My mom was murdered in the same town KRISTEN SMART was killed in. When they found my mom’s body they put it out in the media that it might be Kristen’s, and after finding out it wasn’t all media stopped. It’s crazy to me some cases get so much attention, yet others get absolutely nothing.
Your mom deserved the same time attention and recognition. I hope that you get the answers you deserve as this is an incredibly traumatic experience most of us don't have to endure. Peace to you.
A disgraced, fired, former police officer who CHANGED HIS NAME was the last one to have been seen with her alive!? That is SO very suspicious. Mercy, that poor family. God be with them😢
Very much so. Of course, I think about Michael Blair, who was sent to death row in Texas for the murder of Ashley Estell, a little girl. As it turned out, he didn't do it. He won't get out of prison, as he admitted to numerous perverse crimes, but the point is that while he was suspicious, that didn't mean that he was guilty.
Another case from the same area is the Jaleayah Davis case. If you haven’t looked up on it, I would. I assume after watching you’ll understand why I recommended it 🤔
I live in the Parkersburg area and Gretchen was a family friend, close in age and tight with my brother. Nobody took it harder than her grandmother Louise. She passed away a couple of months ago. It saddens me that she will never know the truth. Signs are up everywhere still. Her community has not forgotten her. Thank you for spreading the word!
Preston Pierce now lives in Cabell County, a couple hours south of Parkersburg. We're also a tight knit community and we keep our eyes on him. People regularly post when they've seen him at bars in the area, and some bars have even banned him from the premises due to his suspected involvement in this case. I think he hoped he'd be able to escape the scrutiny by leaving, but that's not happening here.
I Thank You Kindly for Caring Enough To, NOT ONLY keep an eye out for this creep, but for being Bold Enough to Warn Others of his Suspected Activities! *I'm sure y'all have Slowed him, if Not Stopped him from Repeating this tragedy, since he knows y'all's are eyeing, & tailing him no matter what!!! * 🫶🏽➕🙏🏽☝🏽 to you, & Your's!!! *
@@missygonzales4790 even still, being the primary suspect in a missing persons case of a young woman is going to (reasonably) lose you some privileges, like going to bars in a college town and harassing patrons and bartenders, which is what he was doing. They're private businesses that don't owe him the benefit of the doubt.
@@missygonzales4790 Even if he is innocent in this case (which isn't looking good for him), it is known fact that he stalks and harasses women. It is a good thing that establishments and townspeople are trying to take measures to keep women safe from him.
Gretchen is from the town I grew up in and just moved back to about 2 years ago right around the time she went missing. The community has tried so hard to keep her case alive but having coverage from true crime podcasts/creators like you is irreplaceable!!! Thank you!!! ❤
Her grandmother passed away a couple months ago. She never got to see the resolution to this case. She was such an advocate on social media for Gretchen. RIP. Thank you Kendal for bringing attention to this case!!
@olive1427 To do what? I don't want to be personal and may be you are pea size brain so won't engage more from here you people you will loose loved one
I had a curfew with my grandpa too. He said I had to be home by 11 every night. Every once in awhile I asked to stay out later and he would say yes just call before I headed home so he could listen for me and he would let me in. I miss him so much. He is my 👼 now.
I lived with my grandparents and had similar rules. I was a wild teenager so we agreed that if I just wasn't coming home, as long as I called before 10pm and gave them some idea of where I was, they wouldn't be upset at me for breaking curfew ( no cell phones at the time). They knew they couldn't stop me from doing what I was going to do so they tried to at least settle for knowing I was safe-ish😅. Now, my grandmother lives with me and my wife and I do everything I can to take care of her and make sure she has a calm and relaxing life😊.
As a daughter who doesn’t contact my family every day (& sometimes only once a week). I appreciate you making a disclaimer about people not making comments regarding that. I don’t think that speaks to a level of lack of parental care of Gretchen’s family’s part. They did everything they could when they were made aware of the situation, & I’m also so glad that the PD took the family seriously right away.
Right! I moved 425 miles away from my aunts and uncles and grandparents and over 1000 away from my mother, there are times I go weeks without speaking to some of my family members. If I went missing, they wouldn’t know for awhile. She was 27, living her own life. People are acting like she was 15 and the parents were negligent. And that’s just not the case
Do people actually talk to their family every day? I call my parents once a week and the rest of my family I see a few times a year. Contacting your parents every day screams of co-dependency if you're an adult living in a different town/city from them. Who has time to talk to their parents that much? They have lives, jobs, hobbies, go on holiday too.
