online. It was right off Northshore in the Rocky hill area.

[@LKR0722]

I'm in the midst of listening to the episode. Why would Trenny's parents carry out all these extensive searches in the park if they knew what happened? They searched a couple more times later in the spring. Didn't Trenny's father somehow get into contact with the President (Jimmy Carter) at the time? The scenario of Trenny's brother being in the park, hours away from their home, waiting to take Trenny to get an abortion doesn't make a lot of sense. There would have been much easier ways to sneak off IMO. Anyways, thanks for the information. Taking this with a grain of salt for now.

[@laurariste9775]

Parent. For the second search of the Park, Hope did not join the push for it, only Mr. Gibson did. The branch of family interviewed also stated that Mr. Gibson was not outside assisting in the first search but spent much of his time in his motel room, only coming out to be interviewed. Hope was visible, but they recall only seeing Bob one time. Hope seemed to accept the fact that Trenny was gone after the first weekend of the first search. Speculation is that the second search was conducted in order to find remains of Trenny for insurance purposes.

[@laurariste9775]

@@SS-hl6ut Me too. Bob Jr. passed away in December of 2000.

[@LKR0722]

Why has the narrative switched so dramatically? I thought her parents were devastated by her disappearance and really struggled afterwards. Why would they be looking for remains in the park if Bob Jr. took Trenny someplace? Do you think Bob Jr. would sit on the knowledge of what happened with Trenny and not tell the rest of his grieving family? Do you know if Bob Jr. went back to the Navy? If he was into drugs and irresponsible, it's hard to imagine that he'd make it in the Navy. Prior to this episode, I sort of pictured him as the responsible big brother. I really wish the family members behind this information would speak out and explain. So many people involved in this case have died by now and time is running out. I appreciate your work and updates. I'm just struggling to wrap my brain around any of this.

[@laurariste9775]

You and me both. I will clarify a few things to help. Hope Gibson did not join her husband in the push for the second search in the spring of 1977. She seemed to accept the fact that Trenny was gone the first weekend after she disappeared. It’s possible that the second search was conducted not only to recover any potential remains, etc but to collect insurance. If there are no remains, you will not get a payout from the insurance company (or will get one for substantially less). Mr Gibson and Bob Jr. were not part of the first search except when they were both interviewed at one point. Mr Gibson held a few other interviews. The branch of the family that brought this information to light to me stated that they thought their behaviour was very odd. Bob Jr. did return to the Navy but had difficulty keeping his mind on his duties and was granted a discharge in April of 1977. At one point he disappeared for a year or so and surfaced living in the Philippines. I’ve also considered why Bob Jr. seemingly couldn’t have taken Hope’s place on the field trip that day or stayed home and babysat his younger brother so that she could attend the trip. In fact, nobody seems to know or can place him. Robert Simpson was a close friend of Bob Jr’s. If Bob had been involved peripherally, he would have known about it and likely vice versa.

[@LKR0722]

@@laurariste9775 Thanks for explaining more. I hope more information comes to light.

[@bellab9286]

I live in Knoxville by Bearden and there is no White Tower Dr here anymore, I'm so curious where her house would have been. The mall is still here and the school

[@laurariste9775]

It’s pronounced “Whitetower”, but spelled “Whitower”

[@user-bq2rv2lf7d]

Try again…. It’s still there

[@clydemoreno1845]

I find it unusual that predation isnt discussed as a possibility by anyone.

[@johnwilkens6758]

This is so weird... I'm watching the "Missing Podcast!" Not really sure how that's possible, but, wth, here goes.

[@danjohnson887]

I just can't get my head around why Bob would go to such lengths to pick her up in the middle of a school event? Could they not have waited and just missed a day of school? I have always suspected the teacher. She disappeared on his watch, and it's very odd he went to such lengths to hide the destination.

[@laurariste9775]

Did you want to elaborate on why you suspect the teacher, Mr. Dunlap?

