Trace Evidence - 064 - The Disappearance of Rachel Cooke

[@sovainmakeupbybrittanikyle6312]

I just want to say thank you so much for bringing attention to Rachel. Rachel was a couple of years older than me and I only saw her around school a few times but it was obvious she was outgoing and smart. And Mrs. Cook was a popular teacher as well, students loved her. Rachel’s disappearance left our town shocked and heartbroken. Everyone still talks about her. People just want her to come home. Mrs. Cook deserves some answers and closure. Rachel’s case has changed our town forever and I still have hope we will find her or at least find out what happened to her. Thanks again for sharing Rachel’s story! Btw I started listening to your podcast when I was researching Brandon Lawson’s case and thought about requesting Rachel’s case but stumbled on it tonight! Thanks again.

[@andrewritter2873]

Have you ever heard any updates on her case?

[@AmberLovesMystery]

Liked before watching..watching/listening now

[@LoveYou-uc3pf]

Watching now 😍 can't wait to see a new video from you girl xoxo hope your feeling better 💖

[@shannah.8745]

Hey Amber! : ) So cool to see you here I watch all your videos❤ Your very inspiring and sooo good at true crime. Keep up the good work! Much love from FL❤

[@lynncrf]

@[UNIVERSE] What do you mean? What did she do?

[@mamiecarson]

I live in Georgetown, the FBI was out here the last few days on the property that has been searched before. We are hopeful something is about to be released. I’ll update you guys, as it could be happening any minute.

[@SamuraiCypher]

Mamie Carson please update us ASAP! Bless

[@mamiecarson]

If they found anything it wasn’t released yet. But I will absolutely update if more is released.

[@cookingwithmama2523]

@@mamiecarson cool thanks for the updates

[@mamiecarson]

Bunkiebe nothing official as of yet. Hopefully they are still working the case.

[@allentyson_artist1999]

I also remember this unfortunately I live in Salado just outside g-town

[@SamuraiCypher]

Love the channel, man. Never let the memory of these people fade.

[@Thechick-fil-Alover]

I moved to Austin when she went missing and it was HUGE news. She just vanished. This case has haunted me ever since and I pray they find answers with the car they found a few months ago. Her family deserves answers. I can’t imagine. My heart breaks for every story out there. For families with no answers. RIP with your dad Rachel. So so sad

[@coopersfriend9669]

Anyone who makes a false claim about their involvement in a crime ought to to be charged with malicious mischief, or any other charges allowed under the law. These individuals only cause further pain/suffering to the family; misuse police and court services; and drain public funds.

[@martinaplaschka8616]

thank you Steven, you do amazing work.

[@iman11nami]

He's the BEST

[@sfletch3042]

It really cringes me to hear people say they don't worry about locking their doors bc they live in a "safe neighborhood or town". Imo its incredibly naive and irresponsible. Adults should know better. However, it is surprising that this happened in Georgetown. We really very rarely ha e stranger abductions or murders in the Austin area. Its almost unheard of. I really hope this family finds a resolution soon.

[@maxalberts85]

@third charm She felt safe in San Diego? As the late wonderful Jackie Kennedy used to say, "Yoiks!"

[@specialnewb9821]

My wife does a lot of running since college, and we are around her age. Both this and the Cornwell case haunt me.

[@silverstuff182]

She needs to carry a weapon or run with a large, trained dog. Seriously.

[@imanamatullah2378]

@@silverstuff182 mace spray is good.

[@rockstarofredondo]

@@imanamatullah2378 I prefer pew pews and shooty shoots.

[@micah9676]

Never run with headphones on. You need to be able to hear your surroundings.

[@mbaratucci13]

Most people know their offenders but until someone talks we may never know. How sad for the family, and heartbreaking that her father passed. Prayers for this family. 🙏

[@aleeburitz7310]

Thank you for your videos and time! 👍🌸

[@CDN1975]

She has been missing for 20 years. I hope her family gets answers soon.

[@andreaturnquist3345]

I sure hope so!

[@danseabreeze1404]

She looks a lot like Laci Peterson but with blonde hair.