@@lucysutton7420I don't call her every day, but I do text her every day. Some people are really close to their family, especially if they live far away! I know I am. Just because people are close doesn't mean they're freaks.
@@TakeninthelightI mean I just don't know what I'd say to my parents every day. Like life isn't that interesting that I have that many updates, and I can't imagine most people having things that happen to them that are notable everyday. But maybe your life is just extraordinary and you have notable events happen every day.
WVian here! Thank you for covering Gretchen’s case! I think about her all the time and pray there is justice soon. The suspect has also since moved from the Parkersburg area to the Barboursville area and has continued to be a menace to women there. He needs to be off the streets NOW
@@ShoJ369 I worry about him being in this area because it’s so close to a college town. Lots of young women who may not be sober. I just hope he is taken off the streets soon and people stay vigilant
As someone who had a family member’s remains found after being missing for two years, I always appreciate your missing persons coverage. Especially when you work with the families to get their stories out there. It is so deeply meaningful to have others rally around when you’re suffering through the uncertainty of a missing loved one. My hope and love goes out to her and her family. You’re not alone in this.
That one got to me. It's like Emma said: Missing persons are often just "shells" to people on the Internet. They really put their efforts into giving her a personality and make us share in their loss. The community coming together, including old friends and principals and even the police, is amazing. Her dad's speech made me cry. I'm just a stranger on the Internet as well, living halfway across the world from Gretchen and her family. And I really hope they find her and find peace. ❤️
hey i live here too! i’m so glad she’s bringing awareness to gretchen. i’m so sad that her grandma passed before she could find out what happened to her.
I’m 27 and I talk to my parents once or twice a week max and we still have a great relationship. As a true crime consumer though I always think about how long it would take for anyone to notice I was gone. This one hit hard for me. I hope they can find her and I hope her family never blames themselves.
I can't believe that people would put comments out there that would hurt a family that has a missing child no matter the circumstances. I will certainly pray for this family.
Phones are our link. Gretchen didn't have hers, maybe it was already dead when she left it in her purse. Be safe, everyone. We never know when WE could be Gretchen or her loved ones.
I agree! Between cell phones, dashcams, home and business security cameras, social media, advancements in DNA technology, etc. It's unfathomable to me that anyone would be brazen enough to kidnap and murder someone.
absolutely love john for not only look for her around the bar but when got in his car to search for her THEN went back to the bar just incase :) he didn't have to do all that but he did
As I have seen a few comments from fellow West Virginian's. Just a warning Preston Pierce aka Darrell Lott has been moving around the state. He was further south in the state in the Barboursville/ Huntington, WV area. He was last seen in the area in May. He was banned from a couple bar's in Barboursville after harassing a few women. He doesn't seem to be in this area anymore.
I agree. Bc there’s so many cases that they don’t. And it never ends well. Bc a LOT of cases coulda ended a LOT differently IF POLICE had taken the case serious from the beginning. Peace and blessings to the family.
ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE FOR WV WOMEN: PRESTON PIERCE IS STILL FREE! Less than 2 months ago he was kicked out of multiple bars (for his involvement in this case) in my hometown, nearly 2 hours away from Parkersburg. Stay vigilant and safe
I live in Parkersburg & want to say Thank you so much for doing this story. Our community is a wonderful one that has came together for Gretchen & her family. I do ask everyone to at least share this & keep Gretchen’s story alive, you never know who may have the missing link.
I cannot thank you enough for running this story about Gretchen. I do not know her, or her family, but I live in Parkersburg, and this story continues to break my heart. Prayers for peace for her family, and continued prayers that Gretchen is located quickly. This poor family has suffered enough!
Gosh the footage of her father speaking.. just heartbreaking. I hope they find justice soon and I'm sending love and prayers to all her family and friends.
Ya I’m fully crying I could feel so much, and I always do for these sweet innocent humans who are taken from there loved ones but this is painful for sure. Makes me sick. I fucking hope that piece of shit who harmed her gets what he deserves and rots in hell. My heart and love and prayers goes to this sweet family. I remember being 27 and it’s a very beautiful time in life and as someone who was prayed on ALOT in my younger outgoing days…it’s easy to get sucked into anything from anyone especially when dealing with pain and trauma behind the scenes. I pray this sweet angel gets justice and thank you as always badass amazing podcaster inspiration Kendall for speaking on behalf of these people and there pain. I freaking love you dude keep it up🤎
My wife and I live an hour north of Parkersburg. We go there frequently. The posters are everywhere and I know where that bar is. For those not familiar, Parkersburg is a big area and there are MANY backroads and areas to take someone. Parkersburg has its dark side and good side like all places. The thing that concerns me is that bridges to Ohio are not too far away. My first instinct after hearing her story was human trafficking. Thanks for sharing her story.