[@MrSoldierperson]

This was the '70's. It was absolutely ok not to let parents know where the hell the school is taking the kids. Lawsuit hopefully. Teacher was fired, I hope but I doubt it.

[@MrSoldierperson]

Also, there's black bears and bobcats there. She went off the trail. Come on folks.

[@laurariste9775]

There was a lawsuit filed by the Gibson family but it was later dropped. It’s possible that the cost was too prohibitive to keep it going, or it was settled out of court. The teacher wasn’t fired but he has a near nervous breakdown and had to resign.

[@sarah23sbmg]

Really confused by this episode. Nothing makes logical sense. There is no credible explanation about what could have led Bob and Trenny to run off and then she dies. Robert Simpson is no longer mentioned as main suspect . If he is innocent then he has paid a high price

[@laurariste9775]

Robert Simpson knew what happened to Trenny, he knew much more than he ever told.

[@laurariste9775]

What high price has he paid? If he had anything to do with her demise or knew what happened and withheld that information, he was scot free for the next 45 + years.

[@sarah23sbmg]

@@laurariste9775 Well I think it was mentioned that he was suspected as a suspect in her disappearance around his local area. If he has nothing to do with the actual disappearance, apart from 'knowing something' then he didn't deserve to be treated like the main player in this. Also I wouldn't judge someone about knowing something until I find out why they didn't tell.

[@laurariste9775]

Most people who are innocent will vehemently try to defend themselves. Robert Simpson did not do that. He also had a wealth of legal knowledge in his father, Robert Gibson Sr. He was the last known person to spend a fair amount of time with Trenny, plus he was tasked with looking after her. His father would have protected him in the situation no matter which way the verdict tended to swing. He had nothing to be afraid of.

[@sarah23sbmg]

@@laurariste9775 I understand what you are saying. It just seems very unclear, after what the branch of her family have stated, who is the most likely suspect is (if there is any). For sure Robert Simpson knew something in my opinion.

[@butterflygirl2285]

IMO - What about the student who was found to have Trenny's jewelry? Who did she say gave it to her?

[@laurariste9775]

She wouldn’t say how she had obtained it. When pressured, she admitted having it. When pressured further she agreed to give it to the Gibson’s but never did.

[@butterflygirl2285]

IMO - That is such a red flag. Seems strange the police or the parents did not push the issue.

[@laurariste9775]

@@butterflygirl2285 It became a case of he said she said. The girl who had it wasn’t going to draw attention to herself by giving it back. The police had no proof that Trenny didn’t give the ring to her in the first place. The comb was explained the same way.

[@laurariste9775]

It’s so frustrating. I can say though, that the person who had Trenny’s ring has passed away a number of years ago.

[@butterflygirl2285]

I can imagine it is very frustrating. This case haunts me.

[@edscmidt5193]

When she first mentioned a weird type of cigarette I thought “the cigarettes I smoke would be a good indicator if I was somewhere and they found them on the ground” (I don’t throw them on the ground) then 10 minutes later she mentioned they were parliaments, which I smoke, and that’s real suspicious

[@laurariste9775]

The cigarettes/ cigarette butts themselves weren’t weird, but their filter was and that’s what made them look a bit different than other brands. Several of the classmates told me that they had been smoking that day and their butts were on the trail. Mainly Marlboros from what they recall.

[@sweettina2]

​@@laurariste9775 There was a cigarette that had a funny looking filter. Possibly Parliaments. Or Vantage. There were doctors in Tennessee that did ab*rtions. Oh my stars, I was just about to say maybe it was by a young black man/kid! You said it before I could type it! Believe it or not, this was more common than you think. All of it. It happened to several of my friends. They were probably using this trip as a cover.

