Christmas Mystery | Sodder Family Disappearance Analysis

[@possessedslig]

The strangest thing for me in this case is why the guy who admitted cutting the phone line wasn't further investigated

[@susanbazinet9664]

He may have been but no story I've read about this has mentioned it.

[@dawnadevine1618]

YES!!!

[@markstewart9305]

...and what kind of idiot would believe he could climb a ladder up a power pole and cut a HV power cable without being electrocuted? Phone lines are always below power lines. You’d need at least a 20’ ladder to get to the power lines. No, he cut the phone line intentionally... and when did he do it?

[@jessestewart169]

yes. he's lucky he wasn't lynched admitting that.

[@randomposter5665]

I'm from this area and this was common practice back then and somewhat today. Close knit communities in this area (state) like to keep secretes.

[@TeganRhodes]

Sylvia Sodder Paxton recently passed away, Apr 2021,age 79. She was the last of the surviving Sodder children.

[@catcoffee7958]

May she rest in peace

[@ljmcdonald2703]

R.I.P

[@jcott9735]

so sad to think the parents spent the rest of their lives grasping at straws, for any sort of hope that their children might have survived. What a terribly depressing and traumatizing life that would be, especially as the end neared and they never found them. Truly feel for the parents

[@josefina5421]

I think George knew they died.

[@williamsherman1089]

Pretty sad story all round.

[@Elite_Gamer_1337]

I think it was all a plot by the parents. Look at the ridiculous stories from them and use modern-day skepticism. They murdered their kids.

[@kati-ana]

When I was in the 6th grade my "boyfriend" Anthony and his siblings (12 in all) lived in a very old two story house. His parents were outside gathering from their cars all the Christmas gifts from "Santa" when the house combusted into flames, like a bomb had hit it. The mom and dad survived but the dad killed himself from his never-ending pain and the mom lost her mind and lived out her like in a mental institute. Sadly the landlord was too cheap and irresponsible to fix the electrical wiring the parents had repeatedly reported to him. He lived to the ripe old age of 93. Nothing mysterious or macabre here, just this story took me back to this event. Every since then I've been very scared of fires and if I see a fire of ones home I begin to cry for them, without fail, cry like if it were my home or someone I love.

[@TiffWaffles]

Wow. This is a tragedy. Those poor parents. Was the landlord at least held accountable for what he had done? Nowadays, landlords and superintendents are charged with negligence in cases where their tenants or their children are hurt or killed in an unsafe home like this.

[@nealkelly9757]

Not that I don't believe you, but do you happen to remember the last name of the family?

[@sarah2.017]

This is confusing. Did your "boyfriend" live to be 93, or the landlord? Did all the kids die in the fire?

[@julier.1902]

@@sarah2.017 I think it was the awful landlord that was 93.

[@HeatherHolt]

Jesus what a sad story!

[@ChristinePerez903]

The parents deserved to know the truth about their children, lying kept them from getter not closure. Great analysis Dr Grande!!! Have a nice day!!

[@emilyhollis4231]

I love that you're discussing this. I've heard so many theories over the years. It's all so convoluted.

[@annal7364]

Keeping secrets perpetuates mystery, inviting far-fetched ideas that amuse outsiders while savagely prolonging the misery of those affected. Your frank evaluation is what was needed 76 years ago. Terrific job as always, Dr. G! 🙌

[@bthomson]

Great comment Anna!🎖🏆🏅

[@annal7364]

@@bthomson Thank you! Just doing my due diligence by putting any opinions and thoughts in the comment section. 😉 Hope you had a great holiday! 😀🎉🎏

[@rg6310]

Dr.Grande says the authorities threw out the bodies. I’ve never heard of that. why would they think the parents won’t need to bury their children? Was that the norm back in those days?

[@annal7364]

@@rg6310 Not really sure. I just don’t think it’s ever a good idea to try and control how others feel by withholding information/manipulating situations. The parents’ grief was theirs to bear. They needed the truth.

[@jen6306]

@ Anna L couldn’t agree more. Manipulating, spying, talking behind peoples backs even for good is BS my friend. Live and let live Live and let die

[@thelocalmaladroit8873]

You know it seems if archeologists were to excavate that site they could identify any human remains as well as other clues . Layers of mystery here Doc. Thanks for sharing.

[@HomesteadGirls]

They would have had to have been buried. Everything on the surface would have been found in the search and removed. The most archaeologists would find would be very tiny pieces of burnt bone and any DNA would have been destroyed.

