COLD COLD

Blamed on Bundy | Everyone Knew Everyone | 1

Sep 23, 2026 · 1h 15m

Summary

Investigative journalist Dave Cauley revisits the 1975 disappearance of Nancy Perry Baird in East Layton, Utah, a cold case long attributed to Ted Bundy. Cauley interviews Tom Jackson, a former police officer and convicted child sex offender who was married to Nancy’s childhood friend, to uncover new details about the night she vanished. The episode explores the small-town dynamics, Nancy’s life story, and the complex, dark history between Jackson and the victim’s family, revealing how this single interview triggered a decades-long reckoning for survivors of abuse.

Topics discussed

Content warning and the podcast premise Introduction of journalist Dave Cauley and the Nancy Baird case The impact of the investigation on the Baird family Timeline of Nancy's disappearance on July 4, 1975 Officer Anderson's report and the East Layton PD structure Investigation details: the green van and Nancy's belongings Police response and the ATL alert Sponsor break and introduction of Brandt Baird Brandt's memories of his mother and the family's move The Perry family background and rockhounding hobbies Nancy's childhood friendships and social life in East Layton Teenage years, curfews, and the Berthana roller rink High school dynamics and Nancy's brief relationship with John Sparks Meeting Dee Baird at the Washington Boulevard car drag Nancy and Dee's courtship and early marriage Life as young parents and the subsequent divorce Nancy's post-divorce struggles and job at the Fina station Sponsor break Dave Cauley travels to Idaho to interview Tom Jackson Meeting Tom Jackson and his connection to Nancy Addressing Tom Jackson's criminal history and sex offender status Tom Jackson's role as Echo 4 and last living witness Tom's account of the night Nancy disappeared The search for Nancy and the Fernwood location Police habits at Fernwood and Jerry's testimony Dave's skepticism and seeking corroboration from Jerry Jerry Jackson's difficult childhood and isolation Tom Jackson's childhood and relationship with his father Tom's military service and meeting Jerry The relationship between Tom and Jerry Tom's behavior with Jerry's sisters and the gas station robbery Formation of the East Layton Police Department Tom and Jerry's marriage and financial struggles Sponsor break and KSL Brightside promotion Initial investigation focus on Dee Baird and other suspects Tom's request to interview a friend and PD incompetence Officer Anderson's resignation and personal issues Speculation about Officer Anderson's involvement Transfer of the case to the county sheriff Media speculation linking the case to other disappearances The Ted Bundy connection and public fear Bundy's capture and the case going cold Tom's theories on the abductor and his regret Jeremy Jackson's perspective on growing up with Tom Jeremy's recent contact with Tom and the podcast release Discrepancies in Tom's story regarding the address book Contradictions in Tom's timeline and location Tom's suspicion of Officer Anderson and secrets kept Credits and production team acknowledgments Sponsor break
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