[@laurariste9775]

@@sweettina2 Abortion was legal at the time and I guess if you looked hard and long enough you could possibly find a willing physician in Knoxville. I was told legal or not, most physicians in Knoxville didn’t want to do them, so your best bet to get a termination quickly was to go to Kentucky. Trenny had no cash, purse or ID with her, so if Bob or someone scooped her from the Park, they would have been the ones paying for the procedure. I believe what happened to Trenny lay more among a few of the students at Bearden, due to her belongings surfacing after her disappearance. This has always been my stance and unless some major revelation happens in the future, will remain my stance. However, I want to show all possible scenarios of what could have happened to Trenny. Have to stay open minded. This was also the desire of the branch of family that I interviewed in 2022. If she had been a young woman in trouble in October 1976, I have no ill feelings or judgement against her. I would not think any less of her. Her family felt the same. All would have been forgiven, if she’d have just called, written or come home. 💔

[@laurariste9775]

I have been told that while there were doctors in Knoxville that performed abortions, they were very few, most didn’t want any thing to do with performing the procedure, your best bet to have one done quickly, was to go to Kentucky. I have no judgement against any young woman who found herself in trouble back in those days. It was a different time.

[@sheilad6237]

Or being older to get stoned, drink a few, or smoke, explains the bear story?

[@danjohnson887]

I'm sorry, but this guest knows NOTHING about this case! She has no evidence and can only cite these mysterious sources which of course she can't divulge the name/s of etc. The ONLY evidence she has Bob was ever in the park are very popular cigarettes and his brand of beer found near the missing point. In all honesty I don't blame the mother for cutting this woman off. I'm surprised she hasn't been sued...

[@laurariste9775]

For someone who knows nothing and has no evidence, I’ve sure uncovered a lot and kept at this for more than 20 years. Managed to turn a lot of nothing into something. I would only hope that if you went missing someone would have the tenacity and the care/concern to do the same for you. Maybe if the shoe was on the other foot you’d feel a bit differently. But I guess Trenny was just the odd girl who sat in the back row that didn’t really fit in, so she didn’t matter too much. She wasn’t a jock, she marched to her own beat and wasn’t gunning for popularity.

[@danjohnson887]

@@laurariste9775 This woman has uncovered nothing new! The information she has provided has been cited by many other sources a long time ago. The only other information she supposedly has are vague hints that mysterious people have told her, but hasn't really produced anything of value or anything new. I feel this woman is a vulture feeding off a very tragic situation. In the end, how has this helped Trenny at all? She's still missing and her mother is being hurt by this woman. If the shoe was on the other foot I would definitely NOT want someone like this woman hurting my surviving family.

[@laurariste9775]

@@danjohnson887 I’m that woman you keep referring to, but I’m definitely not a vulture by any means. I’ve spotlighted Trenny’s story enough to bring a whole legion of people who had never heard of her disappearance before. It’s called raising awareness. Never have I asked for anything from anyone but for people to spread the word that this girl went missing in October 1976 and we need to find out what happened, not stick our heads in the sand and pretend it never did. She deserved far better than what she got. And maybe you’re just a little insecure that I will succeed. Along the way, I’ve met more than a few like you. You shouldn’t concern yourself in the slightest with me searching for you if you went missing. I hope that you realize that I am in this with the full support of Trenny’s family as we have combined forces.

[@danjohnson887]

@@laurariste9775 Except her mother. You do not have her support. Last, why would a complete stranger be "insecure" about someone finding her? That would be funny if it wasn't so out of the ordinary. Again, I am alleging you have brought nothing positive to this situation and many others have done more to "raise awareness" as the only contribution you claim to have made.

[@laurariste9775]

You are basing this statement on an interview I did more than a year ago. Stay tuned for more episodes, should give you more to complain about and accuse me of.

[@nativeamericanfeather9948]

This is ALL opinion. She was last seen alone. Her parents did not know anything🤦‍♀️ She was dragged into an animals den or taken by a stranger. Nobody knows & will never know what happened..because even those there dont.

[@rlabarbera]

I don't understand how the teacher thought this was good idea???? He must have been guilt ridden.

