In this episode of Grim and Guilty, Diane Kimberly dives into the mysterious case of the Sodder family, whose five children disappeared during a fire on Christmas Eve in 1945. The episode explores the family's relentless search for answers, the theories surrounding the fire, and the haunting legend of La Llorona, a figure in Latin American folklore that reflects deep cultural and societal issues.

Sources -

* Smithsonian Magazine:

[https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-happened-sodder-children-siblings-who-went-up-in-smoke-west-virginia-house-fire-172429802/](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-happened-sodder-children-siblings-who-went-up-in-smoke-west-virginia-house-fire-172429802/)

* Wikipedia:

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodder\_children\_disappearance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodder_children_disappearance)

* The Independent:

[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/christmas-house-fire-west-virginia-missing-children-b2040216.html](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/christmas-house-fire-west-virginia-missing-children-b2040216.html)

* Casefile Podcast Ep.192:

[https://casefilepodcast.com/case-192-the-sodder-children/](https://casefilepodcast.com/case-192-the-sodder-children/)

*ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-25/the-mystery-of-the-vanished-sodder-children/103245390

* Smithsonian Magazine: [La Llorona’s Evolution](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/la-llorona-weeping-woman-latin-american-ghost-story-180971092/

* National Geographic: [Day of the Dead Folklore](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/day-of-the-dead

* JSTOR Daily: [Folklore and Feminism in La Llorona](https://daily.jstor.org/the-weeping-woman-la-llorona-and-the-myth-of-the-mad-mother/

* History Channel: [Urban Legends: La Llorona](https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/la-llorona

* NPR: [La Llorona in the American Southwest](https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128490848

In this episode of Grim and Guilty, Diane Kimberly dives into two chilling stories: the tragic case of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Peña, who fell victim to a horrific gang crime in 1993, and the dark history of the Cecil Hotel, known for its connection to numerous deaths and paranormal activity. The episode explores the impact of these events on victims' rights and the ongoing fascination with the supernatural.

Sources

- "Murders of Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Peña" – Wikipedia (2025)

- "Pure Murder" (2008) – book by Corey Mitchell

- "The Evidence Room: The Devil in Them" – Click2Houston (June 21, 2023)

- "Pure Evil: Ertman‑Peña Murders" – ABC13/KTRK (June 25, 2025)

- "Peter Anthony Cantu Execution" – CBS News (Aug 17, 2010)

- "José Medellín" – Wikipedia (2025)

- "Prosecuting Evil w/ Kelly Siegler" – Oxygen.com (Dec 30, 2023)

- Wikipedia – Cecil Hotel (Los Angeles) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_violent_incidents_at_the_Cecil_Hotel

- Discovery.com – Most Haunted Reasons

- People.com – Serial Killers and Deaths

Coming October 1, 2025 .

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