Ep. 3: The Chowchilla Kidnapping

Step back to 1976 and uncover the chilling events of the Chowchilla kidnapping—a day when a peaceful, small-town morning turned into a nightmare. In this episode, Cortney and I trace the timeline of that fateful day, explore the impact on a tight-knit community, and delve into the investigation that followed. Through detailed accounts and expert insights, we reveal how an 11‑hour ordeal shattered the sense of security in Chowchilla and left lasting questions about resilience, trust, and the nature of fear. Join us as we piece together one of America’s most perplexing abduction cases.

Trigger warning: This episode includes child abduction.

 

Show Notes:

• Mental health is just as important as physical health. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or text "HELLO" to 741741 for crisis support via text

Sources:

• "1976 Bus Kidnapping." City of Chowchilla, www.cityofchowchilla.org/300/1976-Bus-Kidnapping

• "48 Hours: Remembering the Chowchilla Kidnapping." 48 Hours, season 36, episode 20, CBS.

• Goulet, Robert. "Ballad of Chowchilla Ray."

• "Chowchilla." HBO Max, 2023.

• "Chowchilla Kidnapping Collection Find Aid." Online Archive of California, https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8f47tmk/

• "Chowchilla Kidnapping [YouTube Video]." YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJPh0c6VoyQ

• "Edward Ray – A Local Hero." City of Chowchilla, www.cityofchowchilla.org/301/Edward-Ray---A-Local-Hero

• "Ed Ray, Bus Driver Who Helped Save Kidnapped Children, Dies at 91." The New York Times, 19 May 2012, www.nytimes.com/2012/05/19/us/ed-ray-bus-driver-who-helped-save-kidnapped-children-dies-at-91.html

• People v. Schoenfeld. Casetext, https://casetext.com/case/people-v-schoenfeld