[@Missi-Forensic-Astrology]

I don't think anything was mentioned about the student the girl that had her jewelry after she disappeared and she couldn't explain how she got the jewelry, she said she would give it back to the family but she never did, that's what I read online

[@laurariste9775]

She agreed to return the jewelry but never did.

[@ambergw]

From what I understand that turned out to be a rumor

[@laurariste9775]

The jewelry was not returned according to the Gibson family. The girl that had it did not deny having it, but did not disclose how she had come to have it in her possession. She agreed to return it but did not.

[@abc-wv4in]

That's a huge lead that should have been thoroughly investigated. This case was flubbed from the start.@@laurariste9775

[@laurariste9775]

Absolutely it was.

[@sharimeguiar8888]

Wonder if Bob was the father of her unborn child. Only 4 months or less between when he left and came back. Rather than ride the bus she goes with the other guy, and he goes looking for the bear. Then perhaps her brother is there. At any rate, Bob and the other guy were involved and she may have even known about it, then something went wrong. Dunno. In other videos they mention her ring in the possession of another student, and her comb as well. I'm sure this case could be solved if it were not obstructed by high up officials paying people off or threatening their lives.

[@Trendlespin]

This pregnant theory just sounds so crazy to me, why would they go to all the trouble of leaving during a school outing when it would be so complicated not being there when the bus left and finding her on a point of the trail. Why in the world didn't they look more into how the girl got the jewelry.

[@laurariste9775]

I agree 100% that the lost jewelry angle should have been more thoroughly investigated. But you have to realize that Trenny’s family has been missing her for nearly 50 years and ALL kinds of scenarios have played through their heads in that time. They were suspicious of Trenny’s brother Bob and likely had their reasons why.

[@rickybyrd1426]

If she knows, then why would Hope not want to tell the truth about what happened to her own child? I have a 12 year old daughter, and God forbid if anything happened to her, I would be willing to work with anyone that would help me find out the truth. Who is Hope protecting? If it's Robert Jr, then what is the point? It's time to do the right thing before it's too late, and finally let Trennys soul rest in peace.

[@laurariste9775]

It’s possible that it’s very embarrassing. We don’t know the identity of the third person she mentioned

[@karllindsayFilms]

Around the same time William Bradford bishop jnr escaped into the smokeys you ever wondered the connection

[@laurariste9775]

He vanished in March of 76, Trenny in October of 76

[@karllindsayFilms]

He could have been in the area though you have to admit there could be a connection

[@shaycee6494]

Sorry, but, could there be like 'hillbilly's' or 'moonshiners' that would have been up to no good and did the abduction? Maybe a mountain lion?

[@laurariste9775]

Yes, it’s possible. But if it’s a stranger or animal, they left her comb and ring behind

[@banderas2000]

if im mistaken didn't a student see her go into the forest. then dissapear. then why no scream if it was a mountain lion?

[@laurariste9775]

If Trenny was intercepted if and when she went off trail, it was by someone she knew and was not afraid of

[@snickersberet4792]

Hillbilly moonshineer? That would have been trennys best safest guarantee for a safe trip home and a long happy life.. where do live to even say or think such a thing? New York city?

[@KatieBellino]

I wonder if the cigarettes were saved in evidence. Could they be DNA tested now and lead to someone, either directly or through familial DNA?

[@laurariste9775]

They were not saved in evidence. A ranger disposed of them shortly after they were found.

[@KatieBellino]

@@laurariste9775 Ugh

[@laurariste9775]

@@KatieBellino I know, right!

[@butterflygirl2285]

IMO - Could it be (from a theoretical standpoint) that Trenny was in the family way by a family member? That might explain the nuclear family's reluctance to share more details surrounding the disappearance..

[@laurariste9775]

We don’t know, but have not ruled it out. It’s a difficult thing for them to talk about, even after all this time. They are private people who keep to themselves. It’s their belief that Trenny’s disappearance is somehow linked to her family. It could be an indirect involvement, but it’s intertwined in this somehow.