[@sideshowratt]

They absolutely could still excavate. In burying the site, George effectively ensured it would be preserved and protected from the elements. The issue is that it's private property and the current owners don't want to allow it, and honestly I understand. It would be a lot of digging and a lot of disruption.

[@sideshowratt]

@@HomesteadGirls they are buried. The house completely collapsed into the basement as it burned, and then George Sodder filled in the basement with dirt. It's kind of a misnomer to say he bulldozed the house, because there was no house left to bulldoze.

[@sideshowratt]

@@winterleia9027 it's impossible to accurately predict how a fire will behave. Most "fire science" is BS, as we keep learning over and over again with cases like Cameron Willingham. There's no way to know for sure what, if any, remains would be identifiable to people searching with 1940s technology. Children's bones also turn to charcoal more quickly than adults' bones, because they are smaller, and once they're charcoal they crumble very easily. It's also unclear whether *any* remains were found. It's commonly stated that none were found, but different sources say different things. There's that story about someone burying a beef liver, but there are also accounts that say some remains were seen at the site, including internal organs. I'm not going to get too graphic here, but that lines up with what someone might expect to see after a fire. The bone fragments found later came from the fill dirt that George brought in from another site. Apparently there had been an old, unmarked cemetery on that land. And the youngest kids were little, but they were not infants that a kidnapper could easily snatch and run. How do you hustle five school-aged children into a 1940s vehicle (aka not a minivan or similar) without any of them making a sound? They were old enough to speak and it therefore wouldn't be possible to pass them off as orphans for an adoption scheme. And with something more nefarious like trafficking, you'd expect at least one of the five to come forward as an adult, or escape from capitivity, or something, but nothing like that happened. Occam's Razor states that the explanation that relies on the fewest assumptions is probably the correct one. That means the explanation that the kids died in a horrible disaster that definitely happened, and weren't found because of bad 1940s forensics, is more likely than that a phantom kidnapper stole them and no trace of either the kids or the kidnapper has ever been uncovered.

[@DirtySanchez943]

Gr8 vid papa doc!!!

[@footballmaster4086]

It's so sad that the parents suffered their entire lives because of a incompetent investigation.

[@jeanad.4703]

Incompetent and possibly corrupt.

[@vidaliasoleil2714]

The state Fire Marshall wanted to investigate the fire further, but the father, George, bulldozed the house a few days after the fire, ending any sort of additional investigation into the cause. That seems exceedingly strange behavior. I am not sure how the investigation was incompatant.

[@notsobasicbecki658]

I am so glad you covered this! I was born and raised in Fayette County, WV. We all know this story and it was always a topic of conversation and speculation. Such a sad story.

[@renee1961]

The Heartache, Grief, and Devastation is Unimaginable! 💔💔💔💔💔🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@kelliearnold8498]

I just watched it for the second time and I feel for the family. It’s heartbreaking to think of the parents constantly searching for their kids. A real life nightmare. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@cynthiatolman326]

That he bulldozed the house and destroyed all evidence of possible arson, as well as burying the children in the debris amazes me. I think the son changed his story because he felt guilty he didn't physically take them and also believed that if his parents had hope, it would be easier for them. Unfortunately, it was the opposite. With the progress that has been made forensically, if someone wanted, they could go back and find the answer. A very sad story.

[@wilhelmhagberg4897]

I guess the bulldozing was an effort to give the kids a kind of "funeral". Not the smartest move but he was probably devastated and less than rational at that moment.

[@TiffWaffles]

@@wilhelmhagberg4897 That's what I thought as well. We have no idea what goes on in the mind of somebody who is grieving, especially given the circumstances of this case. Bulldozing the house and burying whatever was left could have been a way for this specific individual and the remaining family to get closure. He's buried the past and with it the memory of his family and the pain he had held onto.

[@kadyk4185]

@@wilhelmhagberg4897 Yeah. I think he was trying to bury his pain and wasn't really thinking straight.

[@jen6306]

@S Lee. men are smart 2 🕺

[@TiffWaffles]

@@jen6306 I don't think that Lee is saying that men aren't intelligent. Just saying.

[@tiffbeevachou108]

Where I grew up, the fire department was called affectionately the "basement savers".

[@bthomson]

Ouch!🔥

[@reneejones7807]

Some people are counting down to New Years; your fans are counting down to 1 million subscribers. Can't wait to see that video!

[@bthomson]

🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

[@satsumamoon]

That was my conclusion exactly. A well presented and concise documentation of the facts Dr Grande!

