The Disappearance of the Sodder Children

On Christmas Eve in 1945, the Sodder family's home in Fayetteville, West Virginia, was engulfed in flames. George and Jennie Sodder, along with their nine children, had been celebrating the holiday when the fire broke out. The couple managed to escape with four of their children, but five others-Maurice, Martha, Louis, Jennie, and Betty-were unaccounted for.

Despite extensive searches, no bodies were ever found, leading George and Jennie to believe their children might have survived. The couple received several tips over the years, including sightings of their children in various states. Some reports suggested they had been kidnapped.

In their quest for answers, the Sodders began to suspect foul play. They recalled strange occurrences leading up to the fire, such as a mysterious man who had been seen watching their home and a couple of phone calls they received just before the incident. George, a prominent local figure, had also had confrontations with the local mafia over his business.

Determined to uncover the truth, the Sodders erected a billboard along the highway, offering a reward for information about their missing children. They maintained hope for decades, even hiring private investigators.

In the years that followed, they received numerous tips, including a photo of a man who resembled one of their sons. Each lead was pursued, but none led to the truth. The family continued to live in their home, haunted by the loss and mystery surrounding that fateful night.

To this day, the fate of the Sodder children remains unsolved, leaving a chilling legacy of what might have happened that Christmas Eve. Their story stands as a haunting reminder of the unknown and the enduring pain of loss.