Human trafficking is much less likely than the police man being involved. Human traffickers generally do not go after people who will almost certainly be reported missing quickly. That’s a myth. They go after people on the fringes of society.
@@EllieDaisy as someone who was born and raised in Ohio, the police/sheriffs are heavily connected to crimes of trafficking and child exploitation. Wouldn't surprise me if the surrounding states are similar!
I joined up with Kendall as I want to give as much support as I can. My sister was murdered and no one is serving time for killing her. We know who did it and did have a 6 week trial with 150 witnesses. I was no 3. We were absolutely shocked when he was found not guilty. What a joke. Now it's just a open cold case and nothing will happen as they know the person who was found not guilty did it.
Isabel, I'm so sorry for your loss! I can't imagine how much it hurts knowing your sister didn't get the justice she absolutely deserves 😢. Big hugs to you from the NYC area ❤
i am terribly sorry for your loss and unfortunately know how it feels. i live in the netherlands and my best friend plus her mom got murdered by her stepdad. with over 58 witnesses (which is a lot for murder cases over here), dna evidence, written and taped confessions he only got 3 months for ''running from the police''. i'll forever not understand these type of court cases and how they end up like this, let alone having 150 witnesses. again, i'm so sorry for your loss.
I live right beside my parents basically, and I don’t talk to them sometimes for a couple of weeks at a time. Her parents not acting immediately makes complete sense to me, it’s not their fault at all, because we also know we can contact each other at any time just like this family. It’s unfortunate, but I completely understand because that my family relationship as well. Hopefully everyone can be nice and decent when commenting on this 💖
I love your ability to present cases the way you do Kendall - you show such respect, love and compassion 💖 Don’t ever stop sharing these families story’s and fighting for them when the ones who are supposed to protect us stop!
The fact I thought I was invincible most of my teens and adult life and now I'm sober I look back as I listen to cases and think how am I here? I even lived very near to a serial killer twice and had some dodgy encounters with him.
PSA: I didn’t get my license until I was 35. Do things when you are ready and financially ready. For me, it was just a matter of finding the right anxiety medication lol But alas! I love my car and freedom and confidence it brings. You can do anything at any time ❤❤❤ Be brave and don’t be afraid to fail. I know it’s easier said than done, especially if you have $$$ But you can get there too
I've had mine for almost 8 years and my anxiety gets the best of me every single time I think I'm ready to drive. It's annoying but I know it's just a matter of time before I gain the confidence.
Honesty without compassion is brutality. Admire and respect that Kendall always makes a point to remind viewers to be cognizant and sensitive that victim's families will see and read potentially hurtful comments. We need more kindness, folks. Xoxo
Me as well. Actually from Parkersburg area. I would definitely share the case with other true crime creators if you want to give the name of the case here.
Thank you SO much for covering Gretchen’s case!! I moved out of Parkersburg a year ago, but I still try to keep up with updates on her case. I didn’t know Gretchen, but her disappearance shook the entire town down to their bones.
As a West Virginian I love that the town came together. I live about an hour and a half away, but I’ll stay vigilant & do what I can. Thank you for the coverage Kendall 💚
I've been a fan of your channels ever since your vlog channel, years ago. Thank you so much for everything you do. Your work with NECMEC and covering cases that need to be seen! It brings my heart so much light to see a content creator who genuinely makes the right choices and does the right thing and is spreading truth and information. Wishing you light and love ❤️
Wow! What an amazing community, and police force. Her father's speech was heart breaking. Parkersberg takes care of their own, it's really refreshing to see. Sending my best to the Flemming family, and hoping for justice for Gretchen. ❤ from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺
Wow. I'm having a hard time with this one. I met Gretchen in 2016/2017 at a protest. We became Facebook friends, but I never knew her beyond that. She spoke at the protest, and her speech was very moving. I'm sorry to hear such a positive force for good has gone missing. I'm so sorry to her family and loved one. #bringgretchenhome
Sharing this video wherever i can! Gretchen is so missed and the whole of our community here in WV wants her family to have the closure and justice that she and they deserve. Thank you for spreading her story!