[@zenawarrior7442]

Sad case again. Denial is a powerful emotion. Thanks Dr G😊💙💙

[@rejaneoliveira5019]

Your theory of what happened makes a lot of sense. Sometimes people use deception to achieve a momentary relief from the pain but that is rarely helpful in the long run. Deception always finds a way to come back to bite us. This family was deprived of the truth and a much needed closure, that was really unfortunate. Thank you for the analysis Dr. Grande.❤️

[@cottontails9003]

Sweetie, how was your Christmas, I hope you got all the presents you deserved 😊❤💙💚🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁.

[@rejaneoliveira5019]

@@cottontails9003 Hi Julianne!🤗 It was very good, thank you! I hope you had a wonderful time with your family as well.🎁🥰🎁 I took this week off so I am trying to relax and do a few things that I keep on postponing due to lack of time.😉

[@cottontails9003]

@@rejaneoliveira5019 Thank you Rejane, but please make time for yourself. My husband out did himself, on Christmas, I got a beautiful emerald ring, earrings, a bracelet covered by emerald and a beautiful neck lase with a massive emerald stone, it goes well with my green eyes. 😚❤💙💚

[@rejaneoliveira5019]

@@cottontails9003 Oh wow, your gift sounds amazing! 💚💚💚 Thanks, I will! This break was certainly much needed.😊😘

[@toweypat]

What a tragic story. This is, I think, one of the saddest cases Dr. Grande has covered.

[@tommasocaruti1274]

Dear Dr. Grande, would you analyze the psychology of the historical leaders of the past? Especially the dictators, like Hitler or Stalin? Please like this message if you would like Dr Grande to do this :)

[@dianebays5484]

I'm a west virginia native, and I had never heard of this. I'm 65 and have lived in charleston, which is so close to Fayetteville. It's definitely strange. Thank you Dr Grande for covering this. I saw another video on this and the fire chief had buried a liver in the basement in a box. He then took it to a funeral home and it was determined to be a cows liver. They wanted it to be examined by a pathologist but, the box disappeared from his house. It's a shame that the chimney savers got there so late. I would be embarrassed to part of them.

[@thinkingmoment]

The analysis is more intriguing and insightful as always. Thank you, Dr. Grande.

[@TheMYERSFAN25]

As intriguing as a "mystery" would be, I think it was just a series of unfortunate events...I don't think the living children would allow their parents to suffer by not knowing their fate.

[@zenamen5221]

I do. Look at Natalie Wood's children.

[@marycrawford3460]

and the cut telephone wires? too much of a coincidence for me.

[@jeanad.4703]

I can't help but think how kidnappers/human traffickers/pedophiles have been known to keep victims of crime silent by threatening to kill their family members, or to have their family members killed by other persons who are also involved in the crime.

[@maureeningleston1501]

Nothing better than Dr Grande speculating about a mystery on Boxing Day.

[@lorimiller4301]

Maybe he could tell us the mystery of boxing day itself? Were they boxing up unwanted gifts for the servants ? What's it all about ? You didn't like your present so you would box the person who gave it to you ? 🤔

[@rhondalane6749]

I live in WV This story has always fascinated me And I have always thought the children died in the fire and the parents grief would not allow them to accept that they were gone I can’t imagine what kind of trauma that would inflict on those poor folks😢

[@shirleycoberly2072]

I'm

[@marianserra8371]

An Italian family in West Virginia? Were they out of their minds? Still, today, Italians, Catholics Jewish and Black's are still despised. I'm a former Californian who has lived in the South for many years. I'm also first-generation Italian-American and Catholic. Trust me, the south is not the place to be for Italians or Catholics. We may be successful but we're not well-liked.

[@sabrinashelton1997]

@@marianserra8371 lol, wow, that is nonsense.

[@MichelleCWeber]

@@marianserra8371 naw. Italians were there nearly the same time as the Irish.

[@marianserra8371]

@@MichelleCWeber Mea Culpa, yes you are so correct. I researched after I made my comment and was surprised. I live in the deep South and OMG. The history is mind blowing. I assumed, that it was like the deep South or really anywhere during Jim Crow. They, along with the Irish were a persecuted group. However, the KKK WAS begun for the Jewish. Catholics, Italians AND Black's. I never knew this until I moved to the South and that was 35 years ago. It looks like the area that this family was from was settled by Italians and that their very own fellow Italians were that culprits. So I stand corrected.

[@susanfleming2271]

New shirt and a Christmas story and those decorations in the background. What a wonderful way to begin the day. Thank you Dr Grande.

[@deboracopeland6356]

People get so caught up in conspiracy theories they forget that five children died. Trapped in a burning house. That’s so sad. I do believe the fire was set. Someone lit a house full of children on fire. Horrible.

[@TiffWaffles]

And that is one aspect of this case that angers me. We have people that tool advantage of this tragedy, took advantage of this family's grief, and the parents' especially, and told wild tales that caused more pain. This family suffered through a traumatic loss and instead of people focusing their attention on the authorities and getting the truth or pushing the parents to get the truth, they instead made these parents continue searching for ghosts that didn't exist and all for shits and giggles. What should have happened was somebody calling them and saying that they should get some outside help to excavate that area. Would the parents have agreed to it? Probably not. But the surviving siblings after at least one parent had passed could have made that decision.

[@rdhawk929]

That's because a LOT of people lack compassion and empathy. It was indeed a hate crime. This could be a story from West Virginia in 2021! And I'll bet nobody was investigated or went to jail in connection to this horrific crime.

[@DennyPenn1981]

Is it really a Conspiracy Theory? The whole thing is suspicious. And there were a ton of siting of the children afterwards.

[@AmandaLeigh1004]

We all wish the children were alive, but I think it would be very difficult to kidnap five children between the ages of 14 and 5, with no one else in the house seeing or overhearing the actual event, especially if the "missing" children were on two different floors. Possibly many people in the town did tell the parents that their children were dead and were buried at the site of the house. Maybe they even told the surviving children, and that's why they removed the billboards after their parents died. As always, the simplest explanation is usually correct. I bet if the site were to be examined, there would be remains found.

[@TiffWaffles]

Even if the children were scattered throughout the house, it would be easy for somebody to get them. All that has to be done is somebody threatening their youngest sibling or luring them out of their rooms for somebody to get them. If I remember this case correctly, the youngest children were the ones missing. You'd be surprised at how easy it is to manipulate children to do your bidding, even if it is something that they normally wouldn't do. One of my classes in school talked about crimes against children and not only was it sad to see the amount of children that are victimised and murdered, but it was eye-opening as well. One sex offender threatened to harm a child victim's friend if the child didn't come with him... And the victim did as they were told so that their friend didn't get hurt. So, it is very possible that somebody targeting children could manage to control these children and get away with them without these children screaming for their oldest siblings or their parents. I used to know quite a bit about the Sodder children, but due to the passage of time and the fact that this is an American case, I have forgotten some of the details. However, I agree with you when you say that we all wish that the children had gotten out alive. And this is making the assumption that they were even in the fire. The fact that no remains were found, even when officials were combing through that area is highly suspect.

[@tinawindham6958]

Yep, no teeth or bones? Hard to believe. Very sad case.

[@GiftSparks]

It is peculiar that the 14 year old would not have tried to get back to his family. The little ones I could see being kidnapped.

[@jen6306]

@Amanda Leigh. When u hear hooves on the roof on Christmas, do u think 1 horse 2 Reindeet 3 unicorn

[@jen6306]

@ Tiff Waffles do you need a medal or a chest to pin it on? So short sighted. You must be the oldest with an ego like that to think just because a kid is the youngest they are gullible. Wtf

[@marshdweller01]

I believe the phone tree was a very common way to notify volunteer firefighters back in the day. Many rural areas did not have county dispatch or emergency call centers. I was a volunteer in rural WV in the 70’s, and the fire emergency call number rang at the night watchman’s phone at the local sawmill. He sent out a call over a voice paging system. He usually shouted so loud it was sometimes hard to understand where the fire was (although usually it was at the mill.) A slightly better system than a phone tree.

[@jen6306]

@ marshdweller01 interestingly I too am a fire fighte especially those incredibly annoying fires that creep along the edges of a house to destroy the foundation. Of trust and then the walls crumble and all occupants inside melt into a molten melted mess

[@nightwood4379]

Good morning Dr. Grande, nice to have another intriguing post…thank you.

[@leahvogelsimpson]

Hardest working man on KZbin. Love the shirt Dr.

[@macburton4903]

One of my favorite mysteries! I would love if you did the Hinterkaifeck murders sometime soon!

[@sisuguillam5109]

Yes! Please?

[@sarah2.017]

A book came out a couple years ago claiming that this may have been done by the same still-unknown person who did the Villisca axe murders in 1912. That this person may have done Villisca is actually not unlikely, but Hinterkaifeck as well? Doubt it.

[@jen6306]

@ Mac Burton agree! Or maybe the mystery of why certain Drs are on SM racking up likes when they have their own real life to attend to

[@sisuguillam5109]

@@jen6306 uuhhh... and how is it your business what they do with their own time?