[@franciscogonzales2123]

cases like this are so baffling, especially when the person is so close to home

[@DiegoRooks]

Broooo you take foreeeever to tell a story! But i love your expose and voice. Respectful and well researched.

[@peterlightning9235]

I think if it was the boyfriend that this case would have been solved. I think a stranger did it.

[@katrinarose72]

That would mean a crime of opportunity. Which would mean evidence left behind.

[@SamuraiCypher]

Katrina Rose you watch too much tv. Most “crimes of opportunity” turn little to no evidence as they are completely random.

[@zoehannah6278]

@@katrinarose72 you are silly

[@FervAnimalLover]

I suspect her ex-bf on this one-- the one that wouldn't let go. I find it hard to believe a stranger stumbling upon her would be brazen enough to abduct her in broad day light in that area.

[@maxalberts85]

@@katrinarose72 Why?

[@yelloworangered]

It's such a shame that people aren't more alert. Even if jogging or running was boring, I'd never listen to music while doing it. Better to be bored than unaware of what is going on around me.

[@TheGameHHH2000]

thanks for sharing Steven

[@MarieSansom]

I posted this response to someone elsewhere in the thread, but I think it's worth putting here as well. No, it's not so cut and dry. I knew both the ex and Rachel, they were both friends, and while it's true he had a temper and was still pinning for her he is not a killer. He has been looked at over and over and everytime they come up with nothing. There is a reason his name hasn't been released by the police. This has been a sad case from beginning to end and I still wonder often if my friend will ever be found. She really was a beautiful person, inside and out. I pray for her family that her disappearance will one day be solved.

[@theewisestforever7861]

Was really happy with your choice this week ❤️❤️❤️watched everything on the net that’s available for this case An would love to hear what u think!!praying for her family 🙏🏻

[@darlauwnawich5348]

I lesson to lot of podcasts and I will say I really like yours the most ? Because u take the time to really get in to it as for other they don’t and they also crake jokes and ext/ not cool anyways keep up the good work 🤠

[@jomoland]

Hey there Steven! Long-time listener here. Hey I just wanted to suggest a case to you: Kristen Modaferri . Have you covered her disappearance yet? Unsolved and very solvable in my opinion.

[@onefeather2]

You are not safe anywhere anymore.

[@iman11nami]

Nope...not even your home...must keep your ears n eyes open at all times

[@larav4793]

So true!

[@JW-28]

@BotanistRM Parkinson you mean blacks. Not cops.

[@alpyhaWQFwef]

You never were.

[@cyncitysix9414]

I’m from Georgetown Texas, I still remember when she went missing. It shook our small town to the core. I hope we get some answers soon. FBI have been in and out of town digging.

[@exoticprairie]

If she had been working the cafe that could be where she would come in contact with a stranger that may have fixated on her.

[@eckythump1758]

Thanks for the video! Did police investigate whether or not the call made via Greg’s phone in SanDiego was made by Greg? If not, it might explain how this has gone 17 years unsolved.

[@sophiefisher9426]

Literally checking for a new episode as the notification popped up.. fate

[@gullwingstorm857]

I’d never go running with headphones on.

[@gullwingstorm857]

@BotanistRM Parkinson Don't be ridiculous. You can still expect men not to kill while looking after your basic safety. What a moron.

[@tracyrasmussen8117]

Well that comment was extremely helpful. Thank you! Ugh

[@gullwingstorm857]

@@tracyrasmussen8117 This is social media, where users can freely share their opinions - if you don't like my opinion, feel free to STFU and FO.

[@tracyrasmussen8117]

@@gullwingstorm857 eh, no thanks, I'm good. Our little punkin wunkin seems a wittle angwy on her social media chats... Just relax. Deep breath in....now slowly release that breath. Keep repeating.

[@Kim-yy4zd]

@@tracyrasmussen8117gas light

[@Anita-k]

This killer's "wrong confession" is such a sick "joke"! He most likely found it very funny to torture her family and friends.

