Ep 7. Without a Trace: Carrie Olson

Without a Trace: Carrie Olson is the seventh episode of the 24th season of the popular true crime show, Dateline. The episode delves into the mysterious disappearance of 29-year-old Carrie Olson, who vanished without a trace one wintry night in December 2013.

Carrie Olson was a much-loved teacher who lived in the small town of Dows, Iowa. On December 28, 2013, she was at a friend's Christmas party in Mason City, Iowa. According to witnesses, she left the party around 3 a.m. and headed to her car parked just a couple of blocks away. That was the last time anyone saw or heard from her.

The search for Carrie began almost immediately. Her family and friends worked with the police to try and find her. Her car and phone were discovered in a parking lot near where the party was held. A search party was organized, but despite their best efforts, there were no clues to be found.

The investigation into Carrie's disappearance was slow-going. The police interviewed witnesses and friends, but they couldn't find any leads. The case stalled for years, leaving Carrie's loved ones in a state of limbo.

In 2017, the case received a fresh break. A man named Scott Greene was arrested for the murder of two police officers in the nearby town of Urbandale. Greene was a known troublemaker in the area, and he had a history of clashing with law enforcement.

When looking into Greene's background, investigators found that he had been questioned twice in connection with Carrie's disappearance. At the time of her vanishing, Greene had been working as a security guard in the same area where Carrie's car was found. In addition, he had a criminal record and was known to be aggressive towards women.

The evidence against Greene was circumstantial, but it was enough to make him a suspect. Investigators searched his home and car, but they couldn't find any conclusive evidence connecting him to Carrie's disappearance. It seemed as though the case would once again stall.

However, in 2018, almost five years after Carrie went missing, Scott Greene was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of the two police officers. During his sentencing, he made a shocking confession - he claimed that he had killed Carrie Olson too.

Greene's confession was not enough to solve the case. Despite his claims, he provided no concrete evidence that he had killed Carrie. He didn't disclose where her body was buried or how he had killed her. The investigators were left with more questions than answers.

Without a Trace: Carrie Olson tells the story of the search for Carrie and the long, frustrating investigation into her disappearance. The episode features interviews with members of Carrie's family, friends, and law enforcement officials involved in the case. It also includes footage from the trial of Scott Greene and his shocking confession.

Despite the lack of a resolution to the case, Without a Trace: Carrie Olson is a gripping and emotional episode that sheds light on the heartbreak and uncertainty that comes with missing person cases. The episode is a testament to the dedication and tenacity of the investigators and loved ones who never gave up on finding Carrie, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.