
Show Notes
Today, we explore the tragic disappearances of Arrilla Webb-Vaul and Dodie Gay, two young women who vanished just months apart from the same shopping mall in 1979. Arrilla, a 23-year-old housewife, and Dodie, a 17-year-old high school student, were full of life and promise. Their cases are chillingly similar, with too many coincidences to ignore.
Arrilla’s car was found abandoned near the Jimmie Davis Bridge in Shreveport, Louisiana, with a punctured tire. Witnesses saw a man approach her car, but Arrilla was never seen again. Dodie disappeared from the same shopping mall just a month later. Her car, also with slashed tires, was found in the parking lot. Dodie’s body was discovered weeks later, but her murder remains unsolved. Both families were left devastated, searching for answers and closure that would never come. In this episode, we dive into their lives, the investigation, and the heartache of those left behind. These women were more than just victims of tragic disappearances; they were daughters, sisters, and friends whose futures were cruelly stolen. Tune in as we uncover the haunting details of their unsolved cases.
If you or anyone you know has information about either of these cases, please get in touch with Bossier Sheriff’s Office at (318) 965-2203 or Bossier Crimestoppers at (318) 424-4100. If you’d like to learn more about her story or others like it, make sure to subscribe to our podcast for more episodes.
More from Navigating Advocacy
Melissa and Whitney revisit the death of CU Boulder student Megan Trussell, a 19-year-old film major found in Boulder Canyon after leaving her dorm on February 9, 2025. Officials ruled her death a suicide, but her family and many others have unanswered questions and note the investigative gaps, including missing phone and purse, limited video footage, injuries, and evidence they say was not fully tested.
In October 2006, 29-year-old mom, volunteer firefighter, and Army veteran Margaret Haddican McEnroe vanished from her Warren Township, New Jersey home after a tense period in her marriage; her baby was left alone, and her car, wallet, and most belongings remained. For six days, her family wasn’t even told she was missing, and early assumptions delayed an urgent investigation. As questions grew around shifting timelines and an alleged domestic dispute, Margaret’s sister Adrienne pushed for accountability and renewed attention, stressing how advocacy can keep a missing loved one from being dismissed or forgotten.
Brandon Lawson disappeared off of the side of Highway 277 just outside of Bronte, Texas. After running out of gas, calling his brother, Kyle, and a chilling 911 call, Brandon remained missing for over 8 years.
In this episode of Navigating Advocacy, we’re joined by two well-known voices in true crime podcasting—Tim Pilleri and Lance Reenstierna of Crawlspace Media.
Alex VanDalsen was a free-spirited 21-year-old who disappeared on February 3, 2021, after leaving his home in Lafayette, Indiana. Days later, his body was found in suspicious circumstances, leading to questions about the initial investigation, which quickly ruled his death a suicide. Despite clear inconsistencies and a lack of thorough investigation, Alex's family continues to seek justice and answers for his mysterious death.