[@butterflygirl2285]

On another KZbin channel you mentioned (in the comment section) that in 2018 someone, who knew Trenny, had given more details. Can you refresh our memories about the newer knowledge? Thank you

[@abc-wv4in]

Just stop.

[@laurariste9775]

@@abc-wv4in Stop what? Searching for Trenny? Never!

[@butterflygirl2285]

@@abc-wv4in What do you mean? I don't understand.

[@stevenrousseau9824]

If you had ever been to smokies you would understand that everyone looks for bears. Traffic jams are called bear jams as everyone has stopped to look. She fell or got lost. Same sad ending as Dennis Martin. No aliens or sasquatch.

[@FLOSSYTREADWELL]

As she was a loner with no close friends she would have been more at risk from a predator. You'd think in situations where there are not enough teachers they would pit people into pairs to look out for each other. I'd be questioning Robert and his missing jacket. He probably went to track a bear and his real intentions were to backtrack and track Trinny after he's given himself an alibi (supposed bear tracking what rubbish)

[@laurariste9775]

The teacher did have some of the students paired off or grouped together during the hike, but of course couldn’t be everywhere and watch everyone as one person. As for the jacket, it’s reported that Trenny had it on when last seen.. One theory is that Trenny got into an altercation with a small group of students. It got heated, and someone grabbed her and held her by her arms. She peeled out of the coat and took off running. She either went so deep in the woods she perished from the elements or she walked to the road and tried to seek help from a passing motorist who had nefarious intentions. That was how Robert Simpson got the coat back.

[@FLOSSYTREADWELL]

@@laurariste9775 Thank you for the info.. re pairs. The theory doesn't sound right to me because when there are more than one in an incident others tend to speak up. There's always someone feels guilt ot worries about karma or just feels that others are more guilty than themselves & they speak up. Then there's those who worry if they don't speak someone else might & they'll suffer more blame. We just can't keep secrets & have to talk. It's much more likely she was attacked by one person & that would be the one with opportunity & making up excuses that don't quite add up . People do disappear but in this instance the answer is clear but without useable evidence to support it.

[@laurariste9775]

@@FLOSSYTREADWELL True. I’ve often said, no matter the theory as to what happened to Trenny, there will be a large hole somewhere. We are simply missing a few more pieces.

[@PumpkinPatchVintage]

This is so harmful to the memory of Trenny. Only FACTS should be discussed, not wild speculation of pregnancy and murder. This woman is doing more damage and harm than help. Despicable.

[@cosmicmariner6621]

I agree ! I applaud this woman's investigation, but she is unhinged and that is the reason the Gibson family won't talk to her.

[@laurariste9775]

The Gibson family and I are in contact with each other and very civil towards one another. We are stronger together than individually. This episode of Missing was released over a year ago. It is one branch of the family that brought forth some of the scenarios discussed in this episode. That’s right. It’s a discussion based episode. We are going to discuss points. These kind of podcast episodes aren’t for everyone. Some prefer their information delivered differently. When I asked Trenny’s family in the interview I if they wanted the scenarios made public, they said that they did, as they wanted all avenues explored and discussed as some things about Trenny’s disappearance had been bothering them for far too long, and “Let the chips fall where they may”. They are scenarios, that’s all they are. There is no proof of murder, suicide, lost in the woods, abduction, abortion, runaway and you name it. All we know is Trenny has been missing from her family for nearly 48 years and a person’s mind can visit many scenarios when a loved one goes missing and most of them aren’t going to involve sunshine and buttercups. There is no sugarcoating this. Her ring and comb were found, that’s it. A classmate had her ring and Robert Simpson, the comb. Trenny herself is still missing and her case remains open. Her family has told me, “Whatever happened, if she ran off, it wouldn’t have mattered. She could have come to any one of us and it would have all been forgiven”. Trenny has never contacted anyone in her family since she disappeared. That is what we know.

[@abc-wv4in]

I agree. I'm disgusted at all this "speculation."