As a Parkersburg Native and a fellow Parkersburg High Student alongside Gretchen, this breaks my heart. I’m very well pleased with the PKB police department stepping up. It breaks my heart visiting home, driving past her house and driving through her favorite spots and just feeling the heartbreak for her family. Justice will be served!
Older people need to go to bed at their regular time and to sleep well knowing their door is locked and there is not traffic in their home. I think it’s reasonable where she’s allowing her to stay there and all she asks is to sleep peacefully at night in her own home. It’s fair and grandkids getting their own places is always an option. She was nice enough to let her stay there. Sounds like a good Grammy to me (in my opinion).
@Dinipoirier exactly I understood when I had to be home at a certain time and even still I live out of state when I visit and stay with her I make sure I'm home at a reasonable time
It’s a granny grampa thing- it’s just the way they are from there times. Dahm her granny was so cute and I imagine absolutely adored her time with Gretchen . Uhg 💔
Thank you for posting this!! I’m a childhood friend of Gretchen’s and I still can’t believe this happened and how they have gotten NOWHERE in the investigation. My heart hurts for her everyday. And her sweet grandma who recently passed not knowing what happened to her granddaughter.
this is in the next town over from me and the community truly has kept her name loud and clear! recently her grandmother passed away so please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. i never knew gretchen but i really hope she comes home safe. thank you for covering this case!
I lost my son to suicide in January 2024, and as terrible and traumatic as that was, this is undoubtedly a more horrific and devastating thing for a family to experience. Also to any family whose child is missing and never found. Prayers and God's blessings, strength, and courage to you all.
Kendall!!! I am so happy to see this upload. I just got home from work, and I needed something to watch to mentally clock out of work as well. Your passion and kind heart shines through every video you’re in, and it’s utterly contagious. Your energy instantly lifts me up. I also just followed you on Instagram, despite watching all of your content for years, lol. My heart was swelling looking through the photos you post! You, Josh, and your baby girl look so happy. Such a beautiful family!
Thank you SO MUCH for covering this. I was one out of the many that requested this.. I’m so glad to see it is getting the attention that it needs. I’m from WV and there is a lot of people that do not know about this. Thank you
So glad to see this case getting the attention it’s deserved for so long. This happened in my hometown and seeing the signs for her and the community being so involved is a wonderful thing. Glad someone as big as you can bring more light
I have never heard of this case. When this young woman went missing, I was in the state at the time attending West Virginia University. My grandparents also live in the Parkersburg area. Thank you Kendall and team for bringing attention to cases that have not received as much widespread attention and it’s amazing to hear that this family has been able to trust in their local authorities.
I'm so happy to see you doing this story. I am from Vienna, WV/Parkersburg and know the Fleming family. I did not know Gretchen at all but knew her grandmother Louise and grew up in church with her and her husband. Louise lived for the day to see Gretchen found but sadly she passed away a few months ago. My prayers are with all of the family of Gretchen. This Preston guy will get his one day. ❤🙏
My dad was born and raised in parkersberg and you’re so right, its very family and community centric. Beautiful and kind town. Praying so hard that the family gets answers, gretchen gets justice, and that whoever did it gets punished to the full extent of the law. This is horrible :(
@@Annie-nj6rn just a random kitty pic i found online :-) and aww I’ve always wanted a ginger cat but somehow i always end up with brown striped cats, my boy mateo is 12 but hes still my baby kitten too
I'm convinced it's Preston Pears who did it. Stalkers are rare and so are killers, so a woman and a stalker and a killer in contact with her on the same night seems very unlikely. Police officers do not believe in coincidenses. And him refusing to talk is even more suspicious.
I feel like she wouldn't have gone with a gross man like that. I wonder if he spiked her drink & just lead her out. I feel for her mawmaw. I know she feels guilty for waiting so long before realizing she's missing.