[@nancyincanada5553]

Happy New Year, Dr. Grande! The cacti decorated with Xmas lights is absolutely adorable:) This case is another intriguing mystery.

[@debishaw9355]

Such an interesting story. Thanks for sharing..

[@KristyKins]

Dr. Grande? It looks like your shirt is Christmas themed & if so, love it! Happy Holidays & thanks for all your videos! 🤗

[@Skeptic78]

Excellent!! I'd love to hear a rational person explain and give their views on this case. Instead of crazy conspiracy theories. Looking forward to this Dr. G.

[@gyrgrls]

There is another Dr. G. She is a forensic medical examiner, who has hosted narrative documentaries of her undertakings (no pun intended).

[@gyrgrls]

@@nocnoc9931 πάθος (yes, I hate that word with a purple passion). But don't laugh: my wife thinks that I am quite the cunning linguist!

[@sheilagravely5621]

No conspiracy theory here. The simplest answer is that the father killed those kids, the wife covered for him, either out of fear for herself or other children. It is the most logical answer.

[@donnajanecastle4807]

Can you do a video on Dayvon Johnson, the young 11-year-old boy who saved a classmate from choking and then later saved a family from a house fire all in the same day? He's a young little hero!

[@crystalm2460]

Wow!!

[@d.riprock1546]

I'd say you're exactly correct. I went to college down by Fayetteville in the 80s when the signs were still up and I thought that then. Merry Christmas!

[@stephaniemonson13]

Love you Dr Grande. So Brilliant and talented.

[@shirleywilliams5397]

Thank you for making videos over the Christmas holiday. I hope you and your family are having a nice time!!! I just would like to let you know how helpful it is to listen to numerous logically thought through analyses of crimes and mysteries. It helps me to stay grounded at a time of great stress in my life.

[@helenvarner5787]

A most interesting mystery. Rest in peace to this poor family.

[@linak7155]

Dr Grande. As this story unfolded I was almost certain there had been foul play involved and that at least the younger children had been kidnapped. You truly burst my bubble. I'm saddened the couple held on to the false belief their children were still alive.

[@Flamsterette]

I've always wondered about this case. Merry Boxing Day 2021, guys!

[@bthomson]

Always wondered about boxing day! As you know We don't celebrate it in the states. Does it have any symbols or customs? I will look it up! Please enjoy!

[@Flamsterette]

@@bthomson Honestly, it's a day / Boxing Week now for more shopping. It's like your Black Friday, but now we have Black Friday week as well.

[@margaretr5701]

@@bthomsonIn the UK, the purpose of Boxing day would involve rich people boxing up gifts, maybe Christmas leftovers, to give to the poor, hence the term Boxing Day. Other countries, such as Australia, N.Z., Canada also celebrate Boxing Day, but it's mostly to shop the sales, as well as a continuation of the Christmas holiday, visiting relatives, or resting up after the festivities.

[@pou618]

If the authorities covered up finding the children's bodies, it dealt the family a cruel disservice. They searched for those children the rest of their lives.

[@candiceyoung8244]

What a strange and sad story. I've never heard of. Love the festive shirt. Thank you so much for the video 🌵🎄🌲

[@brazenbunnies]

One important aspect…they had 55 gallon barrels of gasoline in the basement. While a regular fire would not burn bones. A gasoline fire may.

[@Noneofyourbizzzz]

Merry Christmas Dr Grande.

[@daniiiakasha4711]

Haha who else hit translate and saw “Merry Christmas Dr Big”?

[@tron.44]

Haha, indeed!

[@tjflash60]

Thank you for the discussion. I only recently learned of this story. Sadly tragic. I like your assessment.

[@kathycochran544]

Wow this was so tragic. The parents suffered so much . Thank you Dr. Grande.

[@bthomson]

😓😓😓😓😓

[@glendasully]

What a tremendous burden to have to live with as parents. I lost one son & was devastated by it

[@alexandracash8106]

Thanks for covering this case. Have always been fascinated by it. I love hearing your analysis of unsolved cases, because at least you pose your potential theories. There is nothing more frustrating than watching an unsolved case and not getting any kind of answers at all.

[@vikramgupta2326]

I'm trying to figure out why expressing negative feelings about Mussolini would lead to arguments? Was Fayetteville, WV filled with Fascists? Also, I wasn't clear if there was a connection with this sentiment and the nature of the threat from the insurance salesman. Poor family. A couple of shady characters in this story should have been rounded up and given the 4th degree.