[@laurariste9775]

@@abc-wv4in Then don’t listen!

[@lucianas4919]

@laurariste9775, thank you for your respinse, I agree with your statement.

[@dsclaiborne31]

Why was her comb found in Robert's car?

[@laurariste9775]

Ida know, you tell me? Either Trenny dropped it someplace and Robert picked it up and left it in his car or he took it away from Trenny and left it in his car. The excuse he gave was that Trenny had given it to him to hold onto for her.

[@cliffkelley6550]

Canadian girl keeps jumping all over the place and even contradicting herself with her speculations. She says " They were very religious southern Baptist so they wanted her to have an abortion". Does that make any sense? Most religious people are anti abortion. Then she says the $200 cash in Trenny's drawer must mean she was selling pot. Trenny worked at a cafeteria so of course she would make lots of tips but Canadian girl jumps straight to drug selling! Then she says they left the high school in Knoxville to go the the smokies only to sneak back to Knoxville. That was so stupid. Then you listen to this entire interview and it goes from the brother did it to Calvin did it to the friend on the bus did it. I mean jumps all over the place with a "so on and so forth" thrown in there to make it sound intelligent. Good grief

[@laurariste9775]

First off, Trenny has a branch of her family that has been worrying and wondering about her for more than 47 years and every possible scenario has run through their minds over and over, whether or not YOU think these scenarios make sense. The nightmare has never ended for them, they’ve just leaned to live with it. Trenny’s one uncle was unable to sleep at night and would go out walking, looking everywhere for his niece. This branch of the family granted me an interview in January 2022 and THAT information is what was brought up in this episode. The information is not there for YOU to like or dislike. If you don’t like it, then don’t listen to it. Surely you’re intelligent enough to figure that out? Good Grief yourself.

[@butterflygirl2285]

IMO - I disagree with your opinion. Canadian girl has presented a summary of what she has learned over the years. Because so many players have been secretive it makes it hard for her to know exactly what happened. I appreciate her dedication to finding out the truth.

[@kathrynhaught630]

Given the racism of Appalachian people (including very religious people) in the 1970s, I can see them justifying abortion in the case of an interracial pregnancy. I don't agree with the philosophy- but I grew up in the 1970s in WV so I know the mindset.

[@abc-wv4in]

I agree, OP. I've lost all confidence in this "investigator."

[@KatieBellino]

Some "religious" people would care more about appearances than actual actions, so might get an abortion to hide that there was a pregnancy despite the hypocrisy.

[@FLOSSYTREADWELL]

Maybe she was pregnant and it was Robert Simpsons and his father told him to sort it.

[@nonagrey3422]

Not buying this at all

[@kristenschnese6980]

How would Bob know where they were at? And weren’t they from a very religious family? I could see the Brother connection but not the pregnancy unless it was incest or the brothers friend Here’s another thing why couldn’t she find a sitter? That seems odd in itself Parliments we’re good cigs ….southern Baptists would never have terminated a pregnancy not then in particular now not now they would have sent her away to have the kid then come back … most southern Baptist are pro life

[@laurariste9775]

If it were a secret as to where the students were headed the day of the trip, the only way I could see Bob learning the destination would have been to go the school and question the admin. Yes, most Southern Baptists are pro-life, but this was the 70’s and a teen pregnancy out of wedlock was a huge disaster in those days. Especially if the child was fathered by an African American. We have no proof Trenny was pregnant. This is only speculation. The family interviewed has been trying for years to figure out what sort of scenario may have caused Bob Gibson to show up at the Park, and have Trenny go with him. Also, to my knowledge Hope did not find a sitter because Robert Simpson was acting as Trenny’s protector on the trip, having to be asked to do so by Bob Gibson.

[@abc-wv4in]

@@laurariste9775 This stuff makes me sick. There is no evidence that she was pregnant. She was terrified of Bowman, which you have admitted. Stop dragging Trenny and her family through the mud.