[@candyrain09able]

I wonder if they looked into Bahena Rivera. Where was he at the time of Rachel's disappearance. You did Wonderful on this story Steven. It's so sad and tragic. May God rest her Beautiful soul and bring her home to her Mother and Sister. I'm praying hard for this one. Thank you Steven, God Bless You.

[@MsMouthy]

So heartbreaking. I always want a good outcome but it's been so long now, it's likely she's gone. What a beautiful Texas sweetheart. I hope the family can get some closure soon. 😞

[@joannerutledge1377]

I was hoping it would be the scott johnson case. Great case this is though,thankyou steven.

[@erinwaddell2920]

I really hope they nail the guilty party.. prayers for the family and loved ones...

[@williammorris3303]

There is no good reason for this channel to only be 100k large. There are thousands of channels not as good 10x larger

[@greenspiraldragon]

Sounds like the vehicle is the key to finding answers. I hope they find something.

[@DIVISIONINCISION]

I live about 45 minutes North of Georgetown. It's a small suburb of Austin. Very safe and low crime. This was a case of a crazed ex who wasn't going to let her move on.

[@theboldandthebeautiful3729]

I 100% agree it was the ex.

[@MarieSansom]

No, it's not so cut and dry. I knew both the ex and Rachel and while it's true he had a temper and was still pinning for her he is not a killer. He has been looked at over and over and everytime they come up with nothing. There is a reason his name hasn't been released by the police. This has been a sad case from beginning to end and I still wonder often if my friend will ever be found. She really was a beautiful person, inside and out. I pray for her family that her disappearance will one day be solved.

[@Kim-yy4zd]

@@MarieSansom you don’t know what anyone is capable of , don’t fool yourself

[@exoticprairie]

If she had worked the cafe while she was visiting , it could be that that's how she came in contact with a stranger. And maybe had followed her or fixated on her.

[@shawndouglass2939]

Very good observation

[@jennalee5967]

The ID Disappeared episode on her has always stuck with me. Like she literally was abducted from her own front yard.

[@theewisestforever7861]

This is a great in-depth look at the case!! Good job like always 😉If anyone is working this .. crime watch daily had a great segment on her with lots of pictures of her an the BF and the XBF lots of great info!!

[@hellenicblonde6117]

Although Michael Moore is, as our host said, "a sick and twisted individual", that the police had tunnel vision and didn't look into other suspects isn't a good trait in people who are supposed to be dedicated to finding the truth.

[@j.khuster2024]

They just want to pin it on someone, anyone, as quickly as possible. Their only goal. Because they damn sure don't care much.

[@TheGameHHH2000]

home and extended stay for the holidays, someone in town knew it. i cant believe the x boyfriends name has not been put out there. someone had this car in storage for a long time. i think the sheriff wanted to say a-lot more than he did. hopefully some answers soon

[@dottieocaspianhorsesrock3643]

toRturedSoul I still think the answers that Trans Am and the owners can be traced back. I still think the ex boyfriend did it or is behind it. I'd be checking out his ex girlfriends and old friends. Turn these people in anonymously! Let this girl be buried at peace. Someone knows what's up just do what's right 🙏

[@ghostriderx916]

This is a very good podcast but I would love if he made the pics shown, coincide with his narration

[@joasok3642]

Her father failed polygraph

[@pattycrompton9040]

I pray that this poor family gets justice. I am so sorry that 16 yrs has passed. W/no answers. What torture. My prayers go out to this girls loved ones. I cannot wait to hear the results of the forensic teams results on the transam. I believe those associated w/that transam are guilty.

[@bluesyleader8633]

2 years later and things are still unclear as far as i know.

[@grapeshot]

There is one rough area of Georgetown Texas that I know about it's called The Ridge. I've been through Georgetown before when I was stationed at Fort Hood Texas.

[@lexiclarice5827]

She looks like Candace Cameron

[@AntiMasonic93]

No, Jenna Bush.