[@LathropLdST]

Other times. Foreigners were not looked upon kindly. And those years, Mafia infiltrated even the social structure of small villages. The $+upidity of your comment never ceases to amaze me. Context is underrated nowadays.

[@simoncullum5019]

A lot of Italians had settled in that area so some would be Mussolini supporters

[@LathropLdST]

@@SpecialBlanket I feel stupid answering an 'Anonymous' reply, but someone answered a few comments below... And I work with Indians, AND I know the standard of intelligence to expect of this glass uneducated mass known as 'youtube commenters'. Bottom-feed questions and (mostly) piss-poor answers. Quit defending lost causes, Devil's advocate. It doesn't look good on your resume -unless you are a keyboard-bound SJW.

[@vikramgupta2326]

@@SpecialBlanket Thank you. This person's an idiot who I seem to recall a prior interaction with several months ago; same thing, he just goes on a tirade out of the blue, with no basis. Thanks for standing up.

[@BeckBeckGo]

@@LathropLdST meanwhile, the insistence that you’re far more intelligent than you are is a fantastic look for you. You’re not even good at mimicking it because you don’t know what it is.

[@rg6310]

13:22 why would they do that? If the parents want and need to know what happened and they see them in anguish why would they think it’s better to get rid of the bodies??? Didn’t people wanted proper burials back in the day especially to pray on? And why didn’t they confess later on?

[@susanbazinet9664]

Why wouldn't someone from the fire Department tell the Sodder's later? Maybe the Chief threatened them? But why would he do that? Something doesn't add up.

[@rg6310]

@@susanbazinet9664 yea the police hiding something seems likely. It reminds of a 1988 disappearance of a woman named Tara Calico. It seems like the police are hiding something since a guy her age looked suspicious but is the son of the sherif something like that.

[@robinwilson4777]

I live near Fayetteville. I remember seeing the billboard for years and years. I for one do not believe the children were in the house, I believe they were taken. When living near you hear a lot more than everyone else hears. And I'll do believe there was something shady going on that may even had something to do with the Italian mafia. I would love to know the truth about what really happened. I have always been interested in this story since the very first time I saw the billboards. Thank you for covering it.

[@lorimiller4301]

If they had died that means the Police had to bury or cremate them without any funeral or anyone ever slipping and saying something that would get out to the Parents. I don't believe it. That would be so unethical and cruel. It's one thing to maybe be slow getting to a fire but sneaking out the dead bodies of children and taking on responsibility for paying for their disposal or burying them yourselves to save the Parents more hurt ? Idk ? It doesn't sit right with me. I hope there's more investigation some day.

[@johannas.l.brushane2518]

@@lorimiller4301 Well someone from the investigation had tried to claim he found a heart, which is peculiar and very unethical, since a heart would have turned to coal and ashes long before bones and teeth does. Housefires, especially at that time with way less synthetic materials in the construcktion and interior, can't really erase bones and teeth to completely vanish.

[@plamenagribneva2151]

Thank you for all the content throughout the year! Happy holidays and all the best in 2022!

[@josefina5421]

Thank you for keeping the missing children's memory alive. So succinct- but good detail. I looked into this case and did not find this much info. What was up with George and the bulldozer? Did he want to cover any possible remains due to illegal activity or messing with shady folks? Out of grief, did he just want the kids to rest where they died?

[@MamaPinks]

Ahhh the morbid Christmas🎄! We are all here for it! Dr Todd you're the best!😘🙏

[@tiffanystarbeck2279]

I absolutely love your channel. I have extremely depressed most of my life, I wish you could be my doctor!

[@sherrimarie165]

Unfortunately there ARE and WERE very bad people in the world who DO steal children for nefarious purposes. It has happened throughout the centuries. Surely someone would take pity on George and Jenny and tell them the bones were recovered, if they were recovered.

[@annmowatt7547]

A very Happy Christmas. I love your programmes; your analysis and your dry wit! Excellent viewing.

[@ambergriffes6122]

Good morning Dr. Grande, thank you for your informative analysis on this case! It is one that has had me wondering for years

[@missylee1539]

Looking good Dr Grande!! Love the festive shirt!!!

[@thisismyaltaccount85]

Merry Christmas Dr. Grande! 🎅

[@mapleleaf0]

If the officials found any remains, it's unconscionable that they didn't recover them for proper burial. At the time, I think many would have called it "proper Christian burial." That fact makes it hard for me to believe officials found remains unless one of them was covering up for someone.

[@LathropLdST]

Sorry. You lost me at "unconscionable" 😂😂😂

[@mapleleaf0]

@@LathropLdST ?

[@Kristenm28]

Thank you, his theory is ridiculous.

