HOAX: The Sherri Papini Story

Episode 2: A Supermom Returns

Episode Summary

After Sherri is unexpectedly found on the side of the road, her family is overjoyed by her return. But their happiness quickly turns to horror when they see what’s happened to her: she’s apparently been burned, beaten up, and branded. After law enforcement interviews Sherri about her ordeal, new—and surprising—details emerge about her alleged abductors and her time in captivity.

Episode Notes

After Sherri is unexpectedly found on the side of the road, her family is overjoyed by her return. But their happiness quickly turns to horror when they see what’s happened to her: she’s apparently been burned, beaten up, and branded. After law enforcement interviews Sherri about her ordeal, new—and surprising—details emerge about her alleged abductors and her time in captivity.  

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Audio clips featured in this episode can be found here:

  1. Dispatcher call (via ABC News): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHrctetjw2g&t=118s

4:01-4:10

  1. Sheriff Tom Bosenko press conference 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpUMv_KoXow 

07:52-08:00

  1. Sheriff Tom Bosenko press conference 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF_uUk-AZ5E

3:44-4:01

  1. Sheriff Tom Bosenko press conference 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Yl9rMbUEo

00:35-00:57 and 2:15-3:27

  1. Anonymous donor interview with Chris Hansen and Crime Watch Daily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAVNmPJycI8

04:31-04:42 and 05:30-05:34

Sources for this episode:

  1. The Sacramento Bee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAVNmPJycI8
  2. ABC News/Good Morning America: https://abcnews.go.com/US/gma-exclusive-husband-sherri-papini-speaks-familys-ordeal/story?id=43840659
  3. Yahoo: https://au.news.yahoo.com/she-lived-through-hell-sherri-papini-skips-town-with-family-after-alleged-abduction-33429788.html
  4. Detroit Free Press: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/10/25/sherri-papini-abduction-california/799533001/
  5. ABC 7 Chicago: https://abc7chicago.com/sherri-papini-branded-keith-what-happened-to/1630521/
  6. People: https://people.com/crime/sherri-papini-abduction-mystery-man-michigan/

Credits:

Created by: 

Jessica Devine and Abby Schreiber

Written and hosted by:

Abby Schreiber

Executive produced by:

Elena Murdock

Sound design and editing by: 

Gus Hurteau

Original art by: 

Keitha McClocklin

Graphics by: 

Katherine Deck