[@artisticwhistleblower1756]

Steven, Just joined your patreon! If I weren't an artist, I would be much more generous. Hopefully my circumstances will change, which will make my payments higher. Keep up the great work! Also, wanted to mention another great true crime podcast, Stephanie Harlowe. Like you, she does great research and is a fab presenter of such.

[@daphne4983]

Either go with someone else or jog in a densely populated area.

[@iman11nami]

Yep

[@kevinoshea4134]

Densely populated? Not a good idea

[@shawndouglass2939]

Carry a gun.

[@brokenangel2724]

@@shawndouglass2939 This!! I think all woman should take gun safety classes, spend some time at the range & carry.

[@shawndouglass2939]

@@brokenangel2724 I certainly agree with you there😉

[@Lilia4102]

I was in a store in the mall one time with someone together and her doughther was 4 years old at the time we were walking around and all of a sudden there was an older guy trying to get the 4 year old attention with waiving his hands at her my friend seen right away what was happening and we ran out of the store nothing happened this is just to see how evil people are all around us looking to kidnap

[@ErinJeanette]

If I could make one suggestion, the pics that you show during narrating could better match up to what you're saying? Cuz you show pics of people that aren't who you're talking about or have even mentioned yet and it's confusing

[@Joanla1954]

R.I.P. Robert! Job well done daddy, you have your answers now!

[@Realestatefocused]

You need to work on the video and photo content the audio and narration is spot on

[@chrisragnar1]

Its an audio podcast so pictures are just added for YT. Cant blame him for not going thru hours of audio just to add relevant pictures. Its not meant to be watched like a tv show.

[@Laura-tp8wz]

Excellent! Thank you

[@donnablack6280]

I think it was strangers, maybe a group who had been up all night partying looking for trouble. If only someone remembered seeing that bright yellow walkman being thrown in the trash somewhere.

[@franciscogonzales2123]

this is such a nightmare

[@ellenking4620]

I live in McGraw ny we have a missing cold case Bethanie Doughterty from killawog ny in april 2 2008. Please do a case on this we need this solved please contact me for more information

[@seany859]

Are you going to upload the new episode on here?

[@stewartnorton6386]

Is it just me or does the audio and video not make sense ? At 7:57 when he starts talking about Rachel a picture of a guy labelled Moore comes up ?

[@corettaha7855]

Stewart Norton it’s a podcast so really just meant to be listened to. The visuals are just because of the format.

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

It's not supposed to match up you just figure it out

[@shawndouglass2939]

I noticed that also😜

[@Lilia4102]

Sad never gave up this is the first time I heard about this 😢

[@ah-shar-ya2363]

Why would the cops tell us a vehicle has been found before they processed it and even connected it to her...now what? If that has nothing to do with her, I feel for her family because yet again they get all worked up for no reason. At least tell us what is and not what may be. Maybe it will lead to some other crime.

[@katrinarose72]

The vehicle was reported to police a being seen taking to another jogger earlier the same day, right down the street from where Rachel vanished.

[@darrenbeckman6089]

always the boyfriend

[@onefeather2]

If you run a lot get yourself a large gaurd dog, have it trained or do it yourself, carry a Stun Gun, they are small, don't wear headphones. I always hear people who run don't like to carry anything on them, but what is more important your running with nothing or your life. Don't be Stupid.

[@claireslater6243]

It's terrible things like this that make me wonder about God and why these things happen to innocents

[@TheMisslotus78]

Because people have free will, just because one person prays for peace or deliverance, that doesnt mean the person that commits the crime choses the same. They have the free will to harm people. That isnt god.

[@TheMisslotus78]

@Iama Wanderer you are loved. ❤ and I am so thankful that today, I got to share MY MESSAGE so that YOU could find yours. Blessings.

[@iman11nami]

Because the devil is real too

[@thecatatemyhomework]

A few months ago police put out a new sketch of a man.

[@miraculousbluebird1996]

Ex boyfriend. The sheriff's office needs to be kicked in the ass for waiting so long to star looking into her disappearance.

[@jerrymarbury9365]

Whats with the jogging dont these people watch forensic files,dateline etc ?get a treadmill or join a gym,too many chesters runnin round these days

[@lindseymarieshortshittribe4101]

True that

[@devinisdead4061]

Or carry a firearm locked and loaded.

