Sodder Children
The 1945 disappearance of five of ten Sodder children in a house fire in West Virginia, with evidence suggesting they may have been abducted.
Documented record
Known Facts
On Christmas Eve 1945, a fire destroyed the Sodder family home in Fayetteville, West Virginia.
Five of the ten Sodder children were never found and presumed dead.
The parents believed the children were abducted, citing several suspicious circumstances.
A woman claimed to have seen the children being taken in a car with a license plate from a known criminal.
A photo of a young man resembling one of the missing children was received in the 1960s.
The FBI investigated but found no conclusive evidence.
Supporting claims & documentation
Evidence For
Family Investigation Records
PRIMARY SOURCEThe Sodders' extensive investigation and documentation of suspicious evidence.
SOURCE:Sodder family records
Witness Accounts
TESTIMONYWitnesses reported seeing the children or suspicious activity around the fire.
SOURCE:Local residents
Counterpoints & criticisms
Evidence Against
Fire Investigation
ANALYSISOfficials concluded the children died in the fire, though no remains were found.
SOURCE:Fire investigation records
Unresolved inquiries
Open Questions
What happened to the five missing Sodder children?
Was the fire deliberately set as a cover for abduction?
What was the significance of the threatening phone call before the fire?
Who sent the photo in the 1960s?
Chronological record
Timeline
Fire destroys Sodder home; five children missing.
Family conducts extensive investigation.
Mysterious photo received claiming to show one missing child.
Connected dossiers
Related Investigations
References & further reading
Sources
Automatically discovered links
Related Connections
FBI appear in both.
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FBI appear in both.