Christmas Eve Fire
On the night of December 24, 1945, a fire broke out in the Sodder family home in Fayetteville, West Virginia. George and Jennie Sodder, along with four of their children, escaped the blaze. However, five of the Sodder siblings—Maurice (14), Martha (12), Louis (9), Jennie (8), and Betty (5)—were never seen again. Despite the intense fire, no remains of the children were found in the ashes, leaving their fate a mystery.
Failed Rescue Attempts
George tried desperately to save his children, but obstacles stood in his way. His ladder, which was usually propped against the house, was missing. He attempted to start his trucks to climb to the second-floor windows, but neither vehicle would start, despite functioning perfectly the day before. Even the fire department, located just 2.5 miles away, arrived seven hours after the fire started due to communication delays.
Strange Circumstances and Suspicion
Several odd events occurred before and after the fire. A stranger had warned the Sodders about a potential fire hazard, and another man threatened George over his outspoken criticism of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Following the fire, the family received reports of sightings of the children, sparking a belief that they might still be alive.
Ongoing Investigation
The Sodders never gave up searching for their children, erecting a billboard on Route 16 and offering a reward for information. Despite multiple leads, including a photograph believed to show one of the missing children as an adult, the mystery remains unsolved to this day.
The Unsolved Mystery of the Sodder Children Disappearance 👨👩👧👦
Christmas Eve Fire
On the night of December 24, 1945, a fire broke out in the Sodder family home in Fayetteville, West Virginia. George and Jennie Sodder, along with four of their children, escaped the blaze. However,… pic.twitter.com/cuwf9tH8vX— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) October 4, 2024