[@zoehannah6278]

Not in europe lol

[@zoehannah6278]

@@devinisdead4061 true yank gun freak...

[@devinisdead4061]

@@zoehannah6278 I keep one in the chamber at all times.

[@utcougar]

Any updates? I feel like she’s in some basement in Jarrell, a small town just north of Georgetown. Don’t know why but always felt that town was a bit spooky. Like she’s in some underground room below a mobile home or RV.

[@CuteGirl-co9ji]

I think she's being held in that town in someone's basement

[@maxalberts85]

To this day?

[@CuteGirl-co9ji]

@@maxalberts85 yes

[@ErinJeanette]

I would have to guess she's dead unfortunately

[@maxalberts85]

Take a look at the posting of Trump's shoe and toilet paper stuck to it.

[@daniiiakasha4711]

It’s possible

[@NefariousEnough]

These "perfect places to raise a family" usually harbor ill intent.

[@rockstarofredondo]

😂😂

[@samcroce6623]

Looks like Israel Keyes from the skitch of suspect in the area and I heard the FBI found Google searches of Rachael Cooke on his computer and he owned a White Camaro .

[@TheGoddessLillith]

perhaps it was someone who was there when the ex was bothering her and when he came across her by chance later while she was out running he used that fact because he knew that the suspicion would fall on the ex. I do believe it is someone who knew her.

[@katrinarose72]

Where her parents lived isn't somewhere you happen upon. It's a small country neighborhood on the outskirts of town. It was a planned kidnapping/murder.

[@shawndouglass2939]

Wow she was Beautiful

[@unslaadkrosis9435]

It was the ex boyfriend i tell ya

[@eartheternal3565]

That is hearsay! Where is your evidence for these unfounded accusations!? But yeah, you're right. 👨‍🎤"I can't live without you, Rachel boo hoo hoo"

[@joasok3642]

No it was her father.He failed the polygraph

[@dawneverhart5490]

I think it is possible that her ex boyfriend paid off high school kids to do something with her. I didn’t grow up in the best neighborhood and it wasn’t at all uncommon for people who were over 18 to approach high school kids and ask them to commit crimes (nothing as severe as kidnapping that I ever heard of), but the normal line used to try and convince the kids was “I’m and adult, I will go to jail for a long time, you are under 18 so even if you do get caught, you will be charged as a juvenile and be out in a few years with no adult record”. I have never heard of a group of teenagers cutting school and adducting a complete stranger, but if offended money and this explanation it naught make sense that they just happened to be cutting school that day and driving around in circles where she would normally be jogging. It would also make sense that they waited till the last minute before she got home. Being young, they would have had to work up the nerve and that would have been their “now or never” moment. Plus she would have been tired out from her run and less resistant. Only someone who knew (or was told) her routine would have known she was about to go home.

[@Icrshou]

I think the person that sent that “tip” into the police, at the trailor park, was probably the abductor taunting the police. I mean the dogs still smelled the body by the time they got there. Seems strange

[@rapitup45]

Crime of opportunity i think.

[@asuddencaseofredpilling2664]

Another missing 411 type. Runners always get taken

[@joasok3642]

She finished her run

[@Anita-k]

This case makes me wonder, how her killer could burn her body that quickly? (LE search began 5 hours later, according to the informations of the podcast; I would've thought this isn't enough time for doing that). Maybe I've missed something here, or: Someone else held her captive till the official search ended after 17 days (or at least had her body for so long) and burned her after that time period. Very strange! Can't imagine LE would've missed a fire on day 1/the night of her abduction. Edit: Somehow this comment certainly belonged to another case; I've no idea how it ended up here.