I am almost sure he said he was an off duty police officer and no purse and thinking John had left he probably said he would drop her off. RIP baby angel 🥲
Wow I haven’t watched your videos in a while, and I just love them so much. It’s like coming back home. Idk why true crime relaxes me so much, but it really does, and your format is 10/10! Thanks for making such kind, and considerate true crime content. (I’ve always loved how you spend time making the victims of these stories matter, and spending time showing why their lives being lost matters so much)
I can understand her parents not realizing right away; when I was in college I had a roommate that was frequently coming and going, sometimes for days or a week at a time, and rarely answered texts/calls when I would check in. It occurred to me after the fact that something terrible could have happened to her and I wouldn't have reported it for a while (luckily nothing ever did).
i visited Parkserburg the month she was reported missing and i’ve never seen a community advocate so hard for justice. signs everywhere (and still are) community members talking about her, and conversing their suspicions. kendall was so correct about her description of the community - they banded together in support on spotting a of the suspect to the point where he moved away. i still visit the town often and became interested in this case, so i’m so happy it’s being covered!
I’ve lived in WV my entire life (29 years) and mostly everyone is so kind and welcoming and really come together when things like this happen… A lot of my friends and acquaintances on social media still share Gretchen’s photo and the missing persons flyer. ❤️
i’ve seen a lot of ppl shaming the family but she was a grown women and it is a normal thing my cousin leaves for weeks and then comes back and doesn’t respond to anyone my family isn’t like that but it’s normal for some families
The sad thing about cases like Gretchen one is they are doing what so many other people do like going out to clubs and bars just overall having fun... it makes you think that could have been anyone of us .. any of our friends or family members. We should be able to go out and enjoy ourselves and come home safely
As a long time subscriber of yours and being from where this happened, I’m so happy to see you cover the story! I’ve never seen anything bring the community together the way this has. There are signs EVERYWHERE! And I think we can all come together to agree who is guilty. Anytime there is a sighting of him in public it’s blasted all over Facebook, so people are definitely looking out for one another. I was really sad that Louise didn’t get to see justice for Gretchen, she was such a nice woman. But I have so much faith that the police are waiting for the right piece of evidence to make an arrest.
Hearing about Gretchen’s interests really reminded me of myself 😔 I’m 27 years old with a lot of the same dreams. I’m so heartbroken for Gretchen and her family… I’m praying for her to be found and for justice to be served in every way we can ❤️🩹
You said it best that it's very refreshing to hear you discuss a case where law enforcement appears to be doing all they can. All too often your stories tell a different story. Prayers go out to Gretchen's family and friends.
❤ please do your living will! Don’t make a loved one make a choice whether you live on life support. Most Dr offices, hospitals and clinics have a little folder that will walk you through the process. ❤️
Yes, and also ensure your next of kin is aware of whether you want your organs donated after death. So many people are unaware of their loved ones wishes. A will and making known you life support decisions & organ donation intentions makes these impossible decisions easier to make if that time comes
27:11 I wish my manager did this. Instead he was a POS and told me it must’ve been something I’d said to lead the creepy guy on. He refused to help me close even after the creepy guy waited for hours hoping to catch me taking out the trash. My manager said the guy wouldn’t have done anything and probably just wanted to see me. I remember having to call the cops several times to escort me to my car because my manager couldn’t be bothered and said I was being dramatic. About a year ago the creepy guy was arrested for an extremely violent SA right by the dumpsters where I’d worked and made my local news. I texted my old manager about it but he pretended he didn’t see my text. I was so pissed that I actually went to my old workplace to confront him directly and he hid in the back and called security.
My heart goes to this family. I immediately start crying when I hear ones who lost their loved one speak on their behalf. I pray she finds her way home.
I just want to say I’ve been following you for years and I just love you and all your videos ! You do such amazing work.. it is so needed. You are a light and a voice for many, it is just so inspiring !! Thank you for all your hard work! Thank you for giving these families a voice! Thank you for being you and putting out amazing content! Hope to meet you one day! Please do a meet and greet lol have a blessed day
When we listen to stories of missing children and adults it's so important to put ourselves in the victims familys place. How we would feel if this was our own family member missing. Contributing financially to the families helps with the continued search for their loved ones. Thank You Kendall for giving a voice to the victims.
It’s refreshing to see a police force step up straight away and getting the ball rolling fast. And surveillance cameras that work?? What? Amazing! Praying she is found and her family gets the justice and peace they deserve 🩷
I honestly don't know how these families continue on with such strength. This is just heartbreaking. I hope that there is justice/answers for Gretchen. That creep/cop dude is super suspicious!!!!
As a person from a area near here, when I go shopping I always see these posters. Visibly from all major roads in town vienna. Its both sad and heartwarming seeing the case and the family that goes with these posters. I hope they get their answers soon.