[@Kristenm28]

@@LathropLdST you might want to pick up dictionary then.

[@diannebutler1807]

Heartbreaking... even all these years later. 😢

[@julieyoung3315]

Superb Analysis! This story is new to me. Thanks Dr. Grande.

[@ailishniriain787]

The other thing that could have caused the fire is Christmas lights. They were a major cause of fire when I was younger. I live in the British Isles. We were always told never to go out or go to bed and leave Christmas lights on. Nowadays these type of lights are so much safer. This sounded like a very sad story, I can imagine how the parents wanted to believe their children were alive - if they didn't get closure this is the case.

[@gatoelurso]

I am intrigued by the photograph of the adult Louis. He did at least resemble the child thought to be lost in the fire. It may be that the father had crossed the wrong people and they got their revenge by destroying his home and trafficking his children.

[@cosimavonliebenau8317]

The sheer exuberance of matching your shirt to your Christmas decorations! How on earth will you match, or even exceed, this flamboyance next year!? On tenterhooks already…

[@bthomson]

Wow! Tenderhooks! Also at sixes and sevens, or bated breath, or needles and pins, or cloud nine or out of the frying pan into the fire! Not all the same meaning but cool sayings!

[@12227UserName]

Wow, what a sad case. I can't imagine how the family must've felt. All children, no less.

[@gyrgrls]

This one is a keeper! Thank you, Todd.

[@loriludwig6311]

Parents also requested FBI investigate. Hoover offered to assist but local authorities declined their help. Local investigators were incompetent and parents couldn't accept tragedy. Dr G's comment on a current investigation is a very good idea!

[@Day1onDay1]

If John had physically put his hands on his siblings to wake them from the fire then why didn't he just pick up the 2-year-old and take that child with him? 🧐 His updated version makes more sense imo..

[@jeanad.4703]

I must have missed something, as I thought the youngest child in the family was the 3 yr old girl sleeping in the parents bedroom.

[@peggyallman7647]

This is the first time I've ever heard about this. Thanks for posting!

[@dogtrainer4645]

Love the Christmas shirt, Dr. G! Another interesting analysis.

[@southbound1969]

I love your witty sarcasm

[@JoeDevola99]

I remember a case where a volunteer fire department showed up at a house trailer fire and then refused to take any action except to keep watch and keep people from the fire. The taxes hadn't been paid and it was rumored that the chief required payment before the fire would be extinguished. So, I'm given to understand essentially they wanted a check before putting out the fire. I think it was either Tennessee or Kentucky. Around 2005.

[@NastyWoman1979]

Wouldn't surprise me at all know the crooks of Kentucky (and Tennessee pretty sadly similar as well).

[@narcdetester2102]

How unbelievably evil

[@susanbazinet9664]

Dear God. If that is true I cannot imagine the lack of compassion you would have to have in order to stand there and watch a home and people burn to death.

[@susanohnhaus611]

It happened in 2010 in Tennessee. There was no tax funded fire department, everybody paid a "fee" for fire department response and the people who lived there hadn't paid the $75. Maybe they were extreme libertarian Koch brother fans, or maybe they were just too poor. Either way, same result.

[@darrylg3861]

H0use trailer fires are difficult and dangerous to fight

[@mal1100]

If youtube shuts down don't worry Dr. Grande, you could easily be a L.L. Bean model. Handsome & charming!

[@BuzzyStreet]

May I just say that there needs to be a follow up to Harm Reduction? A series maybe? All that waiting for your book to drop, and I binge-read it in a day :D

[@celenacasciani8500]

Intriguing definitely. I think someone should excavate that site and use today's forensic tools to finally get to the bottom of it. I would guess that since the youngest member of the family recently died no one wants to do anything. I personally think it's owed to the Sodder family and the community as well as in the name of the history and science. Another great analysis by Dr Grande

[@Traderjoe]

I agree, I think the kids died and the parents were flipping out at the scene, trying to get them and the fire department saw the bodies and said nothing because they knew it would upset the parents further. It was a different time. I’m curious about the name. It doesn’t sound like an Italian name.

[@colinmontgomery1956]

Definitely not an Italian surname. Sounds German.

[@ahermannblue]

@@colinmontgomery1956 There is a part of northern Italy, close to the Austrian border, that is ethnically German although their citizenship is Italian: For 14 centuries the inhabitants of South Tyrol, now on Italy's border with Austria, have belonged to the German- speaking world. Following the Treaty of St Germain in 1919, the area of Tirol south of the Brenner was ceded by Austria to Italy together with the predominantly Italian-speaking Trento. At that time the population of South Tyrol was 85 per cent German-speaking, and the annexation and consequent division of the Tyrol was widely resented.