[@joasok3642]

Her father failed polygraph

[@axc5386]

Wasn't Jimmy fennell a cop for Georgetown at the time of her disappearance hmm 🤔

[@sunflowerz54]

You don’t Dump someone you have been with just to move. She already had a new friend. That would be sad to a small town boy? Someone knew her ! And knew where to abduct her

[@marinabrola]

The name of the aggressive and suspicious ex-boyfriend was witheld? If it's true that when her family called the Sheriff and was treated dismissively and spoken too so specifically, "she probably ran off with her boyfriend to Mexico"...that's an odd claim as if they had been informed she had a new boyfriend...as opposed to her old one. I would guess the ex boyfriend had a family connection to local law enforcement. That would explain how his name was managed to be witheld. That would also explain why they blamed her romantic life on her disapearance as if to say they agree with the ex boyfriend; she wanted someone else and this is what she gets for choosing him. It also explains how they know and have a patsy that was in the area who might be willing to confess to a crime he didn't do, knowing his personality as an attention hungry type so bad he could be bribed to confess. But his previous cromes were nwver sexual assault motivated. If so it is likely the ex-boyfriend and any others with him did indeed sexually assault her and kill her with a hammer and that's why they fed Moore the story, in case her body did surface the method of murder would be confirmed as Moore's doing since he was the only one on record stating how she was killed. And yet, if she was raped maybe they couldn't takw the chance DNA could be recovered and lead back not only to the ex boyfriend but also the coverup by law enforcement. She was nabbed in the smallest possible window she could be so it was likely someone like the ex who knew her schedule well.

[@cosmicvagrant3980]

Only misogyny, never misandry...

[@elnabjelland-hughes8172]

Is it possible the ex boyfriend killed her ??

[@streetseal3641]

Jimmy fennell was a cop for Georgetown at that time 🤔

[@adriennescrazylife188]

She was home visiting... why would she have a job?

[@AntiMasonic93]

I swear she looks like Jenna Bush Hager.

[@maxalberts85]

So is he saying she was taken from her home?

[@darrenbeckman6089]

ex boyfriend

[@Randomname315]

Smoking glookies

[@bsee205]

Everyone should check out Midnight Mysteries KZbin channel. His criminal astrology charting is scary accurate.

[@asformeandmyhouse4665]

Breckyn Estes looks like a bunch of cartoons tbh

[@patrickwatrin5093]

Look into josh guimond

[@candyrain09able]

EX BOYFRIEND

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

Yep that was my first thought .. and then when I knew she went running, I figured he watched and waited for her. He might have known her route.. So sad 💔

[@shawndouglass2939]

@@the_eerie_faerie_tales yes he more than likely Did know her route

[@theboldandthebeautiful3729]

100%

[@joasok3642]

Her father failed polygraph

[@bsee205]

Her Astrology chart shows it was likely a couple who abducted her. It’s likely they lived in the neighborhood and the man and woman were equally dangerous and Rachel would have recognized them or saw them as associates due to them living in the neighborhood. It shows they took her for sexual assault reasons and she likely suffered head injuries. It also shows this same couple are likely to be the couple that reported seeing Rachel that morning between 9:30-11am. This couple would seem normal in public but dangerous behind closed doors. I think the police need to look into the couples that reported seeing her that morning , sounds like law enforcement Did a horrible job from the beginning. It’s unfortunate what happened to her but Astrology never lies.

[@Calaveraqueen24]

bull crap

[@bootsandcats1501]

It would be cool for you to speak in front of a camera and insert pictures and clips as you're talking about it rather than just doing a very scripted voice over the whole time. I would feel like I was having an actual conversation with someone, and I would absorb the information more easily. Just my thoughts. You do good work regardless.

[@TheSmashingDoc1]

this could be again a 411

[@shawndouglass2939]

@@rosselliswilkinson or wolf man

[@TheMYERSFAN25]

This one sounds really simple: The assailant probably killed her and put her somewhere....The end.

[@lucyfer9829]

Most likely, so now comes the difficult part...

[@Jbsutt]

Lol....she didn't feel fulfilled in the relationship?? Yea, I think I know what "didn't feel fulfilled in the relationship" means lol

[@Scorned405]

I would do anything to get the hell outta podunct Texas too.

[@cosmicvagrant3980]

A Texas garden tool in California... Dimes for dozens....