[@laurariste9775]

Of course she was afraid of Bowman. We don’t know if she was pregnant or not, I myself don’t think she was. We are not dragging Trenny or her family through the mud, we are examining this from all possible angles. If that’s a problem for you, then maybe you should butt out.

[@abc-wv4in]

So you're allowed to speculate but those who don't agree aren't? Why is that a problem for you? All this speculation doesn't even make sense. The complications involved in the field trip would have only been unnecessary obstacles, not helps, for a family member to be involved. @@laurariste9775

[@Arlong1776]

this lady is nuts

[@laurariste9775]

I’ve been called worse by way better, sweetheart.

[@Arlong1776]

@@laurariste9775 you act like you knew her in real life. it is off putting how you talk about her.

[@lovesmesomelilacs-ke5rz]

This woman is a loose cannon. Spewing out bullshit she has no idea if it's true. No wonder the mother broke contact with her.

[@laurariste9775]

Looks like someone needs a nap

[@abc-wv4in]

Lady has sure changed her tune about this case. All this new disparaging "speculation" about Trenny and her family is disgusting and despicable. Big DISLIKE for this interview.

[@laurariste9775]

I have not changed my tune. These were points brought forth by another branch of Trenny’s family. I’m merely the messenger.

[@sheilad6237]

Her mom was suppose to be the chaperone, likely Trenny knew the destination? Mixed race pregnancy?

[@laurariste9775]

Her mother was supposed to chaperone the trip, but found out it was an all day thing and backed out because of needing to look after her youngest son. I believe at least a handful of the students likely suspected they were headed to the Smokies. They were a horticultural class, the Smokies are gorgeous that time of year with their fall colours, and they are relatively close. The pregnancy and mixed race pregnancy are all speculation, there is no proof of either. But a pregnancy out of wedlock, let alone mixed race pregnancy 45 years ago was a very big deal and a big embarrassment. Times were very different then. I’m only putting forth the potential situations/theories I’ve come across studying Trenny’s case and interviewing classmates, acquaintances and relatives. Of course in doing so, I’m going to uncover some things that people may not want to hear. It’s not a popularity contest, it’s what I must do to uncover what happened to this young lady in October of 1976. If you want a sugarcoated version of events, I’m probably not the person to tell it.

[@Jim-Mc]

​@@laurariste9775I've always thought the notion the teacher kept the location secret (at least in part) because he was concerned others may follow/join the trip was odd. Maybe crashing field trips was just a thing at the time, but it seems like some people knew some unknown potential drama was brewing. Then again, I don't know anything about teens.

[@laurariste9775]

@@Jim-Mc That fact has raised some concern with me also. I do know the teacher was being cautious, but something tells me it was a little more than that. Mr. Dunlap never would speak to me about Trenny and the field trip despite my many attempts over the years.

[@joelhoward8211]

Wouldn't somebody have seen Bob?

[@joelhoward8211]

If she was pregnant by a black guy it would have been a huge embarrassment to her family back in those days.

[@user-ie1od8wz9w]

Maybe she was robbed, ring and cash

[@laurariste9775]

It’s possible she was robbed for her ring, as far as we are aware, she had no cash on her that day, apart from pocket change.

[@phyllissummers6321]

I don't believe that story about her going off trail either.

[@laurariste9775]

I was always on the fence about that as well. Especially where it’s thought she left the trail. It’s uphill.

[@user-pb8vx1mm3s]

@@laurariste9775 I didn't know that. I always assumed the trail headed downward to a gulley or stream with woods all around. Thank you for clarifying that. Love your channel; learned things I didn't know.

[@laurariste9775]

@@user-pb8vx1mm3s Thank you very much. Yes if you leave the trail in that area, you’d be hiking uphill in thick trees

[@laurariste9775]

Having said that, if someone were to stand up off trail, it would be a good vantage/lookout point where you could see the students heading back towards the parking lot. Especially if you could find a clear spot to stand/crouch down in.

[@ricksrnka6171]

This lady is nuts