[@btetschner]

That was my first instinct, that the parents were trying to flip the scene.

[@bisibisbi]

@@colinmontgomery1956 The Name "Sodero" is quite common in Italy. Maybe they changed it in their new home country. Sodder is not common at all in Germany.

[@TiffWaffles]

Many times immigrants to North America would change their last names so that it became Anglicized and easier to pronounce. Given the time, if they were Italian or German, they would have felt pressured to change their name to prevent attacks against them. This happened in the 1940s when the US would have considered anybody German or Italian as less than due to the war. My family when they moved to Canada from France changed their last name due to anti-French sentiment. They only changed it back with the English pronunciation after the First World War when they realized how stupid it was to call themselves Saint Cross.

[@AnnieBooker]

Such an intriguing and complex case. Just the passage of time makes it difficult to follow up any clues. I hope the children survived somehow but it's so hard to know. Thank you for another excellent summing up and exposition, Dr Grande.

[@slobodankaarambasic4961]

Those 🌵 love dr. Grande. They are blooming in his presence. Merry Christmas, btw! ❤️

[@Keeper_91]

Another great video! Dr. Grande would you consider covering the case of Byron Smith? Stand your ground vs premeditated murder. I would love to hear your analysis on a case like this. Thank you for the great content!

[@dragongirl15dragon94]

Such a sad but fascinating case. Here are a couple of additional interesting facts if you’re interested. In regards to the picture of Louis that was addressed to the mom, Jennie, she did had a brother named Frank Cipriani, who could be “brother Frankie”. The Sodder family had initially suspected him because he lived in Florida. There were witnesses who saw the children get into cars with Florida licence plates. Even the Sodders believed this theory that Jennie’s brother took them because it would’ve been someone they knew.

[@rorylee9626]

so close to 1million subs now excited for you man

[@mkbuser]

I love your Christmas tree shirt! Good story today.

[@bellam7359]

Thanks for the analysis doc. Love the shirt! 🎄

[@blinkie1114]

This is one of the saddest stories I’ve ever heard. My god, just heart breaking. I have a set of grandparents that lost their first born child very young, and they never recovered. Even as the r having more children. I can’t imagine the grief, for my family that grief affected three generations.

[@sandangels73]

Can you cover the Babbs Switch School fire on December 24, 1924 in Kiowa County, Oklahoma? There are many interesting aspects to this, including the story of Mary Eden in the aftermath, and the laws that were made as a result of the fire.

[@josefina5421]

Yes! Read about this one in old newspapers, but only Dr. Grande can do it!

[@cottontails9003]

Excellent analysis as always. Thank you Dr Grande.

[@bthomson]

CT - Is Oz having summer now? It is SO cold here!🌬🌀🌨❄⛄

[@cottontails9003]

@@bthomson Thank you. It was about 35%celcuis. How was your and your loved ones Christmas, I hope Santa bought you lots of presents 😀❤💙💚🎄🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁

[@jedamwx]

I think about this case often. So strange and sad. Still looking forward to your analysis .

[@emmylou2652]

Happy Happy Christmas Dr Grande 🎅🎁🤶 you are such a gift any day of the year x

[@butterflygirl2285]

IMO - sometimes, if you don't actually see the body of a deceased person your mind refuses to accept it. Combine this phenomenon with grieving parents, and that might have been their way of coping with a horrible tragedy. As well, mental health therapy was not common in the 1940s, so, the parents anguish continued.

[@amberc.2137]

I love the shirt Dr. Grande! Merry "late" Christmas 🎄

[@steph7738]

Happy Holidays, Dr G!!!

[@kayanjajoan8311]

Thanks for the content 🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@masoodr971]

Love the shirt 🎄!!

[@gabe-po9yi]

Whomever found the remains, wanting to spare the parents grief, sentenced them to a lifetime of mental and emotional torture.

[@kathrynewhitmore]

I would pay good money to see Dr. Grande make guest appearances at a celebrity roasting event at which he says: "Today's question asks if I can analyze the behaviors of celebrities. Please note, I am not diagnosing anyone; only speculating about what could be happening in a case like this." The effortless manner in which the information flows from his mouth to our ears, without trying - just imagine how successful a roast would be with Dr. Grande actually trying!!! This needs to happen; also I'm going to need Dr. Grande to start a "Fund" that pays for the electronics I ruin when I choke on drinks as he tosses out a new, unexpected 1line zinger.