Episode 149: The Zaharias Abduction - Stolen Childhood

On November 20, 1987, in Mission Viejo, California, Susan Zaharias abducted her two toddlers—three-and-a-half-year-old Christopher and fifteen-month-old Lisa—after a violent argument with her husband Louis, assaulting his mother and fleeing with almost nothing for the children. Battling severe alcohol, cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine addiction that had drained the family’s savings, Susan had met Louis in 1977, married him in 1981 despite her family’s fierce disapproval, and used relatives to race through Lake Elsinore, California, then Oklahoma, Detroit, Michigan, and several weeks in Greensburg, Pennsylvania before vanishing from Detroit in January 1988. For nearly 39 years Louis has never stopped searching: he sold almost everything he owned to fund lawyers and investigators, kept Christopher’s favorite blanket and Lisa’s dolls, got matching forearm tattoos of the children, and appeared on Unsolved Mysteries and other shows while moving across states to rebuild his life. Active felony warrants remain for Susan with a $250,000 bond; investigators believe all three are alive with ongoing family contact, and current age-progressed photos show Christopher in his early forties and Lisa nearing forty. Louis still hopes his children will one day learn the truth about the father who never gave up on them.

Branch of Hope: Crimestoppers of NY Crime Stoppers of New York plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety by encouraging community involvement in crime reporting. By providing anonymous channels for reporting, the program helps law enforcement solve crimes and bring offenders to justice. If you have any information about a crime, consider reaching out through the hotline or the mobile app to contribute to your community's safety. Hotline: Call 1-800-577-TIPS to report any information regarding criminal activity.

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep