“Go no farther. There’s nothing in this cave worth dying for.” Those were the words printed on the sign at the entrance of an underwater cave in Vortex Springs, Florida. Despite this plaintive warning and the drawing of the Grim Reaper that accompanied it, many divers of differing skill levels failed to heed these words in search of adventure. On August 18, 2010, 30-year-old Ben McDaniel was seen entering the water in his scuba gear. He was never seen on land again.

What was at first assumed to be a tragic, yet straightforward diving accident came into question as days went by without Ben’s body being found. Did Ben get deeper into the cave than anyone could have imagined? Or did someone remove him from the water before searchers could find him? Some have questioned if Ben was ever in the water at all that night, or if something completely different happened on the ground. The only thing we know for sure is that after a decade, despite an extensive search, no one knows for sure what happened to Ben McDaniel.

Anyone with information on the disappearance of Ben McDaniel is urged to call the Holmes County Sheriff's Office 850-547-3681.

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Never get into a car with a stranger. That’s something everyone’s parent has told them at one point or another. But when 11-year-old Trudy Appleby got into a car on the morning of August 21, 1996, she wasn’t with a stranger. Trudy’s family believes that she was with someone she knew. Someone with whom she felt safe. But Trudy wasn’t safe, and she was never seen again after that day.

Over the years, suspects have been named, and suspects have died. Now, in 2025, 29 years after Trudy was last seen, a grand jury has indicted Jamison Fisher in the murder of Trudy Appleby. Could the answers that Trudy’s loved ones have been fighting for finally be here?

If you have any information on Trudy Appleby’s disappearance, please contact the Moline Police Department at 309-797-0401

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This episode was originally released on September 1, 2021. We're re-releasing it this week so you can catch up before listening to our update episode.

When Dennis Appleby came home during his lunch break and didn't see his 11-year-old daughter Trudy, he wasn't initially worried. It was the last days of summer and he assumed she was outside or over at a friend's house enjoying herself. But when he returned from work that evening and there was still no sign of Trudy, he knew something was wrong. Despite witnesses and even Dennis himself saying he knew who was responsible for his daughter's disappearance, Trudy Appleby's case has remained unsolved for the last 25 years. But that could all be changing soon, as police believe they are closer than ever to having the proof they need to put her abductors in prison.

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