MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: The Jamison Family
Crime Junkie
MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: The Jamison Family
00:00 / 54:44
AI Summary
This episode explores the mysterious disappearance and deaths of the Jamison family—Bobby, Sherilyn, and their six-year-old daughter Madison—who vanished on October 8, 2009, while looking at land to purchase on Panola Mountain in Oklahoma. Their truck was found abandoned on October 17th with their malnourished dog inside, along with $32,000 in cash, their phones, IDs, and a disturbing seven-page letter from Sherilyn detailing abuse and fear for Bobby's soul. Despite massive searches, no trace of the family was found initially, leaving investigators puzzled about what happened after they took a photo of Madison at 2:51 PM and returned to their truck. The case becomes increasingly complex as investigators delve into the Jamisons' troubled past. Both Bobby and Sherilyn struggled with prescription painkiller addiction, financial difficulties, and were involved in multiple lawsuits, including Bobby suing his own father and obtaining a protective order against him. Sherilyn had recently gone off her psychiatric medications, attempted suicide, and lost custody of her older son. In the months before their disappearance, the family reported their house was haunted by spirits, reached out to a pastor for help with demons, and had begun spray-painting strange messages about witches on their property. The episode presents a case filled with contradictions—domestic abuse allegations, supernatural beliefs, family conflict, and financial stress—all of which muddy the waters around what actually happened to this family seeking a fresh start by living off-grid in a shipping container.
Key takeaways
- 01The Jamison family's truck was found abandoned on October 17, 2009, with $32,000 in cash, their phones, and a disturbing letter detailing domestic abuse, but no sign of the family themselves
- 02Both Bobby and Sherilyn struggled with painkiller addiction and were involved in multiple lawsuits, including Bobby suing his own father and obtaining a protective order claiming his father had tried to kill him twice
- 03In the months before disappearing, the family believed their house was haunted by spirits and reached out to religious leaders for help dealing with demons, while Sherilyn had gone off her psychiatric medications
- 04The family's last known photo was taken at 2:51 PM on October 8th showing Madison in the woods, and their truck was positioned as if they were about to leave the mountain when something stopped them
- 05The case remains unsolved with undetermined deaths no longer being actively investigated, despite numerous suspicious circumstances and unanswered questions
Timestamps
Topics
Books mentioned
- The Vanishing at Smokestack HollowJake Anderson
Companies mentioned
Quotes
"Bobby Jameson, I am writing you this letter with a spirit of truth and shame. I am asking you forgiveness for ever coming into your life for everything that I have done to you that has hurt or offended you."
— Sherilyn Jamison (letter read by Brit)
"You have broken my heart and called me names like whore, bitch, and whore. I rebuke you and pray for your soul. You are a very toxic person. You need to find happiness. You contaminate everyone that you are around."
— Sherilyn Jamison (letter read by Brit)
"Maybe you and me both, that with the force that you beat me on the spine that I did not have a heart attack or being paralyzed from the neck down. You have tried to take my life on more than one occasion."
— Sherilyn Jamison (letter read by Brit)
"I fear for your soul."
— Sherilyn Jamison (letter read by Brit)
Transcript
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. We all talk about mental health, but seeking help still feels hard. BetterHelp's 2026 State of Stigma Report surveyed 2,000 Americans and revealed that 85% of Americans believe getting support is wise, yet 74% say that society discourages people from doing so. BetterHelp is closing that gap by making support accessible for all. Their simple questionnaire pairs you with a fully licensed therapist. And with 1.7 million reviews, averaging 4.9 stars, BetterHelp is proven flexible care. Don't let stigma stand in the way of support. Start therapy with BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com slash crimejunkie. That's better, H-E-L-P.com slash crimejunkie. Hi, crime junkies, it's Brit. If you're like me and you're ready to dive into even more cases, there's another podcast I think you're gonna love, Park Predators. In Park Predators, host Delia D'Ambra dives into the haunting crimes that happen in some of the most beautiful and unexpected places across the globe. Delia has helped host a couple of episodes of Crime Junkie in the past, and if you've listened to her before, you already know her investigative approach brings the facts of each case and their chilling details to life, making Park Predators the perfect mix of captivating and informative storytelling. So once you're done with this episode of Crime Junkie, go check out Park Predators. New episodes drop every week. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, crime junkies,…